2026 recruitment & retention

[Buddy Love]

Bulldogs HAVE recruited well but anyone who thinks they aren’t operating with the Sombero conditions of the Rorters is kidding themselves.

Crichton at $850, yeah right , on the cap you mean. He was a superstar when he was signed , bet there’s at least another $500k somewhere.

In fact you could add Kikau & Burton to that list as well.

Rich benefactors , that’s what you need these days.

How much did they pay for Galvin

 

[nightster]

How much did they pay for Galvin

Reported $750 for three more years

 

[nightster]

Lodge we have an option to have him play next year - he has interest from Super League

Another club?: Sea Eagles forward Matt Lodge catching outside interest

He has an option to remain at Manly.

www.zerotackle.com

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

Lodge we have an option to have him play next year - he has interest from Super League

Another club?: Sea Eagles forward Matt Lodge catching outside interest

He has an option to remain at Manly.

www.zerotackle.com

The fact he's been one of our better forwards at the back end of the season shows just how bad we are. We need better players, not more of the same.

 

[47MVEagle]

Bulldogs HAVE recruited well but anyone who thinks they aren’t operating with the Sombero conditions of the Rorters is kidding themselves.

Crichton at $850, yeah right , on the cap you mean. He was a superstar when he was signed , bet there’s at least another $500k somewhere.

In fact you could add Kikau & Burton to that list as well.

Rich benefactors , that’s what you need these days.

Yep, this is what we've heard about, no doubt there is plenty that went under the radar...

‘You’ve been wrong that many times’: Gus’ wild TV clash with reporter over Tino pub claims

‘You’ve been wrong that many times’: Gus’ wild TV clash with reporter over Tino pub claims

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Yep, this is what we've heard about, no doubt there is plenty that went under the radar...

‘You’ve been wrong that many times’: Gus’ wild TV clash with reporter over Tino pub claims

‘You’ve been wrong that many times’: Gus’ wild TV clash with reporter over Tino pub claims

www.foxsports.com.au

There would be loads of that happening , and more

 

[Andrew..]

I remember the dogs signed Tevita Pangia Junior on $800k and suddenly he didn't seem to be what they wanted and before you know it he's gone to start a boxing career..now he's plying his football trade somewhere in the super league. And Dominic Young not fitting the Roosters narrative and being transferred back to the Knights mid season...can you imagine Manly doing those things.

 

[jbb/james]

I remember the dogs signed Tevita Pangia Junior on $800k and suddenly he didn't seem to be what they wanted and before you know it he's gone to start a boxing career..now he's plying his football trade somewhere in the super league. And Dominic Young not fitting the Roosters narrative and being transferred back to the Knights mid season...can you imagine Manly doing those things.

Yeah all footy clubs need to cheat within the rules as much as possible

Not that long ago we were in the NRL crosshairs for cap penalties and scrutiny when we were successful and now we seem to be choir boys of cap management and sitting front row at the rules committee waiting for our gold star

 

[Wombat64]

I remember the dogs signed Tevita Pangia Junior on $800k and suddenly he didn't seem to be what they wanted and before you know it he's gone to start a boxing career..now he's plying his football trade somewhere in the super league. And Dominic Young not fitting the Roosters narrative and being transferred back to the Knights mid season...can you imagine Manly doing those things.

Yep, I don't get how the other clubs are able to clean up their rosters and we seem to be stuck witrh players not playing up to their pay? I guess it is all under the table stuff that we don't have access to?

 

[double hoops]

Those players you mention are also playing at above what they are currently getting if they went to the market now they'd be worth more. That's one of our problems our big $$$ earning players are playing well below what they are currently contracted for. We also don't have players that are playing above their contracted value.

Yeah week in week out it's Turtle and Jake missing the tackles that gives the other side the win. And a bad year for both with the ball as well.

 

[manlyfan76]

The fact he's been one of our better forwards at the back end of the season shows just how bad we are. We need better players, not more of the same.

He's been one of our only forwards.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Not that long ago we were in the NRL crosshairs for cap penalties and scrutiny when we were successful and now we seem to be choir boys of cap management and sitting front row at the rules committee waiting for our gold star

Yeah. And how odd, then Manly CEO Joe Kelly was suspended by the NRL over Manly's breach. Roosters liked the cut of his jib so as soon as his suspension ended they made him CEO of the Chooks, where he remains to this day.
No doubt operating with the same ethics but with a much more 'sophisticated' admin section

 

[Frogz]

Bulldogs HAVE recruited well but anyone who thinks they aren’t operating with the Sombero conditions of the Rorters is kidding themselves.

Crichton at $850, yeah right , on the cap you mean. He was a superstar when he was signed , bet there’s at least another $500k somewhere.

In fact you could add Kikau & Burton to that list as well.

Rich benefactors , that’s what you need these days.

And their guy is filthy rich and happy to part with it.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

And their guy is filthy rich and happy to part with it.

Exactly

 

[jbb/james]

Politis is committed to the core, not just rich. Lifetime association and under his guise he is building a club that will last long after he goes

Like him , hate him, roosters whatever. He is a NRL LEGEND

 

[Blowfly]

The dogs have recruited well I thnk Crighton is their most expensive player at $850K.
Likewise the Raders mostexpensive is Tapine on $950K

That’s what’s on the books

 

[The Who]

Politis is committed to the core, not just rich. Lifetime association and under his guise he is building a club that will last long after he goes

Like him , hate him, roosters whatever. He is a NRL LEGEND

... and we have Penn. The only one in history that is not mightier than the sword!

 

[nightster]

That’s what’s on the books

thats whats on Zero Tackle

 

[The Wheel]

Every time I open this thread I am hoping there is a strong rumor or maybe an announcement that we have signed someone decent to bolster our stocks for 2026.

Alas another day I get disappointed

 

[Brookie1973]

Every time I open this thread I am hoping there is a strong rumor or maybe an announcement that we have signed someone decent to bolster our stocks for 2026.

Alas another day I get disappointed

Easy fix - just start a rumour. Any hope is good hope, even if it’s false. Just say it with conviction - eg “I hear from someone in the know that we are well advanced in discussions to sign player x. Announcement to come once player x has finished commitments this year - current team is already assured of finals football. My source is usually pretty reliable.” A metre eater prop or a damaging running backrower would be great.