2021 War Chest

[Richard Norton]

We have the following players off contract at seasons end.
Aitken, Clune, JDB, Ford, Frizzell, Graham, Host, Lafai, Lovodua, Luke, Rava, Sailor.
I dont know wages, but at a guesstimate id say
Aitken $400k (was in S.O.O contention when resigned)
Lafai $400k (wouldnt surprise me if we actually paid more)
JDB $600k (multiple media reports)
Graham $600k (media reports)
Frizzell $650k at present (media)
Luke $250k
Host $250k
Clune, Ford, Sailor, Lovodua $150k (???)
Rava $180k ???
Thats a guesstimate of aprox $3.9 million.
We would need aprox $800k to keep Frizz. ($3.1 mill left)
If we keep Lomax at fullback, we need 1 quality centre ($500k, 2.6 mill left).
Host, Clune, Sailor, Ford, say $200k each ($800k, $1.8 mill left)
Rava, $200k ($1.6 mill left)
Merrin/Tyrell are JDB replacements.
1 solid prop to replace Graham, $600k ($1 mill left)
Leaves us $1 million for 4 depth players.
But it ensures we have a solid 1st grade team, solid depth with those we kept, and then 4 more for depth (juniors ??? The feagi boys etc)
Thoughts?

 

[kit66]

Assuming your assumptions are anywhere near accurate, does the club actually have that much to spend, our management team aren't exactly geniuses you'd think ? Cap Space doesn't automatically mean Money in the Bank to spend.

 

[Richard Norton]

Assuming your assumptions are anywhere near accurate, does the club actually have that much to spend, our management team aren't exactly geniuses you'd think ? Cap Space doesn't automatically mean Money in the Bank to spend.

Lol i wouldnt be surprised if im wayyyy of the mark with some guesstimates.
2021 should see us go on a little shopping spree, fingers crossed.

 

[Old Kogarah Boy 1]

I hear what you are saying and was thinking that any talk of a war chest may be a bit premature until we sort out who is coaching.

A new coach normally wants his own players and any new buys whilst Mcldiot is in charge will be a complete waste of time.

 

[TruSaint]

I hear what you are saying and was thinking that any talk of a war chest may be a bit premature until we sort out who is coaching.

A new coach normally wants his own players and any new buys whilst Mcldiot is in charge will be a complete waste of time.

Agree.
I would wait until Deano takes over first.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

I hear what you are saying and was thinking that any talk of a war chest may be a bit premature until we sort out who is coaching.

A new coach normally wants his own players and any new buys whilst Mcldiot is in charge will be a complete waste of time.

If Mary is still coaching in 2021 without getting deep into the finals this year I think its time to start supporting a different club. That will stuff us for years to come even if he's arsed in 2022. 2021 is our window to put together a side worthy of an assault on the premiership, with Mary there we won't attract any players and will have a heap of rejects on 3 year contracts which will just snowball. We won't get a good coach, because no coach like Bennett or Bellamy is going to a club with a poor crop of players. Our only hope is that BJ steps aside soon and the incoming CEO has some nuts about him to make an executive decision.

 

[Eatons Hill Dragon]

I hear what you are saying and was thinking that any talk of a war chest may be a bit premature until we sort out who is coaching.

A new coach normally wants his own players and any new buys whilst Mcldiot is in charge will be a complete waste of time.

Did someone just say George Jennings

 

[RufusRex]

we would be the epitome of couldnt get a root in a brothel with a fist full of 50s ...
That is the best analogy for us having a war chest.

 

[SBD82]

Agree.
I would wait until Deano takes over first.

 

[possm]

If Mary is still coaching in 2021 without getting deep into the finals this year I think its time to start supporting a different club. That will stuff us for years to come even if he's arsed in 2022. 2021 is our window to put together a side worthy of an assault on the premiership, with Mary there we won't attract any players and will have a heap of rejects on 3 year contracts which will just snowball. We won't get a good coach, because no coach like Bennett or Bellamy is going to a club with a poor crop of players. Our only hope is that BJ steps aside soon and the incoming CEO has some nuts about him to make an executive decision.

See post below

 

[possm]

I'm predicting that after Mary is sacked, Sheppard will be appointed interim head coach until Flanagan takes over in 2022. He will set up a good squad of players under advice from Flanagan. I'd say the following players will go at the end of this year:

Aitken - ESL
Lafai - ESL
Sailor - another NRL club
Graham - ESL
K Sims - another NRL club
Dufty - ESL
Host - another NRL club
Luke - retire
Lovodua - another NRL club

All of the above players are in the top 30 and would most probably be replaced with some of our brightest juniors except for maybe a prop and a centre/winger from another NRL club. My suggested top 17 would be:

1. Lomax
2. Ramsey - to make the left wing his own sonn after June 30
3. Ravalawa - to have a breakout year in 2020 at right centre
4. Williame - will make left centre is own in 2020
5. Saab - will own the right wing spot this season
6. Norman
7. Hunt
8. Kerr - will eventually replace Graham this season
9. McInnes
10. Vaughan
11. Ford - will have a breakout season on the left edge
12. T Sims - will plug up our right edge defence
13. Frizell - is the logical replacement for De Belin

14. Britain - a great choice for utility of the bench
15. Blacker - will step up in 2020
16. Merrin - can play front row or back row
17. Lawrie - can play front row or back row

 

[blacksafake]

With so many players off contract it would be a good idea to get a new coach at the same time. This way he can sign his type of player instead of having to try & offload those under contract he doesn’t want.

 

[Richard Norton]

I'm predicting that after Mary is sacked, Sheppard will be appointed interim head coach until Flanagan takes over in 2022. He will set up a good squad of players under advice from Flanagan. I'd say the following players will go at the end of this year:

Aitken - ESL
Lafai - ESL
Sailor - another NRL club
Graham - ESL
K Sims - another NRL club
Dufty - ESL
Host - another NRL club
Luke - retire
Lovodua - another NRL club

All of the above players are in the top 30 and would most probably be replaced with some of our brightest juniors except for maybe a prop and a centre/winger from another NRL club. My suggested top 17 would be:

1. Lomax
2. Ramsey - to make the left wing his own sonn after June 30
3. Ravalawa - to have a breakout year in 2020 at right centre
4. Williame - will make left centre is own in 2020
5. Saab - will own the right wing spot this season
6. Norman
7. Hunt
8. Kerr - will eventually replace Graham this season
9. McInnes
10. Vaughan
11. Ford - will have a breakout season on the left edge
12. T Sims - will plug up our right edge defence
13. Frizell - is the logical replacement for De Belin

14. Britain - a great choice for utility of the bench
15. Blacker - will step up in 2020
16. Merrin - can play front row or back row
17. Lawrie - can play front row or back row

I like your team, but i see a few players in different positions.
Lomax will be right centre, Ramsey will be Fullback.
Rava, although i believe he could be a gun centre, will stay on one wing.
Up front, i dont see anything from Blacker, even in the lower grades, to suggest he will handle first grade and dominate.
Id replace Blacker on the bench with K.Sims.
Or, id put Merrin at lock, keep frizz at second row, and have either Host or Ford on the bench.
I dont think we will let Host go, he is cheap, and is a good player.

 

[avocado]

Aitken and Lafai will have a few random good games and will be re signed.

That’s how we roll.

 

[Como Connection]

Good player Host, another that needs a fair go.
CC

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

Good player Host, another that needs a fair go.
CC

He's flown under the radar this off season. Admirable that he decided to stay and fight for his spot and last season when he started the season playing right back row, he looked good until he injured his ankle. He could be a surprise packet at lock. I reckon id play Merrin off the bench, we need some power and experience on the bench.

 

[Como Connection]

He's flown under the radar this off season. Admiral that he decided to stay and fight for his spot and last season when he started the season playing right back row, he looked good until he injured his ankle. He could be a surprise packet at lock. I reckon id play Merrin off the bench, we need some power and experience on the bench.

Lock could be the spot for him.
CC

 

[Walpole]

I'm predicting that after Mary is sacked, Sheppard will be appointed interim head coach until Flanagan takes over in 2022. He will set up a good squad of players under advice from Flanagan. I'd say the following players will go at the end of this year:

Aitken - ESL
Lafai - ESL
Sailor - another NRL club
Graham - ESL
K Sims - another NRL club
Dufty - ESL
Host - another NRL club
Luke - retire
Lovodua - another NRL club

All of the above players are in the top 30 and would most probably be replaced with some of our brightest juniors except for maybe a prop and a centre/winger from another NRL club. My suggested top 17 would be:

1. Lomax
2. Ramsey - to make the left wing his own sonn after June 30
3. Ravalawa - to have a breakout year in 2020 at right centre
4. Williame - will make left centre is own in 2020
5. Saab - will own the right wing spot this season
6. Norman
7. Hunt
8. Kerr - will eventually replace Graham this season
9. McInnes
10. Vaughan
11. Ford - will have a breakout season on the left edge
12. T Sims - will plug up our right edge defence
13. Frizell - is the logical replacement for De Belin

14. Britain - a great choice for utility of the bench
15. Blacker - will step up in 2020
16. Merrin - can play front row or back row
17. Lawrie - can play front row or back row

Look forward to seeing that team when you get made the coach...

 

[Richard Norton]

Lock could be the spot for him.
CC

I think it will be. Or at least it should be.
Merrin is someone we need on the bench.
With Kerr and Korbin injured, we are thin on front rowers.
Merrin and Lawrie on for Vaughan and Graham.

 

[Morotti]

I have seen nothing from Ravalawa to suggest he should bed in the top 30. Certainly not to have a break out year in the centres. He can barely hold onto the ball let alone pass it. I said it before, her is not a footballer.

I don't think Cody Ramsey is even 20 yet. And I would caution against throwing him into first grade ate a time like this when there is huge pressure on the team. And we don't really appear to have a settled back line.

Why Brittain on the bench? What utility value? He plays hooker and with Cam able to play 80 minutes, I think that is a wasted bench spot.