DCE on debut

[David Sutherland]

Only the first game as a halves' combo, so I am sure they will work on this further as the season progresses. I can't see either playing second fiddle to the other for 80 minutes, so they will swap roles as the so-called leading half depending on where they are on the field and game situation.

Whoever plays dummy half may be in a quandary at times if both DCE and Sam Walker call for the ball — maybe have a run from Dummy Half instead, or pass it to James Tedesco who will be another one calling for the ball — hopefully not at the same time.

All 3 calling for the ball will be very confusing for the dummy half.

[Steggles]

One thing that I noticed about Sam was that he now has a long kick in his game. Could that have been from working with DCE, who knows, but it is a welcome addition. Also reduces the reliance on either DCE or Savala for a long kicking game. Hopefully not just a couple of lucky kicks with the wind behind him.

[Tommy Smith]

DCE has yet to debut.

He will be an astute signing.

This team for a few years has played a mercurial and unpredictable brand of footy that too often misfired against good teams who knew they simply had to complete their sets, kick long and wait for us to self-implode.

Look at the Sharks semi. An absolute catastrophe. A disasterclass exhibition of how to be the more talented team but somehow pull a defeat out of your ass.

Walker was the worst offender.

So this team desperately needs an experienced leader to pull the strings and add a calming presence.

I am very confident he will be an excellent signing and he will prove it early in the season. Maybe even on his actual debut.

As an added bonus, he's the greatest exponent of the field goal of all time. Walker is excellent too. Having two world class field goal kickers left and right of the ruck will be a major weapon and just might win us a huge finals game or two.

[Bates]

Need to understand he was never bought to be an xfactor or someone at the peak of his powers we have enough attacking strike. His calmness & game management is what’s needed & this will take Walker’s game to the next level.

Hold your horse's Bruva.

There is no new rule that will allow DCE to sit on a picnic chair and wave his magic wand.

His athleticism will be challenged countless times during a game. Any weakness that comes with being 37 years old will be exposed.

I wish him well and admire the challenge that he's undertaken!

[QWERTY]

Had a few decent touches. Seemed to me like he took some pressure off Walker. Again, there really isn’t much to gain from the trial. Probably will have a good judgement on him near the middle of the season. If he is crap Savala just takes his spot anyway.

[mattyh]

He was flat as tack last night, Hugo would have done twice the job. Hugo's already a better game manager than old man DCE.

Calmness and game management? Old man DCE wasn't that calm when his kicks were being charged down or almost charged down. On the back foot and under pressure for every kick he attempted. Slow as a wet week.

Hugo's a different class. You'll see in a few weeks when DCE is dropped.

Mate, thats a huge call, you prepared to live and die by that?

[mattyh]

Again all im taking from trials is

Knights and dragons are rubbish

Souths and parra are possibly better then people think

[David Sutherland]

This is very correct. Cronk took 3 months before he started to fit in- although im not expecting DCE to make the same sort of impact. Thats why its only a 1 year contract at half the price he was getting at Manly.


I am very nervous about the Broncos having Haas off their books, doubled with Reynolds retiring. They are going to have a huge amount of cap space to have a crack at Sam Walker. Got to lock him up now. If we lose him its going to set us back years. Someone ring Uncle Nick and get an update on where it all stands!

The NRL needs to nail down a new broadcast deal so clubs have an indication of what the salary cap is from 2028 for the next 5 or so years. Players have ratchet clauses for when the cap increases- not sure how much of any cap increase is eaten up by these ratchet clauses.

If the cap increases by 50% as has been reported a player with a 1 million dollar contract in 2028 with ratchet clause would then be on 1.5 million.

PNG maybe an option as well - players will be residing in a 5 star resort - tax free - they will have to pay some sort of weekly rent and for their food etc but this will be heavily subsidised so they will pay some agreed average amount.

A player on 1 million a year at PNG Chiefs and paying 50k in rent/food - would make 950k - A similar player in Australia to make 950k after tax would need to be on a contract of around 1.7 to 1.8 million a year.

A player on 600k at the PNG Hunters- An Australian based player would have to be on a contract of 1 million or so a year to be paid the same amount after tax.

1.5 million - The Australian based player would need to be on a contract of around 2.8 million a year

The Broncos may not be the greatest concern.

[Andrew Walker]

The NRL needs to nail down a new broadcast deal so clubs have an indication of what the salary cap is from 2028 for the next 5 or so years. Players have ratchet clauses for when the cap increases- not sure how much of any cap increase is eaten up by these ratchet clauses.

If the cap increases by 50% as has been reported a player with a 1 million dollar contract in 2028 with ratchet clause would then be on 1.5 million.

PNG maybe an option as well - players will be residing in a 5 star resort - tax free - they will have to pay some sort of weekly rent and for their food etc but this will be heavily subsidised so they will pay some agreed average amount.

A player on 1 million a year at PNG Hunters and paying 50k in rent/food - would make 950k - A similar player in Australia to make 950k after tax would need to be on a contract of around 1.7 to 1.8 million a year.

A player on 600k at the PNG Hunters- An Australian based player would have to be on a contract of 1 million or so a year to be paid the same amount after tax.

1.5 million - The Australian based player would need to be on a contract of around 2.8 million a year

The Broncos may not be the greatest concern.

Good post Sutho Food For Thought Oh time for a sing song


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJqrLupkk3g

[bondi.boy]

He was flat as tack last night, Hugo would have done twice the job. Hugo's already a better game manager than old man DCE.

Calmness and game management? Old man DCE wasn't that calm when his kicks were being charged down or almost charged down. On the back foot and under pressure for every kick he attempted. Slow as a wet week.

Hugo's a different class. You'll see in a few weeks when DCE is dropped.

Hugo makes mistakes...like hogging the ball when he should pass it so tries can be scored.

DCE will play the way Trent wants him to.
This was his first hit out with our team.
He was solid.
He's very experienced.
He was bought partly to show Sam and Hugo how to improve?
His kicking game last night was good, one led to a try.

He wasn't the reason we lost the game.

[IRoosterManI]

Not going to say the same thing is going to happen BUT i recall the same kind of things being said about Cronk after a few rounds into the 2018 season.. let the season play out before counting him out.. yea his older but his also in a new club with new combos to learn.. give it time.

[BTRD]

We lost , and we always lose due to missed tackles , continual dropping of the ball and dumb decisions.

You really wander what this coach ; coaches and says to the players in training sessions.

[Bates]

Not going to say the same thing is going to happen BUT i recall the same kind of things being said about Cronk after a few rounds into the 2018 season.. let the season play out before counting him out.. yea his older but his also in a new club with new combos to learn.. give it time.

It's not a like for like scenario though

The 2018/19 team were primed to win a comp. They just needed the right general to steer them around the park. Cronk was still numerous rungs above where DCE is at this point in time of his career.

The other big difference is the 6 again rule and the speed of the game. Players are morphing slowly into different looking athletes with broader skill sets. Having watched the trails it appears that every 19 year old coming through can run 100 metres in under 11 seconds and can ball play. Young props look like back rowers these days. The current speed of the game and sharpness required will be a big challenge for DCE imo.

[Batemans Bay Rooster]

Mate, thats a huge call, you prepared to live and die by that?

Umm, if you mean literally, as in I will die if I'm wrong? Then no. And in that game, do I only get to live if I'm right? You won't get many sales with that deal matty

It's not a huge call at all. Every chance DCE is actually over the hill, we'll see in the next few weeks.

So much reliance put on his reputation. The problem is, he's the oldest player in the comp. He just doesn't have it anymore. One top four finish in 10 seasons. On his last legs. Father Time remains undefeated for a reason. Hugo is a better footballer than he is. Not discounting the stellar career of DCE, which it has been.

As at today Hugo is just such a better player. And the gap is only getting wider.

[mattyh]

Umm, if you mean literally, as in I will die if I'm wrong? Then no. And in that game, do I only get to live if I'm right? You won't get many sales with that deal matty

It's not a huge call at all. Every chance DCE is actually over the hill, we'll see in the next few weeks.

So much reliance put on his reputation. The problem is, he's the oldest player in the comp. He just doesn't have it anymore. One top four finish in 10 seasons. On his last legs. Father Time remains undefeated for a reason. Hugo is a better footballer than he is. Not discounting the stellar career of DCE, which it has been.

As at today Hugo is just such a better player. And the gap is only getting wider.

Im not saying your wrong mate, im just getting the feeling dce might be sneaky good for us and walker and savala.

Again its all opinion, i could be totally wrong , so could you, well see soon.

I think dce is happy to be 2f and just play his role , kick well , get quality ball to toia, mark, smith and teddy and we will be fine .

And if he is a bust , damn lucky we got savala.