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Rumours and Stuff

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
101,292
Jim’s Mowing and trolley Boy MON doing their thaaanngg again. They could not attract a fly to freshly laid piece of turd. If you have a deal that you want to stuff up, then Jim will f**k it.

for everything Ryles brings to the team, Jim and Mon counter it by their epic failures. They are rubbish.
Or have Souths overpaid and we refused to match it?
 

Zoso

Juniors
Messages
660
I used to advocate for signing Keppie. He had potential. Really went backwards over the past few years though.
I don’t think you were alone there.
If my memory serves, a few people were quite pissed lost/let him go, whichever it was.
The fact he went to Manly probably made it sting more!

I don’t get to see juniors so it’s a bit of current example for me in why I take a breath before getting too worked up, or joining in on the hatefest, about some high potential/quality junior we lost.

If junior pedigree was ‘the’ indicator of success it would be easy. But something else goes on in this game in the transition to NRL level that says it isn’t.

All that said, if we lose someone and they do well, I’m there with the pitchforks too - Goddamn you MON-last coach-new coach-current CEO-last CEO!!!!
 

Glenneel

Bench
Messages
4,272
I think you're underestimating the amount of talent ( or lack of ) available now and in the future with 1 + 1 side coming in the next few years.

in actual fact, clubs will be very reluctant to part with players currently in their books unless they absolutely need to, meanwhile we need to add 2 players into T30 by round 1 and unfortunately we're stuck with a player that absolutely no merkin in professional sport wants.
Yes we should have inquired about Khan-Pereira when he was on the nose at Titans mid year as we were always skinny in outside backs.
 
Messages
20,749
Cooper Cronk has praised Parramatta’s decision to part ways with NSW winger Zac Lomax as another strong move from coach Jason Ryles aimed at resetting the club’s “culture”.
This week Lomax was released from the remaining three years from his deal at Parramatta, just one year into a contract that saw him earn around $650,000 after moving from St George Illawarra.

The 26-year-old is widely expected to join rebel rugby union competition R360 when it kicks off in November next year, and could ply his trade playing the 15-man code in Japan or America until then after being sent into the NRL wilderness.
Lomax and Ryan Papenhuyzen are set to be the highest profile players to join R360, with the latest reports that Broncos prop Payne Haas is weighing up a tax free $3 million offer but is leaning towards staying in the NRL.

NRL boss Peter V’landys has threatened any player who joins R360 with a 10-year ban from playing in the NRL.

Speaking on the Fox League podcast, Cronk said: “I’d be very interested if it comes to fruition and if Peter V’landys still hands down that 10-year ban, because if I’m a player there’s obviously ways around it.

As for NRL players considering their future, the six-time grand final winner said: “Ultimately it comes down to your heart and what you want to do.”
Cronk echoed V’landys sentiment that players leaving the NRL for R360 would want to see some form of financial guarantee upfront.
“The fact that clubs are letting these players go … seems to me that they’re not required beyond what they’re doing at the moment,” Cronk said.

“If I was a coach and had Papenhuyzen and Lomax and wanted to win a comp the next year, these two are elite players of our competition.

“But the fact they’ve let them go means they might be surplus to needs.

“You’d imagine those two players would be wanted by their clubs but the fact they’ve let them go at the early stage of the contract extension with Zac … geez I hope for his sake he’s got that money at R360 in the bag.”

Lomax’s R360 deal is worth a reported USD $1.5 million a season and could include massive tax breaks depending on where his team is based.

Not allowing Lomax to play out the 2026 season has been lauded as a strong move from Ryles, who has overhauled his roster since taking over from Brad Arthur as coach, letting veterans Clint Gutherson and Reagan Campbell-Gillard go.

“I reckon Jason Ryles has shown a lot of maturity here,” Tigers great Steve Roach said.

“To buy a player from Saints, come to Parramatta and all of a sudden he’s one of your best players. To have the maturity to say we’re going to let you go.

“You’ve got to tip your cap to Jason Ryles,” Cronk concurred.
First year coach, arrived at the Parramatta Eels, when you’re making decisions on your own career, you’re probably going to keep some players and say, ‘I need to win some games’.

“He got rid of Clint Gutherson, RCG (Reagan Campbell-Gillard), got smashed by Melbourne in the first round, didn’t win a couple for a while, brought in some players of his choosing, started getting some consistency, Mitch Moses came back in the side.

“I feel like this is another call from Jason Ryles. He’s like, ‘Well Zac, if you want to leave, if you’re not buying into what we’re doing, see you later’.

“Jason Ryles has made some really strong decisions that you could argue have put Parramatta a couple of steps backwards but they’re definitely going in the right direction, particularly the way they played at the back-end of last season.

“He chose to set a culture with good characters, good leaders and I think this is a decision around Zac as well. He’s happy to let Zac move on and reshape their roster a little bit.”
Fox League’s Lara Pitt: “Zac was a Brad Arthur signing.

“From what we know of Zac Lomax, he beats to the sound of his own drum and he would probably back himself to play LIV Golf, just as he would back himself to play in R360.”
Roach said: “Part of the thing was the actual enjoyment of playing the game. All the money comes and that sort of stuff, that’s fine. I just wonder sometimes how much these guys actually love the game.

“Say Zac Lomax goes now, the competition (R360) doesn’t start until the end of next year, what does he do in the meantime? If you’re a footy player, you want to play.”

“That’s what I’m saying,” Pitt said.

“I think Zac Lomax will do whatever he chooses. He could start boxing, that’s the kind of guy he is.”

Cronk added: “And maybe that’s the type of guy Jason Ryles doesn’t want. Every team rocks up the first week of November preparing for next year. There is a trophy up for grabs and 17 teams want it.

“The difference between the Broncos and the team that finishes last is how much you want it, how much performance you can give and what the culture is. They’re the three key parts of a premiership winning team.”

Lomax’s departure has freed up some room in Parramatta’s salary cap and Roach believes the Eels should target Nelson Asofa-Solomona, although the Eels have said they have not been in communication with the Kiwi forward.

“I don’t think Parramatta will get another winger,” Roach said.
Roach said: “Part of the thing was the actual enjoyment of playing the game. All the money comes and that sort of stuff, that’s fine. I just wonder sometimes how much these guys actually love the game.

“Say Zac Lomax goes now, the competition (R360) doesn’t start until the end of next year, what does he do in the meantime? If you’re a footy player, you want to play.”

“That’s what I’m saying,” Pitt said.

“I think Zac Lomax will do whatever he chooses. He could start boxing, that’s the kind of guy he is.”

Cronk added: “And maybe that’s the type of guy Jason Ryles doesn’t want. Every team rocks up the first week of November preparing for next year. There is a trophy up for grabs and 17 teams want it.

“The difference between the Broncos and the team that finishes last is how much you want it, how much performance you can give and what the culture is. They’re the three key parts of a premiership winning team.”

Lomax’s departure has freed up some room in Parramatta’s salary cap and Roach believes the Eels should target Nelson Asofa-Solomona, although the Eels have said they have not been in communication with the Kiwi forward.

“I don’t think Parramatta will get another winger,” Roach said.
Parramatta finished 11th on the ladder with a 10-14 record and are expected to make a push for the top eight after signing Jonah Pezet from the Melbourne Storm on a one-year deal.

Cronk predicts the Eels to “sit around that 7th to 10th” range on the ladder, warning: “The biggest key for them is Mitch Moses’ health.”

The Eels have the longest premiership drought of any NRL team, with Parramatta’s last premiership coming back in 1986 during the Peter Sterling era.

Zac “ beats to the sound of his own drum” pfft lol.

Sounds about right anyway.

BA didn’t ask Zac for a character reference when he served up the stroganoff.

Zac can look forward to watching a beheading or two on TV in his new digs.
 
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85 Baby

Bench
Messages
2,854
I used to advocate for signing Keppie. He had potential. Really went backwards over the past few years though.
Anyone who was upset about us losing Keppie probably only watched NRL for the handful of times he put an angry face hit on one of our players. He always was lazy or slow or both. As a prop he averaged less than 100m a game while also barely averaging 90% tackles. The guy was shit and it baffles me that people view him as some unicorn that got away. Guy would struggle to make our Ron Massey Cup team for players we’ve lost
 

Glenneel

Bench
Messages
4,272
I used to advocate for signing Keppie. He had potential. Really went backwards over the past few years though.
Thought he was always rubbish and really surprised Souths took him up after Manly stint. Same with Aloiai and Sipley, both over-rated and both easily dominated despite their size.
 

Tiger5150

First Grade
Messages
5,546
Every player has strengths and weaknesses. Matterson’s supposed lack of passion didn’t stop him winning a premiership or playing Origin. The merkin has played 180 NRL games ffs. He’s not some talented rookie who doesn’t take footy seriously.

Ok I stand corrected....Matto is a premiership winning, origin standard player who doesnt lack passion and takes his footy very seriously......

......who played 7 games of NSW Cup in 2025.

Its not talent, fitness, passion or ability. Has Rylesy coached all the Origin goodness out of him? Are his biceps too heavy to pass L to R?
 

Delboy

First Grade
Messages
8,927
It’s must be a coincidence that when the front office is confronted with a competitive situation for a rep level player, it’s oh well we tried.
We seem to have the cash, roster space and need, guess we look forward to more journeymen level players, think that the 3.4 players signed at rep level were the so called distressed assets arguing and not wanted. RCG, Moses , Jac avd even Matto , been a long time with little success it seems, and the club appears happy , strange,
 
Messages
20,749
It’s must be a coincidence that when the front office is confronted with a competitive situation for a rep level player, it’s oh well we tried.
We seem to have the cash, roster space and need, guess we look forward to more journeymen level players, think that the 3.4 players signed at rep level were the so called distressed assets arguing and not wanted. RCG, Moses , Jac avd even Matto , been a long time with little success it seems, and the club appears happy , strange,
Our standards are so twisted, we throw a wooden spoon reveal party at the start of each season.
 

Stevie

Bench
Messages
4,825
I think a few ppl need to calm the f**k down.
Im very confident we will sign 2 or 3 players in the next few weeks...not that I know anything....but its what I feel is happening or about to happen.
From a logical point of view the club was happy to release him and don't for one moment think they weren't ringing around prior to agreeing to the release.
You just wouldn't allow it if there were no viable options.
Also there are always blokes on the fringe, lower grades etc that need a chance...happens every year.
Still think we land a big fish...
I hope you are right but your assumption of us being organised at HO is not something I share.

Let me be clear I hope I have egg on my face and look silly when we sign a few good players. But I think we are 100% bottom 3 or 4 teams based on roster only.

I think Ryles is a good coach I’m not blaming him.
 

Stevie

Bench
Messages
4,825
Love V’Landy’s.

He has launched fresh comments according to News LTD saying any player that thinks they found a loophole by taking a year off, or going via Japanese Rugby etc has not.

He said he isn’t scared of legal challenge as they “welcome it”.

Regardless of whatever you think of the rule, you’d want to be very sure it’s going ahead and will sustain you for years to come! For someone who is say 23/24 you are ruling out your chance to ever be in the NRL again effectively.

Plus, you don’t exactly have bargaining power re your renewal as your competitive choices are severely limited if you can’t go back to your favoured game.

It’s a wild risk. Even if it gets off the ground, what if it survives only a year or two?

crazy if you ask me.
 

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
101,292
Ok I stand corrected....Matto is a premiership winning, origin standard player who doesnt lack passion and takes his footy very seriously......

......who played 7 games of NSW Cup in 2025.

Its not talent, fitness, passion or ability. Has Rylesy coached all the Origin goodness out of him? Are his biceps too heavy to pass L to R?
Maybe he’s just overpaid and we’re trying to push him out of the club? Maybe he’s just had a falling out with the coach? He hasn’t lost the ability that led to his list of achievements, which includes the premiership and Origin selection you mention.
 

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
101,292
It’s must be a coincidence that when the front office is confronted with a competitive situation for a rep level player, it’s oh well we tried.
We seem to have the cash, roster space and need, guess we look forward to more journeymen level players, think that the 3.4 players signed at rep level were the so called distressed assets arguing and not wanted. RCG, Moses , Jac avd even Matto , been a long time with little success it seems, and the club appears happy , strange,
Without TPAs you have to pay overs for rep level players. Think about it. The more you pay for any player, the less value he offers, because value is relative to his cost under the cap.
 

T-Boon

Coach
Messages
19,177
Love V’Landy’s.

He has launched fresh comments according to News LTD saying any player that thinks they found a loophole by taking a year off, or going via Japanese Rugby etc has not.

He said he isn’t scared of legal challenge as they “welcome it”.

Regardless of whatever you think of the rule, you’d want to be very sure it’s going ahead and will sustain you for years to come! For someone who is say 23/24 you are ruling out your chance to ever be in the NRL again effectively.

Plus, you don’t exactly have bargaining power re your renewal as your competitive choices are severely limited if you can’t go back to your favoured game.

It’s a wild risk. Even if it gets off the ground, what if it survives only a year or two?

crazy if you ask me.
Yeah I love that.
That is what we need. Addresses Schifofski's clever little message as well. Although I'd like PVL to take Clint's accreditation off him immediately. Make him dance a bit of a jig in court.
 

Tiger5150

First Grade
Messages
5,546
Maybe he’s just overpaid and we’re trying to push him out of the club? Maybe he’s just had a falling out with the coach? He hasn’t lost the ability that led to his list of achievements, which includes the premiership and Origin selection you mention.

Oh I see your point now. Wow that is certainly some 4D chess from the great Rylesy. Push the "premiership winning Origin standard" into reggies for 7 rounds and miss the 8 by 3 wins. Thats what the big clubs do. Still you still had the great Charlie Guymer.
 

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
101,292
Oh I see your point now. Wow that is certainly some 4D chess from the great Rylesy. Push the "premiership winning Origin standard" into reggies for 7 rounds and miss the 8 by 3 wins. Thats what the big clubs do. Still you still had the great Charlie Guymer.
Now you’re just trolling. I never said Matterson was Origin standard. I pointed out that he was a good enough NRL player to be picked in Origin. However you’ve used quote marks to dishonestly pretend I said something I didn’t.
 

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