2025 recruitment & retention

[CRPSI eagle]

One of the reasons we bought Luke Brooks and let the fainus go was that the club thinks we are in a premiership window. They have said this for a few years. Hence why we are not investing in young players and playing for the short term.

We came 7th this year. How is that in a premiership window. We didn’t even come in the top 4.

So my issue is what’s our plan going forward so we don’t end up like the tigers.

The turbos and Dce are now at the back ends of their careers. Lehi looks like a replacement for turbo.

We have let humphries go. Brandy’s son and the other young half we signed from rugby are good but they are in year 12.

I will be very interested in how we go next year and what our recruitment looks like.

In my opinion this side is at its peak and will be lucky if play finals should we not improve our roster for 25,
1. Centre
2. Second rower (left)
3. Prop
4. Simpkins to start

 

[eaglebuzz]

The club have probably already made their moves and are just waiting for our season to be over before announcing signings.

 

[manly for ever]

Noticed the other day Jazz Tevaga started following manly on Instagram that should indicate something

 

[Eagle 1]

Id like to say no news is good news and you can all be confident our club is looking to replace the Shoe by leveraging a big name high quality young edge on getting a release. But after years of just craving even just depth at hooker. We all know it just ain't Gunna happen:-(

And in the meantime we hand over a lazy 200k to the Shyster, who is now at Sths, every year until the debt is paid off. Good money if you can get it.

 

[JakeyB789]

Having watched Tevaga a bit more closely since we've been linked with him my excitement has definitely dipped off a bit. He has some of the worst hands I've ever seen and looks pretty busted after a number of injuries over the years, he's also nearly 30. I'll give him a chance as I thought similar of Brown but I don't think he'll be any better than who we have now. It's telling the Warriors are letting him go and signing a very similar, but younger player with far more upside in Erin Clark.

Still a better potential signing than Chee Kam. I really hope we have a couple of surprise signings in the works because I can't see how we are meant to improve next year. DCE and Jake are getting worse by the year and will be another year older, we still haven't addressed the hooker position, the pack is still lacking a true leader and Lawton is leaving after making the left edge spot his own, after Burbo failed to do so himself. Could be a very quick finals appearance this year before we head back to the wilderness again!

 

[The Who]

Having watched Tevaga a bit more closely since we've been linked with him my excitement has definitely dipped off a bit. He has some of the worst hands I've ever seen and looks pretty busted after a number of injuries over the years, he's also nearly 30. I'll give him a chance as I thought similar of Brown but I don't think he'll be any better than who we have now. It's telling the Warriors are letting him go and signing a very similar, but younger player with far more upside in Erin Clark.

Still a better potential signing than Chee Kam. I really hope we have a couple of surprise signings in the works because I can't see how we are meant to improve next year. DCE and Jake are getting worse by the year and will be another year older, we still haven't addressed the hooker position, the pack is still lacking a true leader and Lawton is leaving after making the left edge spot his own, after Burbo failed to do so himself. Could be a very quick finals appearance this year before we head back to the wilderness again!

Sad, but true.
We do seem to be one of the few clubs which struggles to seal a big name signing. I guess Brooks was considered a 'catch', but we certainly do need a forward who is either an energetic, workaholic, tackler to tighten up our defence, or an enforcer to make our pack tough and feared.

 

[The Who]

Illawarra has released Alec Tuitavake, who was once among our much-touted promising juniors. He obviously didn't set the world on fire at Illawarra but he is a prop and would be looking for another chance to push his NRL credentials.
Tuitavake was released by Manly in 2023, along with Viliami Fifita who has gone on to play some NRL matches. At the time Silvertails went into a mini-meltdown about the club releasing such good young talent.
Anyone know more about Alec?

 

[maxta]

Alec copped a decent injury before heading over to Illawarra.....but still expected him to get an opportunity by now in a below average pack....had impact potential which seems to have diminished to not force a spot there, so wouldn't be too excited to have him back.
There is money available for some decent signings and these Chee Kam/ Tavaga types are more depth style additions and there will be bigger and better to come....the half Volkman has lots of upside and just wondering if a possible option at 9 ?

 

[mave]

RCG apparently staying in Sydney.

Are we a chance, with our imbalanced cap?

 

[The Who]

RCG apparently staying in Sydney.

Is it at the Manly Pacific?

 

[Eagle 1]

RCG apparently staying in Sydney.

Are we a chance, with our imbalanced cap?

Haven't the Dragons got him all signed up.

 

[Dee Why Eagle]

NRL Market Watch: Reagan Campbell-Gillard unwanted by Broncos, rift with Dragons​

Reagan Campbell-Gillard looks set to stay in Sydney after pricing himself out of the Broncos – but he won’t be at the Dragons after his management infuriated coach Shane Flanagan.

Peter Badel and Brent Read

less than 2 min read
September 12, 2024 - 8:19AM
News Sport Network
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...ee9d725a294fc2b281a9681606c2e?amp#share-tools
NRL: The NRL 360 panel chat through if Panthers star fullback Dylan Edwards is fully fit for finals week 1.
Departing Eels prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard is set to sign with a Sydney-based club despite revelations of an explosive showdown with Dragons coach Shane Flanagan.
A furious Flanagan hung up the phone on Campbell-Gillard’s management on Monday after the coach was informed ‘RCG’ had ruled out a rumoured move to the Dragons.
Flanagan was confident Campbell-Gillard was all but a done deal. So when he was advised the prop had a change of heart, the premiership coach saw red and snapped, hanging up on his agent.
Goodbye Dragons. The search for a new club continues.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard is looking for a new club. Picture: Getty Images
Brisbane emerged as the next shock destination for Campbell-Gillard in the wake of the Red V bust-up, but it’s understood the 31-year-old will not be wearing Broncos colours in 2025.
The Broncos have one spot available on their roster but Brisbane have salary-cap pressures and cannot afford Campbell-Gillard, who was on $775,000 this season.
The 31-year-old is currently on the lookout for a new home after the Eels confirmed a release for Campbell-Gillard for the 2025 season.
The former NSW prop is eyeing a three-year deal. It is understood Campbell-Gillard will remain in Sydney next year, although it won’t be with Wayne Bennett’s Rabbitohs, who, like the Broncos, have salary-cap constraints.
The Roosters are losing front-row enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves next season but have ruled out Campbell-Gillard as they blood monster teenager De La Salle Va’a, who made his NRL debut last week.

 

[Ben]

RCG apparently staying in Sydney.

Are we a chance, with our imbalanced cap?

Based on the article could only be Tigers, Sharks, Dogs or us. No to South’s, Saints, Roosters and you would say Penriths cap is full. I would say we’re in the market for a decent middle along with a back rower. Just not sure we have the funds for him, would be a great addition though.

 

[StuBoot]

I was think about RCG.
He's been granted a release from Parra without a club locked in.
I think he's got plenty to offer but the sticking point at his age is him wanting three years.

He's averaging over 20 games a year so he's durable and doesn't seem to get into too much trouble.

Worth a shot in my opinion, still seems to have the fire in his belly.

I suppose it all comes down to $$.

Also there's talk that Christian Welch be on the market too.

 

[The Who]

So what Sydney clubs would still be in the running for RCG?
Easts: yep, if they want him. Price would be no issue. RCG would be willing to play for pocket money because every footballer dreams of playing for Easts.
Wests: yep, and they would pay pay overs
Souths: Possibly
Cronulla: No. They have AFB coming
Penrith: Possibly. They have Papali coming but are losing Fisher-Harris
Canterbury. Yep. They seem to chase every available player
Manly: He'd certainly suits our needs. He's not worth $775 per season, and three years is a year too long imo.
I'd think he'll land at Wests or Canterbury, with Souths and Manly next best chances.

 

[JenEagle]

There is an old saying in NRL recruitment :

If you think you have enough props go and buy two more

 

[LeonardCohen]

There’s no chance we compete with the Dogs. Manly showed their hand when they re-signed Aloiai, upgraded Brown, and extended Paseka. There’s no money for RCG. Dogs have a real issue in the middle and Gus is obviously a big fan. He’ll be at the Dogs next year.

 

[Rocky]

And in the meantime we hand over a lazy 200k to the Shyster, who is now at Sths, every year until the debt is paid off. Good money if you can get it.

Almost every club has bad contracts. I read that Jackson Hastings is on 800k next year!


Signing Schuster on 800k was a massive blunder but getting out of it for only 200k a year was a good recovery all things considered. We also got guys like Brown and Talau on the cheap that have worked out. Swings and roundabouts.

 

[Eagle 1]

Almost every club has bad contracts. I read that Jackson Hastings is on 800k next year!


Signing Schuster on 800k was a massive blunder but getting out of it for only 200k a year was a good recovery all things considered. We also got guys like Brown and Talau on the cheap that have worked out. Swings and roundabouts.

Ours was a particularly bad contract, we signed him on what he did in 2021, then, 2yrs ago. We brushed aside all of Schu's mounting injuries history in a misguided faith in what he might produce on the footy field for us. But all's we got was a few sub standard games with the Blacktown workers instead.

 

[Rocky]

Ours was a particularly bad contract, we signed him on what he did in 2021, then, 2yrs ago. We brushed aside all of Schu's mounting injuries history in a misguided faith in what he might produce on the footy field for us. But all's we got was a few sub standard games with the Blacktown workers instead.

I wouldnt disagree with that - but rather pay him 200k to go than 800k not to play. That was my point.