Rumoured Targets 3

[Nuke]

To me, Leo will be a good NRL level prop (maybe one of the better ones) but I don’t think that in 10 years we’ll all sit here and say that he’s had a career like JFH or JWH.

And this, in my view, is the issue I think Leo's referring to. I don't feel he's talking about development from juniors to NRL level, I rather feel he's talking about pushing his game to higher levels. That he's hit his peak as far as Newcastle's coaching can provide, and that people better at it (ie: a Phil Gould) are at other clubs. Instead of him being an inconsistent player with some rep jerseys under his belt, he wants to be a JWH type player, and he won't get that at Newcastle presently.

If I'm right in that assumption of his thoughts, I kinda agree.

But at the same time, I'm thinking he's got some ego thing going on. That he thinks he's better than he really is. He might've been under the D.Saf wing too long and he wants more money but not do more work to justify it. Moving D.Saf on was supposedly in part to keep the likes of Leo and developing players. First thing to happen once D.Saf leaves? Leo also jumps ship.

I hope Tyrone kills it, is enthusiastic, and turns out to be a much better player than his twin ... so long as he stays with us..!

 

[Woody90]

And this, in my view, is the issue I think Leo's referring to. I don't feel he's talking about development from juniors to NRL level, I rather feel he's talking about pushing his game to higher levels. That he's hit his peak as far as Newcastle's coaching can provide, and that people better at it (ie: a Phil Gould) are at other clubs. Instead of him being an inconsistent player with some rep jerseys under his belt, he wants to be a JWH type player, and he won't get that at Newcastle presently.

If I'm right in that assumption of his thoughts, I kinda agree.

But at the same time, I'm thinking he's got some ego thing going on. That he thinks he's better than he really is. He might've been under the D.Saf wing too long and he wants more money but not do more work to justify it. Moving D.Saf on was supposedly in part to keep the likes of Leo and developing players. First thing to happen once D.Saf leaves? Leo also jumps ship.

I hope Tyrone kills it, is enthusiastic, and turns out to be a much better player than his twin ... so long as he stays with us..!

It was quite well reported that Leo started to get cold feet about re-signing with the Knights when POS came in and started tapping a lot of the forwards on the shoulder. Reporting concerns regarding not having other experienced forwards to learn from…so I do get his reasoning if at all true (tbh I think it’s more likely a cop out and the Dogs offer is actually very close to the Raiders and it’s just a Gus media spin.

It’s so ironic because part of the reason to move on DSaf was to upgrade Leo’s contract. Regardless of this though I still think moving DSaf on was the right decision.

I wonder if we’ll let him go for 2025. Tbh I’m very much on the fence between wanting him to stay because the younger blokes aren’t ready and happy for him to walk as to not block the path of someone that wants to be at the club.

 

[Rod]

And this, in my view, is the issue I think Leo's referring to. I don't feel he's talking about development from juniors to NRL level, I rather feel he's talking about pushing his game to higher levels. That he's hit his peak as far as Newcastle's coaching can provide, and that people better at it (ie: a Phil Gould) are at other clubs. Instead of him being an inconsistent player with some rep jerseys under his belt, he wants to be a JWH type player, and he won't get that at Newcastle presently.

If I'm right in that assumption of his thoughts, I kinda agree.

How much coaching do props need? Just run hard and tackle hard son, lol.

I'm half-joking but really he wasn't doing those things consistently at a high level last year, let alone worrying about 'coaching' that will take him to the next level.

 

[Nuke]

How much coaching do props need? Just run hard and tackle hard son, lol.

I'm half-joking but really he wasn't doing those things consistently at a high level last year, let alone worrying about 'coaching' that will take him to the next level.

Haha! True.

I'd suggest mental coaching. How to consistently give everything. Multiple times per set when needed. How to always be ready to dig in. Drive. Motivation.
Not just be happy with a few token efforts when things are on the front foot.

I know I'm showing my age and nostalgia levels are high as I type this, but back in the day when the team needed a big shot or effort play, Chief and Butts were always there. Ready and waiting. Rolling up the sleeves. Giving everything they had in their petrol tank. You never saw them plodding along or walking in the background as the opposition were getting some momentum. You never saw them bludging. Okay, they were at their peak when the game was unlimited interchange so they had plenty of breaks mid-game, but it was the attitude that had always stuck with me. They played as hard as they could for their teammates, for their jersey, and for the town they were representing.

I'm not specifically having a dig at Leo here, but I don't see him doing that. JWH, it could be said, does do those things (albeit maybe not doing it for the city of Sydney though).

 

[Knight Tales]

I would LOL if the dogs decide to remove their offer knowing they got him by default.

 

[Woody90]

Dogs offer apparently 825k per year. As suspected not that different to the Raiders in the end.

Seriously good on him. If he can get that much money from a club he thinks he’s a premiership chance at (although the jury’s out there) then he’d be stupid not to take it.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Just shows that Leo is one dumb merkin. Leaving for less money to live in a more expensive city. What a complete f**kstick. No loss IMO, being the Knight's best forward last year was no real achievement.

Haha you are kidding yourself if you think he's leaving for less money mate. Turn it up

 

[Lynoman]

Haha you are kidding yourself if you think he's leaving for less money mate. Turn it up

He is taking less than the Canberra offer and we offered to up his 2025 contract by $200k and match the Bulldogs offer if he resigned. I never said he was taking less than his current salary. I was quoting a report on NBN news Thursday night. He is taking less than he was offered, by both the Raiders and the Knights.

 

[Woody90]

He is taking less than the Canberra offer and we offered to up his 2025 contract by $200k and match the Bulldogs offer if he resigned. I never said he was taking less than his current salary. I was quoting a report on NBN news Thursday night. He is taking less than he was offered, by both the Raiders and the Knights.

Do you have a link to the NBN report? I watched the same one and im almost certain it said the Knights had been willing to raise their offer but not match either (plus the 2025 bonus that was always on the table).
For all we know our raised offer still wasn’t in the ball park. I’d be interested to see what we offered/thought he’s worth. My feeling from the reports is that it was competitive but lower. No way we offer 825k when we just got out of DSaf’s contract that was less than that. If we did then wow, we’ll never learn as Leo is definitely not a 825k player.

 

[HarVeeGee]

The Dogs are absolutely the highest bidder. You’d be silly to trust journos on him taking less. If he was willing to take $650K a season to compete for a premiership, he’d be going to the Roosters.

 

[Yosh]

If 800k a year was too much for DSaf, there is no way POS was going to pay $825k for Leo. If Leo becomes a top 5 prop in the game then the Doggies got a good deal. Might happen but chances are slim.

 

[Lynoman]

Do you have a link to the NBN report? I watched the same one and im almost certain it said the Knights had been willing to raise their offer but not match either (plus the 2025 bonus that was always on the table).
For all we know our raised offer still wasn’t in the ball park. I’d be interested to see what we offered/thought he’s worth. My feeling from the reports is that it was competitive but lower. No way we offer 825k when we just got out of DSaf’s contract that was less than that. If we did then wow, we’ll never learn as Leo is definitely not a 825k player.

Bulldogs send warning to rest of NRL with massive coup in $3.5m blow for Raiders

Bulldogs send warning to rest of NRL with massive coup in $3.5m blow for Raiders

www.foxsports.com.au

According to the Herald, Thompson will forgo $200,000 in the form of an upgrade in 2025, which was conditional on him extending his stay in the Hunter.

I can't find a link to the NBN story, it was said by the news reader after the video. I would assume they matched the contract by offering him the extra 200k now and offering him a 775k/year 4 year deal.

 

[Woody90]

I can't find a link to the NBN story, it was said by the news reader after the video. I would assume they matched the contract by offering him the extra 200k now and offering him a 775k/year 4 year deal.

Yeah this is the part I saw too, but I’m almost certain it said we raised the offer but it was still under.

I would find it extremely hard to believe we’d go through the drama of getting rid of DSaf to then offer Leo basically the same amount. I think the 200k upgrade for 2025 is accurate. It’s offering 825k per season from 2026-2029 I’m very suss on.

 

[ryan.a87]

News corp saying we are chasing Tom Halzeton from sharks as Leo’s replacement

don’t know much about him

 

[Yosh]

News corp saying we are chasing Tom Halzeton from sharks as Leo’s replacement

don’t know much about him

Big big bald lad? Bit of a cult hero look about him? Is that him?

 

[macavity]

News corp saying we are chasing Tom Halzeton from sharks as Leo’s replacement

don’t know much about him

big, short ball try specialist, not much of a motor and turning circle of the QE2

 

[Woody90]

I actually wouldn’t mind Hazleton if not too expensive. Bit of a downgrade on Leo but he’s a really hard worker and tbh exactly the type of player you’d want some of our young props coming through to learn from. Put it this way I’d rather them develop a Hazleton work ethic than a DSaf one.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

Hazelton is a good player and would be the most dynamic front rower at the club if we got him. He’s a big unit but has some skill.

If we could get him for around $500K that’s good business imo