@ElleryHanley 2 junior maroons , 1 being a hugely sort after dummy half. Walters has good raps on him , not outstanding but solid , on a small amount of coin . Letting people like masters go , and even telling Lawrence he has to sign for minimum wage . God even letting fonua go . In years past he would have got an extra 2 years . Matt Utai is case in point of this !

@ElleryHanley the only people who think he was rubbish this year were tigers supporters. He got a Centre of the year nom for gods sake . The general perception is that he’s an international center willing to go to NQ. I don’t agree with what youre saying , at all . If youre a general douchebag on slightly above league median wage of 310k (425k) , then a team can take a hit for you languishing . We just did it with packer , and last year McQueen.
It’s hardly a recipe for success at the negotiation table , as your overall value drops as well , and despite there being some really bad operators out there , clubs generally arnt in the charity business when it comes to players salarys

@ElleryHanley it’s pretty clear now , that Matterson was causing problems all year . He also bailed on the team in the final week , and generally speaking , by the amount of info I’ve pieced together through different stories was generally unliked.
If what POM says is true , then I’m sure the Cowboys offered Marsters a kings ransom prior to him being given permission, thus provoking him going in for the chat . Marsters was also off contract after next year , so unlike Matterson (another 2 ) his future was not secured .
The moral of the story , don’t be an absolute douchebag , and general Morale Assassin ,so when you come cap in hand asking for the more the general mood isn’t “pull your head in champ “.

@jirskyr Moses was a Parra junior , and despite his uncle actually supported the eels. I get he’s of low character , but seems like he was always thinking about them as his preferred choice . He even screwed over the Roosters , which is pretty rare. Still a grub though

@Anon-lurker what ? Your top 30 point makes little sense . That exists to stop teams like the roosters and Brisbane stockpiling talent and sticking them in reserve grade . Also it’s a means to maintain control . What you’re referring to already exists. It is the development contracts where 6 players after junior 30 are able to joint the top squad and play firsts . The tigers did this year with Tommy Talau .
Also a huge part of the problems you’re bringing up , is , that the NRL teams are so tribal and vindictive , that of course that culture of bias and ineptitude exists . Where do most of these NRL people come grime initially ?
If we centralised everything , then there would be 1 organisation to blame , whereas atm the amount of vested interests makes it near impossible to figure it out. Someone like Phil Gould is a prime example . All his comments are always with a view to making Penrith bigger . Never really about the RL as a whole . It’s just sometimes those two things align

@Kazoo-Kid as it’s already been mentioned , the NRL would assume all responsibility. If anything it may mean more actual money going into the actual junior clubs, rather than the teams elite academy’s, which is where the funding goes now. What would be a consequence however, is you would see soccer style elite pathways, which is really some ex nrl coach player taking a couple grand out of your savings each year for little Johnny to not get drafted. Not to be negative at the end . The draft is actually a good thing

@Kazoo-Kid Yep , it’s mental there isn’t one . The day before free agency in the NBA this year was like Christmas Eve . Then when it hit , the anticipation and frenzy that followed , was intense. The sport dominated the media cycle , and not 1 ball was bounced .
Having a draft , free agency , transfer window seems a no brainer to me

@avocadoontoast This is a all the way positive thing . Marsters wasn’t in Madge’s plans , and went backwards all year . This will be good for him . Also now the Cowboys are out of the Centre market , which leaves us in line for the Lomax , Ramien types . I don’t see a negative . I think the … “you will see a lot of player movement this offseason” comment from Pascoe , wasn’t just speculation . This is the beginning not the end

@Roar_Power this article is anus . Has Val playing for the Philly eagles anongst the already brought up “shopping of players” who are off contract .
Looks like even the journos are struggling for info , so therefore content .

@851 they did . What are you on about ?