Hearing a few things re Leeson. On JA a reliable poster is saying we have a lot of factors in our favour to keep him at the club (happy wife, the Graham effect, playing his best footy with us). We haven't been able to match top dollar but we're looking okay.
A poster on FB has said that Leeson has verbally agreed to a 3-year deal with the club. No idea how reliable he is or his info, but he's put himself out there.
Fingers crossed!
Tom as I said earlier we made him a good offer.
But warriors have offered more.
He has given us last offer.
So all good.
As you say if money only he will leave.
But I would also say he may stay.
No, he is contracted to Manly until the end of 2020.Can we get Fonua-Blake back if Leeson does go?
seems Leesons wife has a lot of pull in the marriage .and she's VERY happy at present.ah the power of the pussy.very possible he ain't going anywhere.I did read that LAM and his wife have parents living in NZ. That is one reason that might sway him.
As no announcement has been made either way then there is still a hope he stays.
Millward will need to spin his magic and get a couple of front row forwards. There is no one in the IPS that have shown they will be ready to grab a spot in the firsts
Yes but that doesn’t mean a lot these days!No, he is contracted to Manly until the end of 2020.
Samy interested what you think about this?Tom as I said earlier we made him a good offer.
But warriors have offered more.
He has given us last offer.
So all good.
As you say if money only he will leave.
But I would also say he may stay.
People have to remember that Graham has been playing non stop for 12 months - NRL into the World Cup campaign which was long and hard on his body - the real James Graham will be with us March 2019 with a long offseason to his credit - then watch this space. At the moment he's leading by example and worth every penny...he's lifted Vaughan, LAM and young players like Sele and Lawrie...It is a balancing act as you don't want to pay too much for him and then struggle to sign other major talent due to the salary cap being tied up.
Graham has made a big difference. The only query with him is the 3rd year option is in his favour. So means we have to assume he will take it up with us and that means not being able to spend that money on another player at this stage. i.e. Leeson we could give him a modest increase next year and then a larger one the year after. Not fully backloaded but would help us compete in the market.
Still you are not going to keep everyone. But as we say is anyone putting their hand up for a spot?
Hopefully we can work out a deal with Graham that he retires are after his second year and takes on a coaching role with us?It is a balancing act as you don't want to pay too much for him and then struggle to sign other major talent due to the salary cap being tied up.
Graham has made a big difference. The only query with him is the 3rd year option is in his favour. So means we have to assume he will take it up with us and that means not being able to spend that money on another player at this stage. i.e. Leeson we could give him a modest increase next year and then a larger one the year after. Not fully backloaded but would help us compete in the market.
Still you are not going to keep everyone. But as we say is anyone putting their hand up for a spot?
Samy interested what you think about this?5
With Sims in the coaches eyes owning the left edge then IMO we are already 1 down in the prop rotation and little likelihood Kerr or Lawrie will be filling it.
I think the value of Graham is for this year only and IMO looking at him now he will really struggle next year (thus why I questioned his signing in the 1st place) but regardless of that IMO that will make us 2 props down.
If we then lose LAM on top of it the that makes us potentially 3 props down (2 down if Graham is a bench player only) for 2019.
IMO that means retaining LAM as a "starting prop" is of high importance as he is a far better option than anyone else that is out there and he is already culturally part of our family and system.
OT
Agree with everything you have said.
Re Graham he needs to still start at this stage as he helps with the speed of the line in defence.
Our line speed is better with him on the field.
I think JDB would be able to do this as well as he is a middle man.
Agree re LAM he is a must keep.
We need to pick up a prop that is experienced ( 50 or so nrl games).
I think that lawrie can make it if given a go.
But he may be better suited as a lock.
Sele as well.
To me kerr is not ready.
Untill he learns not to stop before the line and his defence improves.
To me ISP are coached poorly.
I hope I am prove wrong.