With the 2021 season fast approaching and prediction articles about to come in thick and fast, I thought I’d get in ahead of the trend and take a punt on who I believe will be the most astute signings of the upcoming season.
It is universally agreed that Apisai Koroisau was the buy of 2020, transforming the Panthers attack and leading them from outside the eight into the grand final. This was a huge kick in the guts to Manly fans, as he was released due to the emergence of Manase Fainu, whose legal troubles left Manly without a star dummy half. Koroisau took the unofficial gong from the more fancied preseason predictions of Valentine Holmes, Brodie Croft, Jesse Ramian and Latrell Mitchell.
For that reason my list for 2021 avoids many of the more talked-about names over the current offseason and does not mention David Fifita, Addin Fonua-Blake or Joseph Suaalii. The list also includes a development player who will be pushing for an opportunity if injury, suspension and poor form arise.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui comes to the Titans as an established premiership winner and Origin representative. All the talk has been around David Fifita, and this may work in Tino’s favour as the pressure will mostly fall on the former Broncos star. This will allow him to flourish in the middle and stake his claim as not only a Gold Coast pack leader, but also as one of the most damaging forwards in the NRL.
James Tamou
The Tigers have been busy bolstering their forward pack in 2021 with the introduction of James Tamou, Joe Ofahengaue and Stefano Utoikamau. While Utoikamanu might be the most exciting prospect, what they get with Tamou is an experienced leader, premiership winner and well-established former rep player. He not only brings a winning culture to the club, but can mentor the promising youngsters, which include the previous mentioned recruits, as well as Shawn Blore.
Jack Bird
A risky pick, but at full health, there is no doubting that Jack Bird is a superstar. A low risk play for the Dragons, too, as the Broncos are footing a large chunk of the bill. He had the world at his feet in 2017, amassing five Origin games and a premiership before the age of 23. Injuries over his three-year stint at the Broncos has seen him only take the field 17 times.
Bird will be hoping a change is as good as a holiday next year as he returns to his junior club and I don’t think anyone in the NRL community will be upset if we see Bird back to his best in 2021.
Jack Bird battles with John Bateman (AAP Image/Rohan Thomson)
Jason Saab
While who will play number nine for at least the first half of the season is the main (rugby league) talking point coming out of the Northern Beaches, Manly have quietly strengthened another one of their weaknesses by bringing in Jason Saab and Christain Tuipulotu to add speed and size on the wing.
With Tom Trbojevic out for the majority of last season, Manly fielded the slowest outside backs in the comp by a country mile. They have moved to improve this with the addition of Saab, who clocked a speed of 34.8 kilometres per hour in Round 9 last season. Saab was finally given his long-awaited release from the Dragons where he was unhappy with the long commute. 2021 now gives him the opportunity to live up to the potential that has been spoken about for the last few seasons.
Luke Metcalf
A prediction out of left field, but Metcalf looked to have first grade written all over him when making the team of the tournament at the NRL Nines for Manly last year.
COVID restrictions and the lack of a reserve grade competition ruined his chances to push his claim, but he can still consider himself unlucky not to get a run during Manly’s injury-riddled campaign. This upcoming season should give him the opportunity to shine in the second tier, and if Cronulla face a poor year, as many have predicted, the speedy Metcalf will come into calculations for their troubled fullback spot.
Louis McIntyre
Roar Guru
Dragons fans sure are bitter at Saab and don’t want to see him succeed (and probably rightfully so). This is a prediction article, let’s come back to it at the end of the year and see how he went.
Louis McIntyre
Roar Guru
An astute signing is a smart signing (synonyms) and can apply to anyone who adds more value to their club than what they are paid. Ben Kennedy came to Manly on big money but the way he changed the culture made him an excellent signing. This is a prediction article, let’s judge it at the end of the year. I also disagree about Bird, he’s on big money but that doesn’t apply to the Dragons as Brisbane is paying a large chunk of it.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
Jason Saab is not an astute signing. In limited games at the Dragons he looked disinterested and while he's tall I didn't see anything else that stood out. The way he carried on at the end too says he has some growing up to do
Tony
Roar Guru
Yes, seen some footage of him. Very quick!
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Manly have a young champion fullback called Tolutau Koula, who they will likely be forced to play Centre or Wing. He has 100 yards on Saab as a player and would probably beat him in a match race.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Because the sympathy card is more powerful
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Louis, If you are going to use the term "astute" then you must also add the player's salary as it is totally relative. Tino and Bird both command huge pay packets. The true definition of an astute signing is someone who is signed on for a minimum and turns out to be a star. eg Harry Grant
Tony
Roar Guru
But don't you love the reasons they come up with. Why not just say they've got a better offer?
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Baz, it was ALWAYS about money, it is always about money.
Cyril Snodgrass III
Guest
Tigers looking good for 8th or 10th
Cyril Snodgrass III
Guest
Flanagan will always have a rather difficult problem...... .a critical father who is an ex first grade coach the Roosters coach didn't appreciate the gratutious advice provided by Shane Flanagan
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the heads up on Roache. I knew nothing about him and just assumed he was a 2nd in line back up Hooker. Having done a bit of reading he looks a lot more promising, but the poor bloke has certainly been hit with the unlucky stick when it comes injuries.
watcher
Guest
I agree with you about Papalii, he is still young but is actually a well rounded player. Another Eels pick up from the Warriors is Nathaniel Roach. He has been cruelled by injury but is a dominant DH if he can get a run of games
andrew
Roar Rookie
Souvalis, Saab was found wanting in the couple of games he played for Saints this year. His positional play was terrible, and besides, Saints have Dufty at fullback and, no disrespect to Saab, but Saints have better wing options.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Like your sense of humor brookvale.
Larry1950
Guest
Geez, the dragons will have to get more out of Bird than the broncos did in three years. In saying that, I’m not bagging Bird because you don’t set out to get those knee injuries. However, Brisbane can’t be free of criticism, buy a relatively young guy with chronic arthritis on a big & lengthy contract, very suss. Instead of subsidising his dragons contract, I would have stuck solid & hoped to get a dividend in 2021 if I ran the bronco recruitment. How many discards are they intending to subsidise, bad recruitment decisions now compounded. I wish Jack luck.
Plastered Plasterer
Guest
My thinking also . Tamou is quite often a big slug , and at 32 he’s looking down the barrel of retirement, so easing out of the game without injuries may be in the back of his mind.
Joe
Roar Rookie
He is probably the highest profile signing the Storm have made since Dale Finucane, although Dale was playing off the Dogs bench at the time whereas Reimis is a starter. Perfect replacement for Suli on the right wing...slightly taller, great in the air and when fit is quicker than Suli. A good off season and he should be scoring tries on that right wing same as Suli was. The only question would be his carries and meterage.
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
I can think of at least half a dozen players I'd like to add to that list, given Parra's signings to date, but from that list (of Parra signings) I think Papali'i has potential. To digress a tad from the topic at hand, I'd like to see Parra sign a big forward (big as in big, and big as in gun). But back on topic at hand and to date I think the "Best Buy", other than Tino, from a right fit for the club (what they need)/value for money perspective would be Flanagan.
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure about Davey, and I say that with a conflict. I like him, admire his persistence, think he is all so close to a FG player, but even when I saw his name in our 17 this year I was always thinking who else was available. The conflict; I wish him every success, as per above I like/admire the guy, but.... well now I feel really sorry for him, and can't wish him all the best.