Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Tom Shines]

I don’t get people saying we should use the money saved on Bateman and possibly Sullivan to upgrade Galvin.
If it was money that Galvin was after he would have taken an upgrade already
He is waiting on how the team performs and how our future looks before signing any new contract with us.
Personally I like how he is dealing with his future , taking a risk that he doesn’t get a major injury and really wants to play in a team that is competing for a title.

there are strong rumours he has been made an offer already for an extension …. this will include an upgrade the next two years he has been contracted for … I don’t think the money they save from moving on Bateman and Sullivan changes anything

 

[Tiger Stripes]

I know, same here. But purely as a NSW Cup signing, he'd be good for the Magpies and excel at Cup level. We'd then have a spine in NSW Cup with ...

Fullbacks - Mason (Staines, Naden)
5/8 - Fainu (Doeuihi, Ackland, Mason, Naden)
Hooker - Hope/Hodges (TDS, Wilson)

Pretty good if we can complement it with an experienced half. Not many on the market who would accept just a Cup contract.

Mason at fullback is a NO NO.
Freezes for bombs when contested by opposition. Lets them bounce or just stuffs up.

 

[Canadian Club]

What’s the difference if he’s train and trial or top 30? Is it budgetary ceiling or something? Just for Tito to understand better.

Top 30 is all under the salary cap and each players salary is guaranteed for the period they are signed for. They can also play from round 1.

My understanding of Train and Trial contracts is that the player gets paid match payments rather than a salary. Their deal can also be terminated at any time (without compensation) and they can only play after a certain round (round 10 i believe). Essentially you get paid less, can get released any time without further payment and can't play until a certain round in the season.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Mason at fullback is a NO NO.
Freezes for bombs when contested by opposition. Lets them bounce or just stuffs up.

Hopefully he has been practicing every day over the off & pre-season taking bombs. If he's serious, he'd do that in an hour of extras each day. What's that saying, you become an expert when you've done something for 10,000 hours!

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Top 30 is all under the salary cap and each players salary is guaranteed for the period they are signed for. They can also play from round 1.

My understanding of Train and Trial contracts is that the player gets paid match payments rather than a salary. Their deal can also be terminated at any time (without compensation) and they can only play after a certain round (round 10 i believe). Essentially you get paid less, can get released any time without further payment and can't play until a certain round in the season.

Development contracts are around $80k + $3k per NRL game. Can play from Round 1.
T&T contracts as I understand were $1,200pw in 2024 + $3k per NRL game. Can play from Round 11 only.

 

[Canadian Club]

Mason at fullback is a NO NO.
Freezes for bombs when contested by opposition. Lets them bounce or just stuffs up.

Bit early to judge Mason, he's still only a 19 year old kid. He has plenty of time to improve and work on his game.

 

[bptiger 0]

When do we resurface the Harrison Hassett rumour?

I actually think he makes perfect sense, given the lost contract value of paying half of Bateman's contract.

Sam Fainu, Seyfarth, Hassett, Porter, Sukkar, Tumeth. Maybe Bird as well.

You'll laugh, but that would be the time I'd add Liam Knight on a T&T for depth as well.

Don’t like tumeth , he’s to light , sukkar is not ready , but like ur last player , think knight would be a good cheap player

 

[Tim Sheens]

I don’t get people saying we should use the money saved on Bateman and possibly Sullivan to upgrade Galvin.
If it was money that Galvin was after he would have taken an upgrade already
He is waiting on how the team performs and how our future looks before signing any new contract with us.
Personally I like how he is dealing with his future , taking a risk that he doesn’t get a major injury and really wants to play in a team that is competing for a title.

Either way, the potential Galvin upgrade offer money has to come from somewhere, as do the dollars to pay whichever player takes Sullivan's top 30 spot if/when he officially departs.

 

[Tim Sheens]

Hopefully he has been practicing every day over the off & pre-season taking bombs. If he's serious, he'd do that in an hour of extras each day. What's that saying, you become an expert when you've done something for 10,000 hours!

Great, he should be an expert catcher by his mid forties 🙂

 

[XDuffman]

Has there been any serious chatter about Leo Thompson for next year

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Has there been any serious chatter about Leo Thompson for next year

Only in this thread

 

[Tom Shines]

Has there been any serious chatter about Leo Thompson for next year

The media is saying he has accepted an offer, and whilst they haven’t named the team yet, it seems very likely it’s elsewhere ….so No

 

[SeanT]

Yes a really fit and trim Tim would be a gun back rower , he has size , adaptability,,runs hard , the other one I heard was Adam Eliot free to leave Newcastle if he finds a club

He's been playing lock well at the Knights.

 

[Ecto-1]

Has there been any serious chatter about Leo Thompson for next year

The 2 main clubs after him were Bulldogs and Raiders and Bulldogs said today they’re no longer interested. Which likely means he said yes to the Raiders and the Dogs are trying to save face.
Seemed to happen a lot to the Dogs this year, they’re no longer interested in a player right before they sign with another team.

 

[upthetigers]

a two year deal for a first grade-ready backrower is the logical move for all parties. Ethan Bullemor is probably the ideal candidate. I'm also pretty keen on Simi Sasagi.

means we aren't blooding any of the above too early. Sukkar's the furthest down the development path of those you mentioned and even he hasn't done a full year on an edge in Cup. that's what he needs in 2025.

in regards to the lower-end players you mentioned leaving, I wouldn't be at all surprised if there's a few teams that come knocking in January. the club seemed fairly confident that would happen. Staines and Naden would probably field a few offers.

Bateman had to go but why are we so desperate to get rid of Staines and Naden. You want them playing well in reserve grade and creating competition for spots.

 

[jrtiger]

What’s the difference if he’s train and trial or top 30? Is it budgetary ceiling or something? Just for Tito to understand better.

mainly security brother.

minimum wage is $135k guaranteed and quite often $3k in matchies per week providing you’re in first grade.

train and trial you get $1k cash in hand a week and then the $3k in matchies, but you’re only eligible to play first grade from Round 10 onwards.

for a guy like Sione with two young kids, security is everything.

 

[jrtiger]

Bateman had to go but why are we so desperate to get rid of Staines and Naden. You want them playing well in reserve grade and creating competition for spots.

i’m not. the club is. it’s been reported by both News and Nine that Staines and Naden are free to leave should they find suitable offers.

 

[user118245]

Very good sleuthing lol

His private account isn’t tho, will regularly check who he follows

 

[upthetigers]

mainly security brother.

minimum wage is $135k guaranteed and quite often $3k in matchies per week providing you’re in first grade.

train and trial you get $1k cash in hand a week and then the $3k in matchies, but you’re only eligible to play first grade from Round 10 onwards.

for a guy like Sione with two young kids, security is everything.

and with train and trial they can tap you on the shoulder at any time, right?

 

[GNR4LIFE]

His private account isn’t tho, will regularly check who he follows

You need a hobby brother