Rumoured Targets 3

[Noname36]

If I were confident that we would spend the full salary cap next year and the year after, then I'd probably agree with you 100%.

I was going to add in my post that I'm also fully aware that we can't sign any quality to help them out regardless (although again, look at the clubs that have outbid us). I was going to suggest we upgrade them on front loaded contracts but then that sets a bad precedent with the younger blokes thinking they can hold the club to ransom which is something we've worked hard to rectify with tariq, tapine, etc,

 

[perverse]

I was going to add in my post that I'm also fully aware that we can't sign any quality to help them out regardless (although again, look at the clubs that have outbid us). I was going to suggest we upgrade them on front loaded contracts but then that sets a bad precedent with the younger blokes thinking they can hold the club to ransom which is something we've worked hard to rectify with tariq, tapine, etc,

Also you can't significantly front or back load contracts anymore. I believe the NRL put a stop to that shit, we probably wouldn't be wasting cap space this year otherwise.

 

[Noname36]

Also you can't significantly front or back load contracts anymore. I believe the NRL put a stop to that shit, we probably wouldn't be wasting cap space this year otherwise.

Ah, there you go, wasn't aware of that. We really don't have much of a choice then. We simply can't have centres and wingers on massive contracts. If we had "caps" like certain clubs we could.

 

[perverse]

Ah, there you go, wasn't aware of that. We really don't have much of a choice then. We simply can't have centres and wingers on massive contracts. If we had "caps" like certain clubs we could.

So your option is just waste the cash if it comes to that? I don't think anyone is saying we should offer Ross a massive contract - just what he's worth - which is more than the minimum wage he's on now.

Is everyones preferred option to just waste the cash next year rather than paying more than what we perceive a player to be worth (which seems to be consistently below open market value)?

 

[Rod]

Not to overreact to the Ross rumour but if for some reason we couldn't keep him that really would be the final straw for me as far as the cap is concerned.

- random 26/27 year old late bloomer
- loves the club to the point where I sometimes wonder why
- no real stars in our team chewing up cap space

If we can't keep extend/upgrade a guy in Ross's situation the minute they show any sort of improvement/success we might as well give up. If.

 

[Noname36]

So your option is just waste the cash if it comes to that?

Is that everyones preferred option?

If wasting it for next year means we actually have the opportunity to make signings in the future because we haven't folded in desperation and let Gagai/Ross have whatever they want then yes that's my option. Also I'm hopeful what is now isn't what it always will be - and I don't want all the young blokes thinking they can hold the club to ransom because two outside backs got away with it. We're well past that shit.

Both Gagai and Ross would be fully aware we don't have as much money to spend as other clubs. If they can get more elsewhere then they'd be silly not to take it - but that doesn't mean we can afford to have too much money wrapped up in centres and wingers.

 

[perverse]

Not to overreact to the Ross rumour but if for some reason we couldn't keep him that really would be the final straw for me as far as the cap is concerned.

- random 26/27 year old late bloomer
- loves the club to the point where I sometimes wonder why
- no real stars in our team chewing up cap space

If we can't keep extend/upgrade a guy in Ross's situation the minute they show any sort of improvement/success we might as well give up. If.

The thing that frustrates me is that it's not a matter of can or cannot keep him. We can keep them all and hit the market and still afford 2 marquees at the moment with the cash we've got. Maybe even more than 2 marquees.

 

[perverse]

If wasting it for next year means we actually have the opportunity to make signings in the future because we haven't folded in desperation and let Gagai/Ross have whatever they want then yes that's my option. Also I'm hopeful what is now isn't what it always will be - and I don't want all the young blokes thinking they can hold the club to ransom because two outside backs got away with it. We're well past that shit.

Okay, well all I can say is that I disagree completely I guess. I don't see much positive in a future where we stash cash, consistently run last as a result, and then can't attract talent due to being perennial cellar dwellers. We've got $3.5 million to spend. What's going to change in 12 months? Having the opportunity to sign people is kinda useless if we only get 1/100 targets.

 

[Noname36]

Okay, well all I can say is that I disagree completely I guess. I don't see much positive in a future where we stash cash, consistently run last as a result, and then can't attract talent due to being perennial cellar dwellers. We've got $3.5 million to spend. What's going to change in 12 months? Having the opportunity to sign people is kinda useless if we only get 1/100 targets.

I don't understand? You want us to use that cash to upgrade blokes we're running last with anyway?

Don't get me wrong, I'd agree with you if these blokes were winning us games but they're not.

In fact our last win had nothing to do with either one of them.

 

[perverse]

I don't understand? You want us to use that cash to upgrade blokes we're running last with anyway?

If they deserve it, sure absolutely. Better with a happy Ross and only $3.4 million to spend than an unhappy/trying to get a release Ross and $3.5 million to spend.

I don't get why upgrading Ross from minimum wage is overly controversial, to be honest.

Everyone is terrified because we paid big overs for blokes who couldn't play. Every team in the NRL is paying overs for a slice of their roster, and unders for others. We're at a point at the moment, in my opinion, where we need to spend a bit of overs to get the ball rolling. We have the capacity to do so. I'm not even suggesting we spend overs on Ross, and I don't think he's out of his mind asking for more money, either. I certainly would in his position.

 

[Spot On]

It's not. He'll get his money (and he definitely should) unless one of the rich clubs decides to pay him a motza.

 

[perverse]

It's not. He'll get his money (and he definitely should) unless one of the rich clubs decides to pay him a motza.

If it gets to the point where other clubs are allowed to negotiate with him, then we've pretty much failed.

 

[Sydney Knight]

I don't see that clubs will offer ridiculous dollars to Ross for 2019. He will be 30 then and starting to hit the age where outside backs struggle with loss of pace.

Although he came into NRL late so might have a few more miles in the legs. Hopefully we can offer a fair increase and he sees his days out with us.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

I don't think it's a big deal with Ross. He'll get an upgrade.
I can remember he asked Toohey what he thought when he last signed. Comments were that the first year offer was ok provided the second went up. Idea seemed to be that he'd have time to prove himself and ask for more. He has done that.
Ross has always been playing for a contract and that suits him.

 

[Spot On]

If it gets to the point where other clubs are allowed to negotiate with him, then we've pretty much failed.

Agreed. Unless the manager is asking for something unreasonable.

 

[Burwood]

We should be chasing Will Chambers hard- off contract next season and only have Melbourne making him an offer so far.

 

[Spot On]

Just watching NRL 360......

Some clubs are going to be in major shit and some players taking whatever they can get if the information coming from Paul Kent is accurate.

Basically the NRL WILL NOT be able to deliver on the financial promises previously made to clubs.

If this is fact we are in a tremendous position. An almighty position.

Now, don't shoot the messenger please but this has looked like being the case for some time.

If the cap and promised extra funding is less than clubs have budgeted for and they don't shed players then it is truly a corrupt system and we may as well give up.

 

[Hardcore_Fan]

Nah, the big clubs will get what they want.

 

[Spot On]

Nah, the big clubs will get what they want.

That has always been my belief but... there is real possibility that the NRL simply does not have the cash to fund the clubs to the promised figures. Now that doesn't surprise me one iota with this mob. Not a great situation for the game at all but one that could suit us for a period of time.

If it's true and does become reality for the clubs I can not see the next TV rights deal being close to the current one.

 

[Apey]

Man the way this talk was going it sounded like Ross was off-contract next year and he might walk at season's end. He'll get an upgrade no worries if he keeps it up. Hard to know what he's worth without a known salary cap but I'm confident a reasonable agreement for both sides will be reached.