Rumoured and Confirmed Signings with added crap - XXVI

[Parra47]

Little more info on Schulte and Woods,
Schulte played 25 games for the Cowboys NYC team this year including both their finals games. All on the wing and scored 17 tries.
Woods missed a bit of footy through injury, played 20 games for the Tigers NYC team and kicked 54 goals. he played between lock and second row. He played one of their finals games and was a shadow player for the 20's NSW state of origin side. He was also team captain for the year.

 

[lingard]

I know we haven't got either Hiku or Lafai yet. But even if we don't get either of them, we are actively in the market for a good quality centre. And, with all the impending player movement around the NRL, we will get one.
So, I'd have to say this is the best and most sensible recruitment drive I've seen from Parramatta in a very long time. I think we are now well-positioned to take the next step forward - whether that's top eight, top six or top four. I'm very pleased and I think a lot of kudos needs to be given to the coaching staff and the administration. Well-done. For the moment, at least, it looks like this club is finally turning things around. Good on 'em.

 

[Gazzamatta]

I know we haven't got either Hiku or Lafai yet. But even if we don't get either of them, we are actively in the market for a good quality centre. And, with all the impending player movement around the NRL, we will get one.
So, I'd have to say this is the best and most sensible recruitment drive I've seen from Parramatta in a very long time. I think we are now well-positioned to take the next step forward - whether that's top eight, top six or top four. I'm very pleased and I think a lot of kudos needs to be given to the coaching staff and the administration. Well-done. For the moment, at least, it looks like this club is finally turning things around. Good on 'em.

Couldn't agree more Ivor except for the "For the moment, at least" coment. All the rubbish BA and DA as well as SS have been subjected to, the preparation for season 2016 has been nothing short of outstanding. Sure the painful Foran and Hopoate issues were stressful but the positive is the issues were indeed resolved and not ignored which would have created massive problems moving forward. Its always best to acknowledge issues and set about resolving them rather than "hoping" for the best.
Additional to the outstanding recruitment drive, our club has moved on those costly individuals who were holding the club to ransom by providing poor value for money. The changes to support staff and lower grades coaching was also a priority. It appears we now have a club, no doubt driven by BA, who are prepared to address every aspect to turn our once mignty club in the righ direction. Obviously all this needs to be supported by winning footy teams but I for one am growing in confidence.
No provisos for me. An outstanding turn around. Well done to all.

 

[parra pete]

Has the Salary Cap issue been resolved yet. Will the Club still be deducted 4 competition points at start of season?
Scott Seward must have been an incompetent ninny....

 

[Bigfella]

Has the Salary Cap issue been resolved yet. Will the Club still be deducted 4 competition points at start of season?
Scott Seward must have been an incompetent ninny....

Careful Pete, anyone who suggested that at the time was told they weren't a real fan...

There's no doubt it was more than just soward's incompetence at play.

But there's also no doubt that massive improvements have been made in a short space of time. They were needed.

Resting the Foran contract and not keeping Hopoate have been great turnarounds. However it is still not clear at what cost. It does seem that Hiku would be coming unless the salary cap issue around Hopoate prevents it.
It's also not clear whether we will lose players as a result of the renegotiation of the Foran contract and reported salary cap rulings which followed it.

The rest of the recruitment since the real debacles has been top shelf.

I don't buy what people are saying about best backline in the NRL I think that's way over the top when we have a very modest fullback and out centre options, while improved, are all rejects from other clubs.

Why we do have is a smattering of top shelf players but the next level down is much stronger. I say this solely on the basis that we sign another centre and that Ryan Morgan is not a starter.

Some really good value and at last proper depth signings.

 

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

Tim Lafai officially granted a release as Canterbury Bulldogs prepare to welcome Will Hopoate


Tim Lafai is officially a free agent after being granted a release from Canterbury.

The Bulldogs are poised to welcome former Manly and Parramatta three-quarter Will Hopoate in a move clouding Lafai's future at the club.

The Samoan international requested a release from the final two years of his contract and his management came to an agreement with the club late on Friday. The 24-year-old farewelled his Canterbury teammates earlier in the day.

"Tim's enjoyed his time at the Bulldogs and we're appreciative of the club culture and everything they have done for him," said his agent, David Rawlings.

"Des Hasler has done a lot in developing him as a footballer and a young man and we thank him for that. We're looking forward to the next stage of his career and we believe the best is yet to come.

"Tim will enjoy a fresh start to 2016 and the opportunity to get his first full pre-season after struggling with injuries in recent years."

The centre has played on the right side in recent times but his preference would be to play on the left at a new club. Several have already expressed interest, including Penrith, St George Illawarra, Gold Coast and New Zealand.

The Panthers view Lafai as a potential replacement for Jamal Idris, who walked away from the game indefinitely for personal reasons.

Panthers supremo Phil Gould was non-committal when asked if the club was interested in his services on social media.

"Good kid .. Always liked him .. Specialist left centre I reckon." Gould tweeted. "Has been playing on right for Bulldogs. Not ideal."

The Dragons are after an outside back and Lafai is on the radar, although the Red V is also deep in negotiations with unwanted Manly utility Peta Hiku. The Kiwi international is tossing up whether to join the Dragons or Parramatta, where he would be reunited with coach Brad Arthur and several of his former Sea Eagles teammates.

Hopoate remains locked in a legal battle with Parramatta, with the Supreme Court to rule whether an offer from the Eels is legally binding.

Hopoate has been below his best since coming back from a Mormon mission, but Hasler is confident of a return to top form when he joins a star-studded backline that includes the Morris twins, Moses Mbye, Josh Reynolds, Curtis Rona and Sam Perrett.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/tim-lafai-officially-granted-a-release-as-canterbury-bulldogs-prepare-to-welcome-will-hopoate-20151205-glg7q7.html

 

[Twizzle]

another reject

lol

 

[Gronk]

Hopoate remains locked in a legal battle with Parramatta, with the Supreme Court to rule whether an offer from the Eels is legally binding.

Didn't some newspaper say during the week that they had reached settlement ? Somebody makin shit up.

 

[Gronk]

Listen with interest to ABC Grandstand not long ago about video reviews in sport. One Journo alleged that NRL refs go to the video ref after each try because of the sponsored scoreboard result signage. She said that players call it chicken time. Thoughts ?

 

[Obscene Assassin]

Didn't some newspaper say during the week that they had reached settlement ? Somebody makin shit up.

I don't understand why the Hopoate camp would be suing for the contract to be legally binding? Tyran smith and hoppa snr don't want Will to be here so if the contract is legally binding he can't play for another club unless we release him. I could have sworn the dispute was if Parra had prevented Will from monetary gain because he signed a letter to say he'll sign with the club.

 

[Obscene Assassin]

Listen with interest to ABC Grandstand not long ago about video reviews in sport. One Journo alleged that NRL refs go to the video ref after each try because of the sponsored scoreboard result signage. She said that players call it chicken time. Thoughts ?

Yeah Jamie Thoward said that earlier in the year on the back page about chicken time and of course they throw it up more because it's sponsored the more the advertisement is shown the more 9 can charge for it and then the more money they can give to the NRL.

 

[Kornstar]

Listen with interest to ABC Grandstand not long ago about video reviews in sport. One Journo alleged that NRL refs go to the video ref after each try because of the sponsored scoreboard result signage. She said that players call it chicken time. Thoughts ?

I think your earlier post where you suggested someone was making shit up also refers to this!

I have no doubt the players call it chicken time but I highly doubt they go to it because they are told to. They go to it because they are completely shit at their jobs!

 

[Noise]

Boyd out for 6 months with Achilles injury. Bad news for Boyd, good news for round one game

 

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

I don't understand why the Hopoate camp would be suing for the contract to be legally binding? Tyran smith and hoppa snr don't want Will to be here so if the contract is legally binding he can't play for another club unless we release him. I could have sworn the dispute was if Parra had prevented Will from monetary gain because he signed a letter to say he'll sign with the club.

At the time the action was commenced, it was still possible for the club to decide to accept Hoppa's claims and honour the 'agreement' . Hence the claim involved establishing that a binding agreement existed. Since then it has become clear that the club are not willing to honour that 'agreement' (i.e. we've now gone past the starting date of the employment period referred to in the 'agreement').

Hoppa and his team are arguing that a binding agreement was entered into, which the club has effectively decided to renege upon, and that therefore the club must either honour the 'agreement' or compensate Hoppa for losses suffered as a consequence of breaching the 'agreement'. Given that it is a labour contract, if the court agrees with Hoppa, the remedy is likely to be one of damages, not 'specific performance'. So it is possible that the court can rule that agreement is legally binding, that the club has breached that agreement, and that damages caused by the breach should be payable to Hoppa.

 

[yy_cheng]

Tim Lafai officially granted a release as Canterbury Bulldogs prepare to welcome Will Hopoate
Date
December 5, 2015 - 1:27PM
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Adrian Proszenko
Adrian Proszenko
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Free man: Tim Lafai is being courted by several clubs after being granted a release from the Bulldogs.
Free man: Tim Lafai is being courted by several clubs after being granted a release from the Bulldogs. Photo: Getty Images
Tim Lafai is officially a free agent after being granted a release from Canterbury.

The Bulldogs are poised to welcome former Manly and Parramatta three-quarter Will Hopoate in a move clouding Lafai's future at the club.

The Samoan international requested a release from the final two years of his contract and his management came to an agreement with the club late on Friday. The 24-year-old farewelled his Canterbury teammates earlier in the day.

"Tim's enjoyed his time at the Bulldogs and we're appreciative of the club culture and everything they have done for him," said his agent, David Rawlings.

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"Des Hasler has done a lot in developing him as a footballer and a young man and we thank him for that. We're looking forward to the next stage of his career and we believe the best is yet to come.

"Tim will enjoy a fresh start to 2016 and the opportunity to get his first full pre-season after struggling with injuries in recent years."

The centre has played on the right side in recent times but his preference would be to play on the left at a new club. Several have already expressed interest, including Penrith, St George Illawarra, Gold Coast and New Zealand.

The Panthers view Lafai as a potential replacement for Jamal Idris, who walked away from the game indefinitely for personal reasons.

Panthers supremo Phil Gould was non-committal when asked if the club was interested in his services on social media.

"Good kid .. Always liked him .. Specialist left centre I reckon." Gould tweeted. "Has been playing on right for Bulldogs. Not ideal."

The Dragons are after an outside back and Lafai is on the radar, although the Red V is also deep in negotiations with unwanted Manly utility Peta Hiku. The Kiwi international is tossing up whether to join the Dragons or Parramatta, where he would be reunited with coach Brad Arthur and several of his former Sea Eagles teammates.

Hopoate remains locked in a legal battle with Parramatta, with the Supreme Court to rule whether an offer from the Eels is legally binding.

Hopoate has been below his best since coming back from a Mormon mission, but Hasler is confident of a return to top form when he joins a star-studded backline that includes the Morris twins, Moses Mbye, Josh Reynolds, Curtis Rona and Sam Perrett.



Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...ll-hopoate-20151205-glg7q7.html#ixzz3tQMsKKP3
Follow us: @smh on Twitter | sydneymorningherald on Facebook

 

[Gronk]

Boyd out for 6 months with Achilles injury. Bad news for Boyd, good news for round one game

Either he's done it 2 years in a row or you're on crack.

http://www.nrl.com/darius-boyd-is-back-for-broncos/tabid/10874/newsid/86030/default.aspx

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Why do you think they're mutually exclusive?

 

[hindy111]

If Phil wants his man he will get him so no point chasing....

What is the ugly Pr$K up too thou.

1 Moylan
2DWZ
3Whare
4G.Jennings
5Mansour
6Soward
7Wallace

That leaves Waqu Blake & R.Jennings as spares. You sign Lafai and G.Jennings becomes excess....Id take any of the three I just mentioned.All have loads of talent and would be reasonably priced. Unless Moylans going to 5/8 and Wallace is being hurled.

Lafai > Hoppa = IMO silly move by Des and Dogs.

 

[hindy111]

I am still not against Idris. It would be more an incentive contract and the guy has loads of talent. He just needs a little time off and a good mentor. Plenty on here will just say he is a head case.But everyone can fit in given the right environment and circumstances.
If we could pick him up for 150-200K even id be all for it.

 

[oldmancraigy]

I don't understand why the Hopoate camp would be suing for the contract to be legally binding? Tyran smith and hoppa snr don't want Will to be here so if the contract is legally binding he can't play for another club unless we release him. I could have sworn the dispute was if Parra had prevented Will from monetary gain because he signed a letter to say he'll sign with the club.

Let us pretend the Hoppa deal was 700k per. It appears we have 1 or 2 top 25 spots left. Let us also pretend the club offered Hoppa 300k in a 'take it or leave it ' deal.
One might reasonably imagine that if there is 1 top 25 spot left, we have approx 300k to spend on it.
If 2, perhaps 400k?

If the contract is deemed legally binding, the Eels will have no option to submit it to the NRL and have it registered as it will put us over the cap and we lose 4 comp points. So the only way out is a settlement, and Hoppas camp will have us over a barrell.
Just hardball really to try and get as much money as possible.

Note: i cannot see a scenario where any amount we pay Hoppa falls under the salary cap. Legally binding is not with the NRL, but with the Eels, and so we owe Hoppa. Unregistered works in our favour here.