Squad succession

[Poupou Escobar]

Remember in 2021 when we had heaps of player options but no merkin gave a f**k because we were winning games? In fact we had three of them for 2022 and made the grand final that year, proving that player options mean f**k all until the media spins them to an angry fan base desperate to piss their knickers.

Both Fs in FFS stand for f**k:

* = player option
¢ = club option
^ = development contract

2021
Utility: Loizou (18)^, Rankin (30), Smith (29)
Fullback: Gutherson, Russell (19)^
W/C: Blake, Dunster (22), Ferguson (31), M.Jennings, Naiduki (21)^, Oldfield (31), Opacic (27), Penisini, Sivo
Half: Arthur (19)^, D.Brown, Moses
Hooker: Lussick (26), Mahoney, Roache (25)^
Edge forward: Cartwright (27), Hipgrave, Lane, Matterson, Niukore, Papali'i
Tight forward: N.Brown (28), Campbell-Gillard, Hollis (20), Hughes (20), Kaufusi, Paulo, Stone (24)

2022
Utility: -
Fullback: Gutherson (28)
W/C: Blake, M.Jennings (34)*, Penisini (20), Sivo
Half: D.Brown, Moses (28)*
Hooker: Mahoney (24)
Edge forward: Hipgrave (25)¢, Lane, Matterson (28)*, Niukore (26), Papali'i (24)
Tight forward: Campbell-Gillard, Kaufusi (23), Paulo (29)

2023
Utility: -
Fullback: -
W/C: Blake (29), Sivo (30)
Half: D.Brown (23)*
Hooker: -
Edge forward: Lane (29)
Tight forward: Campbell-Gillard*

2024
Utility: -
Fullback: -
W/C: -
Half: -
Hooker: -
Edge forward: -
Tight forward: Campbell-Gillard (31)¢

So we (officially) have 28 merkins in this year's top 30, and 16 in next year's.

 

[JokerEel]

Remember in 2021 when we had heaps of player options but no merkin gave a f**k because we were winning games? In fact we had three of them for 2022 and made the grand final that year, proving that player options mean f**k all until the media spins them to an angry fan base desperate to piss their knickers.

Should chat to the club and tell them that player options should be back on as we had them in 2021 and it's worked out so well.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Should chat to the club and tell them that player options should be back on as we had them in 2021 and it's worked out so well.

It worked until the media turned it into a circus. The options themselves have helped us reduce costs under the cap, which was always their intent. Now we have to switch to paying merkins more.

 

[JokerEel]

It worked until the media turned it into a circus. The options themselves have helped us reduce costs under the cap, which was always their intent. Now we have to switch to paying merkins more.

Agree but as the club as stated now POs are not in the best interest for the club maybe due to the reason you suggested.
But time to move on.

 

[the phantom menace]

Remember in 2021 when we had heaps of player options but no merkin gave a f**k because we were winning games?

Vaguely, but go on...

In fact we had three of them for 2022 and made the grand final that year,

Fair enough...

proving that player options mean f**k all until the media spins them to an angry fan base desperate to piss their knickers.

But no - the first two statements clearly don't prove your third.

You could personally assert what you want/believe to be true, but to say the two conditions amount to proof of what you then state is disingenuous at best.

Failed #poulogic (again)
#Philosophy101

 

[the phantom menace]

But time to move on.

Lol, he never will. Painted himself into a corner about POs, and hence has no way to move while saving face.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

But no - the first two statements clearly don't prove your third.

Actually they do prove it. The POs didn’t prevent us from assembling the squad that won 18 games in 2022. Ergo they meant f**k all.

You could personally assert what you want/believe to be true, but to say the two conditions amount to proof of what you then state is disingenuous at best.

Failed #poulogic (again)
#Philosophy101

See above

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Agree but as the club as stated now POs are not in the best interest for the club maybe due to the reason you suggested.
But time to move on.

It would be the only reason. Before the media seized on them as the cause of our failure last year (despite most of the player options coming due in 2026), nobody cared about the player options, and we used them to assemble a strong squad.

 

[emjaycee]

Currently 34 of 36 roster spots remaining (30+6 dev). Keeping 2 for upgrade or if someone becomes available mid-season.

Source: CEO at the PLC AGM

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Currently 34 of 36 roster spots remaining (30+6 dev). Keeping 2 for upgrade or if someone becomes available mid-season.

Source: CEO at the PLC AGM

Interesting...

We have filled our 6 development contracts, but only 28 top 30 players according to here:

2025 NRL Signings Tracker: Kaufusi re-signs; Bulldogs release Oloapu

With the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership season looming, here's all the latest contract news at all 17 clubs.

www.nrl.com

However Jordan Samrani has been reported as a possible train and trial contract, leaving only 27 top 30 contracts..

Who is the mystery 28th player? Jordan or someone else...

 

[JokerEel]

Interesting...

We have filled our 6 development contracts, but only 28 top 30 players according to here:

2025 NRL Signings Tracker: Kaufusi re-signs; Bulldogs release Oloapu

With the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership season looming, here's all the latest contract news at all 17 clubs.

www.nrl.com

However Jordan Samrani has been reported as a possible train and trial contract, leaving only 27 top 30 contracts..

Who is the mystery 28th player? Jordan or someone else...

NRL website has Samrani signed for 25/26