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Cody Ramsey

Slippery Morris

First Grade
Messages
8,207
This scenario reminds me a bit about Jack Bird prior to leaving the Dragons. He was killing it in the juniors and was diagnosed with a serious arthritis condition which the Dragons thought he would not cope with playing in the NRL. The Sharks then snapped him up and he won a comp which he played a key role in and played 5 Origin games as well later on.

Saints are possibly going off what their medical experts advised them, like they did with Bird (which the medics got it wrong mind you as he seemed to cope) therefore are offering him train and trial as a precaution. If that is not good enough for Cody and he feels he can cope with the rigours of NRL then good luck to him, but Saints have a duty of care and if anything are being cautious like they have been the last few years. It can come back to bite them, but it can also end up disastrous and Saints don't appear to be as high a risk taker as other clubs.

Saints fans are asking the club to sign all these players to make their top 30, yet are happy to keep guys on pure emotion. The club has offered him a train and trial which means he can still play for the red V so they have not kicked him out the door. They want to give him some games here and there and see if he can cope, then they can easily upgrade him. Roosters have huge depth in the backs so it's not as if Cody will go there and play in the NRL from round 1. He has a heap of guys to compete with and will start from scratch.

He is testing the market to see what he can get and there is no reason Saints will not match it. Lets just hope he comes back and give Saints the option to match any offers unlike Latu.
 
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mattw5

Juniors
Messages
1,083
This scenario reminds me a bit about Jack Bird prior to leaving the Dragons. He was killing it in the juniors and was diagnosed with a serious arthritis condition which the Dragons thought he would not cope with playing in the NRL. The Sharks then snapped him up and he won a comp which he played a key role in and played 5 Origin games as well later on.

Saints are possibly going off what their medical experts advised them, like they did with Bird (which the medics got it wrong mind you as he seemed to cope) therefore are offering him train and trial as a precaution. If that is not good enough for Cody and he feels he can cope with the rigours of NRL then good luck to him, but Saints have a duty of care and if anything are being cautious like they have been the last few years. It can come back to bite them, but it can also end up disastrous and Saints don't appear to be as high a risk taker as other clubs.

Saints fans are asking the club to sign all these players to make their top 30, yet are happy to keep guys on pure emotion. The club has offered him a train and trial which means he can still play for the red V so they have not kicked him out the door. The want to give him some games here and there and see if he can cope, then they can easily upgrade him. Roosters have huge depth in the backs so it's not as if Cody will go there and play in the NRL from round 1. He has a heap of guys to compete with and will start from scratch.

He is testing the market to see what he can get and there is no reason Saints will not match it. Lets just hope he comes back and give Saints the option unlike Latu.
Agree wholeheartedly i back the clubs decision on this one.
 

redandwhite4evr

Juniors
Messages
2,127
I really don't understand why we don't re-sign him and try him on the wing in first grade with a view to transitioning him to fullback. He was really developing into a good fullback before he got sick, and he's been playing extremely well since he came back into KOE.
A one year deal to trial him on the wing is what a sensible club would do for the guy who's just played 22 games, scored a brilliant try in a rare win over the dominant Warriors and then been given a major gong for his overall season performances. But this is the same Dragons who've lost Finau, Latu, Tamale, Bostock et al in recent years... on and on it goes.
 

possm

Coach
Messages
17,001
Dragons management, it would be nice to inform loyal supporters what is happening with Cody Ramsey. He has done everything expected of him this year so can we hear what the club is not offering a player that loves the club & will do everything possible to play FG again a contract & could leave the club. If we dont think he can perform then tell us why & dont treat us like mushrooms.
My bet is that Ranmsey has been offered a low-ball contract, and his manager has balked at the sum offered.

Now, his manager is 'testing the market' and may come back with a counteroffer or simply accept the better offer.
 

since77

Bench
Messages
2,761
I really don't understand why we don't re-sign him and try him on the wing in first grade with a view to transitioning him to fullback. He was really developing into a good fullback before he got sick, and he's been playing extremely well since he came back into KOE.
Wing?!?!?!?!
Have you seen what first grade wingers do? What a modern winger’s job is?
Sloan is A LOT heavier and musclier than Cody and he gets ragdolled like he’s a soft toy. What do Lomax, To’o and Coates (to name the benchmark wingers) have in common? Size, strength, power.
Cody would be a lamb to the slaughter on the wing in the NRL with his current build.

Why don’t we all sit back and wait to see what happens with his contract situation before bagging the club out?
I’m sure the hierarchy are torn between loyalty and the need to make cold business decisions at a time when we’ve failed to get anywhere near the finals for the 7th year in a row. Cody’s manager is on record recently that the Dragons have been hugely supportive during Cody’s illness and that they’re grateful for everything the club has done for him. They have stood by him for a number of years and at the end of the day they can’t just hand out a top 30 spot to someone who might not be a realistic chance of actually being able to play first grade if needed.
I want a roster that will compete for finals not a roster that is weighed down by players who might not ever be able to contribute.
The rumours suggesting Super League is a possibility seem to be the perfect solution. And hopefully long term the club can find a role for Cody after his playing days are over. I want the club to look after Cody - but not at the expense of on field success.
 

Dragonslayer

First Grade
Messages
7,988
A lot of speculation around why we have only offered Cody a T&T contract, so here's my 2c worth.

If we did offer a top 30 contract it would probably be in the 26 - 30 spots, which is believe only attract the minimum wage available under the top squad cap. It's a spot that is more suited to your juniors entering first grade on a full time basis.
A t&t contract, whilst low in wage, also allows him to play 1st grade (from rd 11 but I could be wrong here), for which he would earn a higher pay for that game/s.

Now, we've 'suggested' that Cody go and play in the ESL (for an unknown period at this stage), where it is possible for him to earn some very decent money. We have seen him play Cup this year and seems to be a class above this grade, whereas the jump to playing at NRL level is quite large. It's faster and obviously more physical and body demanding. Hence, there's a perceived risk with increased chance of injury, fatigue etc.

Imo, the ESL falls somewhere between Cup and NRL, a middle ground you might say. If, and only an if, Cody goes there, plays say 2 seasons, finds his body can (or can't) handle, the rigour of English football, then, he's earn some decent money, and therefore can (assumed) take the next step nto finishing as an NRL player, again earning some decent coin. This may also be the jigsaw piece when Gutho's playing days end in 2 years time (how coincidental).

Would i be super disappointed if he took the route of signing with another NRL club, yeah absolutely, but I feel once they know the full extent of the needs around Cody, it may become a bridge too far, other than some publicity stunt.

At the end ofvthe day, Cody must do what's right for himself and his family, that's what matters most.
 

redandwhite4evr

Juniors
Messages
2,127
A lot of speculation around why we have only offered Cody a T&T contract, so here's my 2c worth.

If we did offer a top 30 contract it would probably be in the 26 - 30 spots, which is believe only attract the minimum wage available under the top squad cap. It's a spot that is more suited to your juniors entering first grade on a full time basis.
A t&t contract, whilst low in wage, also allows him to play 1st grade (from rd 11 but I could be wrong here), for which he would earn a higher pay for that game/s.

Now, we've 'suggested' that Cody go and play in the ESL (for an unknown period at this stage), where it is possible for him to earn some very decent money. We have seen him play Cup this year and seems to be a class above this grade, whereas the jump to playing at NRL level is quite large. It's faster and obviously more physical and body demanding. Hence, there's a perceived risk with increased chance of injury, fatigue etc.

Imo, the ESL falls somewhere between Cup and NRL, a middle ground you might say. If, and only an if, Cody goes there, plays say 2 seasons, finds his body can (or can't) handle, the rigour of English football, then, he's earn some decent money, and therefore can (assumed) take the next step nto finishing as an NRL player, again earning some decent coin. This may also be the jigsaw piece when Gutho's playing days end in 2 years time (how coincidental).

Would i be super disappointed if he took the route of signing with another NRL club, yeah absolutely, but I feel once they know the full extent of the needs around Cody, it may become a bridge too far, other than some publicity stunt.

At the end ofvthe day, Cody must do what's right for himself and his family, that's what matters most.
Agree with the sentiments of the last paragraph and it seems to me that what is missing in a lot of the talk about Cody is that it's not talk TO CODY. He is the one with the condition, lives it every day and we never seem to hear from him except when he gave the Coach's award acceptance speech and then he didn't really say a lot about his health. His brief comments and body language however suggested he was optimistic about continuing to play the game.

The one positive I see is that he is re-entering the game at a time when there are unlimited opportunities for him via the market being skewed by NRL expansion teams and Rugby 360 etc. I would love him to remain at the Dragons but sadly this seems unlikely to happen. Hopefully at the very least, he can make enough money to compensate for the lost years and set himself and his family up for the future.
 
Messages
17,360
It's a pity this article is behind a paywall -


I read it in hard copy over breakfast at my local cafe. It details what Cody has been through in terms of his surgeries and what not. Hard to believe when he resumed training at St George, he was down to 62kgs. He's still below his 102 kgs he was when he was in first grade, but is back up to a solid 80 kgs most recently. If anyone can post the full text, I'm sure Dragons fans would find it a good read.

(Edited to correct typos)
 
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since77

Bench
Messages
2,761
What an inspirational story. Also gives you a good understanding of where he is at in his recovery and why first grade football is still a loooooong way off, if at all.
Really really hope he gets a win today.
 

Mojo

Bench
Messages
4,550
The StGI club can very justifiably be proud of itself for the commitment and support it has provided to Cody - and he’s a true champion. This is the sort of thing I have always believed this sport to be about. We haven’t been the best on the field in 1st grade for a long time now but …. “Oh when the Saints….”

If he should ever run back on the field in the Red V 1st grade, I will do everything possible to be there to witness it.
 
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