Johnathan Thurston to sign with Bulldogs?

[Nashy]

CANTERBURY have made a secret after-dark bid for Australian and Queensland superstar Johnathan Thurston.The Daily Telegraph captured these exclusive images of Thurston at the Bulldogs' Centre of Excellence in Belmore last night.
Thurston, 29, arrived at around 8pm and was shown around the impressive $9 million facility.
The meeting was scheduled late to avoid the media spotlight.
The North Queensland star comes off contract after next season and will command $1 million a season on the open market.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...nsland-superstar/story-e6frep5x-1226521592761

 

[Big Pete]

I really hope he doesn't leave the Cowboys.

Sick of the Dogs, yeah JT was originally picked up by them but it was the Cowboys who made him who he is.

 

[Kimlo]

Well if they're signing for next year I'll have them down as premiership favourites with T.Williams and J.T. Will probably be for the year after though.

 

[pennywisealfie]

Where do they get the space? They just made the GF ffs, if anyone should have cap space, it should be the shit teams....

 

[ivanhungryjak]

RLW's The Mole is still tipping Thurston to be a Bronco in 2014 on Twitter. Make of that what you will but he usually has some good mail.

 

[Ari Gold]

Where do they get the space? They just made the GF ffs, if anyone should have cap space, it should be the shit teams....

But the shit teams paid Chris Sandow 500k whilst the runners up got there off of Kris Keating and a rookie named Reynolds. I'd be surprised if either were on more than 150k last season. Ben Barba is probably also playing on his pre-breakout contract. Plus half their backline was picked up mid season and I'm pretty sure the Warriors are still paying part of Inu's contract.

It sucks, but you really have to give them credit for the way they've built their club the last couple of years. Wish we were in as good a position.

 

[Big Pete]

If JT was signing with the Dogs for 2013 it'd be ridiculously suss but as it is I can justify how they're just under the cap.

Things are looking good for Dessie's Dogs though, not only were they minor premiers last season but so were there NSW Cup side & NYC side. That's apart of the reason their recruitment annoys me, they have enough home grown talent right there, why don't they put some effort into developing them rather than chasing Walmart esque problems.

They're talent hoarders and they need therapy.

 

[Kimlo]

Isn't that the point of any business? To hoard talent?

 

[Big Pete]

Not if the talent they're hoarding isn't valuable which is what happened to the Dogs in 2010 & 11.

They're learning a bit from those mistakes although I see T-Rex as a gamble if his reported price-tag is true.

 

[Kimlo]

Well every club makes bad signings but judging by their most recent form I'd say almost everyone they've signed has paid off. Good on them I say.

 

[Big Pete]

Could have said the same thing about the Roosters in 08.

Transit lounge clubs rarely work out well long term.

 

[Kimlo]

They have Des Hasler as the coach, who did the Roosters have?

 

[Big Pete]

For how long? Des isn't exactly the most secure coach and the task is going to be much more difficult next year than it was this year.

But that's not the point, all I'm saying is, they should focus more on developing their own talent because IMO they're better than some of the scrubs they're signing.

 

[Kimlo]

I don't disagree with you but sometimes just focusing on juniors doesn't pay off, if you need to buy to fill some positions then you should IMO.

 

[Big Pete]

I'm with you, balance is important. The problem is the Dogs haven't achieved that yet and if reports are to be believed they're not looking to.

 

[fredie]

Bulldogs stack all of there teams with hungry talented youths . pick the creme then turn them over

 

[Kimlo]

Yeah I guess so, they seem to want to talk to anyone who's above average to try to buy a premiership. It almost paid off for them too.

 

[broncos4life]

Well if they're signing for next year I'll have them down as premiership favourites with T.Williams and J.T. Will probably be for the year after though.

I'll have them down for another salary cap scandal