OFFICIAL Blake Austin [Discussion]

Funny thing is that there's probably more competition for spots in Canberra. Not the same quality I guess but they've got Campese, McCrone, Cornish and Williams on the books already, while we only really have Moses and Brooks.
All the same I'd wish him all the best, obviously the best move for him and his family and thanks for all his efforts in our Jersey!

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@VanillaThunder said:
Funny thing is that there's probably more competition for spots in Canberra. Not the same quality I guess but they've got Campese, McCrone, Cornish and Williams on the books already, while we only really have Moses and Brooks.
All the same I'd wish him all the best, obviously the best move for him and his family and thanks for all his efforts in our Jersey!

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I'd probably throw Te Maire Martin inro the discussion as well Vanilla.
 
@GNR4LIFE said:
@tig_prmz said:
@GNR4LIFE said:
@tig_prmz said:
One thing I don't understand is whether Austin approached Canberra or they approached him. If Canberra approached Austin for 2015, isn't that illegal since he's contracted to us?

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I would imagine they approached him. Idk why anyone would go out of their way to approach the Raiders.

Yep and I doubt we shopped Austin around either.

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I think the Raiders approached Austin, and he jumped at the opportunity.
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But they're not allowed to? That's what's got me scratching my head.

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I'm a bit dirty at this, fair play to him he see's more opportunity at the raiders but he's basically forced our hands by signing with Canberra for 16 and 17 I didn't even know that was allowed, I'm sure some of you do know whether that's permitted.
On that basis what choice did Taylor have?
Thought he had a really gutsy season this year and still could have played a big role for us this season, I'm not sure Brooks and Moses are experienced enough to go the whole season directing us around the park, I sure hope they prove me wrong and stamp their mark on the game ala what Foran and DCE did a few seasons ago.
 
What's done is done….If it was me I wouldn't have released him ...Our depth in the halves is very limited if we are relying on Moses and Brooks to stay fit and fire in the week to week grid that is the NRL now with only Martin (who is lightyears from FG) as a back up well 😛ray: big time to the injury gods...

Wishing Blake all the best at the Raiders...He certainly gave his all on the field for us...can't ask for much more...
 
that's a damn shame, I feel we're going to regret this, but he was offered a guaranteed starting position, something we couldn't guarantee.

Canberra have picked up a pretty committed player who appears to really have his head on straight.
 
If Martin is light years from first grade then you're just another one of those ageist 'wait til they're 25 and played 100 nsw cup games and is a tough nut' bozos.

Martin will certainly play first grade next year. No doubt about it. Even if only for a few games. If we are to have any hope of retaining him for 2016 onwards we have to start including him in all first grade training and trials from now on and show him that he's in our plans for the future.

He will be a star of the future, and it's already complicated enough figuring out where to play him in the future without telling him to stay with the kiddies for another year or two. Develop him or lose him. Along with Nikorima at the Broncos they are the best halves in the nyc.

FFS, he was close to playing in the NRL trials last season he was so impressive at pre season training!!

Hunt, Milford, Benji etc - the best kids start when they're ready not when they reach a certain age or weight!
 
ahhh, im really disappointed at this. i am a big fan of austins and it annoys me the number 6 is being handed to moses on a silver platter. austin earned it, deserved it when he got it, and still he had to deal with playing second fiddle to a kid who (may have all the potential in the world) has not had to be the best number 6 at the club yet.
in any case, im sure canberra are paying him a great salary, so good on him for reaping the rewards of all his hard work. good luck blake.
 
This is ridiculous. I'm over this whole compassionate release crap. The Tigers put their faith in him when the Panthers didn't, he has a good season and because of our gamble (which paid off) another team reaps the benefits come end of season even when he we had him locked up for another year.

I understand he has a young family and may have gotten a good offer from Canberra and may not be in the long term plans for his preferred position. But if Moses or Brooks go down, we have an untested half in Martin and a complete jockey in Moltzen as back up. Austin has also proven to be the most valuable utility in his time here and we let him walk "because it's a good opportunity."

He is also a great role model and leader on and off the field. I sincerely hope the club has a solid back up plan if one of our "future" halves go down. Martin is a great young player, but still small and unproven against fully grown men. Moltz treats a bomb like it's covered in Ebola.

I think the club made a pretty big mistake with this one, but what's done is done, and I hope there's a plan in action.

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Unbelievable. We finish 13th and release the player of the year when she had a side with so many duds. This is a kick in the face to the fans . I have supported every decision made by Taylor up too this point but this is just plain wrong. Unfortunately we will be lucky to finish 13 th next season. This is so disappointing
 
Austin wanted stability in a position and we couldn't give it. I understand why he want stability.

But what i cant grasp is how often contracts are broken and players released. Two years ago austin was offered a second tier spot at the club and would have lunged at the chance to play any position in first grade. One good season, his stocks rise and all of a sudden he is able to negotiate with other clubs. In my opinion, you sign a two year deal you should honour what you signed up for. I find it very frustrating.

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I don't think the club had much of a choice. He clearly didn't want to be here and maybe had a clause with a change of coach or NRL club approaching him.

I'm just frustrated that the club FINALLY makes an astute purchase for a good player on the cheap and he gets to walk for bigger money after 1 year into a 2 year deal.
Depending on the terms of the contract, Blake was a nothing, on the scrapheap and we saved him by throwing him a lifeline.
Sorry Blake, you sign a contract and know have to suck it up for 2 years and then next year you should get your market value. If we didn't give you your lifeline, you would be stuck playing park footy for match payments and a sausage sanga.

The Roosters do these deals all the time and are lauded as masters and we do one and lose it after 12 months.

I think Blake showed his true colours here.
 
@Balmain Boy said:
If Martin is light years from first grade then you're just another one of those ageist 'wait til they're 25 and played 100 nsw cup games and is a tough nut' bozos.

Martin will certainly play first grade next year. No doubt about it. Even if only for a few games. If we are to have any hope of retaining him for 2016 onwards we have to start including him in all first grade training and trials from now on and show him that he's in our plans for the future.

He will be a star of the future, and it's already complicated enough figuring out where to play him in the future without telling him to stay with the kiddies for another year or two. Develop him or lose him. Along with Nikorima at the Broncos they are the best halves in the nyc.

FFS, he was close to playing in the NRL trials last season he was so impressive at pre season training!!

Hunt, Milford, Benji etc - the best kids start when they're ready not when they reach a certain age or weight!
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I never mentioned age or weight…..I have no doubt he will play FG. but atm defensively he is lightyears from FG...given how great our defence has been for years another liability we do not need...It's great to score and set up points but that is only half the game...He struggles with big kiddies running at him it's a big step up taking on Burgess Williams Graham and the like... not to mention the toll it takes on a young maturing body...I use Benji as your perfect example
 
Agree Geo plus Brooks had one of the highest missed tackle ratios in the entire Nrl this season. I know he will improve but currently he is a turnstile in defence.
We are struggling for memberships, the fans vote Austin as their POY and we release him with a year to go on his contract
That is treating the supporters with utter contempt and is typical of the mismanagement we have become accustomed to.
As well as the generally agreed need to bolster the centres and the back row, we now need to bolster the halves
If anyone actually watched our NSW Cup side in its playoff loss to Wyong you would have seen that the half / 5/8 were both really poor .The Austin release is hard to fathom but nothing should surprise us I suppose
 
@tigertye said:
This is ridiculous. I'm over this whole compassionate release crap. The Tigers put their faith in him when the Panthers didn't, he has a good season and because of our gamble (which paid off) another team reaps the benefits come end of season even when he we had him locked up for another year.

I understand he has a young family and may have gotten a good offer from Canberra and may not be in the long term plans for his preferred position. But if Moses or Brooks go down, we have an untested half in Martin and a complete jockey in Moltzen as back up. Austin has also proven to be the most valuable utility in his time here and we let him walk "because it's a good opportunity."

He is also a great role model and leader on and off the field. I sincerely hope the club has a solid back up plan if one of our "future" halves go down. Martin is a great young player, but still small and unproven against fully grown men. Moltz treats a bomb like it's covered in Ebola.

I think the club made a pretty big mistake with this one, but what's done is done, and I hope there's a plan in action.

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Hence for me making the post in another thread yesterday the players/nlpa run the clubs the clubs dont run the players.Sucks for clubs but even more so us innocent fans losing our best player from last year.I still have a lot of faith in Taylor and what hes doing though.
 
@razor7 said:
Agree Geo plus Brooks had one of the highest missed tackle ratios in the entire Nrl this season. I know he will improve but currently he is a turnstile in defence.
We are struggling for memberships, the fans vote Austin as their POY and we release him with a year to go on his contract
That is treating the supporters with utter contempt and is typical of the mismanagement we have become accustomed to.
As well as the generally agreed need to bolster the centres and the back row, we now need to bolster the halves
If anyone actually watched our NSW Cup side in its playoff loss to Wyong you would have seen that the half / 5/8 were both really poor .The Austin release is hard to fathom but nothing should surprise us I suppose
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Perhaps you should of reinvested some of that time watching NSW cup into holden cup Temaire Martin would lead our NSW CUP halves for dead.Relax.We are good in halves options.
 
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