Rumoured Targets 3

[Knight Tales]

I find it hard to believe that is just us and the Dolphins who are interested in Milford. He has shown plenty of quality since his return. I’d argue his best in a few years.

 

[PhilGould]

That's an incredibly low bar though.

12 months ago the only reason he got another chance at close to the minimum was because of his history with Bennett/Demetriou, was looking like England was his only option for a few months. Any club could've had him then.

If his form with us has been good enough to ignore the past 3 years of his career then I'm watching a different player. Good value assuming he's still on peanuts but nowhere near good enough to outweigh the baggage.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Hes the Samoan version of Jarrod Mullen

 

[Knight Tales]

That's an incredibly low bar though.

12 months ago the only reason he got another chance at close to the minimum was because of his history with Bennett/Demetriou, was looking like England was his only option for a few months. Any club could've had him then.

If his form with us has been good enough to ignore the past 3 years of his career then I'm watching a different player. Good value assuming he's still on peanuts but nowhere near good enough to outweigh the baggage.

It’s more to do with the lack of playmakers of quality on the market and common sense based on his solid form. We all know that is the reason we are trying to sign him. O’Brien needs something and fast. I don’t like the numbers being thrown about anymore than anyone else. 500 k is too much.

 

[perverse]

It'd be a dream if we could get that QLD fullback that tore it up last night. That NSW prop that debuted was a real go-getter too. Get the chequebook out.

 

[Yosh]

Get Billy and the gang at Newy!!!

I thought the days of Slater, Smith and JT tormenting NSW was over but they come back and the nightmares continue. If we can't beat em, join em!

 

[PhilGould]

MILFORD’S HANDSHAKE DEAL WITH DOLPHINS​

The Dolphins are set to bolster their playmaking ranks with former Broncos $1 million man Anthony Milford doing a handshake deal to reunite with Wayne Bennett at Redcliffe.

The Dolphins have upped the ante to bring Milford home to Queensland in the wake of revelations the Knights are fighting to retain the former Maroons Origin star.

The Dolphins remain confident they will stave off Newcastle for Milford’s services. That confidence stems from a meeting earlier this year when Milford was going through an off-field legal battle to have assault charges dropped following a night out in Brisbane last year.

Those charges were eventually dropped and the NRL registered Milford for this season. While his Souths deal collapsed, the Dolphins pounced, with Milford shaking hands with Bennett and recruitment chief Peter O’Sullivan on a 12-month arrangement for the 2023 season.

With the Dolphins unable to play for another 12 months, Milford subsequently agreed to a short-term deal this season with the Knights, who have been so impressed with his form they are keen to sign him until the end of 2025.

Newcastle’s three-year extension has prompted the Dolphins to increase their 12-month offer to Milford to two seasons.

While a handshake deal does not represent an iron-clad contract, the Dolphins are hopeful Milford will honour his word and actions and be the inaugural five-eighth of the NRL’s 17th team in 2023.

Still the highest-paid player in Broncos history, Milford has strong ties with Bennett, who believes he can reignite the 28-year-old after the duo struck a bond in Brisbane’s charge to the 2015 grand final.

It is understood Milford is missing family in Brisbane, putting the Dolphins in the box seat to trump the Knights for his signature.

Another potential lure for Milford is the signing of his good mate and former Broncos halves partner Kodi Nikorima, who has inked a two-year deal with the Dolphins.

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[Mr_Knightside]

I won’t lose too much sleep over it if he signs with the dolphins but we are going to need an established half to sign soon otherwise next year isn’t looking good either.

 

[Burwood]

Is that article from February? That’s about how up to date it is.

 

[Old dog]

The way players break contracts, written and signed, wouldn’t think the handshake was a absolute guarantee

 

[PhilGould]

YOUNG SENSATION INKS DEAL WITH KNIGHTS

Newcastle have locked down impressive young forward Leo Thompson to a long-term deal. It is understood the Knights will secure Thompson until at least the end of 2025.

He has been a revelation for Newcastle this year after joining the club on a development contract from the Raiders in the off-season. The 22-year-old was then given an upgraded new deal but he has impressed so much that the Knights are expected to extend and upgrade him again.

Thompson has played 15 games for the Knights this season.

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[PhilGould]

Milf article is the same details we’ve heard before but this time from a Dolphins perspective by the sounds of it

 

[perverse]

YOUNG SENSATION INKS DEAL WITH KNIGHTS

Newcastle have locked down impressive young forward Leo Thompson to a long-term deal. It is understood the Knights will secure Thompson until at least the end of 2025.

He has been a revelation for Newcastle this year after joining the club on a development contract from the Raiders in the off-season. The 22-year-old was then given an upgraded new deal but he has impressed so much that the Knights are expected to extend and upgrade him again.

Thompson has played 15 games for the Knights this season.

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Seriously? Upgrade and then upgrade again? He's been alright. Ok yeah... whatever...

 

[Yosh]

Seriously? Upgrade and then upgrade again? He's been alright. Ok yeah... whatever...

Do we know what he is getting paid after his latest upgrade? Maybe it's from meat pies to minimum contract to $180k a season or something. Still very small.

Didn't know he was only 22. Thought he was a journeyman. Good to hear we got him signed up though.

 

[macavity]

I can’t be the only one who can’t see how he is anything other than a Reggie if we are serious.

 

[Jono078]

It’s not the most exciting thing to me. He showed some early flashes but hasn’t really sparked anything off the bench since. There’s a reason he’s dropped this week?

Club has to be careful with these longer deals. Like was anyone chasing Thompson? If not why are we securing him for so long?

 

[Yosh]

I think he offers enough to be one of the first forwards picked if we have injuries or players go to rep duty. Definitely don't think he is good enough to be in our 17 every week.

 

[Knight Tales]

If you are struggling is it not really an indication you need to fold a bit or call the bluff. The reactionary signatures is classic us. Going to go full cliche here (Benny Elias move aside) but put more of your irons in the fire. KPP and Pryce are exactly the moves we should be making.

 

[PhilGould]

IMO he's shown enough to think it's a worthy investment but ideally he shouldn't be in the top 17 next year. Still think second-row might be his best spot as well.

 

[Johns Magic]

Seriously? Upgrade and then upgrade again? He's been alright. Ok yeah... whatever...

I’m assuming the first upgrade was just the bare minimum so we could play him in first-grade.