We had no bargaining power when the big 3 left and we signed Mautalino, packer and Reynolds’s for 4 year deals and look how they turned out.
I didn’t say I didn’t like Klemmer and Bateman.
Totally agreed.
I said I didn’t like the 4th year we gave them and asking price.
Do not worry about this. Klemmer I have been told is a 3 year deal.
Bateman, what are you worried about:
Bateman leaves us to go back to Superleague as he did with Canberra 2 years into the contract... Woohoo! We get his next 2 best years and Superleague get him cheaper and closer to retirement.
Bateman rides us for last 2 years... Hey Bateman congratulations you can become a performance coach at 31 like Josh Jackson.
We needed muscle. Paps would become the next James Tamou if he had to carry our current forward pack.
What we need to ask is why does our form and grit drop. We have quality coming in, we have the center of excellence opening.... Will Robbie Farah (as Benji or Sheens won't) be able to keep the intensity up? Nathan Cayless could not and that was the worst surprise of 2022.
Look at how well the teams with a gritty coaches:
Cronulla picked up Craig Fitz, at Easts he would wressle anyone, anytime.
Cows picked up Payton who we know works the forwards hard.
Easts got Jason Ryles and Melbourne always build hard.
Contrast that too:
Brisbane who, sure have gone Okayish.
Titans who definitely don't have a gritty coaching staff.
We need grit and strong tackling. I truly worry as I thought Cayless would deliver this. Robbie we know goes hard. Harder then Cayless?