Looking forward and moving on

[rwbfl]

Whilst it is quite disappointing for us all that RTS has decided to leave, we can now finally move on and focus our attentions on our next strategies of retention. What is important to note is that the club must continually conduct forward thinking, and imo that's what we have done well. Whilst the futures of Maloney, SKD, Tupou, SST, Mitchell etc. are all up in the air, we can all pretty much guess what the outcomes will be there. Furthermore, there are much greater concerns in regards to contract extensions over the next few seasons.

Over the next few years, the following players come off contract

2016
Michael Jennings
Boyd Cordner
Mitchell Aubusson
Sam Moa
Jackson Hastings
Kane Evans

2017
Mitchell Pearce
JWH
Aidan Guerra
Dylan Napa

2018
Jake Friend
Blake Ferguson (apparently going to sign a 3 year deal)

There are a range of must-keep names among those lists; I see Pearce, Friend, Cordner, Jennings and JWH as the top 5 priority keeps of all those players. In my mind, their losses would be just as big, if not worse, than Roger. Furthermore, it's rare that Uncle Nick doesn't bring in a big name signing every few years. Could SBW come back? Could we possibly tempt Folau/Hayne back from their respective codes? Considering the NRLs 'war chest', these are all possible; however we'd need a fair chunk of cap space too.

As such you have to appreciate that the club haven't fallen over to match the Warriors offer just to keep one player. As good as he is, with our squad, we couldn't justify throwing that much money at Roger. The club have still done a decent bit of business imo

[eddie]

There's only two players on that list that we signed as established first graders, and both were unwanted by there previous club.

This salary cap sux.

[Bigchook]

There's only two players on that list that we signed as established first graders, and both were unwanted by there previous club.

This salary cap sux.

Tell that to the bottom feeders. The salary cap is doing what it should. It's unfortunate for us but beneficial to the game in the long run. The real shame is that we didn't go on with it last year and win the comp when we had the roster we did.

[2026]

Tell that to the bottom feeders. The salary cap is doing what it should. It's unfortunate for us but beneficial to the game in the long run. The real shame is that we didn't go on with it last year and win the comp when we had the roster we did.

Is the salary cap helping the "bottom feeders"?

It's more likely to snow in Bondi than a Raiders vs Titans GF.

[eddie]

Tell that to the bottom feeders. The salary cap is doing what it should. It's unfortunate for us but beneficial to the game in the long run. The real shame is that we didn't go on with it last year and win the comp when we had the roster we did.

crap.
and rubbish.
It ain't doing what it should at all.

"beneficial to the game" pffft.

spoken like the great brain-washed.

[dice]

Tell that to the bottom feeders. The salary cap is doing what it should. It's unfortunate for us but beneficial to the game in the long run. The real shame is that we didn't go on with it last year and win the comp when we had the roster we did.

I can't see how spending more than 10% of salary cap on someone like RTS is helping out the bottom feeders. Panthers turned their fortunes around by doing the opposite with Jennings, Lewis, and Grant.

I will be very disappointed if we pay big money for Alex Johnston.

[2026]

I can't see how spending more than 10% of salary cap on someone like RTS is helping out the bottom feeders. Panthers turned their fortunes around by doing the opposite with Jennings, Lewis, and Grant.

I will be very disappointed if we pay big money for Alex Johnston.

The team is ripe and the window ajar for at least 2 more seasons however we need a quality FB.

Alex Johnston albeit from a club most of us hate ticks all the boxes.You'd rather give him $500k a season than go cheap and sign Michael Gordon for 200 to 300k a season.

Personally i thnk Fergo will get a shot and if we can lock him in now at say around 400k a year for 3 years, we've done well.

[Rooster_6]

If it was me I'd;

- Re-sign SST instantly for 2-3years.
- Let Skids go and use the money for retention purposes not recruitment.
- Re-sign Maloney for one more year and then use his contract next year to re-sign our stars
- Let Toops go unless he's asking for a fair price (unlikely)
- Let Skids go unless he asking for a fair price (possibility)
- Start using SKD, RTS & Toops's money to lock up the under 23 players who are going to shape our future for the next 10 years (Latrell Mitchell, Hastings, Evans & Cordner). Possibly 1 or 2 more U20's stars.

- Then in 2016 start using Maloney's money to top up the likes of Aubusson, Moa & Jennings. 500k to top up contracts between the 3 of them should be more than enough.

- In 2017 we might have to make a hard decision..... but that's a long way a way, a lot will change before then.

[Guest]

It is highly unlikely that James "Jim" Maloney will accept a mere one season contract extension.

[2026]

It is highly unlikely that James "Jim" Maloney will accept a mere one season contract extension.

No chance. Not at his age and he has a young family to consider.

With such a shortage of quality halves, he can demand upwards of 750k a season for 3 years imo.

If a rival club is desperate enough, and they have the room, it can quite easily head into overs territory.

[roostersrule2]

One year may suit him, it'd still give him the chance to sign a decent contract for 2017 and beyond.

[2026]

One year may suit him, it'd still give him the chance to sign a decent contract for 2017 and beyond.

What if he sustains a career ending injury?

I year contracts are fraught with danger.

[roostersrule2]

What if he sustains a career ending injury?

I year contracts are fraught with danger.

Then his three year contract goes out the window too.

Contracts and health have no correlation.

[2026]

Then his three year contract goes out the window too.

Contracts and health have no correlation.

His contract is honored if he sustains a work place career ending injury.

[Rooster_6]

It is highly unlikely that James "Jim" Maloney will accept a mere one season contract extension.

I think it's a real possibility if Manly don't throw crazy money at him.

Reality is all the clubs who needed halves have already spent their coin on big purchases (DCE, Foran & Sezer), Manly remain the last ones and who knows what they're going to do.

Jimmy came off contract in a competitive time where the off contract halves was lead by a group of highly promising early 20 year olds and it's no surprise that's where all the money went.

Next year the off contract halves is lead by a potential 33 year old Cooper Cronk and a 32 year old Benji Marshall. James Maloney's value would sky rocket regardless of how he was playing. Supply & demand, a one year contract may not sound as bad as you think....