one thing in ur notes above worries me how was MILONE put in the top 25, was he not out for the season before drinkwater left the club,seems strange to me.
Torch, do you have any idea which of our juniors (other than those mentioned) we're likely to keep? Tatola, Suli, Marsters, Stone, Jacobs, Karwhin etc?
And in general,the decision to promote Milone ahead of JAC just baffles. Neither should have been on much money, if anything JAC perhaps on more due to his far higher potential. Milone was one well connected kid.
Here's all I know at present re the above:
Milone may retire due to a recurrent knee injury but at the very least will not be in the top 25 next year! Sponsorhip expires end of year …..
Ballin is considering his future, but the club is very keen to retain him in some capacity if indeed he can't play due to injury - he will cost us $200k next year / this year $80k.
Tatola has received an offer at the same time as Felise - still no word on what he will do, has received lukewarm interest from elsewhere.
Kharwin has shown poor attitude at training minimum $80k offer has been rejected by him, don't know what he will do. Lack of genuine pace an issue.
Marsters signed up for 2 yrs and highly and regarded - trying to increase his effective minutes.
Suli, Stone & Jacobs I don't have any reliable info, I happen to know one of them personally, but still don't have anything to share.
Contrary to what has been reported the club is still trying to negotiate a settlement with Melb to release JAC. To date this appears to be the only major blunder under Pascoe's reign and as I reported previously JAC signed with Melb while Pascoe was away on extended leave from work on private business, despite leaving instructions that he wanted the final say on JAC - apparently this was not properly communicated to JAC management. JAC desperately wants to stay and be in the top 25 squad next year but this appears to be a remote chance with Melb asking for $200k comp / JAC 's 3 year Melb deal is only worth $460k + incentives.
Cherrington's deal with Penrith was withdrawn in July which was the deadline imposed based on a likely decision re Farah saga - he will move on to Cronulla on a 1 year deal / Liddle now outperforming him in all kpis.
Its important to note that next year there could be as many as 6 vacant spots ( exits: Farah; Halatau; Cherrington; Hunt; Milone; possibly Sirro) in our top 25 roster - maybe the forum should try to pick who the newbies will be will be from our existing squads / I don't anticipate a huge intake of fresh talent.
Personal view only: Robbie Farah is a WT legend no iffs or buts, but his time has come. He no longer has any support in the areas that matter perhaps apart from 1 sponsor. I have no personal relationship with Robbie and despite all I know / don't know, I respect him for what he did for us on the field. I don't want to dwell on the fact that he now has probably killed off any prospect of a role with the WTs after he retires - there would be any number I roles that I thought he could have handled quite capably. Its a real shame but needs to be resolved and Pascoe will ensure this happens as equitably as possible. Please believe me when I say the club is in good shape, it bears no resemblance to the 'inmates running the asylum' of a few years ago. No pain, no gain with a clear, transparent and binding primary objectives semi finals 2017;2018;2019.
Final word on JT's contract, technically it is true that 2017 is an option in the club's favour, but in all likelihood he will be granted this 1 yr contract exemption based on successfully resolving 'transitional issues' ( management talk for getting rid of dead wood / bad habits) and getting the team to at least equal 8th notwithstanding our poor differential. Next year its very simple ideally top 4 with a $ bonus or top 8 to receive a 2 yr extension. Failure to reach top 8 will result in immediate termination.
I've now been told 3 different contract figures for Taylor but none of them have him earning any more than $450k p.a. on his current deal, which is $200k less than what Cleary is asking.
TT left the forum with a challenge to fill the six vacancies in the top twenty five next year. Who will they be'?
liddle
B. Sironen (is he already included)
Paseka
Papenyhuyzen
Heleta
Giles or Tatola
