The danger when attempting to fill such an influential position is getting a millstone contract wrapped around your neck which you can't get out of. Top class scrum halves are incredibly rare. Just look at the Titans. Holbrook made the foolish mistake of thinking he could get rid of Fogarty (who isn't even elite) and they blew a ton of games because they didn't have someone sufficiently influential to take control of the game when momentum started to shift. If you aren't 100% certain about a potential #7 I'd always err on bolstering the pack and waiting until the right guy comes available. But there are ... what ... six or seven real difference making #7s in the NRL? A lot of competition. I recently saw a photograph on Twitter where the Bulldogs and Gould had invited St. Helens CEO Mike Rush and coach Paul Wellens to dinner at the club while they were over for the WCC. Whilst there are good relations between St. Helens & the Dogs stretching back to the James Graham trade I imagine the futures of Welsby and Dodd were high up on the agenda for discussion.
Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
- Start date
think you over valued him bb,if Nicko Hinze just re signed for850x4
Looks like him and his uncle screwed us over again. Resigning brooks, Bateman for 4 years, Klemmer. All part of his plan thanks Issac! U ass clown.
I get his role as head honcho, he doesn’t do any of the contract negotiations though. He has empowered Sheens fully - so if Brooks is extended etc the Moses comment should be aimed at Sheens not Pascoe.
BAGNF05
Well-known member
Recruiting has improved a lot since we got out from under the shit long term contracts Ivan and Justin signed. I’m actually glad we didn’t mortgage the club on Mitch.
Yep I too thought Titans were crisp on Sunday. We were the traditional razzle dazzle of the early Sheens WT sides but the Titans looked more controlled in their attack. I’m not as confident of a win as many here are but hey, it’s a new season and all we have is hope
People seem to be giving it to Sheens and Pasco as we missed Moses and might be extending Brooks etc.. Not sure why as this really didn't play out in the media like past and the rest of the recruitment this off season is top class. (I would even say we have had the best recruitment this off season of all clubs)
Just a reminder of what we have lost and gained and its astonishing really:
TBH the only player from that Losses list I would have liked to kept was Hastings but the rest were just average 1st graders.
The gains have been outstanding and even without Moses I truly believe we are heading up the ladder..
I grade the Club an "A" and think people will be surprised just how good Brooks and AD will go this year with the freedom to just play eyes up footy.
Just a reminder of what we have lost and gained and its astonishing really:
| 2023 GAINS John Bateman (Wigan Warriors, 2026), Sione Fainu (Manly Sea Eagles, 2024), David Klemmer (Newcastle Knights, 2026), Apisai Koroisau (Penrith Panthers, 2025), Justin Matamua (2025), Isaiah Papali'i (Parramatta Eels, 2025), Fonua Pole (2025), Apisalome Saukuru (2023), Will Smith (Gold Coast Titans, 2023), Charlie Staines (Penrith Panthers, 2023), Brandon Tumeth (2025), Brandon Wakeham (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 2023) |
| 2023 LOSSES Fa'amanu Brown (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Luke Garner (Penrith Panthers), Oliver Gildart (The Dolphins), Jackson Hastings (Newcastle Knights), Luciano Leilua (North Queensland Cowboys), Jacob Liddle (St George Illawarra Dragons), Jock Madden (Brisbane Broncos), Thomas Mikaele (Warrington Wolves), Zane Musgrove (St George Illawarra Dragons), Tyrone Peachey (Penrith Panthers), James Roberts (retired), James Tamou (North Queensland Cowboys), Kelma Tuilagi (Manly Sea Eagles) |
TBH the only player from that Losses list I would have liked to kept was Hastings but the rest were just average 1st graders.
The gains have been outstanding and even without Moses I truly believe we are heading up the ladder..
I grade the Club an "A" and think people will be surprised just how good Brooks and AD will go this year with the freedom to just play eyes up footy.
Just my opinion but I would have kept Hastings before Brooks. Sure, he's not the quickest or flashiest. But in terms of intangibles - it's no contest. With top and up-and-coming scrum halves being as rare as a dodo's egg I know if I can't land one I can always sink money into building the most physically intimidating pack possible and Hastings can do a job. I can't say the same about Brooks. His form is just too up and down.
crazycat
Well-known member
Honestly if the price is 600K, Done.
Were probably going to be talking 800-900 min. That's where it becomes iffy.
600k depth, unsure who is coming up in the lower grades but IMHO that's Luke Brooks market price.
I was more impressed that the players knew they had to earn it before the rassle dazzel started. Klemmer said they need to do the hard yards first and follow the game plan.
We looked out of sorts the first 20 mins on offence, but our defence held strong in that time which was pleasing.
BAGNF05
Well-known member
How would an agent keep a straight face asking for 900 for Brooks? And whose our lead negotiator if we don’t laugh in their face? Lee?
I hope Holbrook can survive. He really turned my club around and we owe him a lot. His failure to address some pretty fundamental issues (letting Fogarty go without an adequate replacement and the running sideshow which is Fifita) is a concern. The fact that he didn't lose the dressing room after so many heartbreaking losses suggests he's doing something right. But he can't have another year like the last one.
TigersFan101
Well-known member
They played the dolphins ffs and still leaked 16 points
Every team in the comp will be dropping at least 30 on the dolphins
watersider
Well-known member
Parra have locked in big money in their halves and fullback and, while they're all good players, I don't think they're better than Penrith, Melbourne, Souths, Roosters, cowboys, Sharks and maybe Manly in those positions. Even Broncos might have better players there with cobbo emerging. So I'm not sure how far that gets them. They look like a solid top 8 side but hard to see them going beyond other teams mentioned.
I came around to idea of Moses after being very against it, but that contract would come with lots of pressure and would be awkward seeing him back. I think it's good for him and Parra that he stayed. Not really fussed that we didn't get him.
I came around to idea of Moses after being very against it, but that contract would come with lots of pressure and would be awkward seeing him back. I think it's good for him and Parra that he stayed. Not really fussed that we didn't get him.
TigersFan101
Well-known member
600k and also don’t forget the long service relief aswell
watersider
Well-known member
Those sorts of comments always come back to bite us.
BAGNF05
Well-known member
You can smell the headline, Dolphins maul Tigers in historical win.
crazycat
Well-known member
Yea, ah Nah.
Kenny + Jesse Bromwich, Felise Kaufusi + Mark Nichols... EseEse, etc.
Their front row is massive and they won't be walked over. Their backs will lack coordination, Wayne will sort that out after a few games.
Hammer is out so I don't expect them to go too far. I also don't expect them to be walked over. I expect losses, but less then 4 point losses.
TigersFan101
Well-known member
Yeah ik but you watch round 1 ladder will have roosters on top with their for and against at 50+
Agree our recruiting has been top notch compared to other clubs.
I get why many aren’t comfortable with the possibility of Brooks being extended before he has taken the field or AD being extended also. They should get runs on the board.
But also realize there just aren’t better options at the moment and for the price of their extensions if we did snare a awesome half option then have zero doubts either could be moved on given either won’t break the bank.
If we went for Dodd or Welbsy doubt we could get them for 24, Williams can’t see coming back after what happens last time. Not much left around the traps to even try for 24. If we get a rookie & they didn’t perform Sheens and co would cop it.
