How should the club spend 800k?

[Foordy]

I like the potential that I've seen in Walsh.....I think he's got the something extra that not everyone has.

Losing him to the Warriors was as much our fault as his...(?)

Depends really on whether or not we are going to pursue Cobbo into the number 1, before deciding on Walsh. If so...then whats the point?

absolutely fucking not our fault ... there were several recruiting **** ups ... our plan for Walsh was not one of them

 

[BooKhaki]

I would like to hear what everyone thinks Te Maire should be paid.

350k area. I'm sure there will be clubs that would pay almost double that.

 

[McHunt]

To be honest he could probably get 3-400k and maybe even more from a desperate club - the Warriors are desperate for halves.

I would hope we can hold onto him for $300k or less.

I'll be surprised if we can keep him for more than a year, if at all. There really isn't a position for him, other than depth.

 

[Big Pete]

Losing him to the Warriors was as much our fault as his...(?)

That's fair.

It was a byproduct of the Broncos winning the wooden spoon. Not only were players told to steer clear/get out of Brisbane, the Broncos were also looking to avoid reckless spending.

At the time, Walsh was a quality prospect coming off a shoulder reco who hadn't played any football since 2019. The Broncos were reeling from the Seibold saga and from the pandemic and didn't put any care into locking up any of their young players before they hit the open market.

So when the Warriors lost Tuivasa-Sheck and had a million burning a hole in their pocket, they offered half of that to Walsh with the view that he was the best fullback available which was close to the money. I'd have him behind Hynes and Drinkwater but considering the risk it was the right call and he was an upgrade on Watene-Zelezniak and Turner who were their other options.

Even so, the Broncos still had to pay-up to retain Piakura and between the two, Walsh has been far more valuable in the NRL compared to Piakura at this stage. Granted we're not even a 1/3 into that yet and there's still time for Piakura to grow into the player he's expected to be.

However I don't support the narrative the Broncos didn't give Walsh an opportunity. It was the other way around with Walsh jumping at the first big money contract instead of plying his trade and showcasing what he could do against men.

The only opportunity the Broncos had was going all-in from the start of 2021 but you can understand why Kevie was hesitant to do so. The club was basically performing a diagnostics to see where the issues lied and they didn't want to expose too many young players to that environment.

Considering how much Walters tinkered with the team, it's fair to assume that Walsh would have been granted an opportunity that season had he stuck around. Most likely sooner rather than later albeit I doubt it would have changed much of anything.

There shouldn't be any bad blood between the clubs especially since the Broncos released him early without any dramas. They didn't even make life difficult for him and force the club into releasing a popular player to them for compensation. I doubt it'll mean much of anything, but it shouldn't rule them out as an option if Walsh is looking to return home which doesn't seem beyond the realm of possibility.

So you can see both sides. Walsh backed himself, he's been a stand-out player at the Warriors that's attracted media attention and helped them pick up wins. However he's still a rookie and you can understand why the Broncos weren't keen to pay him full-time NRL fullback money while he's still learning on the job.

 

[Jedhead]

I'd offer TMM a year extension on 400K that would be 100K upgrade for this year and 300K for next year and then re-assess where we're at with Cobbo/Mam/Cobbo/Herbie and Gambler.

If you look at the roster it is beginning to resemble a Storm roster in so much as very few players have more than a two year deal with them.

 

[Marty Deutschmann]

We should offer him a release to re-sign him on a new deal.

The big issue here is his player manager wants a cut of being his manager but can't get a cent until after 2024.

Just draw up a new contract without all the bullshit demands OR don't get paid any extra for being his manager.

We're in the box seat here especially after how much damage this has done to his brand.

Hold form Iky

 

[Marty Deutschmann]

We really don't need to sign anyone major.

Our spine leading into the 2023 finals:

1. Cobbo
6. Mam
7. Reynolds
9. Mozer

Realistically, this might not be strong enough to knock over Penrith in 2023, but it's the foundation we're building.

Depth, we have:

Martin (1, 6, 7)
Walters (6, 7, 9)
Paix (6, 7, 9)
Gamble (6, 7)

If I were Kevvie, I'd be polishing Billy's CV and shipping him to the ESL, maybe Catalans. His time here is ticking out.

Centres:

3. Staggs
4. Farnworth

Wings:

2. Oates
5. ?

Moving Cobbo to fullback opens up a wing. Currently signed candidates:

Lee
Mariner
Niu
Arthars
Pereira

Plenty of options there. If Mariner takes Herbie's centre, then Herbie takes the wing. Great result. Otherwise, it might be the other way around. Tesi is only depth now. He should be let go.

Forwards, we seem okay to me. I don't see us lacking in any position, but a gun ball playing lock wouldn't go wasted.

We could use a 6 or 9, of Adam's standard. But do we really need to throw in a stopgap in front of Blake and Ezra? I think no.

I would keep my eye on the younger grades for outside backs. We will need a winger to replace Oates, and they tend to blossom young.

Enough with Cobbo at fullback. I'm so over everyone trying to manufacture the South Sydney playing style...

I'd prefer to do it our way - TMM is shaping up VERY WELL as a complete fullback.

Cobbo is invaluable on the wing for us right now. The better teams have superstar wingers who aren't all biting the bit to be the 1.

#KeepCobboOnTheFlank

 

[theshed]

I'll be surprised if we can keep him for more than a year, if at all. There really isn't a position for him, other than depth.

It think we have a spot for him for a season maybe 2. As I said, he’s easily the best fullback and 5/8 at the club currently.

 

[McHunt]

Enough with Cobbo at fullback. I'm so over everyone trying to manufacture the South Sydney playing style...

I'd prefer to do it our way - TMM is shaping up VERY WELL as a complete fullback.

Cobbo is invaluable on the wing for us right now. The better teams have superstar wingers who aren't all biting the bit to be the 1.

#KeepCobboOnTheFlank

It think we have a spot for him for a season maybe 2. As I said, he’s easily the best fullback and 5/8 at the club currently.

Right now, absolutely, but next year come the finals, I am certain Ezra will be entrenched at 6, and Selwyn will be in whatever position he wants to play. If that's fullback, that's where he'll be. We'll also be seeing Blake Mozer in some form. Ezra, Blake and Selwyn have been earmarked as the future of the club, and, unlike Tom Dearden, that's reflected in their contracts. It's not a matter of if, it's when.

 

[theshed]

Right now, absolutely, but next year come the finals, I am certain Ezra will be entrenched at 6, and Selwyn will be in whatever position he wants to play. If that's fullback, that's where he'll be. We'll also be seeing Blake Mozer in some form. Ezra, Blake and Selwyn have been earmarked as the future of the club, and, unlike Tom Dearden, that's reflected in their contracts. It's not a matter of if, it's when.

No ones arguing wether it’s a matter of if. My only argument is when.

I don’t think it will be smart to have the Reynolds and 3 guys 20 or under be blooded in the spine in the same season. At least not consistently. Which is where Martin would be perfect to bring experience to the spine and help transition the young guys in over the next 2 seasons. I’d probably have Mam be first cab off the rank personally.

 

[McHunt]

No ones arguing wether it’s a matter of if. My only argument is when.

I don’t think it will be smart to have the Reynolds and 3 guys 20 or under be blooded in the spine in the same season. At least not consistently. Which is where Martin would be perfect to bring experience to the spine and help transition the young guys in over the next 2 seasons. I’d probably have Mam be first cab off the rank personally.

I think "when" for all three will be next season. Ezra and Selwyn already have a foothold. I expect both to be in the spine after the off-season.

All signs point to Blake getting a shot later in 2023. I'm a big Te Maire fan, but I can't see how he's going to be squeezed into the side.

When do you think "when" will be?

 

[theshed]

I think "when" for all three will be next season. Ezra and Selwyn already have a foothold. I expect both to be in the spine after the off-season.

All signs point to Blake getting a shot later in 2023. I'm a big Te Maire fan, but I can't see how he's going to be squeezed into the side.

When do you think "when" will be?

It’s a very tough question with no right answer and hopefully smarter men than you or I are all over it but assuming TMM and the team continue current form until the end of this season I would probably do something like the below.

2023:
1. Martin
6: Mam
7: Reynolds
9. Paix + someone (Walters I guess).

Mozer can get 1 or 2 games toward the end of the season if injury/suspension permits.

2024:
Assuming no major mishaps

Rd 1
1. Martin
6. Mam
7. Reynolds
9. Paix + Mozer

Cobbo to have opportunities when injury or suspension impact Martin.

2025:
1. Cobbo
6. Mam
7. Hopefully Reynolds for a final year
9. Mozer + someone

 

[Scorchie]

Was years before Inglis was fullback full time. Settle down - Cobbo can play Centre or Wing for a bit without hurting his development

 

[BooKhaki]

It’s a very tough question with no right answer and hopefully smarter men than you or I are all over it but assuming TMM and the team continue current form until the end of this season I would probably do something like the below.

2023:
1. Martin
6: Mam
7: Reynolds
9. Paix + someone (Walters I guess).

Mozer can get 1 or 2 games toward the end of the season if injury/suspension permits.

2024:
Assuming no major mishaps

Rd 1
1. Martin
6. Mam
7. Reynolds
9. Paix + Mozer

Cobbo to have opportunities when injury or suspension impact Martin.

2025:
1. Cobbo
6. Mam
7. Hopefully Reynolds for a final year
9. Mozer + someone

I think Reynolds would be long odds to even play 2024.

 

[Marty Deutschmann]

Was years before Inglis was fullback full time. Settle down - Cobbo can play Centre or Wing for a bit without hurting his development

100%

They see a tall indigenous back and all of a sudden he has to be a fullback because of GI and Latrell.

Let's not forget Sailor or Hodges or Pearl...

I'd prefer him as a strike weapon on the edge as I believe he's more damaging there.

Genuinely believe in TMM and we'll see him own that jersey. Everything he's said he's working on, he's then showed evidence of that skill come through in his next performance:

- He said he was working with Darius on his defence from the back organising the team, we start shutting ouyr teams for nil in halves.

- he then mentioned also working with Darius on his sweep play pass select (2 on 3s).... he starts putting Selwyn and Katoni into space for tries.

- he brought up in a post match that he's now starting to pull the fullback things together so he can now start bringing in his running game back to his performances (next game) he finds a gap and scores his first try for the club.

He's really making thinks happen off the back of his fast development. He's something special

 

[theshed]

Was years before Inglis was fullback full time. Settle down - Cobbo can play Centre or Wing for a bit without hurting his development

Exactly. We have 3 really good future spine players coming through at the same time which is great but the challenge is finding the balance of giving them game time before they get inpatient (eg Walsh) and debuting them all at the same time leaving you with an inexperienced spine (eg the Titans).

The dragons are in a similar position with Amone, OSullivan, and Sloan. Potentially all stars of the future but they’re really struggling to manage their development while not unbalancing the NRL team.

We are very fortunate with Cobbo (assuming/praying he extends) because unlike most kids he isn’t demanding we rush him into a spine position. He seems content to build his confidence in the outside backs - the big challenge here is we may have to carry his contract being expensive. This being the case I don’t see any need to rush him and we actually have the luxury of playing an established player at fullback (whether that be Martin or someone else). Which means we can blood Mam first.

With Reynolds retirement on the horizon, I think our main focus should be getting Mam established before this occurs.

Mozer is an easy one because Paix will do fine until he is ready and he can have short stints off the bench and drop in and out of first grade as he develops. There’s no great rush there either.

 

[Foordy]

We are very fortunate with Cobbo (assuming/praying he extends) because unlike most kids he isn’t demanding we rush him into a spine position. He seems content to build his confidence in the outside backs - the big challenge here is we may have to carry his contract being expensive. This being the case I don’t see any need to rush him and we actually have the luxury of playing an established player at fullback (whether that be Martin or someone else). Which means we can blood Mam first.

from everything I've seen (at least reported) from both Cobbo and Kevvie, Cobbo isn't demanding a spine position because it isn't his preferred position.

the move for Cobbo to play fullback has been driven by the fans (and the media (likely after visiting fan sites)). and this move has likely come from desperation with Isaako and Niu taking turns at fullback and being poor in the position.

we've now got some options in TMM and potentially Farnworth. so we can allow Cobbo to play in his preferred positions

 

[lynx000]

We should offer him a release to re-sign him on a new deal.

The big issue here is his player manager wants a cut of being his manager but can't get a cent until after 2024.

Just draw up a new contract without all the bullshit demands OR don't get paid any extra for being his manager.

We're in the box seat here especially after how much damage this has done to his brand.

Hold form Iky

But until the court case is decided, that will place Haas in potentially a worse position financially because he may be faced with the prospect of paying two lots of agent commission.