Official Liam Ison

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I don't really understand why not if he's considered next man up?
Surely if he was on the way out, you would look to play a player that is sticking around.
It’s different if it was one of your top 17 but not someone thats not played NRL ever and is leaving. Id be looking at someone else.
 

HaroldBishop

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Surely if he was on the way out, you would look to play a player that is sticking around.
It’s different if it was one of your top 17 but not someone thats not played NRL ever and is leaving. Id be looking at someone else.
I disagree, if you're in finals contention you play your best team. If not in the finals hunt then I'd agree.
 

bort

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I disagree, if you're in finals contention you play your best team. If not in the finals hunt then I'd agree.
Yep
And also, he was already like 4th depth choice. Not like we had another especially viable option (without reshuffling existing players)
 
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There are previous examples of NRL teams only debuting a young player only if they are committed to the team. Don’t need to be signed long term, but a handshake is sometimes an important factor in getting the kid his first game.

Can also go the other way. Agent says “we’ll re-sign if you give him a game” etc.

In any case, there is zero indication that Ison won’t stay, several reasons to think he will, and the Nov 1 thing is not news. I posted his contract status on here over 12 months ago, and it has been on the NRL web site all year.
 

Wizard

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Bit of a pointless stat the old tackle busts hey. Teddy often breaks tackles but doesn't go anywhere.
I think Gallen said one time with Tedesco it feels like concrete when you try to tackle him, one of the hardest players he had to tackle
 

bort

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Bit of a pointless stat the old tackle busts hey. Teddy often breaks tackles but doesn't go anywhere.
Reckon you’d almost certainly get more out him breaking 153 than none though
Even if many do only equate to meters sideways in the end
 
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Another off season is going to be great for his development. You can tell its been a long gruelling season for him, playing a whole year basically in NSW cup probably wasn't expected at the start and he's done a great job.

Put on a few more kilos will probably help him in those collisions with the way he plays.
 
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Another off season is going to be great for his development. You can tell its been a long gruelling season for him, playing a whole year basically in NSW cup probably wasn't expected at the start and he's done a great job.

Put on a few more kilos will probably help him in those collisions with the way he plays.
If he can become a realistic option for 2026 it would definitely help with our retention prospects across the squad.
 
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If he can become a realistic option for 2026 it would definitely help with our retention prospects across the squad.
Yeah absolutely, it's a perfect opportunity with Kennedy off contract and Ison developing to go a different direction and look to create some cap space. I dont think Kennedy would be on huge money but he's still a starting fullback so he'd be on a bit.

We can't forget Dykes in this but he just needs to play some football. very curious how they both fit them in next year.
 

MrDravid

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bort

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Decent wrap from the coach:

“He’s one of those (players) that if he’s not playing consistent NRL footy next year it’s probably not too far down the track for him,” he said.
Tells WK to make himself invaluable... but at the same don't price yourself out...

Also suggests he is envisaging Ison as a potential to take over the jersey
 

MrDravid

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Tells WK to make himself invaluable... but at the same don't price yourself out...

Also suggests he is envisaging Ison as a potential to take over the jersey
Sorry that was the Jets coach, not Fitz.
 

CrazyMatt

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Its still too early to tell but the potential is obvious to anybody with eyes. The challenge for him is to be good enough to take the jersey off Kennedy, who’s out of contract after 2025 I believe. Liam needs to make himself undeniable to Fitz if he wants to break through in 2025.

That number 1 jersey is still Will’s for 2025 as far as I'm concerned until someone else is good enough to take it off him, or if Fitz wants to move Nicho there (very unlikely).

Liam just needs to stay patient, keep sponging up as much knowledge as he can and keep developing his game with the Jets, if he’s good enough then it will happen.
 
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