The Rumours Thread

[Auntie.Gerald]

Oregon and Hazelton must be both going thru the roof in $ for 2026 vs 2024

I wonder if one may have to be released in 2025 given the killer AFB new cost etc ?

 

[getsmarty]

Why Matt Lodge turned down $300k Dragons contract​

Still clubless through the new year, Matt Lodge had all but secured a move to St George Illawarra. The 29-year-old prop reveals why he turned down the one-year deal.

https://www.couriermail.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=CMWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.couriermail.com.au%2Fsport%2Fnrl%2Fnrl-2025-matt-lodge-set-to-sign-unique-deal-with-manly-sea-eagles%2Fnews-story%2Fcae445a13708e1f65eb7012d6b43dd30&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=GROUPA-Segment-2-NOSCORE

 

[Nutz]

What, like Santa !

He definitely has too much cheer if you get my drift

 

[possm]

He definitely has too much cheer if you get my drift

I really want the Dragons to sign Hazelton and at the same time, I would be very happy if the Dragons also offered Lodge 500k for season 2025.

Lodge running on as our alpha prop doing a very vigorous job for about 10 min. or so would set the stage for a very competitive game each week.

It is a risk, however, given some fo the poor signings we have made over the past few years.

 

[VodkaSaint]

I really want the Dragons to sign Hazelton and at the same time, I would be very happy if the Dragons also offered Lodge 500k for season 2025.

Lodge running on as our alpha prop doing a very vigorous job for about 10 min. or so would set the stage for a very competitive game each week.

It is a risk, however, given some fo the poor signings we have made over the past few years.

has signed with manly on 300k

 

[Dragsters]

has signed with manly on 300k

I hope this doesn't turn out to be a missed opportunity based on egos and we end up having unspent cap that could have been used on him for this season...

 

[The Word]

I hope this doesn't turn out to be a missed opportunity based on egos and we end up having unspent cap that could have been used on him for this season...

Our top 30 is full so cap space or not we couldn’t fit him once they decided they wanted guler. That’s why they offered him t&t which understandably he turned down. I suppose we will find out over the course of the season whether guler or lodge play better.

 

[Nutz]

I really want the Dragons to sign Hazelton and at the same time, I would be very happy if the Dragons also offered Lodge 500k for season 2025.

Lodge running on as our alpha prop doing a very vigorous job for about 10 min. or so would set the stage for a very competitive game each week.

It is a risk, however, given some fo the poor signings we have made over the past few years.

Geez possm, the faint coloured font is a hard read.
I agree regarding Lodge. Surely the guy has matured by now.
I think you put Lodge in a locked room and play Baby Shark at full bore then release the man to rip the opposition apart.

 

[SnowDragon]

Geez possm, the faint coloured font is a hard read.
I agree regarding Lodge. Surely the guy has matured by now.
I think you put Lodge in a locked room and play Baby Shark at full bore then release the man to rip the opposition apart.

It’s an eyesight thing for possm. we generally just need to accept it.

 

[Nutz]

It’s an eyesight thing for possm. we generally just need to accept it.

Not my place and I'm sorry if I came across abrupt. The only reason I made comment is my eyes are stuffed as well

 

[blacksafake]

Geez possm, the faint coloured font is a hard read.
I agree regarding Lodge. Surely the guy has matured by now.
I think you put Lodge in a locked room and play Baby Shark at full bore then release the man to rip the opposition apart.

Lodge has signed with manly

 

[Nutz]

Lodge has signed with manly

I'm surprised blackie, that not more clubs were lined up to sign him.
He is cheap and ever improving.
He was on real good coin at the Tigers and we unceremoniously sacked him for his indiscretions.
Back then he was touted the next big thing.
If he had played to his potential and kept his nose clean he could be asking 800+.
Now he's 800 ÷ ?

 

[possm]

Geez possm, the faint coloured font is a hard read.
I agree regarding Lodge. Surely the guy has matured by now.
I think you put Lodge in a locked room and play Baby Shark at full bore then release the man to rip the opposition apart.

Year I'm sorry mate. My eyes are shot. I now only have 1% left in my left eye and 0 in my right eye. I use a black background and zoom the text up 600%. I'm now trying to use voice so it won't be long before I can use normal font.

The old saying that you can't see past your nose certainly applies to me these days.

 

[Nutz]

Year I'm sorry mate. My eyes are shot. I now only have 1% left in my left eye and 0 in my right eye. I use a black background and zoom the text up 600%. I'm now trying to use voice so it won't be long before I can use normal font.

The old saying that you can't see past your nose certainly applies to me these days.

Your a typical Dragons one eyed supporter .
Let me guess, I'm not the first to have made that joke...sorry.

 

[dungay dragon]

has signed with manly on 300k

Thought WE offered him 300k
Manlys offer was 1200pw plus allowed to Box and complete some business type Course?study ??

 

[True_Believer]

Thought WE offered him 300k
Manlys offer was 1200pw plus allowed to Box and complete some business type Course?study ??

Yeah there's an article a few posts back that suggests they have an answer as to why he rejected us. Not sure if it does provide that info as it's behind a paywall.

 

[mattw5]

Market Watch: Dragons launch $1.3m poaching bid for Sharks prop Tom Hazelton​

The Sharks are facing a fierce battle to retain Tom Hazelton with Sydney derby foes the Dragons launching a $1.3 million poaching bid for Cronulla’s cult hero.
This masthead understands the fight for Hazelton’s signature is a race in three with St George Illawarra upping the ante to edge out Queensland rivals the Dolphins to prise the man mountain away from the Sutherland Shire.
It is understood the Dragons have tabled a three-year deal to Hazelton worth around $450,000 a season as coach Shane Flanagan looks to add size and depth to his middle rotation.
The Dragons, who finished 11th last year, are keen to sign Hazelton until the end of 2028.
A fourth club, Newcastle, has also offered Hazelton a three-year deal, but they have no interest in winning a bidding war amid speculation the Sharks bookend is seeking in excess of $600,000 a season.

The 116kg prop, who scored the opening try of the 2025 NRL trials against the Warriors last Friday, is off-contract at season’s end and the Sharks are well and truly in the fight to keep him.

Hazelton showed he was serious about testing the open market last week when the Cronulla front-rower flew north to Queensland to inspect the $100 million headquarters at the Dolphins.

The 26-year-old held promising talks with new Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf, who is keen to bolster Redcliffe’s forward stocks amid concerns over chief enforcer Tom Flegler’s longstanding shoulder injury.

Flegler underwent nerve-transfer surgery at the end of last season and is not expected to return to the playing field until June or July – if at all.

The Dolphins remain hopeful the Maroons enforcer will play again but the pursuit of Hazelton is evidence the NRL’s 17th team is considering an engine-room safety net should Flegler be forced into a medical retirement.

Woolf is also in the market for English forward Morgan Knowles and if the Dolphins land his signature, they could abort their pursuit of Hazelton.

That would further open the door for the Dragons, who are emerging as the greatest threat to the Sharks given their proximity to the Shire, where Hazelton has family ties.

The Knights were open to dialogue with Hazelton at the right price but Newcastle’s interest has cooled, leaving the Dragons and Dolphins as the primary contenders for his signature.

The Sharks haven’t given up hope of retaining the baldheaded prop despite having outlaid $4 million to lure marquee enforcer Addin Fonua-Blake from the Warriors.

Hazelton had a breakthrough season for the Sharks last year, playing 25 games and fashioning a reputation as a Cronulla cult figure after scoring seven tries, including a four-pointer in three consecutive games.

Most props would be lucky to score three tries in their entire career and for that reason, the Sharks are desperately hoping to stave-off a bidding war for the late-blooming Goulburn product.

The 198cm Hazelton has played 44 games since his NRL debut in 2022 and would be a handy pick-up for the Dolphins or Dragons, who both went within one win of making the finals last season.

 

[qld redvee]

Market Watch: Dragons launch $1.3m poaching bid for Sharks prop Tom Hazelton​

The Sharks are facing a fierce battle to retain Tom Hazelton with Sydney derby foes the Dragons launching a $1.3 million poaching bid for Cronulla’s cult hero.
This masthead understands the fight for Hazelton’s signature is a race in three with St George Illawarra upping the ante to edge out Queensland rivals the Dolphins to prise the man mountain away from the Sutherland Shire.
It is understood the Dragons have tabled a three-year deal to Hazelton worth around $450,000 a season as coach Shane Flanagan looks to add size and depth to his middle rotation.
The Dragons, who finished 11th last year, are keen to sign Hazelton until the end of 2028.
A fourth club, Newcastle, has also offered Hazelton a three-year deal, but they have no interest in winning a bidding war amid speculation the Sharks bookend is seeking in excess of $600,000 a season.

The 116kg prop, who scored the opening try of the 2025 NRL trials against the Warriors last Friday, is off-contract at season’s end and the Sharks are well and truly in the fight to keep him.

Hazelton showed he was serious about testing the open market last week when the Cronulla front-rower flew north to Queensland to inspect the $100 million headquarters at the Dolphins.

The 26-year-old held promising talks with new Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf, who is keen to bolster Redcliffe’s forward stocks amid concerns over chief enforcer Tom Flegler’s longstanding shoulder injury.

Flegler underwent nerve-transfer surgery at the end of last season and is not expected to return to the playing field until June or July – if at all.

The Dolphins remain hopeful the Maroons enforcer will play again but the pursuit of Hazelton is evidence the NRL’s 17th team is considering an engine-room safety net should Flegler be forced into a medical retirement.

Woolf is also in the market for English forward Morgan Knowles and if the Dolphins land his signature, they could abort their pursuit of Hazelton.

That would further open the door for the Dragons, who are emerging as the greatest threat to the Sharks given their proximity to the Shire, where Hazelton has family ties.

The Knights were open to dialogue with Hazelton at the right price but Newcastle’s interest has cooled, leaving the Dragons and Dolphins as the primary contenders for his signature.

The Sharks haven’t given up hope of retaining the baldheaded prop despite having outlaid $4 million to lure marquee enforcer Addin Fonua-Blake from the Warriors.

Hazelton had a breakthrough season for the Sharks last year, playing 25 games and fashioning a reputation as a Cronulla cult figure after scoring seven tries, including a four-pointer in three consecutive games.

Most props would be lucky to score three tries in their entire career and for that reason, the Sharks are desperately hoping to stave-off a bidding war for the late-blooming Goulburn product.

The 198cm Hazelton has played 44 games since his NRL debut in 2022 and would be a handy pick-up for the Dolphins or Dragons, who both went within one win of making the finals last season.

I think we need to do better than 450 a year,,,, 550 sounds a lot better.. we don't want to lose him to a low ball offer

 

[mattw5]

I think we need to do better than 450 a year,,,, 550 sounds a lot better.. we don't want to lose him to a low ball offer

My exact thoughts he will be signed elsewhere by the end of the week if that's our offer waste of time pay him the 600K & get it done. Molo is on that or close to just release him makes no difference.

 

[hewi]

We sooo need a large body like Hazelton id happily pay $650,000 a year.