If our starting props are May and Pole, then I'd have Bunty replace Pole at the 20-minute mark, and Hunt replace May for 10 mins either side of half. That leaves Twal and Sione to play lock (as I think Doueihi will be starting 7 with Latu at 14) until Lindsay Smith arrives in 2027...
Some people are saying we don’t have room in the salary cap for certain signings. I’m not sure why that would be the case. Below is an example of a balanced use of the club salary cap (obviously, this is just a generalisation for the sake of argument).
2026 SALARY CAP: $11.5M (Plus $300k for...
Even 2 years on $400k (what he is reportedly on at Storm) wouldn't be terrible business. Fit, strong defender, from a good system and just out of a grand final -- plus he's 195cm. Would partner May well or off the bench. Imagine him and a renewed Hunt on the field at the same time...
Bird is looking elsewhere too (some behind-the-scenes stuff I promised not to share) so could have another roster spot before the start of next season. I love his energy but didn't really find his spot here.
Also, the tigers would love Talakai but doubt the Sharks will let him go after his...
At the start of the season I said winning 10 games would be a pass mark. We won 9. So I guess thats a fail. That being said, pass or fail is a false binary, thus why its a ladder with 17 places. No one can deny we improved from last year. Black and white thinking is rarely a healthy mindset...
So if both Manly and Eels win this weekend, our finals hopes are still alive. Even if Dolphins beat Manly, we could still make it but they would have to lose to the Titans the following week, which could be a bridge too far. If Roosters win this round, then the highest we can finish is 9th...
My take is we just need one elite middle forward to round out our team. Either a Haas-esque prop to partner May (I know, dreamin') OR we persist with Pole as starting no.10 and get a gun lock.
8. May
9. Api
10. Haas-type
11. KPP
12. Fainu
13. Twal/Doueihi
OR
8. May
9. Api
10. Pole
11. KPP...
He's been offered an extension on minimum (~$150k). His rep is looking around to see if he can get a gig closer to $300k which is what he's on, but if there are no buyers, he may end up here on the cut price contract or even a 2nd tier contract.
Great win BUT we still received some pretty big howlers that have been overlooked because of our dominance (and Manly's disinterest).
1. Api's pass was flat (not forward) so should have had another try. We've seen worse forward passes missed in most games this year, so why suddenly call a...
One more tidbit... APPARENTLY (still not 100% sold on their intel) Richo has cloistered $1M from next year's cap for a possible new signing. I did the maths (albeit using the Zero Tackle numbers and generous estimations of some player wages) and even including Sullivan, Doueihi and May on the...
Finally got some crumbs re. Doueihi's contract talks. So Dragon's offer is still at $400k for 2 seasons (not $500k as some reported). Our Offer is now at $350k for 2 seasons. If Doueihi extends with us, then he doesn't have to pay Moses commission. If he goes with Dragons then he pays Moses 8%...