Silly Season 2025/26

[Beavers Headgear]

 

[Matua]

Does Super League pay overs? I didn't think they could, with limited salary cap compared to the NRL. Maybe overs for below average players?

I honestly don't think the NRL needed to do this, nor should do this. Let someone like Papi go to R360, and find out how hollow playing the game for $$$ without any relevance to it feels like. He'll likely come rushing back. And people like RTS, for one last pay day, they'd go to Japanese rugby etc anyway.

We have one of the most entertaining, meaningful, passionate codes in the world (bias I know, but I believe it) and if people think money will warm their cockles over that, good riddance. We won't miss Papi, Lomax etc.

I'm not singling out the posts in this thread, but this forum seems to have gone a bit loopy over Rugby 360. The Rugby Australia to target top NRL talent thread has been going on about it for pages. I'm on two actual rugby forums and it's barely been talked about in comparison.

I really don't think it's going to happen, I could be wrong, but it just seems pie in the sky, good rugby players aren't wanting to go to it because that's their test career over, and why would league players want to learn a new game in a travelling circus, and no fans care about it because there'll be no attachment to the teams (which is why it's not analogous to Superleague in the 90s).

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Still a good option for a retirement package, ala RTS.

Personally, while I get the potential money being talked about is huge, I still don't really see how R360 will be an existential threat to the NRL. Super League pays overs, so does French Rugby, Japanese Rugby, etc. But players still want to play in the NRL because it's the toughest comp, means a better legacy, etc.

Yeah I knew a factory player once who took overs to play esl. Part of the attraction was the life experience for the family for a few years. Live in another country, kids went to school there. It was pretty good.

Some marquee players have done a lot in our game, they want new horizons and they all have a shelf life.

So many reasons to consider it as an option.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Metcalf to test the open market

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

I'm not singling out the posts in this thread, but this forum seems to have gone a bit loopy over Rugby 360. The Rugby Australia to target top NRL talent thread has been going on about it for pages. I'm on two actual rugby forums and it's barely been talked about in comparison.

I really don't think it's going to happen, I could be wrong, but it just seems pie in the sky, good rugby players aren't wanting to go to it because that's their test career over, and why would league players want to learn a new game in a travelling circus, and no fans care about it because there'll be no attachment to the teams (which is why it's not analogous to Superleague in the 90s).

I think the forum interest is just reflective of league media coverage. And similarly, the lack of discussion in rugby forums is reflective of rugby media’s ambivalence (so far). We’re all just along for the ride.

Yesterday - in between taking toilet selfies - Gus said the NRL had overreacted with their ban policy, but also that all the speculation was giving R360 free publicity.

Which is kinda stating the obvious, except I think its self-perpetuating, as in the game is doing it to itself, rather than some clever PR strategy by R360.

I reckon all the coverage is actively being pushed by league insiders pushing their own agendas... agents trying to push up prices, and club officials looking to destabilise other clubs.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Metcalf to test the open market

Ah shit, although perhaps unsurprising.

Given his injury history, understandable if the club was wary about tabling a big contract.

But for the same reason, understandable Metcalf trying to maximise what could be his last shot at signing a big deal.

 

[Matua]

I think the forum interest is just reflective of league media coverage. And similarly, the lack of discussion in rugby forums is reflective of rugby media’s ambivalence (so far). We’re all just along for the ride.

Yesterday - in between taking toilet selfies - Gus said the NRL had overreacted with their ban policy, but also that all the speculation was giving R360 free publicity.

Which is kinda stating the obvious, except I think its self-perpetuating, as in the game is doing it to itself, rather than some clever PR strategy by R360.

I reckon all the coverage is actively being pushed by league insiders pushing their own agendas... agents trying to push up prices, and club officials looking to destabilise other clubs.

Metcalf to test the open market

Half a good 1st grade season and he's looking to head off ... I kind of hope he gets a contract and leaves now.

Edit: TBF maybe the offer from the Warriors was terrible, I'm happy to direct my ire at them if need be.

 

[Rich102]

Tell me more Matua.
What have the Warriors offered?

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Half a good 1st grade season and he's looking to head off ... I kind of hope he gets a contract and leaves now.

Edit: TBF maybe the offer from the Warriors was terrible, I'm happy to direct my ire at them if need be.

Maybe testing the market for ’27 is part of positioning himself to consider a PNG stint from '28.

According to Abdo in this article, the tax free agreement is locked in, and as far as security concerns – short of living on a military base, a private island isn't bad.

If I was Metcalf, given age and injury history, I’d do it. Even with a young family.

A private island and tax-free wages: This is the NRL’s master plan for the PNG Chiefs

A five-star resort complete with its own private island 15 minutes off the coast of Port Moresby has emerged as the NRL’s preferred option to house PNG Chiefs players, officials and their families.

www.smh.com.au

 

[Penrose Warrior]

It was always a chance that Metcalf would up and go with any level of good footy behind them, that would attract clubs, be they desperate ones or not.

Problem is, we instantly become a bottom 8 side without him at 7. I truly believe that. And this year bore that out.

Half a good season, for sure, but the guy led the Dally Ms and comfortably through that time. We lose that, what else do we have? We absolutely need that game-breaking spark in the spine, we don't have it anywhere else.

I get it, it's hard to think we'd 'overpay' for a guy with his long list of injury issues, based on 10-12 rounds of form, but we just might have to. Otherwise if we can't find spark anywhere in 1-6-7-9, and quick, we're back to being a bottom 6 side.

 

[Izz]

Not at all surprised Metcalf is testing the open market. Him coming over always had a bit of a James Maloney feel to it, and he's probably smart with his injury history to try to land a big contract from a team who's willing to pay in the hope he'll last a full season. Are the Bears an option? Not sure what other FG halves will be available 2027 for them? Boyd maybe?

I figure the club's always figured he wasn't going to be here long-term, too, as we have a few good young half prospects on the books:

Jack Thompson - he'll turn 19 January next year, so should still be eligible for SG-ball. Top tier talent, imo, but probably still a couple years away from FG
Luke Hanson - from what i've read the club has a development option on him for 2026, but can't confirm that. Maybe not the same raw talent as the rest of the list, but pretty quick and gives it everything
Jye Linnane - 5/8th, but fast
Jett Cleary
Harry Inch

Unsure on the status of the 2 first choice 2025 Harold Matts halves, Christiano Elia and Alapati Tusa Soagia but you have to assume they'll be back in 2026.

Our halves future looks pretty good, imo.

Off contract end of 2026:

TMM
CHT
Boyd
Metcalf

Metcalf probably won't be fit until a couple months into next season anyway, so we're likely to see a Boyd-CHT pairing to begin regardless of whether Metcalf has a contract elsewhere for 2027 or not.

 

[Matua]

It was always a chance that Metcalf would up and go with any level of good footy behind them, that would attract clubs, be they desperate ones or not.

Problem is, we instantly become a bottom 8 side without him at 7. I truly believe that. And this year bore that out.

Half a good season, for sure, but the guy led the Dally Ms and comfortably through that time. We lose that, what else do we have? We absolutely need that game-breaking spark in the spine, we don't have it anywhere else.

I get it, it's hard to think we'd 'overpay' for a guy with his long list of injury issues, based on 10-12 rounds of form, but we just might have to. Otherwise if we can't find spark anywhere in 1-6-7-9, and quick, we're back to being a bottom 6 side.

We were a bottom 8 side without Leka saving our bacon even when we had Metcalf.

As you put it he's had half a good season (at 26). Egan had a full great season, was being talked about for higher honours yet he's drifted back to his level.

Tell me more Matua.
What have the Warriors offered?

Why are you asking me? I specifically said "maybe" indicating I have no idea.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Josh Aloaia officially medically retired from rugby league today. Am hearing Lachlan Croker is about to follow him down the same path

Also read a headline about a 19 year old rep player that has also had to do the same, that is bloody tough

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Warriors have tabled a 2 year extension to Metcalf, he must be slightly disappointed with the money not to take it

Dragons and Bears reportedly very keen

 

[Penrose Warrior]

We were a bottom 8 side without Leka saving our bacon even when we had Metcalf.

As you put it he's had half a good season (at 26). Egan had a full great season, was being talked about for higher honours yet he's drifted back to his level.

Not sure I agree with that. Leka 'saved us' once, while Metcalf was playing. We beat the Broncos, Roosters, Sharks, and were tracking mid-season 2 points behind the Dogs who were 1st. No doubt our draw was pretty decent, but the fact we beat the premiers (OK they weren't in great form but they were the same guys) and the top 4 Sharks suggests 'we were a bottom 8 side' doesn't sit right with me

No doubt that also include Barnett, for whom our loss meant a massive departure of leadership and probably - shout out to Meth - meant Ford played way too many minutes.

Egan is a much different player. He was never an Origin player, people got carried away. He's too small, and apart from 2023, has never really put a full season together due to injuries, lack of form usually through the colder, wetter months where his running game goes missing, etc.

 

[Matua]

Not sure I agree with that. Leka 'saved us' once, while Metcalf was playing. We beat the Broncos, Roosters, Sharks, and were tracking mid-season 2 points behind the Dogs who were 1st. No doubt our draw was pretty decent, but the fact we beat the premiers (OK they weren't in great form but they were the same guys) and the top 4 Sharks suggests 'we were a bottom 8 side' doesn't sit right with me

No doubt that also include Barnett, for whom our loss meant a massive departure of leadership and probably - shout out to Meth - meant Ford played way too many minutes.

Egan is a much different player. He was never an Origin player, people got carried away. He's too small, and apart from 2023, has never really put a full season together due to injuries, lack of form usually through the colder, wetter months where his running game goes missing, etc.

That save was massive, without it I don't think we have our run of great form. I guess we have to agree to disagree here as it did happen, and we don't know what happened in the alternate timelines.

Ford didn't have to play way too many minutes, that's a coaching decision, and it really bit us in the ass at the tail end of the season.

And I think the same that applies to Egan could apply to Metcalf. He hit a purple patch of form. We don't know if that's his new normal or if it's just a bump like Egan's 23.

 

[Matua]

Jack Thompson - he'll turn 19 January next year, so should still be eligible for SG-ball. Top tier talent, imo, but probably still a couple years away from FG
Luke Hanson - from what i've read the club has a development option on him for 2026, but can't confirm that. Maybe not the same raw talent as the rest of the list, but pretty quick and gives it everything
Jye Linnane - 5/8th, but fast
Jett Cleary
Harry Inch

In all honesty that list just annoys the f**k out of me. Especially with Cam George's "we're going to develop NZers" claims. That's 4 Australians* and a dude who as far as anyone knows hasn't played league.

Even if the Harold Mathews guys come through they may have their paths blocked by some of this lot.

* and yes I know Jet is technically a Kiwi.

 

[Izz]

In all honesty that list just annoys the f**k out of me. Especially with Cam George's "we're going to develop NZers" claims. That's 4 Australians* and a dude who as far as anyone knows hasn't played league.

Even if the Harold Mathews guys come through they may have their paths blocked by some of this lot.

* and yes I know Jet is technically a Kiwi.

I hear ya, but I think once our NRL junior pathways have been around a few more seasons we won't need to go to Australia for halves.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

I hear ya, but I think once our NRL junior pathways have been around a few more seasons we won't need to go to Australia for halves.

Yea man. Our record for developing halves locally is pretty shit but probably unsurprising given our pathways have been patchwork at best, even during the NYC years.

Last year was the first time we’ve ever had a full pathway from Mats to NRL, so hopefully we’ll unearth a local gem or two in the next few years.

 

[Izz]

Watching Fiji v Cook Islands. Fiji easily the better team (when they can be bothered, that is) but one shining light for the Cooks is our Caelys-Paul Putoko. Real talent, that kid. Look out for him forcing his way into FG sooner rather than later