Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Flippedy]

Aloioi retirement

DCE perhaps?

 

[hammertime]

Feels very negative having a war chest and not being proactive. Is our entire recruitment policy now just sitting back and waiting?

We signed our best (May) with that approach.

If we're the only ones with money at the time, it gives a lot more leverage than if you're going up against 3-4 other teams for a signature. The worst thing we can do is to go waving around that we have cash and limit our bargaining position.

I'm sure Richo knows the teams that may have a few cap issues.

 

[king_sirro]

Apparently Burton to Cows/Bears

We would be crazy not to be going after him

Whether it is 5/8 or lock, I think he would add so much value to our team.

Luai/Burton halves is crazy good with Fainu playing lock. Reverse the roles, Fainu/Luai halves and Burton lock is also crazy good.

Burton is massively overrated. I liken him to Adam Doueihi who we just resigned on much less money than it would take to get Burton

 

[Betterdays22]

Burton is massively overrated. I liken him to Adam Doueihi who we just resigned on much less money than it would take to get Burton

Burton is a much better player ball in hand than Doueihi but has the same defensive problems on the edge.

If "defensive genius potential best coach ever" Ciraldo can't fix his defence then I doubt we can...

 

[Tito Santana]

havent read much so apologies if this is already here

richo playing it cool, we have money, we are looking at someone to fall out of the tree like may last year

plenty to play out

Geez Matt Burton would be a great get. Would love to have him. Tito likey.

 

[tigahhh]

burton is terribly overrated. there’s a reason the dogs may move him on, 4 try assists all year. you all tear luai apart for his stats, burton’s are horrible for a 6. i think he’s a centre at best

 

[Ermo]

Moale would’ve been a good signing

Manly finally targeting young forwards, they will be better in 2026 with Kobe and Moale

Moale is for ‘27

 

[Milky]

Burton is massively overrated. I liken him to Adam Doueihi who we just resigned on much less money than it would take to get Burton

Big body, creative and great kicking game

I would rather liken him to Wade Graham

I think Bulldogs structured play has hindered him

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

I take it partly with a grain of salt RHS. Richo is a big PR guy. He knows what to say & when to say it.

He may just be saying this to reinforce belief in our current squad from the top dog as they head into their off-season. But when a good player who will add value to our squad becomes available, he & Benji will be all-in (like with Terrell). I have a gut feeling we'll land someone very decent for next season & beyond over the next couple of months.

Yep, Under promise and over deliver. I am also thinking that his appointment of Shaun Mielekamp is a step towards a smooth CEO Succession Plan.

 

[jrtiger]

we can’t afford Burton. short odds to land in Perth with his brother in law who plays Cup for the Chooks. next.

 

[tigahhh]

little jelly of the dragons signing of David Fale, has good upside. he’s super close with the boys in our squad. i guess we don’t need more outside backs.

 

[Canadian Club]

Apparently Burton to Cows/Bears

We would be crazy not to be going after him

Whether it is 5/8 or lock, I think he would add so much value to our team.

Luai/Burton halves is crazy good with Fainu playing lock. Reverse the roles, Fainu/Luai halves and Burton lock is also crazy good.

It's crazy how the Dogs have now shafted Burton and Mahoney who were both big parts of their turn around as a club. All for a half who some of the best judges in the game like Sheens, Ivan Cleary and Matty Johns all believe is a lock long term and not a half.

 

[Aceshigh]

Burton is massively overrated. I liken him to Adam Doueihi who we just resigned on much less money than it would take to get Burton

Wrong in my opinion he is a gun footballer and should have been in the SOO team , he would be an asset

 

[Wezt]

Cowboys and ‘Rival’ Sydney club after Burton according NRL360

 

[Flippedy]

Cowboys and ‘Rival’ Sydney club after Burton according NRL360

Parra?

 

[426Tlgerland]

Cowboys and ‘Rival’ Sydney club after Burton according NRL360

Burton at 7 Luai at 6 or other way and AD lock that would do me

 

[426Tlgerland]

Perth bears to secure Brisbane Tigers as feeder club , why aren’t we doing this , bloody hell the Brisbane tigers have got plenty cash as well to do stuff with in pathways , gives kids a run in qld cup via them , Richo what are you doing ,

 

[TheEnz]

Of course I hate losing ! it burns my soul . But I see no purpose in passive aggressive , underhanded , soft comments . Most games after we lose I’m like Madge , doing everything I can to not put holes in the wall. But once I’m settled mentally , I rewatch most games , and try and be fair and square and objective . I know this game . It’s not very complicated if you’ve spent much time in an open age footy team , let alone a higher level one .
I personally find it weak . It’s criticism with zero constructive element —- so bitching and whinging ! And the justification in bitching whinging , when criticised for it by others , is “you like mediocrity” … which is like doubling down on your bitching whinging , so now you’re justifying it with more bitching and whinging . For me I prefer to concentrate on what I see are areas for growth , and participate in conversations around that . Whether it be , where the improvement in the squad is coming from , or whatever.
I think Benji has done a great job .
We were being run as a vanity project for 2 imbeciles , one ex afl dickhead , and a fedora wearing ambulance chaser.
There was no attention to detail . Whether it be the members pack , or the players we recruit or whatever, even they bullshitted around members numbers . This toxic culture whilst it may have seemed similar to the “white and black is better than oranger and black” or “a feline is better than a bird” , it wasn’t similar at all , but rather we’d let ineptitude seep into the walls . Which early doors the issues was we couldn’t make any decisions without a committee and a bunch of blokes arguing . That shifted to 2 outsiders running the club into the ground IMO.
So we tried it with first with sheens , and unfortunately for him , Father Time remains undefeated , and for many reasons he didn’t have it anymore (despite what Tony Adam’s and his mates now at manly might tell everyone) , and then we had to go with Benji . Which i think will turn out the only smart decision those dipshits will have ever made … and they did it because they thought it would be a publicity stunt to kick the can down the road a few more years for themselves … .
I think I’ve explained where I’m at now mentally . And it’s a healthy place . I’m not happy clapping. But I’m also not putting all the negative energy into the universe you see from guys like gunner , and that fraud from Townsville , whenever they haven’t taken thier antidepressants or are on here stirring shit .
I’m resilient . I don’t quit easy …

Avoiding criticism of individuals as I’m trying to steer clear of that, everyone’s opinion holds value; even if not relevant to others, it’s significant to them and can be a helpful way to vent and maintain sanity.

I completely agree with your perspective and share a similar thought process. We have several young players in key positions who will continue to develop, along with some more experienced players adapting to a new system. Additionally, we’ve moved on from a significant number of players carried over from the previous administration.

I’d describe us as predominantly young and inexperienced, with only a few experienced players who haven’t had time to gel within our system. Looking at my preseason prediction for where we’d finish in 2025, it was fairly accurate. However, given how open the competition was and the great wins we achieved, we probably should’ve finished a few spots higher. That might even be a compliment to Benji, as there were times we outperformed my expectations, and the effort was consistently better than I’d hoped.

There are various evolutionary paths a team can take during a season. You could have a young squad that catches fire but falters at the final hurdle (Raiders), a team of experienced players and fading superstars who are competitive but inconsistent (Manly), or a balanced team that consistently rises to the top (Panthers, Storm). Then there are the in-between teams like Dogs, Broncos, or Roosters, who catch fire at certain parts of the season yet can be a bit Jeckyl and Hyde in their performances (just referencing this season), and finally, the also-rans who are either rebuilding or struggling with a weak roster (us and others).

Bring on 2026!

 

[TheEnz]

burton is terribly overrated. there’s a reason the dogs may move him on, 4 try assists all year. you all tear luai apart for his stats, burton’s are horrible for a 6. i think he’s a centre at best

Dogs fans I know wanted him dropped and Sexton at 7 with Galvin at 6. This was when Galvin first joined and they all though he was the Messiah....they soon found out he was just a naughty boy.

 

[TheEnz]

It's crazy how the Dogs have now shafted Burton and Mahoney who were both big parts of their turn around as a club. All for a half who some of the best judges in the game like Sheens, Ivan Cleary and Matty Johns all believe is a lock long term and not a half.

Article in the SMH confirms Galvin shopped himself to the Panthers when he found out we signed Luai and they were not interested as they too believed he was a 13, they were already courting Blaize to replace Luai.