Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[diedpretty]

Can't read the story but I will be interested in the NRLs response to what happens given that they said things would change after the Sook no. 2 spat the dummy and left.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

If he’s signed and sealed for 2021, and wants a releas for 2020, you give it to him. His head and heart won’t be in it.

 

[WT2K]

Can't read the story but I will be interested in the NRLs response to what happens given that they said things would change after the Sook no. 2 spat the dummy and left.

Story below.

Queensland Origin star Jai Arrow will seek an immediate release from the Gold Coast Titans as South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett revealed his plans for Sam Burgess’ replacement.

As exclusively revealed by News Corp Australia on Tuesday, Arrow has agreed to terms on a $3.2 million four-year deal with the Rabbitohs from 2021 which will see him replace retired English superstar Burgess.

Arrow has informed the Titans he would not be accepting a three-year contract extension.

The Rabbitohs trumped the Titans with a deal worth about $100,000-a-season more than the Gold Coast’s offer as well as an extra season in 2024. Wests Tigers made a huge play for Arrow.

Arrow, 24, is contracted to the Titans until the end of next season, but his management will attempt to negotiate a release so he can join South Sydney immediately.

Bennett is a huge fan of Arrow, having given him his NRL debut at the Brisbane Broncos in 2016, and said he was the ideal player to replace Burgess.

“I am very pleased,” Bennett said.

“You can never be certain you will get someone but we put forward a good offer to Jai and were always hopeful he would sign.

“He is just the type of player we need. I like his work ethic and the value he brings to a club as a person off the field as well.

“I coached Jai at the Broncos and there was never a question about his character. I see him playing in the middle for us, he is suited to the centre of the field.”

Titans executive chairman Dennis Watt has previously claimed the club would not consider releasing Arrow if he signed with a rival franchise from 2021.

However, the NRL player market is constantly moving and the Titans could be convinced of letting arguably their best player go if they can snare a suitable replacement.

The Rabbitohs are open to move on either Dane Gagai or Alex Johnston to accommodate the possible arrival of disgruntled Roosters star Latrell Mitchell.

A hard-working middle forward, Arrow is a much different player to backline speedsters Gagai and Johnston.

The Titans must decide whether to hang on to Arrow even though he is headed elsewhere in 2021 or look to replace him immediately and move on.

The Titans have signed rising Melbourne forward Tino Fa’asuamaleaui from 2021 and are keen to get him to the Gold Coast earlier.

If the Storm release Fa’asuamaleaui that would open the door for Arrow to move to Souths immediately.

Titans recruitment chief Mal Meninga has shown interest in Mitchell, but no formal approach was made. That could change now given Arrow’s future has been sorted.

The loss of Arrow is a crushing blow to the Titans after the club collected the 2019 wooden spoon.

New coach Justin Holbrook would have been banking on Arrow for at least the upcoming season and was keen to have him long-term.

But Meninga and the club’s powerbrokers refused to engage in a bidding war for Arrow and were blown out of the water by South Sydney

 

[TieDye]

Can't read the story but I will be interested in the NRLs response to what happens given that they said things would change after the Sook no. 2 spat the dummy and left.

Story below.

Queensland Origin star Jai Arrow will seek an immediate release from the Gold Coast Titans as South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett revealed his plans for Sam Burgess’ replacement.

As exclusively revealed by News Corp Australia on Tuesday, Arrow has agreed to terms on a $3.2 million four-year deal with the Rabbitohs from 2021 which will see him replace retired English superstar Burgess.

Arrow has informed the Titans he would not be accepting a three-year contract extension.

The Rabbitohs trumped the Titans with a deal worth about $100,000-a-season more than the Gold Coast’s offer as well as an extra season in 2024. Wests Tigers made a huge play for Arrow.

Arrow, 24, is contracted to the Titans until the end of next season, but his management will attempt to negotiate a release so he can join South Sydney immediately.

Bennett is a huge fan of Arrow, having given him his NRL debut at the Brisbane Broncos in 2016, and said he was the ideal player to replace Burgess.

“I am very pleased,” Bennett said.

“You can never be certain you will get someone but we put forward a good offer to Jai and were always hopeful he would sign.

“He is just the type of player we need. I like his work ethic and the value he brings to a club as a person off the field as well.

“I coached Jai at the Broncos and there was never a question about his character. I see him playing in the middle for us, he is suited to the centre of the field.”

Titans executive chairman Dennis Watt has previously claimed the club would not consider releasing Arrow if he signed with a rival franchise from 2021.

However, the NRL player market is constantly moving and the Titans could be convinced of letting arguably their best player go if they can snare a suitable replacement.

The Rabbitohs are open to move on either Dane Gagai or Alex Johnston to accommodate the possible arrival of disgruntled Roosters star Latrell Mitchell.

A hard-working middle forward, Arrow is a much different player to backline speedsters Gagai and Johnston.

The Titans must decide whether to hang on to Arrow even though he is headed elsewhere in 2021 or look to replace him immediately and move on.

The Titans have signed rising Melbourne forward Tino Fa’asuamaleaui from 2021 and are keen to get him to the Gold Coast earlier.

If the Storm release Fa’asuamaleaui that would open the door for Arrow to move to Souths immediately.

Titans recruitment chief Mal Meninga has shown interest in Mitchell, but no formal approach was made. That could change now given Arrow’s future has been sorted.

The loss of Arrow is a crushing blow to the Titans after the club collected the 2019 wooden spoon.

New coach Justin Holbrook would have been banking on Arrow for at least the upcoming season and was keen to have him long-term.

But Meninga and the club’s powerbrokers refused to engage in a bidding war for Arrow and were blown out of the water by South Sydney

Mal a smart operator, who would’ve thought, Bennett literally on his last legs with the quote

“He is just the type of player we need. I like his work ethic and the value he brings to a club as a person off the field as well...” but seriously it’s kinda sad that a lot of these cast-off couch journalists insist Souths are/will make a play for LM and are “willing” to let go Gagai or AJ. As if they’re some kind of quality options compared to other marquee men coming off contract in the near future.

Quite frankly it’s ridiculous to entertain even the thought that Souths can hoodwink the NRL like that - if they don’t offload BOTH I reckon there’s no cigar, let’s face it there can’t be two Favourite Sons of ‘The East’ and the Chooks are it.

Welcome back Josh! ??

 

[GNR4LIFE]

If Bennett rates him so much, why let him go from the Broncos 2 years ago? Got a feeling he doesn’t wield the power at Souths that he had at the Broncos. He’s subservient.

 

[TieDye]

If Bennett rates him so much, why let him go from the Broncos 2 years ago? Got a feeling he doesn’t wield the power at Souths that he had at the Broncos. He’s subservient.

Totally agree, GNR. Has lost his pull and probably was forced into this grab job on a former player of his; doesn’t bode well for all of the supposed insider info regarding Latrell having some kinda sense of identity with Souths. I see the obligatory connection but nothing AT ALL so far to indicate that Bennett’s interested in having him or vice versa - Crowe might just be the man pulling all of these silly strings atm.

 

[Newtown]

Can't read the story but I will be interested in the NRLs response to what happens given that they said things would change after the Sook no. 2 spat the dummy and left.

Will also have an impact on whether our young Parramatta signing plays with us in 2020.

 

[jirskyr]

I'm still not up to date on how some folks believe Souths are a powerhouse glamour club being looked after by the NRL.

Their side is almost entirely non-glamour footballers, lots of battlers actually, and they have an ancient coach who is gonna retire soon enough, having knocked Souths back previously.

One premiership to their name and a recent string of finals failures.

If not for Rusty Crowe, a single element, they are on the same playing field as all the other Sydney teams and not in Roosters' league.

Make it simple for ya...
They have a huge fanbase and the NRL looks out for em.

That's actually not correct on the first front, and not proven in any fashion on the second.

http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/8128-nrl-supporters-june-2019-201909130701

According to Roy Morgan polling this year, Souths have about 30K more people reporting as fans than Tigers in 2019. However this fluctuates - Tigers were ahead of Souths by about 9K in both 2018 and 2017.

Fundamentally, according to Roy Morgan, the fanbases for the bigger Sydney teams like Souths, Dragons, Tigers, Eels and Dogs are roughly equivalent and fluctuate between 350K and 450K every year, i.e. the teams change places over the years but always remain higher than teams like Manly or Cronulla. And they all pale in comparison to the people who report supporting Cowboys, Storm or Broncos every year, without fail.

Souths have more ticketed members than Tigers, about 10K more, thought Souths have been stagnant or slightly declining over the last 5 years whereas Tigers have gone up markedly (15K in 2016, 20K in 2018).

So in terms of fanbase, yes Souths have a decent one, so do Tigers, and every year they are roughly equivalent. Considering also that Tigers haven't made the finals in 8 seasons, you could reasonably expect that Tigers fall well below Souths in support, but that's not borne out.

Even attendance, Souths 2019 averaged 2.5K more than Tigers over the past 4 years, which is quite modest, and you'd expect better attendance from teams that are playing finals footy.

The stuff about the NRL looking out for Souths is just conspiracy theory nonsense.

 

[the_third]

We should pay this stefano guy to buy out his contract. Can’t be on much this year

 

[the_third]

The stuff about the NRL looking out for Souths is just conspiracy theory nonsense.

Good post @jirskyr Like the way you are thinking

Look at tv ratings not memberships and then you will see a slightly different story, one that reflects us not making finals in a while - right up there with Souths. We are clickbait for the media, subscription drivers, paying fans (Yes some are second team fans). Member Numbers are only part of the story

Despite the ratings (which pay the bills) we get nothing. Not a defence, a medical, a post career offer without a fine. Nothing, Nada, zero, zip, zilch

 

[cktiger]

I'm still not up to date on how some folks believe Souths are a powerhouse glamour club being looked after by the NRL.

Their side is almost entirely non-glamour footballers, lots of battlers actually, and they have an ancient coach who is gonna retire soon enough, having knocked Souths back previously.

One premiership to their name and a recent string of finals failures.

If not for Rusty Crowe, a single element, they are on the same playing field as all the other Sydney teams and not in Roosters' league.

Make it simple for ya...
They have a huge fanbase and the NRL looks out for em.

That's actually not correct on the first front, and not proven in any fashion on the second.

http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/8128-nrl-supporters-june-2019-201909130701

According to Roy Morgan polling this year, Souths have about 30K more people reporting as fans than Tigers in 2019. However this fluctuates - Tigers were ahead of Souths by about 9K in both 2018 and 2017.

Fundamentally, according to Roy Morgan, the fanbases for the bigger Sydney teams like Souths, Dragons, Tigers, Eels and Dogs are roughly equivalent and fluctuate between 350K and 450K every year, i.e. the teams change places over the years but always remain higher than teams like Manly or Cronulla. And they all pale in comparison to the people who report supporting Cowboys, Storm or Broncos every year, without fail.

Souths have more ticketed members than Tigers, about 10K more, thought Souths have been stagnant or slightly declining over the last 5 years whereas Tigers have gone up markedly (15K in 2016, 20K in 2018).

So in terms of fanbase, yes Souths have a decent one, so do Tigers, and every year they are roughly equivalent. Considering also that Tigers haven't made the finals in 8 seasons, you could reasonably expect that Tigers fall well below Souths in support, but that's not borne out.

Even attendance, Souths 2019 averaged 2.5K more than Tigers over the past 4 years, which is quite modest, and you'd expect better attendance from teams that are playing finals footy.

The stuff about the NRL looking out for Souths is just conspiracy theory nonsense.

Roy Morgan might say that but they also said Labor would romp in at the last election.
There is no way North Queensland and (especially) the Storm have more fans than Souths.
They must have been counting teeth.
As for Souths getting ‘looked after’ you only need listen to the platitudes rolled out sickeningly ad nauseum ... ‘The Pride of the League’ , ‘If Souths are doing good then rugby league is doing good’.
Once glamour boy Rusty and the big end of town jumped on board it only got ramped up... who could forget the lingering shots of Rusty and Mrs Burgess watching from the stands?
I hate them with a passion... always have and always will.

 

[avocadoontoast]

https://twitter.com/9NewsGoldCoast/status/1209380361341456385

We made them pay for him though..

They’ll release Gagai to titans and still afford Mitchell

Unfortunately I think this will be the case.... Souths just get better..

Who do we get then? No one?

My gut feeling is we won't get LM and he will end up at Souths as they WILL find a club to take a player or 2 off them... Big clubs always do

I see us getting JAC but we will have to pay overs to get him though.. I have no problems paying overs for a quality player as we need to start somewhere. No use having all this money and just promoting development players to make the 29 players we need to start of season. I deep down hope we have a few tricks up our sleeve and surprise us fans with some good news from somewhere

Massive fan of JAC but I believe we are absolutely zero chance of making the 8 without an upgrade to fullback and hooker.

 

[Red88_Tiger]

https://twitter.com/9NewsGoldCoast/status/1209380361341456385

We made them pay for him though..

They’ll release Gagai to titans and still afford Mitchell

Unfortunately I think this will be the case.... Souths just get better..

Who do we get then? No one?

My gut feeling is we won't get LM and he will end up at Souths as they WILL find a club to take a player or 2 off them... Big clubs always do

I see us getting JAC but we will have to pay overs to get him though.. I have no problems paying overs for a quality player as we need to start somewhere. No use having all this money and just promoting development players to make the 29 players we need to start of season. I deep down hope we have a few tricks up our sleeve and surprise us fans with some good news from somewhere

Massive fan of JAC but I believe we are absolutely zero chance of making the 8 without an upgrade to fullback and hooker.

If we miss lm I'm not worried as it is a long time until the season starts. I would be ok with ct or aj at fullback.
Jac is an upgrade that to me is a no brainer.
I havent heard any noise on here about the club chasing a hooker so I assume the club is happy with what they have.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

https://twitter.com/9NewsGoldCoast/status/1209380361341456385

We made them pay for him though..

They’ll release Gagai to titans and still afford Mitchell

Unfortunately I think this will be the case.... Souths just get better..

Who do we get then? No one?

My gut feeling is we won't get LM and he will end up at Souths as they WILL find a club to take a player or 2 off them... Big clubs always do

I see us getting JAC but we will have to pay overs to get him though.. I have no problems paying overs for a quality player as we need to start somewhere. No use having all this money and just promoting development players to make the 29 players we need to start of season. I deep down hope we have a few tricks up our sleeve and surprise us fans with some good news from somewhere

Massive fan of JAC but I believe we are absolutely zero chance of making the 8 without an upgrade to fullback and hooker.

If we miss lm I'm not worried as it is a long time until the season starts. I would be ok with ct or aj at fullback.
Jac is an upgrade that to me is a no brainer.
I havent heard any noise on here about the club chasing a hooker so I assume the club is happy with what they have.

Any hooker we sign, I think it would only be as a bandaid solution. The club hasn’t given up on Liddle yet, and Simpkin will get his shot in a year or two.

 

[Roar_Power]

https://twitter.com/9NewsGoldCoast/status/1209380361341456385

We made them pay for him though..

They’ll release Gagai to titans and still afford Mitchell

Unfortunately I think this will be the case.... Souths just get better..

Who do we get then? No one?

My gut feeling is we won't get LM and he will end up at Souths as they WILL find a club to take a player or 2 off them... Big clubs always do

I see us getting JAC but we will have to pay overs to get him though.. I have no problems paying overs for a quality player as we need to start somewhere. No use having all this money and just promoting development players to make the 29 players we need to start of season. I deep down hope we have a few tricks up our sleeve and surprise us fans with some good news from somewhere

Massive fan of JAC but I believe we are absolutely zero chance of making the 8 without an upgrade to fullback and hooker.

If we miss lm I'm not worried as it is a long time until the season starts. I would be ok with ct or aj at fullback.
Jac is an upgrade that to me is a no brainer.
I havent heard any noise on here about the club chasing a hooker so I assume the club is happy with what they have.

Any hooker we sign, I think it would only be as a bandaid solution. The club hasn’t given up on Liddle yet, and Simpkin will get his shot in a year or two.

Simpkin is the future. I have little doubt.

 

[SeanT]

https://twitter.com/9NewsGoldCoast/status/1209380361341456385

We made them pay for him though..

They’ll release Gagai to titans and still afford Mitchell

Unfortunately I think this will be the case.... Souths just get better..

Who do we get then? No one?

My gut feeling is we won't get LM and he will end up at Souths as they WILL find a club to take a player or 2 off them... Big clubs always do

I see us getting JAC but we will have to pay overs to get him though.. I have no problems paying overs for a quality player as we need to start somewhere. No use having all this money and just promoting development players to make the 29 players we need to start of season. I deep down hope we have a few tricks up our sleeve and surprise us fans with some good news from somewhere

Massive fan of JAC but I believe we are absolutely zero chance of making the 8 without an upgrade to fullback and hooker.

If we miss lm I'm not worried as it is a long time until the season starts. I would be ok with ct or aj at fullback.
Jac is an upgrade that to me is a no brainer.
I havent heard any noise on here about the club chasing a hooker so I assume the club is happy with what they have.

Any hooker we sign, I think it would only be as a bandaid solution. The club hasn’t given up on Liddle yet, and Simpkin will get his shot in a year or two.

Simpkin is the future. I have little doubt.

I agree with you. He has to learn patience amd needs more experience but this kid can play. 2021 he will be in the side even if its the bench..

 

[davey_farrell]

i have watched Simpkin up here in Brisbane playing for Wynnum, trust me he is a gun, he will available after week 16 and hopefully he gets a crack then. Liddle should be fit by then so it will be good competition for the hooking role. I see Walters as the stand in hooker until then, i dont believe Josh is a hooker in any way shape or form

 

[GNR4LIFE]

i have watched Simpkin up here in Brisbane playing for Wynnum, trust me he is a gun, he will available after week 16 and hopefully he gets a crack then. Liddle should be fit by then so it will be good competition for the hooking role. I see Walters as the stand in hooker until then, i dont believe Josh is a hooker in any way shape or form

Neither is Walters. He’s never played there.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Arrow is a 20s hype boy.

Isn't he a bit beat up in the brain?

He was OK for QLD.

I think he's massively over rated tho.

I agree with you. Souths are desperate for a hard forward. We don't need to pay that money for him. Watch some of our younger forwards progress next year. I believe Seyfarth will have a big year.

 

[Deleted member 3518]

The stuff about the NRL looking out for Souths is just conspiracy theory nonsense.

Good post @jirskyr Like the way you are thinking

Look at tv ratings not memberships and then you will see a slightly different story, one that reflects us not making finals in a while - right up there with Souths. We are clickbait for the media, subscription drivers, paying fans (Yes some are second team fans). Member Numbers are only part of the story

Despite the ratings (which pay the bills) we get nothing. Not a defence, a medical, a post career offer without a fine. Nothing, Nada, zero, zip, zilch

I think that’s more to do with the fact that success breeds success. As in , when Balmain were successful in the 80s and 90s , we had far more back room influence. Same for Newy circa 2000, manly in the 90s and 00s , and easts has zero in the 90s and so did Souths in the 00s.
This is more the reason, it’s not really a conspiracy, just who has the better connections to push and manipulate things through. But as I said this is constantly in flux and never ever exactly the same from period to period.
We win games , we attract sponsors . Which means money which means more power.
But you have to win on the field, otherwise your undermined ie. “ do we really need to listen to them , they arnt that important to the overall product”.