Rumoured Targets 3

[macavity]

The worst thing about Brailey is he got struck with the Knights recruit curse. Guy barely missed a game for Cronulla and then has had 3 major injuries since arriving. I don't see him as injury prone (I think of that as more of the soft tissue kind of injuries) but it's reassuring knowing Crossland can do the trick. I think realistically as harsh as it is, he should be NSW Cup 9 next year. Pryce or Gamble make a better 14.

Put Phoenix on the Gallen diet, play him at 13

 

[Woody90]

If we don’t start the year with Brailey at 9 and Crossland at 14 I’ll be very surprised.

 

[Knight Tales]

It’s not about getting carried away at all. It’s about acknowledging what is in front of you. As for these crap teams is that a reference to Melbourne and Canberra! Cos that is just nonsense. The kid works his arse off. I think truth is a lot of you are afraid he is making our criticism of him look excessive. He is learning his craft at 9. Where do you think our attack starts? There is a lot of rationalising arguments around being cautious going on in here, cos there is nowhere to actually argue he is not a huge part of our current form. But no doubt any drop off in form by him will be all it takes to say i told you so. Like Brails never had a bad game. Phoenix is starting resemble our new Kidley. It is almost mirror image as Kurt’s early career was very average, and then through hard work he worked it out.
consider me first to admit I was wrong if this is just a purple patch. And I will also acknowledge I have met the kid at a training session for Budgewoi Bulldogs, and he is a really top draw person. It is not about that though. I just think he is about to seize his moment.

 

[Yosh]

It’s not about getting carried away at all. It’s about acknowledging what is in front of you. As for these crap teams is that a reference to Melbourne and Canberra! Cos that is just nonsense. The kid works his arse off. I think truth is a lot of you are afraid he is making our criticism of him look excessive. He is learning his craft at 9. Where do you think our attack starts? There is a lot of rationalising arguments around being cautious going on in here, cos there is nowhere to actually argue he is not a huge part of our current form. But no doubt any drop off in form by him will be all it takes to say i told you so. Like Brails never had a bad game. Phoenix is starting resemble our new Kidley. It is almost mirror image as Kurt’s early career was very average, and then through hard work he worked it out.
consider me first to admit I was wrong if this is just a purple patch. And I will also acknowledge I have met the kid at a training session for Budgewoi Bulldogs, and he is a really top draw person. It is not about that though. I just think he is about to seize his moment.

He was a 1 out of 10 before. He is a solid 5 out of 10 now. Brailey is a easy 7 out of 10 maybe an 8. Crossland has turned his career around but he is still far behind Brailey in the pecking order.

 

[Jono078]

I don't think it's crazy to think he may surpass Brailey.

He's getting better by the week. He's picking up his pace out of dummy half and is keeping the markers honest. He also has the kicking game. His support play and enthusiasm is above Brailey.

What he lacks is probably the well roundedness of Brailey and crisp passing. Let's see if this is just a hot patch or if Crossland is growing into the role and as a player.

 

[SamSepi0l]

I don't think it's crazy to think he may surpass Brailey.

He's getting better by the week. He's picking up his pace out of dummy half and is keeping the markers honest. He also has the kicking game. His support play and enthusiasm is above Brailey.

What he lacks is probably the well roundedness of Brailey and crisp passing. Let's see if this is just a hot patch or if Crossland is growing into the role and as a player.

What he lacks is perhaps the most important part of his job which is service from dummy half. It's average as is the decision making from that position. Effort can't ever be faulted.

 

[Jono078]

What he lacks is perhaps the most important part of his job which is service from dummy half. It's average as is the decision making from that position. Effort can't ever be faulted.

Oh yeah and I’ve been most critical of that area, but the past month he appears to have gotten better there. Could be general good form or he’s actually honing his craft.

 

[Burwood]

He’s making improvements. The crash plays from 5m out are becoming far fewer and he’s getting better at shifting the ball early to the halves and Ponga. Fatigue isn’t as big an issue as it was earlier in the year either.

All he needs to do is continue working on his weaknesses (still good for 2-3 passes that completely miss the mark each week) and he’ll be a big part of our squad in 2024.

 

[Alex28]

Brailey has made a tidy sum
doing bugger all except work with physios and sports scientists for three seasons. Not his fault, but it is no longer viable( from a cap perspective) we keep him with Phoenix’ quite remarkable form. Some of his support play And tidy up work rivals the best in the game. Brails is a top 9. But we have bigger issues coming up, and losing out on players we need over carrying an injury prone dummy half on good dollars, is where top clubs would get ruthless.

Brailey has a contract until 2025. We can’t just dump him. That’s not how contracts work.

Phoenix needs to string together more than a few games to warrant not having a specialist 9. This is the same guy the entire forum has wanted to get rid of for the last 5 years right?

 

[Knight Tales]

Brailey has a contract until 2025. We can’t just dump him. That’s not how contracts work.

Phoenix needs to string together more than a few games to warrant not having a specialist 9. This is the same guy the entire forum has wanted to get rid of for the last 5 years right?

that’s not how contracts work! LOL. This is the NRL. Clauses all over the shop.
Do you actually read anything before you start on your condescending rants? Cos I have been acknowledging the pile on as part of my argument. Mine included. What’s even funnier all your pro AOB carry on has been justified by Phoenix progress and form, and now you want to start getting into his selection processes. By extension by questioning it you are questioning your boy . Make your mind up.

 

[Woody90]

2024 will be defining for Brailey. If he gets another season ending injury we need to call it and move away from him being first choice hooker. Sadly for the bloke I don’t think any other club (even SL) would touch him if it happens again. I’d be looking into avenues to get him medically retired and pay out his contract. Brails might be open to it, he’s already going to be in a world of pain when he gets older, he’s probably already been looking into alternate career options. It’s sad, he’s our captain and a great player, but it is what it is.

 

[Jono078]

2024 will be defining for Brailey. If he gets another season ending injury we need to call it and move away from him being first choice hooker. Sadly for the bloke I don’t think any other club (even SL) would touch him if it happens again. I’d be looking into avenues to get him medically retired and pay out his contract. Brails might be open to it, he’s already going to be in a world of pain when he gets older, he’s probably already been looking into alternate career options. It’s sad, he’s our captain and a great player, but it is what it is.

I think both you and I know how 2024 will play out for Brailey..

He'll have the best season of his career, may even play a game for NSW and we'll extend his contract for 4 years with a 2-year player option on top of that.

 

[ryan.a87]

I think both you and I know how 2024 will play out for Brailey..

He'll have the best season of his career, may even play a game for NSW and we'll extend his contract for 4 years with a 2-year player option on top of that.

Knowing us, it will be 2 years plus 4 year player options

 

[ryan.a87]

Anyone got tooheys news?

 

[Alex28]

that’s not how contracts work! LOL. This is the NRL. Clauses all over the shop.
Do you actually read anything before you start on your condescending rants? Cos I have been acknowledging the pile on as part of my argument. Mine included. What’s even funnier all your pro AOB carry on has been justified by Phoenix progress and form, and now you want to start getting into his selection processes. By extension by questioning it you are questioning your boy . Make your mind up.

You are struggling…

A contract is a contract - being the NRL doesn’t make contractual law any different. Not many players are signing a contract with a “we can cut you because you don’t really suit us now” clause. We could try and shop him, but we’d be paying a fair chunk of his salary because of the same reasons why we don’t necessarily want him now.

The “you like AOB so you must like Crossland” debate is pretty dumb even by your standards.

 

[Apey]

I get posts by this page sponsored on my timeline on FB. Never know how accurate it is really but seems better than some numbers you see made up. Links aren't working but you can find it easily enough.





Assuming these are accurate for discussion sake, Thompson is a steal atm.

 

[Zoidberg]

I get posts by this page sponsored on my timeline on FB. Never know how accurate it is really but seems better than some numbers you see made up. Links aren't working but you can find it easily enough.

View attachment 77754

View attachment 77755

Assuming these are accurate for discussion sake, Thompson is a steal atm.

I see those as well. They had highest paid centres and Best wasn’t on the top 10 list which had other players at $450k. No idea how accurate these are.

 

[Yosh]

Thompson has been fantastic for us the whole season. I love watching him running one off Elliot and hitting the line then driving his legs for them post contact metres. He also tackles himself to a standstill. Let's keep him around long term!

 

[Woody90]

We’ve re-signed Lucas (2 years) and Tuala (1 year).

 

[aqua_duck]

We’ve re-signed Lucas (2 years) and Tuala (1 year).

Not impressed with 2 years for Lucas, 1 year for Tuala is fine