Rumoured Targets 3

[Apey]

Either there's been an incident, or perhaps Dom is digging his heels in and is only offering to move on if he gets to come back to Newcastle I guess? Dom can sit in Cup and collect his 500k if he wants, he holds the cards here. If the Roosters really want to clear the decks for DCE then this kind of desperation isn't unheard of. While it is half his contract, it's also only 250k. We're paying a fair whack for DSaf to run around for the Dolphins at the moment too - and DSaf, while lazy, wasn't in the dire form that Dom has been in for the Roosters - and was in a more key position that's harder to fill as well.

I dunno, it's all a bit strange, but if it means we get Dom back for 200k a year for the next couple of years then yeah. I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Schiller hasn't set the world on fire. If this deal happens, then I think we'll see Dom in first grade very very quickly. It will improve our go-forward immensely. I really do believe if you drop him back in here, he'll find that extra gear again. You don't forget how to run hard and straight - his issues are between the ears.

I don't find it that strange. Dom has been bog average for them this year, any replacements have been much better. And he's apparently on 600k at the Roosters which is a hell of a lot for an underperforming winger.

That being said, if they're not making a big signing next year, then yeah it is a little strange. Because they're giving up on him pretty quickly. You can only assume this is of mutual benefit to each party, i.e Dom isn't happy there either.

Still, they're paying 600k for someone who has barely been first grade standard in 2025.

 

[Haffa]

Still, they're paying 600k for someone who has barely been first grade standard in 2025.

Losers. We have been doing that for two thirds of our squad for twenty years..

 

[Alex28]

I don't find it that strange. Dom has been bog average for them this year, any replacements have been much better. And he's apparently on 600k at the Roosters which is a hell of a lot for an underperforming winger.

That being said, if they're not making a big signing next year, then yeah it is a little strange. Because they're giving up on him pretty quickly. You can only assume this is of mutual benefit to each party, i.e Dom isn't happy there either.

Still, they're paying 600k for someone who has barely been first grade standard in 2025.

The word is they are freeing up spots and cap for DCE, but is saving $200K a year on Dom (whilst putting in $250K) really freeing up that much cap?

 

[Old dog]

Could be more about freeing top 30 spot more so than dollars

 

[Yosh]

Wish we could unload players at will like they do.

 

[ryan.a87]

Maybe they are releasing a few players early…..and front loading a couple of contracts so they can afford Dce and Fifita next year

 

[perverse]

Wish we could unload players at will like they do.

Unfortunately it's much easier to move on blokes that someone else wants.

 

[HarVeeGee]

Maybe they are releasing a few players early…..and front loading a couple of contracts so they can afford Dce and Fifita next year

I can't imagine Uncle Nick ever looking at Fifita again after David finessed them last year.

Manu coming back is more likely.

 

[Apey]

The word is they are freeing up spots and cap for DCE, but is saving $200K a year on Dom (whilst putting in $250K) really freeing up that much cap?

Every bit counts. It's enough to be the difference between a good and a great player.

 

[perverse]

I think they're just looking at it pragmatically right? They're better off with 200-300k in the hand than the full 500k+ languishing in reserve grade. There's clearly been a backroom decision made at the Roosters and they're going about executing it with ruthless efficiency. They're not f**king about, and realistically a team like the Roosters can cover a 200k shortfall outside the cap with TPAs easily enough.

At the end of the day, if a decision has been made to back their other talent in Doms position, then they're just cutting their losses. I mean, it's that or there has been some sort of falling out and the situation isn't tenable anymore... but judging by them pulling the trigger on the Cheese as well, I would say some hard decisions have been made and they're just not f**king about in moving forward.

 

[Woody90]

Could be more about freeing top 30 spot more so than dollars

This is what I think. They’re basically giving Dom and Smith away for free. I’ll be very surprised if Manu isn’t back by the end of the season. DCE might agitate for an early release too. Would be a really shit thing to do to Manly after all these years but DCE is all about DCE.

 

[perverse]

Another thought off the top of my head is that I bet DCE's retirement lines up quite nicely with Kalyn coming off contract, too. Re-jigging their cap a little now might set them up for other big plays in the future.

It's being reported by Fox that Sandon Smith is also being shopped around effective immediately. Are they clearing the decks for next year, or for right now? And just quietly, is Sandon someone we look at too? I really haven't seen this kid play much, but he has some wraps on him. I guess it depends on how married we are to Dylan and Fletcher being locked in the halves.

 

[Woody90]

Another thought off the top of my head is that I bet DCE's retirement lines up quite nicely with Kalyn coming off contract, too. Re-jigging their cap a little now might set them up for other big plays in the future.

It's being reported by Fox that Sandon Smith is also being shopped around effective immediately. Are they clearing the decks for next year, or for right now? And just quietly, is Sandon someone we look at too? I really haven't seen this kid play much, but he has some wraps on him. I guess it depends on how married we are to Dylan and Fletcher being locked in the halves.

Hopefully this is the final nail in the Kalyn to the Roosters coffin (not that there was anything in it initially). I’m sure Dom would be telling him to avoid with a 10 foot pole knowing how quick they are to get rid of a marquee signing.

Sandon’s more of a runner IMO so more of what we already have. I’m also not fully convinced by him yet. He had that 1 really good game on ANZAC day but it was against the Dragons.

 

[perverse]

Hopefully this is the final nail in the Kalyn to the Roosters coffin (not that there was anything in it initially). I’m sure Dom would be telling him to avoid with a 10 foot pole knowing how quick they are to get rid of a marquee signing.

Sandon’s more of a runner IMO so more of what we already have. I’m also not fully convinced by him yet. He had that 1 really good game on ANZAC day but it was against the Dragons.

Kalyn won't be going now, but if DCE's retirement lines up with Kalyn's next contract then they'll have the war chest ready. As it was always going to with Kalyns next deal, I still think that it's going to depend on our competitiveness more than money, but I think the Roosters are setting themselves up so that they have the money. Especially if Teddy retires around the same time too. They'll have all the money in the world to offer Kalyn.

The last thing in the world Kalyn will be worried about is getting dumped by the Roosters. He's too good and would absolutely back himself to dominate. I don't think anything Dom says will be a factor. Money and premierships are the dimensions Kalyn will look at and weigh.

 

[Woody90]

Kalyn won't be going now, but if DCE's retirement lines up with Kalyn's next contract then they'll have the war chest ready. As it was always going to with Kalyns next deal, I still think that it's going to depend on our competitiveness more than money, but I think the Roosters are setting themselves up so that they have the money. Especially if Teddy retires around the same time too. They'll have all the money in the world to offer Kalyn.

The last thing in the world Kalyn will be worried about is getting dumped by the Roosters. He's too good and would absolutely back himself to dominate. I don't think anything Dom says will be a factor. Money and premierships are the dimensions Kalyn will look at and weigh.

Kalyn’s off contract end of 2027. DCE is only a one year contract so it doesn’t really match up (I don’t think he has longer than 1 more year tbh).

They might still go for Kalyn but I genuinely think they’re clearing space to get players in immediately. My feeling is Manu and I reckon even DCE this year. I don’t think they’re doing any of this for 3 years down the line. It’s for 2025-2026. That’s the only thing that makes sense for them being so ruthless with so many players.

 

[perverse]

Kalyn’s off contract end of 2027. DCE is only a one year contract so it doesn’t really match up (I don’t think he has longer than 1 more year tbh).

They might still go for Kalyn but I genuinely think they’re clearing space to get Manu back this year and maybe even DCE this year. I don’t think they’re doing any of this for 3 years down the line. It’s for 2025-2026.

Possibly. Teddy will be 33-34 by then as well. I think you're being very optimistic if you think this situation will do anything but embolden the Roosters amibitions of getting Kalyn to the club, though. I just don't see anything Dom could have to say about it moving the needle for Kalyn once the sweet talking and bags of money from Uncle Nick come calling. We need to convince Kalyn he's going to win a comp here by then, it's that simple I think. That's our only defence.

I'm also not convinced that DCE won't go around for more than that one extra year, too. He's still very physically up to it and playing fantastic footy now. I don't see why he wouldn't be in 12 months either. When you look at how long Adam Reynolds body has been falling apart (and he's still plugging away), DCE could go past 40.

 

[Woody90]

Possibly. Teddy will be 33-34 by then as well. I think you're being very optimistic if you think this situation will do anything but embolden the Roosters amibitions of getting Kalyn to the club, though. I just don't see anything Dom could have to say about it moving the needle for Kalyn once the sweet talking and bags of money from Uncle Nick come calling. We need to convince Kalyn he's going to win a comp here by then, it's that simple I think. That's our only defence.

I just don’t think what they’re doing has anything to do with Kalyn to be honest. The Roosters dont think 3 years down the track, they think in the immediate and they see DCE as their Cronk to try and win a comp next year at any cost (maybe even this year).

Like I said, Ponga could still very much go to the Roosters in 2028, but nothing that’s happening right now makes me think that’s any more likely than it was last week. If anything I think it’s less as Dom doesn’t seem to have been welcomed there. You say he’ll be more inclined to be swayed by uncle Nick over his teammate, but Ponga’s also historically not that type of player. Everyone said he couldn’t say no to Wayne Bennett either. In terms of the premiership, everyone’s just assuming what he wants, whenever he’s said his goal is to win a premiership it’s always paired with “at the Knights”.

Hell, Ponga could come out tomorrow asking for a release, nothing would surprise me after what’s been happening today, but I genuinely don’t think the Roosters current actions have anything to do with him.

 

[perverse]

I just don’t think what they’re doing has anything to do with Kalyn to be honest. The Roosters dont think 3 years down the track, they think in the immediate and they see DCE as their Cronk to try and win a comp next year at any cost (maybe even this year).

Ah, I'll have to stop you there because I'm not suggesting this is a plan to get Kalyn, just that it has the potential to set them up well into the future and that it could impact us. At most, I would say it's in the back of their minds that it could line up nicely. I don't think it's a formal plan to get Kalyn though. I also just don't really think DCE will call it quits next year if his body holds up either. Every year he doesn't play that he could, he's throwing away $1m+.

 

[Woody90]

Ah, I'll have to stop you there because I'm not suggesting this is a plan to get Kalyn, just that it has the potential to set them up well into the future and that it could impact us. At most, I would say it's in the back of their minds that it could line up nicely. I don't think it's a formal plan to get Kalyn though. I also just don't really think DCE will call it quits next year if his body holds up either. Every year he doesn't play that he could, he's throwing away $1m+.

Ah ok I get what you’re saying then. Maybe, who knows. We don’t even know how Kalyn will be playing by then and I’m sure the next new thing would have popped up by then that the Roosters will want. Will just have to wait and see.

 

[Knight Tales]

KP
Young
Gags
Best
Marz
Sharpe
Brown

that will be our 2026 halves and backline if everything goes as planned. Hard to see Kalyn walking away from this.