Biggest cleanout in club's history - A Must Read

[Baron Vo Mandor]

Johns hasn't performed for the past three years lets get rid of him. Hang on he got an upgrade last year didn't he?

I never and still dont agree that johns should have been kept at the expense of the players that got let go to fund it.

 

[Baron Vo Mandor]

Thats exactly right Oswin you've hit the nail with every point there dude.

 

[Razor]

Why would they meet with players to discuss their futures, and suggest that they're to be cut? Why haven't these players been dropped already if Hages, Crowe and Chief recognise that their form is poor.

Remember in 2000 when Warren Ryan wanted to drop certain players to reserve grade, the players (all of them not just the ones affected) kicked up a big stink and insisted that the board step in and order Ryan to keep the players in first grade. But at the end of the year, most of the players he wanted to drop were cut anyway. This could be a similar case.

 

[Doctor]

Remember in 2000 when Warren Ryan wanted to drop certain players to reserve grade, the players (all of them not just the ones affected) kicked up a big stink and insisted that the board step in and order Ryan to keep the players in first grade. But at the end of the year, most of the players he wanted to drop were cut anyway. This could be a similar case.

To add to my question: I suspect also that the salary cap has a lot to do with it. They've in some ways committed to Hall, Carmont and co by signing them up a season or two ago. To drop them now would mean having to pay someone else.

The up side is that it minimises costs in the short term (i.e. until the end of the season). The down side is that in the long term, the side slides down the slope -- sponsors don't want to continue to support a dud team, players leave in search of a better performing club, the big names decide they need more money to convince them to stay with such a dodgy team and imported players need more to convince them to come to a dodgy team.

It's a bandaid solution -- what the players really need is accountability. You have a handful of dud games, and you're dropped. You have some good games and you're promoted to first grade. Simple stuff.

 

[Misanthrope]

This is just about the best news I've heard in weeks, if it's true. The only players I'd even consider keeping (of the ones listed as likely to go) are Craig Smith (if he's willing), Todd Lowrie (I don't want him to come back to haunt us like Tupou), and maybe Quigley. I know a lot of people bag him, but any man who comes in to deputise for the world's best hooker and does a decent job of it deserves some respect. He's a defensive machine, and committed to the club.

With 1.1 million available (if that's the case) I'd expect to see the club chase someone like Ryan O'Hara/Jason Cayless, a decent centre (Berrigan or Soliola), a pacy winger (Carney would be a bonus), and some good depth- whether it be experienced campaigners (Geddes/Davico) or up and comers (Galloway/Greenshields). Extend the contracts of guys who are proving very useful (Mullen, Seage, Thaidy).

 

[roopy]

I would let Quigley go because Nathan Berry will be better than him anyway.

Lowrie missed 2 full seasons with injury as a junior, and his senior record is almost as bad. He is a very injury prone fringe firstgrader. Let him go.

Abraham is a good player - potential rep player in fact - but if you are being hard headed - you would let him go. He is only a 50/50 chance of ever being a good player again.

 

[eddo]

We got to cut the dead wood now & lock in some performers b4 the gold coast gets up.

Like everyone else, I'd Hate to see Smith & Quigs go.
Love to see Perry fulfill his potential, but it aint gunna happen.

 

[bluesbreaker]

Did someone fair dinkum suggest we offer 350k at Cayless?

 

[Misanthrope]

Did someone fair dinkum suggest we offer 350k at Cayless?

Yeah, I thought it was a little steep, myself. $250,000 as a starting offer is definitely fair, as he's a world class forward. $350,000 is a bit of a brain explosion.

 

[Voice of Reason]

Been done before with Reynoldson CWB. I agree with Nuffys assessment that the Reynoldson signing was a panic after losing BK and Tahu. Knights mismanagement felt under pressure to sign a big name and consequently negotitation favoured Krk. Good luck to him but fair dinkum the reported $240k he got as a "workhorse yet not spectacular" player was way over the money. If a similar environment occurs this yera then who knows how much our wise men will pay a marquee player to sign?
PS: A saving grace for us might be that to have a brain explosion one must have a brain and from mismanagements record of the recent pastm the existence of one brain amongst them all is questionable!

 

[macavity]

After hearing about that interview, and hearing from Crowey first hand, I gotta say...

dont expect too much guys. actually, probably best not to expect anything. Some guys we dont want to stay are going to stay. Carmont, Matt Gidley and maybe even Steve Witt are all going to 'feature' in our backline next year - Kennedy, prob Quigley, are going to 'star' for us as well. Put simply, we are going to be rather constrained in what we do, and our 'wants' and 'gets' are going to be very very different.

And we will be lucky to get ONE top signing, let alone the 4-5 we desperately need.

I think they will throw money at Davico to get him here, and MIGHT get ONE outside back (probably a winger, maybe an irish one but very doubtful) as well, probably a fringe first grader from the NRL or QRL - the likes of Tame Tupou, Jason Bulgarelli and Steve Turner (would be a great buy, so wont happen) come to mind.

We are NOT going to get Soliola, we are NOT going to get Naiquama, and we are NOT going to get Steven Bell. And dont expect any decent forwards either. No top player or great up-and-comer is going to take the risk of coming here in our current state. Think about it from their point of view - move to a losing team with an obviously crumbling culture, a bumbling administration and no facilities... that might not actually even pay you? does mad spring to mind?

Unless the crowd turns on him hardcore or some ESL team is seriously stupid, I can see Carmont staying - 170k for playing premier league (who am I kidding, first grade...) sure beats 20k from Raymond Terrace and hanging out at Steggles all day...

The time is NOW guys - we need to change things NOW. Or we can write off the next few years at the very least - next year player prices are going to go mad because of the GC - meaning we will likely not be active in the market next year, or if we are will prob end up with a few more 'bearded elephants'... further, next year is our last year with joey - meaning probably our last chance to challenge for a LONG time and last year to attract players with his aura.

meaning THIS YEAR is when we have to strike. There is NO OTHER OPTION if we want to renew our success.

And for that to happen - changes have to happen - on the park, in the front office, and also in our constitution.

If this doesn't happen.... NOW.... spoons will soon outnumber premiership trophies in our cabinet.

 

[aqua_duck]

I'd go 80k-Steve Meredith:han't played 1st grade yet but only because he's behind the likes of Cayless, Morley and Tupou at the roosters. Runs with purpose and is a big samoan who's got a low centre of gravity and is another Roy Asotasi in the making.

I'd go 80k-Sam Perrett: A very fast young winger from the roosters, highly rated but is behind some very good players

120k- Tom Learoyd:One of the biggest players around at 192cm and 115kg, but is quick enough to play in the centres. Only 19 years old, has been selected in all the junior rep teams coming through the ranks. Was rated one of the quickest players at the broncos last year not just amongst the forwards but the whole squad, however has suffered a back injury this year and has been set back abit but if we could get him right would be a genuine game breaking prop like Tupou

80k-Evarn Tuimavave:A very talented prop from the warriors who was rated the next Ali Lauatiiti a few years ago. Hasn't realised his potential yet but is only 20 years of age and could be moulded into a game breaker with the right approach

100k-Jamie Frizzo: Tall young centre/winger who played for junior kangaroos and NSW under 19's last year. Is a good athlete and highly rated at the bulldogs but is stuck behind a virtual rep backline.

 

[aqua_duck]

I think they will throw money at Davico to get him here, and MIGHT get ONE outside back (probably a winger, maybe an irish one but very doubtful) as well, probably a fringe first grader from the NRL or QRL - the likes of Tame Tupou, Jason Bulgarelli and Steve Turner (would be a great buy, so wont happen) come to mind.

Please god no. He's the worst player I've ever seen, including Carmont. He's an equally bad defender as carmont but his hands are like blubber. I went to a raiders game last year in canberra against the cowboys, the raiders had a handy lead in the 2nd half and they put him on for a 15 minute burst where he played a part in no less than 4 cowboys tries:1 missed tackle, 1 stupid offloading, 1 knock on, 1 bad read in defence.
He'd fit in our team for sure though with his lack of talent and his unprofessional behaviour.
All canberra fans were having celebrations when the raiders terminated his contract.

 

[Misanthrope]

Evarn Tuimavave:A very talented prop from the warriors who was rated the next Ali Lauatiiti a few years ago. Hasn't realised his potential yet but is only 20 years of age and could be moulded into a game breaker with the right approach

He's a handy goal-kicker too

 

[macavity]

a good list there aqua.

realistically I would LOVE for us to get about 6 new guys - young guys like you mentioned that haven't got first grade opportunities where they are, that could be picked up for between 80-150k. I would rather this than one or two marquee signings.

But, realistically, just cant see either scenerio happening - at the moment we would have to be the LEAST attractive club to any player, young or old.

Meaning that anyone good, i.e. that has more than just us interested, is only going to come here for considerably over the odds. We shouldn't have to do that and it is going to hurt the club considerably.

And the fact remains that we dont have anyone actually scouting for us, looking at these young guys, anyway - the Knights probably dont know who any of those are.

for the record, my top junior/fringe guys for us to go for would be Nate Miles, Garrett Crossman, George Rose, Tom Learoyd-Lars, Clint Greenshields, Wes Naiquama (perhaps not fringe anymore..) and Marshall Chalk. All of these guys are probably out of our price-range though... and im not sure about the contract status of any of them.

I like the guys you have mentioned as well - and I want us to get some islanders in the team (georgie C doesn't count) as they are generally pretty robust and play with passion - two things we lack.

 

[macavity]

im well aware that boogs is a joke, hence im sure our guys are interested.....

 

[aqua_duck]

for the record, my top junior/fringe guys for us to go for would be Nate Miles, Garrett Crossman, George Rose, Tom Learoyd-Lars, Clint Greenshields, Wes Naiquama (perhaps not fringe anymore..) and Marshall Chalk. All of these guys are probably out of our price-range though... and im not sure about the contract status of any of them.

I wouldn't go for Crossman or Myles because realistically we wouldnt get them very cheaply. Crossman is probably the panthers best player off the bench and is fulfilling the role ben ross had last year, he's almost guaranteed 1st grade at the panthers. Myles is a 1st grader already and is rated very, very highly by the dogs. Chalk isn't an up and comer, he's a journeyman in my opinion, the worst type of player to go after, Chalk is already 24.
Wonder if Cooper Vuna from the warriors is off contract?

 

[m0j0]

Iosia Soliola - $100,000. Future rep player, so much skill excitement and they he defend unlike our backs. Would be a sensation outside Johns.

a decent centre (Berrigan or Soliola)

Sorry guys, we've got him on contract until the end of 2007. You're more than welcome to Chris Walker however.

 

[TooheysNew]

Berrigan resigned with Brisbane...

 

[macavity]

You're more than welcome to Chris Walker however

I think im alone here, but I would take him. put him on a peanuts one-year deal and plonk him on the wing - he can run off joey all day and realistically isn't any worse in defence than the guys we have now. if it doesn't work out get rid of him and no big loss... and you never know, he was a genuine SOO player once upon a time....