Raiders retention and recruitment

[legend]

I'm not sure how discussions are going with the Raiders players off contract but I think we need to re-sign Graham and McLinden ASAP.

I don't want to see either one leave the club and I have read the Bulldogs are interested in Graham but I don't think he would come as cheap as they think.

For now, we have room to move under the cap and with the Broncos re-signing almost their entire forward pack, they must be getting close to the limit as well. The Roosters aren't in a position to buy much although you never know with them and their magical accountants.

McLinden and Graham represent the future of the Raiders and i'd be shattered if either one of them left the club.

Does anyone know if any of these blokes are close to signing?

 

[salivor]

Was there any substance to your rumor of Brisbane being after Graham? Not that we could afford him without letting several players go.

 

[legend]

I have to admit I recycled that rumour. I read it in the Sunday Telegraph a couple of weeks ago.

 

[salivor]

Telegraph? Don't let willow hear you say that word ;-)

 

[bucko]

It may be a recycled rumour but it doesn't mean the broncos have lost their interest in Graham. We do need to resign as quickly as possible.

 

[kaon]

With the Broncos re-signing their forward pack they should be right on their limit but hey, it hasn't stopped the Roosters.


The Raiders really need to keep McLinden and Graham. They also have a few other quality first graders coming off contact but with the money Matt Rua freed up, it shouldn't be a problem upgrading current contracts.

 

[bucko]

These are very positive outlooks for the raiders. They are starting to become a dominate force in the NRL.

 

[legend]

After last night I think guys like Davico and Croker should be prepared to take a lesser amount for the good of the club. Both should have cap exemptions by now.

I thought both players played poorly compared to some of the younger guys.

Michael Robertson has been the one to impress me. Lolesi looks like he is oging through the motions, especially on kick returns. Robbo looks determined and his defence last night was outstanding. If Mogg is back next week I would run with this side:

Schif
Robbo
Monaghan
Mogg
Graham
McLinden
Drew
Martin
Hindmarsh
Wiki
Davico
Woolford
O'Hara

Smith
Croker
Weyman
Monaghan

 

[bucko]

I thought Lolessi had a decent game last night. He never stops putting his hand up for a hit-up to take some pressure off the forwards, and he is solid in defence. His only major error was taking it over the sideline midway through the second half. Other then that, he did everything pretty well.

 

[legend]

According to todays paper, Phil Graham will put pen to paper on a new three year deal today. The club is still negotiating with Tyran Smith and Luke Davico and hopes to have an answer within the next week.

That means almost all our talent will be re-signed by June 30 and we can sit back and watch the other clubs go into a frenzy and fight for what looks to be a very lean player market with not much quality on offer.

 

[bucko]

Yes, Graham has just signed a new 3 year deal with the green machine.

 

[kaon]

It's great being a Raiders fan.


I wouldn't be devastated if Davico or Smith left considering our forward depth but in saying that, i hope they re-sign.

 

[sydraider]

YES YES YES now we can look forward to a brighter future for the club. I was really hoping macca and graham resigned with us.
HERES TO BEING GREEN

 

[bucko]

Yeah, I'd like to see Davico in green for a few more years, after that performance for the broncos that was awesome!!

 

[bucko]

Well Tyran Smith has just signed on for 2 more years as well, this he reckons will see out his career.