Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[finnzo]

“It’s a big decision for me, and I’ve got to have a think about what’s best for me".

“I think a lot of the time I haven’t put myself first with these decisions. When the time comes I’m going to sit down and maybe be a bit selfish and do what’s best for me”.

“I’m getting towards the back end of my career, so I’ve got to make a decision where I’m going to play my best footy, and a club that looks like they’re going to be in contention."

“I haven’t played finals footy, and that’s what I want to do, you want to win premierships.”

- Luke Brooks, July 2022

This was at a time when he was playing terrible football had zero confidence hated Madge and the fans were giving it to him

A lot has changed since then

 

[pawsandclaws1]

And unless WT have or unearth another top shelf goalkicker, Wakeham needs to bring that too.

Wakeham does a job and even in the short time he has played in our NRL team, he has improved. He can play a role within his capabilities and at an affordable rate. Plus as you have written he kicks goals.

 

[hank37w]

Yes you are correct it was Adam Gee in the bunker.

Was that a Gee Up and is it the same as a F*ck Up?

 

[tony soprano]

Sounds like tough & right conversations are being held to me. 2yrs isn’t a massive win for Sheens and Benji. Takes him into Benji 1st year only. Brooks will be 30 at the end of it with still another few years easily left.

Haven't had an external Signing in a long time

 

[tony soprano]

This was at a time when he was playing terrible football had zero confidence hated Madge and the fans were giving it to him

A lot has changed since then

results haven't changed.

 

[tiger05premier]

Who are we really competing with for Brooks signature????

Our reserve grade team?

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Our reserve grade team?

this place will implode if he is re-signed lol

 

[tiger05premier]

Moses ain’t that good mate

Lucky he has a good kicking game as he doesn't have the heart for the physical part of the game

That's where Brooks beats the grub

 

[Telltails]

on the back of madgeball... seems to be enjoying his football under Sheens and marshall

There was a time when he was playing well under Maguire when Matterson Farah and Benji were in the side and the focus was not all on him. He is much better player when he has support on the field in the form of leadership.

 

[batboy]

There was a time when he was playing well under Maguire when Matterson Farah and Benji were in the side and the focus was not all on him. He is much better player when he has support on the field in the form of leadership.

They haven’t made many players in a hundred years that can carry a team on their own…. They have made a couple… but not many!!

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

how does the salary cap work ?

Are they able to front load Brooks contract e.g. give him some of the unused cap for 2023 to contribute to paying less for 2024 ?

So if we have a spare 150k from joffa deal as an example can we give that to Brooks so his 2024 deal is say 650k (less 150k) so 500k for 2024 under the cap ?

 

[crazycat]

Can we do the same with nofa as we did with joffa?

Nope.

The only chance for Nofa is to punt him to England.

No NRL team is taking Nofa off our hands unless we paid 300k... which IMHO I don't see a point.

Nofa watch out if you see the trainers ankle tap you a lot at training....

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

I think you are dreaming a bit and would be very lucky to get Brooks for 550k plus the 180-200k long service/veterans allowance.

Half backs don't come cheap and then it leaves you with full freight on Nofo's contract because you have used up the veterans allowance.

Unfortunately due to the forces of supply and demand you are not going to pick up any sort of NRL ready half for less than 750-800k especially when there is very little available on the market at the moment.

Reports today say we have offered 500-600k for Luke Brooks. I guess I am a lot closer to the mark than you are buddy.

 

[Halbrowne61]

I can't see Brooks manager agreeing to anything less than 700k. Given the lack of halves available to replace him and Sheens desire to keep him he now finds himself in a great bargaining position.

I’d say it’s probably an opening gambit from us, there will be a counter offer, then let the games begin. I agree TT around $700k is possibly where they’ll meet.

 

[Dennisspicer1]

Who are we really competing with for Brooks signature????

one poss Super League team. No one else has been mentioned, from what we are hearing it sounds like half a dozen clubs are after him ?????????
Talau was always going to take a little while given he missed the entirety of the season last year and had a few weeks out after the Knights game. once back in the side he's slowly improved week on week, culminating in his best game last week.

his current trajectory could see him become a very decent left centre by the end of the year, which will be disappointing if he heads to Manly, considering we helped him to rehab and have now given him plenty of time onfield.

Blore is a disappointing one. I'm not sure what they expected with him given he's played approx 20 games in four years. I feel as if he's a class above in Cup and is a victim of being a specialist backrower as opposed to a utility like Kepaoa. he must be on a deal that doesn't reflect his output, that's the only thing I can think of. it's a loss that could really come back to bite us unfortunately.

 

[supercoach]

There are a few clubs that would not hesitate to pay Brooks 750 a season plus.
This could be interesting, Chooks, Cowboys, Titians, Dogs and even Parra if Dylan Brown court appearance turns ugly could be in the market for a six or 7. I think Sheens will be willing to pay what it takes, but Brooks might feel he has had enough bashing and head elsewhere

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

how does the salary cap work ?

Are they able to front load Brooks contract e.g. give him some of the unused cap for 2023 to contribute to paying less for 2024 ?

So if we have a spare 150k from joffa deal as an example can we give that to Brooks so his 2024 deal is say 650k (less 150k) so 500k for 2024 under the cap ?

Yes.

I had a post a day or two ago about how we have been front loading and who I think we have frontloaded. Sheens very proudly claimed at the start of the year that they have already done some frontloading, still had a shit ton of money in the bank and how if we do not pick someone up we will continue to front load.

 

[Telltails]

They haven’t made many players in a hundred years that can carry a team on their own…. They have made a couple… but not many!!

That is what I was trying to point out - like most players he performs better when he has got some better players around him.

 

[Ermo]

Yep, barely score. We needed a player in the bin and the ref to go bonkers penalising them and even then we couldn’t score enough to win the game.
So you can sugarcoat it all you like but one game of 66 and 19 points in 5 mins doesn’t cut it.

The comment was we could barely score against 12 players. I think 19 points in 5 minutes shows that we scored pretty well Vs. 12 players.

 

[bptiger 0]

Who are we really competing with for Brooks signature????

Leeds super league, word is they want him