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%...
The difference was: one was innocuous and didn't advesly effect the attacking player, while the other was blatant and resulted in the attacking player leaving the field and not able to play for 11 days. If you asked anyone who watches the game to pick which one elicited a sin binning, 100% would...
I reckon May and Hunt are the perfect complement. Playing 80min is starting to burn him out. But give him a solid 30, then bring on Hunt for the last 10 mins of half time, running hard. Then sub May back on 5 or 10 mins after half time for the remainder. It makes sense, keeps both fresh and...
He asked for $500k. Richo doesn't want to spend more than $300k. So AD sent Moses to have a sniff elsewhere but mainly to put pressure on Richo. He wants to stay but wants to be paid.
That was all before the lock move though so me thinks there may be a discussion coming re. his commitment to...
Nervous about this one. Titans don't look as bad as the ladder suggests. Their middles can be dangerous and, going from last week, is a current weakness of ours. Here's hoping the Leichhardt Lift works its magic and the Titans crumble from the sheer support from the Hill.
PREDICTIONS/HOPES...
A few tidbits from the agent side of things (supposedly):
Wests Tigers apparently have $1M earmarked for a big name recruit for 2026 rather than journeymen types. Going for Adam Reynolds was evidence for this as well as front-loading contracts and removing players this year. No one signed yet...
This is the best team we can field giving Bula's injury. Will be a good test coming off the back of an unexpected but well fought win. Payback for round 4.