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The Rumours Thread

TheRev

Coach
Messages
14,394
Flanno did have a crack at Dearden last time before he extended for a very long time:
1769574900830.png

That does seem massive unders though if correct (and no doubt TPA's on top), if its us having another nibble I like that we are hunting big.. not that we can legally talk to him mind you.... but if his partner is in the hills district.. thats a long way away from Wollongong.. unless they intend to move.. so I doubt its us.. but Id also be surprised if Parra could keep Moses+Dearden on the books, I guess there are a few other western sydney clubs..
 

possm

Coach
Messages
17,574
An Australian rep is not signing a short term contract to then be shunted for a junior if that junior develops. Deardon will want top dollars and a lengthy contract to secure his future. He is proven at the top level and I would sign him as we would be set for the next 5 or so years for half or 5/8 with him.
Deardon would be given an interim job with full permission to negotiate with other clubs for season 2027 on. I'd say this is an ideal situation for him as there wooul be no need to make rash decisions and plenty of time to sort out his future whiling living much closer to his girlfriend.
 

BlackDuckSaint

Juniors
Messages
980
Flanno did have a crack at Dearden last time before he extended for a very long time:
View attachment 109236

That does seem massive unders though if correct (and no doubt TPA's on top), if its us having another nibble I like that we are hunting big.. not that we can legally talk to him mind you.... but if his partner is in the hills district.. thats a long way away from Wollongong.. unless they intend to move.. so I doubt its us.. but Id also be surprised if Parra could keep Moses+Dearden on the books, I guess there are a few other western sydney clubs..
We never formally had a crack at him cause he signed before the Nov 1 deadline.

This was during the period Flanno was saying he was gonna have a crack at everyone, offering Manu the Captaincy etc.
 

possm

Coach
Messages
17,574
2026 NRL Team
1. Holmes
2. TU
3. Suli
4. Gutherson
5. Fale
6. Atkinson
7. O’Neil
8. Kerr
9. Cook
10.T Couchman
11. Leilua
12. Su’A
13. Stewart

14. Flanagan
15. Tonga
16. Guler
17. Halangahu

2026 Reserve Grade
1. Sloan
2. Feagai
3. Buchanan
4. Lawson
5. CT
6. LKT
7. Reed
8. Sele
9. TBA
10. R Couchman
11. Stanley-Traill
12. Tsougranis
13. Webster
14. TBA
15. Lawrie
16. Sele
17. TBA
 
Last edited:

maestro1

First Grade
Messages
5,487
An Australian rep is not signing a short term contract to then be shunted for a junior if that junior develops. Deardon will want top dollars and a lengthy contract to secure his future. He is proven at the top level and I would sign him as we would be set for the next 5 or so years for half or 5/8 with him.
Exactly.....I can't believe posters are coming up with reason why not to sign Dearden. He immediately becomes our best player if we were LUCKY enough to jag him.
 

maestro1

First Grade
Messages
5,487
2026 NRL Team
1. Holmes
2. TU
3. Suli
4. Gutherson
5. Fale
6. Atkinson
7. O’Neil
8. Kerr
9. Cook
10.T Couchman
11. Leilua
12. Su’A
13. Stewart

14. Flanagan
15. Tonga
16. Guler
17. Halangahu

2026 Reserve Grade
1. Sloan
2. Feagai
3. Buchanan
4. Lawson
5. CT
6. LKT
7. Reed
8. Sele
9. TBA
10. R Couchman
11. Stanley-Traill
12. Tsougranis
13. Webster
14. TBA
15. Lawrie
16. Sele
17. TBA
If he is fit, Sele replaces Guler and RCouchman is more NRL than reserve grade.
 

maestro1

First Grade
Messages
5,487
Flanno did have a crack at Dearden last time before he extended for a very long time:
View attachment 109236

That does seem massive unders though if correct (and no doubt TPA's on top), if its us having another nibble I like that we are hunting big.. not that we can legally talk to him mind you.... but if his partner is in the hills district.. thats a long way away from Wollongong.. unless they intend to move.. so I doubt its us.. but Id also be surprised if Parra could keep Moses+Dearden on the books, I guess there are a few other western sydney clubs..
If true, Roosters and Dogs have a crack .....for sure
 

Trifili13

Juniors
Messages
2,480
Deardon would be given an interim job with full permission to negotiate with other clubs for season 2027 on. I'd say this is an ideal situation for him as there wooul be no need to make rash decisions and plenty of time to sort out his future whiling living much closer to his girlfriend.
I like your enthusiasm Possm but Deardon or any other top level player doesn't move clubs for an interim period so they can then make up their minds what they are going to do the year after. They will want top dollar and a lengthy contract to secure their future. Otherwise, in Deardon's case, he will stay at the Cows until he decides his next move.
 

SnowDragon

Juniors
Messages
1,181
On a rumour, I’d call his agent and ask. If there is any truth, and he is interested in us, we will want that chat.
 

possm

Coach
Messages
17,574
I like your enthusiasm Possm but Deardon or any other top level player doesn't move clubs for an interim period so they can then make up their minds what they are going to do the year after. They will want top dollar and a lengthy contract to secure their future. Otherwise, in Deardon's case, he will stay at the Cows until he decides his next move.
For example, if the Roosters don't have room now (Cherry-Evens) until 2028, then it could make sense. By then we should have a much cheaper Reed ready for first-grade.
 

Trifili13

Juniors
Messages
2,480
For example, if the Roosters don't have room now (Cherry-Evens) until 2028, then it could make sense. By then we should have a much cheaper Reed ready for first-grade.
So we should sign a top rep player as a stop gap for 1 year and run the risk he leaves to another club and cross our fingers that a junior is ready or is up to first grade standard in a year or 2?
 

possm

Coach
Messages
17,574
So we should sign a top rep player as a stop gap for 1 year and run the risk he leaves to another club and cross our fingers that a junior is ready or is up to first grade standard in a year or 2?
Two years. We have so many options, for example, a Deardon/Reed halves combo if that is what the club and Deardon wants.
 

maestro1

First Grade
Messages
5,487
We have the room under our cap. In 2027, there will be an opportunity for more spending as Lawrie and Slooan will have completed their contracts.
There was an article by FOX about the Roosters "War chest" after 2026 when Marky Mark and Angus Chrichton and Daniel Tupou retire. Remembering that the Roosters went out of their way to say that Marky Mark was not on a big contract (that suddenly changes now). Daniel Tupou is on winger money. I'm not buying it that they have any more than anyone else, as they have to upgrade so many players who played so well in 2025 .....Nafua Whyte, sia Wong, Sam Walker, Rob Toia, Blake Steep, Savala, to name a few. They've also brought in Robson, DCE, Junior, Garrick and Talau
 

Trifili13

Juniors
Messages
2,480
Two years. We have so many options, for example, a Deardon/Reed halves combo if that is what the club and Deardon wants.
Not against signing Deardon, in fact I am all for it. However, it is unlikely he would only sign for 2 years, it would have to be 3+ as he would want security and we would be competing with clubs that would offer him a long term contract and arguably similar money to what we would offer.
 

TheRev

Coach
Messages
14,394
If we could somehow sign dearden we would sign him long... No way we would give up a longterm captain and genuine rep level halfback for reed who is years away from even maybe making first grade.. If he gets there.. And if he succeeds from there is a low %. Not to mention Atkinson can play other positions anyway.. Or we would have the blessed situation of moving someone on due to having too much talent.. We can only dream..
 
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