BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
Maybe he'll get a bit of cream on top of his next contract for being patient through this process.
Sione Fainu #284
- Thread starter Kajen
- Start date
BAGNF05
Well-known member
Likely just a formality or there’d be whispers of other clubs chasing him.
ancient_magpie
Well-known member
I don’t think lack of roster spots has anything tj do with it, it’s quite clear he’s asking for more money than he is worth.
There is no way possibly Bateman, Naden or Sullivan will be with Wests Tigers as of round 1 2025, so roster spots are not a problem,
Coastie_Tiger
Well-known member
I think Sione is an unfortunate casualty of May becoming available. If we had signed Sione over May we would have been negligent as a club. I think all the Fainu's are a watch this space, should we resign Galvin i expect Latu to move on. If he does i reckon all the boys follow, similarly with May should Taylan become available i expect we'll sign him also.
I can see a world where none of the Fainu's are here, but i can also see how they all stay. Also no doubt Fulton is in their ears to some extent.
I can see a world where none of the Fainu's are here, but i can also see how they all stay. Also no doubt Fulton is in their ears to some extent.
ancient_magpie
Well-known member
Vicious how much do you think Sione is worth
About 300k for 2025 possibly rolling into 400k in 2026 with the option to renegotiate depending on his performance in 2025.
I'm wondering what stupid money he must be on - For us not to be able to pay him out....
upthetigers
Well-known member
If that's what he is being offered I can see why he is wanting more, that's less then Twal. Sione looks every bit a first grader and you have to see the value of keeping the brothers happy makes business sense.
Every clubs top 30 has at least 5 players on the minimum contract, it’s not possible to have a balanced salary cap without this being the case.
I too was of the belief we have too many young under achievers in our top 30, but I spoke with somebody very knowledgeable about how the salary caps are managed and was explained that the bottom 5 minimum wage roster spots within NRL clubs are not a high priority as there is generally no NRL ready players who will sign for these contracts.
So removing any of our minimum wage contracted players will not help us sign better quality, it would only allow us to replace them and gamble with a similar type of player.
When discussing someone such as Sione Fainu who last season proved himself as a promising NRL quality forward, he won’t be signing with us for anywhere near the minimum wage, so his potential contract with us would need to replace high earners such us Bateman, Sullivan or Naden.
Even if we pay half of Bateman’s contract t to play elsewhere, that still frees up the contract money to pay someone like Sione.
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To be fair, he has not yet done near enough to command a 500k per season contract and would not get anywhere near that money elsewhere, so why should we pay it ?
upthetigers
Well-known member
He still has a ton of improvement in him. 400k first year at minimum
Buttface
Well-known member
$400 is dreaming. Like his improvement since his bros have been here but he did SFA before playing reserve for reserves. How about he puts in more than just a few months of decent work before he starts asking for potential money.
$300 max, and that’s a bonus.
WestsEffTheRest
Well-known member
Anything above 300-350k for Sione would be overs.
Kelce68
Well-known member
It is literally only the roster spots.
Buttface
Well-known member
So in other words “my opinion” was correct?
You can’t pick a new recruit that Sione is better than?
And this is why it shouldn't be that hard for anyone (including his manager and fam), to understand why he hasn't been re-signed yet.
On Tumeth, here is a young bloke, (who has probably been asked to find another club), has turned up underdone? I guess he was probably kicking stones instead of having a go and proving people wrong. If that is the case then he needs to cut/paid out, or find him a boxing career asap.
Maybe hand some of these kids a shovel for a couple of days to remind them what the real world is like.
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
I am sure Tartak will be constantly reminding Richo the impact of uncertainty has had on Sione, his loyalty to hold off for a contract & the importance of keeping the brothers together. So yes a little bit more money will probably be requested.
Am hoping 2 of Bateman, Naden & Sullivan will be gone by or in January. 3 would be Xmas! But can't see us subsidising all of them for 50%. Likely scenario is that Bud is still with us.
hammertime
Well-known member
Agree. I think even that is overs. For the top 30, the minimum wage is $130k, with the average at $371k. To balance out a single Luai, you need 3-4 players on minimum.
Sione is a solid player, but i'd put him more at 250-300k.
Red88_Tiger
Well-known member
Fatape probably played more games than sione and only got a train and trial. Porter also but a few less games. He’s been considered for a top 30 but hasn’t been at the front of the line.
Imo he’s on par with the 2 above and should be flattened he is in the mix for a top 30 with half a season of form. I can only see token interest from other clubs at this stage. Their not thinking I have to sign this guy
Imo he’s on par with the 2 above and should be flattened he is in the mix for a top 30 with half a season of form. I can only see token interest from other clubs at this stage. Their not thinking I have to sign this guy
magpies forever
Well-known member
I hope so, if players show faith and loyalty, club should reward reasonably.
