2025 recruitment & retention

[frank stokes]

Wel

Chooks have just lost JWH and Tupounuia, but suddenly don't need a 24yo prop who played every game this year, plays extremely long minutes (average 45, played 80 min in one game!) 97.8% tackle efficiency, plus 40 offloads ... and is only on $450K... yep, nothing to see here.

And yeah I know they have 2 other good young forwards in Siua Wong and Nafahu Whyte (hey, maybe May's problem is that he has trouble telling Whyte from Wong?)

Well played SER8...

Maybe he did simply shish kebab another players GF? If so who cares so long as we do not sign the other player too...

 

[TJ55]

On the Bulldogs, you can get linked to 20 players but that doesn't cost a cent against your cap, only signing players does.

They wont be signing Papy...and Hunt....and Thompson....and May.

Media links are media links

After the Fox sacking it would free the up a bit, a few players are yet to be resigned Sexton the halfback is only on 250k so not big money. Thompson & May are a possibility imo,paps etc not. Terrel May I reckon could land at the Eels they seem to be lacking signings big time

 

[Kiwi Eagle]

Brandon Smith, Latrell Mitchell, Kalyn Ponga... all more senior than Terrell and you cannot tell me that they are not worth an NRL contract because they were partying one night and someone pulled out a camera?

Anyone who thinks our current NRL squad are purer-than-the-driven-snow is kidding themselves...

It may be that there is a yet-to-be-released issue that is an absolute deal-breaker to signing him but so far I am not aware of one... and the "his-brothers-are-w*nkers-so-he-obviously-is-too" line is not doing it for me....

This kid (well he is 26) is a potential game-changer to our squad for mine...

I haven’t said they he isn’t worth an NRL contract, I’ve said I would look at the alarm bells around him and take a wide berth, as I don’t think he is worth the risk

Facts in front of us, his 2 brothers are absolute flogs, that doesn’t mean Terrell will be, but you’d think it should be a good wake up call to not put himself into situations like he ended up doing, no crime, but a red flag

After a break out season where he was even discussed among rep selection, his current club are looking to punt him out of nowhere, large red flag number 2

I’ll add that if we did sign him, it wouldn’t have a Lodge type impact on me at all, I’m not strong against him like the Lodge signing, I’m just not sure he is worth the risk that may be associated with him

 

[frank stokes]

I haven’t said they he isn’t worth an NRL contract, I’ve said I would look at the alarm bells around him and take a wide berth, as I don’t think he is worth the risk

Facts in front of us, his 2 brothers are absolute flogs, that doesn’t mean Terrell will be, but you’d think it should be a good wake up call to not put himself into situations like he ended up doing, no crime, but a red flag

After a break out season where he was even discussed among rep selection, his current club are looking to punt him out of nowhere, large red flag number 2

I’ll add that if we did sign him, it wouldn’t have a Lodge type impact on me at all, I’m not strong against him like the Lodge signing, I’m just not sure he is worth the risk that may be associated with him

I get your points mate, my counter 0oints are
1. We dont know why he was sacked but I doubt it is Walker, AFB or Lodge territory or we would know about it
2. Rorters have amazing forward depth and may be lining up for a play at Hunt/paps
3. He would be a massive addition to our squad

 

[BOZO]

problem is that he has trouble telling Whyte from Wong?)

Ha ha ha
Good one SER8 !

 

[frank stokes]

Interesting read... may be less (more??) to this than the assumptions and innuendo on the twittagram...

For mine, unless he killed a bloke (OK, maybe even if he stabbed some guy at a church dance), then Manly should be doing their sums and working out how this can happen...

'This smells': Roosters great questions call to let prop go

'Something's gone on here'

www.nine.com.au

 

[LeonardCohen]

Without getting personal, I find it absolutely laughable that anyone honestly thinks he is being released due to the cap?! Like seriously, it’s the Roosters and he is not even on big coin. He just signed a two year deal at 475k. That’s pocket money in the NRL…they’ve just said goodbye to Keary, Sualii’i, Hargreaves and Manu. It’s definitely not a cap concern. They’ve got more room than just about anyone else in the NRL and are losing their forward leader.

 

[manly al]

So no obligation to definitely include Taukeiaho in the main squad with the train and trial offer ,
Not much happening in recent times with the Bateman proposition and maybe something like 350 k on offer there .
Now May with his current or officially stated 475 k contract on the market also but does not seem any overly enthusiastic interest from Manly .
Fair chance that none of these considerations will materialize as additions for Manly in 24 .
Plenty of speculation with this grouping but what of Bully 's and Talau's contract or future Manly contract situation now that Nov the i st has arrived .
These two would seem more of a priority to me to secure longer term

 

[frank stokes]

Without getting personal, I find it absolutely laughable that anyone honestly thinks he is being released due to the cap?! Like seriously, it’s the Roosters and he is not even on big coin. He just signed a two year deal at 475k. That’s pocket money in the NRL…they’ve just said goodbye to Keary, Sualii’i, Hargreaves and Manu. It’s definitely not a cap concern. They’ve got more room than just about anyone else in the NRL and are losing their forward leader.

Take your point but Manu's money went to Walker and they have recently signed / re-signed / upgraded Leniu, Collins, Butcher and Crighton..

Upgrade also coming for Watson (origin) and Whyte and Wong signed til 2026... PLUS rumour is that Manu will be back mid-season, Teddy is a $1M/yr player, Smith circa $800K...

They dont just have $1M a season laying around for Paps and/or Hunt and they have the best young forward roster in NRL (there are blokes that have filled in this year that are better than half our pack)...

I am sure SOMETHING happened but if it aint criminal than tbh idgaf as the kid is a gun...

 

[The '47ers]

Heard a rumour he slept with Connor Watson's wife lmao. Can't verify the accuracy of that, but that would certainly get him kicked lol.

Plausible, that Watson is one ugly pugface.

 

[Disco]

If we are talking a bit of fantasy manager, I'd love May, Bateman (Tigers tipping in) and Volkman.

I know Alioai just resigned and Waddell (allegedly) but happy to let either go if the got offers, same for James and Matterson.

Even Croker as much as a fighter as his been, if he got an opportunity Elsewhere he could take it IMO (Parra?)

1.T Trbojevic
2.Saab
3.Talau
4.Koula
5.Garrick
6.Brooks
7.DCE
8.Paseka
9.Simpkin
10.May
11.Olakau'atu
12.Bateman
13.J Trbojevic

14.Hopoate
15.Bullemor
16.Tevaga
17.Brown

18.B Trbojevic

19.Navale
20.Toff
21.Faulalo
22.Schoupp
23.Vaega
24.GCKT
25.Arthur

Those last 5 spots for forwards, either the remainders of the above I mentioned, some youngsters or Moneyball pickups.

Ie Waddell, Taukeuahio, Miller etc.

Then Lafai, Volkman etc in the dev squad.

Pure fantasy there but personally I like it

 

[LeonardCohen]

Take your point but Manu's money went to Walker and they have recently signed / re-signed / upgraded Leniu, Collins, Butcher and Crighton..

Upgrade also coming for Watson (origin) and Whyte and Wong signed til 2026... PLUS rumour is that Manu will be back mid-season, Teddy is a $1M/yr player, Smith circa $800K...

They dont just have $1M a season laying around for Paps and/or Hunt and they have the best young forward roster in NRL (there are blokes that have filled in this year that are better than half our pack)...

I am sure SOMETHING happened but if it aint criminal than tbh idgaf as the kid is a gun...

Like I said, anyone that believes it’s Roosters freeing up cap space is seriously delusional.

One possible alternative to the ‘off-field’ theory is his late season form probably increased his value significantly from his 475k contract. Maybe his manager tried to agitate for an upgrade or can see an opportunity to sign for considerably more at the Dogs…I know the Chooks get very funny about being backed into a corner by managers and may be upset that he just signed a deal and is already looking for more…just a thought.

 

[frank stokes]

Like I said, anyone that believes it’s Roosters freeing up cap space is seriously delusional.

One possible alternative to the ‘off-field’ theory is his late season form probably increased his value significantly from his 475k contract. Maybe his manager tried to agitate for an upgrade or can see an opportunity to sign for considerably more at the Dogs…I know the Chooks get very funny about being backed into a corner by managers and may be upset that he just signed a deal and is already looking for more…just a thought.

You may be on the money... everybody seems to be saying it is not off-field related so your scenario is a definite possibility...

could also be that he does not fit their culture and they would prefer to spend his coin elsewhere - but, considering he was recently resigned, that probs means he has had a falling out with someone...

I could care less - if it aint related to criminality then I WANT him at Manly... we do have unfilled spots in our top 30 but I doubt there is enough space for a forward of his quality who will probs be looking at $600K+ on the open market...

 

[double hoops]

I agree with Alioia the last deal he was on 600K a season, it makes that 475K May was getting at the Rorters looking like a tremendous bargain, though we do need some depth with the middles.

I looked at the strongest part of the squad and I thought the depth in the 3/4 line is very good, looking at the highest remuneration being paid to an individual player there is Koula and Garrick.

Koula has plenty of upside and with youth on his side will be a better player as he grows.

Garrick is the one for me he could still get a contract where the club wouldn’t have to pay any freight and at 27 years of age he has probably reached his ceiling.

I got no idea what AOA re-signed for given club only offered Lodge $150k. It may not be the $500k folks think.

But AOA and James Is where I’d be looking. I could see both getting picked up elsewhere or being a handful in the UK. With the speed of the game just getting quicker and quicker. It’s getting hard to find a spot for all our big men.

 

[Ryan]

If we are talking a bit of fantasy manager, I'd love May, Bateman (Tigers tipping in) and Volkman.

I know Alioai just resigned and Waddell (allegedly) but happy to let either go if the got offers, same for James and Matterson.

Even Croker as much as a fighter as his been, if he got an opportunity Elsewhere he could take it IMO (Parra?)

1.T Trbojevic
2.Saab
3.Talau
4.Koula
5.Garrick
6.Brooks
7.DCE
8.Paseka
9.Simpkin
10.May
11.Olakau'atu
12.Bateman
13.J Trbojevic

14.Hopoate
15.Bullemor
16.Tevaga
17.Brown

18.B Trbojevic

19.Navale
20.Toff
21.Faulalo
22.Schoupp
23.Vaega
24.GCKT
25.Arthur

Those last 5 spots for forwards, either the remainders of the above I mentioned, some youngsters or Moneyball pickups.

Ie Waddell, Taukeuahio, Miller etc.

Then Lafai, Volkman etc in the dev squad.

Pure fantasy there but personally I like it

Well thought of mate. We absolutely need to change up the forwards and become more agile (2025 type team). I'd go with:

01. Tom Trbojevic
02. Jason Saab
03. Tolu Koula
04. Tommy Talau
05. Lehi Hopoate
06. Luke Brooks
07. Daly Cherry-Evans
08. Taniela Paseka
09. Jake Simpkin
10. Terrell May
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12.
13. Caleb Navale

14. Jake Arthur
15. Josh Aloiai
16. Ethan Bullemor
17.

Yep, guys like Croker, Jake Turbo, Ben Turbo, Brown, Lodge, Sipley, James, Tevaga miss out, but they are too slow for today's game. Also, Garrick had a terrible year (particularly defensively), and we have better options now. Any of those players could find an alternative home to create cap space. Being kind and loyal has literally gotten us nowhere, and this bringing in aged, broken, over the hill forwards isn't cutting it.

 

[JakeyB789]

The last couple of lineups posted here look fantastic even if they are a bit unrealistic. Just dreaming a bit further here but a Garrick for May swap sounds pretty good. Roosters have lost Manu and Suaali'i so he can keep playing his favourite position there and they'll also need a kicker while Walker misses the first part of the year. We can then give Talau and Koula full time spots in the centres with Lehi on the wing, we already have plenty of depth behind them with Schoupp, Faulalo, Vaega anyway

Won't be popular because Garrick is well liked by the fans and playing group but he lost a fair bit of that aura this year IMO. Even if he moves back to the wing he's still on at least 700k which is way too much for a winger (To'o is supposedly on 625k for reference). Need some balance in the roster/salary cap and we all know front row has been our biggest weakness (alongside hooker) since AFB left. Running the same side with Tevaga sprinkled in there isn't going to get us any further next year, time to get a bit creative.

 

[Go manly]

Use Garrick to get Wishart
He wants to move from Melbourne ( city not club)to be closer to home
Could easily be travel buddies

 

[Disco]

Well thought of mate. We absolutely need to change up the forwards and become more agile (2025 type team). I'd go with:

01. Tom Trbojevic
02. Jason Saab
03. Tolu Koula
04. Tommy Talau
05. Lehi Hopoate
06. Luke Brooks
07. Daly Cherry-Evans
08. Taniela Paseka
09. Jake Simpkin
10. Terrell May
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12.
13. Caleb Navale

14. Jake Arthur
15. Josh Aloiai
16. Ethan Bullemor
17.

Yep, guys like Croker, Jake Turbo, Ben Turbo, Brown, Lodge, Sipley, James, Tevaga miss out, but they are too slow for today's game. Also, Garrick had a terrible year (particularly defensively), and we have better options now. Any of those players could find an alternative home to create cap space. Being kind and loyal has literally gotten us nowhere, and this bringing in aged, broken, over the hill forwards isn't cutting it.

IMO we are a worse team without Jake in it. He is the glue both on and off the field. And whilst I agree the pack on a whole needs to be be more agile that doesn't mean there isn't space for a player of Jakes quaility.

 

[Uber Eagle 72]

Will be interesting to see what wheeling and dealing is done during the off season. It’s certainly going to be what likely makes or breaks season 2025… as we got flogged in ruck during the back end of the season when it mattered most. Hoping we can unearth some new young talent as well.

 

[BOZO]

2024 GARRICK STATS
24 games
48 tackles breaks
12 line breaks
123 ave running meters
8 try assists
10 run away tries
81 goals @ 77%
86 % tackle efficiency
2025 GARRICK STAYS