I think we are hamstrung with cap restrictions untill start of 27 when Sullivan’s $ is freed up etc I think for AD maybe $450 on a good day and a higher figure from ‘27 .. locked in on this contract
Agree. There is the issue with Sullivan. Also, I don't know if Richo had factored into the equation AD'S explosion of great form of late.
I'd strangle the cap until we have everything sorted. No more KOE Cup std signings.
When we return from the bye, and AD puts in more sterling efforts, what then. His price will keep increasing. If we haven't secured his services by then at the current price, we maybe forced to pay overs or let him go.
That lowball first offer should have been at the current offer and take it or leave it. He would have signed imo.
I seem to be on my Pat Malone when I say AD is not a ½. He is a natural lock.
Even Cooper Cronk says AD should be our long term ½.
Matty Johns, who I rate better as a judge agrees with me though.
The thing is, AD is a naturally gifted running player and has in the past stifled the attack because he tried to do too much. However, in the wet, his style of play was perfect on Sunday.
At lock, on a dry track, his role is more defined in attack, like it is in set type plays, block plays but still be able to make a dash if something opens up.
He'll actually touch the ball more often because he's not restricted to a side of the field.
Amongst traffic he seems to defend better than when isolated where he used to arm grab.
Over the off season he could refine his lock role even further.
Was Madden recruited because Benji feels Latu isn't ready atm. We don't know how Latu has trained or what they talk about. Maybe Latu is having trouble running Benji's style of play???