The Rumours Thread

[Ieatass]

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.

Moving her to NZ isn't plausible, not only would that take her away from the rest of her family and support networks, but Addin would be away from her for half the season in Australia if not longer, especially if they have back to back games in Sydney, with them usually staying in Sydney instead of flying home. For next year the Warriors and Addin have probably come to the agreement where Addin gets to stay in Sydney for an extra day or so when they have a games there or when they play in Newcastle or Wollongong

 

[BLM01]

Don't know if I agree with less impact than Tino or Haas. Both of those guys aren't really impact front rowers, they're workhorses with huge motors that just get through a lot of hit-ups, tackles, etc. Great players, but different styles to AFB who provides more impact. AFB is an elite front-rower and with the changing salary cap figure, he is worth $1m in my opinion. Haas and Tino both earn that sort of money and AFB is right up there with those guys. Top 3 front rower in the game.

I suppose we agree to disagree but i wont argue he had a great season last year. I cant believe you think Haas is not an impact front rower he makes metres etc etc Tino plays 13 these days.
I want see AFB how he backs it up this year to see his worth..but I will take him.

 

[blacksafake]

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.

Medical retirement?

 

[lombard]

Pretty sure at the end of next year, Bird’s contract is just a mutual option for 2025 so if he is shot next season the club just won’t pick up his contract in 2025.

 

[Dragon David]

I think Bird is a shot duck.

I guess it's no laughing matter. I'd like to see how he goes and if he still can't get better, then it could be an early retirement for him.

 

[Dragon David]

Moving her to NZ isn't plausible, not only would that take her away from the rest of her family and support networks, but Addin would be away from her for half the season in Australia if not longer, especially if they have back to back games in Sydney, with them usually staying in Sydney instead of flying home. For next year the Warriors and Addin have probably come to the agreement where Addin gets to stay in Sydney for an extra day or so when they have a games there or when they play in Newcastle or Wollongong

They know what they are doing so I'm going to leave it at that.

 

[TheRev]

I wonder how serious this Bird injury is.. as much as I want to move on from him at the club..... until we can source a replacement (which is unlikely for 2024), he is a key part of our 17... either as a 2nd rower, lock, bench utility/forward.. emergency centre.. very versatile and experienced.. and really needed a healthy offseason to get fit again.

 

[FlickFlano]

wont be an emergency centre

 

[hewi]

Would be nice if Bird did what Merrin did and walked voluntarily.

 

[justadragon]

If one of Bird's options is retirement, then it needs to happen sooner rather than later and free up a spot in the top 30. Lets face it he wasnt critical to the Dragons last season and we need another youngster to come into the side. He used to be known as versatile but if these injuries end up restricting him into not being able to play different positions, then there is no versatility at all.

 

[Illusion]

If one of Bird's options is retirement, then it needs to happen sooner rather than later and free up a spot in the top 30. Lets face it he wasnt critical to the Dragons last season and we need another youngster to come into the side. He used to be known as versatile but if these injuries end up restricting him into not being able to play different positions, then there is no versatility at all.

It's time for him to nest ......

 

[Wolfgang90]

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.

Ah damn, sounds like early retirement is a real possibility. Maybe like an anthony watmough?

 

[Wolfgang90]

Re Bird, I would play him as a bench utility. He can cover numerous positions for a short time in the fwds & centre. He can probably manage his knees better with a shorter minute stint. Play him at lock as an impact player with his style & play 2 good middle defensive fwds with him to negate his defensive issues. His ad-lib style in the middle would give us a point of difference in attack which has looked pretty bad for a couple of season.

 

[baggygreen man]

View attachment 82126
Love this ....... I'll help him load his things ........

Me too.

 

[Dragons4me]

Re Bird, I would play him as a bench utility. He can cover numerous positions for a short time in the fwds & centre. He can probably manage his knees better with a shorter minute stint. Play him at lock as an impact player with his style & play 2 good middle defensive fwds with him to negate his defensive issues. His ad-lib style in the middle would give us a point of difference in attack which has looked pretty bad for a couple of season.

Well no-one knows more about how to manage and play with knee injuries than our assistant coach Dean Young.

 

[baggygreen man]

He plays on average how many minutes? and has bit less impact than a Tino or Haas

Addin Fonua-Blake

The NRL profile of Addin Fonua-Blake including career statistics, season stats, games, tries, goals, tackles and fantasy scores.

www.warriors.kiwi

Take a gander at his Warrior '23 stats. Some big minutes there too which he seems to thrive on. Much like our own Blake Lawrie last season when Carr, firstly started him, then gave him longer minutes.

 

[baggygreen man]

Play him at lock as an impact player with his style & play 2 good middle defensive fwds with him to negate his defensive issues.

Yeh play him at lock as he has defensive issues. We have arguably the best defensive lock in the NRL in JDB and you want this bloke. Bird is a shadow of Jack, only good for short mins off the bench or playing Ressies..

 

[BlackDuckSaint]

Thanks BDS.

Just had another one pop in my head. He played with Jack Bird in 2014 as well.

 

[baggygreen man]

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.

He is a budding star so lets offer him a long term deal and pay him what he is worth, not what he is not worth like we did Hunt.

 

[baggygreen man]

Makes more sense if that is arranged and then maybe he doesn't have to break his contract with the Warriors.

But dont we want him to break his Warriors contract so we can get him for next year DD.