The Rumours Thread

[Dragon David]

The chase for AFB's signature could very well be at least a half a dozen clubs. Now that the Sharks have traded Tracey to the Dogs in return for Michael Gabrael, they will have a bit more cash to go after AFB for 2025.

Our chances of getting him appear to be at longer odds but whatever will be will be.

 

[jak]

If they are buying a premiership they've got a lot more shopping to do, a decent coach, decent halves, decent props/locks and with a coach like Ciraldo (who's mentors include Hook and Barrett) they're going nowhere fast.

do you really think ciraldo is the coach?

 

[Gardenia]

Medical retirement?

PLEASE

 

[TheRev]

Edit: Gabriel is the player swap for Tracey.. both good players, thats why we were never in the hunt for an early release.. unless they wanted Max Feagai.

Means the dogs are still stuck with RFM, hes the one Gus will be still looking to move on, he has 2 yrs remaining on huge coin.. they offload him and they have their AFB offer.

 

[Gardenia]

Thanks.

The Roosters have also set their sights on the Tigers winger Junior Tupou for 2025. I guess to replace Daniel Tupou who most probably will hang his boots up after next year. Big boy is Junior and the Roosters will have another biggy on the other wing by the name of Dominic Young. Two beasts of wingers who will score many and be trained by the turncoat Brett Morris.

Why we don't go for these big guys beats me. We need them.

We sure do need something. Looking at the current squad especially with the same left edge in there is so depressing. We desperately need to replace Feagai and we need a strong hooker. Eff me think about it we need so much, a great 1 a great 9 and a 6 and forwards and another good winger.

So depressing to see no signings.

I wish Bird would take his broken body and attitude and eff off

 

[Desperate Dragon]

Rumour is Burns was the player swap for Tracey.. both good players, thats why we were never in the hunt for an early release.. unless they wanted Max Feagai.

Means the dogs are still stuck with RFM, he is the one Gus will be still looking to move on, he has 2 yrs remaining on huge coin.. they offload him and they have their AFB offer.

The issue the Dogs have now is that they have shopped RFM to what sounds like all other 16 teams in the competition, and everyone has said no thanks.
With Capewell on his way to the Warriors, the Dogs could be stuck with RFM for the next 2 years.
Cannot see a RFM for Fonua-Blake swap being considered by the Warriors as anywhere near a like for like player.

 

[Gardenia]

Rumour is Burns was the player swap for Tracey.. both good players, thats why we were never in the hunt for an early release.. unless they wanted Max Feagai.

Means the dogs are still stuck with RFM, hes the one Gus will be still looking to move on, he has 2 yrs remaining on huge coin.. they offload him and they have their AFB offer.

Praying that no one helps them offload RFM.

 

[Gardenia]

Did Flano want Tracey or was it this forums wishes ?
And what Gould is doing is a salary cap farce not not the NRL car

Did Flano want Tracey or was it this forums wishes ?
And what Gould is doing is a salary cap farce not not the NRL care

Tracey was reported in the media as one of Flanno's targets.

 

[Slippery Morris]

Let me guess the Dogs tell the NRL Auditor Burns was on 650k and Connor Treacy will be on 150K and the NRL bought it. Now they have 500k spare for AFB as well unless Saints are linked to another player and they prefer that one. Sharks would prefer releasing a player to the Dogs than Saints so they had no chance once they got interested. When Saints showed interest they dug their heels in and refused a release.

Dogs can be 5 mil over the cap and they will still find room for AFB. Maybe if you get caught twice cheating the cap and bringing the game in disrepute you should just get booted out of the comp entirely. They are stopping teams from getting players hence bringing the game in disrepute. Bring in WA and PNG, seriously what do they bring to the game? No juniors and trouble supporters. I am sure that in a few years time there will be more juniors out of WA and PNG than the Dogs.

It will seriously be the biggest embarrassment to that club if they fail to make the finals in 2024 with all their purchases.

 

[Saints Forever]

Tracey was reported in the media as one of Flanno's targets.

We don’t need Tracey.

We have a couple of options at Fullback

coaching matters.

I expect the whole side will play better under Flanno.

What we currently lack in class we will make up with attitude and effort.

 

[kit66]

Not ideal for us losing another target recruit but what concerns me now is Cronulla joining the possible destinations for AFB as apparently they have the money and desire to go after someone of AFB's calibre and price.

Dogs junior Michael Gabriel is the player being swapped for Tracey. I'd like to know what money was involved also.

 

[rasaint]

Hi All, I must say it’s a real roller coaster with our club! Over the past month, we have had AFB from the Warriors probably coming, Connor Tracey probably coming, good possibility that Tom Dearden 2024 due to Cowboy’s salary cap pressure and a tall up and strong Cowboys backrower Luki also targeted for recruitment. Plenty of cap $$$ and chasing the right players. Twiggy Forest then reported with big main sponsorship deal and St George bank still with a level of $ involvement.

We’ll era as of today; well zip, nothing and no one.

BTW Connor Tracey joining the Bulldogs crew. Arh Hahaha. Maybe, we will still surprise a few yet with a good season? Hope so.

 

[Biglance]

We don’t need Tracey.

We have a couple of options at Fullback

coaching matters.

I expect the whole side will play better under Flanno.

What we currently lack in class we will make up with attitude and effort.

agree that coaching matters > recruitment

 

[TheRev]

Billy Burns wearing the sharks colours next year also on a minimum contract.. I am really curious how we intend to even fill our roster.. or how long we can wait for guys like Taafe and co (which all the cashed up clubs will have sitting in reserve grade) to come seeking a 1st grade jersey.

 

[JohnnoMcJohnno]

We don’t need Tracey.

We have a couple of options at Fullback

coaching matters.

I expect the whole side will play better under Flanno.

What we currently lack in class we will make up with attitude and effort.

Yeah maybe. Yes a coach can make a big difference but you still need the cattle. Wayne Bennett got a major improvement out of the Dragons in 2009, but he didn't do it by relying on the same team from 2008. He brought in Darius Boyd, Costigan, Jeremy Smith, Weyman, and Nathan Fien. Flanagan has bought in who? Hame Sele and his son. I'm interested as to who you think our fullback options are because all I see are Sloan (injured), Paul Turner and maybe Lomax. None of these would be a first choice fullback at any other club. Our 5/8 options are Flanagan, Paul Turner and maybe Lomax. None of these would be a first choice 5/8 at any other club.

I'm interested to see how much improvement Flanno gets out of the squad but I think he'd be doing well if he gets us up to 12th. It's just not that good.

 

[bad boy bubby]

Not ideal for us losing another target recruit but what concerns me now is Cronulla joining the possible destinations for AFB as apparently they have the money and desire to go after someone of AFB's calibre and price.

Dogs junior Michael Gabriel is the player being swapped for Tracey. I'd like to know what money was involved also.

What the Sharks also have is five middle forwards coming off contract. One of which, Hamlin-Uele, was chased by the Warriors before his last contract.

 

[Phantom V]

Hoping that Eisenhuth rumour comes to fruition. He’ll add some leadership and discipline to our pack and he’s also a big unit. We could do with a couple of speedy backs though as I just don’t see points in our current backline.

 

[be55]

Remember when Gould said, to anybody that would listen that, his main aim was to build the club from within...

 

[Hound of Dracula]

It’s not that I disagree with sentiments regarding Jack Bird, as he was ordinary this year.
As most know, Jack Bird suffers from 'rheumatoid Arthritis' and is therefore more susceptible to injuries than the average player.

He had an ACL injury at 16 – 2 X ACL’s at Broncos, then sternum , shoulder injuries & constant knee issues.
Jack Bird currently listed as injured with shoulder, & new knee injury

But NRL is cut-throat business these days.

He’s now 28 and showing signs of the wear and tear but you must admire his resilience.
He won a premiership with Flannagan and deserves every chance to prove his worth.
It will probably be Flannagan who must tap Bird on the shoulder when it’s proved to not be enough.

Before you all crucify me for being too soft, if we get AFB, we should piss Bird off immediately. lol

 

[Mojo]

It’s not that I disagree with sentiments regarding Jack Bird, as he was ordinary this year.
As most know, Jack Bird suffers from 'rheumatoid Arthritis' and is therefore more susceptible to injuries than the average player.

He had an ACL injury at 16 – 2 X ACL’s at Broncos, then sternum , shoulder injuries & constant knee issues.
Jack Bird currently listed as injured with shoulder, & new knee injury

But NRL is cut-throat business these days.

He’s now 28 and showing signs of the wear and tear but you must admire his resilience.
He won a premiership with Flannagan and deserves every chance to prove his worth.
It will probably be Flannagan who must tap Bird on the shoulder when it’s proved to not be enough.

Before you all crucify me for being too soft, if we get AFB, we should piss Bird off immediately. lol

It's just a fact. It's 1st grade rugby league and his body clearly isn't up to it any more.