Dragon David
SGI NSW Cup
That's politics for you.
Recruitment and Retention 2028
- Thread starter Dragon David
- Start date
Eric
Staff
I wonder if either of the Couchman's or Stewart, who at the current rate of improvement should be worth as much or more than Hudson Young very soon, will want a release to take a 1 mil a year deal for 2 years at PNG like Hudson Young has. It makes a lot of sense financially for them to do that. Go over there, live in the ☆☆☆☆☆ prison for 2 years, get their 2 million tax free, come back and still be in their prime.
Hopefully with the drastic overs they are throwing at Luai along with big money deals for Hudson Young, Joey Manu and others like Sam Walker, they will "only" be able to offer 700k or something like that which would mean we can't match it but can be competitive.
Dragon David
SGI NSW Cup
The PNG's Chiefs is backed by a $600 million, 10 year funding commitment from the Australian Government which means that $60 million per year is allocated to subsidize and stabilize the travel, security and facility demands associated with hosting and visiting Port Moresby by NRL Clubs. The cost to send 22 players, coaches and other personnel etc with the flights to and from Port Moresby plus all the accommodation expenses would be horrendous - I imagine the flight and stay over would be for at least 3 days (1st day for flight to PNG, assimilating to the environment, light training; 2nd day for the game and 3rd day fly back). The Chiefs are planned to play 14 home games per season, meaning out of the remaining 18 teams, 14 will fly to Port Moresby and 4 won't each season, so I am assuming that those 4 that missed out in year 1 will play the Chiefs in year 2, with 10 other teams who would have been over to PNG the year before. I'm not going to work out all of the scheduling but those that do all that travel will no doubt feel the pinch - maybe its has been like that with the Warriors home games - I think the Clubs pay their own way when they play the Warriors in NZ.
Another useless information posting by me - sorry!!
Last edited:
RedV01
SGI NSW Cup
Not useless at all. Informative. I guess the money generated must be worth the costs.
Dragon David
SGI NSW Cup
Yes, I imagine so RedV01 - they would have done all the sums - but from a political point of view it is in Australia's favor I am assuming and that is why the Government is prepared to outlay such an enormous amount to offset political and strategic agenda.
The investment is explicitly tied to Australia’s national security interests in the Pacific region.
The Australian government retains the explicit right to withdraw the funding if PNG permits China to establish a military, policing, or security foothold in Papua New Guinea.
If Canberra pulls the funding, the NRL is contractually obligated to drop the PNG Chiefs franchise from the competition.
So let's hope that the Government of Papua New Guinea don't let us down.
Justadragon
SGI NSW Cup
Whatever way you want to look at it Eric its a good way to f#$k up the NRL, if PNG wanted to be part of the NRL then get them to stand on their own 2 feet and equal footing, so who's next, Samoa, Tonga, why dont we allow Cook Islands in and give them millions to. Its a political stunt always was and always will be.
Justadragon
SGI NSW Cup
Not that I want to talk politics Dave, but its too late, China have already bankrolled a defence base in PNG, All this is something just to keep China at bay from further developments.
RandomDragon
SGI Jersey Flegg
I think PNG team is a good idea, but agree they shouldn't be tax free. Look at the sponsors already, Coke, Pepsi, big mining companies. If they truly can be the 'pacific team' they should be setting up pathways in Tonga, Samoa & fiji and should be focussed on developing the kids
Justadragon
SGI NSW Cup
100%, all those nations could team up and call themselves the pacific nations and as you say develop the kids
Dragon David
SGI NSW Cup
That would be some team - 30 very good players with good reserve back ups.
Mailroomsgi
SGI NSW Cup
Brent Read on Bye round podcast saying he thinks Healy will end up at the dragons and we are keen on him
TheRev
SGI NSW Cup
the rumours for ages have been Bostock into Healy.. honestly if we get both of our 2028 targets I'll be super impressed... I didnt want to get my hopes up.
tbf we are in a hype window/bubble atm.. its a good time to sign up players.. whether Young can deliver on the expectation doesn't begin till next season... but hopefully we would have bought ourselves a 2-3yr window to 'do something' with this roster... whether its with Young or the coach after him... obviously hope its with Young cause that means we're not wasting our opportunity.
RandomDragon
SGI Jersey Flegg
Liddle Healy and Muhl. You would think Healy would start over liddle. However manly need a hooker too - I’m not so confident we get him, I think it’s just popular to say we are interested
Really hoping letting Kerr go was to sign Healey from 2027. Watson as the 6th middle (and utility cover) as opposed to the back up 9 works so much better.
Lids/Healey to split 80
Keaon Toby and Loko to start
Halangahu/Webster, Ryan and Watson bench middles
With Watson in the 9 rotation (even if he does a hybrid split of 40-50 mins) leaves us thinner in the middle. Beyond Halangahu and Webster it's basically Hutchinson and then honestly anyone's guess. 2 injuries and we are in a world of trouble. Basically we desperately need Healey or one first grade middle before 2027, IMO.