2021 NRL General Discussion

Blair

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Few guys you've got as improvers I've got concerns about, most notably Williams, Nikora and Kennedy. I think they could all improve, but have concerns they won't.
The other one is Graham, hopefully whatever was going on with him in 2020 is over and we can have our elite second rower back (and maybe 1 or 2 smarter challenge choices while we are at it).

I think BHU can still improve a bit too, he was adapting to be a starter last season and had some less good games but he has that season under his belt now.

I am the same. I think it may be hard for Rudolph and Talakai to improve - simply because they had such good seasons in 2020. If they play the same I will be happy.

As for Wade, I think having Gal and Lewy will benefit him the most. He's best mates with Lewy, and that has to help morale. Gal will help with the leadership of the group and making sure players are accountable for their performances. I think getting them in is a smart move by Bomber in that it addresses some of his alleged weaknesses.
 

bort

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I did wonder what had prompted himself to volunteer for rehab, turns out it was knowing he was about to get done.

No wonder also that Burton release was refused and suggestion they may use him at centre if Naden was unavailable.

I am the same. I think it may be hard for Rudolph and Talakai to improve - simply because they had such good seasons in 2020. If they play the same I will be happy.

I considered them also for similar reason. If both have a comparable season to 2020 then I'll still be happy with them but both could also take it up another notch potentially.

Talakai started well but by the end he was an absolute beast, if he can start like that and then add anything he'll be such a weapon. Toby had a few quieter games (still decent though) and was asked to concentrate on hard running and that's it. As with Talakai if he can start in the same place and get a bit of an offload or some more minutes/tackles/PCM whatever that'd be fantastic.
 

bort

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Just gets better and better. Panthers really screwed the pooch not winning this year. Missed opportunity I don’t think they’ll get again.

Cleary will be happy his bud May has an easier shot at the team at least.
 

Sparkles

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Few guys you've got as improvers I've got concerns about, most notably Williams, Nikora and Kennedy. I think they could all improve, but have concerns they won't.
The other one is Graham, hopefully whatever was going on with him in 2020 is over and we can have our elite second rower back (and maybe 1 or 2 smarter challenge choices while we are at it).

I think BHU can still improve a bit too, he was adapting to be a starter last season and had some less good games but he has that season under his belt now.

Inclined to agree, but I thought their years were pretty low quality overall, so more a 'the only way is up' thinking!

Really hope we do see the BHU he's promised to be.
 

bort

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Inclined to agree, but I thought their years were pretty low quality overall, so more a 'the only way is up' thinking!

Really hope we do see the BHU he's promised to be.

If those 3 were to go any worse we wouldn’t see too much if it as they’d have to be out of first grade
 

Tatus

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Don’t know if I’m a fan of this. It doesn’t work in the clubs favour and it doesn’t work in the players favour. What happens if it is the club that is trying to move a player on for whatever reasons? There is no reason the player shouldn’t be able to get a bigger contract if the opportunity presented itself. Maybe the NRL should just do some work and treat it on a case by case basis instead of trying to appeal to the fans with a blanket rule
 
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Don’t know if I’m a fan of this. It doesn’t work in the clubs favour and it doesn’t work in the players favour. What happens if it is the club that is trying to move a player on for whatever reasons? There is no reason the player shouldn’t be able to get a bigger contract if the opportunity presented itself. Maybe the NRL should just do some work and treat it on a case by case basis instead of trying to appeal to the fans with a blanket rule

I don't think there is any suggestion that if it is a mutual decision they can't get an upgrade, is there?

It's stopping players calling family reasons/wellbeing and walking out when its really about a cash grab. It supports clubs making good deals with players, its definitely good for clubs and fans IMO.
 

sharkboy18

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Yeah, I just read it. Mark St John is just another click bait wanker.
I was wondering who wrote that & I've never even heard of him anyway, obviously he doesn't like Cronulla, I'm not fussed I laughed when I read that. A lot of these journalists are idiots anyway.
 

CrazyMatt

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Blair

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They’ve got to pick someone to come last.

If I wasn’t a sharks fan and with the rumours in the media I’d be putting my money on Morris getting the sack first. Who else??

Plus a lot of our young squad is unknown to punters outside of sharks fans. Looking across our squad there’d be a few unknowns for a lot of people. Plus SJ being out.
 

HaroldBishop

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They’ve got to pick someone to come last.

If I wasn’t a sharks fan and with the rumours in the media I’d be putting my money on Morris getting the sack first. Who else??

Plus a lot of our young squad is unknown to punters outside of sharks fans. Looking across our squad there’d be a few unknowns for a lot of people. Plus SJ being out.

We won't come last but I think we'll miss the 8.

Agree on Morris. Hopefully it doesn't happen but if anyone does get the chop next year, he is a possibility.
 

CrazyMatt

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They’ve got to pick someone to come last.

If I wasn’t a sharks fan and with the rumours in the media I’d be putting my money on Morris getting the sack first. Who else??

Plus a lot of our young squad is unknown to punters outside of sharks fans. Looking across our squad there’d be a few unknowns for a lot of people. Plus SJ being out.

Broncos again.
 

HaroldBishop

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They’ve got to pick someone to come last.

If I wasn’t a sharks fan and with the rumours in the media I’d be putting my money on Morris getting the sack first. Who else??

Plus a lot of our young squad is unknown to punters outside of sharks fans. Looking across our squad there’d be a few unknowns for a lot of people. Plus SJ being out.


There's teams way more likely to come last than us - Tigers, Broncos, Dogs. I think we can thank them for not picking us because they never get it right so means we wont come last.

On the coach - well its a numbers game right.

Dragons, Cowboys, Knights, Titans, Warriors, Bulldogs, Broncos are either brand new or only into the second year and will be given more time.

Storm, Roosters, Manly, Tigers, Raiders, Eels and Penrith coaches are completely safe imo.

Souths have made it clear it's Bennett's last year with Demetriou taking over after.

That really leaves only the Sharks. A coach who's actually off contract and the media keep smashing us about him being on shakey ground.

I still want to extend Morris one year with performance clauses. It will give the player's, their managers, the football club, other players, other managers, the other coaching staff and the media a clear structure and stability. With Dino and Mooney locked in for a while stability is what we need.
 
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