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Rumours and Stuff

Glenneel

Bench
Messages
3,457
November 1 has passed and Drown is still unsigned beyond next year. Believe Nrown and Mahoney in same position, all free agents to sign elsewhere. This makes me nervous as the club has been sitting on its hands while a plethora of promising juniors have simply been signed by other clubs. All these players should have already been signed up before the due date and we're in real danger of them going elsewhere. O'Neill has been praised for signing players for their true value, now he should be criticised for being tardy in re-signing players. We'll pay for this, either through paying higher than wanting to because they have received offers from elsewhere or we lose the players we want to keep.
 

Glenneel

Bench
Messages
3,457
On the nrl.com website
Wests Tigers snare teen tyro Utoikamanu from Eels' grasp
The Wests Tigers have snuck under the guard of Parramatta to steal one of the hottest young talents in the game on a three-year deal.

The Tigers have secured the services of hulking prop Stefano Utoikamanu from 2021 with one of the largest contracts for a player yet to make his NRL debut, understood to be worth around $800,000.
Did BA even speak to him? Apparently not. Shouldn't of even come to this, he should have been re-signed before 1 Nov!!! And BA should have played him in at least one game before the finals to at least show him he was wanted, especially as those playing were offering very little and were leaving. We've shit the bed big time here.
 

hineyrulz

Post Whore
Messages
148,714
November 1 has passed and Drown is still unsigned beyond next year. Believe Nrown and Mahoney in same position, all free agents to sign elsewhere. This makes me nervous as the club has been sitting on its hands while a plethora of promising juniors have simply been signed by other clubs. All these players should have already been signed up before the due date and we're in real danger of them going elsewhere. O'Neill has been praised for signing players for their true value, now he should be criticised for being tardy in re-signing players. We'll pay for this, either through paying higher than wanting to because they have received offers from elsewhere or we lose the players we want to keep.
Kaufusi also un-signed. Don't worry though we still have Gowie and Davey.
 

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
84,801
November 1 has passed and Drown is still unsigned beyond next year. Believe Nrown and Mahoney in same position, all free agents to sign elsewhere. This makes me nervous as the club has been sitting on its hands while a plethora of promising juniors have simply been signed by other clubs. All these players should have already been signed up before the due date and we're in real danger of them going elsewhere. O'Neill has been praised for signing players for their true value, now he should be criticised for being tardy in re-signing players. We'll pay for this, either through paying higher than wanting to because they have received offers from elsewhere or we lose the players we want to keep.
I'd rather lose these merkins than pay too much. We've proven we can find players to fill holes in our roster. If we lose Drown and/or Mahoney we can get replacements (at decent price) for 2021.
 

Eelementary

Post Whore
Messages
56,181
Ryan Matterson.
No, but seriously . . . what if Stefano suddenly isn't happy at the Eels ?
Isn't in the right headspace ?
Doesn't feel appreciated ?
Wants to play 5/8 ?
Isn't seeing eye to eye with the coach ?
To be fair . . . your club seems to know all the tricks to keep spoilt little girls happy and playing well, so who knows ?

Bit harsh to call Maika Sivo a spoilt little girl, but I see your point.
 

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
84,801
Did BA even speak to him? Apparently not. Shouldn't of even come to this, he should have been re-signed before 1 Nov!!! And BA should have played him in at least one game before the finals to at least show him he was wanted, especially as those playing were offering very little and were leaving. We've shit the bed big time here.
If the player wants top dollar the only way to retain him before 1 November is by offering overs. The players (and manager) know how much they can get if they hold out until November because other clubs tell them.
 

Glenneel

Bench
Messages
3,457
Think he potentially could do it as a bench option for 20 or so mins a game (which he has done) but not sure he has the ability to be our starting hooker if Reed is injured.
Reckon Schneider will get a development contract and be backup for Mahoney. As only other replacement hooker we'll get dispensation from NRL to play him if Mahoney injured, that's my guess.
 

chiefy1

Juniors
Messages
2,480
Reckon Schneider will get a development contract and be backup for Mahoney. As only other replacement hooker we'll get dispensation from NRL to play him if Mahoney injured, that's my guess.

Stone will be back up hooker in the 17.
 

Glenneel

Bench
Messages
3,457
I'd rather lose these merkins than pay too much. We've proven we can find players to fill holes in our roster. If we lose Drown and/or Mahoney we can get replacements (at decent price) for 2021.
You're joking right? Its taken us 6 years to assemble this squad, probably our best team since 2001, and you reckon there are a plethora of good hookers and halves available? Who are they and why haven't the Broncos got them? They've just signed Brodie Croft as well as upgrading many of their squad. Their sombrero is even bigger than Roosters. Nothing to see there NRL, after all they're only interested in investigating the other 14 clubs.
 

Glenneel

Bench
Messages
3,457
If the player wants top dollar the only way to retain him before 1 November is by offering overs. The players (and manager) know how much they can get if they hold out until November because other clubs tell them.
We wouldn't have paid top dollar but probably would have got him for minimum (or near enough) wage for next year and an upgrade thereafter if any good.
 

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
84,801
You're joking right? Its taken us 6 years to assemble this squad, probably our best team since 2001, and you reckon there are a plethora of good hookers and halves available? Who are they and why haven't the Broncos got them? They've just signed Brodie Croft as well as upgrading many of their squad. Their sombrero is even bigger than Roosters. Nothing to see there NRL, after all they're only interested in investigating the other 14 clubs.
For 2021 there are plenty of halves and hookers available, but you're unlikely to overrate them because they're not Parra 'juniors' like Kiwi Drown and QLD Mahoney.
 

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
84,801
We wouldn't have paid top dollar but probably would have got him for minimum (or near enough) wage for next year and an upgrade thereafter if any good.
A recent article says we offered minimum halfway through the year and he wasn't happy with it. Or do you think we offered less than minimum? Or made no offer at all?
 
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