Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Needaname]

Salary Cap was 9.4million in 2022 and there was a 25% increase for the 2023 season. The cap was at 12.3million last season and has gone up again this season (not sure the figure).

This should give a good idea as to why so many player salaries have jumped up quite drastically over the last year, particularly halves and bigger name players. Fans get so up in arms when they hear about these big salaries when players sign contracts, but don't really understand what the value is against the actual cap. In some cases, players get a bigger contract but are actually taking up less cap space.

To put this into context, a player on $800,000 a season in 2022 would be getting around 8.5% of the cap. 8.5% of the cap last season (2023) was around 1.05mil a season.

Thanks, Gese I’m behind in my cap amount assumptions. Probably goes to show how the other teams can put those sort of lists together. We must have a bit of cap space this year surely?

 

[Needaname]

Yes.

But we also need a variety of different body sizes in both attack and defence.

Our issue is we've targeted too many nuggety types. Olam, Faatape and Feledy in the centres. Both Laulilii brothers. Fa'agutu, Tofaeano, Mason, Nicholas and these are just the boys under 180cm who've trained with first grade in the off season. We have a few very big boys like Miller, Klem, Stef, Nav, Lobby and Sam F but our average size is smaller than every other nrl club i'd dare say.

Maybe the club recruits for the juniors based on passing height.

 

[Tito Santana]

None of those except maybe Laulilli possess the powerhouse hit ups out of our own danger zone which every good team requires.
Two I mentioned in Semi Valemai and Tony Francis both possess powerful hit ups out of their teams danger zone, we need someone like that in my opinion.

I’m really excited to see Alimalo this weekend. Very talented and proven in rugby. Hopefully he can bring that across.

 

[Tito Santana]

Every NRL club had plenty of time and opportunity to sign Faatape if they wanted to.
None of them did and Wests Tigers have given him an opportunity. Based on his first game for us, he looks to be a very promising player.

He looked right at home in that centre spot. I’d have him starting in round 2 if he plays like that.

 

[Tito Santana]

One of the best games . My son still talks about it. The Dwyer tackle shook the stands!

Truth be told, the shot hit him high and they should have had a penalty anyway. 2 points in front wins it for them.

 

[innsaneink]

That’s really left field. Would have thought Mahoney was the obvious choice.

Him and Burton were co Captains last year you'd have to think there'd be a bit of narkiness there about this

 

[GNR4LIFE]

I really hope we don’t go down the same road and give the C to Luai. Api is doing just fine.

 

[BAGNF05]

That’s really left field. Would have thought Mahoney was the obvious choice.

Mahoney had his worst season last year by far, I think they probably want him to focus on his own game this year. Crichton doesn’t seem like a leader but who knows what he’s like in the inner sanctum.

 

[Telltails]

We gave the captaincy to Api first year at the club dont see how it is any different for Crichton at the Bulldogs . He is a winner steps up in the big moments and has all the attributes to be a good captain.

 

[crazycat]

That’s really left field. Would have thought Mahoney was the obvious choice.

It is really left field.

Yet Cameron C knows Crichton well. I am surprised he hasn't picked Mahoney or Kikau or Ryan Sutton...
I hope we stop doing this too. Unless you have a DCE or Adam Reynolds transfer into your team you should never be making club captain in your first year.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

It is really left field.

Yet Cameron C knows Crichton well. I am surprised he hasn't picked Mahoney or Kikau or Ryan Sutton...
I hope we stop doing this too. Unless you have a DCE or Adam Reynolds transfer into your team you should never be making club captain in your first year.

I really don’t know why we had to announce that Api was this year’s captain. Bit of a concern moving forward if the Captaincy is a year by year thing. Would cheapen ii immensely.

 

[innsaneink]

We gave the captaincy to Api first year at the club dont see how it is any different for Crichton at the Bulldogs . He is a winner steps up in the big moments and has all the attributes to be a good captain.

Crichton is. Replacing Mahoney and. Burton. Who were only in.the job a year

Api replaced half our team

 

[innsaneink]

I really don’t know why we had to announce that Api was this year’s captain. Bit of a concern moving forward if the Captaincy is a year by year thing. Would cheapen ii immensely.

Bateman as VC is a new appointment I think... I'd say that's why this has been announced

 

[balmain boy]

He looked right at home in that centre spot. I’d have him starting in round 2 if he plays like that.

He's not even playing in the second trial. There's not a chance in hell he's playing first grade early in the season

 

[AdelaideTiger]

He's not even playing on the second trial. There's not a chance in hell he's playing first grade early in the season

I think he's getting a rest this week because he had a few stitches in his head last week. Feel like he could be in the mix, but unlikely to be a first choice centre by round 2.

 

[Todd Packer]

Jesse Sue scored a try for Hull KR this morning.
Not bad for an old fella. He looked like he was in his 40's when he played for us so he must be 52 or 53 now.

 

[Tito Santana]

I think he's getting a rest this week because he had a few stitches in his head last week. Feel like he could be in the mix, but unlikely to be a first choice centre by round 2.

He will play first grade this year no doubt. I already rate him better than Toa

 

[GNR4LIFE]

He's not even playing on the second trial. There's not a chance in hell he's playing first grade early in the season

How about Lobb?

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

Jesse Sue scored a try for Hull KR this morning.
Not bad for an old fella. He looked like he was in his 40's when he played for us so he must be 52 or 53 now.

I always liked Jessie Sue....was very good for us

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

I wonder if Onitoni Large continues to impress over the next few months in Matts & in training with the NRL squad whether he we offer him a Top 30 contract once he turns 17 this year (17yos can be contracted to Top 30 but cannot play NRL until 18 under the new salary cap rules).

If we see him as a generational talent and given he will have multiple clubs & Rugby after him, this may just be an investment we need to do.

He's super-fast, skillful & will end up a good height & body shape and could play anywhere from 5/8, centre, wing & fullback.

And same with Haemasi Makasini possibly straight to a Dev or T&T contract next season.

We have a roster spot up-out-sleeve with the departure of Nofa and could be more if some of the other rumblings on this forum about Tumeth & Matamua have any truth to them.

Large & Makasini may just be our #1 priorities (outside of retaining Stefano) given there doesn't seem a lot of value-adds for us off-contract at other clubs if the intel that Turuva & Finefeuiaki are likely to stay at current clubs.