Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Sco77y]

Veteran journalist Brent Read revealed Watene-Zelezniak could be on as much as $800,000 a season.
The Panthers will reportedly have to chip in a large chunk of his salary to play at another club next season.

It is believed the Eels and the Cowboys are interested in his services, while the Tigers can’t afford him under their salary cap, despite his close relationship with Kiwis’ coach Michael Maguire.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/panthers-legend-ryan-girdler-pinpoints-where-dallin-watenezelezniak-went-wrong-at-penrith/news-story/fef6526c6457ff6f6a3ca6374fe3e484

And just how are Parramatta able to afford that? I thought they had cap issues? Somehow their cap issues never seem to stop them from signing anyone. Jennings must be retiring, it's the only way they could afford DWZ and also actually fit him in the team.

We seem to be the only team that ever actually toes the salary cap line when it comes to recruitment. When we have cap issues, we have to pull out of contention and end up signing no one. When other teams have cap issues they somehow still manage to pick up 2-3 good players - it boggles my mind completely!

Yeah ridiculous. Parra who just re-signed Gutherson and have a number of other decent contracts on the books are well within a shot, but we have no cap space.. Really? :face_with_rolling_eyes:

 

[WT2K]

Breaking: The Dragons have been given salary cap dispensation by the NRL because Jack De Belin has been stood down. They have $239,000 to spend on a forward for this year. @9NewsSyd

That should see Trent Merrin returning for them.

Enough to cover Packer for the remainder of the season perhaps ?

 

[851]

I also think we need to encourage both Robbie and Benji to announce that this is their last season(s) if possible as it clearly states we are moving forward with a new team, not to mention that we have some cap to play with. Plus we can then recognize them and their contribution to the club in the right way for the balance of the year

This I think is a must, for a variety of reasons

 

[851]

Breaking: The Dragons have been given salary cap dispensation by the NRL because Jack De Belin has been stood down. They have $239,000 to spend on a forward for this year. @9NewsSyd

That should see Trent Merrin returning for them.

Merrin said he wants to stay in Leeds, probably because he has a 4 year deal that still has 3 and half years to run

 

[momo_amp_medo]

Fox Sports reporting today Former players Merrin and Packer emerge as targets for Dragons

St George Illawarra could send an SOS for former club favourites Trent Merrin and Russell Packer after being awarded special dispensation from the NRL to help cover the absence of stood-down State of Origin star Jack de Belin.

The league on Tuesday said the Dragons would be able to outlay $239,000 on signing a replacement forward for de Belin, who has been stood down under the NRL’s “no-fault” policy after being charged with aggravated sexual assault.

De Belin has pleaded not guilty, but is unable to play until at least the case against him is finalised in court.

An NRL spokesman told AAP the amount the Dragons could spend on a replacement was the “exact proportion” of de Belin’s salary for the remainder of the 2019 season.

But in granting the Dragons cap relief — which the club applied for last week — NRL salary cap auditor Richard Gardham stipulated that the club can only purchase a forward.

Such a scenario opens the door for Merrin or Packer to return to the club.

Merrin is in the first season of a four-year deal with Leeds Rhinos in the European Super League after being shipped from Penrith, but the former NSW State of Origin and Australian Test forward is said to be home sick.

The Daily Telegraph is reporting Panthers half James Maloney could hold the key to the switch, with Leeds keen on luring him to the club to help save them from relegation.

The reports says Leeds would be more willing to release Merrin from the remaining three years of his rich four-year deal if they could secure Maloney.

The 29-year-old played 134 games for the Dragons during a seven-season stint at the Red V and was a member of Wayne Bennett’s 2010 premiership-winning team before moving to Penrith in 2016.

Packer, also 29, is out of favour with Wests Tigers’ first-year coach Michael Maguire, the former Kiwi international languishing in reserve grade with Western Suburbs for the past month.

Packer’s future at the Tigers is uncertain, with talk he will unlikely play first grade again at the joint venture outfit.

He played some of his best football during a two-year spell at St George Illawarra after being handed a career lifeline by coach Paul McGregor in 2016 following his release from prison.

Packer spent a year in jail after pleading guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm during an attack on a 22-year-old man in Sydney in 2013 before turning his career — and life — around.

In addition to being without de Belin, the Dragons’ forward stocks have nosedived further with Tyson Frizell’s Origin call-up for NSW and the loss of co-captain James Graham for eight weeks with a fibula fracture.

 

[avocadoontoast]

@momo_amp_medo Would be fantastic to get Packer off our books.

 

[Spud_Murphy]

@momo_amp_medo Would be fantastic to get Packer off our books.

It would, but I’d rather we get something out of his release then just let him go off to the Dragons for nothing.

 

[avocadoontoast]

@momo_amp_medo Would be fantastic to get Packer off our books.


It would, but I’d rather we get something out of his release then just let him go off to the Dragons for nothing.

I agree. A swap for DWZ would be best. But just getting him off our books would free up some cash. He's clearly not in Madge's plans moving forward.

 

[2005magic]

@momo_amp_medo Would be fantastic to get Packer off our books.


It would, but I’d rather we get something out of his release then just let him go off to the Dragons for nothing.

I agree. A swap for DWZ would be best. But just getting him off our books would free up some cash. He's clearly not in Madge's plans moving forward.

Nor should Packer be in Madge's plans. Packer has not made the effort on the field since Cleary left and obviously doesnt like the new regime. Time to move on for the good of both parties.

 

[TYGA]

I can see Packer returning to St George in a player swap rather than Penrith.

 

[avocadoontoast]

@TYGA who would we take from Saints? Or more importantly, who would they let go?

 

[TSupps05]

@avocadoontoast Aitken?

 

[avocadoontoast]

@TSupps05 Possible I suppose. Who knows. Will be interesting to see what transpires.

 

[TYGA]

@TYGA who would we take from Saints? Or more importantly, who would they let go?

They have cap relief so could be an expiring contract. I would think Lafai or Aitken as they have Lomax at centre and Dufty at fullback. Field or Host would be other options. They have Norman at 5/8 and Sims/Frizell on the edge.

Injuries aside Dragons should be Top 4 it’s a great roster.

 

[happy_tiger]

@momo_amp_medo Would be fantastic to get Packer off our books.


It would, but I’d rather we get something out of his release then just let him go off to the Dragons for nothing.

I agree. A swap for DWZ would be best. But just getting him off our books would free up some cash. He's clearly not in Madge's plans moving forward.

A swap for Maloney would be better .....

 

[avocadoontoast]

@momo_amp_medo Would be fantastic to get Packer off our books.


It would, but I’d rather we get something out of his release then just let him go off to the Dragons for nothing.

I agree. A swap for DWZ would be best. But just getting him off our books would free up some cash. He's clearly not in Madge's plans moving forward.

A swap for Maloney would be better .....

I wouldn't want Maloney... well past his best imo.

 

[yeti]

@avocadoontoast
Same - never been a great fan of Maloney's. Too many mistakes in his game.
As for Packer - a real shame he hasn't kicked on here. I thought he was a great signing when we got him but he has been very disappointing. He has never really dominated in any games I can remember.
I would be very happy to see him depart either as cap relief or as a swap of some description. Too much salary cap tied up in a reserve grade prop.

 

[weststigers]

@TYGA Aitken in form would be a great signing.

 

[WT2K]

James Roberts has been released by the Broncos on compassionate grounds

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

James Roberts has been released by the Broncos on compassionate grounds

What a joke.