Rumoured Targets 3

[Mr_Knightside]

I think we've dodged a bullet in not getting Bird, $500k would have been overs imo. we're better off holding that money and waiting for a chance to sign someone during the off season, there's always player movements before the season kicks off.

 

[perverse]

Optics are fine. It was a very easy decision for Bird to make. Doesn't matter how long or how hard we were chasing him, theres nothing you can do about the Catalans offer.

We don't look any more desirable or less desirable from this outcome then we were before. Above average players do not want to come here, we knew that before and it's still true now. But 2 years ago no one wanted a bar of Canberra. Less then a year ago Gold Coast struggled to attract big names. And 6 years ago when Mooney started at Cronulla no one wanted to go there either. It's all about waiting for the right players at the right price. That's the Mooney philosophy. If it means we sign no one for a year then so be it.

I don't really agree that the optics of it are fine, but I agree with the rest. My worry is that signing no-one for a year is ok.... but one year will quickly slip to 2 and then 3 if we're not careful. According to Toohey, Mooney is not confident at all that he'll get either Holmes or J. Bird for 2018 already. If we're in the same spot next year where we've signed another couple of handy players, gotten rid of a bunch more plodders - but haven't found the quality players to join us - what then? How many years do you accept it to be fine to not fill the gaps in the roster? How many more spoons is acceptable?

At some point, we need a big name or 2 across the line, and I don't think money is the issue at this point. We've got money to spend and no-one to take it. I said a couple of weeks ago in another thread, we'll end up with another spoon and about $5 million freed up under the cap by 2018 at this rate.

I guess the TL;DR of it is thus - I agree with the philosophy in principle, but when is it time to pull the pin? End of next year? The year after?

 

[Joel-22]

I have it on very good authority that Heighington will sign - most likely for 2 years. Not huge money either.

 

[Joel-22]

I think it's a good signing too tbh. He's still fit and playing well. He is known for having an inhuman work ethic so that will be good for our young guys.
At this stage, I'd start him at prop alongside Mataora. Barnett, Sione and Buhrer in the backrow. Add Kostjaycyn at hooker and suddenly we have a pack who is capable of at least defending

 

[slotmachine]

2 year deal for a bloke who turns 35 in January. Zzzz. Another spoon. Public pressure is going to be huge this time next year.

 

[perverse]

Heighington will be after a retirement cheque after just winning a trophy, I can't imagine him having too much desire left in the tank. Really it's just the equivalent of getting Jez to run around another year or 2. That's the best case scenario.

Pretty bleh, but I'm sure he'll be cheap given his age, so it's another one you can't really admonish, but it's hard to get excited about either.

 

[Joel-22]

Heighington will be after a retirement cheque after just winning a trophy, I can't imagine him having too much desire left in the tank. Really it's just the equivalent of getting Jez to run around another year or 2. That's the best case scenario.

Pretty bleh, but I'm sure he'll be cheap given his age, so it's another one you can't really admonish, but it's hard to get excited about either.

I've gotta disagree with the bold. He is a competitor through and through.

His age is definitely concerning but 1-2 years will be ok especially considering his level of dedication and fitness.

The biggest positive to come from it is that he is a professional and a competitor. Like Bird when it comes to psychological influence on our young group of forwards, only without the brain explosions (both on and off the field)

 

[Mr_Knightside]

If we get Heighington it wouldn't be the worst thing. At least we would have three players on the roster who have won a premiership which wouldn't do any harm.

 

[Caped Crusader]

I think it's a little early to be stressing about having no signings for 2018. That is a looooong time away with an entire off season still to go before the 2017 kick off. Rushing a "big name" signing just to have one is dangerous, remember how our last one has panned out

We need a smarter approach and I think it's the pathway Brown is currently on. Add some experience and work ethic while we wait for a marquee to become free. Missing out on Bird is not something to read too much into imo

 

[Noname36]

I'd be happy with Heighington for the right price. Yeah he's old but he'd a great influence/leader for the younger guys. We need some experience badly after losing Jez and when there aren't a lot of options available we could certainly do worse than a premiership winner with a good work ethic.

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

Yeah, and along with kostjaysn and buhrer, heino is a premiership winner and knows what it takes to be a top team.

Build from the ground up instead of making rushed one off signings is the way to go. Build a solid platform.

 

[Burns]

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/4226995/former-knights-not-on-browns-shopping-list/?cs=305

"THEY are the hardened veterans willing to help their home-town club in its hour of greatest need.

Unfortunately for Dane Tilse and Joel Edwards, their interest in re-joining the Newcastle Knights appears unlikely to be reciprocated.

The Herald understands that Tilse, 31, and Edwards, 28, would both be enthusiastic about finishing their NRL careers where they started, but Knights officials are backing themselves to find better options by exploring the marketplace."

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

hahahhahahha.

 

[BuderusIsaBeast]

I've heard we are after Zach Docksr Clay who I am a big fan of. I understand we have a bit of depth in the halves and hooker however Zach is only 21 and has captained NZ under 20's and the Panthers NSW Cup team. He has great potential and I doubt would be to expensive.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/4226995/former-knights-not-on-browns-shopping-list/?cs=305

"THEY are the hardened veterans willing to help their home-town club in its hour of greatest need.

Unfortunately for Dane Tilse and Joel Edwards, their interest in re-joining the Newcastle Knights appears unlikely to be reciprocated.

The Herald understands that Tilse, 31, and Edwards, 28, would both be enthusiastic about finishing their NRL careers where they started, but Knights officials are backing themselves to find better options by exploring the marketplace."

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

hahahhahahha.

This is brilliant! Joel Edwards left for a pay cheque and barely played first grade again after that and now he's come crawling back? Hahaha sorry not happening mate.

Tilse obviously hasn't been at the club for 10 years but I don't see much point in bringing him back either, he's a big unit but I think our younger props would have more impact anyway.

 

[Glendale]

Remember when Edwards left the club and him and his manager were saying he was a future representative player...

 

[Alex28]

Both of them see themselves walking back i to the club knowing we had cash up our sleeves for Bird and assuming because they are old boys we'll just help them with one last payday.

Thank god we are finally aspiring to be better than this.

 

[Silent Knight]

Remember when Edwards left the club and him and his manager were saying he was a future representative player...

I couldn't help myself, I went digging...

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/207600/money-talks-edward-walks-in-quest-for-bright-future/

From none other than player manager Darryl Mather...

‘‘This is a quality player we’re talking about, not some run-of-the-mill player, and quality players usually find employment,’’ Mather said.

‘‘If he was a marginal player, the fact we’re talking about next year and it’s round 22, it could be problematic.

‘‘But I think Joel will be a Country player next year and could even be in contention for Origin.’’

Made for Origin. Joel's got dis.

 

[perverse]

I couldn't help myself, I went digging...

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/207600/money-talks-edward-walks-in-quest-for-bright-future/

From none other than player manager Darryl Mather...

‘‘This is a quality player we’re talking about, not some run-of-the-mill player, and quality players usually find employment,’’ Mather said.

‘‘If he was a marginal player, the fact we’re talking about next year and it’s round 22, it could be problematic.

‘‘But I think Joel will be a Country player next year and could even be in contention for Origin.’’

Made for Origin. Joel's got dis.

Not sure who he's trying harder to convince... himself, Joel or the public.

 

[Caped Crusader]

Wow I'd forgotten those 2 had even existed

I'm sure theyd both be great additions to Newcastle. The local league of course

I'm sure Nelsons Bay are after a couple of forwards

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

Article this morning I read basically said yes Bird was our number 1 priority but we have a plan B and plenty of cap space and are looking at another 3 or 4 signings including rookies and first graders.

'Newcastle CEO Matt Gidley said coach Nathan Brown and football manager Darren Mooney are considering a host of options, from minimum-wage rookies to top-tier representative stars.'

http://www.leagueunlimited.com/knights-officials-launch-plan-b-after-missing-out-on-greg-bird-24194/

Edit: why does the above link change to a leagueunlimited domain? The article is from zer0 tackle and when I post it it changes to leagueunlimited. And it looks like the word zer o t ackle automatically changes to league unlimited