The Rumours Thread

[SnowDragon]

Much better option than Gutho or Sloan

Totally disagree. In 2026-2028 Sloan will be better than aging guys like Gutho and Teddy. Ok that assumes the older guys form dies off, and I’m a big Teddy fan. But I’m also seeing huge improvement in Sloan that make me think the skies the limit. Sure, he needs more confidence and consistency under the high ball, but we know he can do that. He isn’t getting regdolled like previously, and he has made a lot of good defensive saves recently. I guess I. Not seeing any holes in his game, it’s more he needs to get the full game together and the confidence to play it. This off season will be big for him, and next year will be the big one for me. If he regresses than it’s game over. If he progresses he will make it/

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

Can't wait to see what Luciano look like after a full off-season, there is no doubt things werent going well up in QLD, the DUI charge, being on the outer at the club.. and hes naturally a big boy.. but way too big.. he doesnt need all that bulk.. hes a weapon and if he could do more runs, more minutes.. not to mention less stress on his legs I'd imagine.. if he made it to 13 even better... but im not 100% sure if he will get there.. but cool if he did.. he looks surprisingly good @6..

The other one is RCG, his work is actually still immense.. so maybe thats just his 30+ yr old body.. but I cant help but imagine a season with out health and conditioning guys could have him fitter for 2025.

Does he like to surf ?

its crap in Melbourne unless u venture outside of town

keep attracting the boys that love outside of the city living but equally love the ocean like the Manly, Souths, Roosters, Newcastle and Sharks boys.

the Sydney Swans have done that well - half their squad surf weekly

connection outside of footy is crucial for managing the salary cap and keep attracting the right guys into the squad

let’s be honest how good is a swim or surf in the Pacific Ocean after an intense training session

the best !!!!!!

 

[RedVee]

How things have changed.

Wasn't the third grade under 21s years back and I remember first graders coming back via reserve grade.

The game has come leaps and bounds since then, the younger ones are offered education, better pay.

We had Tamale, looks a capable player and needs to improve his game however, if you don't succeed in the current "system", you get moved on.

Not sure I know what you mean but yes, we had Third Grade - Billy Smith won a comp coming back from injury in the thirds. That then changed to U/23s for a long time.
Then we had the national U/21s that they killed off, I think for cost reasons, but it also had the effect of guys turning 22 and quitting RL if they didn’t get a NRL contract. Now they are talking about bringing back the national 21s - I think it should be 23s again to keep guys in the systems for another couple of years.

 

[TheRev]

connection outside of footy is crucial for managing the salary cap and keep attracting the right guys into the squad

let’s be honest how good is a swim or surf in the Pacific Ocean after an intense training session

the best !!!!!!

Auntie, there has got to be a club role as surfing consultant.. you need to be in our recruitment meetings.

 

[TruSaint]

Didnt know where to post this...

Full article here...

‘We’ve lost faith in them’: Balmain consider shock exit from Wests Tigers merger

Balmain directors want to table a proposal that could force the NRL to choose between the Balmain Tigers and Wests Magpies, as tensions rise at the joint venture.

www.smh.com.au

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

Balmain are broke, they can't stand alone..

 

[Saints Forever]

Didnt know where to post this...

Full article here...

‘We’ve lost faith in them’: Balmain consider shock exit from Wests Tigers merger

Balmain directors want to table a proposal that could force the NRL to choose between the Balmain Tigers and Wests Magpies, as tensions rise at the joint venture.

www.smh.com.au

They should be careful

I can see the licence being given to Western Suburbs Magpies playing out of Campbelltown as Balmain has not had any real financial backing for a very long time

 

[blacksafake]

We got Widdop from the storm & he was amazing for us. Need to find someone in a similar situation, surely Jonah Pezet would be worth a punt.

Knights are after him

 

[Texmex]

Teddy Tesco roosters
Allowed to go to market November
Any interest ?

No

 

[Desperate Dragon]

Not sure I know what you mean but yes, we had Third Grade - Billy Smith won a comp coming back from injury in the thirds. That then changed to U/23s for a long time.
Then we had the national U/21s that they killed off, I think for cost reasons, but it also had the effect of guys turning 22 and quitting RL if they didn’t get a NRL contract. Now they are talking about bringing back the national 21s - I think it should be 23s again to keep guys in the systems for another couple of years.

Vlandys is looking at a proposal to bring back an elite under 21s competition, same as the Holden Cup from a few years back.
Every club in the NRL would need to have a team in this competition going forward as part of the proposed plan.
I think the powers that be have woken up to the fact that there needs to be an elite under 21s competition to improve the current pathways.
My view is the Holden Cup should have never been shelved.
Where the players are going to come from for up to 3 new expansion clubs in the coming years is beyond me.

 

[Texmex]

I

They should be careful

I can see the licence being given to Western Suburbs Magpies playing out of Campbelltown as Balmain has not had any real financial backing for a very

Sorry….. am I on the right forum? Is this the red or brown V???

 

[Texmex]

Great try by Wishart - sign him up now!!! But don’t let him kick at goal !

 

[Reddragon]

Great try by Wishart - sign him up now!!! But don’t let him kick at goal !

Is this a rumour?

 

[Old Timer]

I'm hot on your heels age wise DD so-yes- I may not be live long enough to experience once again a great centre combo like we've had in the past eg R Gasnier/Dave Brown, M Gasnier /Cooper, Finch/Quinn, Beattie/Johnston. I get disappointed and envious when I see other clubs such as the Bulldogs with Xerri and Crichton and the Sharks with Iro and Ramien carving up our backs when we have such a rich history with outside backs. God grant me patience- and hurry up!

We once had the ability to let the likes of Johnny Greaves, Brian Graham and Josh Morris leave but then again Wayne did f**k that up big time.

 

[Dragon David]

‘It hasn’t worked’: Balmain weighs up bombshell Wests Tigers split as joint venture pushed to brink

‘It hasn’t worked’: Balmain weighs up bombshell Wests Tigers split as joint venture pushed to brink

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[Gareth67]

Teddy Tesco roosters
Allowed to go to market November
Any interest ?

I am quite sure that he will renew with the Rorters for a lesser term than he himself desires- as 3 years is asking a bit too much - more so from Uncle Nick !

 

[Mojo]

Vlandys is looking at a proposal to bring back an elite under 21s competition, same as the Holden Cup from a few years back.
Every club in the NRL would need to have a team in this competition going forward as part of the proposed plan.
I think the powers that be have woken up to the fact that there needs to be an elite under 21s competition to improve the current pathways.
My view is the Holden Cup should have never been shelved.
Where the players are going to come from for up to 3 new expansion clubs in the coming years is beyond me.

I’m completely naive on this subject but what was wrong with the simple structure of all clubs having a 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade?

 

[Dragon David]

I’m completely naive on this subject but what was wrong with the simple structure of all clubs having a 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade?

Exactly and all grades playing at the same ground on the same day. Don't they know how to please fans? It's a no brainer!!

 

[Illusion]

Exactly and all grades playing at the same ground on the same day. Don't they know how to please fans? It's a no brainer!!

The good old days .........

 

[RedVee]

I’m completely naive on this subject but what was wrong with the simple structure of all clubs having a 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade?

Money. Specifically the cost of taking all those players to away games. Travel, accommodation etc