Rumours (signings, sackings & other NRL stuff)

[super_coach]

It’s been going around on Twitter. I would love it

Not sure on this one, certainly would add plenty of starch up front, but age and suspensions are a worry.
Certainly would be a great mentor for our three kid front rowers. Just as long there is cap space to do something with the backline

 

[Ron's_Mate]

Dragons and Tigers consider Matterson-Leilua player swap
By Adrian Proszenko
October 29, 2019 — 8.01pm

Ryan Matterson could head to St George Illawarra on a player swap with Luciano Leilua in a move that would result in the star forward taking on Wests Tigers in the opening weekend of the 2020 season.

Dragons officials met with Matterson’s management on Tuesday to express their interest and work through a range of scenarios with a view to snaring him.

Matterson’s future remains undecided after the Tigers granted him permission to speak to rival clubs despite having two years remaining on his existing deal. The 25-year-old has been excused from training commitments for “personal reasons” until his future is decided.

The Dragons, Eels, Rabbitohs and Titans are among the contenders for Matterson’s signature. However, the Tigers have made it clear they won’t part company unless they get a favourable outcome in the form of a player swap or financial compensation.

That could potentially be satisfied by Leilua, despite the fact he too is currently under contract. The younger brother of Joseph Leilua has made 43 NRL appearances after making his debut in 2016 but hasn’t nailed a starting spot in coach Paul McGregor’s side.

The Samoan international has shown glimpses of the potential that had him earmarked as one of the most promising young forwards in the game but could benefit from a fresh start.

Tigers coach Michael Maguire is assessing all of his options as several clubs attempt to offload players due to salary cap pressures. Cronulla playmaker Matt Moylan and Titans utility AJ Brimson are other targets the Tigers are considering as Maguire attempts to reshape his roster.

Leilua is an attractive proposition given he could help fill the void that Matterson would leave in the forward pack if the fringe NSW backrower is released.

The Dragons are also mindful that lock Jack de Belin can only return to the side if he is acquitted of rape charges. De Belin’s hearing is scheduled to begin on March 2, with an outcome expected just before the start of the 2020 season. Matterson is viewed as a strong addition to the Red V regardless of de Belin’s availability.

With preseason training set to commence for some clubs next week, Matterson is hoping to have his future resolved as soon as possible.

Souths are also a contender for Matterson’s services, particularly if Sam Burgess is forced into premature retirement due to his shoulder issues. How much the Rabbitohs will have to spend will depend on whether the club is granted salary cap dispensation for Burgess.

The transfer market is set to go into overdrive from November 1, the date from which clubs can negotiate with players who are off contract at the end of 2020. The big-name free agents include David Fifita, Jack Wighton, Latrell Mitchell, Jake and Tom Trbojevic, Cody Walker, Jai Arrow, Josh Jackson and Tyson Frizell.

However, there is likely to be more immediate movement as clubs tinker with their rosters ahead of their 2020 campaigns.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/dr...erson-leilua-player-swap-20191029-p535hi.html

 

[Hoofhearted]

Dragons and Tigers consider Matterson-Leilua player swap
By Adrian Proszenko
October 29, 2019 — 8.01pm

Ryan Matterson could head to St George Illawarra on a player swap with Luciano Leilua in a move that would result in the star forward taking on Wests Tigers in the opening weekend of the 2020 season.

Dragons officials met with Matterson’s management on Tuesday to express their interest and work through a range of scenarios with a view to snaring him.

Matterson’s future remains undecided after the Tigers granted him permission to speak to rival clubs despite having two years remaining on his existing deal. The 25-year-old has been excused from training commitments for “personal reasons” until his future is decided.

The Dragons, Eels, Rabbitohs and Titans are among the contenders for Matterson’s signature. However, the Tigers have made it clear they won’t part company unless they get a favourable outcome in the form of a player swap or financial compensation.

That could potentially be satisfied by Leilua, despite the fact he too is currently under contract. The younger brother of Joseph Leilua has made 43 NRL appearances after making his debut in 2016 but hasn’t nailed a starting spot in coach Paul McGregor’s side.

The Samoan international has shown glimpses of the potential that had him earmarked as one of the most promising young forwards in the game but could benefit from a fresh start.

Tigers coach Michael Maguire is assessing all of his options as several clubs attempt to offload players due to salary cap pressures. Cronulla playmaker Matt Moylan and Titans utility AJ Brimson are other targets the Tigers are considering as Maguire attempts to reshape his roster.

Leilua is an attractive proposition given he could help fill the void that Matterson would leave in the forward pack if the fringe NSW backrower is released.

The Dragons are also mindful that lock Jack de Belin can only return to the side if he is acquitted of rape charges. De Belin’s hearing is scheduled to begin on March 2, with an outcome expected just before the start of the 2020 season. Matterson is viewed as a strong addition to the Red V regardless of de Belin’s availability.

With preseason training set to commence for some clubs next week, Matterson is hoping to have his future resolved as soon as possible.

Souths are also a contender for Matterson’s services, particularly if Sam Burgess is forced into premature retirement due to his shoulder issues. How much the Rabbitohs will have to spend will depend on whether the club is granted salary cap dispensation for Burgess.

The transfer market is set to go into overdrive from November 1, the date from which clubs can negotiate with players who are off contract at the end of 2020. The big-name free agents include David Fifita, Jack Wighton, Latrell Mitchell, Jake and Tom Trbojevic, Cody Walker, Jai Arrow, Josh Jackson and Tyson Frizell.

However, there is likely to be more immediate movement as clubs tinker with their rosters ahead of their 2020 campaigns.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/dr...erson-leilua-player-swap-20191029-p535hi.html

I can see this happening, we are losing a potential Origin player and have said we'll put our foot down and only release him if it is a beneficial deal for the club. We have players like Arrow, Brimson, Lomax, Moylan and JWH on the radar that all look like good deals if the money is right, but in the end we do a direct swap for a player with potential but a reputation for being lazy.Back to square one.
I hope this isnt true, Leilua would be a good addition to our squad but he is not a better replacement for Matterson. If they throw in Lomax as well then its a good deal.

 

[Tiger05]

I reckon Leilua can be a beast at times but Matterson is a consistent high performer with a lot to his game. It's not even close to a fair trade.

I still can't see how this is going to work out for us. We need someone like Arrow as a straight swap. Maybe we can chuck in some extra money that we would chuck in for Matterson anyway but that isn't a favourable deal for us.

 

[Tigerm]

Interesting that Souths have announced Sam Burgess retirement today, when tomorrow is open slather day for signings?
Anyway, I hope the man will be OK and likes his new job as water boy for the club at $1m a season.

Edit: Sorry, trading day starts Friday, not tomorrow.

 

[Tcoggs]

Interesting that Souths have announced Sam Burgess retirement today, when tomorrow is open slather day for signings?
Anyway, I hope the man will be OK and likes his new job as water boy for the club at $1m a season.

He will stay in Mexico......Big chested wenches riding his shoulders and partying.
His wife is probably glad to see the back of him if this is how he behaves after breaking up.

 

[Tcoggs]

JWH wont come to a losing culture.
Rather The Arrowman.....Not sold on AJ Brimson though.

 

[Magpies Forever]

From what I can tell from the publicly floated information on player swaps for matterson, rival clubs are only looking to swap similar dollar value players for him. Seems a reasonable viewpoint by the bean counters. Unfortunately, WT have a unique situation in matterson emerging as a gun player whilst in the first season of a general value forward contract. So, for it to be of greater value to WT it would seem that the successful offering club in a swap would also have to take one of WT unwanted players - even if we had to pay a reasonable chunk of their salary for the existing WT contract period. It would free up a spot and give us some more salary cap money for the madness due to begin 1 November.

 

[axl rose]

Anyway, I hope the man will be OK and likes his new job as water boy for the club at $1m a season.

Wrong, that's Inglis's job. The new lunchroom cashier though looks oddly familiar.

What is the news on Matalino, the NRL is a complete farce.

 

[Perth Tiger]

So are we ever going to find out what is happening with Ben Matulino? Burgess seems to be getting resolved fairly quickly while we have been waiting 6 months.

 

[Perth Tiger]

Wrong, that's Inglis's job. The new lunchroom cashier though looks oddly familiar.

What is the news on Matalino, the NRL is a complete farce.

Ha, same comment at the same time. Seems everything is thinking about it except the NRL

 

[axl rose]

Ha, same comment at the same time. Seems everything is thinking about it except the NRL

The double standards. Not our problem but they are blocking Rapanas move from playing Rugby to going back to Raiders mid next year. Though Gasnier returned from French rugby mid year and showed up in a prelim final against us...

 

[Vic Mackey]

The double standards. Not our problem but they are blocking Rapanas move from playing Rugby to going back to Raiders mid next year. Though Gasnier returned from French rugby mid year and showed up in a prelim final against us...

and Hayne comes back from the NFL to go straight into the Titans, who were owned at the time by the NRL

 

[Perth Tiger]

The double standards. Not our problem but they are blocking Rapanas move from playing Rugby to going back to Raiders mid next year. Though Gasnier returned from French rugby mid year and showed up in a prelim final against us...

Wasn't Benji thinking about doing the same at one stage and was blocked by the NRL so didn't end up going?

 

[Tigerm]

JWH wont come to a losing culture.

Well, he's had our coach in his ear for the last few weeks, so you never know.

 

[Ned Kelly]

So are we ever going to find out what is happening with Ben Matulino? Burgess seems to be getting resolved fairly quickly while we have been waiting 6 months.

I'm sure the NRL will be consistent and give Souths an answer about May next year.

 

[WT2K]

 

[Tcoggs]

Well, he's had our coach in his ear for the last few weeks, so you never know.

We really need an enforcer without Matulino and Packer.
The Twal Doll didn’t set the world on fire this year.......The Doll was worn out early in the year playing way too many minutes....
I’m worried he has peaked already in his NRL career.

 

[Tcoggs]

I reckon Leilua can be a beast at times but Matterson is a consistent high performer with a lot to his game. It's not even close to a fair trade.

I still can't see how this is going to work out for us. We need someone like Arrow as a straight swap. Maybe we can chuck in some extra money that we would chuck in for Matterson anyway but that isn't a favourable deal for us.

Don’t want this guy from Dragons......benchie at best
We need to do a better deal,someone with more impact is needed.

 

[Fordy20]

Don’t want this guy from Dragons......benchie at best
We need to do a better deal,someone with more impact is needed.

Agreed. Would take Frizell on a straight swap, but only take Leulia if he is a package dealmwith Lomax