You said you were done with Amone comments. Yes those are poor stats. None of us are denying that both our attack and defense suck. But hang on Amone and Hunt are not the only defenders on either side of the ruck. Amone defends in the middle too as does Benny but rarely. How long has Benny been playing top footy and he is still a weak defender. How long has Junior been playing top footy?
It isn't due to any clauses in their contracts unless the club is flagrantly violating NRL rules. If it were, the NRL would be doing as it did with Parramatta some years ago; forcing it to let go of some highly paid players in order to bring the club into salary cap compliance. Which means, 30 players available to play first grade at any time after round 10. Before round 10 when development players aren't available, the club can have a spot or two open in the top 30.
Never knew about Moga so if that's the case and he is no longer at our club why not remove him from 1sts? You are correct about McGuire so why continue to play either? Perhaps because of the reason I have stated? The reasoning that the coach has gone mad just isn't right. I'll stick to my guns here quite simply because many moons ago this very scenario happened to me.
Amone wouldn't be in my top 17.
You just can't comprehend it, can you? What the coach is doing. You are desperately trying to find something that makes sense but at the end of the day, there is no excuse except for mental illness. You even pointed out the contradictions yourself. He doesn't pick your man because he won't be at the club next season but it's confirmed McGuire won't be at the club and Moga hasn't been re-signed. There is more chance of your man being at the club next year than McGuire!
Something else I just considered.
Do the sums and see what money is left over. This is the truth of bonus payments for contracted players. Remember last season, 2021, when we blooded so many young players it has affected our salary cap this season. The same this season for next season.
I can't believe you are still pushing on with this. He isn't picking this team due to salary cap trouble. The club must have 30 players available for selection in first grade at anytime. That is the fact. Last I'll say about it.
I can comprehend it because it happened to me, albeit NSW Cup the same issues arose back in the 90s and nothing has changed. We can't play the fringe players, a club can ask the NRL for special dispensation if they have an injury crisis and cannot fulfil their responsibilities without breaching their salary cap.
Well due to poor management of our cap by the club we are unable to purchase that prop or any other player. We want, in fact we need, an enforcer, a big, strong, fearless unit with an offload. I figured we had him in big George Burgess but seems his best is long gone. He never had any ball skills to speak on anyway. While this and off loading lower tier player may appear to hurts us there is a silver lining. As whatever coach we have next year, they will have no choice but to put some of our best development juniors into the contracted top 30.Therefore fast tracking them into a Firsts Red V jumper.
No top 30 players are "fringe" players.
Because I believe that it is the real reason behind the selection process.
Agree with the prop, but have you noticed the club hasn't signed anyone from outside the club for 2023? Wonder why?
Lodge would have been a great buy. Maybe we couldn't get him due to salary cap issues. I doubt that as well. How the hell do the Rorters have salary cap space but Dragons don't? I think Griffin wasn't confident of being able to control Lodge's "difficult" personality.
Seriously? 1 - 17 are your run on and reserves, 18 - 22 are the 5 players that you may use depending upon injuries and suspensions during the season, 23 - 30 are considered fringe players who are contracted but in reality would play reserves. Just my view but what would I know
You may be correct with that player
This will bring Griffin undone. Craig Young can no longer afford to back his coach's poor judgement, his bizarre logic and absurd favoritism.
Not heated just different points of view. I am just speaking from my experience and what is currently happening to our club fits into that experience.
Ok. Call 23-30 "fringe" players if you like but they are still available for selection in first grade. BTW there is no "23-30" in the squad. There is only the squad.
I dont disagree with you in regards to the 30 contracted players being available to play 1sts thats 100% right. What I honestly believe is that they wouldn't be selected to play 1sts on a regular basis hence if you look at 22 to 30 I'd be surprised if any have played more than 3 games this season for us. If I'm wrong I apologise