Rumoured Targets 3

[The Axe of Druss]

And that is where the coaching position needs to be addressed at it’s core. If a former player returns a better player and the same coach is still here, then it tells you that it’s time to move them on. There is a reason most Bellamy former players fall apart at other clubs. With the exception of the obviously brilliant ones.

Plenty of reasons to sack AOB but player development certainly isn't one of them

 

[Old dog]

Think player performance is about being happy in your surround, some players move and then fail to perform while others suddenly blossom they don’t suddenly become bad players or instantly turn into good players

 

[Woody90]

From Toohey’s news today:

- Knights still keen on Trey Mooney but would have to shed a contracted player next season as now that Gags has re-signed we only have 2 spots left and want a hooker. It’s been complicated by one of the spots presumably allocated for Friz but negotiations have stalled as Friz’s manager has gone on holiday and won’t return the clubs’ calls. Toohey suggests this could be a dangerous game for Friz’s management to play given the club is now preparing to make a play for Mooney. The club don’t want to lose Friz’s leadership though and have more than enough cap space for both him and Mooney but would need to move someone on.

- Talks about how POS has dismissed criticism about the quality of the forwards we’ve signed for next season. He’s confident they’ll be able to get the job done next season and feels we have better depth next season up front.

- Says we have a “preferred option” for hooker next season but doesn’t name who that is. The club also hasn’t ruled out making a play for Wishart if he becomes available and the other option doesn’t work out.

- Says we won’t make another play for Pezet. We went hard for him initially but “that ship has well and truely sailed”.

- We initially wanted another back rower but now very happy with who we’ve already got coming through.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

If we get Mooney and a quality hooker, even if we lose Friz, and I think its been a pretty decent recruitment drive for 2026 given the available market.

 

[HarVeeGee]

From Toohey’s news today:

- Knights still keen on Trey Mooney but would have to shed a contracted player next season as now that Gags has re-signed we only have 2 spots left and want a hooker. It’s been complicated by one of the spots presumably allocated for Friz but negotiations have stalled as Friz’s manager has gone on holiday and won’t return the clubs’ calls. Toohey suggests this could be a dangerous game for Friz’s management to play given the club is now preparing to make a play for Mooney. The club don’t want to lose Friz’s leadership though and have more than enough cap space for both him and Mooney but would need to move someone on.

Oh so a thing that never, ever happens, unless the player in question is trying to sort out a deal with another club?

Just get Mooney and then figure out what's what later.

 

[HarVeeGee]

Besides, my point was that Saulo has been training with Papa and Tapine for a couple of seasons, arguably two of the best front rowers in the game. I’d expect any young front rower to improve with those two being mentors.

He left us at age 24 and he's now 26, probably also something you can point to as a reason he's improved.

 

[Woody90]

Oh so a thing that never, ever happens, unless the player in question is trying to sort out a deal with another club?

Just get Mooney and then figure out what's what later.

I thought the same thing when I read it. Even in the junior comps a manager being uncontactable for weeks is unheard of.

There’s a good chance we end up with neither as I can’t really see Mooney wanting to come to Newcastle when he’s from Sydney and Sydney clubs are interested and we can’t even tell him who his coach will be next year.

 

[Knight Tales]

Whilst I agree that AOB should be sacked (for his completely one dimensional approach to Rugby League) I don’t think your logic really stacks up. Based on that logic, Trent Robinson should be sacked because Dom Young is looking better under AOB than he did at the Roosters.

It applies to all coaches. With the exception of the Few great ones. AOB is not alone there. Robbo has three premierships. He is allowed a few hiccups.

 

[Knight Tales]

Wishart would be a good get. But like a lot of players out of the Storm system, you are never totally convinced until you see it translated elsewhere. Curious that he is plan B?
Love Frizz but if we missed Mooney, who is literally a whole career younger, we are going to regret that.

 

[Yosh]

Wonder who the hooker is. Probably someone we can all name right? Not some random junior?

 

[ryan.a87]

Wonder who the hooker is. Probably someone we can all name right? Not some random junior?

knowing AOB it will be Jack Cogger

 

[macavity]

Wonder who the hooker is. Probably someone we can all name right? Not some random junior?

Going on our recruitment thus far, probably Tom Starling

 

[Mr_Knightside]

E

Think player performance is about being happy in your surround, some players move and then fail to perform while others suddenly blossom they don’t suddenly become bad players or instantly turn into good players

Exactly. It’s way too simplistic to say that a player moving clubs and improving at the new club means that there is a coaching crisis at the club they were at before. AOB should be sacked for a bunch of things already discussed repeatedly on this forum, but one thing to give him credit for is ability to develop young players and bring them through.

 

[jonno_knights]

knowing AOB it will be Jack Cogger

Says we are looking for a hooker for 1 of the remaining 2 spots. So wouldnt be Jack.

Off contract is slim pickings in terms of established first graders. Dani Levi is probably the most experienced on the list. Corey Paix, Jake Turpin, Zach Docker Clay are some of the others. So nothing really better the crossland.

Probably best to hope its someone looking for an early release. If they have a plan A, and wishart if he becomes available is plan B, then youd have to hope he is at least more accomplished at 9 then him.

Broncos have a log jam at hooker,
Hunt, Walters, Mozer - but that'll likely only be for another year.
Someone will miss out at the raiders too with Starling, Pattie and Brailey but all are signed thru 2027.

Pure speculation, but a couple guys who are off in 2026, but there might be a path to an early release are Lachlan Crocker and Sam Verrills. Croker recent injuries would be risky, but remarkably he is still only 28. Manly might allow him to seek a longer term deal if he isnt in their plans as he'd be on half decent coin. Verrills might get stuck in a GC clean out.

Will be interesting to see what direction the club takes though.
- go for a young up and coming player (already shown interest in TDS but missed out)
- go for a short term rental for 1 or 2 years until something better becomes available (only option with who is off contract).
- go for an experienced head to hold down the final piece of the spine (would require an early release of someone).

Promising that the say wishart is an option though. To me that signals they at least have a bit of money left as he will definitely command above average money.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Going on our recruitment thus far, probably Tom Starling

Or Danny Levi

 

[macavity]

Or Danny Levi

Don't tempt fate, he is available

 

[macavity]

I can see a few fringe blokes getting a tap. Brodie maybe. Cogger definitely. Also the likes of Annan would have been expected to contribute but just hasn't, being leapfrogged by Hunt isn't first grade promise.

 

[Loose Cannon]

From Toohey’s news today:

- Knights still keen on Trey Mooney but would have to shed a contracted player next season as now that Gags has re-signed we only have 2 spots left and want a hooker. It’s been complicated by one of the spots presumably allocated for Friz but negotiations have stalled as Friz’s manager has gone on holiday and won’t return the clubs’ calls. Toohey suggests this could be a dangerous game for Friz’s management to play given the club is now preparing to make a play for Mooney. The club don’t want to lose Friz’s leadership though and have more than enough cap space for both him and Mooney but would need to move someone on.

I’d like Friz to stay for his experience, and to be honest, I am not that familiar with Mooney, so I will happily accept the multiple positive opinions here.
But an agent not returning calls is a huge mark against, in my book. Let’s go with the new blood. Make it happen.

Frizell’s qualities will be felt off-field more than on, in my estimation. Earlier in the season he looked burnt out to me, whether he was struggling with injury, I don’t know or recall, but he just isn’t having the impact anymore, (no disrespect, he’s getting up there).

POS looks like he is focused on work ethic, and value in the middles. I’m happy with that intention.

 

[Knight Tales]

POS was never going out to sign one marquee after another. But it would not surprise me if he has a crack at a name dummy half. Under contract will become loose term over the next 24 months. Two new clubs means clubs are going to move players big time. 60 unfilled spots.

 

[PhilGould]

Yeah being cagey about the player's name and talking about contingency plans probably suggests it's someone under contract.