Official THE RUMOUR MILL - Player Signings/Transfers ONLY!!!!

HaroldBishop · May 10, 2023

Jaz said:
Depends on the crime.

Do I think Matt Lodge should be denied an opportunity to work a normal job like the rest of us? No.

Do I think he should be on TV each weekend, in a culturally significant sport that wants to set a good example for Australians? Also no.

I think someone turning their life around is a good example.

Blue_Eyes84 said:
I believe everyone has the right to a second chance. Lords knows I have.

I don't think Lodge would bring the right culture to our team. And if the rumours are true that he can be disruptive in the locker room, we don't need that in our club.

L

What culture would he bring? I haven't heard these rumours about him being disruptive.

Proud Shark · May 10, 2023

Gumby said:
It’s a tough one. I can’t stand what he did. And don’t like the bloke. But do like what he brings on the field. And it’s what I feel our pack is packing.

Completely understand the football side and I don't disagree one bit.

Proud Shark · May 10, 2023

HaroldBishop said:
I think someone turning their life around is a good example.

This may well be the case, but I honestly don't know.

How do you turn your life around from threatening to murder a woman, bashing her partner a terrifying their child? Do you do that by going head to head with the owner of your club, to the point in which he's prepared to buy out your contract to get rid of you? If not that, genuinely how, and is he doing that? I'd honestly want to know that he was doing everything in his power to net a positive output to society from where he's been.

Even at this point though I think I agree with the prior post. I don't think really believe when you **** up like that you deserve another chance to be a role model making bank. Watching him and other perpetrators run out in a women in league jersey makes a mockery of the code IMO.

Proud Shark · May 10, 2023

Just to add to the above, I think there are lots of examples where people lose/should lose their chance to go back into careers for ****ing up.

- If you're a teacher or anyone that works with children who abuses their position of power and influence
- If you're a police officer who fabricates evidence
- If you're an elected official who engages in corruption

I think if you want to be a public figure, you either set the example or you forfeit that position. I don't think exceptions should be made because we want our team to win.

HaroldBishop · May 10, 2023

Proud Shark said:
This may well be the case, but I honestly don't know.

How do you turn your life around from threatening to murder a woman, bashing her partner a terrifying their child? Do you do that by going head to head with the owner of your club, to the point in which he's prepared to buy out your contract to get rid of you? If not that, genuinely how, and is he doing that? I'd honestly want to know that he was doing everything in his power to net a positive output to society from where he's been.

Even at this point though I think I agree with the prior post. I don't think really believe when you **** up like that you deserve another chance to be a role model making bank. Watching him and other perpetrators run out in a women in league jersey makes a mockery of the code IMO.

Problem with that is he then can't pay the victims.

Look I 100% agree what he did was disgusting, don't get me wrong. Not sure that should mean he's punished for the rest of his life though, either.

The examples in your last post are very specific to those particular jobs, I don't see how that's relevant to Lodge as a footballer. If he was found to be betting on the opposition and deliberately trying to influence his team losing, then that is relevant to his job.

Flanno · May 10, 2023

I’m fine with Lodge playing NRL if NRL are willing to take the risk on him to their reputation, it’s their call.

But I’d personally be unhappy to see us sign him and wouldn’t be able to support him. Leave him to one of the bottom clubs.

Proud Shark · May 10, 2023

HaroldBishop said:
Problem with that is he then can't pay the victims.

Look I 100% agree what he did was disgusting, don't get me wrong. Not sure that should mean he's punished for the rest of his life though, either.

The examples in your last post are very specific to those particular jobs, I don't see how that's relevant to Lodge as a footballer. If he was found to be betting on the opposition and deliberately trying to influence his team losing, then that is relevant to his job.

Yeah the payment is the grey area, as they definitely deserve compensation and he wouldn't be able to do that as well without playing footy.

I get what you're saying re. job specific incidents. But I'd say the same for a politician that did what he did. Elected officials represent the people, and athletes represent the club. I don't want someone like that representing our club in the same way that I wouldn't vote for them.

I don't think he necessarily deserves to be punished, and I believe if he reaches a certain level of balance by giving back to the community then he should be able to be registered by the NRL. At which point, it becomes a clubs responsibility as to whether he is a good rep for their brand. In which case I'd hope Cronulla aren't signing up.

HaroldBishop · May 10, 2023

Proud Shark said:
Yeah the payment is the grey area, as they definitely deserve compensation and he wouldn't be able to do that as well without playing footy.

I get what you're saying re. job specific incidents. But I'd say the same for a politician that did what he did. Elected officials represent the people, and athletes represent the club. I don't want someone like that representing our club in the same way that I wouldn't vote for them.

I don't think he necessarily deserves to be punished, and I believe if he reaches a certain level of balance by giving back to the community then he should be able to be registered by the NRL. At which point, it becomes a clubs responsibility as to whether he is a good rep for their brand. In which case I'd hope Cronulla aren't signing up.

All good mate.

I definitely understand why people don't want him and their entitled to that opinion.

I get the feeling he's not someone Fitz would sign anyway.

Proud Shark · May 10, 2023

HaroldBishop said:
All good mate.

I definitely understand why people don't want him and their entitled to that opinion.

I get the feeling he's not someone Fitz would sign anyway.

Yeah and completely get the opposite, we want to win footy games and it's hard to justify not having a crack at a player that would make us better on the field.

andrew's_sharks · May 10, 2023

Proud Shark said:
This may well be the case, but I honestly don't know.

How do you turn your life around from threatening to murder a woman, bashing her partner a terrifying their child? Do you do that by going head to head with the owner of your club, to the point in which he's prepared to buy out your contract to get rid of you? If not that, genuinely how, and is he doing that? I'd honestly want to know that he was doing everything in his power to net a positive output to society from where he's been.

Even at this point though I think I agree with the prior post. I don't think really believe when you **** up like that you deserve another chance to be a role model making bank. Watching him and other perpetrators run out in a women in league jersey makes a mockery of the code IMO.

I understand what your saying But I have two comments to make.

One is that we are a working class sport and being a working class sport, we will encounter the struggles of working class people coming into top grade. This includes people who have inherited bad habbits (alcohol, drugs) or been exposed to their affects due to this. Ultimately I would like to see them be an agent of change for their communities.

Secondly for their to be less victims the actual likely perpetrators need assistance (yes the victims do too), but as an example, those who are at risk of losing their temper I would assume are less likely to be violent if they learn the discipline and self control. Sport can be great at improving this. Society can benefit from this including Lodge.

BurgoShark · May 10, 2023

andrew's_sharks said:
I understand what your saying But I have two comments to make.

One is that we are a working class sport and being a working class sport, we will encounter the struggles of working class people coming into top grade. This includes people who have inherited bad habbits (alcohol, drugs) or been exposed to their affects due to this. Ultimately I would like to see them be an agent of change for their communities.

Secondly for their to be less victims the actual likely perpetrators need assistance (yes the victims do too), but as an example, those who are at risk of losing their temper I would assume are less likely to be violent if they learn the discipline and self control. Sport can be great at improving this. Society can benefit from this including Lodge.

I sat through a 45 minute presentation from the Broncos’ mental health guy last year. It was an enlightening experience.

A LOT of successful rugby league players had really shitty lives growing up, and the club puts a massive amount of effort in to making players have work-life balance, have mentors within the playing group etc. , and they do a lot of ongoing monitoring of players’ mental health and welfare.

He said that over the last 6-7 years they have had any problem you could name. They are a cross section of society, so they get all of the same problems that the rest of society do… but they are potentially even higher risk because kids who had shitty upbringings are over represented.

So yeah - rather than just saying “it’s a working class sport”, there are people doing actual research into the backgrounds of footy players, and the numbers say that an NRL player is more likely than an average Joe to have been exposed to those sorts of negative influences as a child.

Gumby · May 10, 2023

HaroldBishop said:
All good mate.

I definitely understand why people don't want him and their entitled to that opinion.

I get the feeling he's not someone Fitz would sign anyway.

Agree with you there.

It’s a shame he did what he did because he is a bloody good player when he’s on.

Super Impose · May 10, 2023

Jack Bird anyone ?

Western Sharkie · May 10, 2023

Super Impose said:
Jack Bird anyone ?

Union???

Proud Shark · May 10, 2023

andrew's_sharks said:
I understand what your saying But I have two comments to make.

One is that we are a working class sport and being a working class sport, we will encounter the struggles of working class people coming into top grade. This includes people who have inherited bad habbits (alcohol, drugs) or been exposed to their affects due to this. Ultimately I would like to see them be an agent of change for their communities.

Secondly for their to be less victims the actual likely perpetrators need assistance (yes the victims do too), but as an example, those who are at risk of losing their temper I would assume are less likely to be violent if they learn the discipline and self control. Sport can be great at improving this. Society can benefit from this including Lodge.

I completely get this, my take is there just has to be a line somewhere. A player who has been involved in drugs, alcohol abuse, petty gang stuff, getting into fights at the pub etc is a far stretch from what Lodge did.

It's no different to kids at school. In the public system, expulsion is literally the last resort. You'll do anything in your power to keep kids at the school because even if they are shitty, they are better of with some structure and support around them than without it. They also are usually victims of circumstances like you've mentioned.

But there still needs to be a line where enough is enough. I believe violent crime and DV is this line. I think there can be a balance where we try to give as many second chances as possible, but for others crossing that line should serve as a lesson to others to check the path that they are on. I don't believe giving a second chance to these people really benefits the RL community at all. If anything it teaches the lesson that if you're good enough at footy then you can almost get away with anything.

andrew's_sharks · May 10, 2023

BurgoShark said:
I sat through a 45 minute presentation from the Broncos’ mental health guy last year. It was an enlightening experience.

A LOT of successful rugby league players had really shitty lives growing up, and the club puts a massive amount of effort in to making players have work-life balance, have mentors within the playing group etc. , and they do a lot of ongoing monitoring of players’ mental health and welfare.

He said that over the last 6-7 years they have had any problem you could name. They are a cross section of society, so they get all of the same problems that the rest of society do… but they are potentially even higher risk because kids who had shitty upbringings are over represented.

So yeah - rather than just saying “it’s a working class sport”, there are people doing actual research into the backgrounds of footy players, and the numbers say that an NRL player is more likely than an average Joe to have been exposed to those sorts of negative influences as a child.

Well said. It is also great to hear the Broncos are actually trying to do something about it to support their players and their families.

Gumby · May 10, 2023

Super Impose said:
Jack Bird anyone ?

To play where is the issue. Don’t think he’d come here to play off the bench.

Nikora
Wilton

Both locked in the 2nd tow

Mcinness and Finucane are our 13’s.

Ramien and Talakai Are our centres.

Is bird better than any of these guys? I rate bird but I’m not sure where he fits into our 17.

Ideally I’d swap bird for next season with grahams spot on the bench. Can cover 2nd row, centres and 5/8. Just don’t think it’s worth it though considering he’d be chasing anywhere from 550k-700k you’d think.

Super Impose · May 10, 2023

Gumby said:
To play where is the issue. Don’t think he’d come here to play off the bench.

Nikora
Wilton

Both locked in the 2nd tow

Mcinness and Finucane are our 13’s.

Ramien and Talakai Are our centres.

Is bird better than any of these guys? I rate bird but I’m not sure where he fits into our 17.

Ideally I’d swap bird for next season with grahams spot on the bench. Can cover 2nd row, centres and 5/8. Just don’t think it’s worth it though considering he’d be chasing anywhere from 550k-700k you’d think.

Yeah - well said - the ultimate bench guy and a first up replacement for any of those guys mentioned if injured .

Been a victim of versatility - if he’d been willing to forge out a career as a right centre - he’d of been top notch I reckon .

Has the emotional attachment here - but I just cringe whenever he speaks or posts something …

bort · May 10, 2023

Proud Shark said:
This may well be the case, but I honestly don't know.

How do you turn your life around from threatening to murder a woman, bashing her partner a terrifying their child? Do you do that by going head to head with the owner of your club, to the point in which he's prepared to buy out your contract to get rid of you? If not that, genuinely how, and is he doing that? I'd honestly want to know that he was doing everything in his power to net a positive output to society from where he's been.

Even at this point though I think I agree with the prior post. I don't think really believe when you **** up like that you deserve another chance to be a role model making bank. Watching him and other perpetrators run out in a women in league jersey makes a mockery of the code IMO.

Lodge had already asked for a release from the warriors there is absolutely no reason to pay him out for additional years if he is in the wrong. We don’t know what went down but given known circumstances I’m assuming no wrong doing from Lodge.

Also had a bit of a clash on the booze with Jack Bird who can be a bit of a pelican himself. Probably at least a takes two to tango situation.

What he did was atrocious and I wouldn’t have minded if he never got let back into NRL but he did and to date seems like he’s kept his nose clean.

andrew's_sharks · May 10, 2023

Gumby said:
To play where is the issue. Don’t think he’d come here to play off the bench.

Nikora
Wilton

Both locked in the 2nd tow

Mcinness and Finucane are our 13’s.

Ramien and Talakai Are our centres.

Is bird better than any of these guys? I rate bird but I’m not sure where he fits into our 17.

Ideally I’d swap bird for next season with grahams spot on the bench. Can cover 2nd row, centres and 5/8. Just don’t think it’s worth it though considering he’d be chasing anywhere from 550k-700k you’d think.

Honestly as much as bird was great in 2016, I wouldn't sign him. I do like that he is a competitor, but I feel like he would be a mistake and we would get him at the back end of his career and not in his peak. Would rather sign someone 4-5 years younger who is a leader. Would have loved Carrigan here (yes i know it won't happen).

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