Official Blayke Brailey

[HaroldBishop]

This system where we’re signing players over a year out from beginning their contract is ridiculous.

Clubs mostly create their own salary cap issues from poor management, but this is a pretty crook condition to be dealing with.

Yeah agree with that, don't know why it needs to be this way.

The excuse the RLPA throw up that players need plenty of time to arrange moving their families is complete bullshit.

 

[HaroldBishop]

Which ones off contract and available?

I don't have an issue with extending him. If the price is around 500 rather than the original figure quoted of 625 then fine.

But to have him on the books for 5 years is silly. That length of time is generally for elite players and he isn't that. Let's hope that's what he turns into.

 

[Sparkles]

I don't have an issue with extending him. If the price is around 500 rather than the original figure quoted of 625 then fine.

But to have him on the books for 5 years is silly. That length of time is generally for elite players and he isn't that. Let's hope that's what he turns into.

Yep, good point. With that contract, at this stage of his career, Blayke's been put in some pretty elite company. We've seen players locked up on potential before they're superstars, so it's not new, but a bit unusual 60 odd games in. I do think though that you need stability to open a premiership window, and I guess that's what Fitz is creating

 

[Tiger Shark]

Mahoney was
Reece is

No way I'd take Reece over Brailey ever.

Mahoney definitely but do question his longevity.

I don't have an issue with extending him. If the price is around 500 rather than the original figure quoted of 625 then fine.

But to have him on the books for 5 years is silly. That length of time is generally for elite players and he isn't that. Let's hope that's what he turns into.

Yeah I didn't realise it was 5 years initially, thought the 4 years included his current deal but they bumped up next year. It does seem long.

There's certainly risks to it but often those risks are when you're paying someone massive coin like Fifita, Dugan etc plus they're on the wrong side of 30.

Brailey's contract isn't as much as those and he's 23, so he'll be what 28/29 near the end so we shouldnt have to worry about his age hopefully.

The ceiling is high with Brailey, we've seen he has all the skillsets but he's not applying it enough in a game, is it related to coaching, mentality, saving energy for defense, players, or lack of players around him. Hopefully alot of these things are addressed and we'll be glad we locked him in for 5 years.

Overall if you look at our whole spine, it's got lots of promise, and were not spending huge money on it. Jury is out on if we're missing a half though.

 

[Tiger Shark]

Also Riccio has said the Dolphins came in with a last minute massive offer. So maybe that factored into the length and size of the deal ?

 

[HaroldBishop]

No way I'd take Reece over Brailey ever.

Mahoney definitely but do question his longevity.

Yeah I didn't realise it was 5 years initially, thought the 4 years included his current deal but they bumped up next year. It does seem long.

There's certainly risks to it but often those risks are when you're paying someone massive coin like Fifita, Dugan etc plus they're on the wrong side of 30.

Brailey's contract isn't as much as those and he's 23, so he'll be what 28/29 near the end so we shouldnt have to worry about his age hopefully.

The ceiling is high with Brailey, we've seen he has all the skillsets but he's not applying it enough in a game, is it related to coaching, mentality, saving energy for defense, players, or lack of players around him. Hopefully alot of these things are addressed and we'll be glad we locked him in for 5 years.

Overall if you look at our whole spine, it's got lots of promise, and were not spending huge money on it. Jury is out on if we're missing a half though.

Must admit I do worry about his mentality a little. Not saying he needs to be a mongrel but he's so laid back it isn't funny.

I wonder if he has that competitive drive that most good players have.

 

[Tiger Shark]

Must admit I do worry about his mentality a little. Not saying he needs to be a mongrel but he's so laid back it isn't funny.

I wonder if he has that competitive drive that most good players have.

You don't become a professional NRL player and not be competitive. Its not in their DNA.

Yeah he's laid back but you defn see him get stuck into players when you watch him.

You have a different opinion on Blayke clearly, I am stoked we've retained him and he's going to have a huge year imo.

 

[Sparkles]

Must admit I do worry about his mentality a little. Not saying he needs to be a mongrel but he's so laid back it isn't funny.

I wonder if he has that competitive drive that most good players have.

That's the Woods argument... Blayke's defintely destined to become the whipping boy
Still, if he follows Woods career, he'll play for NSW and Australia

 

[Wiz]

Must admit I do worry about his mentality a little. Not saying he needs to be a mongrel but he's so laid back it isn't funny.

I wonder if he has that competitive drive that most good players have.

Ennis made it his personal duty to get over his opposing 9 like it was his day job, the coach has a lot to do with it too. With Morris and Hannay I don't think they would've got the best out of Ennis.

Let's hope Fitzy gets Brailey going, between Moylan, SJ, Brailey, Woods and Graham there was too much laid backness last year without enough challenge of it

 

[bort]

Ennis made it his personal duty to get over his opposing 9 like it was his day job, the coach has a lot to do with it too. With Morris and Hannay I don't think they would've got the best out of Ennis.

Let's hope Fitzy gets Brailey going, between Moylan, SJ, Brailey, Woods and Graham there was too much laid backness last year without enough challenge of it

Ennis did that long before he started at Cronulla, I don't think Flanno would have hindered him but he didn't turn him from a nobody into a premiership winner. He'd already played 8 origins before he signed for us, the earliest of which he was two years older than Blayke is now.
Signing up another end of career Ennis instead of extending Blayke isn't very realistic unfortunately.

 

[Wiz]

I'd rather take ennis own words from his mouth about what Flanno did for his game then you mate. Flanagan turned a lot of nobodies or players at the end of their career whose clubs didn't want them into premiership winners playing in the best form of their whole career.

Anyway, My post wasnt about Flanagan it's about the current coach helping Brailey get better then he was going under the last two coaches in Morris and Hannay

Carry on

 

[Gards]

he might be the best home on Hooker St, but there aren't that many good ones on the market.

imagine living on Hooker Street...
I think that used to be called Canterbury Road

Also the original statement regarding up and coming hookers made no mention of price or availability of players because you could also throw hectic cheese into the mix. Obviously price and availability are valid factors and considerations looking at recruitment at a deeper level

 

[Sparkles]

imagine living on Hooker Street...
I think that used to be called Canterbury Road

Also the original statement regarding up and coming hookers made no mention of price or availability of players because you could also throw hectic cheese into the mix. Obviously price and availability are valid factors and considerations looking at recruitment at a deeper level

Wouldn't be many footballers with long careers living there

Yeah, there's a lot of factors in play. People talking about how critical the hooker has become as part of the spine. Lack of decent options. Stupid money getting thrown around by desperate teams... it all skews the market

 

[Thresher]

Ennis made it his personal duty to get over his opposing 9 like it was his day job, the coach has a lot to do with it too. With Morris and Hannay I don't think they would've got the best out of Ennis.

Let's hope Fitzy gets Brailey going, between Moylan, SJ, Brailey, Woods and Graham there was too much laid backness last year without enough challenge of it

I think I just heard this song on Australian Country Radio

 

[egg]

Perhaps another reason we went all in quickly , as another had posted .

Smith ‘guarantee’ leaves Dolphins in ruins

The Dolphins were announced as the NRL’s 17th team in October, but since then, the side have just two signings, outside coach Wayne Bennett, to show for their efforts.

www.news.com.au

While the Roosters don’t have the salary freedom of the likes of the Dolphins, Smith said the club offered so much more.


But speaking on Triple M, rugby league reporter Ben Dobbin revealed that Smith had cost the Dolphins a shot of landing one of the top hookers in the game.

“He (Smith) had given verbal guarantees that he was going to commit to the Dolphins and do a deal there,” Dobbin said.

“The Dolphins dropped off Reed Mahoney for the simple reason that they believed that they were going to Brandon Smith.”

The Storm had already moved to block Harry Grant from going north by locking him up until the end of the 2023 season



The Dolphins also failed to attract Sharks rake Blayke Brailey according to News Corp’s Dave Riccio, as the Sharks signed him on a four-year deal.

 

[bort]

Perhaps another reason we went all in quickly , as another had posted .

Smith ‘guarantee’ leaves Dolphins in ruins

The Dolphins were announced as the NRL’s 17th team in October, but since then, the side have just two signings, outside coach Wayne Bennett, to show for their efforts.

www.news.com.au

While the Roosters don’t have the salary freedom of the likes of the Dolphins, Smith said the club offered so much more.


But speaking on Triple M, rugby league reporter Ben Dobbin revealed that Smith had cost the Dolphins a shot of landing one of the top hookers in the game.

“He (Smith) had given verbal guarantees that he was going to commit to the Dolphins and do a deal there,” Dobbin said.

“The Dolphins dropped off Reed Mahoney for the simple reason that they believed that they were going to Brandon Smith.”

The Storm had already moved to block Harry Grant from going north by locking him up until the end of the 2023 season

Oof you'd be spewing if you dropped off one target as you thought the other one was locked in and then he didn't sign. If that is the case and he 'guaranteed' it's not a signature but he has certainly bent them over hard.

I've listed to some of the B Smith podcast with Ice and tbh not as bad as being made out, what he said maybe could have been said slightly better but really no big deal. You'd rather him not say he wants to win a premiership in another teams jersey but context isn't too bad.
BUT he says he has made his mind up but still has to have another chat with Storm. They were told by him they'd be given last shot to sign him, can see why they would be pissed if the last shot comes after he has specifically said he has made his mind up.
He shouldn't have said he had made his mind up before having a final chat with them and letting them know he was going to sign elsewhere.
Also kind of minor, but I can def see why they wouldn't be happy.
I don't give a **** that he swore a lot.

The Dolphins also failed to attract Sharks rake Blayke Brailey according to News Corp’s Dave Riccio, as the Sharks signed him on a four-year deal.

Can tell they have a new coach if they are interested in someone like Blayke. Don't they know there are more than a dozen better hookers who would sign for cheaper?

 

[Flanno]

Must admit I do worry about his mentality a little. Not saying he needs to be a mongrel but he's so laid back it isn't funny.

I wonder if he has that competitive drive that most good players have.

I have to admit I’ve thought the same thing.

 

[HaroldBishop]

I have to admit I’ve thought the same thing.

Don't mate. Every single NRL player is super duper driven.....

 

[bort]

https://www.facebook.com/546253932181137/posts/2260121454127701

Interesting to see Blaykes name on this list

 

[Tiger Shark]

Not too surprising since the guys a Sharks supporter.

Watching all these hookers leave for other clubs a year in advance i'm glad we've locked in Brailey. If we waited any longer he could have had a few clubs chasing him.