The Rumours Thread

[Jubilee]

No real loss if Saints don't end up with Lodge. Nathan Brown and Lodge both went to Manly and Manly extended Brown and not interested in Lodge. How many clubs has he been to and none really extending him past a season or 2.

Dogs are bringing in the Roosters forward and the best prop in England. They would not have come across cheap. Surely they cannot afford to spend big of 3 props on top of Kikau, Crichton and their other utilities thay brought across last season. Saints should have more dollars to throw at May, surely. Flanno just has to show clips of how he turned Fifita from the Tigers into a dominant forward that led the team to win a comp as inspiration? The Cronulla pack was outstanding and overcame a Bellamy pack in a GF. Any forward should see that alone as a reason to come to work under Flanno.

Luc and RFM will get a full off season so that will make them much better in 2025 as well. On their day these 2 are pretty damn good and if Saints can get them there it will be a pretty strong pack. If they don't sign a forward the Couchman boys will get more game time so I am not fussed if no newby comes in.

Flanno may see it the same way. He certainly has focused on improving our backs.

 

[Victoire]

Flanno may see it the same way. He certainly has focused on improving our backs.

He's also stated several times that he wants another prop, and made offers to both Saifiti and RCG. This game of musical chairs is getting nearer to the end and we may be left standing

 

[VodkaSaint]

Off topic

 

[Jubilee]

He's also stated several times that he wants another prop, and made offers to both Saifiti and RCG. This game of musical chairs is getting nearer to the end and we may be left standing

Also missed Fonua-Blake. But if all you have is lemons, then you have no choice but to make lemonade. Cook has strengthened the pack. Hame may have a better run with injuries.The Couchman boys will just get better.

And on a more optimistic note, the Tigers continue to be in the news for being a mess, so they may not be very attractive to May and Pole. (Maypole!)

 

[Victoire]

Here are the quotes from Lodge in the Telegraph article btw:

Lodge has played for five NRL clubs since his debut for Wests Tigers in 2014 and is poised to ink a deal with his sixth team.
Lodge refused to disclose the identity of the club – he has been linked with the Dragons – but insists he will not be moving to the English Super League.
“I will definitely be playing in the NRL next year,” he said.
“It’s good to know I will have my future sorted.
“I had a tough start to the year but when I got healthy, I finished the year well with Manly.
“If I didn’t know I had plenty left in the tank, I wouldn’t be playing on, but I’m excited about the years ahead and I will be ready to go next year.”
The 29-year-old prop accepts the Sea Eagles have salary-cap pressures and has no issue with Manly coach Anthony Seibold.
“They offered me a two-year deal,” he said.
“They wanted me to play that starting role with Taniela (Paseka), but it takes a toll on your body doing that.
“It was a lot to ask to do two years as a starting front-rower for minimum wage.
“I really thought about it, I wanted to meet them in the middle somewhere, but they had no salary cap space.
“I am fine with ‘Seibs’ and everyone at Manly, but I can’t play for that amount when that sort of money is given to a kid just coming out of a school who hasn’t played a game of NRL.
“I loved the club and the squad of players, but I have four boys and bills to pay, so I had to look after my future.”

 

[Jubilee]

Here are the quotes from Lodge in the Telegraph article btw:

Lodge has played for five NRL clubs since his debut for Wests Tigers in 2014 and is poised to ink a deal with his sixth team.
Lodge refused to disclose the identity of the club – he has been linked with the Dragons – but insists he will not be moving to the English Super League.
“I will definitely be playing in the NRL next year,” he said.
“It’s good to know I will have my future sorted.
“I had a tough start to the year but when I got healthy, I finished the year well with Manly.
“If I didn’t know I had plenty left in the tank, I wouldn’t be playing on, but I’m excited about the years ahead and I will be ready to go next year.”
The 29-year-old prop accepts the Sea Eagles have salary-cap pressures and has no issue with Manly coach Anthony Seibold.
“They offered me a two-year deal,” he said.
“They wanted me to play that starting role with Taniela (Paseka), but it takes a toll on your body doing that.
“It was a lot to ask to do two years as a starting front-rower for minimum wage.
“I really thought about it, I wanted to meet them in the middle somewhere, but they had no salary cap space.
“I am fine with ‘Seibs’ and everyone at Manly, but I can’t play for that amount when that sort of money is given to a kid just coming out of a school who hasn’t played a game of NRL.
“I loved the club and the squad of players, but I have four boys and bills to pay, so I had to look after my future.”

Talks nicely. And his reasoning is sound. If his body is going to be smashed, he wants to be paid for it. If I had to guess, he is coming to us and will be paid a reasonable but not excessive salary. Fair enough. Another plus, nothing makes you fitter than boxing training.

 

[Dragsters]

Talks nicely. And his reasoning is sound. If his body is going to be smashed, he wants to be paid for it. If I had to guess, he is coming to us and will be paid a reasonable but not excessive salary. Fair enough. Another plus, nothing makes you fitter than boxing training.

If he is coming to us expect nothing from the club until after the boxing bout and if he comes through that ok then we will hear something.

 

[Victoire]

If he is coming to us expect nothing from the club until after the boxing bout and if he comes through that ok then we will hear something.

Just extrapolating here and using some creative deduction (aka talking out of my ass), but yeah perhaps the club has an anti-boxing policy as per the Lomax dramas and despite agreeing to terms will not allow a contracted player to box. His bout is Nov 24 .

 

[Mojo]

Just extrapolating here and using some creative deduction (aka talking out of my ass), but yeah perhaps the club has an anti-boxing policy as per the Lomax dramas and despite agreeing to terms will not allow a contracted player to box. His bout is Nov 24 .

Yes, I reckon that is likely the case here.

 

[getsmarty]

Hunt is on as Ben locks in talks with Broncos, Dolphins​

Michael Maguire is ready to ramp up his pursuit of Ben Hunt, as the in demand halfback heads to Queensland to meet with the Broncos and Dolphins as he prepares to make a call on his future.

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=AAWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adelaidenow.com.au%2Fsport%2Fnrl%2Fnrl-2025-ben-hunt-heads-to-queensland-for-meetings-with-broncos-dolphins%2Fnews-story%2F4cfe06c290cb9b556d6b21e6697acc00&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=GROUPA-Segment-2-NOSCORE

 

[RedVee]

Just extrapolating here and using some creative deduction (aka talking out of my ass), but yeah perhaps the club has an anti-boxing policy as per the Lomax dramas and despite agreeing to terms will not allow a contracted player to box. His bout is Nov 24 .

Possible.
Didn’t Lomax have issues with a broken hand in 23 or 22 ?
Then complained when we wouldn’t let him box,

 

[Jubilee]

Possible.
Didn’t Lomax have issues with a broken hand in 23 or 22 ?
Then complained when we wouldn’t let him box,

Plenty of potential injuries in boxing, even when just training: sprained ankles (common), torn bicep tendons, torn pec, wrist and hand damage. It is reasonable to bar boxing.

 

[Chook99]

Matt Lodge https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KF3m3yntk/?mibextid=Nif5oz

 

[Dragonslayer]

Flanno, in one the articles today, confirms we gave 2 spots available for '25.
This means either Eisenhuth has re-signed, or Lawson (or someone else) promoted.

Atkinson won't be released early from the Sharks, so earliest we can get him is for '26.

Pursuing Douehi and Ilias.

 

[Desperate Dragon]

Looking very much like IIias at 7 and Flanagan at 6 for 2025.
We really do need to get Atkinson tied up for 2026 asap, then keep pushing for an early release.

 

[Desperate Dragon]

Matt Lodge https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KF3m3yntk/?mibextid=Nif5oz

What does it say???

 

[TheRev]

Looking very much like IIias at 7 and Flanagan at 6 for 2025.
We really do need to get Atkinson tied up for 2026 asap, then keep pushing for an early release.

This is my thought.. I thought Atko would have been done by now.. sounds like we will need to agitate, but it puts us in a shit spot because we need to use a slot to recruit a 7 for 2025 yet.. and thats probably going to be more than 1yr.

 

[hook hook]

i think the half signing will depend on who we can get for 2026. I imagine if we land atkinson for 2026, we will sign Douehi to stop gap as a 6 for the year so atkinson can slot in there next to kyle for 2026

 

[Victoire]

Atkinson won't be released early from the Sharks, so earliest we can get him is for '26.

Scum

 

[Miller was a legend]

Scum

A big chance he will stay at Cronulla and re- sign