Rumoured Targets 3

[Old dog]

If we have Clifford along with Pearce and Crossland we don’t need Mann at 5/8 unless a couple of serious injuries, surely not going to happen. So we have a choice, Watson or Mann as our 14 unless we find a position for either in top 13, unlikely. Comparing them, Watson is all dash and go without much thought running into dead ends or open space with an improved passing game, Mann is all stutter and indecision that allows dead ends to front him when open space was available with no passing game as all support has over run him.
Now for the difficult moment of deciding who to keep, Mann is unsure and Watson has bolted through a gap so we may have to wait for a decision we just can’t get these two to help us in our decision, talk about the hare and the tortoise or is it the road runner and Daffy Duck

 

[PhilGould]

Clifford and Lodge both close to done deals and will likely both be available for Old Boys Day vs the Eels. Knights taking on half of Lodge's $800k salary, no word on how long the deal is. No official word on who will make way for the extra roster spot but Toohey speculates it could be Blake Green.

https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/...n-on-timely-mid-season-signing-boost/?cs=2503

 

[Old dog]

So we likely loose a 5/8 a position we have struggled in all season to be replaced by a prop a position that has been our strongest all season.
I think of all the stupid decisions I have made in my life and a smile comes across my face, they weren’t so bad after all

 

[PhilGould]

It would be replacing a half with a half and adding a prop, which might be a strength on paper but hasn't been the case on the field

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Matt f**king Lodge....

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

No official word on who will make way for the extra roster spot but Toohey speculates it could be Blake Green.

How would Green step down now?
He can't get a medical retirement and I doubt another club would want him at this stage.

 

[PhilGould]

I think if Green chooses to retire immediately his salary would still count towards the cap but he wouldn't take up a roster spot anymore. A "medical retirement" would clear his salary as well as the roster spot. Could be wrong though.

McCullough was taken off the roster last year once he was injured so they could bring Green in, could do something similar with Pasami Saulo who's out for the season.

 

[Jono078]

Ugh….

this Lodge signing has the potential to cause a rift in the playing group.

which of Klemmer and Saifiti will go to the bench? Or will Lodge become the bench player? Is he a replacement for Sue who is on a 1 year deal I believe?

I hope it makes the forwards stand up rather than a rift. Time will tell.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

I think if Green chooses to retire immediately his salary would still count towards the cap but he wouldn't take up a roster spot anymore. A "medical retirement" would clear his salary as well as the roster spot. Could be wrong though.

I mentioned medical retirement since I think in the past we have tried to do that with a player.
If they can just retire why would you go through that hassle?

 

[PhilGould]

I mentioned medical retirement since I think in the past we have tried to do that with a player.
If they can just retire why would you go through that hassle?

Think it's more for players with multiple years left on their deals

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

Think it's more for players with multiple years left on their deals

I wonder if it might come under this:
"
Players from outside of each club’s top 30 will also be available for selection from round 11, where previously they were barred altogether unless granted an exemption for injuries."
No clue how it influences the top 30.
https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/03/03/nrl-opens-up-roster-system-scraps-june-30-deadline/

Maybe just drop from the top 30 which would essentially be retire now. Not eligible to play.

 

[Knight76]

well they must have it all lined up with the nrl or it wouldnt happen. They will have sorted that clearance prior.

Green will join our coaching staff.

 

[Knight Tales]

Lodge possibly debuting on Old Boys Day! You can’t make that up.

 

[aqua_duck]

Given all the time AOB spent at the storm I really question if he actually learnt anything if the rumours are true. Bellamy doesn't keep underperforming players and certainly doesn't blow the entire cap on a few middle forwards. A front row combo of Klemmer, Lodge, Saifiti x 2 would've been formidable in 2019 these days it's cumbersome and lethargic. We clearly are not adapting to the new rules and new way the game is being played, look at the dragons, they've had just as many injuries as us if not more, their team on paper isn't as good as ours yet are having much more success because they've adjusted to the new rules. Go watch the storm game, even though they lost they still made a game of it despite being a man down most of the game, they were able to catch the storm off guard numerous times but moving the ball and by moving the ball it meant the storm couldn't just compress their defensive line. We literally never move the ball early so opposition teams know they can compress, even worse we don't adjust mid game when opponents figure our how to get around us

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

If Green does go I reckon it should be announced before the next game to give him a send off.
He hasn't been there for us but he's had a huge career. I reckon he deserves some recognition for that.

 

[GidleyTwinz]

So we likely loose a 5/8 a position we have struggled in all season to be replaced by a prop a position that has been our strongest all season.
I think of all the stupid decisions I have made in my life and a smile comes across my face, they weren’t so bad after all

If 5/8 has been a position we've struggled with this year, why would getting rid of one (who is thereby definitionally a struggling player) be a bad thing? Especially given we would just be replacing him with Clifford.

And which of our props has been strong this season?

 

[Burwood]

I thought our props turned the corner against the cowboys. It was one of the first games since round 2 where they weren’t part of the problem.

There was a clear change in their running style and they were quick to the ground to earn the quick play the ball. If they play like that each week, we’ll just need to get our full-strength spine back on the field for a decent amount of time.

 

[Yosh]

Maybe a dumb question but is our Hodgson as good as Sam Walker and Reece Walsh?

 

[The Axe of Druss]

If Lodge signs with us I just don't know how I'm gonna have the will to keep supporting this broken club

 

[Johns Magic]

It feels like Klemmer is on the way out. Andrew Johns’ tone about him in his article before the Cowboys game stank a bit, and he gets a bit of club mail. I agree with the sentiment. We are paying him the big bucks to lay the gauntlet down each week and we aren’t getting that from him. Even more concerning is the lack of intent.

I’ll take Lodge thanks. Yes what he did was disgraceful, but I think he’s owned it. Last I heard he hasn’t touched alcohol in years, and the few times I’ve seen him interviewed he’s surprised me. It doesn’t make me like it but it can make me live with it.

On the field I think he could be really good for us. He’s got a point to prove and he’s confrontational with balls skills. It sounds like we’ve got him cheap. We keep asking why our props aren’t playing with intent and I think he’s more likely to step up.

Let’s see.