OFFICIAL Coby Black to join Raiders in 2026, He's Gone
- Thread starter Xarr
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- Aug 27, 2008
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Coby is only 19, is not ready to be an NRL halfback and certainly hasn't proven he is ready. Meanwhile Pezet is 22 and has played some first grade and shown he is ready, or at least considerably closer than Black is.
Halfbacks don't really mature until mid-20's and Pezet is only signed until the end of '29 and who knows if he will stay? Coby should have stayed, matured and learned his craft throughout '26 and '27, and taking his chances at first grade when injuries strike, and fought Pezet for the job during '29 and '29. This decision shows Coby isn't willing to be patient and learn, and isn't willing to fight for his spot. And for those reasons, it hurts way less that he's leaving.
For far too long Brisbane have failed to sign a guy with NRL proven talent, instead backing the junior with unproven potential. This led us to 19 years without a premiership. Lesson finally learned, Brisbane sign veterans Reynolds and Hunt at the risk of pissing off guys like Black and Mozer. The premiership trophy on the wall says it was the right decision
Halfbacks don't really mature until mid-20's and Pezet is only signed until the end of '29 and who knows if he will stay? Coby should have stayed, matured and learned his craft throughout '26 and '27, and taking his chances at first grade when injuries strike, and fought Pezet for the job during '29 and '29. This decision shows Coby isn't willing to be patient and learn, and isn't willing to fight for his spot. And for those reasons, it hurts way less that he's leaving.
For far too long Brisbane have failed to sign a guy with NRL proven talent, instead backing the junior with unproven potential. This led us to 19 years without a premiership. Lesson finally learned, Brisbane sign veterans Reynolds and Hunt at the risk of pissing off guys like Black and Mozer. The premiership trophy on the wall says it was the right decision
heartly87
NRL Player
- May 10, 2014
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In my opinion Coby failed the test, he proved to be exactly the type of player we have been bringing through for the last few decades. The entitled young guy who believes they should just be the next cab of the rank, the next big thing. He may prove himself elsewhere but right now he is a an unproven player who wasn't prepared to get in the fight for a position.
- Sep 6, 2013
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Yeah I think you might be right and it seems really obvious. I like that our club is doing this - look what it did for Mariner.
Bucking Beads
International Captain
- Mar 5, 2008
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Tend to agree with this. I hate it because I liked the lad and was hoping he could be the next big thing for us. I love when we sign a kid at 14 and he ends up a star at our club.
Hunt too.
“I won’t be having anything to do with R360 moving forward,” he told Code Sports.
“I’m absolutely respectful of the NRL’s position.
“There is a 10-year ban in place for agents who take players to R360 and I don’t want to do the wrong thing and cop a 10-year ban.
“I am not hiding the fact I had some discussions with R360 on behalf of my clients, but I was merely doing my job at the time.
“If those rules have changed, then I will play by the NRL’s rules.”
“I am still managing Zac and ‘Paps’ when it comes to NRL matters, but if they are doing anything with R360, my suggestion was that they get legal advice,” he said.
“Those players are aware of how I feel.
“If they want to pursue R360, I’ve advised them to get a lawyer who can represent them in that space.
“I’m helping them with other rugby competitions around the world.
“We’ll look at Europe and Japan and other options – except R360 – and go from there.”
This is interesting too from Schifcofske.
’Paps’ is having a year off,” he said.
“He’s not doing anything at all.
“He is focusing on Paps the person, not the player. He has no interest in even playing marbles at the moment.
“There’s nothing wrong with Paps’ body. He will come to me when he is ready.
’Paps’ is having a year off,” he said.
“He’s not doing anything at all.
“He is focusing on Paps the person, not the player. He has no interest in even playing marbles at the moment.
“There’s nothing wrong with Paps’ body. He will come to me when he is ready.
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Trill Harrigan
QCup Player
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we'll miss u and ur trenchant insights, hashie
heartly87
NRL Player
- May 10, 2014
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Yeah and I have know doubt the club would have wanted him to stay. But unlike previous years we have a coach who is willing to say "your not ready, yet".
We all know Tom Dearden is a quality player, some may admit we would love to see him in Broncos gear again. But we also know when he was allowed or forced to step up, he wasn't ready and it almost destroyed his career. If he was any lesser in mental fortitude it would have.
The evidence was there with club decisions that Coby was still in the clubs plans but needed more time or a kick up arse. The Duffy and Pezet signings, both 22 and more game ready showed the clubs intent. He just needed to trust the club was doing right by him and take on the challenge Madge presented. But he made his call, showed his cards and I am glad he did. He is not the guy you want making that debut, he wasn't prepared to work for it.
heartly87
NRL Player
- May 10, 2014
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Looks like something beyond the NRL is likely at play here. Zac walked out from a club and Paps was going to a USA pub Rugby comp to prep until he found out he would be on a base contract of about 60k max living in the states.
I think they had full intent and fell for the R360 talking point right up until they likely went to sign a full contract. A contract I think they found out doesn't exist yet and potentially never will. The clubs don't actually exist yet, the comp doesn't, it's still in some type of proof of concept marketing stage. So they have ended up with no where to go and Clint is saying this shit to save his career.
Does anyone really beilive Lomax left the Eels, rep footy and good money to play for 60k or get a medical joker injury cover contract playing in French Rugby? That sounds absurd, it sounds like both players have been advised to make some poor decsions and are now scraping the barrel looking for something in Rugby in the hope this comp eventuates.
Clinton looks really bad here.
- Aug 27, 2008
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The only thing I disagree with is "But unlike previous years we have a coach who is willing to say "your not ready, yet"."
This is exactly what Kevvie said to Walsh. Yet it seems very popular around here to hang shit on Kevvie for doing so.
- Mar 5, 2008
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I'll give him shit on that because he was clearly 100% incorrect.
MagicMan87
NYC Player
- Aug 21, 2018
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Problem is Kev said it to a once in a generation player that everyone knew was ready yesterday and our fullback had just retired leaving a spot wide open. He then very consistently picked Cobbo who was far less ready for the rigours of first grade then Walsh was.
- Sep 6, 2013
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Didn't the Warriors bounce Walsh around between 1, 6 and 14? Does that imply he was ready or not quite? I'm not sure but an interesting discussion point.
- Jul 28, 2016
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I think he dropped back to reserve grade as well.
I think Kevvie would've brought him in after a month or so, but coming off a wooden spoon it wasn't exactly a great environment to parachute in an 18yr old undersized fullback.
