Matautia contract updates

[Baron Vo Mandor]

I'll lock in #2 eddie.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Seriously this is just a f**king disgrace. As fans isn't there something we can do? I know we can't change the boys minds but honestly, how can we sit back and watch this club crumble before us without doing anything.

I know writing letters and emails to the NRL or the Knights wont achieve a single thing but I feel so desperate and helpless in the running of this club that I just want try something to make a difference and if we can't then we just need to let the club and the NRL that we are sick of this and wont stand for this shit.

I'm so angry, I don't know what to do but we have to do something. We need some of that famous Novocastrian never say die and lets stick together attitude on this. We need something.

 

[perverse]

Dogs lost Barba last year, didn't replace him.

Lost Inu, Brown, Ennis. Signed Loko, Rona, Lichaa.

They pulled out of Fifita deal mate. The Dogs have plenty to spend.

For 2016 I'd imagine Sam Perrett will retire too and Chase Stanley is off contract along with Thompson then too.

Oh no! Not Inu, Brown and Ennis! Perrett too?? Gee, the Dogs must be swimming in cap space! Especially given that they've already signed replacements for all of those that have left. Try this list on for size...

Out:
Alex McKinnon
Russell Packer
Darius Boyd
Kurt Gidley
Willie Mason
Matt Hilder
Adam Cuthbertson
Timana Tahu

In:
Tariq Sims

That our list of losses and gains thus far looking ahead to 2015 and 2016.

Ennis, Inu and Brown might add up to Boyd's contract... but wouldn't even eclipse Boyd and Gidley put together... let alone the rest of them. Throw Barba in too, why not. We've signed no replacements for any of these blokes, the plan has been to replace them all with our juniors. If we don't have acres more wiggle room in the cap than the Dogs then the system is 100% broken, full stop. The Knights only have 16 players contracted in the top squad for 2016.

 

[Allstar Knights]

As hopeless as the Knights are and that this should've been sorted a while ago, I think you guys are overreacting a bit. The reporter who wrote that article was on kofm this morning saying that the fans shouldn't be worried yet. The brothers have expressed they want to stay here and It's likely a ploy by the manager to get the Knights to come back with a bigger offer.

 

[Rusty]

I knew of this weeks ago and posted it somewhere else. Simple fact is, nobody wants to play for Newcastle and their archaic management structure that only wants to do things the "Newcastle way". Only out management could screw it all up. However, Sione is the only one worth retaining tbh

 

[Noname36]

As hopeless as the Knights are and that this should've been sorted a while ago, I think you guys are overreacting a bit. The reporter who wrote that article was on kofm this morning saying that the fans shouldn't be worried yet. The brothers have expressed they want to stay here and It's likely a ploy by the manager to get the Knights to come back with a bigger offer.

That's the point though. This scenario highlights the club's incompetence just as much as them leaving would. A competent club would have had this all sorted ages ago and wouldn't let it get to a stage where they let themselves and the club's finances be controlled by a manager...especially the manager of 3 guys that don't actually want to leave.

Shouldn't be surprised though. Hagan let Johns and his manager bleed us dry despite the fact he was never going to leave. Look who's back in the fold now...

 

[perverse]

Shouldn't be surprised though. Hagan let Johns and his manager bleed us dry despite the fact he was never going to leave. Look who's back in the fold now...

It is very reminisce of the Johns situation at this point. God that was a circus. Fast forward 10-15 years and zero has changed.

 

[perverse]

It would be nice to see a media release from the club hosing down this report. Can we at least organise that... or is that too smart/forward thinking for the current mob.

I have images in my head of Midley, Hages, Stone and the dopes they've surrounded themselves with sitting at a boardroom table right now in total silence, looking around wondering what to do next. Hopefully step 1 this morning was the call to boys and their manager asking for a please explain. Press release should have followed shortly after, I would imagine.

 

[Joker's Wild]

This is not surprising given the hype over the boys. Should this have been wrapped up ages ago? Sure but whos to say the negotiations werent stalled on purpose so the Bulldogs deal could be done to boost their asking price.

We were always going to have to fork out big cash to keep Sione, much like we had to with Uate. Its an absolute pipe dream to think we could have kept him on the cheap and that other clubs would not be agressive with $$

 

[Rod]

I always laugh at the line you always hear from Bulldogs fans and their administration about how they 'never replaced Barba' or as their CEO so eloquently put it 'we're using Barba's money on Fifita.'

Ben Barba never had a lucrative big money contract at the Dogs anyway, the first decent contract he signed was with the Broncos after his previous one at the Dogs expired, one which he was on before his career exploded and he won the Dally M. Hardly comparable money to what they would have offered Fifita, who was close to the hottest property in the NRL at the time of that deal.

 

[Rod]

This is not surprising given the hype over the boys. Should this have been wrapped up ages ago? Sure but whos to say the negotiations werent stalled on purpose so the Bulldogs deal could be done to boost their asking price.

This is how I see it too. It's easy to say 'this should have been wrapped up earlier.' If you're the Mata'utia's brothers or their manager, why would you wrap it up earlier? All the papers and commentators are fapping over you as the weeks roll on, why would you sign a new deal as soon as possible? Let your asking price go up as the hype does.

Gidley is literally quoted in that article saying they've been working on this for weeks and they were close to getting it sorted. We even agreed to their terms (not the other way around). Yes our current admin may be a joke but to me we simply don't have the evidence yet that they've dropped the ball on this one.

 

[Allstar Knights]

That's the point though. This scenario highlights the club's incompetence just as much as them leaving would. A competent club would have had this all sorted ages ago and wouldn't let it get to a stage where they let themselves and the club's finances be controlled by a manager...especially the manager of 3 guys that don't actually want to leave.

Shouldn't be surprised though. Hagan let Johns and his manager bleed us dry despite the fact he was never going to leave. Look who's back in the fold now...

Yeah, agreed. Like I said, the Knights admin are hopeless. It a shame we're gonna have to pay overs now but I just don't think we are quite dumb enough to lose them ... surely.

Sione would probably be the only guy I'd pay overs for as a talent like him won't come around all that often. The other two I feel will be good NRL footballers, but they are also replaceable and not the kind you want to pay too much for at this stage.

 

[TheViking]

Oh no! Not Inu, Brown and Ennis! Perrett too?? Gee, the Dogs must be swimming in cap space! Especially given that they've already signed replacements for all of those that have left. Try this list on for size...

Out:
Alex McKinnon
Russell Packer
Darius Boyd
Kurt Gidley
Willie Mason
Matt Hilder
Adam Cuthbertson
Timana Tahu

In:
Tariq Sims

That our list of losses and gains thus far looking ahead to 2015 and 2016.

Ennis, Inu and Brown might add up to Boyd's contract... but wouldn't even eclipse Boyd and Gidley put together... let alone the rest of them. Throw Barba in too, why not. We've signed no replacements for any of these blokes, the plan has been to replace them all with our juniors. If we don't have acres more wiggle room in the cap than the Dogs then the system is 100% broken, full stop. The Knights only have 16 players contracted in the top squad for 2016.

You are kidding right?

Half the blokes you listed would be on low salarys. Tahu, Cuthbertson, Hilder etc. Much like Mitch Brown hardly worth throwing up. We have lost other top 25 players like Lachlan Burr. Though again hardly a huge money player. So not listing all that.

Inu would of been on a fair amount. He was a New Zealand rep and killed it for us upon his return. He was released and Loko replaced him which has been quiet publicly stated that the Eels are paying a large amount of his salary.

Ennis would be on big money. He is our captain, was a NSW rep player when re-signed. Arguable at the time the 2nd best hooker upon his last contract. Lichaa is a young exciting prospect reported on a 300k year deal. Change is clearly left over.

Barba was never replaced. If you don't believe that is a substantial amount of money then your argument is very flawed.

Sam Perrett was a New Zealand regular. Would hardly be on small pay either.

Let me say no one said that the Knights are under cap pressure or can't afford to sign them... Don't know where that came from though I will discuss a few things here.

I don't know where Gidley is going. I am yet to hear he is retiring. How is he coming off the books? Wishful thinking?

Packer would of been on a average wage much like McKinnon. Mason was thrown a lifeline and hardly getting much off the books there. Boyd would free up a huge amount of money.

Again not saying that it means the Knights have no money. Losing Boyd and Mason will give them some big money to spend. Though they also need to retain Mamo, they did sign a forward I forget what his name was to replace McKinnon too. Re-signed Beau Scott and a few others I'm sure.

The point I was clearly making is the Dogs have money. You question how. I answered. Barba was never replaced. It has been stated for 18 months Dogs are looking for a "ROCKSTAR" which I believe will be Brett Morris.

Inu to Loko is money in the bank, Ennis to Lichaa is money in the bank.

The Dogs pulled out of the Fifita deal mate. It shows they have a lot of money to spend.

This is also for 2016. Who knows by then Pritchard may retire along with Perrett. That alone is more then enough for the kids.

Lastly the kids may just want to play for a club contending with a great coach and a stable club. We shall see.

 

[perverse]

I always laugh at the line you always hear from Bulldogs fans and their administration about how they 'never replaced Barba' or as their CEO so eloquently put it 'we're using Barba's money on Fifita.'

Ben Barba never had a lucrative big money contract at the Dogs anyway, the first decent contract he signed was with the Broncos after his previous one at the Dogs expired, one which he was on before his career exploded and he won the Dally M. Hardly comparable money to what they would have offered Fifita, who was close to the hottest property in the NRL at the time of that deal.

Bulldogs economics 101. You can spend as much replacing a player as their NEXT contract is worth.

 

[TheViking]

I always laugh at the line you always hear from Bulldogs fans and their administration about how they 'never replaced Barba' or as their CEO so eloquently put it 'we're using Barba's money on Fifita.'

Ben Barba never had a lucrative big money contract at the Dogs anyway, the first decent contract he signed was with the Broncos after his previous one at the Dogs expired, one which he was on before his career exploded and he won the Dally M. Hardly comparable money to what they would have offered Fifita, who was close to the hottest property in the NRL at the time of that deal.

I think you need to do some homework mate.

The agreement upon his release regarding Barbas contract was he was not to be paid MORE then his current yearly wage of $450,000 for the time of his Bulldog deal would of ran.

He then has a heavy pay increase.

At the time of him re-signing he was still the Bulldogs leading try scorer in 2011. Before his "break out year" he had 23 trys for them coming off the bench for most of the year.

He was the most hyped up Bulldog jr since SBW, JT.

Many clubs saw the potential and wanted to recruit him. Much like the stories of Milford have gone round for years.

 

[Rod]

I think you need to do some homework mate.

The agreement upon his release regarding Barbas contract was he was not to be paid MORE then his current yearly wage of $450,000 for the time of his Bulldog deal would of ran.

He then has a heavy pay increase.

At the time of him re-signing he was still the Bulldogs leading try scorer in 2011. Before his "break out year" he had 23 trys for them coming off the bench for most of the year.

He was the most hyped up Bulldog jr since SBW, JT.

Many clubs saw the potential and wanted to recruit him. Much like the stories of Milford have gone round for years.

How much were you going to give Fifita?

 

[perverse]

I don't usually make posts like this as I find them annoying... but...

You are kidding right?

Half the blokes you listed would be on low salarys. Tahu, Cuthbertson, Hilder etc. Much like Mitch Brown hardly worth throwing up. We have lost other top 25 players like Lachlan Burr. Though again hardly a huge money player. So not listing all that.

Cuthbertson was on decent money.

Inu would of been on a fair amount. He was a New Zealand rep and killed it for us upon his return. He was released and Loko replaced him which has been quiet publicly stated that the Eels are paying a large amount of his salary.

Inu was practically thrown a lifeline, no-one wanted him from the Warriors.

Ennis would be on big money. He is our captain, was a NSW rep player when re-signed. Arguable at the time the 2nd best hooker upon his last contract. Lichaa is a young exciting prospect reported on a 300k year deal. Change is clearly left over.

Wouldn't even be on close to the same amount of cash as Boyd. Laughable if he was.

Barba was never replaced. If you don't believe that is a substantial amount of money then your argument is very flawed.

Barba is covered by Gidleys contract alone.

Sam Perrett was a New Zealand regular. Would hardly be on small pay either.

Wouldn't be on big pay. Being a NZ rep doesn't automatically get you a big deal. There are a lot of very average first graders that have repped NZ. He's a good winger. Not even fantastic... and would be competing for spots in NSW cup at the Knights (and potentially struggling to make the team).

I don't know where Gidley is going. I am yet to hear he is retiring. How is he coming off the books? Wishful thinking?

Wants to finish his career in the ESL, it's almost a given that he will go there for 2016 and onwards.

Packer would of been on a average wage much like McKinnon. Mason was thrown a lifeline and hardly getting much off the books there.

Wrong again, we signed up Packer for a contract worth somewhere in the vicinity of 300-400k He was in high demand... the fact that he's still in demand when he's behind bars should tell you something.

Again not saying that it means the Knights have no money. Losing Boyd and Mason will give them some big money to spend. Though they also need to retain Mamo, they did sign a forward I forget what his name was to replace McKinnon too. Re-signed Beau Scott and a few others I'm sure.

We signed Sam Mataora for minimum wage to replace McKinnon. Not really a replacement. McKinnon wasn't on fantastic money, but he wasn't on minimum wage either.

The point I was clearly making is the Dogs have money. You question how. I answered. Barba was never replaced. It has been stated for 18 months Dogs are looking for a "ROCKSTAR" which I believe will be Brett Morris.

My assertion isn't that the Dogs have no cap space, my assertion is that it should be dwarfed by the amount we have to throw around.

The bits I've omitted from your post are just opinion and I don't really have the effort to debate opinion with you on this. What I will say is that there's no way the Knights have LESS money than the Dogs to spend - and the Mata'utia brothers all want to stay in Newcastle. They grew up in Newcastle, they've played all of the junior footy for Newcastle. It's unfathomable that we could lose our best junior since Mullen under these circumstances. What is the point in supporting a team in the NRL if you can't keep your best juniors when you have more money and they want to stay?

Also, forget the fact that the Dogs upgraded Graham to a deal worth reportedly $750k up from the $425k they're paying him this year. Don't even worry about that... we'll just put that over... here...

 

[TheViking]

I don't usually make posts like this as I find them annoying... but...


Cuthbertson was on decent money.

Inu was practically thrown a lifeline, no-one wanted him from the Warriors.

Wouldn't even be on close to the same amount of cash as Boyd. Laughable if he was.

Barba is covered by Gidleys contract alone.

Wouldn't be on big pay. Being a NZ rep doesn't automatically get you a big deal. There are a lot of very average first graders that have repped NZ. He's a good winger. Not even fantastic... and would be competing for spots in NSW cup at the Knights (and potentially struggling to make the team).

Wants to finish his career in the ESL, it's almost a given that he will go there for 2016 and onwards.

Wrong again, we signed up Packer for a contract worth somewhere in the vicinity of 300-400k He was in high demand... the fact that he's still in demand when he's behind bars should tell you something.

We signed Sam Mataora for minimum wage to replace McKinnon. Not really a replacement. McKinnon wasn't on fantastic money, but he wasn't on minimum wage either.

My assertion isn't that the Dogs have no cap space, my assertion is that it should be dwarfed by the amount we have to throw around.

The bits I've omitted from your post are just opinion and I don't really have the effort to debate opinion with you on this. What I will say is that there's no way the Knights have LESS money than the Dogs to spend - and the Mata'utia brothers all want to stay in Newcastle. They grew up in Newcastle, they've played all of the junior footy for Newcastle. It's unfathomable that we could lose our best junior since Mullen under these circumstances. What is the point in supporting a team in the NRL if you can't keep your best juniors when you have more money and they want to stay?

Also, forget the fact that the Dogs upgraded Graham to a deal worth reportedly $750k up from the $425k they're paying him this year. Don't even worry about that... we'll just put that over... here...

In summary. Gidley isn't going anywhere till 2016 according to you. Nothing said anywhere else that is believable I am leaning towards wishful thinking as he is not a shadow of the player he was. In 2016 he may head off to England. The knights may have signed many more players. In which time as I said Pritchard and Perrett could well retire in which you disregard.

You think Packer is on 300-400k for the Knights? Right. This is by Wayne? The guy who was going to lose it over Snowden being on that who at the time was a NSW rep. Compared to a fringe NRL prop. Laughable.

The point you make on Ennis to Boyd is again laughable. You are shifting the argument to comments never made. My point was you saying he wasn't on much is incorrect. He was the captain and NSW hooker. He would be on substantial money. If you recall your lot were chasing him for ffs. Inu was not on peanuts. It was pretty well reported as such, most clubs gave the Dogs shit after his first year turned to his crap.

Lastly you can say Graham upgraded etc. That is correct, how much of that is in the cap? How much of that is 3rd party like Fifita was offered? Do you think Beau Scott was not upgraded.

This is not illegal. It is how the well ran clubs do things. Blaming the Dogs because your club is not ran by the same people as the smarter clubs is hardly the right place for the blame.

 

[Alex28]

The worst thing is that the NRL has control of the club and are prepared to let this just happen.

Complete and utter bullshit.

 

[perverse]

In summary. Gidley isn't going anywhere till 2016 according to you. Nothing said anywhere else that is believable I am leaning towards wishful thinking as he is not a shadow of the player he was. In 2016 he may head off to England. The knights may have signed many more players. In which time as I said Pritchard and Perrett could well retire in which you disregard.

You think Packer is on 300-400k for the Knights? Right. This is by Wayne? The guy who was going to lose it over Snowden being on that who at the time was a NSW rep. Compared to a fringe NRL prop. Laughable.

The point you make on Ennis to Boyd is again laughable. You are shifting the argument to comments never made. My point was you saying he wasn't on much is incorrect. He was the captain and NSW hooker. He would be on substantial money. If you recall your lot were chasing him for ffs. Inu was not on peanuts. It was pretty well reported as such, most clubs gave the Dogs shit after his first year turned to his crap.

Lastly you can say Graham upgraded etc. That is correct, how much of that is in the cap? How much of that is 3rd party like Fifita was offered? Do you think Beau Scott was not upgraded.

This is not illegal. It is how the well ran clubs do things. Blaming the Dogs because your club is not ran by the same people as the smarter clubs is hardly the right place for the blame.

When the f**k did I say anything was illegal? You accuse me of going off topic then throw that in there? Idiot. I said there's no way the Dogs have the cap space that the Knights have. Not even close. Not bothering with you anymore, particularly given your moronic shit in the rumoured signings NRL thread.

I mean you're just tying yourself up in so much contradiction. It's f**king hard to read and watch. You argue to me that Gidley is no sure thing to leave, then in the very next breath tell me about how he's not worth much anymore. So surely that means that, even if he stays, we stand to save a lot of money on him, yes? You're stupid or trolling, and I stopped arguing with stupid people and trolls on here quite a long time ago.