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2020 Rabbitohs Rumours, Signings and News

callmack1

Moderator
Staff member
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12,155
If you'd asked me whether the Roosters would release Latrell to us for 2020 a few weeks ago, I would've said hell no but it's seemingly becomming more and more likely! I hope so!
 

callmack1

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
12,155
Promising article from The Age. God, I would friggin love both Arrow and Mitchell here for 2020!! Honestly, how incredible would that be?! Gonna take a lot of work to get there though if we even can at all. A lot of water still to go under the bridge.

Souths on target to snare Arrow as Mitchell left to sweat on future


South Sydney were hopeful of securing the prized signature of Jai Arrow, possibly overnight, and now they want their man at Redfern for 2020.

Sources close to the negotiations told the Herald the Titans could be persuaded to part ways with their Queensland Origin prop a year early should they be compensated with a cash payment and another player.

Should Souths snare Arrow – in the same week they retained Cody Walker on a $1.3 million, two-year deal – it could mean Latrell Mitchell’s own Redfern dreams will need to wait until the new year.

The Bunnies will need to move on a player, or possibly two, to accommodate Mitchell should Arrow head south and fill the all-important role in the middle vacated by Sam Burgess.
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Dane Gagai was linked to the Titans during the season and still has two years to run on his $700,000-a-season deal.

One club that made it clear yesterday they no longer had a contract on the table, nor an appetite for Mitchell, was Wests Tigers.

Tigers boss Justin Pascoe said the club’s multimillion-dollar offer, believed to be over three years, was pulled more than a month ago and there was ‘‘no offer on the table for Latrell from the Tigers’’.

‘‘The reality is we only want players that want to be here at the club. We are a proud club and one that is becoming a destination club where staff and players want to be.’’

Souths and Mitchell seem the perfect fit given the Bunnies’ need for a fullback and the strong links to the Indigenous community.

The Titans were linked to Mitchell but have struggled to arrange a meeting with the centre.
Some rival clubs have already contacted the NRL to ensure any deal offered to Mitchell was at market value, with the starting point $800,000 – which was what the Roosters initially offered to retain him – not one that was heavily topped up by third-party agreements.

Mitchell is expected to meet with NSW coach Brad Fittler in Taree on Thursday as the Blues visit the region hit hard by recent bushfires.

As reported in the Herald on Monday, Mitchell’s current employers are hopeful of having his future sorted out by the new year. The Roosters have already paid out the first two months of Mitchell’s deal, believed to be about $120,000, as he enjoys an extended break on the NSW north coast.

Arrow would be a wonderful addition to the Souths pack, which loses Burgess and his brother George, as well as the experience of John Sutton. The chance to start alongside Liam Knight, also 24, would make them the most exciting prop pairing in the game.

Meanwhile, Cody Walker said of his new two-year deal at Redfern: ‘‘South Sydney is my home and I didn’t want to play for anyone else. There’s really no other option for me. It was my priority to stay here and I’m glad the club and my management were able to come to an agreement before Christmas so we can enjoy this special time of year as a family.’’

Souths boss Shane Richardson added: ‘‘He is South Sydney through and through ... he is a quality footballer from a great family and we’re looking forward to seeing him take a greater leadership role.’’
 

Rabbits20

Immortal
Messages
42,059
Promising article from The Age. God, I would friggin love both Arrow and Mitchell here for 2020!! Honestly, how incredible would that be?! Gonna take a lot of work to get there though if we even can at all. A lot of water still to go under the bridge.

Souths on target to snare Arrow as Mitchell left to sweat on future


South Sydney were hopeful of securing the prized signature of Jai Arrow, possibly overnight, and now they want their man at Redfern for 2020.

Sources close to the negotiations told the Herald the Titans could be persuaded to part ways with their Queensland Origin prop a year early should they be compensated with a cash payment and another player.

Should Souths snare Arrow – in the same week they retained Cody Walker on a $1.3 million, two-year deal – it could mean Latrell Mitchell’s own Redfern dreams will need to wait until the new year.

The Bunnies will need to move on a player, or possibly two, to accommodate Mitchell should Arrow head south and fill the all-important role in the middle vacated by Sam Burgess.
Advertisement

Dane Gagai was linked to the Titans during the season and still has two years to run on his $700,000-a-season deal.

One club that made it clear yesterday they no longer had a contract on the table, nor an appetite for Mitchell, was Wests Tigers.

Tigers boss Justin Pascoe said the club’s multimillion-dollar offer, believed to be over three years, was pulled more than a month ago and there was ‘‘no offer on the table for Latrell from the Tigers’’.

‘‘The reality is we only want players that want to be here at the club. We are a proud club and one that is becoming a destination club where staff and players want to be.’’

Souths and Mitchell seem the perfect fit given the Bunnies’ need for a fullback and the strong links to the Indigenous community.

The Titans were linked to Mitchell but have struggled to arrange a meeting with the centre.
Some rival clubs have already contacted the NRL to ensure any deal offered to Mitchell was at market value, with the starting point $800,000 – which was what the Roosters initially offered to retain him – not one that was heavily topped up by third-party agreements.

Mitchell is expected to meet with NSW coach Brad Fittler in Taree on Thursday as the Blues visit the region hit hard by recent bushfires.

As reported in the Herald on Monday, Mitchell’s current employers are hopeful of having his future sorted out by the new year. The Roosters have already paid out the first two months of Mitchell’s deal, believed to be about $120,000, as he enjoys an extended break on the NSW north coast.

Arrow would be a wonderful addition to the Souths pack, which loses Burgess and his brother George, as well as the experience of John Sutton. The chance to start alongside Liam Knight, also 24, would make them the most exciting prop pairing in the game.

Meanwhile, Cody Walker said of his new two-year deal at Redfern: ‘‘South Sydney is my home and I didn’t want to play for anyone else. There’s really no other option for me. It was my priority to stay here and I’m glad the club and my management were able to come to an agreement before Christmas so we can enjoy this special time of year as a family.’’

Souths boss Shane Richardson added: ‘‘He is South Sydney through and through ... he is a quality footballer from a great family and we’re looking forward to seeing him take a greater leadership role.’’

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...11610948d632aa&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium


Article from the Daily Telegraph tonight @callmack1 I had too highlight that part in the article in bold, Mitchell could be playing this perfectly! The more Easts become agitated by this the better imo lads!

Not so positive news re Arrow though, my fingers are still crossed, going off this article it would seem Meninga is still pretty confident of Arrow staying up there.





It is the stunning twist that could potentially gift wrap Latrell Mitchell to South Sydney for a Christmas bargain.

As the fight for Gold Coast forward Jai Arrow intensified on the back of Cody Walker agreeing to a two-year extension at the Rabbitohs, Mal Meninga revealed that the Titans have now gone cold on trying to land the Sydney Roosters’s out-of-favour star centre.

With Wests Tigers also all but ruling out making a play for Mitchell, what this means is that the 22-year-old’s only remaining hope of getting away from Bondi next season could be if he can work out a cut-price deal to join the Roosters’ arch rivals before the New Year.

It remains to be seen how the NRL would view that given Mitchell has already turned down an $800,000 upgrade at the Roosters and the Tigers’ $1 million-a-season approach.

While it is believed the Tigers would still be willing to talk if Mitchell indicated he was keen, as it stands parties said to be acting on Mitchell’s behalf appear zoned in on Redfern as the preferred and perhaps only destination.

Many think the Roosters wouldn’t want Mitchell playing with their sworn enemies next year but it has now got to the point where all parties just want the matter settled.

Otherwise Mitchell will be forced to return to Roosters training on January 6 and it could get even more embarrassing for everyone involved.

Souths maintain they are not actively pursuing Mitchell but it definitely sounds like his advisers are pursuing Souths with great gusto.

There was even talk Mitchell had personally contacted Bennett but that has been disputed.

One thing the Titans won’t do is surrender Arrow without a fight.

While the Rabbitohs were anticipating Arrow could have given them a double pre-Christmas bonus by agreeing to a deal on Wednesday, the tough Queensland Origin forward instead went away with his Gold Coast teammates on a camp to Coffs Harbour.

Although Arrow’s future is well and truly still up in the air, Meninga was adamant the 24-year-old had indicated “he wants to stay and we want to keep him”.

Meninga also indicated no talks had eventuated with Mitchell or his management since the Titans expressed some interest in setting up a meeting several weeks ago.

While South Sydney have been steadfast all along they don’t have the money available in their cap to fit Walker, Arrow and Mitchell all in for 2020, that could change if Arrow remained on the Gold Coast next season.

Although it would make little sense using up the majority of Sam Burgess’s former salary to pay Mitchell in place of a big name middle forward, now the Rabbitohs could potentially land Mitchell and Arrow for the $1.2 million they previously paid Burgess.

Mitchell was said to be on $700,000 next year at the Roosters, and they have already paid his November and December wages and will still have to pick up the tab for January.

That would take the best part of $200,000 off Mitchell’s salary before he even agrees to a new deal.

No wonder he doesn’t appear to be in a rush to get any deal done.


Meninga was also not backing down in regards to Arrow, saying the Titans were even prepared to increase their current offer to try and match the Rabbitohs’ lucrative offer.

“There is a great will to get it done,” Meninga said.

“We are going to keep working on it but hopefully it can be finalised before Christmas.”

Asked if he was still confident Arrow would extend his future at the club, Meninga said: “Yeah, I am.”

Meanwhile, Walker’s deal will keep him at the Rabbitohs for at least three more seasons.

“I’m really happy to have this contract signed. South Sydney is my home and I didn’t want to play for anyone else,” Walker said.

Rabbitohs general manager of football, Shane Richardson added: “Cody’s game went to a new level in 2019, as did his leadership.

“He is one of the most potent attacking players in the competition and he showed he has the resolve to be one of the best defensive halves in the NRL as well.
 

Rabbits20

Immortal
Messages
42,059
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...s/news-story/f0f03de174e885cdb003ab7358ed0a7b[/URL]


Jai Arrow could be a Bunny by Christmas. The Titans may get an Origin star and cash in return


South Sydney are confident of signing Jai Arrow – and reckon they can get their man to Redfern for the start of the new season.


And more still, they could land Latrell Mitchell, too.


Both The Daily Telegraph and Sydney Morning Herald say that Souths are confident of getting Arrow over the line in the coming days to sure up their pack in the wake of Sam Burgess’ retirement.


And the Gold Coast Titans are reportedly warming to the idea of letting Arrow walk away from the final year of his deal to join the Bunnies – only on the condition that they can get some cash and another player in return.


That’s despite chairman Denis Watt saying earlier this month that the club would not entertain the idea.


“Our focus is on retaining Jai and extending his contract, and [releasing him early] is not something we’ll consider,” Watt said.


“Jai is rock solid. He’s a real asset to this club, the game and the Gold Coast community.


“We are hopeful things will be resolved by next week. We think a decision is imminent.


That was almost three weeks ago, and the Titans have yet to nail down the off-contract Queensland forward to a new deal.


Around the same time Souths coach Wayne Bennett compared Arrow to the recently-retired Burgess and said: “Me and Jai work great together. He knows if he comes to South Sydney I will want him here. It’s a great club with a lot of tradition and Jai would fit in well here.


“I let Jai go at the Broncos. I was honest with him. I told him he was ready for first grade and he was stuck behind a few blokes and he deserved to get an opportunity somewhere else. I have been proven right on that.”


Souths have reportedly made moves to offer Dane Gagai to rivals, and the Titans might be open to the idea of bringing in an Origin winger to soften the blow of Arrow’s exit.


Alex Johnston has also been linked to the Wests Tigers, but by taking the PNG back to Concord – and Gagai possibly moving to the Titans – it would leave Souths with the cash to make a play for Mitchell.
 

Rabbits20

Immortal
Messages
42,059
I can’t believe we’d have to let both AJ and Gagai go, where did all our cap space go?

GI’s money, Sam’s money, George, Sutto, Turner and Britt.....

If we have to release both AJ and Gagai something is wrong!

That is unless Richo and co have even more planned for 2021 we don’t know about!
 

Peter Quinn

Juniors
Messages
984
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...s/news-story/f0f03de174e885cdb003ab7358ed0a7b[/URL]


Jai Arrow could be a Bunny by Christmas. The Titans may get an Origin star and cash in return


South Sydney are confident of signing Jai Arrow – and reckon they can get their man to Redfern for the start of the new season.


And more still, they could land Latrell Mitchell, too.


Both The Daily Telegraph and Sydney Morning Herald say that Souths are confident of getting Arrow over the line in the coming days to sure up their pack in the wake of Sam Burgess’ retirement.


And the Gold Coast Titans are reportedly warming to the idea of letting Arrow walk away from the final year of his deal to join the Bunnies – only on the condition that they can get some cash and another player in return.


That’s despite chairman Denis Watt saying earlier this month that the club would not entertain the idea.


“Our focus is on retaining Jai and extending his contract, and [releasing him early] is not something we’ll consider,” Watt said.


“Jai is rock solid. He’s a real asset to this club, the game and the Gold Coast community.


“We are hopeful things will be resolved by next week. We think a decision is imminent.


That was almost three weeks ago, and the Titans have yet to nail down the off-contract Queensland forward to a new deal.


Around the same time Souths coach Wayne Bennett compared Arrow to the recently-retired Burgess and said: “Me and Jai work great together. He knows if he comes to South Sydney I will want him here. It’s a great club with a lot of tradition and Jai would fit in well here.


“I let Jai go at the Broncos. I was honest with him. I told him he was ready for first grade and he was stuck behind a few blokes and he deserved to get an opportunity somewhere else. I have been proven right on that.”


Souths have reportedly made moves to offer Dane Gagai to rivals, and the Titans might be open to the idea of bringing in an Origin winger to soften the blow of Arrow’s exit.


Alex Johnston has also been linked to the Wests Tigers, but by taking the PNG back to Concord – and Gagai possibly moving to the Titans – it would leave Souths with the cash to make a play for Mitchell.
Lookin Gooood
 
Messages
15,499
I can’t believe we’d have to let both AJ and Gagai go, where did all our cap space go?

GI’s money, Sam’s money, George, Sutto, Turner and Britt.....

If we have to release both AJ and Gagai something is wrong!

That is unless Richo and co have even more planned for 2021 we don’t know about!

If the media were correct, I think some of that cap space went on signing James Roberts mid-season.
 

handyman2190

Bench
Messages
3,738
I can’t believe we’d have to let both AJ and Gagai go, where did all our cap space go?

GI’s money, Sam’s money, George, Sutto, Turner and Britt.....

If we have to release both AJ and Gagai something is wrong!

That is unless Richo and co have even more planned for 2021 we don’t know about!
Lowe and knight came in on low money beginning of the season and played well, so they needed upgrading,especially knight,we are trying to extend him but his mger is playing hard ball, he has also been added to the emerging blues squad, so if he was on say 150 his price now would be close to 400, that money has to come from somewhere, same with lowe who played origin.
We have 2 backs AJ who wants the FB position and money,who obviously is average ,he is a good winger not a FB, so he isnt happy,he also was off the field a fair bit this season, so shift him and we save his reported 350k
Gagai at 700 to play on the wing is ridiculous who would u rather, mitchel at 800k who is a beast and kicks goals and can win a game on his own or 700 for gagai who let moses suli drag him, so ok we have to pay 200k for 2 years for gagai, but we get a superior game breaker,and Arrow comes immediately, i know what id do
 

Rabbit57

Juniors
Messages
214
An offer has been put to Arrow and both Sorenson and Mago have been on trial along with Grevsmuhl who we now know won't be joining.

I would love to hear some news out of the club too but until we do we can only be patient and wait for it. At least we know that there are wheels in motion to bring players in.
Cronulla have signed Sorensen so that option has gone. Big Tino from Melbourne has signed with Titans so they are getting ready for life after Arrow. In a salary cap environment these types of moves have to be made to flick the switch on the next round of signings.
 

Rabbits20

Immortal
Messages
42,059
If the media were correct, I think some of that cap space went on signing James Roberts mid-season.
I heard Roberts was on about 450k.

Talk was we had 28 of our top 30 signed a few weeks ago with 250k spare in the cap, add Sam’s 1.2mil and if we move AJ on for about 350k we have say 1.7mil spare, should be plenty to sign Arrow and Latrell for 2020 and get a minimum wage player to take our last 1-2 spots in our top 30.

You could be right re Roberts, but still something doesn’t quite add up to me, but Richo and co could have their eyes on a greater prize like Addo Carr for 21 onwards for example etc......
 

Rabbits20

Immortal
Messages
42,059
Cronulla have signed Sorensen so that option has gone. Big Tino from Melbourne has signed with Titans so they are getting ready for life after Arrow. In a salary cap environment these types of moves have to be made to flick the switch on the next round of signings.
@Peter Quinn so it mustn’t have been Sorensen you saw training with us, someone told you the wrong thing as he’s extending with Cronulla.

Below is an article re the 2mil 3 year deal for big Tino to Titans:



That’s a gamble by the Titans on Tino, I’d say that really makes me confident we can soon say welcome aboard Arrow!

Just re-read it, bugger Tino isn’t going there til 2021, we may have to wait for Arrow.
 

callmack1

Moderator
Staff member
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12,155
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...11610948d632aa&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium


Article from the Daily Telegraph tonight @callmack1 I had too highlight that part in the article in bold, Mitchell could be playing this perfectly! The more Easts become agitated by this the better imo lads!

Not so positive news re Arrow though, my fingers are still crossed, going off this article it would seem Meninga is still pretty confident of Arrow staying up there.





It is the stunning twist that could potentially gift wrap Latrell Mitchell to South Sydney for a Christmas bargain.

As the fight for Gold Coast forward Jai Arrow intensified on the back of Cody Walker agreeing to a two-year extension at the Rabbitohs, Mal Meninga revealed that the Titans have now gone cold on trying to land the Sydney Roosters’s out-of-favour star centre.

With Wests Tigers also all but ruling out making a play for Mitchell, what this means is that the 22-year-old’s only remaining hope of getting away from Bondi next season could be if he can work out a cut-price deal to join the Roosters’ arch rivals before the New Year.

It remains to be seen how the NRL would view that given Mitchell has already turned down an $800,000 upgrade at the Roosters and the Tigers’ $1 million-a-season approach.

While it is believed the Tigers would still be willing to talk if Mitchell indicated he was keen, as it stands parties said to be acting on Mitchell’s behalf appear zoned in on Redfern as the preferred and perhaps only destination.

Many think the Roosters wouldn’t want Mitchell playing with their sworn enemies next year but it has now got to the point where all parties just want the matter settled.

Otherwise Mitchell will be forced to return to Roosters training on January 6 and it could get even more embarrassing for everyone involved.

Souths maintain they are not actively pursuing Mitchell but it definitely sounds like his advisers are pursuing Souths with great gusto.

There was even talk Mitchell had personally contacted Bennett but that has been disputed.

One thing the Titans won’t do is surrender Arrow without a fight.

While the Rabbitohs were anticipating Arrow could have given them a double pre-Christmas bonus by agreeing to a deal on Wednesday, the tough Queensland Origin forward instead went away with his Gold Coast teammates on a camp to Coffs Harbour.

Although Arrow’s future is well and truly still up in the air, Meninga was adamant the 24-year-old had indicated “he wants to stay and we want to keep him”.

Meninga also indicated no talks had eventuated with Mitchell or his management since the Titans expressed some interest in setting up a meeting several weeks ago.

While South Sydney have been steadfast all along they don’t have the money available in their cap to fit Walker, Arrow and Mitchell all in for 2020, that could change if Arrow remained on the Gold Coast next season.

Although it would make little sense using up the majority of Sam Burgess’s former salary to pay Mitchell in place of a big name middle forward, now the Rabbitohs could potentially land Mitchell and Arrow for the $1.2 million they previously paid Burgess.

Mitchell was said to be on $700,000 next year at the Roosters, and they have already paid his November and December wages and will still have to pick up the tab for January.

That would take the best part of $200,000 off Mitchell’s salary before he even agrees to a new deal.

No wonder he doesn’t appear to be in a rush to get any deal done.


Meninga was also not backing down in regards to Arrow, saying the Titans were even prepared to increase their current offer to try and match the Rabbitohs’ lucrative offer.

“There is a great will to get it done,” Meninga said.

“We are going to keep working on it but hopefully it can be finalised before Christmas.”

Asked if he was still confident Arrow would extend his future at the club, Meninga said: “Yeah, I am.”

Meanwhile, Walker’s deal will keep him at the Rabbitohs for at least three more seasons.

“I’m really happy to have this contract signed. South Sydney is my home and I didn’t want to play for anyone else,” Walker said.

Rabbitohs general manager of football, Shane Richardson added: “Cody’s game went to a new level in 2019, as did his leadership.

“He is one of the most potent attacking players in the competition and he showed he has the resolve to be one of the best defensive halves in the NRL as well.
Wow, that would pretty much be the ideal scenario in regards to Mitchell if that happened. It would almost be perfect! Too good to say no!

On another note, there's so many conflicting rumours about Arrow. Is it looking more and more likely he'll be here for 2020?

Jai Arrow could be a Bunny by Christmas. The Titans may get an Origin star and cash in return: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...s/news-story/f0f03de174e885cdb003ab7358ed0a7b

As I have already stated, I'd be more than happy to release AJ and/or Gagai if it meant we could land both Arrow and Mitchell. Sometimes I feel that Souths aren't rutheless enough when it comes to recruitment and retention, it's time that changed.

There's even some rumours about that AJ has already signed with the Tigers.
 

Rabbits20

Immortal
Messages
42,059
Wow, that would pretty much be the ideal scenario in regards to Mitchell if that happened. It would almost be perfect! Too good to say no!

On another note, there's so many conflicting rumours about Arrow. Is it looking more and more likely he'll be here for 2020?

Jai Arrow could be a Bunny by Christmas. The Titans may get an Origin star and cash in return: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...s/news-story/f0f03de174e885cdb003ab7358ed0a7b

As I have already stated, I'd be more than happy to release AJ and/or Gagai if it meant we could land both Arrow and Mitchell. Sometimes I feel that Souths aren't rutheless enough when it comes to recruitment and retention, it's time that changed.

There's even some rumours about that AJ has already signed with the Tigers.
Callmack the only thing that’s worrying me re Arrow for 2020 is Tino is not going up there til 21.

Agreed Callmack we have to get ruthless like Storm and Rorters do, that’s how we will win 22.

Yes rumours re AJ leaving very soon have been building.
 

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