General Roosters chatter

[Babyface O'reilly]

There’s enough speculation around Latrell to make your head spin. Don’t know what or how much of it to believe. Think the 800k figure is about right in regards to his worth but even then we’re facing an uphill battle to retain Jared and SST - both of whom are a must. I’m afraid a blood sacrifice will be required. Given Verill’s form and resigning, I’m thinking Friendy’s time with us is looking shaky. Hoping he goes to England cos I couldn’t bare to see him in another team’s colours.

 

[Valheru]

I wouldn't be surprised to see jake go prior to the season starting as verrils is clearly ready. Jake does deserve a send off though.

Aubo will also be gone at end of season (and Bmoz??) so there is some money there as well

The Latrell situation is a perfect example of how we manage our cap better than other teams. The club isn't buying in to the $1M figure the media are sprouting. If he wants to stay he takes what the club determines his value is, if he wants more money as is his right then good luck to him.

 

[Headless Chook]

I’m sure I read somewhere Latrell has already made plans for when he retires at 30, which is still a long way off. Something about moving back home to the farm. Nothing wrong with that at all but it does seem a bit premature.

I can’t see him staying. Last season he looked restless like he’d had enough. I’m tipping he’ll move on after signing a massive long term contract. Then I have my doubts he’ll see it out.

 

[Valheru]

I’m sure I read somewhere Latrell has already made plans for when he retires at 30, which is still a long way off. Something about moving back home to the farm. Nothing wrong with that at all but it does seem a bit premature.

I can’t see him staying. Last season he looked restless like he’d had enough. I’m tipping he’ll move on after signing a massive long term contract. Then I have my doubts he’ll see it out.

I think being dropped by NSW was the reaosn he looked restless, he just didn't deal with it well. Prior to that he was nea ron the best player int he compa nd the $1.2M articles by the media were in full spin.

I hope he is being advised well because staying with us will almost assuredly be a better course of action for him long term even if it is less pay.

 

[Captain Apollo]

https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/nrl-ne...r-future/086ebc26-c383-4200-8910-2c65ecfc4027

Following is from this article published today by the Sydney Morning Herald -

Sydney Roosters, meanwhile, have set their sights on retaining stars Jake Friend and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

There has not been a flood of clubs rushing through the door to chase the star pair but the back-to-back premiers are eager to keep their co-captain and one of their spiritual leaders at the club beyond the end of next season.

Both Friend and Waerea-Hargreaves are content in Sydney's eastern suburbs as well.

With Friend keen to stay beyond 2020, the tri-colours have been presented with a conundrum of sorts in the hooker department.

Friend's torrid run with injuries this season opened the door for Sam Verrills and the 20-year-old did not miss a beat through the back half of the season, featuring in the last 10 matches of the club's run to their second premiership in as many years.

Verrills is contracted until the end of 2021 but will command significant interest this time next year.

With Friend still in the prime of his career at 29, the tri-colours will be forced to commit significant salary cap space if they are to retain both rakes.

The club has a similar conundrum in the front row.

Waerea-Hargreaves, 30, is the heart and soul of the club and the tri-colours will now be forced to cough up cash to retain Siosiua Taukeiaho.


The Tongan prop has been lauded as the world's best after the Tonga Invitational side stunned the Kangaroos in New Zealand on Saturday night and is also off contract at the end of next year.

He is on a bargain basement deal compared to Waerea-Hargreaves but that will change as rival clubs try to lure the 27-year-old away from Sydney's east.

 

[Valheru]

I don't see the value in retaining Jake at this stage

Next year should be his farewell season

 

[The Fanatical Rooster]

Attached is a list of our 2020 squad:

https://www.roosters.com.au/news/2019/11/04/sydney-roosters-2020-squad/

1. Interesting how it appears that the Bulldogs have pulled out of the race for Latrell. Clubs might be starting to realise that $1m+ per season is over the top. That should help us with the negotiations. I haven't heard or seen anything more recently about the Parramatta offer. It might not have been serious, so we might be in the box seat. I hope this matter sorts itself out soon.

2. I agree with prioritising SST, and think he is just ahead of JWH, mainly because of age (I am simply trying to be as objective as possible, and thinking of the club's best interests first and foremost). Jake is contracted for 2020 only, and so I think either a one year extension or a move to the Super League (good point Babyface) is in order. It is interesting that Aubo is not one bit interested in the UK, meaning that he is happier retiring than playing against us. The case for Sam is a strong one. He is contracted to 2021, but may seek an upgrade next season. The club will realise and manage this accordingly.

3. Other, higher-profile, players off contract after next season are Nat Butcher, Ryan Hall, Matt Ikuvalu, Lachlan Lam and Brett Morris. I would suspect that 'BMoz' might retire and I would be comfortable if we let Ikuvalu go (for the sake of prioritisation). The other player I am only luke warm on is Hall. Now that he is injured again, from the other day, I am less confident about his prospects. I think we might have to cut our losses there. Therefore, Butcher is a priority, as is Lam (to cover either Keary or Flanagan if one gets injured). Having SST is also important as a back up kicker to Flanagan (especially if we still happen to lose Latrell).

Anyway, interesting times!

 

[Tommy Smith]

I'd regard Tauks as our no.1 priority.

He is in the top tier of props in the game alongside JWH, Haas, Papalii, Fonua Blake and NAS.

And at 27 he still has 4-5 great years ahead of him.

After Tauks I'd be looking at locking up Butcher, JWH, and then Latrell. I say Latrell at the end there because it's a simple equation imo - take the 800k you're allegedly being offered or otherwise good luck at the Dogs where you will likely need it.

As for Jake, I'd offer him a 1 year deal. He's a club great and a heart & soul player; but Verrill's is 20 and the next Australian hooker. He's a CRUCIAL long term retention.

 

[Tommy Smith]

Also if Latrell does sign with the Dogs then I think he'd be a disaster waiting to happen for 2020 so I'd hope the club consider a swap for Will Hopoate who is a very good player and also great fullback depth.

 

[Tommy Smith]

So apparently we've withdrawn our offer to Latrell.

I personally am proud of the club for taking a stance and not being drawn into the circus.

Latrell must be mad to consider leaving this great club given what we've done for him and his temperamental state.

We did just fine after RTS left the coop and we'll do just fine if Latrell leaves, too.

Only Uncle Nick and Robbo are indispensable to this truly great club.

 

[jiorl]

So apparently we've withdrawn our offer to Latrell.

I personally am proud of the club for taking a stance and not being drawn into the circus.

Latrell must be mad to consider leaving this great club given what we've done for him and his temperamental state.

We did just fine after RTS left the coop and we'll do just fine if Latrell leaves, too.

Only Uncle Nick and Robbo are indispensable to this truly great club.

Latrell has turned me off. All this bullshit about how 'Easts is his home' and now this really annoys me. Good luck, and I think we've made the right decision. Now we have more money to find a better replacement

 

[Captain Apollo]

The club's statement - https://www.roosters.com.au/news/2019/11/05/club-statement-regarding-latrell-mitchell/

How others in the media are reporting it - https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/rooste..._roosters-retract--800k-mitchell-offer_051119

 

[Headless Chook]

Latrell's future clouded after Roosters retract contract offer
https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/11/05/latrells-future-clouded-after-roosters-retract-contract-offer/

let’s see what happens.

 

[Captain Apollo]

As for Jake, I'd offer him a 1 year deal. He's a club great and a heart & soul player; but Verrill's is 20 and the next Australian hooker. He's a CRUCIAL long term retention.

Verrills is good, but let's not go all in on the hyperbole.

Also you need a squad to win a competition and be competitive. We do not have a surfeit of quality hookers at the club that we can afford to show Jake the door.

 

[Valheru]

Verrills is good, but let's not go all in on the hyperbole.

Also you need a squad to win a competition and be competitive. We do not have a surfeit of quality hookers at the club that we can afford to show Jake the door.

Verrils is clearly a very good firts grade hooker with a bright future who is still developing. I can't see Jake not starting whenever he is fit so I question the value of not having Verrils start beyond next year.

Surely we can find an adequate depth player a hooker to back Verills up in 2021 and beyond.

 

[The Fanatical Rooster]

I, too, am very pleased how the club has handled this Latrell saga. It should not, and never be, dictated to by a player and their management/'hangers on'. The club has stuck to its guns and will not get caught up in a bidding war with others. We are demonstrating why we are THE benchmark when it comes to managing our cap - whether it be in the NRL or across Australia. It appears, now, that Souths and the Tigers are the front runners, with it being suggested that the latter is prepared to pay around $3,3 million over three seasons - that is ridiculous, and is one way they could head back towards cap problems - better them than us, I say.

Anyway, Zane definitely appears to be leaving, as he doesn't feature in our 2020 squad. So be it. I presume that the Dogs' offer is most likely to materialise at this stage. We are doing the right thing, and can focus on securing some of our highest priority players (along the lines what I previously indicated).

 

[Captain Apollo]

https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/penrit...lub-responds-to-latrell-link-amid-spat_061119

 

[The Fanatical Rooster]

Well, there you go. It is starting to look obvious that he will not be able to get what he commands. Boy, this is turning into a circus. We just need to focus on securing our other players. Maybe one good thing that might come out of all of this is that he might eventually come to his senses and come back to us cap in hand. But then that is pretty unlikely, especially when you have people like Mundine hanging around.

 

[adamkungl]

How will we play this if he does indeed go?

2020 - assume our roster will stay put, with or without Latrell

2021 - 2 options
1) we go for a big $1M star. Ponga, Fifita, Haas.. big calibre player that we build the club around again. Player managers will be licking their lips for this circus
2) No one on the market that suits.. target the top 3 u20s players and see who grows into the role. In the mean time we keep Keary, Manu, Cordner, Verrils, Radley happy with a bit of a boost

 

[The Fanatical Rooster]

How will we play this if he does indeed go?

2020 - assume our roster will stay put, with or without Latrell

2021 - 2 options
1) we go for a big $1M star. Ponga, Fifita, Haas.. big calibre player that we build the club around again. Player managers will be licking their lips for this circus
2) No one on the market that suits.. target the top 3 u20s players and see who grows into the role. In the mean time we keep Keary, Manu, Cordner, Verrils, Radley happy with a bit of a boost

Possibly right for 2020, although I think we might consider someone like Jack Wighton to replace Latrell as a centre if the latter can get a deal and the other club pays him out.
For 2021, those options are right, but it depends on how 2020 plays out. It is a tough one. It depends on who is available. From those you listed above, I would go for Fifita. We have Teddy (so no to Ponga) and, if we can retain SST and/or JWH, then Haas won't be looked at (but he did play well in the recent test). Fifita is more versatile and his age is a bonus.