The Rumours Thread

[Parko1310]

Tom Dearden is going to drag out contract negotiations well into the season according to Courier Mail. Cowboys offer sits at around 650k a season, Dragons at about 850k. His manager basically saying there is no rush because his value won't diminish, but his main motivation won't necessarily be money. So that tells me we need to make some decent signings to indicate he will be happy here, plus a bonus of 200k extra a season.

Tom Eisenhuth also still on the radar. Penrith's top 30 is full, but he's trying to get a "second tier" deal done with them, and if nothing can be done then Dragons are the next option. Pretty telling that he'd rather a supplementary or T&T deal at Penrith rather than a top 30 deal at the Dragons. Maybe we're only offering him 1 year and Penrith have a two year deal or something.

 

[JohnnoMcJohnno]

Tom Dearden is going to drag out contract negotiations well into the season according to Courier Mail. Cowboys offer sits at around 650k a season, Dragons at about 850k. His manager basically saying there is no rush because his value won't diminish, but his main motivation won't necessarily be money. So that tells me we need to make some decent signings to indicate he will be happy here, plus a bonus of 200k extra a season.

Tom Eisenhuth also still on the radar. Penrith's top 30 is full, but he's trying to get a "second tier" deal done with them, and if nothing can be done then Dragons are the next option. Pretty telling that he'd rather a supplementary or T&T deal at Penrith rather than a top 30 deal at the Dragons. Maybe we're only offering him 1 year and Penrith have a two year deal or something.

Eisenhuth comes from the lower Blue Mountains. Still has family there. His mother used to be an official in the lower blue mountains league, she may still be. I think there's plenty of reasons why he might prefer a Penrith location to us. I also think Penrith will work out something for him. Not too fussed either way.

 

[baggygreen man]

Cowboys offer sits at around 650k a season, Dragons at about 850k.

650K is a pretty pissweak wage for a play maker today. Guessing by being on that kinda coin Dearden is not the Cowboys first choice game manager. No doubt he/manager is holding out for a better deal from his employers, so Flanagan needs to gazump them with a sweetener or two.

 

[baggygreen man]

Panthers poised to regain veteran forward Tom Eisenhuth​

Do we want a 31 year old back rower with his best very likely behind him. He doesnt even have a Storm profile page for some reason.

 

[TheRev]

Eisenhuth would be a serviceable cog on a 1-2yr contract tops.. its not great but we need to replace Kerr/Musgrove with something.. I dont think MMolo/Couchmans are in the same tier either, not week to week. But yah there is nothing magical about him in particular (other than an epic backstory).. I just dunno who else were gonna pick up for 2024...we need a few 1st grade bodies, a prop, a 2nd rower, a fullback... we need 30 =)

As for Dearden, I dont see him moving anywhere for under 1million, so not sure whats happening there.. hope hes not legit going to wait until next season to make a decision.. clubs do need to plan their rosters.

 

[baggygreen man]

but we need to replace Kerr/Musgrove with something.. I dont think MMolo/Couchmans are in the same tier

Those two were big units, one with a small engine, the other a lax defender. How big is Eisenhuth as can not find a profile for him. Disagree on the Couchmans, very much firsts standard, already played underage reps, while Mike Molo has more upside that his bigger brother imho.

 

[baggygreen man]

At least one rival club is preparing to have another crack at David Fifita following the Titans star’s latest contract saga.

The Raiders not us evidently. In any case prefer we threw big money at Addin Fonua-Blake as we need a quality big bopper in the engine room more than an edgie. We have to crack at least one elite player, then hopefully others will follow.

 

[dungay dragon]

At least one rival club is preparing to have another crack at David Fifita following the Titans star’s latest contract saga.

Is that us? Prefer we threw big money at Addin Carr as we need a big bopper in the engine room. We have to crack at least one elite player, then hopefully others will follow.

RAIDERS......

 

[baggygreen man]

RAIDERS......

Yeh found that out after I posted above as I also had Addin Blakes name wrong. You were quick to reply.

 

[Parko1310]

At least one rival club is preparing to have another crack at David Fifita following the Titans star’s latest contract saga.

The Raiders not us evidently. In any case prefer we threw big money at Addin Fonua-Blake as we need a quality big bopper in the engine room more than an edgie. We have to crack at least one elite player, then hopefully others will follow.

Agreed I'd rather Luki or Finefeuiaki over Fifita given they're massive talents for about 50-60% of the price if it means signing AFB as well.

 

[FlickFlano]

Finefeuiaki would be a great get ... Can play both sides so would immediately slot into that left edge spot.

 

[Desperate Dragon]

Viliami Fifita is being featured in a number of the club's preseason photos and some of the in front of the camera stuff as well.
Would not surprise me if he forms part of the prop rotation along with Lawrie, F Molo and Sele.
Only needs to perform strongly in the preseason games to get a look in the first grade squad.

 

[FlickFlano]

Go the Dragons

 

[justadragon]

Played well in the trials for Manly last year but then covid/injuries and negotiation with us limited his playing time with them and then with us.

I think the other Manly player we got will definitely be a start this year.

 

[FlickFlano]

I think the other Manly player we got will definitely be a start this year.

You may be right - runs with a decent amount of venom. Would love him to develop into a real Leniu type ... still early days.

 

[justadragon]

You may be right - runs with a decent amount of venom. Would love him to develop into a real Leniu type ... still early days.

Right on FF, he seemed to be performing better than Fafita, but I do think Fafita played with some injuries though.

 

[baggygreen man]

I think the other Manly player we got will definitely be a start this year.

Alec Tuitavake, like to see him among the forward rotation too. Good impact player, strong defender.

Sele at 102k is not exactly a big bopper prop. Who knew he is a Saints junior, Kingsgrove Colts, born in Kogarah and his hero during his two year and 8 game stint with us, was Tyson Frizell.

 

[hewi]

There’s major rumblings the Wests Tigers are gearing up to have a crack at signing Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai as the club continues to search for a circuit breaker to get off the bottom of the NRL ladder.

The Tigers won’t be the only club interested in making a pitch to the off contract Panthers five-eighth but they’ll certainly be able to blow most rivals out of the water when it comes to money.

The Wests Tigers will have plenty of salary cap wiggle room in 2025 and you get the feeling Luai’s flamboyant, off-the-cuff style of attack could be a perfect fit for coach Benji Marshall


Wonder how Sullivan would feel if this happens.

 

[maestro1]

Can someone please explain to me why we have publicly said we are not interested in Jerome Luia. We have just been ranked as having the worst halves combo in the comp and we are arrogant enough to think we don't need him. JL is exactly what we need. Who do we think we are to suggest we don't want him. It's not like we are strong in that position. We should be chasing hard for all quality players, especially in positions we are crap in

 

[Dragon David]

Can someone please explain to me why we have publicly said we are not interested in Jerome Luia. We have just been ranked as having the worst halves combo in the comp and we are arrogant enough to think we don't need him. JL is exactly what we need. Who do we think we are to suggest we don't want him. It's not like we are strong in that position. We should be chasing hard for all quality players, especially in positions we are crap in

I agree maestro1. Are our recruitment staff and head coach not aware of our poor spine? Are they just plain dumb? To openly close ranks and state that the club won't be going for Luai is shocking. I thought that a coach like Flanagan would be identifying where our weaknesses are with the players we have and not have besides needing to be fitter and stronger.

Just because we might have been close to beating some teams in the comp just past and if we were fitter we could have, that's a bad call. We didn't win plain and simple and if we did get closer to winning those close games, I am sure the opposition would have gone into another gear to keep ahead to win.

You need players that you can plan games around. Fast and Strong and Brainy ones - not dumb ass robotic ones. Yes, they will do drills to improve the defence but hey, we need to score points and be attractive to watch in attack. It's no use defending when we don't have points to defend.

Please Flanno. You have the experience. You know how a good team travels. You need the players to carry out everything with precision and be good thinkers as well. You need several superior players, than those that we might have coming through, signed. But you know what you are doing - I hope.