Official 2026 NRL General Discussion

HaroldBishop said:
Reckon they've made it clear they expect a rep player in return, someone like Hiroti ain't going to cut it.
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Uele & Hiroti might interest them maybe. They do have a lot of juniors coming through who will be ready for 2027.
 
Sharks NRL Prospects said:
If it is player driven then it’s possible.

There are no legitimate reports that Fitzgibbon has ever initiated a move to release an under contract player.

Ramien reports are his agent trying to secure a multi year deal elsewhere with a possibility of an early release. Not club driven.

Just because Ramien may not be re-signed and is the current fan whipping boy it doesn’t mean the club is actively trying to get rid of him mid-contract.
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I don't even think he is a whipping boy. Just in the unfortunate position of being both up and downgradable
 
Sparkles said:
I don't even think he is a whipping boy. Just in the unfortunate position of being both up and downgradable
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Isn't everyone?

Obviously any off contract player can go negotiate elsewhere and then ask for an early release if they get a good deal - and that could be factored in to a swap. The idea that the Sharks can just treat the players like Pokemon cards to be traded is just off for me.

Matterson situation should be a good example of how teams can't force players in to situations they don't want to be in. Matterson wanted a second year guaranteed. Storm wouldn't do it so he refused.
 
Sharks NRL Prospects said:
Isn't everyone?

Obviously any off contract player can go negotiate elsewhere and then ask for an early release if they get a good deal - and that could be factored in to a swap. The idea that the Sharks can just treat the players like Pokemon cards to be traded is just off for me.

Matterson situation should be a good example of how teams can't force players in to situations they don't want to be in. Matterson wanted a second year guaranteed. Storm wouldn't do it so he refused.
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Not at the moment.
My meaning was that his performance is in this middle ground where (the impression is at least) you don't lose so much that you wouldn't strongly consider cashing in his salary and keep the difference on a rookie to bolster the team elsewhere. On the flipside, if you could get an Origin centre to replace him (and could afford it!) I don't think you would think twice. I don't know who you would replace Hynes, Iro, Brailey or AFB with right now, for example. You'd lose too much or gain too little.
 
Sharks NRL Prospects said:
Isn't everyone?

Obviously any off contract player can go negotiate elsewhere and then ask for an early release if they get a good deal - and that could be factored in to a swap. The idea that the Sharks can just treat the players like Pokemon cards to be traded is just off for me.

Matterson situation should be a good example of how teams can't force players in to situations they don't want to be in. Matterson wanted a second year guaranteed. Storm wouldn't do it so he refused.
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This has been a constant debate on here. "Roosters/Storm do it so why can't we"?

I found it crazy that either Melbourne or Parra thought Matto would go for that.
 
Sharks NRL Prospects said:
Fair enough. People can want it as much as they like I guess. Just doesn't make it any closer to being reality.
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And nor should it. At the end of the day, they are people first and don't deserve to be pushed out because the contract the club committed to no longer reaches the same value. I think a lot of the frustration comes as much from situations across the league where players aren't being held to their end.

Hopefully, this Lomax situation will be a step in the right direction, but the RLPA comments don't fill me with confidence.
 
Sparkles said:
Not at the moment.
My meaning was that his performance is in this middle ground where (the impression is at least) you don't lose so much that you wouldn't strongly consider cashing in his salary and keep the difference on a rookie to bolster the team elsewhere. On the flipside, if you could get an Origin centre to replace him (and could afford it!) I don't think you would think twice. I don't know who you would replace Hynes, Iro, Brailey or AFB with right now, for example. You'd lose too much or gain too little.
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Lomax isn't a rep centre. He hasn't even been an NRL centre most of the last two seasons. He's an elite winger who can play centre OK, but isn't obviously better than Ramien.

Also - people's main gripes with Ramien appear to be him giving up dumb penalties and throwing the ball in to touch. I'm not so sure Zac Lomax is the cure for that particular affliction.
 
Sharks NRL Prospects said:
Lomax isn't a rep centre. He hasn't even been an NRL centre most of the last two seasons. He's an elite winger who can play centre OK, but isn't obviously better than Ramien.

Also - people's main gripes with Ramien appear to be him giving up dumb penalties and throwing the ball in to touch. I'm not so sure Zac Lomax is the cure for that particular affliction.
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True, and poorly worded on my part. I do think Fitzy could get him up to scratch defensively and the upside is far higher than Ramien.
Still, I'm far more hopeful that this will be Ramien's best year in Sharks colours (and nothing like his years in Knights colours!). I'd love to see him get back to his best form, he'd add more than enough for us.
 
Sharks NRL Prospects said:
Isn't everyone?

Obviously any off contract player can go negotiate elsewhere and then ask for an early release if they get a good deal - and that could be factored in to a swap. The idea that the Sharks can just treat the players like Pokemon cards to be traded is just off for me.

Matterson situation should be a good example of how teams can't force players in to situations they don't want to be in. Matterson wanted a second year guaranteed. Storm wouldn't do it so he refused.
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Dennis Tutty approves of this message
 
Sharks NRL Prospects said:
Isn't everyone?

Obviously any off contract player can go negotiate elsewhere and then ask for an early release if they get a good deal - and that could be factored in to a swap. The idea that the Sharks can just treat the players like Pokemon cards to be traded is just off for me.

Matterson situation should be a good example of how teams can't force players in to situations they don't want to be in. Matterson wanted a second year guaranteed. Storm wouldn't do it so he refused.
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Can tell you Pokemon cards are probably more expensive!
 
Not sure where to put this, just looking at it this morning. Is QLD Country Bank Stadium our 'winningest' away ground ? Since it opened in 2020 we have had a good run there.
Played 6
Won 5
Lost. 1
Win Ratio %83
Average 28 ppg
Average winning margin 13.6
Scored 26 points 3 times, 32 points, and 36 points once each in our wins. Many teams would love that as a "home ground" record. This year will be our 7th season in a row we have played there , so bring on April 24th.
Our win ratio of %83 over this period at CBS is double that of the
hometeam at %41.
GO SHARKS 🦈
 
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HaroldBishop said:
@Sir Chadley what do you remember about that game in 1921?
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Yes, poor old University could not win a game that year, finished last on 2 points courtesy of the bye. I remember chatting to Jim Dunworth, who could play anywhere in the pack, and he was not happy about playing for a team that couldn't win a game in 1921. The next two seasons were pretty lean too.

I remember also that 1921 was the year they experimented with the referee feeding the scrum but it was quickly abandoned.

St George joined that year which I remember with mixed feelings and I wondered when we might get a team more in my local area.
 
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