Rumoured and Confirmed signings - Part 4

[Dave's mate]

So happy for Naden. He's got that freakish play in him that comes out of nowhere.

Even the kick tonight that ended up in a dropout. He does seem to read the game well

 

[betcats]

So happy for Naden. He's got that freakish play in him that comes out of nowhere.

Very unlucky on that kick ahead off the ground, just wouldn’t sit up for him.

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

Very unlucky on that kick ahead off the ground, just wouldn’t sit up for him.

He is just a good competitive footy player.

 

[Kilkenny]

I thought Bryce was anonymous tonight.

 

[OldPanther]

I thought Bryce was anonymous tonight.

The idiots moved him to 6. It only worked here because he played like a forward with Moylan as a first/second receiver with Cleary.

 

[Kilkenny]

Great news for Brent Naden. Well done young man.

 

[Fangs]

I thought Bryce was anonymous tonight.

He was, thought he wasn't as bad as many of the others. He didn't get much of a chance.

He is not even close to his best. At a better club he'd be lucky to make the bench.

 

[Matthew Ellis]

@Panther_Daz It was reported we paid freight on Waqa Blake going to Parra and DWZ at the Dogs? That true or is it more media bullshit?

I thought Bryce was anonymous tonight.

And yet still he was probably one of the Titans top 5 players.

 

[herbert henry1908]

@Panther_Daz It was reported we paid freight on Waqa Blake going to Parra and DWZ at the Dogs? That true or is it more media bullshit?
.

The editor of the western weekender told me we paid some on DWZ but we got out of the deal ok. He wasn’t sure on Blake, but I’d say we’re paying some at least this year and next.

 

[Pomoz]

The editor of the western weekender told me we paid some on DWZ but we got out of the deal ok. He wasn’t sure on Blake, but I’d say we’re paying some at least this year and next.

In respect of DWZ, Dave O'Neil said on a podcast that Too was on something like 75K and doing just as good a job (I'll correct him there, he is doing a better job) and even after paying a top up they have released money on the salary cap. He implied the same for Blake and if Naden keeps playing like that, he will be another one saving us big money even with a top up.

 

[herbert henry1908]

In respect of DWZ, Dave O'Neil said on a podcast that Too was on something like 75K and doing just as good a job (I'll correct him there, he is doing a better job) and even after paying a top up they have released money on the salary cap. He implied the same for Blake and if Naden keeps playing like that, he will be another one saving us big money even with a top up.

We’ll definitely be saving money, but I don’t think it’s a huge amount when you take into account the upgrades and likely paying some of the former players salary.

If O’Neill said 75k that actually can’t be correct. Minimum base salary for a top 30 player is 105k, concerns me our chairman doesn’t know that.

 

[Pomoz]

We’ll definitely be saving money, but I don’t think it’s a huge amount when you take into account the upgrades and likely paying some of the former players salary.

You need a different calculator. If DWZ is on 500K (some rumours have it as more, but let's go with the lowest amount rumoured) and Too is on 75K, that's 425K to play with. Even if you top up $100K to the Dogs, there is still 325K to play with. The same for Blake, although now Naden is signed for two years, I'm sure he was upgraded and so will Too be in the near future. But either way, there will be enough for at least one extra player and we haven't lost anything in ability. I'm no fan of Dave O'Neil but surely that's smart management?

The best thing that Dave O'Neil said is they won't be signing any more long term deals (wouldn't you make an exception if Ponga said he sign for us, but only for five years?) and they were reviewing how much they will pay players going forward. I think the genesis of that is the junior supply line now stocked up and steadily producing talent. We don't have to pay overs for wingers and centres anymore because there are plenty coming through. To be fair to Gus, he has paid overs for some players because our cupboard was bare, but now, ironically because of his efforts with the juniors, there are more players to call on and we can tighten the purse strings.

No doubt Gus got a few of the contracts wrong, but I think that will still happen. You just can't tell what will happen with players. Both Damien Cook and Naden were written off as "never going to make first grade" and look how that has turned out. On the other hand, DWZ and Blake haven't really gone to the next level to justify their contract value.

 

[herbert henry1908]

You need a different calculator. If DWZ is on 500K (some rumours have it as more, but let's go with the lowest amount rumoured) and Too is on 75K, that's 425K to play with. Even if you top up $100K to the Dogs, there is still 325K to play with. The same for Blake, although now Naden is signed for two years, I'm sure he was upgraded and so will Too be in the near future. But either way, there will be enough for at least one extra player and we haven't lost anything in ability. I'm no fan of Dave O'Neil but surely that's smart management?

The best thing that Dave O'Neil said is they won't be signing any more long term deals (wouldn't you make an exception if Ponga said he sign for us, but only for five years?) and they were reviewing how much they will pay players going forward. I think the genesis of that is the junior supply line now stocked up and steadily producing talent. We don't have to pay overs for wingers and centres anymore because there are plenty coming through. To be fair to Gus, he has paid overs for some players because our cupboard was bare, but now, ironically because of his efforts with the juniors, there are more players to call on and we can tighten the purse strings.

No doubt Gus got a few of the contracts wrong, but I think that will still happen. You just can't tell what will happen with players. Both Damien Cook and Naden were written off as "never going to make first grade" and look how that has turned out. On the other hand, DWZ and Blake haven't really gone to the next level to justify their contract value.

Few things.

To’o can’t be on 75k next year, base salary from players 1 to 25 is $105k. For players 26-30 it’s 70k. Given To’o is in our starting lineup he’s going to be on 105k next year.

To’o wasn’t even DWZ’s replacement in the top 30, so I find it kinda odd that O’Neill is mentioning him as the direct savings. To’o was actually in the top 30 before DWZ left, he was promoted when Tyrone Phillips left.

Also given we can’t know exactly how much we’re paying of DWZ’s contract, it’s hard to calculate anything.



I am pleased to hear there’ll be less 5 year deals, and this goes to what I was told that the club weren’t happy with the salary cap position Gus left the team in. As I mentioned before, to me his strategy was playing fast & loose.

So if there are salary savings, it’s possible they were chewed up by the possibility we were over the cap next year. So the savings may not actually amount to much.

 

[Pomoz]

Few things.

To’o can’t be on 75k next year, base salary from players 1 to 25 is $105k. For players 26-30 it’s 70k. Given To’o is in our starting lineup he’s going to be on 105k next year.

To’o wasn’t even DWZ’s replacement in the top 30, so I find it kinda odd that O’Neill is mentioning him as the direct savings. To’o was actually in the top 30 before DWZ left, he was promoted when Tyrone Phillips left.

Also given we can’t know exactly how much we’re paying of DWZ’s contract, it’s hard to calculate anything.



I am pleased to hear there’ll be less 5 year deals, and this goes to what I was told that the club weren’t happy with the salary cap position Gus left the team in. As I mentioned before, to me his strategy was playing fast & loose.

So if there are salary savings, it’s possible they were chewed up by the possibility we were over the cap next year. So the savings may not actually amount to much.

Henry, of course we are saving if we don't replace DWZ. His job is being done by somebody on minimum wage. Sure Too's salary goes up, and I mentioned his and Naden's likely upgrade in my post so you are just repeating what I already said. I would argue if DWZ's salary wasn't near 500K then there probably would be no need to get rid of him, same for Blake, but since the Chairman said that is what happened, I think it is fair to assume a significant saving in the 2 to 300K range. Do that twice and we have paid for another first grader.

I am quoting Dave O'Neil and he he has stated there are big savings in a public forum, with the Group CEO sat next to him, so surely he should be believed? I know you are angry the club releases players who are haven't fulfilled their contracts but I think you are going to have to get used to it. This sort of horse trading is now the prevalent practice in the NRL and we are late to the show, but are joining in.

I don't really understand your anger to be honest. I was relieved to know it is part of a plan and the retention committee is looking forward at how we manage the cap. At least there is no vacuum since Gus left. I would direct your anger at players who take big dollars and never give us the value of that contract.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Henry, of course we are saving if we don't replace DWZ. His job is being done by somebody on minimum wage. Sure Too's salary goes up, and I mentioned his and Naden's likely upgrade in my post so you are just repeating what I already said. I would argue if DWZ's salary wasn't near 500K then there probably would be no need to get rid of him, same for Blake, but since the Chairman said that is what happened, I think it is fair to assume a significant saving in the 2 to 300K range. Do that twice and we have paid for another first grader.

Huh? Of course there are savings, I never said otherwise. I just said they may not be as much as we might think.

I’m not repeating what you said, I’m pointing out that the savings are relevant for next year, hence O’Neill quoting the $75k for this year is misleading.

You used the 75k figure in the savings calculation, that’s wrong, because the savings are relevant for next year, not this. Next year To’o is on at least $105k.

I am quoting Dave O'Neil and he he has stated there are big savings in a public forum, with the Group CEO sat next to him, so surely he should be believed? I know you are angry the club releases players who are haven't fulfilled their contracts but I think you are going to have to get used to it. This sort of horse trading is now the prevalent practice in the NRL and we are late to the show, but are joining in.

I know you’re quoting him, I’m pointing out that the 75k figure is misleading. If he was being 100% straight he’d point out that To’o is on a minimum of $105k next year, when the savings are relevant.

To say I have to get used to it is odd when you’ve just said I should believe Dave O’Neill. If he’s to be believed there’ll be less of this because as he says, they’re getting out of the business of long term deals. Less long term deals should mean less horse trading.

I don't really understand your anger to be honest. I was relieved to know it is part of a plan and the retention committee is looking forward at how we manage the cap. At least there is no vacuum since Gus left. I would direct your anger at players who take big dollars and never give us the value of that contract.

I’m relieved to hear the club won’t be dishing out as many long term contracts, not angry.

Im annoyed that Gus placed faith in 20 year old footy players to deliver after being paid handsome, long term deals. Gus was the adult in the room, his strategy was bad at worse, naive at best.

in fact if we are to believe Dave O’Neill, he thinks the strategy was bad too.





Lastly I’d point out that from a fans perspective the savings may not mean much if we were over the cap for next year. The group CEO said the moves were about salary cap savings, so if this is true it’s unlikely to result in a significant signing.

 

[franklin2323]

Best thing about Naden is only 2 years. To'o also short contract lets hope this is the way we do it going forward

 

[Dave's mate]

Best thing about Naden is only 2 years. To'o also short contract lets hope this is the way we do it going forward

Gus went too far with longer ones but they have a place with the right players

 

[franklin2323]

Gus went too far with longer ones but they have a place with the right players

Of course Latrell's next deal or Trobojevic's should be long term but not every guy that showed promise

 

[OldPanther]

Best thing about Naden is only 2 years. To'o also short contract lets hope this is the way we do it going forward

Yes 5 years is too long.

 

[age.s]

Of course Latrell's next deal or Trobojevic's should be long term but not every guy that showed promise

Not even sure wrt Latrell tbh.