The Rumours Thread

[saintmar]

Firstly, you can't blame Ben Hunt for what he was or is being paid. The club decides if he is worth that much, not him.

And secondly, Sullivan would've won the Dally M this year if he played halfback? Now I know you are taking the piss.

 

[St Tangles]

All the Bulldogs social media fan sites have Bud signed sealed and delivered

Who knows what will happen

The way the club is going I'm almost beyond caring

 

[slippery5]

I'm sick of reading post on this forum including comments from C.Young telling Sullivan to bide his time & learn from Hunt.
All this I might agree with if he hasn't been sitting on the bench for the last TWO YEARS watching this coach continue to play has beens week in, week out, like Norman/ Woods/ McCullough.
Would I risk waiting until I turn 24? before I get a regular start in my preferred position knowing that Hunt will be the #7 no matter how he is performing good OR BAD.
See Ya Later Alligator

 

[Dragon David]

Look, both Sloan and Sullivan are just pissed off with how they have been treated. Hook has not been able to convince them of their futures and Craig Young isn't the mentoring type to give encouragement. I don't think that Hook speaks to the guys and they have no respect for him is what I think.

Both have been pissed for ages. They know that they still have much to learn and build up in strength and confidence because there is no-one at the club giving them the time. I think Sloan is prepared to put in plenty of time with the hard work needed and the same as Sullivan, but they have "lost any love" for the Dragons which they did have in spades a year or so ago.

Hook is the person that has cruelled what they were hoping to achieve together. Yes, they are young and should be more patient and I'm sure they know this, but it is plainly how Hook has treated them that has changed their opinions of the club. They might get what they are wanting at another club if they are able to be released and that is inclusion and a feeling of being wanted and then they will be prepared to wait at that other club until they are right to really rip in.

My opinion.

 

[Gareth67]

All the Bulldogs social media fan sites have Bud signed sealed and delivered

Who knows what will happen

The way are club is going I'm almost beyond caring

Leaving their suspicions aside , it is about time that our Dragon board start to enquire about just whom - which clubs , have been whispering sweet nothings into our contracted player’s ears .

I was under the impression that the NRL had protocols in place for dealing with such matters ?

 

[Bin Chicken]

All the Bulldogs social media fan sites have Bud signed sealed and delivered

Who knows what will happen

The way the club is going I'm almost beyond caring

It’s a shame but it’s exactly how I feel.

 

[Trifili13]

So Munster has agreed to stay at the Storm for $4m for 4 years instead of going to the Dolphins for $5.6m for 4 years if figures in the papers are correct or near being correct. This is basically his last big contract. He has left $1.6m on the table which raises a few a questions for me:
1. Munster is stupid and can't count.
2. He should sack Anasta who can't count.
3. Munster is not interested in making the most money he can.
4. Munster will receive the difference in other ways.

How can lesser teams compete when you offer someone 40% more per season and would be the marquee signing with all the benefits it would attract, be closer to your family, yet you get knocked back?

 

[Saints Forever]

So Munster has agreed to stay at the Storm for $4m for 4 years instead of going to the Dolphins for $5.6m for 4 years if figures in the papers are correct or near being correct. This is basically his last big contract. He has left $1.6m on the table which raises a few a questions for me:
1. Munster is stupid and can't count.
2. He should sack Anasta who can't count.
3. Munster is not interested in making the most money he can.
4. Munster will receive the difference in other ways.

How can lesser teams compete when you offer someone 40% more per season and would be the marquee signing with all the benefits it would attract, be closer to your family, yet you get knocked back?

Point 4 is the answer as we know the Storm historically cook the books

 

[saintmar]

It’s a shame but it’s exactly how I feel.

Feel the same way

 

[Yow]

So Munster has agreed to stay at the Storm for $4m for 4 years instead of going to the Dolphins for $5.6m for 4 years if figures in the papers are correct or near being correct. This is basically his last big contract. He has left $1.6m on the table which raises a few a questions for me:
1. Munster is stupid and can't count.
2. He should sack Anasta who can't count.
3. Munster is not interested in making the most money he can.
4. Munster will receive the difference in other ways.

How can lesser teams compete when you offer someone 40% more per season and would be the marquee signing with all the benefits it would attract, be closer to your family, yet you get knocked back?

Yesterday the talk was Munster holding out 1st Nov bugger me signed Thursday night 1st time ever media got it wrong , Guess what folks dont believe all rumours

 

[BLM01]

So Munster has agreed to stay at the Storm for $4m for 4 years instead of going to the Dolphins for $5.6m for 4 years if figures in the papers are correct or near being correct. This is basically his last big contract. He has left $1.6m on the table which raises a few a questions for me:
1. Munster is stupid and can't count.
2. He should sack Anasta who can't count.
3. Munster is not interested in making the most money he can.
4. Munster will receive the difference in other ways.

How can lesser teams compete when you offer someone 40% more per season and would be the marquee signing with all the benefits it would attract, be closer to your family, yet you get knocked back?

Point 5. Anasta did not tell his mates the $$ or exact contract offers. Maybe they guessed the contract $$$ worth incorrect which is not surprising at either or both Storm and Dolphins. Guesswork and inuendo is their job.
But they were sure it was done at the Dolphins they said.

 

[Slippery Morris]

If you run the club well and have the best coaches in place the players will take less to stay it is simple. Look at all the big clubs not only in the NRL but Soccer. The coach plays a huge role which our club just simply not understand. When we had Bennett we had the same luck, we had players committing or coming to Saints simply to play under Bennett. Robbo got "The Cheese" for unders and he was from Melbourne. If you have a great coach and he is implementing a style of footy that is exciting and producing results then players will want to be part of that.

Meanwhile we have 27 players reported not turning up to the Saints end of year function as reported in the paper (SMH) today. The team is a mess and the club is dong nothing about it but waiting for another wasted off season.

 

[Illusion]

Lomax , Hunt , Molo , gee that's a great look for the club , end of season function ...... For what ever reason 27 no show ..... All good that would have left more food for Hook and the Board to get stuck into ......

 

[brissiedragon]

If you run the club well and have the best coaches in place the players will take less to stay it is simple. Look at all the big clubs not only in the NRL but Soccer. The coach plays a huge role which our club just simply not understand. When we had Bennett we had the same luck, we had players committing or coming to Saints simply to play under Bennett. Robbo got "The Cheese" for unders and he was from Melbourne. If you have a great coach and he is implementing a style of footy that is exciting and producing results then players will want to be part of that.

Meanwhile we have 27 players reported not turning up to the Saints end of year function as reported in the paper (SMH) today. The team is a mess and the club is dong nothing about it but waiting for another wasted off season.

Dragons awards night no-show rings alarm bells

Growing signs of discontent at club

wwos.nine.com.au

Report above. Not a good look but I am always wary of how media represents stories

 

[brissiedragon]

Dragons awards night no-show rings alarm bells

Growing signs of discontent at club

wwos.nine.com.au

Report above. Not a good look but I am always wary of how media represents stories

Bennett's Dolphins sound out All Blacks hopeful

Looming call to define star's chances

wwos.nine.com.au

Again, wary of media reporting, but if true it only affirms Hooks coaching shortcomings.

 

[Old Timer]

Bennett's Dolphins sound out All Blacks hopeful

Looming call to define star's chances

wwos.nine.com.au

Again, wary of media reporting, but if true it only affirms Hooks coaching shortcomings.

What it proves is the tail is wagging the dog.

More of a reflection on the players and their lack of integrity.

 

[TruSaint]

Bennett's Dolphins sound out All Blacks hopeful

Looming call to define star's chances

wwos.nine.com.au

Again, wary of media reporting, but if true it only affirms Hooks coaching shortcomings.

Yeah, we can be sceptical of media sure, but its not 1 or 2 sources. Most majot outlets have reported the upheaval.

There are major issues internally.

 

[Dragons4me]

Point 4 is the answer as we know the Storm historically cook the books

Yeah. That's the truth. Rich clubs will always find a way to pay players outside of the system. Moreso nowadays than before. There is even less of a paper now than before. I don't believe for one second Munster passed up in excess of one million dollars to stay with the storm because of fluff reasoning. Not for one second and the NRL aren't going to bite the hand that feeds them (the rich clubs) by inspecting the books. What books? We will never know the truth.

 

[Slippery Morris]

I like the excuse for the no show being players booked holidays well in advance so it was expected to be a low turn out. Wow. So the players knew they would definitely not be playing finals from a while ago and booked holidays during the finals period. Saints Management dig themselves in more $hite each time they come up with an excuse to support the dope. This event is more for the players than anything so why not make it a later time when all can attend. What a mess.

It's clear nobody wants Hook at the club but the management in a hope it comes good and they can say I told you so. Again that is IF he comes good.

 

[The Word]

I wouldn't normally advocate the club coming out and making a statement about this sort of stuff, but when you search the club up on google it is just an absolute frenzy of media reports right now and the club need to come out and say something to its fans. If sloan did post something saying goodbye to sullivan, he's since taken it down. Let us not forget Moses Suli did the same for Jaydn Su'a, who has since not left the club so I don't know what's with our players doing that if it turns out Sullivan doesn't leave.

My view on the whole situation is that a lot can change in 12 months. They need to deny sullivan a release and reassess 12 months from now. Jayden wasn't even touted to play half until 2024 anyway (the club has also screwed its salary cap once again by giving him a huge pay rise in 2024 which may force our hand to release him). But what if for example, Hunt gets injured next year and we need Sullivan. Or the year after that? We just don't know. The club should act in their best interest because quality halves are hard to go by, we just happen to have one amazing half and two amazing halves in the making all vying for 2 positions. It's a good headache if anything. It's tough but I think Sullivan should be the 14 next year. The suggestions he should alternate halfback with hunt are ridiculous, you don't change your halfback and your main man mid-game. Imagine you're out on the field, and the man calling the shots alternates after 40-50 mins. This isn't under 12's where everyone gets a go.

I could be wrong, but I think Sullivan and Sloan have the same manager too. I would suggest the man, as most managers are, is a self-interested shmuck. If we all look at reality for a moment, Sullivan's defence is not up to first grade standard and neither is his long kicking game. He isn't up to the level (yet) that some fans think he is where he can take the reigns week-to-week. This kid isn't nathan cleary and people are treating him as such. As Ben Hunt said, he was behind the likes of Lockyer and Peter Wallace until he was around 24. Ben Hunt's deal will expire when Sullivan is 24.

The Dragons have a real chance to show its fans what we're hearing about them heading in the right direction is true by showing some backbone by saying no to both sloan and sullivan. They also have the chance to show a change now by coming out and saying something to the effect of that they won't be releasing sullivan or sloan as they are seen as a big part of the future of this club. Let's hope they get this one right.

Agree with this Parko. Would be great for the club to come out and let us know they will be refusing release requests, if indeed Sullivan has even submitted one. If not, confirm that instead.

It would also be helpful for them to give us an idea which positions they are looking to recruit for. I know they like to keep things quiet but it might actually create some interest in the market if there were forwards out there not 100% happy with their club situation, and would let the fans know they are being active at least.

I had a look at Sloan's Insta account (can't believe it's come to this) and couldn't find this "see ya mate" post. If it was up and been removed, I assume it was just a piss-take amongst mates, in response to the stories floating around.

Sullivan has a 3 year deal as far as I'm aware. I'm going to assume Griffin will give him more opportunities to prove himself this year, let's hope he steps up. I don't buy into the favouratism nonsense, if Griffin thought he could help him win games he would play him, so hopefully he can do that, on the back of a couple of strong forward signings.

Every club needs 3 good halves in case of injury / suspension. We've got that at least. We shouldn't buy into this media circus bullshit.