2024 Squad List

[JohnnoMcJohnno]

I have a strong feeling we'll regret this. All the best, Bud.

I'm regretting it already. As we can't attract anyone decent to the club, we should be hanging on to our juniors. So far it looks like we're going down the moneyball route again.

 

[Coffs dragon]

Bud rumoured to have signed with the Tigers for 4 years pending medical clearance.

This would take our SIGNED players to 27 if confirmed by the Tigers.

Flanno has rumoured to have had discussions with Ezra Mam and his son Kyle is likely to join us.

Add to this we are interested in Blore and have advanced talks with Ipape (although that has somewhat stalled).

Given the "tapped" players are still on our books, we dont have much wiggle room to go out all guns blazing signing players.

Geez with the prospect of those signings, we should lift from 16th to 15th in 2024.
We still need to get rid of Hunt & Bird to free up the big dollars for a major strike.

 

[since77]

I have a strong feeling we'll regret this. All the best, Bud.

Another of a long list of promising home grown juniors screwed over by McGregor and then Griffin. What a waste this dark period has been.
I trust Flanno but would have much rather kept Bud and punted Hunt.

 

[BLM01]

I have a strong feeling we'll regret this. All the best, Bud.

Funny that. For someone reason I have the opposite feeling. Time will tell but I have been wrong before preferring McInnes at the time over Robson

 

[BLM01]

Lets just hope the musgroves etc all pick up deals so flanno can get a few more its only way we can improve

Well if they dont they are playing reggies and it tells you something when another NRL or Super League club dont show interest or our mate Haran threw too much $$ at them

 

[denis preston]

Lets just hope the musgroves etc all pick up deals so flanno can get a few more its only way we can improve

Hope Max has a blinder today so it makes it easier for him to find a new club.

 

[Old Timer]

Does Bud leaving now make Hunt's position stronger in respect of getting a release?

What happens if he ups the anti and says "yes I have a contract but no I won't play" obviously we can't retire him medically, so does he not just sit on the books taking up cap $$$$?

If that is the case we don't have a half to call his bluff with so might have to let him go and pay some $$$$ of his contract as well.

 

[RedVee_8]

Does Bud leaving now make Hunt's position stronger in respect of getting a release?

What happens if he ups the anti and says "yes I have a contract but no I won't play" obviously we can't retire him medically, so does he not just sit on the books taking up cap $$$$?

If that is the case we don't have a half to call his bluff with so might have to let him go and pay some $$$$ of his contract as well.

Or maybe it was a condition of Hunt agreeing to stay?
we just don’t know.

 

[qld redvee]

Well if they dont they are playing reggies and it tells you something when another NRL or Super League club dont show interest or our mate Haran threw too much $$ at them

Blm01, I reckon your right we probably paid too much$$$$ and paid a premium

 

[since77]

Does Bud leaving now make Hunt's position stronger in respect of getting a release?

What happens if he ups the anti and says "yes I have a contract but no I won't play" obviously we can't retire him medically, so does he not just sit on the books taking up cap $$$$?

If that is the case we don't have a half to call his bluff with so might have to let him go and pay some $$$$ of his contract as well.

Reading between the lines I think it means he’s agreed to stay. I doubt they’d release Bud if there was any doubts in regard to Hunt.

 

[Dragonslayer]

Just to update this, and assume Bud is gone (not confirmed by us as we have to grant the release).
Our 27 signed players:

Backs - 9
Ramsey**, Feagai Mat, Feagai Max*, Ravalawa, Suli, Tamale, Sloan, Lomax, Finau

Halves - 3
Hunt, Amone***, Turner

Hooker - 1
Liddle

Forwards - 14
BMM*, Lawrie, Molo F, Molo M, Sele, JDB, Hunt J*, Bird, Sua, Fafita V, Musgrove*, Tuitavake, Coachman R, Coachman T.

Looking at this more closely, we are:

1. Top heavy with average forwards mixed with young forwards with little to no experience. We can see why the 3 * players why they need to move on.

2. We have 1 recognised hooker. Yes, we have Muliesen and Finau H, but do we burn a spot for 1 of them? It's why we are really wanting Ipape to sign with us. I hope he does.

3. Very weak in the halves, especially given Amones situation. KF seems a reasonable signing if rumours are correct. We have very promising halves coming through, but they are a little ways off atm.

4. Our backline is such a mixed bag. Lomax and Rava the only 2 atm you'd pencil in each week (imo). No speed on the wing, no height etc.

2024 is looking rather sad atm, and I think Flanno knows this, and it will be a challenge, unless ALL of the *** players leave before Nov1.

 

[JohnnoMcJohnno]

Just to update this, and assume Bud is gone (not confirmed by us as we have to grant the release).
Our 27 signed players:

Backs - 9
Ramsey**, Feagai Mat, Feagai Max*, Ravalawa, Suli, Tamale, Sloan, Lomax, Finau

Halves - 3
Hunt, Amone***, Turner

Hooker - 1
Liddle

Forwards - 14
BMM*, Lawrie, Molo F, Molo M, Sele, JDB, Hunt J*, Bird, Sua, Fafita V, Musgrove*, Tuitavake, Coachman R, Coachman T.

Looking at this more closely, we are:

1. Top heavy with average forwards mixed with young forwards with little to no experience. We can see why the 3 * players why they need to move on.

2. We have 1 recognised hooker. Yes, we have Muliesen and Finau H, but do we burn a spot for 1 of them? It's why we are really wanting Ipape to sign with us. I hope he does.

3. Very weak in the halves, especially given Amones situation. KF seems a reasonable signing if rumours are correct. We have very promising halves coming through, but they are a little ways off atm.

4. Our backline is such a mixed bag. Lomax and Rava the only 2 atm you'd pencil in each week (imo). No speed on the wing, no height etc.

2024 is looking rather sad atm, and I think Flanno knows this, and it will be a challenge, unless ALL of the *** players leave before Nov1.

So our spine next year is the same as the spine this year, assuming Amone is playing. If Amone can't play our spine is Sloane, Turner, Hunt and Liddle. Or Sloane, Kyle Flanagan, Hunt, Liddle, if KF comes across and plays 5/8. Whichever way you look at it, it's a pretty weak spine.

It's going to be a long season. Again.

 

[St Tangles]

Some sad reading
Sele is a decent pick up but unless we get a few more solid first graders we will remain cellar dwellers

 

[jeffdragon]

Different coach.
Might make a difference. .

 

[Dragon David]

Different coach.
Might make a difference. .

The change is good provided he can get a few quality players, that's all we need. We need speed, fitness and strength in all grades.

 

[jeffdragon]

The change is good provided he can get a few quality players, that's all we need. We need speed, fitness and strength in all grades.

Seriously lacking in all grades.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

Does Bud leaving now make Hunt's position stronger in respect of getting a release?

What happens if he ups the anti and says "yes I have a contract but no I won't play" obviously we can't retire him medically, so does he not just sit on the books taking up cap $$$$?

If that is the case we don't have a half to call his bluff with so might have to let him go and pay some $$$$ of his contract as well.

So if he refused to play, he is in breach of his contract, therefore we don't have to pay him the $1.8m over the 2 years, while he sits on his ass with no income, do you honestly think he will give up all that money, won't happen.

 

[dragon thomo]

Just maybe by releasing Sullivan it gives us extra cap space to improve our squad, especially the front row

 

[thebigredv]

Some sad reading

If you like tearjerkers you should try the 'New recruits for 2023' thread. We are still trying to replace Cody Ramsay.

 

[St Tangles]

If you like tearjerkers you should try the 'New recruits for 2023' thread. We are still trying to replace Cody Ramsay.

I'm still watching this space