Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[BlackWhiteGold]

Feels very negative having a war chest and not being proactive. Is our entire recruitment policy now just sitting back and waiting?

Rather than going a scattergun approach to recruiting like the Dragons, it seems Richo/Benji/Gallant are being very selective on who they target & will be patient.

1 it has to be for a gap in the roster, 2 player performance & level of experience obviously & 3 character/values of the player.

 

[Canadian Club]

Bulldogs came 3rd and are adding Finau Latu & Leo Thompson next year

We are no where near them in terms of forward pack quality and depth

I said prop, not forward pack.

Latu is a lock and I honestly couldn't tell you if Leo Thompson played a game this year, that's how ineffective he was.

The Dogs seriously lack props and is why they struggled against the top teams. As much as people blamed Galvin and their spine for the losses, their lack of go forward through the middle was their biggest issue.

They got absolutely dominated through the middle in every game they lost. One of the main reasons we beat them was because we dominated them through the middle and sent them backwards. They even had to play Tupouniua and Curran at prop because they lack dominate middles. They're best prop Max King was struggling to crack 100m a game at the backend of the season.

 

[Milky]

Apparently Burton to Cows/Bears

We would be crazy not to be going after him

Whether it is 5/8 or lock, I think he would add so much value to our team.

Luai/Burton halves is crazy good with Fainu playing lock. Reverse the roles, Fainu/Luai halves and Burton lock is also crazy good.

 

[426Tlgerland]

Feels very negative having a war chest and not being proactive. Is our entire recruitment policy now just sitting back and waiting?

Seems that way mate , no drive to get who we want in position , waiting for stuff to fall out a tree , May was a fluke , we need a big middle , but were offered hunt to leave , get him fit , simple , we need a half back Latu is glass and AD could be our lock , don’t see halfback of quality dropping

 

[Flippedy]

Aloioi retirement

DCE perhaps?

 

[hammertime]

Feels very negative having a war chest and not being proactive. Is our entire recruitment policy now just sitting back and waiting?

We signed our best (May) with that approach.

If we're the only ones with money at the time, it gives a lot more leverage than if you're going up against 3-4 other teams for a signature. The worst thing we can do is to go waving around that we have cash and limit our bargaining position.

I'm sure Richo knows the teams that may have a few cap issues.

 

[king_sirro]

Apparently Burton to Cows/Bears

We would be crazy not to be going after him

Whether it is 5/8 or lock, I think he would add so much value to our team.

Luai/Burton halves is crazy good with Fainu playing lock. Reverse the roles, Fainu/Luai halves and Burton lock is also crazy good.

Burton is massively overrated. I liken him to Adam Doueihi who we just resigned on much less money than it would take to get Burton

 

[Betterdays22]

Burton is massively overrated. I liken him to Adam Doueihi who we just resigned on much less money than it would take to get Burton

Burton is a much better player ball in hand than Doueihi but has the same defensive problems on the edge.

If "defensive genius potential best coach ever" Ciraldo can't fix his defence then I doubt we can...

 

[Tito Santana]

havent read much so apologies if this is already here

richo playing it cool, we have money, we are looking at someone to fall out of the tree like may last year

plenty to play out

Geez Matt Burton would be a great get. Would love to have him. Tito likey.

 

[tigahhh]

burton is terribly overrated. there’s a reason the dogs may move him on, 4 try assists all year. you all tear luai apart for his stats, burton’s are horrible for a 6. i think he’s a centre at best

 

[Ermo]

Moale would’ve been a good signing

Manly finally targeting young forwards, they will be better in 2026 with Kobe and Moale

Moale is for ‘27

 

[Milky]

Burton is massively overrated. I liken him to Adam Doueihi who we just resigned on much less money than it would take to get Burton

Big body, creative and great kicking game

I would rather liken him to Wade Graham

I think Bulldogs structured play has hindered him

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

I take it partly with a grain of salt RHS. Richo is a big PR guy. He knows what to say & when to say it.

He may just be saying this to reinforce belief in our current squad from the top dog as they head into their off-season. But when a good player who will add value to our squad becomes available, he & Benji will be all-in (like with Terrell). I have a gut feeling we'll land someone very decent for next season & beyond over the next couple of months.

Yep, Under promise and over deliver. I am also thinking that his appointment of Shaun Mielekamp is a step towards a smooth CEO Succession Plan.

 

[jrtiger]

we can’t afford Burton. short odds to land in Perth with his brother in law who plays Cup for the Chooks. next.

 

[tigahhh]

little jelly of the dragons signing of David Fale, has good upside. he’s super close with the boys in our squad. i guess we don’t need more outside backs.

 

[Canadian Club]

Apparently Burton to Cows/Bears

We would be crazy not to be going after him

Whether it is 5/8 or lock, I think he would add so much value to our team.

Luai/Burton halves is crazy good with Fainu playing lock. Reverse the roles, Fainu/Luai halves and Burton lock is also crazy good.

It's crazy how the Dogs have now shafted Burton and Mahoney who were both big parts of their turn around as a club. All for a half who some of the best judges in the game like Sheens, Ivan Cleary and Matty Johns all believe is a lock long term and not a half.

 

[Aceshigh]

Burton is massively overrated. I liken him to Adam Doueihi who we just resigned on much less money than it would take to get Burton

Wrong in my opinion he is a gun footballer and should have been in the SOO team , he would be an asset

 

[Wezt]

Cowboys and ‘Rival’ Sydney club after Burton according NRL360

 

[Flippedy]

Cowboys and ‘Rival’ Sydney club after Burton according NRL360

Parra?

 

[426Tlgerland]

Cowboys and ‘Rival’ Sydney club after Burton according NRL360

Burton at 7 Luai at 6 or other way and AD lock that would do me