Recruitment and Retention for 2023

[GCRV]

Slow down. I agree with you but just not to the same extent. I agree Gosiewski is a better backrower. It's only a matter of scale. You said far better but in my opinion he is only a little better. Just my humble opinion. A second rowers job is tackling well and making metres, not support play but if a second rower has support play in his game, it can't be a bad thing, can it?

It's not only defence. He rarely pokes his nose through the opposition defence, let alone goes straight through. He's probably better suited to playing lock. That's doable if JDB is prop.

 

[RedV01]

It's not only defence. He rarely pokes his nose through the opposition defence, let alone goes straight through. He's probably better suited to playing lock. That's doable if JDB is prop.

Agree. Good player, poor second rower.

 

[Chris M]

Agree. Good player, poor second rower.

Maybe he needs an extra 5kg on his frame to make it as a second rower.

 

[Morgan]

Maybe he needs an extra 5kg on his frame to make it as a second rower.

He's 27 this year, isn't he? Any increase in weight will come at the expense of mobility.

 

[Eric]

Dolphins lead Aitken pursuit ​

The Dolphins have taken the edge over the Wests Tigers in the battle to sign Warriors utility Euan Aitken. Aitken has been a shining light for the Warriors this year as the former centre continues to impress since his switch into the backrow. The Dolphins have tabled him a three year deal to be part of their inaugural squad. Aitken had another year left on his Warriors deal but was released for compassionate reasons as the club plans to make the full-time switch to Auckland next year.

The Tigers also expressed an interest in Aitken but weren’t willing to meet his wage demands. It means the Dolphins are in the box seat to land the 26-year-old. Aitken has played 144 top grade games – including 121 for the Dragons before his switch to the Warriors last year. Aitken’s former club St George Illawarra have ruled out making a play for him.

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I wonder why Saints have ruled out making a play for him?

 

[Chris M]

Dolphins lead Aitken pursuit ​

The Dolphins have taken the edge over the Wests Tigers in the battle to sign Warriors utility Euan Aitken. Aitken has been a shining light for the Warriors this year as the former centre continues to impress since his switch into the backrow. The Dolphins have tabled him a three year deal to be part of their inaugural squad. Aitken had another year left on his Warriors deal but was released for compassionate reasons as the club plans to make the full-time switch to Auckland next year.

The Tigers also expressed an interest in Aitken but weren’t willing to meet his wage demands. It means the Dolphins are in the box seat to land the 26-year-old. Aitken has played 144 top grade games – including 121 for the Dragons before his switch to the Warriors last year. Aitken’s former club St George Illawarra have ruled out making a play for him.

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I wonder why Saints have ruled out making a play for him?

I hope it's because the club has a few breakout junior backrowers penciled in to enter first grade starting next year. No idea who that would be.

 

[Chris M]

He's 27 this year, isn't he? Any increase in weight will come at the expense of mobility.

Maybe he'll be better if he's a little slower and a little bigger. Just idle speculation.

 

[Eric]

Liam Martin knocks back Penrith’s first offer​

Panthers are in danger of losing another star forward unless they come up with a better contract offer​

Liam Martin could be headed to the open market after the premiership-winning forward knocked back a first-up offer from the Panthers. In a blow that will force Penrith to rethink how they spend their salary cap, Martin has turned down the club’s first attempt to extend his contract beyond 2023. The Panthers last week offered the edge forward a deal that was well short of his estimated market value, which could be as high as $750,000.

There will be no shortage of clubs willing to talk to the no-nonsense forward should he remain unsigned after the November 1 anti-tampering deadline passes. Hailing from Temora in the Riverina region of NSW, Martin has been in the Panthers’ system since moving to Penrith as a teenager to play SG Ball.

Bursting on to the NRL scene in 2019, Martin confirmed himself as a star last year when he was selected to make his State of Origin debut for NSW. The Panthers are hopeful of retaining Martin but they will need to come back with a better offer after the initial knock-back. The club’s second-row stocks are already taking a hit from next year, with excitement machine Viliame Kikau already moving to the Bulldogs on a big-money deal.

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Should St George Illawarra look to sign him?

 

[Chris M]

Liam Martin knocks back Penrith’s first offer​

Panthers are in danger of losing another star forward unless they come up with a better contract offer​

Liam Martin could be headed to the open market after the premiership-winning forward knocked back a first-up offer from the Panthers. In a blow that will force Penrith to rethink how they spend their salary cap, Martin has turned down the club’s first attempt to extend his contract beyond 2023. The Panthers last week offered the edge forward a deal that was well short of his estimated market value, which could be as high as $750,000.

There will be no shortage of clubs willing to talk to the no-nonsense forward should he remain unsigned after the November 1 anti-tampering deadline passes. Hailing from Temora in the Riverina region of NSW, Martin has been in the Panthers’ system since moving to Penrith as a teenager to play SG Ball.

Bursting on to the NRL scene in 2019, Martin confirmed himself as a star last year when he was selected to make his State of Origin debut for NSW. The Panthers are hopeful of retaining Martin but they will need to come back with a better offer after the initial knock-back. The club’s second-row stocks are already taking a hit from next year, with excitement machine Viliame Kikau already moving to the Bulldogs on a big-money deal.

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Should St George Illawarra look to sign him?

He's all about effort and guts. Good pick up for 500k for 2 years but he's the type of player who'll go down downhill quite quickly. 750k a year is a non starter.

 

[GCRV]

Angus Crichton would be a massive pick up for the Dragons. He and Su'a on the edges for the next 3 years or more. Exactly what the Dragons need.

Angus Crichton’s contract exposes Sydney Roosters salary cap crisis​

Phil Rothfield revealed a salary cap squeeze and not a three player exodus to bring Cameron Munster to the club could cost the Roosters Angus Crichton. The Roosters were rumoured to be chasing Munster by offloading Crichton, Luke Keary and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, but Rothfield revealed that Crichton’s extension with the club cannot be rubber-stamped by the NRL due to a salary cap squeeze next season.

“The bottom line is I don’t think Munster will be at the Roosters because they have serious salary cap issues,” Rothfield said on NRL 360. “They have got Joey Manu who is not off-contract until 2024 and he’s on $800,000 a year. They have got James Tedesco on $1.1 million. Luke Keary is on $850,000. Brandon Smith next year is on $800,000 as well. “So I just don’t think there is room for a $1.1 or $1.2 million player.”

Rothfield believes rugby union could again be on the table for Crichton as the Roosters aim to get their salary cap in shape, before they can contemplate signing a player like Munster. “I’ll tell you how much pressure their salary cap is under, Angus Crichton agreed to terms and the deal wasn’t signed because they cannot lodge it with the NRL because it would put them over the cap for next year,” Rothfield said. “Ronald Volkman and Freddy Lussick have left to go to the Warriors. Sio Siua Taukeiaho goes at the end of the year. Kevin Naiqama goes. Sam Verrills will probably go.

The thing about this and Aitken and Liam Martin is that if the club can afford to throw its hat in the ring for probably over 1.2mil for Munster, it has a lot of salary cap space. Considering the average age and struggles of the Dragons forwards, makes me confused why the club isn't being linked to every available forward under around 28.

 

[Chris M]

The thing about this and Aitken and Liam Martin is that if the club can afford to throw its hat in the ring for probably over 1.2mil for Munster, it has a lot of salary cap space. Considering the average age and struggles of the Dragons forwards, makes me confused why the club isn't being linked to every available forward under around 28.

That's a good point. The opposite is happening. Dragons aren't being linked to any forwards coming onto the market.

 

[Eric]

The thing about this and Aitken and Liam Martin is that if the club can afford to throw its hat in the ring for probably over 1.2mil for Munster, it has a lot of salary cap space. Considering the average age and struggles of the Dragons forwards, makes me confused why the club isn't being linked to every available forward under around 28.

I've been speculating about this for months. I wondering which juniors the club thinks are going to step up. Shereb, O'Ofuo and Coric were the next 3 "big things" in the forwards. Shereb may yet make it but very unlikely next year as he wasn't cutting it in the NSW Cup this year. Coric is in a similar position. Looks unlikely O'Ofuo won't make it. He is 22 and not a regular in the NSW Cup team. So who? Some of the Flegg players? Not next year otherwise they'd be in the NSW Cup this year.

 

[jodragon40]

Patience is a virtue. Crichton is playing unhappy hence his poor form exactly the same as our Sims is, on his current form hes at best a 600k pick up. Aitken not worth looking back at, Martin is in the same mould as what we have already plenty of, so not worth wasting the money. I wouldn't be chasing any of them. If Crichton improved perhaps yes that would compliment Sua. Then what do you do with Bird? My view we have enough backrowers we need a big prop and another playmaker. If we could get a package deal from Melbourne with Nelson Asofa- Solomona and Cameron Munster I'd be pretty happy with our team moving forwards. Forget backrowers we have enough.

 

[jodragon40]

Liam Martin knocks back Penrith’s first offer​

Panthers are in danger of losing another star forward unless they come up with a better contract offer​

Liam Martin could be headed to the open market after the premiership-winning forward knocked back a first-up offer from the Panthers. In a blow that will force Penrith to rethink how they spend their salary cap, Martin has turned down the club’s first attempt to extend his contract beyond 2023. The Panthers last week offered the edge forward a deal that was well short of his estimated market value, which could be as high as $750,000.

There will be no shortage of clubs willing to talk to the no-nonsense forward should he remain unsigned after the November 1 anti-tampering deadline passes. Hailing from Temora in the Riverina region of NSW, Martin has been in the Panthers’ system since moving to Penrith as a teenager to play SG Ball.

Bursting on to the NRL scene in 2019, Martin confirmed himself as a star last year when he was selected to make his State of Origin debut for NSW. The Panthers are hopeful of retaining Martin but they will need to come back with a better offer after the initial knock-back. The club’s second-row stocks are already taking a hit from next year, with excitement machine Viliame Kikau already moving to the Bulldogs on a big-money deal.

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Should St George Illawarra look to sign him?

Definitely not

 

[GCRV]

Patience is a virtue. Crichton is playing unhappy hence his poor form exactly the same as our Sims is, on his current form hes at best a 600k pick up. Aitken not worth looking back at, Martin is in the same mould as what we have already plenty of, so not worth wasting the money. I wouldn't be chasing any of them. If Crichton improved perhaps yes that would compliment Sua. Then what do you do with Bird? My view we have enough backrowers we need a big prop and another playmaker. If we could get a package deal from Melbourne with Nelson Asofa- Solomona and Cameron Munster I'd be pretty happy with our team moving forwards. Forget backrowers we have enough.

I think Sims has been doing ok considering the coach screwing him around, playing him out of position and then denying him one of his main strengths in being an 80min player.

Of course it all comes down to how much money they'd be on but if they didn't break the salary cap, I'd definitely be in favour of signing Crichton. Maybe the other 2.

 

[jodragon40]

Dolphins lead Aitken pursuit ​

The Dolphins have taken the edge over the Wests Tigers in the battle to sign Warriors utility Euan Aitken. Aitken has been a shining light for the Warriors this year as the former centre continues to impress since his switch into the backrow. The Dolphins have tabled him a three year deal to be part of their inaugural squad. Aitken had another year left on his Warriors deal but was released for compassionate reasons as the club plans to make the full-time switch to Auckland next year.

The Tigers also expressed an interest in Aitken but weren’t willing to meet his wage demands. It means the Dolphins are in the box seat to land the 26-year-old. Aitken has played 144 top grade games – including 121 for the Dragons before his switch to the Warriors last year. Aitken’s former club St George Illawarra have ruled out making a play for him.

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I wonder why Saints have ruled out making a play for him?

I think Sims has been doing ok considering the coach screwing him around, playing him out of position and then denying him one of his main strengths in being an 80min player.

Of course it all comes down to how much money they'd be on but if they didn't break the salary cap, I'd definitely be in favour of signing Crichton. Maybe the other 2.

 

[jodragon40]

Sims hasn't made any impression on me for 2 seasons. I wish that he played for us as he played for his state. Just my view. He is starting tomorrow I'll be there its time for him to stand up for us.

 

[RedV01]

I think Sims has been doing ok considering the coach screwing him around, playing him out of position and then denying him one of his main strengths in being an 80min player.

Of course it all comes down to how much money they'd be on but if they didn't break the salary cap, I'd definitely be in favour of signing Crichton. Maybe the other 2.

Personally I'd only be in favour of signing Crighton.

 

[GCRV]

Sims hasn't made any impression on me for 2 seasons. I wish that he played for us as he played for his state. Just my view. He is starting tomorrow I'll be there its time for him to stand up for us.

Next year Sims is gone, Burns, Ford and Gosiewski all off contract at the end of this year. That's 4 second rowers gone. Who is going to replace them? And on top of that, I have doubts Bird is going to make it as a second rower.

 

[Chris M]

I think Sims has been doing ok considering the coach screwing him around, playing him out of position and then denying him one of his main strengths in being an 80min player.

Of course it all comes down to how much money they'd be on but if they didn't break the salary cap, I'd definitely be in favour of signing Crichton. Maybe the other 2.

Whole pack is struggling. I'd agree Sims may be struggling less than others.