The Rumours Thread

[Trifili13]

Unfortunately given our position on the table, we will have to pay overs to get that first top player in order to then atteact others. The skill/question.is knowing who to pay overs to in the first place and not screw up your salary cap if they turn out to be a dud.

 

[Parko1310]

Unfortunately given our position on the table, we will have to pay overs to get that first top player in order to then atteact others. The skill/question.is knowing who to pay overs to in the first place and not screw up your salary cap if they turn out to be a dud.

Our offer to Dearden was reported as $850k a season. I'd be able to justify 950k and maybe right on $1m given this won't be much for a top tier half in 3-4 year's time. Might be overs right now but that's who I'd pay overs for as a long-term halfback is a great investment. If we get AFB for $1m I'd say that's about his value so we wouldn't be paying overs. All of a sudden then we're a pretty attractive destination for potential targets. After 2025, Hunt will leave, retire or take a significant pay cut to stay an extra year (who knows what might've changed by then) and you've got an extra 900k or so to spend there so you're cap isn't out of whack. Dearden's that guy for mine that we should pay a bit "overs" for right now.

 

[2218]

We might have an advantage in that he has close relatives that live in the gong

 

[Dragon David]

He played NYC with Hame Sele and was in the same squad as Blocka for the 2015 NYC season but I think he was stood down before they played together.

Thanks BDS.

 

[Gardenia]

Byron Brown the famous Australian actor is also jumping on board a huge Dragons fan .

How so? source?

 

[Gardenia]

Yes we certainly do need something with the likes of AFB. He may not play long minutes but has good strength and determination when he is on the field. Dollars wise, yes it is unfortunate that his price is high but beggars can't be choosers. We were the first to show interest in him when he wanted a release and now that the Tigers and Dogs have shown interest, his manager is playing the three clubs for the best deal he can get for him.

He has already spoken to the Wests Tigers and Bulldogs. I don't know when he intends to speak to our guys, I presume soon, and then he has the big decision to make with his manager and family. If the Dragons really want this guy, they will need to sell the club to him and now that Twiggy's Squadron Energy is proposed to be the clubs next major sponsor and work on the C of E is going to start early next year, they might help to sway him to us on top of the term and pay that we will offer. We still don't know what the Warriors want if they let him out of the last 2 years of his contract after 2024.

I just couldn't bear it if he decides to join the Dogs.

Yep, I'll be a bitter little Dragon supporter if that happens. I am already bitter about the Tracey rumors to the dogs. I am actually more invested in seeing us get Dearden and Tracey. AFB is too flighty IMO, but I'd hate dogs to get him because I'm peed off about the Tracey thing when they don't even need him.

 

[Dragon David]

We might have an advantage in that he has close relatives that live in the gong

So out of the clubs wanting to sign AFB, the question is if his parents (who we understand he wants to leave the Warriors for to be with) are reported to be situated in the "harbour city", would the Gong be where he would accommodate himself and commute to his parents on his days off to check up on them and help them out, or is it the Bulldogs out west in Belmore/Bankstown or the Tigers at Concord? You would think that the Roosters would be a better fit.

If the parents of AFB are in need of a lot of assistance from AFB, then why isn't he able to get a release from the Warriors now rather than in 2025. Are they doing OK and can wait because AFB has agreed to stay put at the Warriors for 2024? I know I don't know the circumstances of AFB's parents but the talk a month or so ago was that he wanted a release sooner rather than later. Was there some club pitching in to get him earlier?

In a way, while it is a totally different scenario to what Ben Hunt wanted mid this year to break his contract with us and move up north to be closer to family networks on his and his wife's side, it appears a little similar without all the bad publicity and no bad whinging from AFB.

I am only putting my thoughts into all of this today and that tomorrow, I might say something totally opposite especially if one or two of you guys pan what I have said. Hohoho!

 

[Dragon David]

How so? source?

I have heard that Bryan Brown is an avid Dragons supporter. He has been mentioned on the forum -

Bryan Brown

The actor. On 2BL with Adam Spencer this morning asked him if he'd prefer to accept an Oscar at an Academy Award Ceremony or score a winning grand final try. He said "If I was wearing a St George jumper, I'd say scoring the try". What a legend. Wondering if any of you photoshop wizards could...

forums.leagueunlimited.com

But not sure if he has jumped onto the bandwagon in regard to this proposed sponsorship deal with Twiggy.

 

[Dragon David]

Yep, I'll be a bitter little Dragon supporter if that happens. I am already bitter about the Tracey rumors to the dogs. I am actually more invested in seeing us get Dearden and Tracey. AFB is too flighty IMO, but I'd hate dogs to get him because I'm peed off about the Tracey thing when they don't even need him.

10000% Gardenia.

 

[TheRev]

Compassionate grounds to "leave" Sydney in 2020 and then compassionate grounds to "return back to" Sydney in 2023.. gives me the hint that the actual reason is not actually a compassionate issue.. but that he is a flighty bird that is driven by something else.. its not loyalty.. its probably money.. because if it was success he was after I think he would stay put.. None of the Sydney clubs are any more likely bar the Sharks who'd be on par with the Warriors in terms of finals chances.

Definitely no loyalty, but we don't need that.. we need an alpha prop to lead us for a few years while our young guys come through, and/or we can start to attract players again.

 

[RedVee_8]

I have heard that Bryan Brown is an avid Dragons supporter. He has been mentioned on the forum -

Bryan Brown

The actor. On 2BL with Adam Spencer this morning asked him if he'd prefer to accept an Oscar at an Academy Award Ceremony or score a winning grand final try. He said "If I was wearing a St George jumper, I'd say scoring the try". What a legend. Wondering if any of you photoshop wizards could...

forums.leagueunlimited.com

But not sure if he has jumped onto the bandwagon in regard to this proposed sponsorship deal with Twiggy.

He has been vocal about being a Saints man for years.
My wife and I went to a Sydney Festival book thing for Sam Neil’s autobiography a few months ago. Bryan Brown was there as best mate and interviewer. Amongst Sam Neil’s opening remarks was him stirring Bryan…. “How about those Dragons ?” ?

 

[Trifili13]

Compassionate grounds to "leave" Sydney in 2020 and then compassionate grounds to "return back to" Sydney in 2023.. gives me the hint that the actual reason is not actually a compassionate issue.. but that he is a flighty bird that is driven by something else.. its not loyalty.. its probably money.. because if it was success he was after I think he would stay put.. None of the Sydney clubs are any more likely bar the Sharks who'd be on par with the Warriors in terms of finals chances.

Definitely no loyalty, but we don't need that.. we need an alpha prop to lead us for a few years while our young guys come through, and/or we can start to attract players again.

Maybe he got the words 'compassionate' and 'compensation' mixed up?

 

[SEAT 1A]

Next is Wayne Bennett General Manager Dragons for 2025.
Move over Phil Gould bulldogs saint benny on his way back .

He did say he's open to all offers.

 

[Como Connection]

I have heard that Bryan Brown is an avid Dragons supporter. He has been mentioned on the forum -

Bryan Brown

The actor. On 2BL with Adam Spencer this morning asked him if he'd prefer to accept an Oscar at an Academy Award Ceremony or score a winning grand final try. He said "If I was wearing a St George jumper, I'd say scoring the try". What a legend. Wondering if any of you photoshop wizards could...

forums.leagueunlimited.com

But not sure if he has jumped onto the bandwagon in regard to this proposed sponsorship deal with Twiggy.

No he went to De La Kingsgrove, one year In front of me. Always a Dragon.
FACT
CC

 

[Dragon David]

Heard that Jack Bird is injured. Don't know full story but will be told on Nine News tonight.

 

[Ieatass]

Compassionate grounds to "leave" Sydney in 2020 and then compassionate grounds to "return back to" Sydney in 2023.. gives me the hint that the actual reason is not actually a compassionate issue.. but that he is a flighty bird that is driven by something else.. its not loyalty.. its probably money.. because if it was success he was after I think he would stay put.. None of the Sydney clubs are any more likely bar the Sharks who'd be on par with the Warriors in terms of finals chances.

Definitely no loyalty, but we don't need that.. we need an alpha prop to lead us for a few years while our young guys come through, and/or we can start to attract players again.

The reason AFB was granted a release from Manly to leave Sydney in 2020, was due to him getting mixed up in the wrong crowds and those relationships turning sour. His mum is crook which would make sense to why he wants to return to Sydney, and he'd be dumb not to shop himself around to get the most money possible.

 

[Dragon David]

The reason AFB was granted a release from Manly to leave Sydney in 2020, was due to him getting mixed up in the wrong crowds and those relationships turning sour. His mum is crook which would make sense to why he wants to return to Sydney, and he'd be dumb not to shop himself around to get the most money possible.

So he has to stay in NZ for another year and visit her when they come over to play here? Why can't they fly her over to NZ and let her stay with him there or is she not in a position to take a flight? Makes more sense if that is arranged and then maybe he doesn't have to break his contract with the Warriors.

 

[Desperate Dragon]

Heard that Jack Bird is injured. Don't know full story but will be told on Nine News tonight.

I watched the story on channel 9 news tonight Dragon D.
Bird says he is now suffering from pain behind both knees.
Will be working on building up and strengthening the muscle behind both knees throughout the remainder of the off season in the hope of being right for the preseason games in 2024.
Do not like to say this about any player, but it looks to me that Bird will either need another extended break from playing, and or retirement is also looking like a distinct possibility as soon as next year.

 

[Dragon David]

I watched the story on channel 9 news tonight Dragon D.
Bird says he is now suffering from pain behind both knees.
Will be working on building up and strengthening the muscle behind both knees throughout the remainder of the off season in the hope of being right for the preseason games in 2024.
Do not like to say this about any player, but it looks to me that Bird will either need another extended break from playing, and or retirement is also looking like a distinct possibility as soon as next year.

Thanks for letting us know Desperate. It doesn't really sound too good for him. It could be related to his arthritis problems he has been suffering from which can have a bearing on his muscles and tissues and more so joints.

I hope that he can overcome the current problem of the pain behind his knees by doing the exercises that the physio and medics might be getting him to do and that he can play next year.

 

[Mojo]

I think Bird is a shot duck.