The Rumours Thread

[Dragsters]

Upgrading Keaon's contract for 2026 is an option but is it even allowed? Manly wanted to downgrade Tom Trbojevic's contract and the NRL didn't allow it. Not sure about the rules. So a club can upgrade a players contract that has already been signed but not downgrade it?

Dunno for sure but I think the Tom thing was more about downgrading to significantly less than his perceived market value.

I could be wrong here.

 

[twinkletoes]

Wow a few things

moale having to happen probably made things drag out for KK and extra $in 2026

Bennett must have rated him highly so that was good we had the same view and went hard

so what is plan B ?

hmmmm

So here we are at Christmas and despite the big talk of signing 2 or 3 players we have not signed 1 first grade NRL player on Anderson's watch, not 1...am I missing something

 

[VodkaSaint]

So here we are at Christmas and despite the big talk of signing 2 or 3 players we have not signed 1 first grade NRL player on Anderson's watch, not 1...am I missing something

easy for anyone to sign players at the roosters

 

[2218]

Wow a few things

moale having to happen probably made things drag out for KK and extra $in 2026

Bennett must have rated him highly so that was good we had the same view and went hard

so what is plan B ?

hmmmm

Lindsey SMITH?

 

[Macedonian Dragon]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=DTWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2Fsport%2Fnrl%2Fdamien-cook-wont-pressure-keaon-koloamatangi-to-sign-with-dragons-despite-pitching-new-club-to-former-teammate%2Fnews-story%2F7fe9b9d46b013b56dd5204233a190551&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=LOW-Segment-2-SCORE

Full article:
Damien Cook is more than ready to welcome Keaon Koloamatangi to St George Illawarra if his former South Sydney teammate decides to make the switch to the Dragons as the race to sign the Australian forward heats up.

Cook and Koloamatangi are no strangers, with the pair close from their days together at the Rabbitohs where they led the side just shy of a grand final victory in 2021. Cook has since returned to the Dragons as co-captain and is using his relationship with Koloamatangi to help close the deal.

“I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t spoken to him,” Cook said.

“He’s someone I’ve a very biased opinion of because I played alongside him and I know what he brings and I’d love to have him here at the club.”

Cook was on hand to launch a new partnership for the Dragons with JAC Motors coming on board as a sponsor for the NRL and NRLW teams.

The two stars were key to the Rabbitohs 2021 grand final appearance.
The two stars were key to the Rabbitohs 2021 grand final appearance.
The car company will feature on the front of the club’s shorts from next season.

The hooker has relished a new home and opportunity under Shane Flanagan at the Dragons in 2025, and he believes Koloamatangi, still with his best footy ahead of him, will feel the same.

It comes as Koloamatangi weighs up a contract extension with South Sydney or switching to the Dragons or Parramatta.

“He’s a special player,” Cook said.

“The scary thing with him, is that he’s got so much more room to grow.

“We haven’t seen the best of him yet. He’s one of the best props or locks in the game and he can do a great job on the back row as well.

Keaon Koloamatangi’s stellar season was rewarded with a Kangaroos selection. Picture: Jess Hornby/Getty Images
Keaon Koloamatangi’s stellar season was rewarded with a Kangaroos selection. Picture: Jess Hornby/Getty Images
“Watching him from a young age to now, he’s a real leader of a pack and he’s the real leader of whatever team he’ll play with. I’d love to have him alongside me here again and to have that combination with him once more would be great.”

Cook laughed at suggestions he may have chipped in for Koloamatangi’s helicopter ride to Wollongong, but admitted any decision for change as he himself made 12 months ago can always be daunting.

“I don’t want to put much pressure on him, I’ll let him make his best decision, what he thinks for his family,” Cook said.

“He’s obviously coming from a great club as well, so it would be a tough decision for him. It’s something I’ve had to do, it is something I have loved as well.

“I wish him all the best with that, but hopefully we’ll see him here.”

 

[twinkletoes]

easy for anyone to sign players at the roosters

DCE, Robson, Garrick… should I go on. My point is we have a new recruitment manager who hasn’t signed a single First grade player to bolster our roster, which we desperately
Need… or do you think not

 

[2218]

DCE, Robson, Garrick… should I go on. My point is we have a new recruitment manager who hasn’t signed a single First grade player to bolster our roster, which we desperately
Need… or do you think not

im pretty sure most people will agree that we need some top talent to compliment our roster. Anderson has a pretty good track record in coaching and spent the last 6 years recruiting for easts which im sure you will agree was pretty successful. He's only been here 6 months and signed some great juniors and while there aint much quality available we are still in the running for KK and I heard he's been enquiring about Lindsey SMITH. Give him some time

 

[redandwhite4evr]

im pretty sure most people will agree that we need some top talent to compliment our roster. Anderson has a pretty good track record in coaching and spent the last 6 years recruiting for easts which im sure you will agree was pretty successful. He's only been here 6 months and signed some great juniors and while there aint much quality available we are still in the running for KK and I heard he's been enquiring about Lindsey SMITH. Give him some time

Probably the toughest market to buy a quality player in many a year with the few talented players having so many options- particularly the new clubs coming on board. Lots of factors (tax, travel etc) coming into the equation as well so if it was my son on the market, I'd be definitely advising him to take his time. Ando now has a toe hold in the elite NZ schoolboy Rugby market where the Roosters in particular have lorded it over us for years with their links to the Eastern Suburbs GPS and Associated schools. Definitely some green shoots on the recruiting horizon.

 

[mattw5]

Did any platinum members on here get to speak to Tim Watsford today at the partnership launch and actually ask about KK or anything in general?

I unfortunately couldn't make it after they re-scheduled the event.

 

[Ronnie Dobbs]

When it comes down to it, trying to sell a piece of shit as piece of chocolate cake is an impossible task, no matter how much icing you put on it.

At least we look like we’re trying to bake that chocolate cake now, but the place smells like rotten shit and there’s no one to blame for that but the arseholes who have presided over the decay.

Merry Christmas all.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

Yeah sometimes I don’t know if im a shit or a soft drink

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

When it comes down to it, trying to sell a piece of shit as piece of chocolate cake is an impossible task, no matter how much icing you put on it.

At least we look like we’re trying to bake that chocolate cake now, but the place smells like rotten shit and there’s no one to blame for that but the arseholes who have presided over the decay.

Merry Christmas all.

I mean no one likes to have a shit sandwich land on your table when u thought u ordered pastrami

I just hang in there a little delusional sometimes hoping that the best NY Reuben is going to be served up real soon as I’m a little peckish for some success

it’s been a minute

 

[The Word]

My opinion for what it’s worth, the reason it’s taking so long is because KK is seriously considering the offers to leave the club. I believe we are definitely in the game. But it’s a three way fight so we have a 1 in 3 chance. Could be an awesome Christmas present. But if we don’t get him I’m not going to cry myself to sleep.

 

[redV06]

 

[Mojo]

DCE, Robson, Garrick… should I go on. My point is we have a new recruitment manager who hasn’t signed a single First grade player to bolster our roster, which we desperately
Need… or do you think not

My opinion for what it’s worth, the reason it’s taking so long is because KK is seriously considering the offers to leave the club. I believe we are definitely in the game. But it’s a three way fight so we have a 1 in 3 chance. Could be an awesome Christmas present. But if we don’t get him I’m not going to cry myself to sleep.

I agree (but I just might shed a tear in the worst case scenario).

 

[Mojo]

View attachment 108536

I’ve always liked this guy - just because.

 

[shiloh dc]

Sorry Claytons signing - the signing you have when you don't have any other signing.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

Train and trial NsW cup for Connor u would guess

I think it’s the right thing to do

 

[Ronnie Dobbs]

I mean no one likes to have a shit sandwich land on your table when u thought u ordered pastrami

I just hang in there a little delusional sometimes hoping that the best NY Reuben is going to be served up real soon as I’m a little peckish for some success

it’s been a minute

They’re bloody sensational. Katz’s NYC.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

They’re bloody sensational. Katz’s NYC.

Katz and a few others others are sex for the taste buds

don’t u feel like u are just rockn it when in NYC eating Reuben’s !!!

I believe the original was actually silverside as we know it - that was what I was told over the years when in NYC etc

so good 🫶