Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Tiger Tarl said:
It's what I heard today he was offered. Will be interesting if he accepts.
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I wouldn’t believe it unless you heard it from Richo, Moses or Bula …

A 5 yr deal seems a little strange to me considering a large increase in the cap expected in 2028 when the new broadcasting deal kicks off …
 
Lestronge said:
I’d pay him 750k. 900k seems like a huge overpay though . For me , I’d be looking hard at AJ Brimson, as a backup option Hopefully the vibes are good with Bula and he’s keen to stay . For me though like I said before , as soon as the Galvin stuff went down , I’d have had huge reservations on what the future was looking like at fullback for this club .
But I took the point of a few people , in that you kinda don’t want to create the problem you’re trying to prevent ie. Bula Leaving .
My guess is it all gets sorted one way or the other around January when everyone is back on deck .
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He's already getting paid 750k. He's not going to take less and will be seeking more. Especially the longer the contract is.
Brimson on 800k.
 
Hope a decision about Bula is made before January… so we can go onto a different guessing game …who is the next one up ? May ? Although an extension there won’t be for 6 months at least …
 
gregjm87 said:
Not sure Bennett or Manly didn't see the value in him. They both offered him contracts at the start of last year. It was Schuster who chose to walk away from that contract mid last year.

Why would it change here? Well, it probably won't so I'll change that to why might it change here?

Intrinsic motivation. He has taken time away and he has now decided that he wants to return the game. I don't know what the mental health concerns are/were but he has decided he is putting that behind him and looking to return to the sport. For his own reasons, not for others.
We've seen plenty of others walk away and successfully return to the game with a new mindset. Harris-Tevita just recently. Jake Clifford and Jamie Lyon in the past. Closer to home Moses Suli (never actually left but looked likely to be lost to the game at one point).

He will be around his mates. Not just team mates but childhood friends in the Fainus, a couple of which he has been playing alongside his whole life.

His issues are documented. This shouldn't be a case of not knowing what is wrong with Schuster. He knows his concerns, the club will know his concerns before offering a contract. A management plan should be in place alongside any contract offer.

No external expectations. A min wager, likely slated for ressies isn't carrying the public pressure of expectations compared to the 800K salary he was once on.

Finally all of the above combined should mean he now has a better support system around him both in and away from the club.

Will it be enough? Who knows. The odds are probably against him. But I think I'd rather punt on him than a guy who looks likely to not be good enough anyways, who realistically are faced with equally poor odds for differing reasons.
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I know he has had mental health issues, however also seems to be injured quite regularly. Once he does get an injury it probably exacerbates the mental health issues and leads to him switching off, putting on weight etc...purely my speculation and also some experience with friends who have gone down a similar path.
On a train and trial I would give him a go. If he does perform, I'm sure other clubs will be lining up, however we can't lose even if he decides to sign elsewhere as it will be a positive outcome for a bloke that has really struggled.
 
Modman said:
I think it should be 3 seasons at 750k a season tops but i see our current promise of 800 and 900 will be a stumbling block. out of curiosity who arranged this 800k if he takes up the deal or 900k if we do?
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I would say start at $750 and have some ratchet clauses in there as well as bonuses or salary increases if he makes rep teams (not Fiji) we make top 8 etc..
 
Vicious said:
And does he become an elite NRL fullback in 2026, demonstrating the form he showed against the Cook Islands on a regular basis ?
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Its not beyond the realms of possibility....if the team under Benji continues on an improve I dont see why Bula cant improve

Bulas played 57 games so far won 15 lost 32

Teddy in his first 52 games won 17 and lost 35

Walsh in his first 60 appearances won 26, lost 34

Edwards faring better, first 59 games won 41 of them

All showed glimpses of something special early ,,,none had played reps at that stage

Its very early days in his career, a stable spine will help all spine payers and the team in general...chopping and changing isnt really desirable for us at this stage, a top of the table team could handle that better imo

These things take time, we arent winning the comp in 26 but as long as we continue to improve I think thats where were at, at this stage
 
Milky said:
Crown Sports posted Josh Schuster on their Tiktok saying watch for his comeback 2026

If he can find his feet again, he would really fix our problem at Lock

He would be minimum wage, likely to fit into our culture

Give him 2 years, an extra year in our favour and see how he fairs?
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Give him a T&T contract and if he goes well 2 years
 
innsaneink said:
Its not beyond the realms of possibility....if the team under Benji continues on an improve I dont see why Bula cant improve

Bulas played 57 games so far won 15 lost 32

Teddy in his first 52 games won 17 and lost 35

Walsh in his first 60 appearances won 26, lost 34

Edwards faring better, first 59 games won 41 of them

All showed glimpses of something special early ,,,none had played reps at that stage

Its very early days in his career, a stable spine will help all spine payers and the team in general...chopping and changing isnt really desirable for us at this stage, a top of the table team could handle that better imo

These things take time, we arent winning the comp in 26 but as long as we continue to improve I think thats where were at, at this stage
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Not a bad summation Ink.
 
Tom Shines said:
Hope a decision about Bula is made before January… so we can go onto a different guessing game …who is the next one up ? May ? Although an extension there won’t be for 6 months at least …
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We have not yet officially locked in Luai for 2027 onwards have we ?
I would love to know what he’s waiting for, surely he’s not going to ask for more money ?
And don’t forget this was Richo’s contract, so we can’t blame the old management.
 
innsaneink said:
Its not beyond the realms of possibility....if the team under Benji continues on an improve I dont see why Bula cant improve

Bulas played 57 games so far won 15 lost 32

Teddy in his first 52 games won 17 and lost 35

Walsh in his first 60 appearances won 26, lost 34

Edwards faring better, first 59 games won 41 of them

All showed glimpses of something special early ,,,none had played reps at that stage

Its very early days in his career, a stable spine will help all spine payers and the team in general...chopping and changing isnt really desirable for us at this stage, a top of the table team could handle that better imo

These things take time, we arent winning the comp in 26 but as long as we continue to improve I think thats where were at, at this stage
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great point ink. reece has played double the amount of games that bula has played. i think sometimes our supporters forget how young our squad really is.

also kinda funny that bula pushed reece out of the fullback position when they played together at kebra park.
 
Vicious said:
We have not yet officially locked in Luai for 2027 onwards have we ?
I would love to know what he’s waiting for, surely he’s not going to ask for more money ?
And don’t forget this was Richo’s contract, so we can’t blame the old management.
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We haven’t heard anything officially … I suspect he will remain here in 2027…although he might have a word with Perth first …
 
balmain boy said:
Yeah...
If that's true, and that sounds highly unlikely, then it would merely be an attempt for Toyota to pass on Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon's absurd tariffs in a different manner to just raising the prices upfront.
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Don't you love how they change what you said it's horrible
 
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