The Rumours Thread

[possm]

So some think we should pay massive overs to get KK here .
Remember Bunt how did that go , f@#kn s!@t house from memory .
Ok so he ends up here on a mill a year . Then some of the young lads just , well turn out to be better , it happens .
Then you have a scenario where you lose one or two rising saints stars in the near future to keep a has been . As a lot of people have stated he's no where near a million dollar player , many say very over rated and he's injured.
Be careful what you wish for .

We need a big lump of a lad with good first grade experience to lead our yo9ung forwards.

 

[possm]

It helps to have a great nursery but having the club backed to the hilt seems to be more important, no better example than the successful rorters.
I think having a coach like bellyache who can set the bar high and is uncompromising and the players lift or go home. Simple.
He hasn't missed the finals yet has he?
Flannigan is also uncompromising, maybe if he built his own roster like bellyache did, you guys would be right up there.
Bellyache did have the luxury of having several superstars to build his club around , but still, the high bar was set from the getgo.

Defense was our main problem in season 2025.

 

[Nutz]

Defense was our main problem in season 2025.

Yes I agree, poor D is usually a discipline thing these days because these players are so fit.
We are gradually going back to having hard nosed coaches, exceptions of course.

 

[sammymills]

Well said.
I believe dodgy managers like Moses are given the tools and the keys to rip clubs apart.
They fill the heads of potential stars, like Lachlan Galvin, with world beater status after he has only just made his debut.
If you've got an hour spare I can explain and convince you that an NRL Apprenticeship Scheme would work.
It's the answer to problems like paying overs for potential, senior players getting more out of the cap as they have deserved it and you take away the unscrupulous power and behaviour of dodgy managers.

i would be interested to hear your thoughts

 

[Nutz]

i would be interested to hear your thoughts

Apprenticeship scheme?

 

[sammymills]

Apprenticeship scheme?

yes

 

[maestro1]

When Kyle was struggling with form, Glover should have been given a chance to shine.

Kyle shouldn't have been our halfback, but whilst the alternatives were Illias and Glover, there was no other choice. Glover wouldn't have improved anything as his defence is not in KFlanns league and his kicking game is worse (if that is even possible). People are dreaming if they think Glover would have improved anything.

 

[hewi]

https://archive.md/xv2fj

Proof will be in the pudding

 

[Macedonian Dragon]

A source who knows someone that knows Shane Flanagan personally told me that Shane Flanagan said he is confident we are getting Keaon and we have offered him a good deal (close to 5mil over 5 years). I was told this today but it was definitely before rabbits offered Keaon an improved 4 year deal.

I unfortunately still think Keaon stays at Rabbits but hope Anderson and Flanagan have worked some magic to get him to Dragons

 

[maestro1]

I think risk management is more about “if Glover doesn’t shine” but maybe Benny Bennet can make him shine from Rd 1 at the Bunnies !

Yabai !!!

Unless there are lots of injuries in the halves, Glover is starting behind Humphrey's, Ward, and Bud. I'd be really surprised if he sees even 1 NRL game. Even behind Kyle, he only needed 1 or 2 injuries to geta a crack. At Souths he needs 4 injuries.

 

[Nutz]

When Lachlan Galvin unceremoniously dumped us for made up crap from his manager to go to the dogs I thought there would have to be a better way to stop paying basically juniors overs before their tads have dropped and have only played a handful of games whilet edge players for example have busted their guts for years and get unders.
So the apprenticeship scheme.
Right now the NRL has 16–17-year-olds signed to “development deals”
There's no real mechanism to stop them from leveraging other clubs’ interest
It's increasing the cases where kids with no NRL games played command huge money and dumping clubs like WT investing heavily in juniors but losing them before an NRL debut.

An apprenticeship system would formalise this stage and create predictable pathways.
Every 17–19-year-old would follow the same structured contract model, reducing disputes and early bidding wars.
There would be protection for clubs
who invest in junior development and don’t lose players right before they peak.
There's protection for players too...
young players avoid being thrown into professional negotiation battles or “overhyped” too early.

Here is a workable model imo.
Stage 1 — Apprentice Contract (17–19 years)
Set length: 2 or 3 years
Set pay bands (e.g., $60k–$120k depending on “grade” or talent tier)
Cannot negotiate with other clubs until the final year.
Includes education, welfare, training, and game-time development. All players receive a training package which everyone learns from, no favoritism.
Limited NRL appearances allowed, maybe 6–8 games per season, similar to EPL academy players.
This is like an NRL version of the AFL’s Category B rookie or EPL youth academy contract.
Stage 2 — Rookie Upgrade (first full NRL season)
If a club wants to upgrade a player to the top 30 and pay more, they can offer a rookie extension (1–2 years)

Player must notify current club if approached (similar to NBA restricted free agency)
Club gets matching rights to keep them.
This stops the “sign a 7-figure deal at age 18 after one junior highlights video” problem.
Stage 3 — Free Negotiation (after apprenticeship)
After they finish the apprenticeship, normal contract rules begin.
This system stops teenagers from holding clubs hostage
Right now a 17-year-old with hype can threaten to leave a club unless upgraded.
An apprenticeship system locks them in during development and keeps money sensible

Prevents the “Joseph Sua'ali'i scenario” where teenagers become million-dollar players before playing consistently. It will be fairer for smaller clubs and the salary cap would be more effective.
Clubs like Canberra, Cowboys, Warriors who put big effort into development wouldn’t lose juniors to rich clubs after SG Ball/Flegg and it reduces pressure on kids
They can focus on development, not contract negotiations at 16–18.

Why don't we do it. The biggest stumbling block would be the Player Union (RLPA) objections.
The RLPA might argue that limiting a player’s earning potential violates free-market rights.
Legal questions??????
A rigid apprenticeship may be seen as restricting employment freedom — the NRL would need:
Clear welfare commitments
Minimum salaries
Education and mental health support
Parental/guardian approval for under-18s
Clubs exploiting the system.
Some worry that big clubs would stockpile “apprentices,” but you can prevent this by setting a maximum number of apprentices (e.g., 6 per club)

Having pathways tied to actual junior catchment areas.

Have you got another hour
Players are fit and sports medicine and training techniques have players playing into their 30's so let the kids develop properly and the NRL standard would be better no matter who you play for or where..

 

[mattw5]

A source who knows someone that knows Shane Flanagan personally told me that Shane Flanagan said he is confident we are getting Keaon and we have offered him a good deal (close to 5mil over 5 years). I was told this today but it was definitely before rabbits offered Keaon an improved 4 year deal.

I unfortunately still think Keaon stays at Rabbits but hope Anderson and Flanagan have worked some magic to get him to Dragons

Time will tell but i don't we have any hope to be honest. Have heard its a done deal at Parra and then today saying its a done deal at Souths haven't seen anything yet to suggest he is coming unless this is his manager putting it out there to squeeze a bit more money out of us because we can probably afford to pay 1.2m

 

[mattw5]

Any news on Murray Taulagi? or all gone quiet?

I am starting to feel the same my source keeps saying its happening but I don't understand the delay in saying that nothing we ever do is quick!

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

Unless there are lots of injuries in the halves, Glover is starting behind Humphrey's, Ward, and Bud. I'd be really surprised if he sees even 1 NRL game. Even behind Kyle, he only needed 1 or 2 injuries to geta a crack. At Souths he needs 4 injuries.

Agree unless he level jumps like some on this forum thought he could

I personally think he is solid without being a NRL 10yr type player nor a 2yr

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

I am starting to feel the same my source keeps saying it’s happening but I don't understand the delay in saying that nothing we ever do is quick!

My hunch is we may have upped our offer again and he wants 5yrs from Souths but maybe not at same $ we are offering

souths maybe have said if that is the only sticking point let’s find a win win?

 

[Dragsters]

My hunch is we may have upped our offer again and he wants 5yrs from Souths but maybe not at same $ we are offering

souths maybe have said if that is the only sticking point let’s find a win win?

I think he was referring to Tualagi.

 

[possm]

Kyle shouldn't have been our halfback, but whilst the alternatives were Illias and Glover, there was no other choice. Glover wouldn't have improved anything as his defence is not in KFlanns league and his kicking game is worse (if that is even possible). People are dreaming if they think Glover would have improved anything.

If Kyle were selected as 14, I'm sure he would do a good job of it.

 

[UDGE]

And that star player could be one season-ending injury away from putting us back where we started from. Much rather we invested in junior pathways like Penrith, Storm, Raiders and Broncos.

Exactly yes

 

[hewi]

https://archive.md/OWh2m

sad

 

[The Word]

https://archive.md/OWh2m

sad

Stupid more like