The repeating pattern...

[2041]

It may have been us who decided not to pursue.

Yah hope it was us coming to our senses.

Would have been a terrible, unnecessary signing. Stoked we 'missed' out.

Moh...you don't think we need:
A 13?
A player who can make 50 plus tackles a game / extremely high ratio of made tackles?
Fearless?
Warrior mentality?
Mobile enough to cover the field and balance our bigger, less mobile, pack?

That is **exactly** what we need.

I feel the days of giant locks are gone with the speed of the game now. Cam Murray, Jai Arrow, Jake Turbo are all mobile, athletic locks with a bit of ball play and can tackle the house down. McInnis is 100% in this mould and would have been perfect. That's not even factoring his competitive nature and hard work ethic.

For 3 yrs maybe,but 4 no way for a 27yr old small lock who has done a lot of hard yards.Yes he's a good footballer,but so were Packer,JR,and mbye,we bought them on the downslide and thats why we ruined our roster.I think we can do better.

Clubs have been heartbroken over and over again by giving long contracts to small back row forwards with a lot of miles on the clock, though TBF McInnes aged 28-31 isn't exactly Watmough aged 31-34. It's not as if there's no risk in the McInnes deal, though.

Personally I'm in the camp of thinking 500k a year for four is a pretty decent contract and I suspect McInnes could have improved our team, but equally I'm not going to cry myself to sleep over not getting him.

 

[PJ_]

Posters on here would always complain about the media bias directed at the tigers, but I never really saw it, I thought it was my love for the tigers that fixed my opinion.

Until today.....

Foxsports labelling us a loser in the whole scenario.
How do they know we were in the race?
We are pretty well covered in the 9 role so why were we (in their opinion) trying to cover a gap since Harry left. Cameron would be coming here to play lock and be a back up, I guess.
Cameron could have been seeking career guidance from Madge seeing their history.

Absolute pathetic reporting just guaranteed to piss us off.
Enough of these articles, the most important thing for us as a club going forward is to change this perception. Winning only plays a part, there must be other factors at play.

 

[happy_tiger]

The biggest answer to Ellery's point will be season's end ...if we don't come away with a Top 2 player in his position , a Top 5 player in his position and a Top 8 player in his position ...recruitment has failed and Madge needs to come under question as well


Regardless of the performance of the team and position on the table?

Well if we finish Top 8 it actually makes it worse ...we can't attract talent when we do perform ......


Isnt the performance the goal? Id actually prefer to be able to perform without having to sign established "elites", It suggest that is actually the holy grail or the "Melbourne Method". If we perform, our players become stars.

They will need help to get us over the line ...win a premiership

This current squad won't win a premiership

TBF if you look at our 2005 Premiership winning team it was pretty average really. Our spine was solid but the rest of the team was in no way at all flush with stars.

If your saying we are a chance at a premiership in 2021 .....I don't see it ...sorry


Not answering on behalf of Jai, but did you think we were a chance at the title in Feb 2005?

(I'd be happy to scrape into 8th on F/A to answer your question to Jai).

Of course not ...no one did ...I felt confident we would make the 8 after the Brisbane game ...we might have got done ...but we created so many chances and the draw we had even playing the Stains without their SOO players the following match

Winning a premiership ...wasn't until we beat the Stains in the semi ........

But that side had Hodgson ,Marshall ,Prince and Farah ..throw in Payten ,Skando ,Buckets , Galea ......Elford and Whatuira ,Richards

Be honest ....the 2005 side would put 40 on this side

I'll be amazed if the 2021 makes Top 8 ...it will be a bigger shock than the 2005 side if this side wins a premiership ...would be bookies now that would give you a 100-1 if you pushed them with a $500 + bet

 

[Tiger5150]

The biggest answer to Ellery's point will be season's end ...if we don't come away with a Top 2 player in his position , a Top 5 player in his position and a Top 8 player in his position ...recruitment has failed and Madge needs to come under question as well


Regardless of the performance of the team and position on the table?

Well if we finish Top 8 it actually makes it worse ...we can't attract talent when we do perform ......


Isnt the performance the goal? Id actually prefer to be able to perform without having to sign established "elites", It suggest that is actually the holy grail or the "Melbourne Method". If we perform, our players become stars.

They will need help to get us over the line ...win a premiership

This current squad won't win a premiership

TBF if you look at our 2005 Premiership winning team it was pretty average really. Our spine was solid but the rest of the team was in no way at all flush with stars.

If your saying we are a chance at a premiership in 2021 .....I don't see it ...sorry


Not answering on behalf of Jai, but did you think we were a chance at the title in Feb 2005?

(I'd be happy to scrape into 8th on F/A to answer your question to Jai).

But that side had Hodgson ,Marshall ,Prince and Farah ..throw in Payten ,Skando ,Buckets , Galea ......Elford and Whatuira ,Richards


Sure, good players all, but Marshall and Farah where unknown quantities at the time.

To get back to your point that we are discussing, how many "star elite" players were purchased to make this happen?

Be honest ....the 2005 side would put 40 on this side


I reckon if 2005 team played 2021 team it could go either way (which was the case for most of 2005). If 2005 wins, it wins by 40 because of the spine but if you remember that team it didnt always click.

TBH I think 2021 pack monsters 2005 out of the game.

I'll be amazed if the 2021 makes Top 8 ...it will be a bigger shock than the 2005 side if this side wins a premiership ...would be bookies now that would give you a 100-1 if you pushed them with a $500 + bet

Probably agree with you, I think we are a chance to make 8 at best.

 

[ElleryHanley]

We have done a great job in recruitment over the last few months considering we are a team that has missed the finals for like 10 years, 4 home grounds and players so called wanting out, etc.. Having said that I think the only way we will recruit a SOO quality player in his prime without over paying is to win games and make finals.
I truly believe if we were to make the finals this year and the COE coming we will get them.

Agreed...we have done a really good job, except for the elite blokes.

For reference re this discussion (which, so far, has raised some very good point both ways)... I am not just talking about 'now'.

We have never landed a current Kangaroo ever, for example. Nor a current NSW player.

Only club not to have done so.

That suggests there must be a reason?

 

[ElleryHanley]

The biggest answer to Ellery's point will be season's end ...if we don't come away with a Top 2 player in his position , a Top 5 player in his position and a Top 8 player in his position ...recruitment has failed and Madge needs to come under question as well


Regardless of the performance of the team and position on the table?

Well if we finish Top 8 it actually makes it worse ...we can't attract talent when we do perform ......


Isnt the performance the goal? Id actually prefer to be able to perform without having to sign established "elites", It suggest that is actually the holy grail or the "Melbourne Method". If we perform, our players become stars.

They will need help to get us over the line ...win a premiership

This current squad won't win a premiership

TBF if you look at our 2005 Premiership winning team it was pretty average really. Our spine was solid but the rest of the team was in no way at all flush with stars.

If your saying we are a chance at a premiership in 2021 .....I don't see it ...sorry


Not answering on behalf of Jai, but did you think we were a chance at the title in Feb 2005?

(I'd be happy to scrape into 8th on F/A to answer your question to Jai).

Of course not ...no one did ...I felt confident we would make the 8 after the Brisbane game ...we might have got done ...but we created so many chances and the draw we had even playing the Stains without their SOO players the following match

Winning a premiership ...wasn't until we beat the Stains in the semi ........

But that side had Hodgson ,Marshall ,Prince and Farah ..throw in Payten ,Skando ,Buckets , Galea ......Elford and Whatuira ,Richards

Be honest ....the 2005 side would put 40 on this side

I'll be amazed if the 2021 makes Top 8 ...it will be a bigger shock than the 2005 side if this side wins a premiership ...would be bookies now that would give you a 100-1 if you pushed them with a $500 + bet

I feel this current side has the makings of a strong unit...but is probably 3 players short. McIness would have been a really big step forward IMO.

 

[Geo]

The biggest answer to Ellery's point will be season's end ...if we don't come away with a Top 2 player in his position , a Top 5 player in his position and a Top 8 player in his position ...recruitment has failed and Madge needs to come under question as well


Regardless of the performance of the team and position on the table?

Well if we finish Top 8 it actually makes it worse ...we can't attract talent when we do perform ......


Isnt the performance the goal? Id actually prefer to be able to perform without having to sign established "elites", It suggest that is actually the holy grail or the "Melbourne Method". If we perform, our players become stars.

They will need help to get us over the line ...win a premiership

This current squad won't win a premiership

TBF if you look at our 2005 Premiership winning team it was pretty average really. Our spine was solid but the rest of the team was in no way at all flush with stars.

If your saying we are a chance at a premiership in 2021 .....I don't see it ...sorry


Not answering on behalf of Jai, but did you think we were a chance at the title in Feb 2005?

(I'd be happy to scrape into 8th on F/A to answer your question to Jai).

**Of course not ...no one did** ...I felt confident we would make the 8 after the Brisbane game ...we might have got done ...but we created so many chances and the draw we had even playing the Stains without their SOO players the following match

Winning a premiership ...wasn't until we beat the Stains in the semi ........

But that side had Hodgson ,Marshall ,Prince and Farah ..throw in Payten ,Skando ,Buckets , Galea ......Elford and Whatuira ,Richards

Be honest ....the 2005 side would put 40 on this side

I'll be amazed if the 2021 makes Top 8 ...it will be a bigger shock than the 2005 side if this side wins a premiership ...would be bookies now that would give you a 100-1 if you pushed them with a $500 + bet

I did..

 

[Devon Head]

The biggest answer to Ellery's point will be season's end ...if we don't come away with a Top 2 player in his position , a Top 5 player in his position and a Top 8 player in his position ...recruitment has failed and Madge needs to come under question as well


Regardless of the performance of the team and position on the table?

Well if we finish Top 8 it actually makes it worse ...we can't attract talent when we do perform ......


Isnt the performance the goal? Id actually prefer to be able to perform without having to sign established "elites", It suggest that is actually the holy grail or the "Melbourne Method". If we perform, our players become stars.

They will need help to get us over the line ...win a premiership

This current squad won't win a premiership

TBF if you look at our 2005 Premiership winning team it was pretty average really. Our spine was solid but the rest of the team was in no way at all flush with stars.

If your saying we are a chance at a premiership in 2021 .....I don't see it ...sorry


Not answering on behalf of Jai, but did you think we were a chance at the title in Feb 2005?

(I'd be happy to scrape into 8th on F/A to answer your question to Jai).

I didn't think we were a chance to even make the 8 in 2005 after half the season tbh. I certainly don't see us as a legit chance to win it this yr either however my point was it can be done without a crop of elite players.

 

[Russell]

Woke up this morning and saw "Dragon's skipper signs four year deal with new club" and, I must admit, I punched the air a bit with joy...presumed it was us...sat down, made a coffee to enjoy with the 'good news'...

And then realised he has joined, of all teams, Cronulla...

To compound it...to play 13 for them.

There is a fairly established pattern of rep / elite level players "meeting with Madge" a month or two prior, "sitting on" an offer from us...being heavily linked with us as the only suitor...

And then signing elsewhere the moment another team comes in for them...

It deserves discussion. We have been able to land some good youngsters, and been able to land several misfits / last chance type players...

**But we have not been able to land that 24-28 yo in their prime elite level player / NSW Origin level player basically ever since we were formed.**

This one stings a bit as he would have been perfect at 13 for us / has all the traits we need / has a relationship prior with Madge...and, worst of all, Cronulla are a mess with most of their best players about to file for pensions. Yet he still chose them over us.

Why exactly deserves discussion...
LM
JAC
McIness

We did not make an offer for McInnes - no more repeating pattern.

You'll be happy about that.

 

[Devon Head]

The biggest answer to Ellery's point will be season's end ...if we don't come away with a Top 2 player in his position , a Top 5 player in his position and a Top 8 player in his position ...recruitment has failed and Madge needs to come under question as well


Regardless of the performance of the team and position on the table?

Well if we finish Top 8 it actually makes it worse ...we can't attract talent when we do perform ......


Isnt the performance the goal? Id actually prefer to be able to perform without having to sign established "elites", It suggest that is actually the holy grail or the "Melbourne Method". If we perform, our players become stars.

They will need help to get us over the line ...win a premiership

This current squad won't win a premiership

TBF if you look at our 2005 Premiership winning team it was pretty average really. Our spine was solid but the rest of the team was in no way at all flush with stars.

If your saying we are a chance at a premiership in 2021 .....I don't see it ...sorry


Not answering on behalf of Jai, but did you think we were a chance at the title in Feb 2005?

(I'd be happy to scrape into 8th on F/A to answer your question to Jai).


But that side had Hodgson ,Marshall ,Prince and Farah ..throw in Payten ,Skando ,Buckets , Galea ......Elford and Whatuira ,Richards


Sure, good players all, but Marshall and Farah where unknown quantities at the time.

To get back to your point that we are discussing, how many "star elite" players were purchased to make this happen?

Be honest ....the 2005 side would put 40 on this side


I reckon if 2005 team played 2021 team it could go either way (which was the case for most of 2005). If 2005 wins, it wins by 40 because of the spine but if you remember that team it didnt always click.

TBH I think 2021 pack monsters 2005 out of the game.

I'll be amazed if the 2021 makes Top 8 ...it will be a bigger shock than the 2005 side if this side wins a premiership ...would be bookies now that would give you a 100-1 if you pushed them with a $500 + bet

Probably agree with you, I think we are a chance to make 8 at best.

Agreed 100%. Our current pack wipes the floor with the 2005 pack.

 

[diedpretty]

The biggest answer to Ellery's point will be season's end ...if we don't come away with a Top 2 player in his position , a Top 5 player in his position and a Top 8 player in his position ...recruitment has failed and Madge needs to come under question as well


Regardless of the performance of the team and position on the table?

Well if we finish Top 8 it actually makes it worse ...we can't attract talent when we do perform ......


Isnt the performance the goal? Id actually prefer to be able to perform without having to sign established "elites", It suggest that is actually the holy grail or the "Melbourne Method". If we perform, our players become stars.

They will need help to get us over the line ...win a premiership

This current squad won't win a premiership

TBF if you look at our 2005 Premiership winning team it was pretty average really. Our spine was solid but the rest of the team was in no way at all flush with stars.

If your saying we are a chance at a premiership in 2021 .....I don't see it ...sorry


Not answering on behalf of Jai, but did you think we were a chance at the title in Feb 2005?

(I'd be happy to scrape into 8th on F/A to answer your question to Jai).

**Of course not ...no one did** ...I felt confident we would make the 8 after the Brisbane game ...we might have got done ...but we created so many chances and the draw we had even playing the Stains without their SOO players the following match

Winning a premiership ...wasn't until we beat the Stains in the semi ........

But that side had Hodgson ,Marshall ,Prince and Farah ..throw in Payten ,Skando ,Buckets , Galea ......Elford and Whatuira ,Richards

Be honest ....the 2005 side would put 40 on this side

I'll be amazed if the 2021 makes Top 8 ...it will be a bigger shock than the 2005 side if this side wins a premiership ...would be bookies now that would give you a 100-1 if you pushed them with a $500 + bet

I did..

I think you had us as undefeated minor premiers and premiers if my memory serves me right.

 

[twentyforty]

The biggest answer to Ellery's point will be season's end ...if we don't come away with a Top 2 player in his position , a Top 5 player in his position and a Top 8 player in his position ...recruitment has failed and Madge needs to come under question as well


Regardless of the performance of the team and position on the table?

Well if we finish Top 8 it actually makes it worse ...we can't attract talent when we do perform ......


Isnt the performance the goal? Id actually prefer to be able to perform without having to sign established "elites", It suggest that is actually the holy grail or the "Melbourne Method". If we perform, our players become stars.

They will need help to get us over the line ...win a premiership

This current squad won't win a premiership

TBF if you look at our 2005 Premiership winning team it was pretty average really. Our spine was solid but the rest of the team was in no way at all flush with stars.

If your saying we are a chance at a premiership in 2021 .....I don't see it ...sorry


Not answering on behalf of Jai, but did you think we were a chance at the title in Feb 2005?

(I'd be happy to scrape into 8th on F/A to answer your question to Jai).

**Of course not ...no one did** ...I felt confident we would make the 8 after the Brisbane game ...we might have got done ...but we created so many chances and the draw we had even playing the Stains without their SOO players the following match

Winning a premiership ...wasn't until we beat the Stains in the semi ........

But that side had Hodgson ,Marshall ,Prince and Farah ..throw in Payten ,Skando ,Buckets , Galea ......Elford and Whatuira ,Richards

Be honest ....the 2005 side would put 40 on this side

I'll be amazed if the 2021 makes Top 8 ...it will be a bigger shock than the 2005 side if this side wins a premiership ...would be bookies now that would give you a 100-1 if you pushed them with a $500 + bet

I did..

Me too Geo. I called it after round 15. But until that game I gave them no chance.

 

[sleeve]

The biggest answer to Ellery's point will be season's end ...if we don't come away with a Top 2 player in his position , a Top 5 player in his position and a Top 8 player in his position ...recruitment has failed and Madge needs to come under question as well


Regardless of the performance of the team and position on the table?

Well if we finish Top 8 it actually makes it worse ...we can't attract talent when we do perform ......


Isnt the performance the goal? Id actually prefer to be able to perform without having to sign established "elites", It suggest that is actually the holy grail or the "Melbourne Method". If we perform, our players become stars.

They will need help to get us over the line ...win a premiership

This current squad won't win a premiership

TBF if you look at our 2005 Premiership winning team it was pretty average really. Our spine was solid but the rest of the team was in no way at all flush with stars.

If your saying we are a chance at a premiership in 2021 .....I don't see it ...sorry


Not answering on behalf of Jai, but did you think we were a chance at the title in Feb 2005?

(I'd be happy to scrape into 8th on F/A to answer your question to Jai).

Of course not ...no one did ...I felt confident we would make the 8 after the Brisbane game ...we might have got done ...but we created so many chances and the draw we had even playing the Stains without their SOO players the following match

Winning a premiership ...wasn't until we beat the Stains in the semi ........

But that side had Hodgson ,Marshall ,Prince and Farah ..throw in Payten ,Skando ,Buckets , Galea ......Elford and Whatuira ,Richards

Be honest ....the 2005 side would put 40 on this side

I'll be amazed if the 2021 makes Top 8 ...it will be a bigger shock than the 2005 side if this side wins a premiership ...would be bookies now that would give you a 100-1 if you pushed them with a $500 + bet

Seriously half or the 2005 would be in the hospital by full time.You can't compare these two sides.2005 were a great,this side we don't know but the size of players all over the park has changed sustantially.

 

[ElleryHanley]

Woke up this morning and saw "Dragon's skipper signs four year deal with new club" and, I must admit, I punched the air a bit with joy...presumed it was us...sat down, made a coffee to enjoy with the 'good news'...

And then realised he has joined, of all teams, Cronulla...

To compound it...to play 13 for them.

There is a fairly established pattern of rep / elite level players "meeting with Madge" a month or two prior, "sitting on" an offer from us...being heavily linked with us as the only suitor...

And then signing elsewhere the moment another team comes in for them...

It deserves discussion. We have been able to land some good youngsters, and been able to land several misfits / last chance type players...

**But we have not been able to land that 24-28 yo in their prime elite level player / NSW Origin level player basically ever since we were formed.**

This one stings a bit as he would have been perfect at 13 for us / has all the traits we need / has a relationship prior with Madge...and, worst of all, Cronulla are a mess with most of their best players about to file for pensions. Yet he still chose them over us.

Why exactly deserves discussion...
LM
JAC
McIness

We did not make an offer for McInnes - no more repeating pattern.

You'll be happy about that.

The Pom and a few other 'insiders' said we were chasing very hard...

 

[Tiger5150]

Woke up this morning and saw "Dragon's skipper signs four year deal with new club" and, I must admit, I punched the air a bit with joy...presumed it was us...sat down, made a coffee to enjoy with the 'good news'...

And then realised he has joined, of all teams, Cronulla...

To compound it...to play 13 for them.

There is a fairly established pattern of rep / elite level players "meeting with Madge" a month or two prior, "sitting on" an offer from us...being heavily linked with us as the only suitor...

And then signing elsewhere the moment another team comes in for them...

It deserves discussion. We have been able to land some good youngsters, and been able to land several misfits / last chance type players...

**But we have not been able to land that 24-28 yo in their prime elite level player / NSW Origin level player basically ever since we were formed.**

This one stings a bit as he would have been perfect at 13 for us / has all the traits we need / has a relationship prior with Madge...and, worst of all, Cronulla are a mess with most of their best players about to file for pensions. Yet he still chose them over us.

Why exactly deserves discussion...
LM
JAC
McIness

We did not make an offer for McInnes - no more repeating pattern.

You'll be happy about that.

The Pom and a few other 'insiders' said we were chasing very hard...

The Pom just confirmed that an offer was never made. Hooker or bust was McInnes position.

 

[hank37w]

Woke up this morning and saw "Dragon's skipper signs four year deal with new club" and, I must admit, I punched the air a bit with joy...presumed it was us...sat down, made a coffee to enjoy with the 'good news'...

And then realised he has joined, of all teams, Cronulla...

To compound it...to play 13 for them.

There is a fairly established pattern of rep / elite level players "meeting with Madge" a month or two prior, "sitting on" an offer from us...being heavily linked with us as the only suitor...

And then signing elsewhere the moment another team comes in for them...

It deserves discussion. We have been able to land some good youngsters, and been able to land several misfits / last chance type players...

**But we have not been able to land that 24-28 yo in their prime elite level player / NSW Origin level player basically ever since we were formed.**

This one stings a bit as he would have been perfect at 13 for us / has all the traits we need / has a relationship prior with Madge...and, worst of all, Cronulla are a mess with most of their best players about to file for pensions. Yet he still chose them over us.

Why exactly deserves discussion...
LM
JAC
McIness

We did not make an offer for McInnes - no more repeating pattern.

You'll be happy about that.

That could very well be the case as after Cameron McInnes showed his support for Mary the way he did he would have thought that he's done his dash at StGeorge and would have no choice but to move on.

McInnes may have been the one that instigated the meeting with Madge due to the previous good relationship he had with Madge and the possibility that there may be an opening available at the Wests Tigers.

Madge would obviously always extend the courtesy of meeting with him due to their previous good relationship.

I don't doubt that Madge would have been more than happy to have Cameron McInnes on board but I doubt that these days the club would consider offering a player of his age and playing style/work rate a 4 year deal which obviously Cameron was looking for as a bit of an insurance policy.
*EDIT:
Was a bit slow with this reply, because I have just seen that someone has said that the POM has confirmed that no offer was made.*

 

[diedpretty]

Woke up this morning and saw "Dragon's skipper signs four year deal with new club" and, I must admit, I punched the air a bit with joy...presumed it was us...sat down, made a coffee to enjoy with the 'good news'...

And then realised he has joined, of all teams, Cronulla...

To compound it...to play 13 for them.

There is a fairly established pattern of rep / elite level players "meeting with Madge" a month or two prior, "sitting on" an offer from us...being heavily linked with us as the only suitor...

And then signing elsewhere the moment another team comes in for them...

It deserves discussion. We have been able to land some good youngsters, and been able to land several misfits / last chance type players...

**But we have not been able to land that 24-28 yo in their prime elite level player / NSW Origin level player basically ever since we were formed.**

This one stings a bit as he would have been perfect at 13 for us / has all the traits we need / has a relationship prior with Madge...and, worst of all, Cronulla are a mess with most of their best players about to file for pensions. Yet he still chose them over us.

Why exactly deserves discussion...
LM
JAC
McIness

We did not make an offer for McInnes - no more repeating pattern.

You'll be happy about that.

The Pom and a few other 'insiders' said we were chasing very hard...

Thats not what the Pom says in the signing suggestions - he says no formal offer was made as McInnes said he only wanted to play 9 and all dealings ceased.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

I thought an offer had to be made for us to miss out

 

[hsvjones]

We have done a great job in recruitment over the last few months considering we are a team that has missed the finals for like 10 years, 4 home grounds and players so called wanting out, etc.. Having said that I think the only way we will recruit a SOO quality player in his prime without over paying is to win games and make finals.
I truly believe if we were to make the finals this year and the COE coming we will get them.

Agreed...we have done a really good job, except for the elite blokes.

For reference re this discussion (which, so far, has raised some very good point both ways)... I am not just talking about 'now'.

We have never landed a current Kangaroo ever, for example. Nor a current NSW player.

Only club not to have done so.

That suggests there must be a reason?

Agree mate...
with us focusing on the top youngsters and getting rid of the dead wood we are heading in the right direction though. If we start playing well and players like look like they are enjoying themselves it will help attract them.. Time will tell but i feel some much better about the team now then 4 months ago.

 

[Russell]

Woke up this morning and saw "Dragon's skipper signs four year deal with new club" and, I must admit, I punched the air a bit with joy...presumed it was us...sat down, made a coffee to enjoy with the 'good news'...

And then realised he has joined, of all teams, Cronulla...

To compound it...to play 13 for them.

There is a fairly established pattern of rep / elite level players "meeting with Madge" a month or two prior, "sitting on" an offer from us...being heavily linked with us as the only suitor...

And then signing elsewhere the moment another team comes in for them...

It deserves discussion. We have been able to land some good youngsters, and been able to land several misfits / last chance type players...

**But we have not been able to land that 24-28 yo in their prime elite level player / NSW Origin level player basically ever since we were formed.**

This one stings a bit as he would have been perfect at 13 for us / has all the traits we need / has a relationship prior with Madge...and, worst of all, Cronulla are a mess with most of their best players about to file for pensions. Yet he still chose them over us.

Why exactly deserves discussion...
LM
JAC
McIness

We did not make an offer for McInnes - no more repeating pattern.

You'll be happy about that.

The Pom and a few other 'insiders' said we were chasing very hard...

The "Pom" said we did not make a formal offer.