Absolute Long-Shot ... But What If JWH Came Home Early ?

[DP1990]

Random thought here and I’ll stress from the top, this is a massive, long-shot, but it's worth a yarn given the time of year. June 30 is fast approaching, and while we’re not totally desperate (we've got some solid young forwards like 'Naufahu Whyte, Taylor Losalu and Salesi Foketi' coming through and doing the hard yards), you can’t help but feel we’re missing that one “dominant, experienced leader” in the pack right now.

With Lindsay Collins and Spencer Leniu on Origin duties, and Whyte still a few weeks away, there’s a bit of a gap up front. And let’s be honest, Lindsay’s form as of late has been a bit off despite him getting the Maroons jersey and yes, I get that he hasn’t played much footy leading up to origin but it is what it is and unfortunately the timing isn’t great as we try to steady the ship halfway through the season.

So, here’s the idea - could we get Jared Waerea-Hargreaves back before the June 30 deadline ?

Yes, I know he's already announced his retirement at the end of the Super League season, but why not finish up back at home ? It’d be a great story and a fitting send-off. Plus, even a short stint with us again could be a real moral and confidence boost across the squad both on and off the field.

Imagine the impact he could have mentoring our younger forwards in the closing stages of the season. His presence, aggression, and leadership might be exactly what we need during this Origin period lull and to push into the back end of the year.

It might not happen and probably won’t, but still, wouldn’t mind seeing it floated !


Pipe dream or possibility ?

[Steggles]

JWH is a legend. I love Jared and what he did for our club over so many years, but I think it’s time we moved on. Having Jared back in the team would be just holding our young guys back even longer and we’ve seen that when they’ve been given an opportunity, they’ve played really well. Stick with the youth; no from me.

[The Lip]

Yeah either JWH or Artie would be great! Maybe we could also get Lazarus ( the nrl player not the biblical one)

[Bates]

Speaking of long-shots.

Would Turbo be a suitable replacement for Teddy?

Tom if off contract at the end of next season. Foxsports is reporting that he's linked to a Super League club when his current contract expires.

He's currently on $1.2 mill a season and will turn 29 in October.

[Steggles]

Speaking of long-shots.

Would Turbo be a suitable replacement for Teddy?

Tom if off contract at the end of next season. Foxsports is reporting that he's linked to a Super League club when his current contract expires.

He's currently on $1.2 mill a season and will turn 29 in October.

Then we’d have to buy another fullback as well given Turbo misses more games through injury than he plays. I’m not sure there’s enough band aids, strapping and bandages in the Eastern Suburbs to cater for Turbo.

[Bates]

Then we’d have to buy another fullback as well given Turbo misses more games through injury than he plays. I’m not sure there’s enough band aids, strapping and bandages in the Eastern Suburbs to cater for Turbo.

Yeah Turbo's next contact will be interesting. Great player however poor value when you factor in his injury history.

Rate your top 5 fullbacks

Paps
Teddy
Ponga
Turbo
Edwards

Tell you who I like and would be a great replacement when Toops retires. Tamale from the Raiders. This lad can play and could potentially move to fullback.

[King Salvo]

JWH may come back to the Roosters in some sort of coaching/mentoring/consultancy role once he finishes up in the ESL but zero chance of coming back as a player.

They need to stick with the program - Internal development - It worked for Penrith and the Roosters pathways are as good as anyone's with the added bonus of Central Coast Roosters also fielding Men's sides in the Regional Andrew Johns ( Under 16's) and Laurie Daley ( Under 18's) Cup Comps.

In 2026 Central Coast Roosters will field their own SG Ball ( Under 19's) Side - Central Coast Roosters Men's Junior pathways players can stay on the Coast with a pathway system from under 16's through to under 19's before graduating to senior reps - Jersey Flegg ( Under 21's)

[BTRD]

The big dog is looking down the barrel of winning a super league title in October with Hull KR.

And no again to that tosser DCE.

[Kiwi Rooster]

Yeah Turbo's next contact will be interesting. Great player however poor value when you factor in his injury history.

Rate your top 5 fullbacks

Paps
Teddy
Ponga
Turbo
Edwards

Tell you who I like and would be a great replacement when Toops retires. Tamale from the Raiders. This lad can play and could potentially move to fullback.

Damn, I saw Tamale absolutely man handle Collins at one point on the weekend. Collins didn't know what hit him and Tamale was the one with the ball!

[Rooster_6]

No the minutes we are putting into and will continue putting into the likes of Foketi, Steep, Va'a's & Losalu will pay off next year.

Whyte was in the same position, getting some consistent minutes off the bench last year and we are reaping the rewards of that investment this year.

That is the whole point of this season, build these players up for the future.

[Barron's Dream]

Sorry but it's a ridiculous idea.

[Steggles]

Yeah Turbo's next contact will be interesting. Great player however poor value when you factor in his injury history.

Rate your top 5 fullbacks

Paps
Teddy
Ponga
Turbo
Edwards

Tell you who I like and would be a great replacement when Toops retires. Tamale from the Raiders. This lad can play and could potentially move to fullback.

If 100% fit, I’d rate the fullbacks something like -

Teddy
Daylight
Turbo
Paps
Ponga
Edwards

And yes, Tamale would be a handy replacement for Toups when he calls it a day.

[Bates]

Damn, I saw Tamale absolutely man handle Collins at one point on the weekend. Collins didn't know what hit him and Tamale was the one with the ball!

He is choice bro and off contract at the end of next season. I reckon his manager will be busy as bro

Back to the topic on hand.

Any player that comes into this developing squad should be part of a 3 to 4 year plan imo. This is one of the main reasons i'm not in any way interested in DCE.

[Batemans Bay Rooster]

"Pipe dream or possibility?"

Neither, just a very bad idea.

[MKCS]

He isn't really playing amazing in the Super League and I don't think we really need him, it seems like Spencer Leniu will one day be that grubby tough forwards leader we need.