NRL Player Movements and Rumours 2015

[Morkel]

It's odd. Even the talk of the Cowboys having cash for James Roberts doesn't seem right.

Thought the same. Especially with Taumalolo having to be paid elite money to be retained, Tamou rumoured to be released to the Raiders to ease cap pressure, etc.

 

[Alec]

They did just sign Martin Tapau as well.

And Myles too.

 

[Big Pete]

I'd imagine if the Cowboys had have signed Roberts, they would have released a bunch of players (Moga, Linnett etc.) to compensate. I think it's an area that definitely needs to be fixed up. As Bennett said when he was able to sign Boyd, Blair, Gavet etc in a short space of time, things like this shouldn't be able to happen or be rewarded like it is, but that's usually how it happens. Sure enough, we gave up Hoffman, Barba etc and if memory serves, the Broncos had a pretty good season.

Wayne's comments fell on deaf ears the first time, but I hope after all this chaos, the NRL does something to even this up because at the moment it stinks. Players like Taupau and Walker are making agreements that they're off to clubs for 2017. Their clubs, Wests and Souths, catch wind of it and say 'why wait' release them and then sign players who they know will be committed for the long haul and won't slack off when times get tough and they're having to pitch in more because they're surrounded by players who can't do the job the coach wants of them.

It's really messy and I want to see the committee they have make this a priority, clean it up and make it more professional. Because right now, if I'm a Titans or a Tigers fan I'd just be feeling sick.

On the bright side, it's good to see the auditors aren't asleep at the wheel. At 28 years old, Burgess should be valued as the best forward in the game and for him to be picked up when everybody's roster is supposedly settled on the sly was just wrong. I think if they lose Luke, Walker, G. Stewart, Olive and McQueen I could accept it but even then the timing of it all just rubs me the wrong way.

As for Manly, either some reporters were telling some porkies about DCE's deal or they're getting away with something because being able to sign both Walker and Taupau in the middle of the silly season is just wrong. Walker is an Australian Test player at the tender age of 20 and looks to have a hell of a career infront of him. Souths poor exit and his drug binge shouldn't change that and he should still be valued as a marquee signing in this day and age. The only explanation I can accept here is that because of Walker's drug issues, Souths were able to void the contract and since Walker had already accepted a deal to go to Manly in 2017, was given a ridiculous back-ended deal. That's the only story I can accept and if that's the case, it highlights the earlier issue where clubs are able to sign marquee talent on the cheap by signing them to long-term deals before the pre-season even begins, causing the other teams to do what's best for everyone.

That could be especially bad if some clubs are colluding with one another and honestly I wouldn't be surprised if some clubs have been in the recent past. I remember one club had signed one of their star juniors to a ridiculous contract and the new administration saw how ridiculous it was and did everything to get rid of them. What ended up happening is that the CEO negotiated a deal with a club he worked for, gave them an awesome deal and this club which had already spent millions on new signings were able to get this star player on the cheap. If this CEO was serious, couldn't he have saved money by offering him to a lesser club?

 

[Battler]

They did just sign Martin Tapau as well.

They also paid out the ass for DCE, and have also signed two current international forwards (Myles and Tapau). At least the rorters make sense as they've got a good setup and are professional as a club, but I haven't the faintest clue how a rundown rabble like Manly can get away with it; their supporters must have deep pockets and stocks in brown paper bag manufacturers.

 

[Morkel]

They also paid out the ass for DCE, and have also signed two current international forwards (Myles and Tapau). At least the rorters make sense as they've got a good setup and are professional as a club, but I haven't the faintest clue how a rundown rabble like Manly can get away with it; their supporters must have deep pockets and stocks in brown paper bag manufacturers.

Their only defence is that they let go of Foran. But that in itself does not fix anything - the reason they couldn't hold on to him was because he was looking at a massive upgrade. So at best you could argue that the previous cost of Foran+DCE is now totally absorbed by DCE alone. So the others are effectively at additional cost without any equivalent losses (I think...).

 

[Nashy]

They should make pays public information so then the public can find the cheats. I'm sure there are cheats.

 

[Morkel]

They should make pays public information so then the public can find the cheats. I'm sure there are cheats.

How does that change the paper bag society. Or alleged free houses, boats, cars, court fees?

 

[Sproj]

Manly now have Lyon, Walker, Taupau, Matai, Stewart, Buhrer, Hiku (at present), Myles as rep players and some back-ended deals plus DCE's ridiculous salary, seems pretty questionable.

 

[Broncoman]

Manly now have Lyon, Walker, Taupau, Matai, Stewart, Buhrer, Hiku (at present), Myles as rep players and some back-ended deals plus DCE's ridiculous salary, seems pretty questionable.

Buhrer and Walker were lucky to ever play rep football and are well down the pecking order at present.

Matai and Stewart haven't been picked for years and aren't likely to again.

Tapau, Hiku, Myles and DCE are current players and Lyon wouldn't be out of place in rep football but he has long given it up.

 

[Rally Towel]

Honestly I couldn't give two ***** what roster those shit heels are building. Or Souths for that matter.

Their time is done, our time is now. Bring on 2016.

 

[gordjw]

They also paid out the ass for DCE, and have also signed two current international forwards (Myles and Tapau). At least the rorters make sense as they've got a good setup and are professional as a club, but I haven't the faintest clue how a rundown rabble like Manly can get away with it; their supporters must have deep pockets and stocks in brown paper bag manufacturers.

Also an excellent location. I'd love to live around Manly, too damn expensive though.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Not a player as such but the Rooster's have boosted their cheer leader ranks

 

[broncos4life]

Not a player as such but the Rooster's have boosted their cheer leader ranks

Mitchell Pearces next scandal.

 

[Sproj]

That should be banned, it's gonna give nightmares.

 

[Fozz]

My eyes! the googles do nothing!

 

[Broncoman]

Grevshmul might be released from Souths so they can sign Surgess

 

[Unbreakable]

I can't help but laugh at the fact that nobody wants McQueen, from a fringe origin player to not being able to find an NRL team.

 

[Super Freak]

Well, Farah is staying at the Tigers and will see out the remaining 2 years of his contract.

Club is expected to announce it soon.