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

[Proud Shark]

we are a much better side (for now anyways) which is why I’m hoping Fitz should get this once across the line easier then Flanagan would.

I don’t think we would drop the $ in years 3 or 4 too much, he’s a top prop at the top of his game in a key spot… he’s gotta be atleast worth a million in todays market if we’re paying 750k to Dale and 500k to Tracey

Agreed, he is. But that doesn't mean he will be in 4 years. I think we'd be silly not to try leverage our more desirable position, at least to some degree. If Saints then blow us out of the water so be it.

I think he's hoping we'll come in hot for the money and saints will go up again.

 

[Wiz]

Agreed, he is. But that doesn't mean he will be in 4 years. I think we'd be silly not to try leverage our more desirable position, at least to some degree. If Saints then blow us out of the water so be it.

I think he's hoping we'll come in hot for the money and saints will go up again.

In all honesty I’d be very suprised we get him.. But maybe that’s because I’m not too confident with Fitz

I hope I’m dead wrong. I would love nothing more then for us to be a killer team and with Uele and Rudolph I just don’t see that for us

 

[Proud Shark]

In all honesty I’d be very suprised we get him.. But maybe that’s because I’m not too confident with Fitz

I hope I’m dead wrong. I would love nothing more then for us to be a killer team and with Uele and Rudolph I just don’t see that for us

I agree, but only because I think he's money motivated. I think if we get close, saints will up the offer because Flanno is desperate to make his mark and to keep Hunt. He's very strategically getting out in the media to get some new blood in. If they land AFB, it could easily tip the scales to get another one or two. If they miss him, it could go the other way.

 

[Wiz]

I agree, but only because I think he's money motivated. I think if we get close, saints will up the offer because Flanno is desperate to make his mark and to keep Hunt. He's very strategically getting out in the media to get some new blood in. If they land AFB, it could easily tip the scales to get another one or two. If they miss him, it could go the other way.

Let’s see what happens

I don’t think any club in the league offers AFB more then 1.2.. that’s his ceiling, Dragons as a whole would be silly if they decide to offer more

 

[Proud Shark]

Let’s see what happens

I don’t think any club in the league offers AFB more then 1.2.. that’s his ceiling, Dragons as a whole would be silly if they decide to offer more

I could see them going up to 1.2 a year across the life of the contract. Giving a $4.8m total. I think this could easily be 3-400k above where we go.

Agreed though, will be very interesting to see what happens. Added bonus of hopefully a resolution before Christmas.

 

[Seenoevil]

It's my understanding he isn't available till 2025, that works great for us, we have a load of cap space, unless they resign everybody, for 2025.
I cannot see why we wouldn't offer him a front loaded contract, it has to be 1.1 million at least because it cannot be lower than current contract.
But if we give the second year ( 2026 ) a decent crack and then reduce marginally the 3rd or say 4th year, why that wouldn't be fair
Having said that , he is top shelf, imo he doesn't make much difference to dragqueens, but to us, we go from pretenders to contenders, full stop, period end of story.

 

[HaroldBishop]

I could see them going up to 1.2 a year across the life of the contract. Giving a $4.8m total. I think this could easily be 3-400k above where we go.

Agreed though, will be very interesting to see what happens. Added bonus of hopefully a resolution before Christmas.

That would be good.

Wonder if we signed him for four years and then managed to get him for next year....would the contract still be for 4 years or would it turn into 5?

 

[HaroldBishop]

It's my understanding he isn't available till 2025, that works great for us, we have a load of cap space, unless they resign everybody, for 2025.
I cannot see why we wouldn't offer him a front loaded contract, it has to be 1.1 million at least because it cannot be lower than current contract.
But if we give the second year ( 2026 ) a decent crack and then reduce marginally the 3rd or say 4th year, why that wouldn't be fair
Having said that , he is top shelf, imo he doesn't make much difference to dragqueens, but to us, we go from pretenders to contenders, full stop, period end of story.

I disagree, would be far better for us to get him for next year. We instantly become a top 4 team with him imo.

 

[Wiz]

It's my understanding he isn't available till 2025, that works great for us, we have a load of cap space, unless they resign everybody, for 2025.
I cannot see why we wouldn't offer him a front loaded contract, it has to be 1.1 million at least because it cannot be lower than current contract.
But if we give the second year ( 2026 ) a decent crack and then reduce marginally the 3rd or say 4th year, why that wouldn't be fair
Having said that , he is top shelf, imo he doesn't make much difference to dragqueens, but to us, we go from pretenders to contenders, full stop, period end of story.

I like that idea of front loading it… if it doesn’t imbalance anything for that year because we would already have those players signed and added to cap

I disagree, would be far better for us to get him for next year. We instantly become a top 4 team with him imo.

The way Flanagan is saying a decision will be made before Christmas could be because he’s on the table for joining pre-season after the holiday break

 

[Seenoevil]

I like that idea of front loading it… if it doesn’t imbalance anything for that year because we would already have those players signed and added to cap

The way Flanagan is saying a decision will be made before Christmas could be because he’s on the table for joining pre-season after the holiday break

I am confused, why would the warriors release AFB for 2024? Unless there is some trade ?
I get your point about balancing the cap, he cannot get all the money, but we are talking this guy's prime years 29 thru 32 at least.
There are only 4 top shelf props or so, and AFB is one of them.

The fade outs of the last years have to be hurting somebody in decision making
I am prepared to see another soft exit next year, if I know we are getting AFB , to add fear factor to us.

 

[bort]

I agree, but only because I think he's money motivated. I think if we get close, saints will up the offer because Flanno is desperate to make his mark and to keep Hunt. He's very strategically getting out in the media to get some new blood in. If they land AFB, it could easily tip the scales to get another one or two. If they miss him, it could go the other way.

I think if Dearden or Manu moves it is because they got an offer their current clubs can't come close to.
Dragons have a lot of mid-high contracts which would make forking out for these guys tough, although conveniently quite a few of them end after next year (Bird (MO), de Belin, F Molo, Su'a, Suli)

I don't think any variation of the below convinces Dearden or Manu to move on anything near even money. Even with a 35 year old Hunt in his last year of contract. (de Belin 34)

8 Lawrie 9 Riddle 10 AFB/FMolo
11 Russell 12 Su'a/Luki
13 Sele/de Belin

 

[HaroldBishop]

I am confused, why would the warriors release AFB for 2024? Unless there is some trade ?
I get your point about balancing the cap, he cannot get all the money, but we are talking this guy's prime years 29 thru 32 at least.
There are only 4 top shelf props or so, and AFB is one of them.

The fade outs of the last years have to be hurting somebody in decision making
I am prepared to see another soft exit next year, if I know we are getting AFB , to add fear factor to us.

Plenty top shelf props atm I reckon. In no particular order.

AFB is the only one available though, would love to be a fly on the wall at Sharks' HQ.

Haas
Tino
JFH
NAS
AFB
Tapine
Flegler

 

[Wiz]

I am confused, why would the warriors release AFB for 2024? Unless there is some trade ?
I get your point about balancing the cap, he cannot get all the money, but we are talking this guy's prime years 29 thru 32 at least.
There are only 4 top shelf props or so, and AFB is one of them.

The fade outs of the last years have to be hurting somebody in decision making
I am prepared to see another soft exit next year, if I know we are getting AFB , to add fear factor to us.

I don’t think they let him go without a swap.

You could front load him next year say if you include BHU in the swap for example he’d be on around 500k, plus the 750k that’s supposedly free now.

That’s 1.25 million you can front load without any impact on anyone

 

[Seenoevil]

Plenty top shelf props atm I reckon. In no particular order.

AFB is the only one available though, would love to be a fly on the wall at Sharks' HQ.

Haas
Tino
JFH
NAS
AFB
Tapine
Flegler

Yes no leaks at all haha
Maybe that is good

Agree on your list of props
Tho I still think , haas, jfh , afb and tino are the pick of the litter
But the others are still young and will likely challenge

 

[Wiz]

Plenty top shelf props atm I reckon. In no particular order.

AFB is the only one available though, would love to be a fly on the wall at Sharks' HQ.

Haas
Tino
JFH
NAS
AFB
Tapine
Flegler

Yep

And Goodluck on getting your hands on any one of those players apart from AFB anytime soon

 

[Seenoevil]

I don’t think they let him go without a swap.

You could front load him next year say if you include BHU in the swap for example he’s be on around 500k, plus the 750k that’s supposedly free now.

That’s 1.25 million you can front load without any impact on anyone

I like them numbers, and think fair to him.

 

[bort]

Plenty top shelf props atm I reckon. In no particular order.

AFB is the only one available though, would love to be a fly on the wall at Sharks' HQ.

Haas
Tino
JFH
NAS
AFB
Tapine
Flegler

Personally I'd have Flegler down a tier from the others although right at the top of that next tier. Another near the top and potentially pushing in is Patty Carrigan* - no wonder Brisbane did so well this year with (IMO) 3 of the probably top 10 middles.

*I like Patty as a 13 but is more like your Tino, JFH, NAS, Taps who you could comfortably play at prop or lock, rather than someone like a Yeo who is a top lock but I wouldn't list here

 

[Seenoevil]

Personally I'd have Flegler down a tier from the others although right at the top of that next tier. Another near the top and potentially pushing in is Patty Carrigan* - no wonder Brisbane did so well this year with (IMO) 3 of the probably top 10 middles.

*I like Patty as a 13 but is more like your Tino, JFH, NAS, Taps who you could comfortably play at prop or lock, rather than someone like a Yeo who is a top lock but I wouldn't list here

Yeah Carrigan can or could be anything, not the least of which is a thorn in the side of NSW for idk maybe a decade

 

[Proud Shark]

That would be good.

Wonder if we signed him for four years and then managed to get him for next year....would the contract still be for 4 years or would it turn into 5?

Surely 5, which I'd be fine with as it begins to look like we can get at least 3 good years out of him.

I think if Dearden or Manu moves it is because they got an offer their current clubs can't come close to.
Dragons have a lot of mid-high contracts which would make forking out for these guys tough, although conveniently quite a few of them end after next year (Bird (MO), de Belin, F Molo, Su'a, Suli)

I don't think any variation of the below convinces Dearden or Manu to move on anything near even money. Even with a 35 year old Hunt in his last year of contract. (de Belin 34)

8 Lawrie 9 Riddle 10 AFB/FMolo
11 Russell 12 Su'a/Luki
13 Sele/de Belin

Yeah obviously only if they can afford it. I'm not saying that it will be the sole reason that others sign, but it helps.

Look at Luai, I don't think there is any way he signs with the Tigers without their 2023 recruitment. If you get AFB, then convince hunt to stay long term, the ball is definitely rolling the way you want it to.

 

[Sparkles]

I am confused, why would the warriors release AFB for 2024? Unless there is some trade ?
I get your point about balancing the cap, he cannot get all the money, but we are talking this guy's prime years 29 thru 32 at least.
There are only 4 top shelf props or so, and AFB is one of them.

The fade outs of the last years have to be hurting somebody in decision making
I am prepared to see another soft exit next year, if I know we are getting AFB , to add fear factor to us.

Maybe it's better to think about who the Warriors might target if they have that AFB money. Is there someone they could get now that helps their side?
I don't know who that is, but someone will have an opinion...