2026 recruitment & retention

[Ohgeez]

Oh no.
We are swapping Nathan Brown for a Wests Tigers dud.
What a surprise!

Ex-Origin duo linked with shock player swap deal

Bird will be a decent option at 14 at least. Brown doesn’t offer us anything next year

 

[maxta]

Bird will be a decent option at 14 at least. Brown doesn’t offer us anything next year

True story - Bird is far more versatile and still 30yo....he is not as far "off the pace" as Browny who let's be real - in the end just added the value off the back fence to get the crowd into the game ... I respect him having a dig and in his own way added inspiration, but time to wave and say 'Thx for ya service Browny"

 

[effnic]

Does our Recruitment person live in Balmain by any chance?

 

[double hoops]

How does bird assist unless it free's up cash to afford Moale. It's not a top 30 spot but a re jig of finances. For that to happen Bird must be cheaper than Brown in 2025? So if Bird is on 400k in 25. How much is Browny on in 2025?

 

[Smokin Joe]

He is the perfect bench player,lock,edge,5/8,centre.
Like having a version of Wighton on on the bench.

 

[swoop]

Reuben Porter played 8 1st grade game and looked pretty good, missed out when the Fainu's arrived, would be a cheap backup 2nd rower

 

[Nordburg]

There are a lot of people that obviously didn’t watch the Dragons/Tigers the last few years

 

[Kiwi Eagle]

That Fifita fella we punted a few years back is apparently on the way back

 

[Buddy Love]

At least Bird plays more and can provide depth on the edge.

I suppose he's better than brown. I will miss brown getting smashed every time he came off the back fence lol

 

[double hoops]

That Fifita fella we punted a few years back is apparently on the way back

2nd tier contract? He really wasn't going any where near Top grade at the Goon.

 

[Buddy Love]

2nd tier contract? He really wasn't going any where near Top grade at the Goon.

And they had loads of injuries in the forwards

 

[mickqld]

Wow we really are scraping the bottom. Swapping has been Brown for has been Bird and getting back an ex 2nd grader who couldn't make it at a club that was worse than us. Such a power house club we are these days. FMD.

 

[The Wheel]

I’m hoping Siebs is playing 5D chess - release Brown from Top 30, bring in bird on some Dev type contract. A credible back up edge player in an emergency.

This frees up space for Davvy Moale in 2026??

 

[Nordburg]

I’m hoping Siebs is playing 5D chess - release Brown from Top 30, bring in bird on some Dev type contract. A credible back up edge player in an emergency.

This frees up space for Davvy Moale in 2026??

Bird,who is on more $$ at the Tigers in 2026 than Brown,is not leaving there to take up a Dev. contract at Manly

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Bird,who is on more $$ at the Tigers in 2026 than Brown,is not leaving there to take up a Dev. contract at Manly

Well I'm pretty sure he wouldn't be coming on the promise of a regular first grade gig. He wouldn't be on big money, having been let go to Wests by St George.
He's probably been told Benji will be prioritising some of their young talent next year.
Whereas at Manly he'll at least have a shot at a regular bench spot, or even as fill in 2nd row if injuries hit.

 

[mickqld]

Well I'm pretty sure he wouldn't be coming on the promise of a regular first grade gig. He wouldn't be on big money, having been let go to Wests by St George.
He's probably been told Benji will be prioritising some of their young talent next year.
Whereas at Manly he'll at least have a shot at a regular bench spot, or even as fill in 2nd row if injuries hit.

Yeah that's great. Unlike most clubs in the nrl who are trying to develop young talent we continue to pursue washed up aging hacks who've not made it at several clubs , looking for 1 last retirement fund contract. Proven failures who somehow would miraculously take us to the top 4 promised land. What a circus we've become.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Yeah that's great. Unlike most clubs in the nrl who are trying to develop young talent we continue to pursue washed up aging hacks who've not made it at several clubs , looking for 1 last retirement fund contract. Proven failures who somehow would miraculously take us to the top 4 promised land. What a circus we've become.

What have you got against circuses? can be pretty good!

 

[Nordburg]

Well I'm pretty sure he wouldn't be coming on the promise of a regular first grade gig. He wouldn't be on big money, having been let go to Wests by St George.
He's probably been told Benji will be prioritising some of their young talent next year.
Whereas at Manly he'll at least have a shot at a regular bench spot, or even as fill in 2nd row if injuries hit.

Yes,that could all be true,but he won’t be coming to Manly on a Dev. deal

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Anyway look on the bright side. Maybe signing Fifita means we won't keep Lodge, and can get Moale for next season. (Possibly?)
We need depth at second row. we have a top young player in Hart who may debut next year but wouldn't yet be expected to play more than a small number of games.