The Rumours Thread

[mattw5]

Due to the tragic events in Bondi the club has postponed the major announcement.

 

[dragon thomo]

A big NO for Cook to be extended.I do not think he should be in first grade this year.
Cook would be ideal to captain reserve grade and help establish the young players coming through.

 

[Gippsy]

A big NO for Cook to be extended.I do not think he should be in first grade this year.
Cook would be ideal to captain reserve grade and help establish the young players coming through.

If we had a top shelf replacement for Cook, I would agree, but, we simply don't have that luxury.

 

[RedVee]

A big NO for Cook to be extended.I do not think he should be in first grade this year.
Cook would be ideal to captain reserve grade and help establish the young players coming through.

What if the condition of Keaon signing is that Cook stays an extra year?

just spitballing

 

[jak]

What if the condition of Keaon signing is that Cook stays an extra year?

just spitballing

nice spitting

 

[Flinstone]

Sounds like they wont be making a decision any time soon, it will be end of next season.

Judging by what Cook said at the end "I think it's a great little plan and no doubt we'll tinker it a little bit next year as well. We can change it around and you can always adapt to who starts."

Maybe they trial Liddle at 9 and cook 14. not sure if that's from round 1 but he's already saying it.

 

[getsmarty]

The St George Illawarra Dragons were also scheduled to hold a major press conference on Monday morning, but the club made the call to postpone.

Teams across Australia react to Bondi tragedy

Sporting organisations across the country are planning their next steps as clubs look to pay tribute to the victims of Sunday’s Bondi attack.

au.news.yahoo.com

 

[SEAT 1A]

Sounds like they wont be making a decision any time soon, it will be end of next season.

Judging by what Cook said at the end "I think it's a great little plan and no doubt we'll tinker it a little bit next year as well. We can change it around and you can always adapt to who starts."

Maybe they trial Liddle at 9 and cook 14. not sure if that's from round 1 but he's already saying it.

I'd like to see a more conventual 9/14 combo next year.

If Cook is happy to be moved to the bench, gives Liddle more game time.

 

[denis preston]

What if the condition of Keaon signing is that Cook stays an extra year?

just spitballing

As long as his salary is nowhere near his current contract.

 

[The Word]

He’s on 600k for 2026 I think. Assuming he gets another year it’ll be for circa 500k, maybe 450k?

 

[dungay dragon]

He’s on 600k for 2026 I think. Assuming he gets another year it’ll be for circa 500k, maybe 450k?

Would keep this on hold till at least mid season
We have Liddle and lets not forget we have Kyle who was brought here initially as a back up 9
Cookies going to struggle to get top dollar excepting from PNG or the Bears

 

[qld redvee]

Would keep this on hold till at least mid season
We have Liddle and lets not forget we have Kyle who was brought here initially as a back up 9
Cookies going to struggle to get top dollar excepting from PNG or the Bears

No need to rush into things maybe we should play it smart and put him on a development co tract

 

[Macedonian Dragon]

Dragons potentially extending Cook’s contract to 2027 could be a way to further try influence Keaon to join Dragons as well

 

[Old Timer]

To play KOE Cup together?

If Cook is in 1st grade in 2027 we are kidding ourselves.

 

[TheRev]

This is an age old forum debate.. those from the gong believe it is an ideal lifestyle location for young families, those from big cities view it as a backwater small coastal town.
The reality is if all your friends and community are in Brissy or Sydney it’s a big commute or move to the gong, and not something everyone is keen to do.

Ai, there are a pool of players living in Sydney (its a large pool) that we struggle to attract because moving away from family & friends is as big ask (times that by 10 if they have young or school-age children).. especially if they have the option to stay-put and sign with another sydney-based club.

And of course if we were a Top 4 side, those players would have a far easier time making that decision, but this is why Ando/Flanno ask potential players if they are open to moving before they invest too much time into chasing them... as we are better off putting our energy into courting players who are up for the sea-change.

 

[possm]

Dragons potentially extending Cook’s contract to 2027 could be a way to further try influence Keaon to join Dragons as well

Just as long as they don't actually extend Cook.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

He’s on 600k for 2026 I think. Assuming he gets another year it’ll be for circa 500k, maybe 450k?

Most reports said $500k pa for 2025 and 2026

 

[maestro1]

Isn't it funny that Glover (nil NRL games) and Ilias (not able to be deemed a regular NRL player) didn't want to bide their time and back themselves and wait for a First Grade opportunity, yet, Savala (after establishing himself in first grade in 2025) is happy to stay and wait for his opportunity. Money seems to be the biggest difference. Savala knows that Politis will make sure it is financially better for him to stay.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

and one injury to 2 x ACL reco walker and he rides the magic carpet all the way !!!!

big factor

and Roosters, beach, epicentre

wonder if the heavily discounted finance that is arranged through the car dealerships flows onto home loans also?

Wouldnt be hard

$1m mortgage is what around $70 k pa repayment of which generally 25% principal only

That means $55kish pa is interest right now.......but not if you had a "magic interest loan" wizardy lol

Well that was always the rumours........magical loans, sorcery !

That means that you had to earn $100k pa to pay that $55k pa .........but magically you get to now bank it and pay off you loan triple time fast

Not bad with a eastern suburbs property attached.

Means that the higher median price is now much more affordable for a high tax bracket footy player on the eastern suburbs !!!!

 

[thebigredv]

I'm not that old but all I can think is remember when footy was about footy...those were the days.

Small suburban grounds with character and colour.
Next to no broken contracts.
No TPAs.
No salary cap trickery.
No prima donna players with egos the size of a continent.
No government agendas.

Just footy.