richest number 9 in the game? lol.... hes played a couple of half decent games off the bench. No club is paying him to be a walk in starter next year, let alone above market value.
I have a feeling a Blake Lawrie type will be who will look to add to our middles depth - an experienced player who can also lead our younger middles on the training paddock, a point to prove perhaps at a new club and someone who can easily be in 1st team middle rotation if required.
TDS has tiger in his blood, if he develops well api could be relegated to the bench in his final year. He is the future 9 of this club for the next 10 years…hooker is a position you don’t wanna rush the young guys in. The club has been very direct with him and he knows where he stands. Zero chance he leaves for another club but like every young guy he’ll be up for a big upgrade come next contract(we will give it to him).
I am not knocking api , but I thought that TDS out played him last week , Apis running from dummy half is not up to his previous standards
Based on what, exactly?
A basic calculation on what alll the players on our roster and expected to be on our roster in 2026 are rumoured to be earning.
The problem is how can an organization stand in the way of a young guy getting, say a $500 or $800k pay increase? How would you feel as the player? The NRL need to act. These inflated contracts new are only going to stifle development clubs. It’s a continuous cycle for the cellar dwellers.
There is another issue with that 1.2m figure, that issue is Bula. He is one of the best players WTs has produced in recent times.
So you think a hooker who plays 20-30 minutes a game off the bench who has played about 20 first grade games and had an impact on very few of them will be the richest player in his position by the end of next season? Why is he going to be worth more than Mahoney, Api, Grant, Kenny, Brandon Smith, Robson, Marshall King?
Redo the calculation.
Contractually the club can set boundaries.
Of course and I don’t disagree with that but that only creates discontent personally and throughout the squad. I doubt any player would play their absolute best on 250k for a full 26 rounds when they know they can get 800k. Especially when there are managers and family in their ear.
No Flerfing here, on your bike and keep moving. 🚴
Prob told he won't get his 14 games to automatically renew his contract, so left cause if he didn't chances are noone next year would pick him up and its retirement. At least this way he is running around in first grade and is in the shop window and might get a 1 or 2 year deal elsewhere, someone his age would find it alot harder to do from reserve grade, while he's still running around in N.R.L not too many questions about his age and body while people still see him running around and keeping up. Not sure if he only got this year or next year at the Dragons aswell.
He's the one I'm least concerned about losing, he has orange, black and white blood, he loves the Tigers and is a Tigers die hard fan. As long as we are around the ballpark figure of another club he's not going anywhere. He has said multiple times he loves the club and doesn't want to leave.
Reports I saw was saying it was just for this year which some would say was a bit of a risk, but as you say, it looks like St.George will be utilising him in first grade so he will still be in the shop window.
