Rumours and Stuff

[hindy111]

Paying a centre mor ether 500k is silly.

 

[Bandwagon]

I'm not sure RCG was available then. I would have been happy to have Welch, I agree he is a great player, but it all turned out OK in the end.

That's a good point. Second prize turned out to be not bad at all.

 

[Bandwagon]

Never any guarantees. I think he was back early the following season and was outstanding. Seems a real leader to me and an asset on and off the field. He was obviously Brthurs plan A before his injury.

Yeah look there's always risk of injury, healthy or not . But if you do sign an injured guy there's definitely the downside of paying him whilst he recovers, and you gotta factor that into the price of the contract, on account of it being a known.

 

[strider]

Emu FFS

View attachment 48050

Was that his NRL debut? ... i thought he played some minutes for the cowgirls?

Well no f**ker picked him as first to debut in preseason predictions .... ffs

 

[TheRam]

Massive risk if we are offering anything near $800k after an ACL.

I don't think we should be offering anywhere near that kind of money even if he weren't coming of an ACL. Surely there is a quality outside back that we can entice to a quality team like ours without having to throw the kitchen sink at the bloke.

I still think that asking Semi to join us for a short cameo this year after his Rugby season is over would be a game changer for us.

 

[Gazzamatta]

Yeah look there's always risk of injury, healthy or not . But if you do sign an injured guy there's definitely the downside of paying him whilst he recovers, and you gotta factor that into the price of the contract, on account of it being a known.

Absolutely. We obviously signed an unfit Kevans at $500k per year for 3 years as it took him 2 years to get fit and when he finally was he was still gash. We also signed Waqa who was injured at the time and that hasn't worked out too well either. We signed Foran and Watmough, both injured. Again super fails. So yeah. I take your point. Maybe we learned from those experiences or maybe the then major voice in recruitment isn't that anymore.

 

[TheRam]

A good player yes but he lacks aggression. If he has JWHs aggression combined with his other skills he would be the best prop in the game.

He is still only a baby when talking about front rowers. He is putting all of the current FR's to shame when you compare their games to his at the same age. He is almost a one man band at the broncos at the moment. He has plenty of aggression. Wait and see him come on when he starts to mature and is playing in a team that can play consistently well. His carries will be frightening.

 

[TheRam]

Generally yeah, but in Welsh's case if I remember correctly we would have had to wear a great deal of his recovery on our payroll?

That's a big change in costs on any contract, without even considering the risk of a less than complete recovery.

Also that it wasn't his first in a relatively short period of time.

 

[Gazzamatta]

He is still only a baby when talking about front rowers. He is putting all of the current FR's to shame when you compare their games to his at the same age. He is almost a one man band at the broncos at the moment. He has plenty of aggression. Wait and see him come on when he starts to mature and is playing in a team that can play consistently well. His carries will be frightening.

No argument and potentially in my eyes he is all of that but not quite yet. I wouldn't swap him for Paulo or Welsh just yet but he's up there.

 

[TheRam]

No argument and potentially in my eyes he is all of that but not quite yet. I wouldn't swap him for Paulo or Welsh just yet but he's up there.

I wouldn't swap anyone for Junior because Junior is unique in regards to props in the NRL, but I would swap him for anyone else. He is the best FR in the game. I agree with Pou on this one 100%. In a team like ours or any of the top 4 teams he would be phenomenal.

With good coaching and a clear mind where he doesn't have to worry about anything other then his own game, he would quickly improve out of sight on his already very impressive output.

This kid is the bench mark of all Front Rowers, but at present is being wasted on a team that is rudderless.

 

[Gronk]

Was that his NRL debut? ... i thought he played some minutes for the cowgirls?

Well no f**ker picked him as first to debut in preseason predictions .... ffs

Yep, his selection in the Maori team (coached by Kidwell) was from a development contract at the cows. He played for the blackhawks however only got to play one game in 2020 because of the covid.

 

[Twizzle]

https://www.couriermail.com.au/spor...y/news-story/c3359508e471fe4d0757506d21f63776

NRL plan to fund club academies in regional NSW and Queensland in push to save bush footy

Peter V’landys is taking an open chequebook into his push to save bush footy, with 16 new NRL academies set to be created across regional NSW and Queensland.

Amid growing fears country footy could be dead within 10 years, V’landys is now readying to implement a bold ‘Save The Bush’ blueprint which will be unveiled to all NRL CEOs in Brisbane during Magic Round.

The ARLC chairman has also revealed the concept, which is totally funded by League Central, and involves each NRL club taking on a region across the state, is being shaped by the likes of South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett and former Penrith GM Phil Gould.

As the centrepiece of the proposal, all 16 NRL clubs will be provided funding to establish their own Rugby League Academy in a designated country town or towns.

Clubs will be encouraged to mirror the work already being done by Panthers officials, who have successfully implemented academy programs in Bathurst and Dubbo.

V’landys is also seeking a commitment from every CEO to send marquee players bush at various times throughout the year for coaching clinics, local fundraisers, even team camps.

While the NSWRL is also working on its own strategies, which V’landys supports, he stressed it was important the NRL also injected its own “stimulus”.

While an initial figure of $1.5 million has been mooted, the ARL commission boss readily admits the figure could be higher.

“And if it takes more, OK, it takes more,” he told News Corp on Thursday. “We’ll fund it. Because we have to do something immediately for bush football.

“There’s no point waiting three years, five years … it has to be done now.”

This is not the first time NRL clubs have been asked, unsuccessfully, to adopt an area of regional NSW.

Previously though, the key sticking point was always the reluctance of some NRL clubs to tip money into perceived ‘weaker’ regions while some of their rivals, for the same outlay, were given noted strongholds like Group 10 or the Central Coast.

“But we aren’t asking clubs to fund this,” V’landys stressed. “The NRL will do it.

“So there is no down side for them. They have the opportunity to create new pathways for young players, bring in new fans, all of that.

“It’s an easy sell. But importantly, it’s also about getting country kids back to footy, helping revive senior competitions, even bring some clubs back.

“Rather than the NRL having an expensive front office, we’ll be redirecting savings the game has already made (since COVID) toward attacking these problems head on.”

While clubs will also be encouraged to take an NRL game or trial to their region from 2022, V’landys stressed it wouldn’t be compulsory and said the academies and player visits were top of his list.

Already, there are eight NRL games being played in regional centres this year.

However, for these games to take place, local councils in towns like Bathurst, Tamworth and Mudgee must first pay the home side for the right to host — a figure said to be anywhere from $100,000 to $250,000.

Four years ago, one NRL club even asked for $100,000 just to host a trial match.

It’s thought that if the NRL were to take 16 games bush every year, it would cost the game up to $5 million.

Even in 2013, the game’s then CEO Dave Smith talked up a $1.2 million proposal that would see four games shifted to country NSW every year.

By his math, Smith reckoned it would cost $300,000 for every game the NRL took bush. But that idea never materialised, either.

Then in 2017, the annual City-Country game was also scrapped.

Asked about NRL games going bush, V’landys said: “That isn’t the big deal for us.

“But clubs taking their stars into the community definitely is. Same with the academies.

“Obviously it’s a big plan, a long-term plan and in some cases it will be like we are starting over. But like any challenge, you take it head on.”

 

[TheRam]

https://www.couriermail.com.au/spor...y/news-story/c3359508e471fe4d0757506d21f63776

NRL plan to fund club academies in regional NSW and Queensland in push to save bush footy

Peter V’landys is taking an open chequebook into his push to save bush footy, with 16 new NRL academies set to be created across regional NSW and Queensland.

Amid growing fears country footy could be dead within 10 years, V’landys is now readying to implement a bold ‘Save The Bush’ blueprint which will be unveiled to all NRL CEOs in Brisbane during Magic Round.

The ARLC chairman has also revealed the concept, which is totally funded by League Central, and involves each NRL club taking on a region across the state, is being shaped by the likes of South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett and former Penrith GM Phil Gould.

As the centrepiece of the proposal, all 16 NRL clubs will be provided funding to establish their own Rugby League Academy in a designated country town or towns.

Clubs will be encouraged to mirror the work already being done by Panthers officials, who have successfully implemented academy programs in Bathurst and Dubbo.

V’landys is also seeking a commitment from every CEO to send marquee players bush at various times throughout the year for coaching clinics, local fundraisers, even team camps.

While the NSWRL is also working on its own strategies, which V’landys supports, he stressed it was important the NRL also injected its own “stimulus”.

While an initial figure of $1.5 million has been mooted, the ARL commission boss readily admits the figure could be higher.

“And if it takes more, OK, it takes more,” he told News Corp on Thursday. “We’ll fund it. Because we have to do something immediately for bush football.

“There’s no point waiting three years, five years … it has to be done now.”

This is not the first time NRL clubs have been asked, unsuccessfully, to adopt an area of regional NSW.

Previously though, the key sticking point was always the reluctance of some NRL clubs to tip money into perceived ‘weaker’ regions while some of their rivals, for the same outlay, were given noted strongholds like Group 10 or the Central Coast.

“But we aren’t asking clubs to fund this,” V’landys stressed. “The NRL will do it.

“So there is no down side for them. They have the opportunity to create new pathways for young players, bring in new fans, all of that.

“It’s an easy sell. But importantly, it’s also about getting country kids back to footy, helping revive senior competitions, even bring some clubs back.

“Rather than the NRL having an expensive front office, we’ll be redirecting savings the game has already made (since COVID) toward attacking these problems head on.”

While clubs will also be encouraged to take an NRL game or trial to their region from 2022, V’landys stressed it wouldn’t be compulsory and said the academies and player visits were top of his list.

Already, there are eight NRL games being played in regional centres this year.

However, for these games to take place, local councils in towns like Bathurst, Tamworth and Mudgee must first pay the home side for the right to host — a figure said to be anywhere from $100,000 to $250,000.

Four years ago, one NRL club even asked for $100,000 just to host a trial match.

It’s thought that if the NRL were to take 16 games bush every year, it would cost the game up to $5 million.

Even in 2013, the game’s then CEO Dave Smith talked up a $1.2 million proposal that would see four games shifted to country NSW every year.

By his math, Smith reckoned it would cost $300,000 for every game the NRL took bush. But that idea never materialised, either.

Then in 2017, the annual City-Country game was also scrapped.

Asked about NRL games going bush, V’landys said: “That isn’t the big deal for us.

“But clubs taking their stars into the community definitely is. Same with the academies.

“Obviously it’s a big plan, a long-term plan and in some cases it will be like we are starting over. But like any challenge, you take it head on.”

This is a great initiative and well overdue, but the $1.5m is a joke and will do very little.

 

[Chipmunk]

https://www.couriermail.com.au/spor...y/news-story/c3359508e471fe4d0757506d21f63776

NRL plan to fund club academies in regional NSW and Queensland in push to save bush footy

Peter V’landys is taking an open chequebook into his push to save bush footy, with 16 new NRL academies set to be created across regional NSW and Queensland.

Amid growing fears country footy could be dead within 10 years, V’landys is now readying to implement a bold ‘Save The Bush’ blueprint which will be unveiled to all NRL CEOs in Brisbane during Magic Round.

The ARLC chairman has also revealed the concept, which is totally funded by League Central, and involves each NRL club taking on a region across the state, is being shaped by the likes of South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett and former Penrith GM Phil Gould.

As the centrepiece of the proposal, all 16 NRL clubs will be provided funding to establish their own Rugby League Academy in a designated country town or towns.

Clubs will be encouraged to mirror the work already being done by Panthers officials, who have successfully implemented academy programs in Bathurst and Dubbo.

V’landys is also seeking a commitment from every CEO to send marquee players bush at various times throughout the year for coaching clinics, local fundraisers, even team camps.

While the NSWRL is also working on its own strategies, which V’landys supports, he stressed it was important the NRL also injected its own “stimulus”.

While an initial figure of $1.5 million has been mooted, the ARL commission boss readily admits the figure could be higher.

“And if it takes more, OK, it takes more,” he told News Corp on Thursday. “We’ll fund it. Because we have to do something immediately for bush football.

“There’s no point waiting three years, five years … it has to be done now.”

This is not the first time NRL clubs have been asked, unsuccessfully, to adopt an area of regional NSW.

Previously though, the key sticking point was always the reluctance of some NRL clubs to tip money into perceived ‘weaker’ regions while some of their rivals, for the same outlay, were given noted strongholds like Group 10 or the Central Coast.

“But we aren’t asking clubs to fund this,” V’landys stressed. “The NRL will do it.

“So there is no down side for them. They have the opportunity to create new pathways for young players, bring in new fans, all of that.

“It’s an easy sell. But importantly, it’s also about getting country kids back to footy, helping revive senior competitions, even bring some clubs back.

“Rather than the NRL having an expensive front office, we’ll be redirecting savings the game has already made (since COVID) toward attacking these problems head on.”

While clubs will also be encouraged to take an NRL game or trial to their region from 2022, V’landys stressed it wouldn’t be compulsory and said the academies and player visits were top of his list.

Already, there are eight NRL games being played in regional centres this year.

However, for these games to take place, local councils in towns like Bathurst, Tamworth and Mudgee must first pay the home side for the right to host — a figure said to be anywhere from $100,000 to $250,000.

Four years ago, one NRL club even asked for $100,000 just to host a trial match.

It’s thought that if the NRL were to take 16 games bush every year, it would cost the game up to $5 million.

Even in 2013, the game’s then CEO Dave Smith talked up a $1.2 million proposal that would see four games shifted to country NSW every year.

By his math, Smith reckoned it would cost $300,000 for every game the NRL took bush. But that idea never materialised, either.

Then in 2017, the annual City-Country game was also scrapped.

Asked about NRL games going bush, V’landys said: “That isn’t the big deal for us.

“But clubs taking their stars into the community definitely is. Same with the academies.

“Obviously it’s a big plan, a long-term plan and in some cases it will be like we are starting over. But like any challenge, you take it head on.”

I noticed that the old Raiders Headquarters in Bruce (they relocated to a new facility into the City) here in Canberra is now a NSWRL facility.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

This is a great initiative and well overdue, but the $1.5m is a joke and will do very little.

the best thing the NRL could do is pay for players insurance juniors / seniors.

Automatically reduces clubs costs / rego fees , winner for players with cheaper rego’s / and clubs with less need to generate income (or ability to use the extra cash for equipment/ground improvements)

 

[TheRam]

https://www.couriermail.com.au/spor...y/news-story/c3359508e471fe4d0757506d21f63776

NRL plan to fund club academies in regional NSW and Queensland in push to save bush footy

Peter V’landys is taking an open chequebook into his push to save bush footy, with 16 new NRL academies set to be created across regional NSW and Queensland.

Amid growing fears country footy could be dead within 10 years, V’landys is now readying to implement a bold ‘Save The Bush’ blueprint which will be unveiled to all NRL CEOs in Brisbane during Magic Round.

The ARLC chairman has also revealed the concept, which is totally funded by League Central, and involves each NRL club taking on a region across the state, is being shaped by the likes of South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett and former Penrith GM Phil Gould.

As the centrepiece of the proposal, all 16 NRL clubs will be provided funding to establish their own Rugby League Academy in a designated country town or towns.

Clubs will be encouraged to mirror the work already being done by Panthers officials, who have successfully implemented academy programs in Bathurst and Dubbo.

V’landys is also seeking a commitment from every CEO to send marquee players bush at various times throughout the year for coaching clinics, local fundraisers, even team camps.

While the NSWRL is also working on its own strategies, which V’landys supports, he stressed it was important the NRL also injected its own “stimulus”.

While an initial figure of $1.5 million has been mooted, the ARL commission boss readily admits the figure could be higher.

“And if it takes more, OK, it takes more,” he told News Corp on Thursday. “We’ll fund it. Because we have to do something immediately for bush football.

“There’s no point waiting three years, five years … it has to be done now.”

This is not the first time NRL clubs have been asked, unsuccessfully, to adopt an area of regional NSW.

Previously though, the key sticking point was always the reluctance of some NRL clubs to tip money into perceived ‘weaker’ regions while some of their rivals, for the same outlay, were given noted strongholds like Group 10 or the Central Coast.

“But we aren’t asking clubs to fund this,” V’landys stressed. “The NRL will do it.

“So there is no down side for them. They have the opportunity to create new pathways for young players, bring in new fans, all of that.

“It’s an easy sell. But importantly, it’s also about getting country kids back to footy, helping revive senior competitions, even bring some clubs back.

“Rather than the NRL having an expensive front office, we’ll be redirecting savings the game has already made (since COVID) toward attacking these problems head on.”

While clubs will also be encouraged to take an NRL game or trial to their region from 2022, V’landys stressed it wouldn’t be compulsory and said the academies and player visits were top of his list.

Already, there are eight NRL games being played in regional centres this year.

However, for these games to take place, local councils in towns like Bathurst, Tamworth and Mudgee must first pay the home side for the right to host — a figure said to be anywhere from $100,000 to $250,000.

Four years ago, one NRL club even asked for $100,000 just to host a trial match.

It’s thought that if the NRL were to take 16 games bush every year, it would cost the game up to $5 million.

Even in 2013, the game’s then CEO Dave Smith talked up a $1.2 million proposal that would see four games shifted to country NSW every year.

By his math, Smith reckoned it would cost $300,000 for every game the NRL took bush. But that idea never materialised, either.

Then in 2017, the annual City-Country game was also scrapped.

Asked about NRL games going bush, V’landys said: “That isn’t the big deal for us.

“But clubs taking their stars into the community definitely is. Same with the academies.

“Obviously it’s a big plan, a long-term plan and in some cases it will be like we are starting over. But like any challenge, you take it head on.”

This is what I wrote in another thread -

Exactly what I was thinking. It's not even a drop in the ocean. The last time I heard(years ago), the AFL was spending over $20m a year in NSW alone and same in QLD. God knows how much they are ploughing in now?

This is a great idea and a massive increase in junior development by all clubs is the only way a 2 conference competition will ever work.

I have said countless time that all NRL teams should be made to spend at least $1m on junior development with strict KPI's as part of the deal. If any club fails to meet their KPI's the NRL takes the million dollars off of their Salary cap allowance and invests it in that clubs junior regions.

Without a concerted effort in growing the game at all lower levels, how the hell do they think that a 18-20 team conference system is anywhere near viable? We haven't got the players to sustain a 16 club comp now. Just look at the haves and have nots. The new rules are awesome, but they have also exposed the lack of NRL quality players we now have since the dismantling of the lower grade pathways that used to exist.

The ARLC is trying to reestablish these pathways now and probably ultimately rejig the State Cup system, which is the main problem here at this level.

NRL clubs need to be the ones bringing on the reserves and U20's or whatever Under's they decide on, not State Leagues. No one does it better then the NRL clubs system. Always have and always will. We used to be the envy of all sports systems, but sadly to save a few bucks the Clubs have almost killed the golden goose.

It's time to throw a bit of feed her way and get the old girl back on her feet so she can get to laying those golden eggs again.

When will the NRL clubs ever learn that there are no shortcuts in Rugby League both on and off the field. Unless you are the Roosters of course. Then picking the eyes out of the best young talent does really work for you, but ultimately doesn't help the game one little bit.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Absolutely. We obviously signed an unfit Kevans at $500k per year for 3 years as it took him 2 years to get fit and when he finally was he was still gash. We also signed Waqa who was injured at the time and that hasn't worked out too well either. We signed Foran and Watmough, both injured. Again super fails. So yeah. I take your point. Maybe we learned from those experiences or maybe the then major voice in recruitment isn't that anymore.

Injured players are cheaper as there is less demand for them. That allows you to spend more in other areas of the team. About the strength of the squad overall rather than any given individual.

As for Kane Evans, we won nearly 60% of games with him.

 

[Delboy]

This is what I wrote in another thread -

Exactly what I was thinking. It's not even a drop in the ocean. The last time I heard(years ago), the AFL was spending over $20m a year in NSW alone and same in QLD. God knows how much they are ploughing in now?

This is a great idea and a massive increase in junior development by all clubs is the only way a 2 conference competition will ever work.

I have said countless time that all NRL teams should be made to spend at least $1m on junior development with strict KPI's as part of the deal. If any club fails to meet their KPI's the NRL takes the million dollars off of their Salary cap allowance and invests it in that clubs junior regions.

Without a concerted effort in growing the game at all lower levels, how the hell do they think that a 18-20 team conference system is anywhere near viable? We haven't got the players to sustain a 16 club comp now. Just look at the haves and have nots. The new rules are awesome, but they have also exposed the lack of NRL quality players we now have since the dismantling of the lower grade pathways that used to exist.

The ARLC is trying to reestablish these pathways now and probably ultimately rejig the State Cup system, which is the main problem here at this level.

NRL clubs need to be the ones bringing on the reserves and U20's or whatever Under's they decide on, not State Leagues. No one does it better then the NRL clubs system. Always have and always will. We used to be the envy of all sports systems, but sadly to save a few bucks the Clubs have almost killed the golden goose.

It's time to throw a bit of feed her way and get the old girl back on her feet so she can get to laying those golden eggs again.

When will the NRL clubs ever learn that there are no shortcuts in Rugby League both on and off the field. Unless you are the Roosters of course. Then picking the eyes out of the best young talent does really work for you, but ultimately doesn't help the game one little bit.

The great Denis Fitzgerald was the driving force behind moving reserve grade back to the parks, another good idea he overthought to save money with his mantra “if they are not playing NRL by age 20, they never will”.

 

[IFR33K]

Injured players are cheaper as there is less demand for them. That allows you to spend more in other areas of the team. About the strength of the squad overall rather than any given individual.

As for Kane Evans, we won nearly 60% of games with him.

If injured players are cheaper, what happened in terms of watmough, Foran and now supposedly staggs.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

If injured players are cheaper, what happened in terms of watmough, Foran and now supposedly staggs.

Well even leaving aside the fact that neither of us actually know how much they're getting paid, whatever they cost with the injuries is less than what they would've cost without it.