Lodge Officially gone

[Qld Chook]

We lose Lodge/ Baker but essentially replace with Spencer/ Whyte. I like it.

Plus we keep the old bull on.

Great way of looking at it. I just have a feeling Baker will kick on well at the Bronx, but oh well you can’t keep ‘em all.

[Batemans Bay Rooster]

Shame it ended this way. Was close to the best prop in the comp for a few weeks at his peak last season.

[Nicola Tesla]

I always thought releasing Matterson and buying Angus was a bad move at the time and am not convinced it was a greatmove now. I don't know figures for each (nobody does) but if Angus was as higher price purchase as reported, then it would have been better value keeping Matterson on an upgraded contract. Angus to me has never set the world on fire since arriving.... some guys like Bloke in a Bar crew etc, rate him extremely highly. I feel he is just a work rate back rower and should command that money (apparently he is on less these days which is about right) I think Matterson is as good if not better... but I don't watch every game of his closely.

[King Salvo]

Round 23 will be interesting then vs Manly

[milanja]

I always thought releasing Matterson and buying Angus was a bad move at the time and am not convinced it was a greatmove now. I don't know figures for each (nobody does) but if Angus was as higher price purchase as reported, then it would have been better value keeping Matterson on an upgraded contract. Angus to me has never set the world on fire since arriving.... some guys like Bloke in a Bar crew etc, rate him extremely highly. I feel he is just a work rate back rower and should command that money (apparently he is on less these days which is about right) I think Matterson is as good if not better... but I don't watch every game of his closely.

Has never played as good as he did for Souths in my opinion.

[milanja]

Most players we let go haven't really improved since they left us.

Liu - gun player
Naiqama - ESL
Gildart - reserve grade at Fins
Tapuha - reserve grade at Sharks
Keighran - ESL
Lussick - playing well for Warriors but wouldnt crack our 17
Tuipulotu - playing okay for Manly but wouldnt crack our 17
DSF - reserve grade at Souths
Flanagan - lol
Hall - ESL
Curran - playing well for Warriors
Verrills - been injured at Titans
Lam - ESL
Faamausili - reserve grade at Fins
O'Sullivan - playing well for Fins
Ikavalu - ESL
Tetavano - featured in a strong Penrith team, now ESL
Chris Smith - perennial reserve grader
Matterson - gun player
Trell - gun player but divisive
Taukeiaho - ESL
Ferguson - decent stint at Parra then retired
Hastings - lol
Elliot - perennial reserve grader
Napa - past it
Pearce - past it

Honestly, how many of them would we really take back into our starting 17? Trell, Liu, SST, Matto... maybe Hastings or O'Sullivan at a stretch. Ikavalu but for depth only.

Feels like we have been quite good at knowing who to let go.

Case in point, we brought home Momo and Watson. Look how that has played out so far..

Similar to when storm players leave their system, nicho being an exception

[Headless Chook]

I always thought releasing Matterson and buying Angus was a bad move at the time and am not convinced it was a greatmove now. I don't know figures for each (nobody does) but if Angus was as higher price purchase as reported, then it would have been better value keeping Matterson on an upgraded contract. Angus to me has never set the world on fire since arriving.... some guys like Bloke in a Bar crew etc, rate him extremely highly. I feel he is just a work rate back rower and should command that money (apparently he is on less these days which is about right) I think Matterson is as good if not better... but I don't watch every game of his closely.

I think Gus was ear marked as the long term replacement for Cordner. At his best he plays a similar style, takes the tough carries and plays physically. He was always a stand up sort of guy off the field as well with a squeaky clean image {up until recently if the rumours are to be believed). I can see why they went for him over Matto who always had a question mark over him when the going got tough

[ism22]

I think Gus was ear marked as the long term replacement for Cordner. At his best he plays a similar style, takes the tough carries and plays physically. He was always a stand up sort of guy off the field as well with a squeaky clean image {up until recently if the rumours are to be believed). I can see why they went for him over Matto who always had a question mark over him when the going got tough

IMO we're doubting ourselves waaaay too much just because it's a shyte year!!! One shyte season doesn't mean our last decade has made zero sence and everybody should be sacked immediately so they can be replaced by players who have form in 2023. Think of it as if it were your super fund... if you sold-up right away during the GFC and COVID you'd be bust as you woulda crystallised your losses. Whereas I was checking my super balance today and it's made made gains in recent times (more than made up for the COVID losses).

Love Matto. Really do. However, Gus plays for Australia. 'Rumours are true'? It's not a rumour... a serious mental health issue derailed Gus' season. Give a guy a break. And no, he is not an ice addict!!!!

[Vasco]

You make a good point.

I just think that the gap between Jarred and Lindsay and the rest of them is huge.

Totally agree. I guess that's why Leniu is on board next season.

[Ray Stehr]

Fark Lodge. Once a bum always a bum.

You'd know.

[Easts75]

Most players we let go haven't really improved since they left us.

Liu - gun player
Naiqama - ESL
Gildart - reserve grade at Fins
Tapuha - reserve grade at Sharks
Keighran - ESL
Lussick - playing well for Warriors but wouldnt crack our 17
Tuipulotu - playing okay for Manly but wouldnt crack our 17
DSF - reserve grade at Souths
Flanagan - lol
Hall - ESL
Curran - playing well for Warriors
Verrills - been injured at Titans
Lam - ESL
Faamausili - reserve grade at Fins
O'Sullivan - playing well for Fins
Ikavalu - ESL
Tetavano - featured in a strong Penrith team, now ESL
Chris Smith - perennial reserve grader
Matterson - gun player
Trell - gun player but divisive
Taukeiaho - ESL
Ferguson - decent stint at Parra then retired
Hastings - lol
Elliot - perennial reserve grader
Napa - past it
Pearce - past it

Honestly, how many of them would we really take back into our starting 17? Trell, Liu, SST, Matto... maybe Hastings or O'Sullivan at a stretch. Ikavalu but for depth only.

Feels like we have been quite good at knowing who to let go.

Case in point, we brought home Momo and Watson. Look how that has played out so far..

I'd find a place for Josh Curran in our 17 in a heart beat

[Carlos Parra]

I hope some more deadwood gets cleared out as well.

[bondi.boy]

Haas is reportedly (2GB) going to the market in Nov.

[Johnny73]

Haas is reportedly (2GB) going to the market in Nov.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruciate_ligament

500k for a cruciate ligament. Not worth the money, even for Payne Haas.

[Dr. Voodoo Man]

You'd know.

You know Cockburn, when we got done by Manly the other week I felt just a little better knowing you were at home crying into to your hankie.