NRL General Discussion Thread

[Cult]

Really does highlight what an abject failure the Bird signing was though. 17 games in three years? Thanks Wayne.

Was not possible to predict how bad it turned out (unless you're the Sharks medical team). Bennett gets no blame from me on that one.

 

[Sproj]

Was not possible to predict how bad it turned out (unless you're the Sharks medical team). Bennett gets no blame from me on that one.

Well someone clearly failed to do a medical and someone decided to sign a player we didn't need on a massive wage that meant we ended up losing some players we did want to keep. It is funny how Wayne always likes to get credit when signings go well and takes none of the blame when they don't.

 

[theshed]

Well someone clearly failed to do a medical and someone decided to sign a player we didn't need on a massive wage that meant we ended up losing some players we did want to keep. It is funny how Wayne always likes to get credit when signings go well and takes none of the blame when they don't.

Yeah between Wayne and OSullivan I would be feeling a little nervous for the state of the Dolphins cap a few seasons in.

 

[Wolfie]

Well someone clearly failed to do a medical and someone decided to sign a player we didn't need on a massive wage that meant we ended up losing some players we did want to keep. It is funny how Wayne always likes to get credit when signings go well and takes none of the blame when they don't.

If its down to a players ability i think the coach has to take some of the blame. Medically, they have to go on what they are told by the specialists. I dont think you could even pin that kind of thing on Paul White tbh. Somebody clearly got it wrong with that sternum issue. The knee problems were just unfortunate tbh, but heads should of rolled with how his sternum problem was missed to such an extent.

 

[tommy]

If its down to a players ability i think the coach has to take some of the blame. Medically, they have to go on what they are told by the specialists. I dont think you could even pin that kind of thing on Paul White tbh. Somebody clearly got it wrong with that sternum issue. The knee problems were just unfortunate tbh, but heads should of rolled with how his sternum problem was missed to such an extent.

The surname should have been the first warning. Someone should roll for that alone.

 

[Sproj]

If its down to a players ability i think the coach has to take some of the blame. Medically, they have to go on what they are told by the specialists. I dont think you could even pin that kind of thing on Paul White tbh. Somebody clearly got it wrong with that sternum issue. The knee problems were just unfortunate tbh, but heads should of rolled with how his sternum problem was missed to such an extent.

Yeah absolutely fair points and I am not pinning the medical blame on Bennett but I am not absolving him from signing a guy on big money in a position we didn't need.

 

[Wolfie]

Yeah absolutely fair points and I am not pinning the medical blame on Bennett but I am not absolving him from signing a guy on big money in a position we didn't need.

I still think if he didnt get cut down by injury he would have been playing lock and done very well there. I think its rumoured the Dragons are going to give him a run there. You would have to think its a bit risky these days with his injury history.

 

[Sproj]

I still think if he didnt get cut down by injury he would have been playing lock and done very well there. I think its rumoured the Dragons are going to give him a run there. You would have to think its a bit risky these days with his injury history.

Sure but was he worth 800k+ to play a position he'd never played at NRL level, at least not regularly. It was a massive risk however its cut and it failed abysmally, regardless the reasons and Bennett should be held accountable, which never seems to happen when things go wrong. Fix Jimmy the Jet anyone?

 

[Wolfie]

Sure but was he worth 800k+ to play a position he'd never played at NRL level, at least not regularly. It was a massive risk however its cut and it failed abysmally, regardless the reasons and Bennett should be held accountable, which never seems to happen when things go wrong. Fix Jimmy the Jet anyone?

I still think peoples judgement of Bird is a bit clouded because of his time here. Probably not worth 800k, but he got a good deal at the time a lot of high contracts were going around, and he was going really well at the time. Bennett obviously saw pretty early ball playing locks were going to make a comeback and imo Bird would have been a really good one if not for injury.

Jimmy is a tough one. People say he didn't fix him because he didn't stay the same player he was, but as a person off the field he has come on in leaps and bounds from what he was so in that aspect Bennett helped him immensely. Wouldn't say fixed him, because he is a very troubled individual but he no doubt has helped him.

 

[Sproj]

I still think peoples judgement of Bird is a bit clouded because of his time here. Probably not worth 800k, but he got a good deal at the time a lot of high contracts were going around, and he was going really well at the time. Bennett obviously saw pretty early ball playing locks were going to make a comeback and imo Bird would have been a really good one if not for injury.

This is basically what I'm saying. It failed, regardless the reason but again, because the idea seems good, Bennett is absolved of responsibility. If we are being honest, there is no way anyone can claim it wasn't a risk, it was and it failed.

 

[Foordy]

the Josh Aloiai vs Paul Gallen fight has been cancelled after Aloiai tested positive for COVID.

He's believed to be the first NRL player to test positive to the virus.

Aloiai is double vaccinated and hasn't had contact with anyone in the Manly camp

 

[theshed]

Dogs to offload Cotric back to Canberra after 1 season.

 

[Foordy]

Abdo has conceded that it's time to rethink the transfer system. it only took a Storm player signing elsewhere 12 months out, before the NRL got to that point.

Andrew Abdo says:

“The commission has said to us, think innovatively and differently about what a trade window contract model would look like,” Abdo said.

“I definitely think there are things we can do that can eliminate some of the pain points of players signing very early.

“Some sports have drafts, some sports have rigid trade windows and this an opportunity to rethink ours I think.

“I’m confident there is a way for us to find a middle ground and from the research we’ve done, I’m confident we’ll come up with some reforms and improvements.

“We are now at the point where we are going to engage the different stakeholders.

“Over the next couple of months a lot of work will go into this.

“Anything is possible. We want to be the best sporting entertainment experience in Australia. To do that we need to think about lifting professionalism at all levels. If there is an opportunity to improve our contracting window, we will do that”

 

[The Strapper]

Abdo has conceded that it's time to rethink the transfer system. it only took a Storm player signing elsewhere 12 months out, before the NRL got to that point.

Andrew Abdo says:

“The commission has said to us, think innovatively and differently about what a trade window contract model would look like,” Abdo said.

“I definitely think there are things we can do that can eliminate some of the pain points of players signing very early.

“Some sports have drafts, some sports have rigid trade windows and this an opportunity to rethink ours I think.

“I’m confident there is a way for us to find a middle ground and from the research we’ve done, I’m confident we’ll come up with some reforms and improvements.

“We are now at the point where we are going to engage the different stakeholders.

“Over the next couple of months a lot of work will go into this.

“Anything is possible. We want to be the best sporting entertainment experience in Australia. To do that we need to think about lifting professionalism at all levels. If there is an opportunity to improve our contracting window, we will do that”

I have no idea what they are likely to come up with but it is very unlikely to work.
This is the NRL we are talking about.

 

[GCBRONCO]

I have no idea what they are likely to come up with but it is very unlikely to work.
This is the NRL we are talking about.

I'm betting their idea to solving the issue is having the Storm and Rorters able to sign and transfer players currently contracted to other clubs immediately.

 

[mitch222]

Storm officially announced smith won’t be at the club in 2023

 

[Foordy]

Manly could be in some strife.

They've been allowing their Head of High Performance, Don Singe, to run training sessions while unvaccinated and unmasked.

he's been allowed access to the clubs state owned training facility that has a sign requiring proof of vaccination before you enter

Many have been accused of double standards for pressuring their players to get the jab, but not Singe

Singe has reportedly expressed anti-vax beliefs on social media, (many of these posts have now been taken down)

Manly’s chief executive Stephen Humphreys, doesn't think there is a problem and says the club isn't breaking health protocols, he says

“Don is discussing his situation with his GP and our chief medical officer,” Humphreys said.

“It’s under review at the moment is the way I’d describe it.

“I really don’t want to talk about the private health matters of any of my employees.

“It’s not my place to talk about his beliefs.”

Humphreys however insists: “We are definitely adhering to NRL protocols.

“Don is getting tested every day and completing all the details on his full whereabouts.

“He’s wearing a mask and not going into shared areas of the facility.”


a DT cameraman took a photo of Singe without a mask (it was around his wrist, lol)

Humphrey's again:

“The NRL would expect us to follow the protocols which we are,” Humphreys said.

When asked about the sign at the entrance to Manly training requesting proof of vaccination upon entry, Humphreys responded: “As I told you, we are complying with all NRL and Sydney Academy of Sport requirements and protocols.”

 

[IceWorks]

Storm officially announced smith won’t be at the club in 2023

As much as he is thick, I have to admire the truth being spoken by Smith, refreshing!