Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Spud_Murphy]

Rugby league: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck considering leaving New Zealand Warriors - reports - NZ Herald

I believe he is looking at Union but maybe a healthy pay cheque and a chance to play under the NZ rugby league coach could entice him over
Lets say $1,200,000 a season on a 3 to 4 year deal

RTS would be a big YES from me, won’t happen though, would be too good.

 

[gallagher]

Brett Naden is one to chase

Pass.

Why's That Russ? He looks a great prospect.

 

[rihannafan1]

Alex Johnston a good chance of being here. Definitely not staying with Souths as they all but have JAC over the line plus AJ has played with Maguire before.

He'd be a handy player on the wing for us who wouldn't break the bank.

 

[Needaname]

Alex Johnston a good chance of being here. Definitely not staying with Souths as they all but have JAC over the line plus AJ has played with Maguire before.

He'd be a handy player on the wing for us who wouldn't break the bank.

His off contract now though. Doesn’t fit the bill.

 

[Fade.To.Black]

I'd have Benji back easily. I don't know why there's so much dislike for him. You blame the Newcastle game on him? Give teams time and space and the halves of any defensive team will be exposed defensively, especially paired with Leiluia out wide. Benji is our most creative player and our best kicker and he's not on a big contract, what's the problem? As soon as you get someone better you can drop him, but we don't have anyone better and we SHOULD sign him again if he'd be willing. You guys need to think more pragmatically: he's a good value squad contract who also happens to be our best half, and is one of the best in the league on his day. Don't worry about the fact it's Benji, you're signing him on backup money.

You are entitled to your opinion but I disagree with everything you said, he got dropped for his issues, he came back after supposedly fixing them and he is worse than ever, we played our best footy when he was watching from the stands.
Benji has never been a backup, look at todays team as a prime example, he should have been first dropped, he is always first picked, he is cooked, and he will be 36 next year and even worse,
Madden is signed and can do the job on bugger all money as well.
We need the roster spot, are you happy missing the 8 every year, because that is what he brings, and that is what we get

The idea that we need to get rid of Benji in order to play Madden is strange, we can have both (and do right now). But the solution to play Madden is fantasy. It's a weird assertion to think that a guy who has never played first grade is who we depend on next year. How much footy have you watched? the step up to first grade is always huge and you don't really know how a player will pan out. Maybe he'd be good, maybe not. Having Benji or not wouldn't impact that.

I don't think we played good footy when he wasn't there. Reynolds isn't better than him and I think it's crazy to suggest that.

Reynolds is the contract we need to get rid of. Both he and Mbye are on way too much. They're alright players, but they are being played like superstars.

Benji is one of our best player and he's on a small contract, he's not the problem.

You guys want a scapegoat for last week and benji didn't play well but I don't think that has anything to do with whether or not we offer another reasonable contract for a quality player.

Benji's proven in the past at Brisbane and this year that he can be a very positive squad member, he doesn't demand to start. I think, at the very least, he's a useful player to have in the squad; at his best he's our best player and a match winner.

Who is our alternative?

I've said the same before and I would add Lawrence into this bucket.

People forget that the squad extends beyond 1-17...you need some depth, not just promising juniors.

Benji is on $175K
Lawrence is on $100K

Even if they sat the entire season in the 18 and 19 jerseys, it would be NRL quality depth and huge experience covering positions that are hard to cover (Halves + Centre). These guys combined are on less than McQueens total contract ($400K)!

Further, we need to get through 1 more year before some big contracts expire. Having NRL quality depth on low contracts allows us to balance our squad in other areas.

We just need to get through 1 more year with these guys...no one is saying they should be starters.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

Our squad needs a massive clean out, in terms of both skills and culture. We need speed and power, and we have limited squad positions to recuit these new players. We can't waste precious squad positions on placeholders. We need strike. And we need winners. Players who rise to the challenge of their rivals. The kind who stalk their prey in the night.

Look at the Roosters. Most of the cap on stars that win you games and young backup players that would be starters for us. Tupounioa, Faamusili, Butcher etc. Would you rather Tupouinoa or Lawrence on our bench? I know who i'd prefer, and they're both getting the same money.

These discussions are futile because the main point is missed.

We have LIMITED cap space. Guys like Lawrence serve 2 purposes:

1. To offer squad depth
2. To give as much playing value as possible for the salary we pay them (if we need them).
3.

Yes...Lawrence takes up a roster spot, but you can't just replace Lawrence with a Tupouinoa. Their salaries are totally different and is he available?

The point is...someone needs to be paid low salaries to lighten the load on the rest of the cap.

I actually agree with you though...if such a thing is a realistic possibility...but I don't think there's enough talent in the NRL to have a squad of 30 guys that fit that description and not exceed the cap.

Benji and Lawrence aren't the issue.

It's Mbye, Reynolds, Packer, Mcqueen, E Taylor taking up a huge chuck of cap space.

No it's not futile. What's futile is reasoning with people who don't have a grasp of reality.

Toupinoa and Lawrence are both on roughly the same contact value. Which team is getting a better deal there? Lawrence offers a slow old guy with crap hands and no lateral defence. He's done. He offers nothing. UK or retirement awaits.

The Roosters have about 10 players on less than 200k. Their cheapies offer great value. Ours don't.

McIntyre is a last resort, and he takes Lawrence's #30 spot on the roster.

Madge is on the right path. Rather than have Jennings on 400k he has AJ on 150-200k.

Who are the 10 players at the Roosters who are on less than $200k?

 

[the_third]

Who are the 10 players at the Roosters who are on less than $200k?

Yes let’s go.

Lam
Ikivalu
Hutchinson
Poasa
Egan butcher
Fletch baker
$BW (asu)

Most of them will be minimum. Lam probably not but close. Now we are up a bit more for the rest

Nat butcher
Flanagan/siti/ verrilis/billy smith
And a few more options for the last spot. They won’t be on much more

 

[Sart0ri]

At the very bottom of this page - https://www.nrl.com/operations/integrity/salary-cap/
It says that players 27-30 can be paid a minimum of $75,000 in 2020 and $77,500 in 2021

"Min. Top 30 fee of $100,000 for players 1-26 in 2018 increasing at $5,000 p.a until 2022
$70,000 for players 27-30 in 2018 increasing at $2,500 p.a until 2022"

 

[Needaname]

At the very bottom of this page - https://www.nrl.com/operations/integrity/salary-cap/
It says that players 27-30 can be paid a minimum of $75,000 in 2020 and $77,500 in 2021

"Min. Top 30 fee of $100,000 for players 1-26 in 2018 increasing at $5,000 p.a until 2022
$70,000 for players 27-30 in 2018 increasing at $2,500 p.a until 2022"

Ok here goes.
According to the rich list.
Boyd $780
Crichton $750
Radley $500
J Moz $300
Hargreaves $700
Tedesco $1mil
Taukeiaho $680
Joseph Manu $700
Luke Keary $700

That’s 6.1 mill on 9 players.
3.5mill on the remaining 21.
It is possible they are under the cap.
If you look closely at their squad they have used a total of 24 players and up until last week before debuting Daniel Fifita have played no rookies plus including Drew Hutchison who plays this weekend and considering the 2 long term injuries of Verrills and Radley, Including Billy Smith That’s 23 of 26 regulars they have used this year.
The remaining 4 have not debuted for any club and therefore being the roosters can only be on a minimum wage. Totalling $340 for the 27-30 spots (don’t forget Asu was one of these and probably also on minimum wage.)
So there are about 16 players unaccounted for with about 3.2 million cap spread among them.
Which means the following players are on average of $200k.
Tupou
B Moz
Lam
Tupouniua
Faamausili
Butcher
Collins
Ikuvalu
Fifta
Flanagan
Liu
Aubusson
Hall
Smith
Hutchinson
Jake Friend.

 

[Needaname]

At the very bottom of this page - https://www.nrl.com/operations/integrity/salary-cap/
It says that players 27-30 can be paid a minimum of $75,000 in 2020 and $77,500 in 2021

"Min. Top 30 fee of $100,000 for players 1-26 in 2018 increasing at $5,000 p.a until 2022
$70,000 for players 27-30 in 2018 increasing at $2,500 p.a until 2022"

Ok here goes.
According to the rich list.
Boyd $780
Crichton $750
Radley $500
J Moz $300
Hargreaves $700
Tedesco $1mil
Taukeiaho $680
Joseph Manu $700
Luke Keary $700
Another $3080.
That’s 6.1 mill on 9 players.
3.5mill on the remaining 21.
It is possible they are under the cap.
If you look closely at their squad they have used a total of 24 players and up until last week before debuting Daniel Fifita have played no rookies plus including Drew Hutchison who plays this weekend and considering the 2 long term injuries of Verrills and Radley, Including Billy Smith That’s 23 of 26 regulars they have used this year.
The remaining 4 have not debuted for any club and therefore being the roosters can only be on a minimum wage. Totalling $340 for the 27-30 spots (don’t forget Asu was one of these and probably also on minimum wage.)
So there are about 16 players unaccounted for with about 3.2 million cap spread among them.
Which means the following players are on average of $200k.
Tupou
B Moz
Lam
Tupouniua
Faamausili
Butcher
Collins
Ikuvalu
Fifta
Flanagan
Liu
Aubusson
Hall
Smith
Hutchinson
Jake Friend.

Sorry I went back and copied that from an old post. Roosters have since debuted another player vs the Dragons.
And based on above about 27-30 which I calculated at 85k a player that should be now 300k in the above post.

 

[the_third]

Friend Or Aubusson will get the $200k long service allowance? And the other is just bad at golf.

Manu probably feels ripped off

 

[bigsiro]

Rugby league: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck considering leaving New Zealand Warriors - reports - NZ Herald

I believe he is looking at Union but maybe a healthy pay cheque and a chance to play under the NZ rugby league coach could entice him over
Lets say $1,200,000 a season on a 3 to 4 year deal

RTS would be a big YES from me, won’t happen though, would be too good.

Too good to be true!!
WAAAAY too good

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Alex Johnston a good chance of being here. Definitely not staying with Souths as they all but have JAC over the line plus AJ has played with Maguire before.

He'd be a handy player on the wing for us who wouldn't break the bank.

Why do posters insist on "wouldn't break the bank'?

JAC is an SOO and Aust rep. You pay for what you get which is true here between Johnston and JAC.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Brett Naden is one to chase

On reflection, Naden fits all centre recruitment essentials -


Tackling ability and technique - problematic tick
Lacks genuine pace tick
Bargain price tick tick
Free set of steak knives tick
Jackson Hastings thrown in tick tick

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Saab is a Speedster...

Yes, 42.7 km just ahead of JAC on 42.6 km.

 

[Moh]

Rugby league: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck considering leaving New Zealand Warriors - reports - NZ Herald

I believe he is looking at Union but maybe a healthy pay cheque and a chance to play under the NZ rugby league coach could entice him over
Lets say $1,200,000 a season on a 3 to 4 year deal

RTS would be a big YES from me, won’t happen though, would be too good.

The reason he's looking at Rugby is to guarantee moving back to NZ as being away from his young family has been difficult for him - he's not interested in staying in Australia.

 

[JC99]

Alex Johnston a good chance of being here. Definitely not staying with Souths as they all but have JAC over the line plus AJ has played with Maguire before.

He'd be a handy player on the wing for us who wouldn't break the bank.

Why do posters insist on "wouldn't break the bank'?

JAC is an SOO and Aust rep. You pay for what you get which is true here between Johnston and JAC.

Wingers aren’t that expensive - he won’t be cheap compared to majority of wingers but in the grand scheme of things he won’t break the bank. Probably get like $500k a season maybe even a little less

 

[Strider]

I'll be happy with one speedster of any kind and one dominant prop

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

I'd have Benji back easily. I don't know why there's so much dislike for him. You blame the Newcastle game on him? Give teams time and space and the halves of any defensive team will be exposed defensively, especially paired with Leiluia out wide. Benji is our most creative player and our best kicker and he's not on a big contract, what's the problem? As soon as you get someone better you can drop him, but we don't have anyone better and we SHOULD sign him again if he'd be willing. You guys need to think more pragmatically: he's a good value squad contract who also happens to be our best half, and is one of the best in the league on his day. Don't worry about the fact it's Benji, you're signing him on backup money.

You are entitled to your opinion but I disagree with everything you said, he got dropped for his issues, he came back after supposedly fixing them and he is worse than ever, we played our best footy when he was watching from the stands.
Benji has never been a backup, look at todays team as a prime example, he should have been first dropped, he is always first picked, he is cooked, and he will be 36 next year and even worse,
Madden is signed and can do the job on bugger all money as well.
We need the roster spot, are you happy missing the 8 every year, because that is what he brings, and that is what we get

The idea that we need to get rid of Benji in order to play Madden is strange, we can have both (and do right now). But the solution to play Madden is fantasy. It's a weird assertion to think that a guy who has never played first grade is who we depend on next year. How much footy have you watched? the step up to first grade is always huge and you don't really know how a player will pan out. Maybe he'd be good, maybe not. Having Benji or not wouldn't impact that.

I don't think we played good footy when he wasn't there. Reynolds isn't better than him and I think it's crazy to suggest that.

Reynolds is the contract we need to get rid of. Both he and Mbye are on way too much. They're alright players, but they are being played like superstars.

Benji is one of our best player and he's on a small contract, he's not the problem.

You guys want a scapegoat for last week and benji didn't play well but I don't think that has anything to do with whether or not we offer another reasonable contract for a quality player.

Benji's proven in the past at Brisbane and this year that he can be a very positive squad member, he doesn't demand to start. I think, at the very least, he's a useful player to have in the squad; at his best he's our best player and a match winner.

Who is our alternative?

I've said the same before and I would add Lawrence into this bucket.

People forget that the squad extends beyond 1-17...you need some depth, not just promising juniors.

Benji is on $175K
Lawrence is on $100K

Even if they sat the entire season in the 18 and 19 jerseys, it would be NRL quality depth and huge experience covering positions that are hard to cover (Halves + Centre). These guys combined are on less than McQueens total contract ($400K)!

Further, we need to get through 1 more year before some big contracts expire. Having NRL quality depth on low contracts allows us to balance our squad in other areas.

We just need to get through 1 more year with these guys...no one is saying they should be starters.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

Our squad needs a massive clean out, in terms of both skills and culture. We need speed and power, and we have limited squad positions to recuit these new players. We can't waste precious squad positions on placeholders. We need strike. And we need winners. Players who rise to the challenge of their rivals. The kind who stalk their prey in the night.

Look at the Roosters. Most of the cap on stars that win you games and young backup players that would be starters for us. Tupounioa, Faamusili, Butcher etc. Would you rather Tupouinoa or Lawrence on our bench? I know who i'd prefer, and they're both getting the same money.

These discussions are futile because the main point is missed.

We have LIMITED cap space. Guys like Lawrence serve 2 purposes:

1. To offer squad depth
2. To give as much playing value as possible for the salary we pay them (if we need them).
3.

Yes...Lawrence takes up a roster spot, but you can't just replace Lawrence with a Tupouinoa. Their salaries are totally different and is he available?

The point is...someone needs to be paid low salaries to lighten the load on the rest of the cap.

I actually agree with you though...if such a thing is a realistic possibility...but I don't think there's enough talent in the NRL to have a squad of 30 guys that fit that description and not exceed the cap.

Benji and Lawrence aren't the issue.

It's Mbye, Reynolds, Packer, Mcqueen, E Taylor taking up a huge chuck of cap space.

No it's not futile. What's futile is reasoning with people who don't have a grasp of reality.

Toupinoa and Lawrence are both on roughly the same contact value. Which team is getting a better deal there? Lawrence offers a slow old guy with crap hands and no lateral defence. He's done. He offers nothing. UK or retirement awaits.

The Roosters have about 10 players on less than 200k. Their cheapies offer great value. Ours don't.

McIntyre is a last resort, and he takes Lawrence's #30 spot on the roster.

Madge is on the right path. Rather than have Jennings on 400k he has AJ on 150-200k.

Like I said...I don't disagree with the logic, but I think it's you that doesn't have a grasp on reality.

Everyone knows the Roosters are able to get players for less than what other clubs would have to pay.

Roosters contract value vs Tigers contract value don't equate to the same number.

Case in point...we offered Mitchell $1.2 Million and he went to the Rabbits on $800,000...not sure how you solve that issue.

Don’t offer Mitchell 1.2 offer him 900k.
It’s not that hard really...

Ummm...yeah ok...same result...he goes to the Rabbits

Exactly.
But what if it worked out the other way?

Mate...I think you'll find we started the bidding at $800-900k...ended up at $1.2 million...Souths came in and the rest is history. Not sure your plan has "masterstroke" written all over it...

What's everyone smoking today?

No mate.
It’s a ruthless take it or leave it approach.
It’s not the money that entices the players to switch clubs it’s opportunity.

Now, if as a hypothetical we had approached JAC before Mitchell and had him signed on the left wing for that 300k + some obviously. And then approached Mitchell with a 900k deal to come over would that be more enticing than coming to a club to be alone and pick up another 300k. The money was never going to force Mitchell’s hand. He’ll we could of offered 1.5 but we’d still be left with a player learning how to play fullback in his first year with no money to sign any complementary players.

I understand your angle, and agree with it, but there's one thing that stops a club like Wests being able to do that - success.

Players will come here for the opportunity if it means they can come here and be a realistic chance of furthering their representative career or being a chance of winning a premiership. Without being competitive year on year it drastically diminishes your chances of being able to adopt that attitude.

If company A is offering $75,000 P.A for a role where you'll have to dig them out of a hole, a potentially long term project that will burn you out, constantly have your superiors (and shareholders,) on your hind or company B is offering the same but is a successful outfit where the right things are in place for you to succeed in the role and potentially boost your profile and earning power, where are you going to go?

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Brett Naden is one to chase

On reflection, Naden fits all centre recruitment essentials -


Tackling ability and technique - problematic tick
Lacks genuine pace tick
Bargain price tick tick
Free set of steak knives tick
Jackson Hastings thrown in tick tick

Brent Naden was the only one in that Panthers game that did nothing, apart from give lip off the back of his teammates graft.

 

[Needaname]

I'd have Benji back easily. I don't know why there's so much dislike for him. You blame the Newcastle game on him? Give teams time and space and the halves of any defensive team will be exposed defensively, especially paired with Leiluia out wide. Benji is our most creative player and our best kicker and he's not on a big contract, what's the problem? As soon as you get someone better you can drop him, but we don't have anyone better and we SHOULD sign him again if he'd be willing. You guys need to think more pragmatically: he's a good value squad contract who also happens to be our best half, and is one of the best in the league on his day. Don't worry about the fact it's Benji, you're signing him on backup money.

You are entitled to your opinion but I disagree with everything you said, he got dropped for his issues, he came back after supposedly fixing them and he is worse than ever, we played our best footy when he was watching from the stands.
Benji has never been a backup, look at todays team as a prime example, he should have been first dropped, he is always first picked, he is cooked, and he will be 36 next year and even worse,
Madden is signed and can do the job on bugger all money as well.
We need the roster spot, are you happy missing the 8 every year, because that is what he brings, and that is what we get

The idea that we need to get rid of Benji in order to play Madden is strange, we can have both (and do right now). But the solution to play Madden is fantasy. It's a weird assertion to think that a guy who has never played first grade is who we depend on next year. How much footy have you watched? the step up to first grade is always huge and you don't really know how a player will pan out. Maybe he'd be good, maybe not. Having Benji or not wouldn't impact that.

I don't think we played good footy when he wasn't there. Reynolds isn't better than him and I think it's crazy to suggest that.

Reynolds is the contract we need to get rid of. Both he and Mbye are on way too much. They're alright players, but they are being played like superstars.

Benji is one of our best player and he's on a small contract, he's not the problem.

You guys want a scapegoat for last week and benji didn't play well but I don't think that has anything to do with whether or not we offer another reasonable contract for a quality player.

Benji's proven in the past at Brisbane and this year that he can be a very positive squad member, he doesn't demand to start. I think, at the very least, he's a useful player to have in the squad; at his best he's our best player and a match winner.

Who is our alternative?

I've said the same before and I would add Lawrence into this bucket.

People forget that the squad extends beyond 1-17...you need some depth, not just promising juniors.

Benji is on $175K
Lawrence is on $100K

Even if they sat the entire season in the 18 and 19 jerseys, it would be NRL quality depth and huge experience covering positions that are hard to cover (Halves + Centre). These guys combined are on less than McQueens total contract ($400K)!

Further, we need to get through 1 more year before some big contracts expire. Having NRL quality depth on low contracts allows us to balance our squad in other areas.

We just need to get through 1 more year with these guys...no one is saying they should be starters.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

Our squad needs a massive clean out, in terms of both skills and culture. We need speed and power, and we have limited squad positions to recuit these new players. We can't waste precious squad positions on placeholders. We need strike. And we need winners. Players who rise to the challenge of their rivals. The kind who stalk their prey in the night.

Look at the Roosters. Most of the cap on stars that win you games and young backup players that would be starters for us. Tupounioa, Faamusili, Butcher etc. Would you rather Tupouinoa or Lawrence on our bench? I know who i'd prefer, and they're both getting the same money.

These discussions are futile because the main point is missed.

We have LIMITED cap space. Guys like Lawrence serve 2 purposes:

1. To offer squad depth
2. To give as much playing value as possible for the salary we pay them (if we need them).
3.

Yes...Lawrence takes up a roster spot, but you can't just replace Lawrence with a Tupouinoa. Their salaries are totally different and is he available?

The point is...someone needs to be paid low salaries to lighten the load on the rest of the cap.

I actually agree with you though...if such a thing is a realistic possibility...but I don't think there's enough talent in the NRL to have a squad of 30 guys that fit that description and not exceed the cap.

Benji and Lawrence aren't the issue.

It's Mbye, Reynolds, Packer, Mcqueen, E Taylor taking up a huge chuck of cap space.

No it's not futile. What's futile is reasoning with people who don't have a grasp of reality.

Toupinoa and Lawrence are both on roughly the same contact value. Which team is getting a better deal there? Lawrence offers a slow old guy with crap hands and no lateral defence. He's done. He offers nothing. UK or retirement awaits.

The Roosters have about 10 players on less than 200k. Their cheapies offer great value. Ours don't.

McIntyre is a last resort, and he takes Lawrence's #30 spot on the roster.

Madge is on the right path. Rather than have Jennings on 400k he has AJ on 150-200k.

Like I said...I don't disagree with the logic, but I think it's you that doesn't have a grasp on reality.

Everyone knows the Roosters are able to get players for less than what other clubs would have to pay.

Roosters contract value vs Tigers contract value don't equate to the same number.

Case in point...we offered Mitchell $1.2 Million and he went to the Rabbits on $800,000...not sure how you solve that issue.

Don’t offer Mitchell 1.2 offer him 900k.
It’s not that hard really...

Ummm...yeah ok...same result...he goes to the Rabbits

Exactly.
But what if it worked out the other way?

Mate...I think you'll find we started the bidding at $800-900k...ended up at $1.2 million...Souths came in and the rest is history. Not sure your plan has "masterstroke" written all over it...

What's everyone smoking today?

No mate.
It’s a ruthless take it or leave it approach.
It’s not the money that entices the players to switch clubs it’s opportunity.

Now, if as a hypothetical we had approached JAC before Mitchell and had him signed on the left wing for that 300k + some obviously. And then approached Mitchell with a 900k deal to come over would that be more enticing than coming to a club to be alone and pick up another 300k. The money was never going to force Mitchell’s hand. He’ll we could of offered 1.5 but we’d still be left with a player learning how to play fullback in his first year with no money to sign any complementary players.

I understand your angle, and agree with it, but there's one thing that stops a club like Wests being able to do that - success.

Players will come here for the opportunity if it means they can come here and be a realistic chance of furthering their representative career or being a chance of winning a premiership. Without being competitive year on year it drastically diminishes your chances of being able to adopt that attitude.

If company A is offering $75,000 P.A for a role where you'll have to dig them out of a hole, a potentially long term project that will burn you out, constantly have your superiors (and shareholders,) on your hind or company B is offering the same but is a successful outfit where the right things are in place for you to succeed in the role and potentially boost your profile and earning power, where are you going to go?

Yeah I understand. However I disagree that we aren’t competitive every year. We’ve finished 9th 3 out of the last 4 years. That in itself should be attractive for a prospective player that wants to come and make a difference.
Teams below us are able to recruit.
I’m just saying the usual tact of throwing money at a position doesn’t even seem to be working, let’s try something different.

With Madge I feel that is what’s happening.
I’ve gone back and reviewed the moves and changes of the Roosters rosters from 2009 to 2013 and I would say the same would apply to the Rabbitohs from 2010 to 2014.
From memory the Rabbitohs had a couple of Stars picked up during that time in Greg and Sam but the team didn’t take its final shape till late in of 2013. By the time Preseason roled around and the announcement of Sam leaving end of 2014 they were installed as favourites to take out the comp.
They silently improved to the point where no one would question their ability to do anything but win.
I see us going down a similar path.
We are one year behind the above logic though as the Roosters and Rabbitohs had a near clearer cap then us.
I see Madge playing the game picking up a couple of necessary additions and striking the market for 22/23 season.