I don't think there is much happening in terms of new players coming in. I think it will be promotion of development players/fringe guys.
In the last 12 months re-signed BHU, Brailey, Nikora, Jack Williams, Dykes, Berrell, Iro, Colquhoun, Moylan, Hiroti, Mulitalo, Hunt, Talakai, Hazleton and Graham. That is half our squad who we kept last year alone. Berrell, Hazleton, Graham and Moylan probably on cost neutral deals however BHU, Nikora, Dykes, Iro, Ronnie, Hunt, Sifa would all have growth. Plus we landed Kafusi early on. I don't think we have cap pressure but you can see where the money is going given we are having very little turn over of our roster.
We also have Wilton, Katoa, Kennedy and Raimen head lining the players who can right now be talking to other clubs and I would imagine we re-sign Nicho before Nov 1st and upgrade the last year of his deal. Fitz seems to be backing the players that we have which I see as a positive. I see Wilton becoming Wades replacement vs an outsider.
Interestingly I see Royce actually has a PO for 2024 according to NRL.com
Diving into the losses from the comps big guns you can see why we don't have cash to splash.
Storm lost Felise Kaufusi (Dolphins), Brandon Smith (Roosters), Jesse Bromwich (Dolphins), Kenny Bromwich (Dolphins), David Nofoaluma (Wests Tigers - return from loan), Cooper Johns (Sea Eagles). Bromwich brothers, Kaufusi and Smith would have been on decent coin and they have not really been able to add much besides the corpse of Sims.
Cowboys lost the Hammer but nobody really of note but also haven't signed anyone
Eels lost Marata Niukore (Warriors), Isaiah Papali'i (Wests Tigers), Oregon Kaufusi (Sharks), Reed Mahoney (Bulldogs), Ray Stone (Dolphins), Tom Opacic (Hull KR), Hayze Perham (Bulldogs), David Hollis (unsigned). If Stone is fit that is 5 players from their starting 17. They also added f**k all.
Panthers lost Apisai Koroisau (Wests Tigers), Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs), Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins), Robert Jennings (Dolphins), J'maine Hopgood (Eels), Sean O'Sullivan (Dolphins), Charlie Staines (Wests Tigers), Christian Crichton (unsigned). Api, Kikau are huge blows and you can see the players they are bringing in are on bargain smaller deals/playing for a opportunity like Garner.
Souths lost nobody really and have gained nobody
Roosters lost Taukeiaho and some depth but have added Smith and depth. They are probably the only one who improved from the outside.
Sure the Tigers have signed a lot of quality as have the dogs but look at the turn over and rosters they had/have now. When you suck you do those type of moves. Imagine being the Dragons in no mans land who have no cap room to improve and no real light at the end of the tunnel.
We lost a young prop who didn't play NRL last year. Two old heads retired and a young unproven half. We have done an incredible job with retention.
