Squad succession

[Avenger]

oh ffs ... trumped by avenger ... again!

No second prize. Aren’t you glad I’ve returned?

 

[Suitman]

2 spots left. Rona and Napa.

That'd be nice.
You reckon we still have the money for that?
Maybe we're planning on moving a few players on?
No doubt if we do, it will be because we signed Hayne, not any other merkin.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Geeeez ... since when has this thread been about shits n giggles

Given the rumour Salmon, Aukafolau, Stone and Leleisiuao are part of the rookie crew, along with Afualo and Mahoney (who are also in the pre-season training pics) I figured it was worth including the latter two to try and get a handle on how many squad spots are likely to be left.

 

[strider]

That'd be nice.
You reckon we still have the money for that?
Maybe we're planning on moving a few players on?
No doubt if we do, it will be because we signed Hayne, not any other merkin.

Well the other interesting quote from the article

“Between now and round one lots of things will chop and change.”

Does that mean something, or just the usual BA philosophy?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

We only have 28 according to Arthur. Fix it.

Pretty much confirms the six rookies slots.

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

That sounds like waffle to me. Sort it out, Chiefy!

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Would you prefer the succession thread not to include the rookies? I can knock it down to 28 if I wanted to. Quite easily. I wouldn't even need to delete six random names.

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

I'm not sure. Deleting six randomly would create more discussion. By rookies, you mean the six development players? Do we know for certain which are which?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

My tip is the six blokes under 22.

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

My tip is the six blokes under 22.

Doesn't the amount they're being paid come into it?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Certainly. But those six have played zero NRL games, and only two (Aukafolau and Stone) have played more than a couple of games in reserve grade. The next oldest (Niukore, turning 22) played for Wenty all year. I reckon he’s ahead of all the rest for an NRL spot. Obviously French (also 22 next year) is in the top 30.

Anyone older than them starts to get a bit old for a development contract.

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

Certainly. But those six have played zero NRL games, and only two (Aukafolau and Stone) have played more than a couple of games in reserve grade. The next oldest (Niukore, turning 22) played for Wenty all year. I reckon he’s ahead of all the rest for an NRL spot. Obviously French (also 22 next year) is in the top 30.

Anyone older than them starts to get a bit old for a development contract.

Yeah I get that it's fairly easy this time to work out who's where but is there anything concrete? If a boom youngster is signed, do we know they're on more or less than our lowest-paid top 30 guy?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I dunno.

 

[strider]

I dunno.

ffs pou ... We look for your wisdom and leadership in this thread ... theres no place for dunnos

 

[Gronk]

This thread is falling apart.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

ffs mods close this thread

But also sticky it

 

[Chipmunk]

Can we put an asterisk (*) next to the likely players outside the Top 30?

It's all very well to be in the squad, but if they're ineligible to play then you need to identify that somehow.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

No.

 

[Twizzle]

mean prick

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

Ban him.

But let him come back when the thread needs updating. I'm having second thoughts about putting Chiefy in charge.