Recruitment and Retention for 2023

[RedV01]

I reckon 1 mil over 2 years is paying him overs judging by how he's started the year. Though 2 weeks ago it was 1.2 mil so I don't think the media knows what's going on.

D-DAY FOR BIRD’S ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS CONTRACT​

Jack Bird’s contract saga with the Dragons is set to come to a head this week with the star forward facing a Friday deadline to make a decision on his contract extension.

Brent Read reported on Triple M that Bird is expected to accept a two-year extension worth $1 million to remain with the Dragons until 2024.

“There were further talks today between Jack Bird and his management about the contract that is on the table at the Dragons,” Read said. “It is a two-year extension for Jack at the Dragons.

“They expect a response this week. By the end of the week we should have a decision on jack Bird’s future.

“I don’t see Jack leaving. Parramatta were in for him and they have now pulled out.

“There has been talk about the Dolphins but Jack has made it pretty clear he wants to stay at the Dragons if possible.

“I’d imaging by the end of the week we would have a pretty positive announcement from the Dragons on Jack Bird’s future.

“I think the deal is $500,000 a season for two years. I think it is pretty imminent.

“He has made it pretty clear he doesn’t want to leave and they want to keep him. But I think they want an answer this week. “They want a decision by Friday and if it doesn’t come by Friday they may move on.”

27-year-old Bird has scored 26 tries in 109 games for the Sharks, Broncos and Dragons since his debut in 2015 and has played five Origins for NSW.

 

[GCRV]

I reckon 1 mil over 2 years is paying him overs judging by how he's started the year. Though 2 weeks ago it was 1.2 mil so I don't think the media knows what's going on.

D-DAY FOR BIRD’S ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS CONTRACT​

Jack Bird’s contract saga with the Dragons is set to come to a head this week with the star forward facing a Friday deadline to make a decision on his contract extension.

Brent Read reported on Triple M that Bird is expected to accept a two-year extension worth $1 million to remain with the Dragons until 2024.

“There were further talks today between Jack Bird and his management about the contract that is on the table at the Dragons,” Read said. “It is a two-year extension for Jack at the Dragons.

“They expect a response this week. By the end of the week we should have a decision on jack Bird’s future.

“I don’t see Jack leaving. Parramatta were in for him and they have now pulled out.

“There has been talk about the Dolphins but Jack has made it pretty clear he wants to stay at the Dragons if possible.

“I’d imaging by the end of the week we would have a pretty positive announcement from the Dragons on Jack Bird’s future.

“I think the deal is $500,000 a season for two years. I think it is pretty imminent.

“He has made it pretty clear he doesn’t want to leave and they want to keep him. But I think they want an answer this week. “They want a decision by Friday and if it doesn’t come by Friday they may move on.”

27-year-old Bird has scored 26 tries in 109 games for the Sharks, Broncos and Dragons since his debut in 2015 and has played five Origins for NSW.

He would/will/does make a really good interchange utility. Is an really good interchange utility worth 500k a year? I'd say close. Sims is a good backrower but hardly a superstar and is on around 700k a year in the twilight if his career so based on that, a really good interchange utility is worth 500k a year.

 

[Chris M]

He would/will/does make a really good interchange utility. Is an really good interchange utility worth 500k a year? I'd say close. Sims is a good backrower but hardly a superstar and is on around 700k a year in the twilight if his career so based on that, a really good interchange utility is worth 500k a year.

I'd say Sims is on overs, thanks to that man Paul McGregor. As for Bird, mentioned on another thread he is fat. He might make it as a forward of he fixes his defence but right now, I'd say 500k is overs for him as well.

 

[Eric]

I'd say Sims is on overs, thanks to that man Paul McGregor. As for Bird, mentioned on another thread he is fat. He might make it as a forward of he fixes his defence but right now, I'd say 500k is overs for him as well.

I'm wondering is Sims would be better value than Bird. I know he is 32 but Bennett invested in one Bromwich who is older and another who is only slightly younger but not as athletically gifted.

 

[GCRV]

I'd say Sims is on overs, thanks to that man Paul McGregor. As for Bird, mentioned on another thread he is fat. He might make it as a forward of he fixes his defence but right now, I'd say 500k is overs for him as well.

The more I see, the more I'm convinced Bird is an interchange utility.

 

[RedV01]

Payne Hass would fix the Dragons middle forwards problem. And come with the added bonus of thumping the skull of anyone going public with contract, or lack thereof frustrations.

 

[Eric]

Payne Hass would fix the Dragons middle forwards problem. And come with the added bonus of thumping the skull of anyone going public with contract, or lack thereof frustrations.

Good idea. So what has he done that's so bad?

• Refused to denounce a family member. I think it was his mother.
• Intimidated cops. Like they don't intimidate the general public everyday over and over?
• Gave some drunken little guy getting in his face a soft smack in the mouth and a shove.

Seems like a perfectly stand-up guy to me. He'd be great for the culture as well as his on field exploits. But for 850k a year max.

 

[RedV01]

Good idea. So what has he done that's so bad?

• Refused to denounce a family member. I think it was his mother.
• Intimidated cops. Like they don't intimidate the general public everyday over and over?
• Gave some drunken little guy getting in his face a soft smack in the mouth and a shove.

Seems like a perfectly stand-up guy to me. He'd be great for the culture as well as his on field exploits. But for 850k a year max.

Sounds good. The club should make it happen.
So sick of Dragons players, like Dufty last year and Sims, Bird this year, taking their dissatisfaction public.

On a brighter note, Bird has to sign by tomorrow or STFU and find the deal he wants elsewhere.

 

[Morgan]

Just reading the 'transfer whispers'. Lots of movement for teams travelling much better than Saints but zero, ziltch, nada 'whispers' about the Dragons chasing anyone.

 

[GCRV]

Just reading the 'transfer whispers'. Lots of movement for teams travelling much better than Saints but zero, ziltch, nada 'whispers' about the Dragons chasing anyone.

Which Broncos players from Hook's U20 comp winning team from 15 years ago are available?

 

[Morgan]

Which Broncos players from Hook's U20 comp winning team from 15 years ago are available?

Most of them are already on the books at St George Illawarra, aren't they?

 

[Eric]

Which Broncos players from Hook's U20 comp winning team from 15 years ago are available?

He got Gerard Beale out of retirement last year. Why not do it again?

 

[Morgan]

I know Ben Hunt has been the Dragons best player last year and so far this year, but maybe it's worth offering him to the Dolphins if they are prepared to pick up 90% or more of his salary. I didn't see the game but I heard Sullivan had a blinder in the NSW Cup last week, his first game in about 6 months. He is ready to be an NRL halfback now. Sullivan and Amone are looking like Dragons halves combination for the next 10 years. Save the money from Hunt's contract and upgrade Sullivan, Amone, Feagai's and Slaon, is the way to go in my view.

Will Hook keep one of his old Broncos favorites no matter what?

 

[Eric]

Telegraph article on 16 big name players set to go on the market:

• Matt Burton
• Corey Allan

Ok. A bit of hyperbole. Not all are "big names"

• Jake Averillo
• Kyle Flanagan
• Jack Hetherington
• Josh Jackson
• Jeremy Marshall-King
• Brent Naden
• Luke Thompson
• Steve Crichton
• Liam Martin
• Brian To’o
• Izack Tago
• Reece Walsh
• Spencer Leniu
• Taylan May

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So which which could be good for St George Illawarra to recruit? IMO no backline players at all are needed. As has been often said on this forum, Luke Thompson is the one that immediately gets my attention. Jack Hetherington might be worth offering something, just not very much. I don't really see any others worth making an offer for. Some will say Liam Martin but in my view he is all effort and energy but lacking talent. i.e. as he gets older, he'll go down hill very quickly.

 

[GCRV]

Telegraph article on 16 big name players set to go on the market:

• Matt Burton
• Corey Allan

Ok. A bit of hyperbole. Not all are "big names"

• Jake Averillo
• Kyle Flanagan
• Jack Hetherington
• Josh Jackson
• Jeremy Marshall-King
• Brent Naden
• Luke Thompson
• Steve Crichton
• Liam Martin
• Brian To’o
• Izack Tago
• Reece Walsh
• Spencer Leniu
• Taylan May

---

So which which could be good for St George Illawarra to recruit? IMO no backline players at all are needed. As has been often said on this forum, Luke Thompson is the one that immediately gets my attention. Jack Hetherington might be worth offering something, just not very much. I don't really see any others worth making an offer for. Some will say Liam Martin but in my view he is all effort and energy but lacking talent. i.e. as he gets older, he'll go down hill very quickly.

Jack Hetherington, Luke Thompson and Liam Martin would certainly be worth trying to get but for how much? I'd bid for something around 400 x 3 years for Hetherington, 600 x 3 for Thompson and 500 x 3 for Martin.

 

[Chris M]

Jack Hetherington, Luke Thompson and Liam Martin would certainly be worth trying to get but for how much? I'd bid for something around 400 x 3 years for Hetherington, 600 x 3 for Thompson and 500 x 3 for Martin.

The sadist in me does enjoy watching the Bulldogs play from time to time. From what I've seen, no way would I sign Hetherington for more than 1mil over 3 years. That is being overly generous. 1mil over 3 years at the absolute maximum.

 

[GCRV]

The sadist in me does enjoy watching the Bulldogs play from time to time. From what I've seen, no way would I sign Hetherington for more than 1mil over 3 years. That is being overly generous. 1mil over 3 years at the absolute maximum.

Probably right. I don't often watch the Dogs so was just guessing based on what I had heard Phillip Ronald Gould say.

 

[Morgan]

The sadist in me does enjoy watching the Bulldogs play from time to time. From what I've seen, no way would I sign Hetherington for more than 1mil over 3 years. That is being overly generous. 1mil over 3 years at the absolute maximum.

The sadist in you enjoys watching the Bullgrubs play? Nice one!

 

[Morgan]

Telegraph article on 16 big name players set to go on the market:

• Matt Burton
• Corey Allan

Ok. A bit of hyperbole. Not all are "big names"

• Jake Averillo
• Kyle Flanagan
• Jack Hetherington
• Josh Jackson
• Jeremy Marshall-King
• Brent Naden
• Luke Thompson
• Steve Crichton
• Liam Martin
• Brian To’o
• Izack Tago
• Reece Walsh
• Spencer Leniu
• Taylan May

---

So which which could be good for St George Illawarra to recruit? IMO no backline players at all are needed. As has been often said on this forum, Luke Thompson is the one that immediately gets my attention. Jack Hetherington might be worth offering something, just not very much. I don't really see any others worth making an offer for. Some will say Liam Martin but in my view he is all effort and energy but lacking talent. i.e. as he gets older, he'll go down hill very quickly.

Jack Hetherington, Luke Thompson and Liam Martin would certainly be worth trying to get but for how much? I'd bid for something around 400 x 3 years for Hetherington, 600 x 3 for Thompson and 500 x 3 for Martin.

The sadist in me does enjoy watching the Bulldogs play from time to time. From what I've seen, no way would I sign Hetherington for more than 1mil over 3 years. That is being overly generous. 1mil over 3 years at the absolute maximum.

Why bother with Jack Hetherington at all? Don't the Dragons have enough fringe first graders?

 

[Eric]

Future of Roosters star Angus Crichton up in the air​

The future of star forward Angus Crichton is a touchy subject around Bondi way, with rival clubs sure to be on alert following a huge contract revelation​

The future of NSW State of Origin forward Angus Crichton at the Sydney Roosters is uncertain despite reports last year he had signed a two-year extension. The truth is no contract has been signed or registered with the NRL. It’s a touchy subject at the Roosters because Crichton has had a slow start to the season.

He was seen at training last week in an animated conversation with coach Trent Robinson. Crichton is managed by David Rawlings who was keen to play it down when we spoke on Friday. “We don’t do business and play it out in the media,” he said. “There’s still a couple of bits and pieces to be finalised around the contract before we get to the final position. We’ll see how it plays along.”

It is understood the new offer involves a substantial pay cut to free up money for the signing of Brandon Smith. On his day, there are few more destructive edge forwards in the NRL. However, like many of his teammates, Crichton has struggled this season. He has been criticised for lacking energy and aggression with his defence. Crichton has always been linked to a possible return to rugby union to play for the Wallabies at next year’s World Cup in France. He is still just 26.

Yet the cash-strapped rah-rahs probably wouldn’t have the funds available to match what he can earn in the NRL. Crichton quit the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2018 to join the Roosters and become one of the highest paid forwards in the game. No doubt rival NRL clubs will now reach out, knowing he’s not actually locked down at the Roosters.

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Personally I'd be absolutely delighted if the Dragons signed him for 3 years at around 650 with Rorters putting in for the first year of the 3. I'd much prefer the club have signed him or someone like him 6 years ago but hopefully that'll be fixed from now.