The Rumours Thread

[Gareth67]

Have only just read an article in FoxSport ( unable to provide link ) that there are serious repercussions from the Eels 2016 salary - cap rort .

Apparently one of their benefactors has gone broke and are now sueing the Eels . Yet another rort that just keeps on giving .

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

Guess what, too late...he is now a state of origin rep
He is going to cost $$$ on his next deal likely around those figures you talk about you dont want to pay, likely we will need to pay around 650-700 + to secure him at a minimum.
Look at other SOO forwards values anywhere like Finucane but who is ageing, Sharks paid around 650-700 a season I think with a 4th year at half that I think.
He is worth it to our club and better than Molo

Give him Vaughan’s money or close to it and be done with. He will complete what will be a very competitive pack.

 

[BLM01]

I'm happy to pay 650-750 for a top line forward which appears the going rate. What I was getting at is assuming his current salary is well below that, can the Gold Coast afford to match or go close to 650-700k pa and keep the rest of their squad?

Anyway, as someone else noted on the forum, at least we are now talking to players on the up, rather than other teams offcuts.

Was always going to be a rocky road and not a quick transition
Patience was a hard word for supporters to swallow after 8 yrs of below par targets by coaches and the club as a whole

Since 2011 we are on our 3rd coach but we have had 5-6 officials in charge of recruitment and little attention to junior development

Getting our cap balanced was always a 2 yr min job

Hence why the club was doing the right thing for once giving Hook a potential 2 + 1 deal as this year would not be a moving year
Next year and 2023 much more scrutiny and improvement had to be seen by end of 2023 looking like a sold Top 8 banging on the Too 4 door like a Manly ATM
Next year bottom of the 8 minimum

 

[BLM01]

Also just watched M johns PC fletch said there are still rumours about lomax. He's an easts man.

Fletch.. yeh he us just finding out about a rumour spread a month ago
Funny man with Hindy live but that’s about it

 

[RedVee]

Merely stating what most would already guess, but I know for a fact that the board members and old boys at the club are devastated with how this season has unfolded off the field. Just when the JDB stuff seemed behind them the BBQ happens. It has really hurt their pride. They’re embarrassed. It’s had a negative impact with sponsorship as well.
Guys that work for the club, ex-St George players from yesteryear, embarrassed to talk footy, they change the subject.

It’s been one of our very worst seasons surely, reputation in tatters on and off the field.

Good. So are the fans.

I hope this is the spur for a genuine reset and clean up. They say you have to reach the gutter to change. I think this year is the gutter.

 

[baggygreen man]

We need a left centre, and Suli fits that bill.

Good. This chopping and changing, playing blokes like Bird in unsuitable positions because there is no one else putting up their hand may change now if we get this guy...

 

[baggygreen man]

His injury has shown we don’t have a back up.

What a faux pas then by our dud recruiters letting go of Wishart. A local junior and a kid with promise.

 

[baggygreen man]

there are still rumours about lomax. He's an easts man.

Surely not Zac as he is on a long term contract. That good call was under Marys watch I believe..

 

[redandwhite4evr]

Wondering if we are looking at a backup 9? McCullogh is plenty tough and experienced but a bit one dimensional for mine.His injury has shown we don’t have a back up. Any young guns likely to step up there next year or are we looking for someone?

Yes- a sad fact of life is that players pick up more injuries as they age- Ben Hunt was a very durable player until recently with firstly the broken leg and now a broken arm. I don't see Mbye as a starting anything at this stage- doubt he has the creativity to be a top shelf 9 so yes- we need a strong back up to Macca.

 

[Md1]

With bird and potentially sulli in the centre’s. And sua and Simms in the backrow. Are they preparing for the departure of Lomax?

 

[Gareth67]

Apparently Laurie Daley all but lost his hair-piece after hearing that our Griffo was considering to make JDB temporary captain .

The gifted one gave both barrels to Griffin and could not understand his thinking .

Well Laurie you were a very good rugby league player - not great - however as a coach your efforts were amateurish , so please in future keep your insightful opinions to yourself .

 

[redandwhite4evr]

With bird and potentially sulli in the centre’s. And sua and Simms in the backrow. Are they preparing for the departure of Lomax?

I see Jack Bird as a bit of a "goldilocks" player- not particuarly big, (although strong for his size), not particularly fast, not particularly skillful and as such, he has trouble claiming one position as his own. He's been tried at centre, lock and second row and some claim he should be tried at 5/8 (not me). While centre looks to be his best fit at present, I think the acquisition of Suli is more to do with the uncertainty over Bird's best position

 

[Md1]

I see Jack Bird as a bit of a "goldilocks" player- not particuarly big, (although strong for his size), not particularly fast, not particularly skillful and as such, he has trouble claiming one position as his own. He's been tried at centre, lock and second row and some claim he should be tried at 5/8 (not me). While centre looks to be his best fit at present, I think the acquisition of Suli is more to do with the uncertainty over Bird's best position

I understand that. But to me this is feeling like when BMoz left and everyone even himself denied it. And we know what eventually happened. Also Lomax and Vaughan are close mates and I’m sure he is upset at the fact we sacked our best forward because of how much he was on, also around the whole Stat Dec situation.
You know what they say, where there is smoke there is fire. I just hope it isn’t true.

 

[Overseas dragon]

I thought that he had only last week taken up the option on the final year of his contract ?

Besides there is no way the the rorters would speak to a player that was only in the 2nd year of a 5 year contract - that would be against the rules put in place by the NRL .

Doesn't stop FREDDY from talking during state of origin .........

 

[Dragonslayer]

I understand that. But to me this is feeling like when BMoz left and everyone even himself denied it. And we know what eventually happened. Also Lomax and Vaughan are close mates and I’m sure he is upset at the fact we sacked our best forward because of how much he was on, also around the whole Stat Dec situation.
You know what they say, where there is smoke there is fire. I just hope it isn’t true.

I don't think there is any smoke, except the one's coming out of certain journos butts. Zac cannot be approached to join any club, he would have to request a release and then that release be granted, and with 3 or 4 years left on his contract I strongly doubt it. Further, the Roosters just re-signed Billy Smith, Suali, Tupou and (at this stage) Manu.

The impending rumour around Suli is he plays left centre (Zac plays right), a position we don't have a specialist for. Yes, Bird can play there, but he's too slow for centre and will transition to a forwards role.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

I understand that. But to me this is feeling like when BMoz left and everyone even himself denied it. And we know what eventually happened. Also Lomax and Vaughan are close mates and I’m sure he is upset at the fact we sacked our best forward because of how much he was on, also around the whole Stat Dec situation.
You know what they say, where there is smoke there is fire. I just hope it isn’t true.

You may be right- I'm hoping you're not.

 

[Mjab]

If I was the club I would be looking at moving Jackson Ford on before next season

In the same book as Adam Clune who is also off contract end of next year

He has been a major dissapointment to me , looked good end of a season maybe 18m ago but no real progression in either attack or defence IMO , waste of salary cap space

But I also think that about a few others like Ellis , Poasa, J Hunt

Kerr a real disappointment this year as well but prob needs to play prop not 2nd row

 

[Maddragon99]

Apparently Laurie Daley all but lost his hair-piece after hearing that our Griffo was considering to make JDB temporary captain .

The gifted one gave both barrels to Griffin and could not understand his thinking .

Well Laurie you were a very good rugby league player - not great - however as a coach your efforts were amateurish , so please in future keep your insightful opinions to yourself .

Innocent until proven guilty Laurie! Trail by media doesn’t count.

 

[Gareth67]

Doesn't stop FREDDY from talking during state of origin .........

O.D. I do recall some of what Freddy said at the time , but what was worse was that sly smile , as if he knew for certain.

 

[Maddragon99]

He has been a major dissapointment to me , looked good end of a season maybe 18m ago but no real progression in either attack or defence IMO , waste of salary cap space

But I also think that about a few others like Ellis , Poasa, J Hunt

Kerr a real disappointment this year as well but prob needs to play prop not 2nd row

I think Kerr got railroaded by another one of Griffin’s selection masterstrokes. He played poorly at second row & looks down on confidence. He’ll bounce back though but starting Ellis over Kerr this week is another slap in the face for the big fella.

Faamausili has been a total bust for mine.

I still have hope for Jackson I’m hoping he bounces back next year.