Benji 2025 and Beyond
- Thread starter GNR4LIFE
- Start date
BAGNF05
Well-known member
They wouldn’t start at a competitive club.
Don’t include Bateman and clemer. We wanted them gone more than they wanted to leave. Galvin and desilva two possible 1st graders, for reasons well documented is not alarming. Unless I have missed some recently. Or are you going back to last year with steph and paps, cause we are getting a better performance out of their replacements than their current clubs are getting out of them.
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
But Hetherington remains hopeful he will not be among the salary-cap casualties after his management held promising talks with Broncos chiefs in the lead-up to the Bulldogs showdown at Accor Stadium.
Hetherington heads to Homebush a man on a mission, with the Broncos hitman to start in the No.13 jumper filling the void left by Pat Carrigan, who will miss the Bulldogs clash due to Origin commitments.
The forward’s management is seeking a three-year deal worth around $1.5 million and is hopeful the hard-hitting Bronco, whose famous father Jason Hetherington played for the Bulldogs, will not join Cobbo at the Red Hill exits.
“I’ve been in talks with the Broncos and they have indicated we will have a formal offer by the end of this week,” said Hetherington’s agent Chris Haddad.
“They have got Adam Reynolds’ retention out of the road, so we will move forward now with Kobe.
“I’ve asked them for a three-year deal ... we’ll see what happens.
“We’ve got no other interest at the moment, I haven’t been out looking at the market because Kobe’s been very settled with his football at the Broncos and that’s the priority at the moment.”
Hetherington was on the verge of quitting the Broncos last November to join the Tigers or Dragons, only for incoming coach Michael Maguire to make an impassioned plea for the 26-year-old to stay.
Hetherington started at lock in the opening 13 rounds before recently returning to the bench, where he was strong in last week’s 26-12 defeat of the Warriors.
“Kobe was close to leaving last year,” Haddad said.
“He had some interest from the Tigers and Dragons but we met with ‘Madge’ (Maguire) and he said just give me 12 months to work with Kobe and see how he goes.
“Kobe has been great the whole year and he was excellent off the bench for the Broncos last week, he made a really important run which lifted the whole team.
“The Broncos are very happy with his form, he’s got a very important role in their 17.
“I don’t think he’s had a bad game this year so his consistency has been very good.
“Kobe is a bloke who gives 100 per cent every week.
“He is someone who tackles all day, you have to have him in your side ... why wouldn’t the Broncos want to keep him?”
So assuming the rumoured contract values that are floated around are correct and both of them are paid 400k per season, what players for that same value or less would you be bringing in to replace them and do a better job ?
Keep in mind mind they are both work rate based players that are not in the team to make a big impact, they are in the team to do plenty of tackling and hold their own while our big money players are the ones who are supposed to be coming up with big plays that can help influence or win us games.
I say this as I don’t believe they are the problem, they generally do their job, nothing more, nothing less and they are paid accordingly.
It would be nice if we could have 17 superstar players, come to think of it I would be happy if we could have just one superstar on our roster, but the point is the Salary Cap is supposed to stop any NRL team from having 17 star players.
As an example if we bought Josh King or Corey Jensen, even Max King or Lindsay Smith into our team instead of Twal or Seyfarth, they would likely cost us a little bit more for starters, but are those players going to take us from the position we are currently in, to the top 8 on their own ?
These type of hardworking, no frills, run of the mill type of players are required at every club to give their team balance and allow them to effectively manage their salary cap.
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BAGNF05
Well-known member
I understand your point but too often Twal or Seyfarh make a silly error or penalty at a crucial stage. If you’re just an honest toiler you can’t have too many of those in you. More Red than Twal, I see a spot for Twal in most rosters.
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I agree he’s a good solid player that does his job, not much different to Alex Twal though.
Twal could easily slot into the Broncos top 17 and their team would not be any worse for it.
Halbrowne61
Well-known member
For me Samuela disappointing but think he might be suffering second year syndrome after his breakout 2024. Similar thing has happened to Bula after a great first season.
Hopefully they learn from it and make the necessary adjustments.
BAGNF05
Well-known member
He’s also still a kid, I certainly wouldn’t give up on him. Pole is still young too. It’s sometimes lost how many kids we have in FG.
another thing lost is Benji said he was building a team for 27 , not today or yesterday
BAGNF05
Well-known member
We have to have a focus on getting better now or Luai and Api probably pull the pin and we’re back to ground zero. At least the bloke running the show is not a clown like the guy before him. Gives me some hope.
if Richo can't turn it around in another 2 1/2 ,3 yrs , id be happy to vote for a sale of the club
Halbrowne61
Well-known member
And how many we’ve got rid of !!!!’
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
Given the club just bent over backwards for Api, I can’t see it. Though, nothing surprises me with us.
Kelce68
Well-known member
Agree
A lot of our forwards are inexperienced at NRL level
May
Pole
Fainu x2
They all should improve over the next few years.
I think most other sides would only have one of either Twal or Seyfarth in their 17. As the 4th front rower in the rotation.
Seyfarth is not an edge forward imo.
KKP and Samuel should play 80 minutes next year as our edge forwards.
I would like to see us purchase a lock and a left centre with speed (would be nice).
Anyway just filling out my Christmas present list early 😆
It’s not second year syndrome. He had a break out year with Manly and followed that up last year. This is definitely down to the changes in the spine and how best to use him. Luai used to have Kikau outside him; is Sam similar but younger I actually think he is. he isn’t your Olakakoatu tackle breaker, he is a worker and a hard runner with aggression and a bit of skill on top of that. In time you’ll see.
Kelce68
Well-known member
He's also not having as down a year as people are suggesting.
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
Probably not. I think he just set a high bar for himself last year.