The Rumours Thread

[Willow]

spot on there
We could almost start a thread around it.
Wayne Pearce.
Terry Lamb.
Mal Meninga (I could have coached that QLD squad).
Stephen Kearney.
Brad Fittler.
I’m sure if we looked at it over the past 40 years there would be a massive list.

Craig Young.
Jason Taylor
Trent Barrett

 

[Old Timer]

Thought about him and I know he played for Australia once I think
but was he really classed as a good player?
Suppose if he made the Green and Gold but so did Sione Matautai!

Played 2 tour matches on 71 tour to NZ.

 

[denis preston]

Played 2 tour matches on 71 tour to NZ.

In all fairness Bennett wasn't even in the top 10 in wingers ( perhaps 20 ? ) but got the token QLD selection to make suitable QLD numbers in the Australian squad to appease QLD officials.This obviously was before state of origin.

 

[Old Timer]

In all fairness Bennett wasn't even in the top 10 in wingers ( perhaps 20 ? ) but got the token QLD selection to make suitable QLD numbers in the Australian squad to appease QLD officials.This obviously was before state of origin.

Correct there was always that element to selection “the token Qld’er” and of course there was the odd “country bolter” as well.

Bennett did play in several Qld V NSW games pre “Origin”

Interesting that Bob Grant was the half that tour with Tommy Raudonikis the understudy so Billy Smith must have been injured????

Barry Beath made his 1 tour as well and supposedly had his papers stamped NTTA after allegedly throwing a heap of deck chairs off the boat.

 

[denis preston]

Correct there was always that element to selection “the token Qld’er” and of course there was the odd “country bolter” as well.

Bennett did play in several Qld V NSW games pre “Origin”

Interesting that Bob Grant was the half that tour with Tommy Raudonikis the understudy so Billy Smith must have been injured????

Barry Beath made his 1 tour as well and supposedly had his papers stamped NTTA after allegedly throwing a heap of deck chairs off the boat.

He must have been looking for Paul Gow !

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

Warren Ryan also a good player not a great one but great coach; Roy Masters no real playing achievements but great coach. Always think the game is bias towards ‘an expectation’ that ex players will naturally transform into great coaches. Different skills set entirely and surprised why we haven’t seen more coaches in our game in recent years without necessarily having the prerequisite of having a grade playing career.

I agree, I also have this theory that the less naturally gifted make the best coaches, as they have had to put a lot more effort and thought into becoming a pro than the players like Joey John’s. Another thing is probably also that they tend to have shorter careers and transition into coaching earlier and therefore have a longer apprenticeship to really learn an entirely new skill. Wayne Bennett and Bellyache are prime examples. Good solid? Hardworking players but not on the all time great list. I think someone like Ben Hornby will make a good one but needs a good solid apprenticeship.

 

[Stan Gorton 2511]

Correct there was always that element to selection “the token Qld’er” and of course there was the odd “country bolter” as well.

Bennett did play in several Qld V NSW games pre “Origin”

Interesting that Bob Grant was the half that tour with Tommy Raudonikis the understudy so Billy Smith must have been injured????

Barry Beath made his 1 tour as well and supposedly had his papers stamped NTTA after allegedly throwing a heap of deck chairs off the boat.

Billy broke his arm badly v Souths in Round 1 that year so probably wasn't available
The other token Qld's were Warren Orr and John Grant - they always picked wingers lol

 

[getsmarty]

Contract bait: Dragons hit back over Brown trickery
The Dragons are fed-up with being used by NRL player agents. Now they’re on the attack after Nathan Brown’s manager tried to use them as contract bait.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...k=46d6c5fac86f0986394972d6f2346e2c-1614230313

 

[Old Timer]

Billy broke his arm badly v Souths in Round 1 that year so probably wasn't available
The other token Qld's were Warren Orr and John Grant - they always picked wingers lol

Thanks for that Stan.

I almost responded to DP that Billy was probably having a plate put in his arm as he did have a couple done as did Ian Walsh.

He was probably trying to give "Lurch" a gold old fashioned stiff arm.

Dennis Manteit always comes to mind when I think of Queenslanders making the touring teams.

 

[BLM01]

Contract bait: Dragons hit back over Brown trickery
The Dragons are fed-up with being used by NRL player agents. Now they’re on the attack after Nathan Brown’s manager tried to use them as contract bait.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...k=46d6c5fac86f0986394972d6f2346e2c-1614230313

Without being able to read the article I think we all cn pretty well guess its content. Being going on for a couple of years due to a few PM's having a big dislike for our ex CEO (now board member) and other Young board member

 

[Gareth67]

Barry Beath made his 1 tour as well and supposedly had his papers stamped NTTA after allegedly throwing a heap of deck chairs off the boat.

Beath did what ? ? ? The reason I was told was that they served half strength beer on the ship and our Barry did not take too kindly to that .

 

[blacksafake]

spot on there
We could almost start a thread around it.
Wayne Pearce.
Terry Lamb.
Mal Meninga (I could have coached that QLD squad).
Stephen Kearney.
Brad Fittler.
I’m sure if we looked at it over the past 40 years there would be a massive list.

Rocket Reddy

 

[draco]

Without being able to read the article I think we all cn pretty well guess its content. Being going on for a couple of years due to a few PM's having a big dislike for our ex CEO (now board member) and other Young board member

St George Illawarra fed up at being used by player agents
Dean Ritchie Exclusive


Angry at being used as what they describe as contract bait by NRL player managers, St George Illawarra has contacted Parramatta to deny any interest in Eels and NSW forward Nathan Brown.

At the heart of the dispute is a claim that Brown’s management overstated the level of interest in their player.

In an effort to push Parramatta into an increased offer, Brown’s agents reportedly told the Eels that the Dragons were interested in their star player.

The Dragons found out and took the unusual step of immediately contacting Parramatta management to repudiate any interest with Brown, who comes off contract at the Eels after this season.

Privately, St George Illawarra is tired of NRL agents falsely claiming the Dragons are interested in off-contact players to drive up the asking price at their existing club.

The Dragons have now made a stand.

Brown is managed by accredited NRL agent Jonathan Wehbe, the nephew of Joe Wehbe, known throughout rugby league as the ‘football whisperer’.

Another layer of intrigue comes with former Parramatta recruitment officer, Anthony Field, now working for Wehbe.

Parramatta has also been told there are three rivals NRL clubs also chasing Brown.

Yet multiple phone calls and emails from The Daily Telegraph failed to identify those supposed suitors.

Well-positioned sources revealed Brown is currently earning around $620,000-a-season with his management seeking to have that figure inflated to $700,000 annually in a new contract.

Wehbe is understood to be asking for a lengthy four-year deal which would total $2.8 million.

Insiders close to Parramatta suggest the club believes Brown is worth around $600,000-a-year and prefer a three-season contract.

That means Parramatta is willing shell out around $1.8 million – a gap of $1 million.

The Daily Telegraph has been told Parramatta has yet to lodge a formal offer with Wehbe.

While he is a current NSW State of Origin player, Brown has endured issues in recent seasons with discipline and injury.

Although the money difference is considerable, both parties continue working towards a financial solution.

Raw and aggressive, Brown, 27, wants to remain at Parramatta after this season. If rival clubs are chasing Brown, each is keeping their interest quiet and secret.

In a remarkable 2020 season, Brown averaged 158 running metres each game and completed 37 tackles a match.

He told NRL.com this week: “I‘d like to stay at Parra. Everything happens for a reason. I’ll just play good footy. Hopefully I stay, but we’ll see what happens.”

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...s/news-story/5077d9decb89cb4d9ebb760ef6663a4c

 

[BLM01]

St George Illawarra fed up at being used by player agents
Dean Ritchie Exclusive


Angry at being used as what they describe as contract bait by NRL player managers, St George Illawarra has contacted Parramatta to deny any interest in Eels and NSW forward Nathan Brown.

At the heart of the dispute is a claim that Brown’s management overstated the level of interest in their player.

In an effort to push Parramatta into an increased offer, Brown’s agents reportedly told the Eels that the Dragons were interested in their star player.

The Dragons found out and took the unusual step of immediately contacting Parramatta management to repudiate any interest with Brown, who comes off contract at the Eels after this season.

Privately, St George Illawarra is tired of NRL agents falsely claiming the Dragons are interested in off-contact players to drive up the asking price at their existing club.

The Dragons have now made a stand.

Brown is managed by accredited NRL agent Jonathan Wehbe, the nephew of Joe Wehbe, known throughout rugby league as the ‘football whisperer’.

Another layer of intrigue comes with former Parramatta recruitment officer, Anthony Field, now working for Wehbe.

Parramatta has also been told there are three rivals NRL clubs also chasing Brown.

Yet multiple phone calls and emails from The Daily Telegraph failed to identify those supposed suitors.

Well-positioned sources revealed Brown is currently earning around $620,000-a-season with his management seeking to have that figure inflated to $700,000 annually in a new contract.

Wehbe is understood to be asking for a lengthy four-year deal which would total $2.8 million.

Insiders close to Parramatta suggest the club believes Brown is worth around $600,000-a-year and prefer a three-season contract.

That means Parramatta is willing shell out around $1.8 million – a gap of $1 million.

The Daily Telegraph has been told Parramatta has yet to lodge a formal offer with Wehbe.

While he is a current NSW State of Origin player, Brown has endured issues in recent seasons with discipline and injury.

Although the money difference is considerable, both parties continue working towards a financial solution.

Raw and aggressive, Brown, 27, wants to remain at Parramatta after this season. If rival clubs are chasing Brown, each is keeping their interest quiet and secret.

In a remarkable 2020 season, Brown averaged 158 running metres each game and completed 37 tackles a match.

He told NRL.com this week: “I‘d like to stay at Parra. Everything happens for a reason. I’ll just play good footy. Hopefully I stay, but we’ll see what happens.”

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...s/news-story/5077d9decb89cb4d9ebb760ef6663a4c

Well there is no use whingeing Dragons
Yeah we have become a soft target and a plaything for many player managers for years
due to our roster and internal appointment policies
Everyone could see it and laugh at it
All except the club itself In certain factions of the media bring asked to protect many from intense scrutiny until obviously this year.
Now the poor coaching staff and some other new appointments have got a huge task of turning this all around and making us head towards being a powerhouse again Instead of being treated with disdain
It is a mammoth job.

 

[SEAT 1A]

Reverse psychology.

I'd laugh my arse of if we signed Nathan.

 

[Gareth67]

Reverse psychology.

I'd laugh my arse of if we signed Nathan.

More than likely off to the narks after top-secret high profile negotiations .

 

[SEAT 1A]

More than likely off to the narks after top-secret high profile negotiations .

True, they were laughing their arse's off. Maybe not so much now though.

 

[getsmarty]

Dragons expose player manager lies in Eels star’s ‘contract bait’ negotiations
NRL Premiership

• February 26, 2021 9:47am
• Mark St John@markdfstjohn
• Source: FOX SPORTS

Nathan Brown has been falsely linked to the Dragons by her management.Source: Getty Images
The Dragons are fed up with NRL player managers using their club as “contract bait” to increase interest in off-contract players after being falsely linked to Eels star Nathan Brown.

The Daily Telegraph reported Eels lock Brown is the latest player to be falsely linked to the Dragons, with the club taking the unusual step of calling the Eels directly to confirm they have no interest in the Origin star.

The 27-year old comes off-contract at the end of the 2021 season and hopes to remain at Parramatta long-term.


According to The Daily Telegraph Brown is currently on a deal worth approximately $620,000 per season, while his management are looking to secure a new deal north of $700,000-a-year.

In a desperate bid to maximise his next contract, Brown’s management, led by NRL agent Jonathan Wehbe, told the Eels that the Dragons were showing strong interest in the NSW representative.

Upon hearing the reports the Dragons then immediately contacted the Eels to deny any interest in the lock.


The Eels were told that up to three NRL clubs were also chasing Brown, but The Daily Telegraph revealed that no clubs have been identified with showing genuine interest.

Brown has played 100 NRL games since his debut for the Tigers in 2013, before moving to the Rabbitohs and then the Eels where he has played 71 games since 2017.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...r/news-story/93a32681d903b4623a393d8dbacb7187

 

[Wayne's World]

I'm not sure why Dragons wouldn't want another club overpaying for a player. Isn't that the aim to fit as much talent into a 30 man squad.
If clubs overpay then they don't get as much talent.

 

[Old Timer]

I'm not sure why Dragons wouldn't want another club overpaying for a player. Isn't that the aim to fit as much talent into a 30 man squad.
If clubs overpay then they don't get as much talent.

TPA's solve all cash shortfalls under the current cap arrangements.
Sad part is we can't get any decent one's organised.