The Rumours Thread

[Gareth67]

Just had a quick look at the Sharks forum about the Atkinson signing . Some of their mob are in mourning , some damned annoyed and others who are heartbroken .

However most tend to agree that he will be gone come next season . Also that Flanagan has gotten under Fritz’s guard .

 

[Hound of Dracula]

Good post D.D. I do recall the building and it looked so modern and it did take me back to those years , life was so simple then and enjoyable .

Still somewhat hard to believe that the decades have rolled on by and now it is I who constantly tell the younger brigade the line - “ well in my day . . . “

Aaaah, The Good Old Days
When we weren't old nor good.

 

[mattw5]

It hurts some of these reporters to write a 100% positive story about the Dragons. They twist every bit of news to find a negative or 2 in what should be a 100% positive story. Especially Weidler and the Mole (Tony Adams). Those two oxygen thieves hate us.

100% why even mention the 10 day cooling off period in this particular case it never gets mentioned with any other signing.

 

[Dragon David]

Good post D.D. I do recall the building and it looked so modern and it did take me back to those years , life was so simple then and enjoyable .

Still somewhat hard to believe that the decades have rolled on by and now it is I who constantly tell the younger brigade the line - “ well in my day . . . “

In many ways Gareth it was probably the best time for the baby boomers to be alive in those days from 1946-1964. Not a worry in the world. Stress free. Cost of living was terrific - a middy of beer in 1966 was around 25 cents. I can recall getting pissed on beer and spending $2.00 to get to that state and that expenditure included a couple of games of pool I know it was relative to the skimpy pay I got. Still, I managed to buy a brand new Holden Torana in 1970 for $1,750 cash from savings by still living at home.

It was a very fortunate period for us boomers because if you followed the Dragons, you would have been indeed so happy for 11 straight years.

The world was our oyster and I loved it so much.

 

[slippery5]

cheque book, can't remember the last time i used one, giving your age away ol fela

Cheque book, maybe cheaper than getting slugged 3 bucks for C. Bank withdrawlas.

 

[Unsainty79]

I am stoked with the signing of Atkinson. Great news. The teams is starting to take shape. Where does that leave the youngster LKT? If he has a break out year he will be looking to leave. Get ready for the press to jump on this new story for the Saints about LFT seeking a release if he stands out.

LKT is still only 19. I don't think he was even planned to be in the top 30 until next year. Also, Atkinson has actually played a fair bit of half back as a junior and in reserves.

While KF had a decent year last year, he was signed to be a back up to Amone and then we he got the arse, he was meant to be a back-up to Volkman. Flanagan Sr mentioned that KF was going to play a bit of 9. I think it probably stands to reason that KF isn't seen a genuine long-term starting half for us.

Flanagan also mentioned that Liddle is weighing 95kgs and thinks he can actually be a middle, I wonder if he is seen as an out-and-out lock in the future with either KF, Illias or LKT to get a run at 14 in 2026. In saying that 2026 is a long, long way away.

 

[Dragon David]

Just had a quick look at the Sharks forum about the Atkinson signing . Some of their mob are in mourning , some damned annoyed and others who are heartbroken .

However most tend to agree that he will be gone come next season . Also that Flanagan has gotten under Fritz’s guard .

If this signing for 2026 gets confirmed Gareth, Flanno will definitely be grinning from ear to ear when he gives his interviews of the signing in a few days time. Have our recruitment team become much better at negotiations lately? Looks like they have learnt how things are done so let's hope that they can get us a big bopper prop the last important signing for 2025.

 

[Jeremy Dragon]

100% why even mention the 10 day cooling off period in this particular case it never gets mentioned with any other signing.

Gutho Cook Ilias were all realised from their contacts Atkinson still under contract and not released so the 10 day "right of reply" is a factor in this case

 

[Jubilee]

In many ways Gareth it was probably the best time for the baby boomers to be alive in those days from 1946-1964. Not a worry in the world. Stress free. Cost of living was terrific - a middy of beer in 1966 was around 25 cents. I can recall getting pissed on beer and spending $2.00 to get to that state and that expenditure included a couple of games of pool I know it was relative to the skimpy pay I got. Still, I managed to buy a brand new Holden Torana in 1970 for $1,750 cash from savings by still living at home.

It was a very fortunate period for us boomers because if you followed the Dragons, you would have been indeed so happy for 11 straight years.

The world was our oyster and I loved it so much.

We were a savings-based production economy (mining, agriculture, fisheries), not a debt-based consumption economy (real estate, finance, retail.) That is the whole story.

 

[Jubilee]

If this signing for 2026 gets confirmed Gareth, Flanno will definitely be grinning from ear to ear when he gives his interviews of the signing in a few days time. Have our recruitment team become much better at negotiations lately? Looks like they have learnt how things are done so let's hope that they can get us a big bopper prop the last important signing for 2025.

I think the signing of Val was a big step to encouraging other signings. Then Cook and then Gutho. All such serious pros. Then having a premiership coach. It becomes confidence-building to a smart young player like DA that when he looks around him on the field there are players like that next to him.

 

[possm]

I think the signing of Val was a big step to encouraging other signings. Then Cook and then Gutho. All such serious pros. Then having a premiership coach. It becomes confidence-building to a smart young player like DA that when he looks around him on the field there are players like that next to him.

We still need to recuit that alpha prop.

 

[Gareth67]

I don’t know if the signing was a group effort by all in recruitment or perhaps as a number of shark’s supporters are suggesting , that Flanno knows how to get the job done - even if it does involve a bit of skulduggery .

Whatever the case maybe , we are all certainly pleased with the addition of young Atkinson , whom by the way was on our wish list for some time .

 

[The Word]

I am stoked with the signing of Atkinson. Great news. The teams is starting to take shape. Where does that leave the youngster LKT? If he has a break out year he will be looking to leave. Get ready for the press to jump on this new story for the Saints about LFT seeking a release if he stands out.

Big difference with Fifita backflip at the Titans and Atkinson in that Fifita is a starting player at the Titans and not a back up player like Atkinson. Looks like Saints have assured Atkinson that he will be 5/8 which is probably what got them over the line. Sharks just re-signed Trindall and the Daly M player of the year Hynes is the other half. Kennedy to go to let go. Sharks have a heap of halves and were in for Volkman. That showed to me that they were giving up on Atko for 2026 at least. If they secure a new back up half they may let him go in 2025. I doubt they will though.

Plus why would he tell the players he was leaving? Pretty dumb thing to do if it is no 100% certain. Unless your Ben Hunt and tell the press you will be leaving and not returning after Origin Camp and yet you stay another year. Pretty dumb and that was our capt for 12 months.

Ideally a squad of 30 should allow you to have 4 halves.

2 starters, 1 seasoned professional on lesser money to cover injuries / suspensions, and one up and coming youngster who's chomping at the bit and keeping everyone on their toes.

Remember that none of Ilias, Flanagan, or Atkinson are actually on big money. This allows us to re-sign LKT next year if he takes his chances and looks good. Our salary cap is still healthy.

In my opinion our halves situation is a long way from being perfect but like the rest of the squad it's continuing to improve slowly but surely. 2025 allows our 3 current halves an opportunity to fight it out for the second starting spot for 2026 and potentially an improved deal.

 

[The Word]

Not sure we can fit Atkinson in the squad for 2025 even if Sharks let him leave early. We really need that last spot for a middle forward. Unless the club can find a deal elsewhere for one of our existing underperforming players on similar coin.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

100% Gareth.

In between the rumours we oldies like to reflect back over the time when we were young at heart, just out of school and starting work. One of the things I had to do was open up a bank account so that I could deposit my pay into it - feeling all grown up.

In those days the banks, well mine was the Commonwealth Bank of Australia situated on the corner of Liverpool and Castlereagh Streets, Sydney South opposite what is now the Dowling Centre Courts and I used to work above the bank in an office environment for the government. The bank was always busy. It was an open office where you could see all of the many staff sitting behind the counters occupied by the tellers and enquiry staff. I can remember having to queue up at one of about 4 tellers hoping that your line would move along quickly so that you can get out and have a counter lunch at the nearby pub. I tended to pick the wrong line most times. It took ages for the queuing system to change to a roped off one line affair.

Security at the banks was non-existent and yes there were the hold ups all over the place which brought about more stringent security measures.

One thing that I was so glad to open was a cheque account because by having such an account you could make stacks of payments by filling out the cheque, signing it and crossing it with the words "not-negotiable" and putting into an envelope with the butt of the bill and bob is your uncle. Little did I and anyone else know at the time that future processing of payments would become more streamlined and now we have online banking - easy peasy stuff. But back in the day it was what it was and it made me feel important and in 50 years time what will the kids of tomorrow have to do to pay for things? Your guess is as good as mine.

My first full time employment at the CBA was at L&C Sts in the Tapes & Printers and Comms Room, great days back then, eye opener.

 

[BLM01]

My first full time employment at the CBA was at L&C Sts in the Tapes & Printers and Comms Room, great days back then, eye opener.

Ha I might of served ya 83-85!
I was one of tellers downstairs (we had 11) with Max conducting public queue movements in the foyer or waiting line area
Thursday pay day incl government employees was a killer incl EDP dept upstairs

 

[Ronnie Dobbs]

$6m reasons to worry as shock clause could let Tigers recruit walk — Free Agency LIVE

$6m reasons to worry as shock clause could let Tigers recruit walk — Free Agency LIVE

www.foxsports.com.au

This is great news. I'm a bit worried about the 10 day cooling off period though. Fitzy won't be giving up so easily (he is anti Dragons) and Atkinson has said that he loves the Sharks, so we have to wait and see if it is confirmed on the website in 10 days time.

Pssssssst.

Stop worrying pal. I know we all have PTSD due to the last 13 years, but we are back.

Chillllll my brother.

 

[possm]

Not sure we can fit Atkinson in the squad for 2025 even if Sharks let him leave early. We really need that last spot for a middle forward. Unless the club can find a deal elsewhere for one of our existing underperforming players on similar coin.

We incentivize Ravalawa and Lawrie to move on, maybe to ESL. This frees up 2 spots in the top 30.

 

[Ronnie Dobbs]

It hurts some of these reporters to write a 100% positive story about the Dragons. They twist every bit of news to find a negative or 2 in what should be a 100% positive story. Especially Weidler and the Mole (Tony Adams). Those two oxygen thieves hate us.

They do it that way because they know they’ll get a reaction from Saints supporters.

We are easy fishing. Always bite and engage.

 

[Ronnie Dobbs]

We incentivize Ravalawa and Lawrie to move on, maybe to ESL. This frees up 2 spots in the top 30.

Incentivise them how?

They are on guaranteed money for the next two years. If we pay them out, it still counts against the cap, which means we can’t replace them. It’s dead money and would be a cardinal sin.

They’re entitled to see out their contracts as they were agreed. You don’t think we’ve already tried to do as you suggest?