Rumoured Targets 3

[HarVeeGee]

Arguably the biggest challenge for any young player coming into grade is consistency. Crucial of you are a half steering the team. Playing alongside a another genuine playmaker can't be underestimated, and so important for development.

Playmakers are playing well into their 30's now - For Pezet the choice is pretty clear

Option 1 - Go to a mid table team and play alongside a fringe first grader in the halves

Option 2 - wait a couple of years and play in a team that is consistently challenging for the Premiership.

Bit like taking the keys to the Toyota Camry now and do a few laps with NRMA road service, or wait and get the keys to the McLaren and win a Grand Prix

… when Munny and Hughes are 32? I thought halves played well into their 30’s now…

 

[Dr Dr Gimedanews]

… when Munny and Hughes are 32? I thought halves played well into their 30’s now…

Exactly, but you're being subjective and emotive, and I can understand that. I also feel the pain.

Pezet will only be 23, DCE made is debut at 22 and 3 yrs younger than when Cody Walker did, and nearly the same age as when Thurston grabbed the keys to the Cowboys - Pezet has plenty of time.

Anything can happen in 2 years of footy, and as the Storm have just shown with a low ball offer to Paps they willing to make the tough calls.

Look at it through Pezet's lens, and let's be honest, the Knights have been a basket case for nearly 20 years, triple spoon winners in that time, are currently a mid table team, with very little sign of winning a Premiership anytime soon.

 

[Woody90]

NRL Salary Cap 2025 = 11.4 million. Teams would be looking at spending around 30% - 35% of that on the spine.

Examples - estimates
Storm - Paps 950K + Munster 1 mill + Grant 850K + Hughes 850K = 3.64 Mill ( 32% of cap ) other top teams are in the ballpark.

Rorters - Tedesco 1.1 + Walker 1.0 + Keary 800K + Smith 850K = 3.75 Mill

Let's take the Murdoch hacks hyperbole as gospel - Ponga on 1.4 ( I suspect it's more like 1.2) that leaves around 2.4 Mill in the kitty remaining for our spine - Young hooker Arthur on 400K leaves 2 Mill remaining for 1 elite half + up and coming youngster.

Outside the spine should be more Leo, Lucas, Jones, Croker, Marzhew, Crossland type value and less Dsaf, Hetherington and Elliot.

Knights roster is pear shaped and we will see a lot of changes in the next 12 months to correct it.

The Storm make a lot of sacrifices in the backs and forwards to accommodate them, and it’s now coming out that they can’t offer Paps more than $750k for his next contract. They’re in a great position to do that as they have a great kid waiting in the wings at fullback, but eventually he’s going to command more. This despite the fact that they cost cut significantly in their backs and forwards. If we want to go down the Storm route of loading up heavily on the spine that’s fine, and tbh I like the strategy, but it does mean that we need to make the sacrifice of not having anyone of the likes of Bradman Best on the books who’s on $700k now. At the Storm for example his opposite number (Meany) is on around 300k. Getting in 2x quality halves on top of Ponga would mean we literally can’t have anyone commanding anywhere close to market value in other positions, and we definitely can’t have a Bradman Best.

The Roosters are also a bad example as everyone knows what their players are paid has zero indication of what it says on the salary cap.

It’s very well known that DSaf, Brailey and Hetherington are overpaid and they’ve already been tapped, but I’m not sure why the first two have gotten a journeyman tag.

Ponga’s definitely not on 1.2mil I can guarantee you. I’m not saying he’s overpaid either, but when you have the highest paid player on your books you need to make some sacrifices in other areas, and for us that’s likely not being able to buy 2 quality halves and tbh that’s ok. I’d prefer to have Ponga and 1 good half than no Ponga and 2 quality halves. Most teams would feel lucky to have 2 quality players in their spine. We already have 1, buying a halfback for 2026 is realistic if we make the right cuts, 2 isn’t though. Tbh if we find a better halfback im then more conceded re hooker than 6.

 

[Woody90]

Exactly, but you're being subjective and emotive, and I can understand that. I also feel the pain.

Pezet will only be 23, DCE made is debut at 22 and 3 yrs younger than when Cody Walker did, and nearly the same age as when Thurston grabbed the keys to the Cowboys - Pezet has plenty of time.

Anything can happen in 2 years of footy, and as the Storm have just shown with a low ball offer to Paps they willing to make the tough calls.

Look at it through Pezet's lens, and let's be honest, the Knights have been a basket case for nearly 20 years, triple spoon winners in that time, are currently a mid table team, with very little sign of winning a Premiership anytime soon.

Just curious, how much have you watched of Pezet? You’re acting like he’s this elite talent that the Knights would be lucky if he even considered us. He’s shown some good skills in the juniors but nothing about him is a sure bet. If he wants to back himself to stay at the Storm on a lower contract not playing FG to get the reigns in a few years if he’s lucky then good on him. I don’t think POS will lose too much sleep if that happens though.

Im completely agnostic on his signing tbh. Would be nice but he’s not a sure bet to improve us and POS will find us someone else.

On your last point, Kalyn Ponga, who was way more of a sure bet than Pezet, was happy to come to the Knights right off 3 spoons, so I don’t think it’s beyond the realms of possibility a Jonah Pezet would consider us (although I don’t really care if he does or not).

 

[perverse]

Just curious, how much have you watched of Pezet?
On your last point, Kalyn Ponga, who was way more of a sure bet than Pezet, was happy to come to the Knights right off 3 spoons, so I don’t think it’s beyond the realms of possibility a Jonah Pezet would consider us (although I don’t really care if he does or not).

Yeah, but we don't have Mrs. Browns butter chicken to seal the deal anymore.

 

[Apey]

The idea we need two elite halves is fanciful, unless we magically grow one ourselves. One will do. Pryce, Gamble, whoever will do at 6. Ponga is the other bloke.

Lots of talk about the Storm and yes they're a spine heavy, attack heavy team thats had success. You then have the 4x b2b Premiers whose hooker and fullback would be in the bottom 4 in their positions for creativity.

 

[Dr Dr Gimedanews]

The Storm make a lot of sacrifices in the backs and forwards to accommodate them, and it’s now coming out that they can’t offer Paps more than $750k for his next contract. They’re in a great position to do that as they have a great kid waiting in the wings at fullback, but eventually he’s going to command more. This despite the fact that they cost cut significantly in their backs and forwards. If we want to go down the Storm route of loading up heavily on the spine that’s fine, and tbh I like the strategy,

so much to unpack there

All successful clubs over the last 2 decades, not just the Storm or Roosters.

There are anomalies of course - Brisbane for example did well with less expenditure on the spine when reaching the GF. However that has now changed.

With Cap Allocation and Market Value in mind - general overview of the last 5 years of Grand Final Spines and you can clearly see that in general terms the 30% threshold of cap allocated to the spine.

Edwards
Cleary
Luai
Koriosau/Kenny

Papanhuzan
Hughes
Munster
Grant

Mitchell
Reynolds
Walker
Cook

Gutherson
Moses
Brown
Mahony

Walsh
Reynolds
Mam
Walters

 

[Dr Dr Gimedanews]

but it does mean that we need to make the sacrifice of not having anyone of the likes of Bradman Best on the books who’s on $700k now. At the Storm for example his opposite number (Meany) is on around 300k. Getting in 2x quality halves on top of Ponga would mean we literally can’t have anyone commanding anywhere close to market value in other positions, and we definitely can’t have a Bradman Best.

It’s very well known that DSaf, Brailey and Hetherington are overpaid and they’ve already been tapped, but I’m not sure why the first two have gotten a journeyman tag.

This is precisely why I have mentioned ( and wow it triggered some posters haha) Elliot ( his mention in particular riles everyone - amazing) , Hetherington, Brailey, Dsaf, Hastings, and Ill add KPP to that list also - all represent a misallocation of valuable cap resource. None perform to their cap allocation or more importantly - exceed it.

Keep the players above and you cannot afford the luxury items like Best, Lucas and (soon to be ) Leo etc and ya can kiss bye bye to a decent spine.

For example in my opinion -

a promotion from within or the savvy recruitment of kid on the up for 350K will give as much as journeyman Hetherington (saving 200K)

Same as above for Elliot saving 150K

For example - Hetherington + Elliot = Leo Upgrade + change

 

[Dr Dr Gimedanews]

The idea we need two elite halves is fanciful,

Lots of talk about the Storm and yes they're a spine heavy, attack heavy team thats had success. You then have the 4x b2b Premiers whose hooker and fullback would be in the bottom 4 in their positions for creativity.

It hopefully isn't fanciful or we arent winning a Premiership

4x b2b Premiers - the ones with the Australian Fullback and Koriosau/Kenny as hookers. Not a bad spine if you ask me - The best of a generation.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Tyrone Tompson officially announced on a development contract

https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2024/10/31/thompson-twin-signs-with-knights

 

[Apey]

It hopefully isn't fanciful or we arent winning a Premiership

4x b2b Premiers - the ones with the Australian Fullback and Koriosau/Kenny as hookers. Not a bad spine if you ask me - The best of a generation.

What makes Edwards elite has very little to do with ball in hand, which isn't that what we're talking about when it comes to halves? Kenny does his job in the Panthers team but he probably wouldn't suit many others. Isn't the point about creativity in the spine to create points? That's what I was responding to, since our problem is scoring points and controlling a game.

We're not going to get an elite halves pairing with our team make-up. There are barely any in the game to begin with.

 

[Dr Dr Gimedanews]

What makes Edwards elite has very little to do with ball in hand, which isn't that what we're talking about when it comes to halves?

My above posts are referencing a SPINE.

That's what I was responding to, since our problem is scoring points and controlling a game.

We're not going to get an elite halves pairing with our team make-up. There are barely any in the game to begin with.

As above posts. Think I made it quite clear where the savings are. Have another read - It is precisely why Sully has been recruited.

The most successful teams have a high quality spine with around 30% or above cap allocation - none are fringe first graders.

Most prominent in the halves is ( with the odd exception ) an enormous boot. Arguably the best in the game.

Anyone thinking the likes of a Gamble quality player in a Premiership winning spine is having a major piss take. He's cup quality that's called upon in the event of injury.

 

[mozza91]

Gamble looked a lot better than a Cup player in 2023. We missed him big time this year when he got hurt.

 

[Dr Dr Gimedanews]

Just curious, how much have you watched of Pezet? You’re acting like he’s this elite talent that the Knights would be lucky if he even considered us. He’s shown some good skills in the juniors but nothing about him is a sure bet. If he wants to back himself to stay at the Storm on a lower contract not playing FG to get the reigns in a few years if he’s lucky then good on him. I don’t think POS will lose too much sleep if that happens though.

Im completely agnostic on his signing tbh. Would be nice but he’s not a sure bet to improve us and POS will find us someone else.

On your last point, Kalyn Ponga, who was way more of a sure bet than Pezet, was happy to come to the Knights right off 3 spoons, so I don’t think it’s beyond the realms of possibility a Jonah Pezet would consider us (although I don’t really care if he does or not).

Only a few games with Storm + interviews with his teams mates + media mentions.

Ponga arrived on some serious coin for a rookie , I'd think it will take similar to pry Pezet from the Storm

I'm a bit the same as you, not too fussed over him. Main point being I think it will require overs to get him and he is a up to 30% chance ( depending on the study you read ) of another ACL injury in the first 18 months of returning.

Gamble looked a lot better than a Cup player in 2023. We missed him big time this year when he got hurt.

Surely you're taking the piss. Perhaps I should have prefaced that with - "in a successful roster Gamble is a cup player" .

Where on the below list of 5/8's is Gamble

1) Luai
2) Munster
3) Keary
4) Trindall
5) Walker
6) Dearden
7) Mam
8) Brown
9) Burton
10) Galvin
11) Strange? ( jnr SOO, youth and plenty of tomorrows)

Perhaps 5/8's that shifted to halfback . Foran? Katoa ?

Where is this "better than a cup player" Gamble on your list of quality 5/8/ Halves to deliver us a Premiership?

 

[Yosh]

I reckon we are asking too much if we want two super halves. We already have Ponga. I think we need one more super spine player and either Gamble/Cogger needs to play out of their skin for a season or two and make a run.

1. Ponga
6. Gamble/Cogger
7. Moses/Hunt
9. Arthur
14. Crossland

I think that's good enough for a Premiership.

 

[mozza91]

Don’t give a shit about where he ranks among other 5/8’s but once again he was excellent for us during our run last year and was missed when he was out this year.

If we could jag a top halfback I’d be happy with Gamble at 6 and I think we could be a top side.

 

[Dr Dr Gimedanews]

Don’t give a shit about where he ranks among other 5/8’s but once again he was excellent for us during our run last year and we missed when he was out this year.

If we could jag a top halfback I’d be happy with Gamble at 6 and I think we could be a top side.

LOL - Well you should, because where Gamble falls on that list is indicative of our place on table........fighting it out for a place in the 8 come seasons end - and we now have a new recruitment guru to rectify it.

Your post claimed Gamble is better than a cup player. Well there's the list champ - I'm asking you at what club is that statement anything other than pure fantasy ?

Fools paradise I guess, goes against decades of both statistical and empirical evidence to the contrary

 

[mozza91]

What evidence? Your subjective opinion on who’s a good player and who isn’t?
I said Gamble was good for us in 2023 and we missed him in 2024, something I’d imagine most people would agree with.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Could be an option if Leo leaves

Sydney Roosters tell star prop he is free to leave club

Terrell May, who signed a new contract just this year, has been offered the chance to seek a deal elsewhere as the Roosters feel he does not fit with their plans for the future.

www.smh.com.au

 

[Zoidberg]

Don’t think you can use the list idea as a guide.
We (arguably) have the top No. 1 so can’t expect to have top pick in multiple positions on the spine.
I’m happy to use Gamble if we manage a much better dominant half.