Rumour - Kurt Baptiste on the way out?

[ningnangnong]

Baptiste, 22, has played just five games in the past two seasons at Brisbane.

His manager Simon Mammino met with Gould last week amid interest from Manly.

"A couple of clubs are interested in Kurt, but nothing is nailed down yet," Mammino said.

"Kurt is on the lookout for opportunities, we are working through the process and Brisbane are still working out what to do with their roster.

"We are looking around with their blessing and we will see what comes of it.

"We are a fair way down the road with one club and hopefully we will make a decision in the next month.

"At this stage it is most likely Kurt will be at another club next season.

"Ideally, he would stay at the Broncos, he's a Brisbane boy, but they have a good hooker in Andrew McCullough and a high opinion of Jake Granville, so we need to have a look around."

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...er-peter-wallace/story-e6frep76-1226650498068

 

[Alec]

It's sad that he's just another player that Griffin used up and tossed away.

 

[hayseed]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...er-peter-wallace/story-e6frep76-1226650498068

Wayne Bennett wanted him at Newc this year, he should have jumped then, might be difficult for him to carve out a first grade career.

 

[ningnangnong]

It's sad that he's just another player that Griffin used up and tossed away.

It really is perplexing the way he seems to have just fallen off the face of the planet.

It's as if he's been put in the 'no more chances' pile... after getting all of one or two chances.

I feel like he should've been picked a fair few more times last season, as McCullough the golden child certainly wasn't in great form.

Obviously he's got Hunt ahead of him as backup hooker, and now Granvilles seems to have surpassed him in the backup stakes, so a move would be sensible. Shame, because from what I saw of him in first grade, I really liked his style of play.

 

[Alec]

It really is perplexing the way he seems to have just fallen off the face of the planet.

It's as if he's been put in the 'no more chances' pile... after getting all of one or two chances.

I feel like he should've been picked a fair few more times last season, as McCullough the golden child certainly wasn't in great form.

Obviously he's got Hunt ahead of him as backup hooker, and now Granvilles seems to have surpassed him in the backup stakes, so a move would be sensible. Shame, because from what I saw of him in first grade, I really liked his style of play.

Granville is probably going to follow in his footsteps, just like Whitchurch, Gibb, and probably a couple of others I can't seem to remember. Used up and thrown away, like a tampon.
I do agree though, his performances weren't outstanding or anything, but he should have been persisted with, I thought he had a lot of potential. Haven't seen much of him these days though.

 

[Big Pete]

If I was fantasy coaching the side, Baptiste would have been a permanent fixture of the first grade side since 2011. However, I can understand why it didn't work out that way.

Kurt was still playing 20s at that time and had picked up a lot of bad NYC habits that needed ironing out. Hook had to make a decision - give him 10-20 minute spurts in first grade and hope he'd learn in those short durations or have him play longer minutes in the Queensland Cup. Both have their positives and negatives but long term I see more of a benefit in QCup.

The only criticism I could make is that I believed he deserved a shot ahead of Capewell off the bench. Luke was considered the best player in the QCup but long term his future didn't lie in the dummy half position and I don't think his form necessarily made him a better choice. I attribute it to a slow start to the season, where Kurt was recovering from I believe a shoulder operation.

Fast forward to this year and when there was a spot on the line for Baptiste, Kurt dislocated his shoulder and the spot instead went to dual Queensland Cup premiership winning rake, Jake Granville.

For mine, I believe Granville may have the edge on Baptiste at the moment but long term I see Kurt being a better hooker than Jake and possibly McCullough.

It'd be a shame to lose Baptiste, I've been a fan since I watched him make his debut for the NYC side but it isn't the end of the world either. McCullough's best years are infront of him, same with Granville and we've got Cullen & Berrell coming through who look like they could be capable of big things.

 

[pennywisealfie]

I wish him all the best if he decides to leave and will be happy for him if he makes it at another club, yet pissed at the Broncos.

 

[broncos4life]

How was he used and spit out? He got a few goes at nrl and apart from one game he really wasn't too flash, certainly not enough to warrant selection. So Granville got a chance next because you have to give guys a go to see if they can handle first grade. To put it in perspective if they kept picking him and didn't give Granville a chance and he left the same people would be saying griffIn 'spat him out'.

For christs sake I have my problems with griffin too but the agenda griffin crap by some people is getting ridiculous

 

[Unbreakable]

Sad to see yet another friend from school be pushed out of the Broncos, Frei last season, now Baptiste, Copley and Whitchurch will be next.

 

[broncos4life]

Sad to see yet another friend from school be pushed out of the Broncos, Frei last season, now Baptiste, Copley and Whitchurch will be next.

I doubt Copley will be

 

[Bucking Beads]

Sad to see yet another friend from school be pushed out of the Broncos, Frei last season, now Baptiste, Copley and Whitchurch will be next.

Is he really being pushed out?? He just has a guy in front of him so he can't make the team. He deserves a crack st NRL level so he will probably go elsewhere

 

[Unbreakable]

Is he really being pushed out?? He just has a guy in front of him so he can't make the team. He deserves a crack st NRL level so he will probably go elsewhere

I didn't mean pushed out in the literal sense, more so as you said, not getting enough of an opportunity to prove himself in first grade (when he is fit)

 

[Bucking Beads]

I didn't mean pushed out in the literal sense, more so as you said, not getting enough of an opportunity to prove himself in first grade (when he is fit)

Fair enough mate. It is a shame though because Kurt goes pretty well and has served a solid apprenticeship at Q cup level. He will probably dominate when he leaves our club.

 

[Mister Wright]

I can't see the point of him going to the Panthers. It looks like they're set to have Segeyaro start for them next season. So, unless he's being offered a permanent bench role it really doesn't make much sense. Really, the only club who is struggling for a starting hooker atm is Canberra.

 

[Bucking Beads]

I agree although Penrith might be keen to have Segeyaro continue with his bench role. Raiders, Newcastle, Manly are all clubs that could entice Baptiste.

 

[Mister Wright]

Yeah, but Newcastle are going pretty good with Gidley & Waddell. If Baptise was in the mix they'd have to sacrifice either Waddell or one of the halves to accommodate Kidley. Didn't Manly just re-sign Ballin? Admittedly he probably only has a few weeks left, but he's an 80 min player so Baptise would still be waiting a few years for his fulltime shot.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Ballin is getting on and I would say they would get Baptiste with the plan to use him off the bench at first /

 

[ningnangnong]

How was he used and spit out? He got a few goes at nrl and apart from one game he really wasn't too flash, certainly not enough to warrant selection. So Granville got a chance next because you have to give guys a go to see if they can handle first grade. To put it in perspective if they kept picking him and didn't give Granville a chance and he left the same people would be saying griffIn 'spat him out'.

For christs sake I have my problems with griffin too but the agenda griffin crap by some people is getting ridiculous

He played one game for us in 2012 - one game! I think he only played about four in 2011 as well, mostly (if not all) from the bench.

In my opinion, that's hardly enough of an opportunity to impress the coach, especially as he would've only been getting 20 or so minutes in each of those games.

What really bugged me was last season. McCullough didn't have a great year, but not once was he dropped or demoted to the bench, nor was Baptiste put on the bench in an effort to challenge McCullough.

I honestly think if Baptiste was given the same amount of chances and support as McCullough has been given, then he'd be just as good, and probably more consistent.

I don't have any agenda against Hook, so you're barking up the wrong tree there.