Makasini is a lock at centre going forward. Turuva likely as well. If not Faataape, Mason, Feledy. Oh & don't forget Olam & Doueihi...
To move him from the Sharks would require a good offer in the amount you suggested.
Aren't there other clubs interested? I'd say we have the upper hand in the negotiations if that is the case
Lachlan Broederlow has one of the development contracts for 2026 already which was confirmed by the club and Tim Johannssen sounds like he will either have another or move into the Top 30 (it mentioned he signed on a 2 year deal). However, it is good to have a bit of freedom on those spots even if it is 4 free ones to see how players progress over the next 12 months.
Oh there will definitely be player movement throughout the season as is always the case. But I meant more along the lines of having 1 development spot available for all the train and trialists. Basically make it a competition for that spot over the pre-season or up until the new year at least. They all know it is there, know what they are competing for and go hard for it. Would help lift the standards at training even further in my opinion.
He’s definitely a Benji recruit. Benji had final say on players’ signings from day one. Or at least that was what the club wanted us to believe.
Zero Tackle can now reveal that Johannssen has been rewarded with a train and trial contract for the 2025 season.
His contract was mutually terminated and he then signed with Manly - there was no leverage to be gained because he was able to sign with any club once the contract was terminated.
I agree, Sheens was a driving force in Batemans recruitment and I recall him calling him the “lead domino” etc. Sheens and McDonell were also doing the horse trading with the agent. Moved our unwanted half to knights on big money, got Klemmer and bumped up Eels contract for Moses etc as you would expect with Benji being a newby.
I’m not Sherlock Holmes, and don’t really care to be, or care where you get your information from, I just care that you post what you hear and I thank you for sharing.
That sounds like a good contract structure. T and T, then Dev, or if you’re good enough NRL.
Noones stopping the sook from taking a paycut. Or doing what's expected of him and earning his full contract value
I can't hold Benji too the fire over Batemans deal. If I'm Benji and the bloke I trust to teach me to coach says we need a certain player I'd just go with it, how was Benji to know the bloke was delusional.
Why did we agree to terminate it?…we got nothing out of it…dumb…we could’ve been smarter
I don't know about Top 5, but he's quality, regardless.
Well obviously both parties didn't see a future together - that's the way contracts get mutually terminated. If there's no 3rd party involved how do you "get something out of it"?
