Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Demps]

Just saw former lower grader, Logan Dillon has signed with the Panthers.

... The Berkeley Vale Panthers, in the Central Coast comp.

 

[Tucker]

Just saw former lower grader, Logan Dillon has signed with the Panthers.

... The Berkeley Vale Panthers, in the Central Coast comp.

What happened with him? You used to rate him highly.

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

Just saw former lower grader, Logan Dillon has signed with the Panthers.

... The Berkeley Vale Panthers, in the Central Coast comp.

Wasn’t he a winger?

 

[Tito Santana]

Wasn’t he a winger?

Full back no?

 

[Leck]

We’re optimistic’: Panthers prepared to up Luai offer to ward off Tigers​

SMH

Panthers officials are prepared to increase their offer to Jarome Luai of a contract longer than two years to ward off big-money interest from Wests Tigers.

Luai, along with superstar halfback Nathan Cleary, will be back on deck on Friday when he begins pre-season training with the premiers.

The race for the Luai’s signature has become the most talked-about story over the summer after the 26-year-old, three-time premiership winner was paid a personal visit by Tigers coach Benji Marshall, and last week met with Canterbury supremo Phil Gould.

There have been suggestions Luai wanted to make a call on his future for 2025 and beyond by the time he resumed training.

But Penrith chief executive of rugby league Matt Cameron said the club was happy to give Luai all the time he wanted. The Panthers’ offer is reportedly worth around $850,000 a season for two years – some $300,000 less per season than the offer on the table from the Tigers, which is for four years and includes the chance to play halfback.

A third year on the Panthers offer, which would take Luai through until the end of 2027 – the same year his good friend Cleary is up for renewal – might just be enough to convince him to stay put.

“We’ll get Jarome back in the building on Friday and pick up our conversation from there,” Cameron told this masthead.

We’ve been in constant dialogue with him. He spoke to the coach [Ivan Cleary] just last week. We’ve been 100 per cent transparent with him, and he’s been 100 per cent transparent with us as to what is going on.

We just want to get him back in the building, make sure his shoulder is OK, then talk about his contract. There’s no rush from us. This talk of him wanting to sort out his contract before returning to training has never come from us, so I can’t comment on that.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – we’re optimistic we’ll get a deal done with Jarome.

“It will not be all about the money. And we’ve got a pretty good track record of players recommitting to the club and taking a little less for the chance to pursue something pretty special.”

Sounds like Penrith might have invested in Uncle Nick's playbook and a paper bag.

 

[Demps]

What happened with him? You used to rate him highly.

Rumour has it;

Warren McDonnell hated him.
So when Wazza came back to the Tigers, it was game over for the kid.

Was at the Mackay Cutters briefly but CRL now.

 

[Tucker]

Wasn’t he a winger?

I thought fullback.

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

Wasn’t he a winger?

Highly regarded Fullback in Flegg

Not anymore

 

[cktiger]

I wouldn't believe that for a second. Buzz, wtf would he know.

If we did sign that deal it's up there with the worst in WT history! Very hard to believe we would sign a reserve grader on that much, for that long too. Would be extremely incompetent, even for us!

His realistic current value is about 300k. The WT tax may mean we had to pay more.

It was initially being reported as a 2 year deal, with an option of a third. Then somehow got announced as 4 years. I reckon at least one if not 2 of the years are options.

There are zero halfbacks who would sign for $300k to play first grade.

 

[weststigers]

I would estimate Sullivan 450k
Sezer 350k
Fainu 250k
Galvin 125k

Currently

But these figures aren't accurate. Why do you estimate Fainu is on $250k?

 

[Dennisspicer1]

I hope to God the club are reading this. Otherwise they will have no idea what to do

I just made my thoughts clear
smart Arse.

And so did you,

And ive replied with equal Sarcasm.

 

[Tigersmurf]

I would estimate Sullivan 450k
Sezer 350k
Fainu 250k
Galvin 125k

Currently

This is a strange post from you. For someone with his hand on the pulse of junior talent at our club I would have thought you would understand that no-one wants to come to the club that is coming last. Especially some of the best young halves in the game.

There is no way we sign anyone on the money you have listed. I recall the Fainu's deals being closer to $500K each, and if Galvin is only on $125K then we can wave him goodbye very quickly.

Gus always says the money comes second, especially for the kids. However he also upgrades players salaries when they make grade regularly in order to show loyalty and make them feel wanted. I am pleased with the quality we have secured and I think the money is overs, but fair given the potential of these kids and the mess the club is in after two wooden spoons, a new untried coach and ongoing negative press.

 

[crazycat]

I think the complete opposite. If it comes down to us and them. he’d have to be made of stone to turn down the money we’re prepared to pay him. Penrith are going to sound confident. What else can they say?

in response too "We have been used again to inflate a marquee players contract elsewhere haha."

hey at least we got something. If such behaviour means Luai gets 1.1m out of Penrith, then they will hurt a little bit.

What annoys me is when a player stays with a club for total unders, even when there are better offers. I.e. Mitchell Latrell at Souths (along with a recent Canberrian).

 

[Juice]

I would estimate Sullivan 450k
Sezer 350k
Fainu 250k
Galvin 125k

Currently

Latu on $250k? Pretty sure half the reason manly were willing to let him go is because he would’ve been on over $300k 2024. I don’t think he’d be at tigers on a pay cut, was reported the bro’s signed 4 years each and their contracts combine for $4 million

 

[balmain boy]

But these figures aren't accurate. Why do you estimate Fainu is on $250k?

Because that's what he was on at Manly, and that's what we took on.... His value increases year on year

 

[balmain boy]

Latu on $250k? Pretty sure half the reason manly were willing to let him go is because he would’ve been on over $300k 2024. I don’t think he’d be at tigers on a pay cut, was reported the bro’s signed 4 years each and their contracts combine for $4 million

And those reports are bullshit

 

[weststigers]

Because that's what he was on at Manly, and that's what we took on.... His value increases year on year

What's your source? Widely reported at $500k per season. Not doubting it could be wrong, but you need to put up some sources.

 

[innsaneink]

Back 5 at the moment of:

1. Bula
2. Lobb
3. Toupu
4. Toa
5. Staines

I'd say Nofo will be there not Lobb

 

[balmain boy]

This is a strange post from you. For someone with his hand on the pulse of junior talent at our club I would have thought you would understand that no-one wants to come to the club that is coming last. Especially some of the best young halves in the game.

There is no way we sign anyone on the money you have listed. I recall the Fainu's deals being closer to $500K each, and if Galvin is only on $125K then we can wave him goodbye very quickly.

Gus always says the money comes second, especially for the kids. However he also upgrades players salaries when they make grade regularly in order to show loyalty and make them feel wanted. I am pleased with the quality we have secured and I think the money is overs, but fair given the potential of these kids and the mess the club is in after two wooden spoons, a new untried coach and ongoing negative press.

I don't think you understand how few 18 year olds are actually on NRL contracts. Practically no clubs have players that young in NRL contracts, as they're not ready to contribute in the NRL yet. The WT tax that we had to pay to Secure our youngsters was giving them professional contracts before they're ready for them.
These kids aren't demanding big bucks immediately. They're already earning more than any other player their age. Players yet to play first grade extremely rarely get the big bucks straight away. Suli had the physique for us to take that gamble.

Fainu is on 500k in the latter years of his contract, not from the beginning. That was the price for the highest rated 18 year old. Galvin signed his deal as a 17 year old highschool kid, he'll be on close to minimum wage next season. They all get incremental increases, and as we saw with Bula the club had no problem rewarding exponential improvement with a vastly improved contract. Bula signed 3 contracts in 12 months such was his rise. But we certainly haven't paid Galvin a million bucks for his 3 years, not did we spend 4 million on the Fainus, it's just ludicrous stuff from media trying to make us look like a basketcase.

 

[balmain boy]

What's your source? Widely reported at $500k per season. Not doubting it could be wrong, but you need to put up some sources.

Not widely reported. Hooper plucked that number out of his ass, and a few other websites just copy pasted what he said, that's how sad journalism has become these days

There are no publicly documented sources of player salaries like there is in the NBA etc. Only the word of people who claim to have received details. I trust the person I spoke to more than I trust pooper, that's for sure. But the nature and identity of sources will always remain private