Changes in 18 .

[brad]

As well as we are cruising this year with the odd hiccup, ive been thinking about 2018 signings . Going through our top side i cant see to many changes to our top squad apart from the departure of myles. The backline should stay intact and looking at the forwards shouldn't be to much change either as i think lawrence will stay on . In saying that with the cash on offer next season is there a chance of a major signing on the horizon or the departure of more players.

 

[Chip and Chase]

We should have over a million to spend next year - that buys you a very good player or a couple of better than average ones. We'd be mad not to be in the market for some more punch in the pack.

 

[The Royal Soup]

I wonder who is available for twent to sign...

 

[brad]

Graham maybe ?

 

[Holmsey]

Not too much change you'd imagine. As you said backline will stay the same unless some big name is released but I wouldnt change anyone in that backline should be kept the same for as long as possible. But the forward pack will change I bit I think, as you said Myles will be gone probably, Lawrence while he has been good I think he will move on but id keep him as he gives us more depth. We will be looking for a prop and a big name backrower or 2 but if no one is released I don't see anyone worth buying. Team as it sits now for 2018 in my opinion would be:

1 Trbojevic
2 Taufua
3 Walker
4 Kelly
5 Uate
6 Green
7 Cherry-Evans
8 ?
9 Koroisau
10 Taupau
11 ?
12 Sironen
13 Trbojevic

14 Hastings
15 Perrett
16 Lussick
17 Fonua-Blake


To fill the backrow hole I'd look at Luke Lewis on a 2 year deal which would give us a short term solution until a big name backrower was off contract, or we could go for Alex Glenn who I'd be happy with as he is coming into his prime age and is a great hope runner and defender. Or sign a big name backrower if they are given a release early this year. As for Marty's partner in the front row, Lawrence could be re signed for another year until the really good props are off contract becuase no one is really that quality prop we need that is off contract yet.

 

[wombatgc]

I wouldn't mind the Warriors bloke Gavet, he's a real goer, lot of mongrel about him.

 

[joeboy]

Prepared to persevere with Kelly, but he needs to keep improving.

Blake green has his benefits, but there has to be someone better.. Not sure how tom wright is progressing. With green, we know what we are gonna get, he won't lose a match for you, but he hasn't got the capacity to win one singlehandedly either.

Winterstein is doing a job, but we could get someone who does that job better

Sironen is a bit like Kelly, needs to keep improving..I would give him till this time next year to see if he can round out his game. If not cut and run.. As there will be better options available. Frizzel?

These are the key areas where upgrades maybe required.

 

[Supreme Leader]

There will be a fire sale end off year unless those rich clubs double their 3rd party agreements to twice the salary caps. The powers at the NRL will continue to let this absolute rort go without control to protect these clubs who are protecting those leading the NRL.

Those rich clubs that have been over active in recruitment expected an additional $1.5 to $2 mil in the salary cap above the $8mil their going to get, are going to offload players.

Funny despite the 3rd parties have those teams done better?

Personally I think we need a backup utility back (not Hastings as I prefer him for his impact ball distribution) and some big forwards that are mobile. Whilst Graham is a maybe, my mail says he won't go to Manly. Is there a Hess or some young! mobile forwards that we can build on?

 

[brad]

Not too much change you'd imagine. As you said backline will stay the same unless some big name is released but I wouldnt change anyone in that backline should be kept the same for as long as possible. But the forward pack will change I bit I think, as you said Myles will be gone probably, Lawrence while he has been good I think he will move on but id keep him as he gives us more depth. We will be looking for a prop and a big name backrower or 2 but if no one is released I don't see anyone worth buying. Team as it sits now for 2018 in my opinion would be:

1 Trbojevic
2 Taufua
3 Walker
4 Kelly
5 Uate
6 Green
7 Cherry-Evans
8 ?
9 Koroisau
10 Taupau
11 ?
12 Sironen
13 Trbojevic

14 Hastings
15 Perrett
16 Lussick
17 ?


To fill the backrow hole I'd look at Luke Lewis on a 2 year deal which would give us a short term solution until a big name backrower was off contract, or we could go for Alex Glenn who I'd be happy with as he is coming into his prime age and is a great hope runner and defender. Or sign a big name backrower if they are given a release early this year. As for Marty's partner in the front row, Lawrence could be re signed for another year until the really good props are off contract becuase no one is really that quality prop we need that is off contract yet.

Agree with everything except lewis. Been a great player but coming to the end and could run into injury concerns.Alex glen would be good but cant see him leaving .

 

[brad]

Prepared to persevere with Kelly, but he needs to keep improving.

Blake green has his benefits, but there has to be someone better.. Not sure how tom wright is progressing. With green, we know what we are gonna get, he won't lose a match for you, but he hasn't got the capacity to win one singlehandedly either.

Winterstein is doing a job, but we could get someone who does that job better

Sironen is a bit like Kelly, needs to keep improving..I would give him till this time next year to see if he can round out his game. If not cut and run.. As there will be better options available. Frizzel?

These are the key areas where upgrades maybe required.

I think hastings will slot into the 6 as early as next year if green drops off .

 

[MissKate]

To fill the backrow hole I'd look at Luke Lewis on a 2 year deal which would give us a short term solution until a big name backrower was off contract.

Why would we want Luke Lewis, he is 34 this year. BJ is a year younger than him but I am guessing you want to let him go because he is too old. Sorry but that makes no sense to me

 

[Lord Eagleton]

We should have over a million to spend next year - that buys you a very good player or a couple of better than average ones. We'd be mad not to be in the market for some more punch in the pack.

With the salary cap looking like it will be much lower than clubs expected, i think we might be able to pinch 2 x quality 600-800K players that previously were assumed to be unavailable (for cheaper). Players that are still under contract. Other clubs that are way over the cap may have no choice but to try and offload some of their more expensive players. Weave your magic Bozo!

 

[eadie fan]

I really don't think we have much of the Stewart and Matai money left to spend next year. The two Turbos had huge upgrades to their contracts (900K & 800K respectively, if I remember correctly) and are now both effectively "marquee players". As such, you would think that would be around $900K of the Stewart and Matai money gone. This may be why we are looking at offloading a few players - just tinkering around the edges to fine tune the team.

 

[manlyfan76]

Poach Jackson from the dogs who are under salary cap pressure.

 

[Simonmyers11]

Nelson asofa solomona!!! Can play prop or back row and could be anything! Dont like our chances with Jackson but adam Elliott has had a breakour year and is the same style of player. Built and very athletic and off contract. Only 19. Already played country origin.James graham has huge wraps on him. Then Corey from panthers. We know barret is chasing him and his numbers this year are great. Plenty of tackles busts and is a real talent. Off contract and surely panthers are under cap pressure

 

[The Indian]

I really don't think we have much of the Stewart and Matai money left to spend next year. The two Turbos had huge upgrades to their contracts (900K & 800K respectively, if I remember correctly) and are now both effectively "marquee players". As such, you would think that would be around $900K of the Stewart and Matai money gone. This may be why we are looking at offloading a few players - just tinkering around the edges to fine tune the team.

I agree 100 % - the two Turbos upgrades are never factored into the amateur mathematicians calculations for next year. I think basically we'll buy as much as we sell in this offseason as a result. The money is spent. I really doubt a major influx of a "star" or two like some seem to want to believe.

The point about picking up a few salary cap 'squeeze outs' is a valid one and is how the majority of player trades seem to evolve now anyway. Hopefully we have just enough cash to cash in if something bobs up.

 

[Holmsey]

Turbos contracts are already done through the money we got from Lyon, Mateo and the other 10 players we discarded last year. Who have we Bought? Green was only 300k. All the fringe players we bought would have been paid by half the discarded 10 players. The Turbos would have already been on 200k each. Tom got upgraded by a further 700k which would have been Killers contract. And Jake would have been upgraded from Mateos contract which is a further 500k. I don't think the Myles, Stewart and Matai has been even touched yet as a lot of our team are young guns and bargain buys, all paid for already. So we will have 600 to 800k from Snake, 600k from Matai and 500k from Myles. We have plenty of money to throw around.

 

[Holmsey]

Nelson asofa solomona!!! Can play prop or back row and could be anything! Dont like our chances with Jackson but adam Elliott has had a breakour year and is the same style of player. Built and very athletic and off contract. Only 19. Already played country origin.James graham has huge wraps on him. Then Corey from panthers. We know barret is chasing him and his numbers this year are great. Plenty of tackles busts and is a real talent. Off contract and surely panthers are under cap pressure

I'd love Solomona but he will re sign, no way in the world Bellamy would let him go. If we could snap up Haiwira-Naera though he could slot right into the backrow, he's young and a workhorse and runs good holes.

 

[KNUCKLES]

Not too much change you'd imagine. As you said backline will stay the same unless some big name is released but I wouldnt change anyone in that backline should be kept the same for as long as possible. But the forward pack will change I bit I think, as you said Myles will be gone probably, Lawrence while he has been good I think he will move on but id keep him as he gives us more depth. We will be looking for a prop and a big name backrower or 2 but if no one is released I don't see anyone worth buying. Team as it sits now for 2018 in my opinion would be:

1 Trbojevic
2 Taufua
3 Walker
4 Kelly
5 Uate
6 Green
7 Cherry-Evans
8 ?
9 Koroisau
10 Taupau
11 ?
12 Sironen
13 Trbojevic

14 Hastings
15 Perrett
16 Lussick
17 ?


To fill the backrow hole I'd look at Luke Lewis on a 2 year deal which would give us a short term solution until a big name backrower was off contract, or we could go for Alex Glenn who I'd be happy with as he is coming into his prime age and is a great hope runner and defender. Or sign a big name backrower if they are given a release early this year. As for Marty's partner in the front row, Lawrence could be re signed for another year until the really good props are off contract becuase no one is really that quality prop we need that is off contract yet.

Fonua Blake??

 

[Ned]

If we can offload Myles there's half a million bickies back in the tin too.

I like the thought that other teams have spent the salary cap increase that never happened, could really work in our favour. Fulton'll be putting out his feelers for some quality forwards for sure!!