Everyones talking about missing out on Tino, Fotuaika, Twal, Seyfarth, and Utoikamanu in particular but both these clubs finished in the bottom 8. Tino and Fotuaika only put the Titans in one place above the Dogs and despite the Tigers having Twal, Utoikamanu and Klemmer as well as Bateman and Papili'i they finished last. I don't think Haas was ever going to leave the Bronco's.
So there wasn't many good forwards left on the market. It seems there were not many props that were signed overall as far as moving to another team including
Fletcher Baker,
Thomas Flegler, ,
Keenan Palasia,
Spencer Leniu and
Samuela Fainu. Only Leniu and Flegler are standouts so there were only 2 decent props that were willing to change clubs on the market.
Theres been lots of talk about getting other props like Haas, Fotuaika and Twal but they chose to remain at their clubs and no amount of money was going to change that. Its been a bit the same with halves in recent years. Theres plenty of outside backs which make up the majority of signings but not props.
So considering this I think thats why the Dogs have promoted
Isaac Matalavea-Booth to the top 30 and if he meets expectation then he will be dominant like a Lenui or Fotuaika.
Burleigh Bears prop Isaac Matalavea-Booth was hard to stop in his side's victory against Northern Pride and is the Round 11 Hastings Deering Colts 'Heavy lifter'. Video: Brayden Davies / QRL
www.qrl.com.au
We also bought another young prop from the Tigers
Kitione Kautoga who seems pretty good and we can mold them into the type of player we want. Also we have
Chris Patolo who was out injured last year to be available and have resigned Sam Hughes though not in the top 30 as yet.
I think we will also sign 1 or 2 new props. I think
Siosiua Taukeiaho maybe one and
Poasa Faamausili has also been mentioned. Maybe its another young gun or maybe we get lucky and sign Daniel Sarafiti which would make us close to a decent side. But I think for whats available at the moment I think its wise to get younger props with potential than buy fringe established props or get in a bidding war for top tier props.