Joey Leilua guarantees he'll be with Raiders in 2020

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The Nickman
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Re: Canterbury Bulldogs want to sign Canberra Raiders centre Joey Leilua

Post by The Nickman »

Matt wrote: September 16, 2019, 2:26 pm
julian87 wrote: September 16, 2019, 2:25 pm
VictorTheViking wrote: September 16, 2019, 2:21 pm 2. Cotric
3. Croker
4. Wighton
5. Simonsson

Sezer and Williams will be our halves

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There’s zero chance of moving Wighton to centre and rightly so. Absolute madness to even contemplate it tbh.
Yup, Wighton 6, thats not changing
So where do you play George Williams after Aiden Sezer wins the Clive Churchill medal?
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Re: Canterbury Bulldogs want to sign Canberra Raiders centre Joey Leilua

Post by Matt »

The Rickman wrote: September 16, 2019, 2:27 pm
Matt wrote: September 16, 2019, 2:26 pm
julian87 wrote: September 16, 2019, 2:25 pm
VictorTheViking wrote: September 16, 2019, 2:21 pm 2. Cotric
3. Croker
4. Wighton
5. Simonsson

Sezer and Williams will be our halves

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There’s zero chance of moving Wighton to centre and rightly so. Absolute madness to even contemplate it tbh.
Yup, Wighton 6, thats not changing
So where do you play George Williams after Aiden Sezer wins the Clive Churchill medal?
Hahahaha. Sezer wont win a CC. He might win a premiership.

G Williams is an English international half, he isnt coming here to play backup.

I suspect the further we go, the more in demand Sezer is, and he gets a sweet ride somewhere else. Sammy to continue to be a perfect bridesmaid
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Re: Canterbury Bulldogs want to sign Canberra Raiders centre Joey Leilua

Post by VictorTheViking »

I'd rather see us do that than waste money on an outside back we don't need and risk losing youngsters we don't want to.

Wighton would do just as well at centre as he has at 6, and we have a guy along side him also on contract that's done a fair job this year too.



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Re: Canterbury Bulldogs want to sign Canberra Raiders centre Joey Leilua

Post by SeeBee101 »

Matt wrote: September 16, 2019, 2:22 pm TBH, i think the majority of has been covered to this point but, these decisions have to be cap related. No other clubs are paying multiple outside backs the kind of money we are. Croker, BJ and Rapa will all be on good money, esp as the latter 2 re-signed after 2016.

Rapa turned down a deal earlier in the yr, backing himself. Now the club has offered a new deal, which I believe is less.
The idea of shopping BJ has come up a few times since he has been here. This time, he is coming off a really bad injury AND a dumb play. Maybe they are thinking lets get out before his body falls apart.

We have all said that Leipana are better together than apart, so to that end, keep both, or release both, makes sence to me. Given the season Simmonson has had, I can totally see them thinking we have Rapa cover at half the cost. I also think they know what they have in Cotric, and again, we have BJ cover at half the cost.

We have seen what Oldfield can provide as backup. Kris is coming along nicely, and Smith-Sheilds looks really good. I worry about his size, coz he has a Croker vibe about him, as a small body outside back.

Given all this, of all the positions in the NRL to fill, winger is the easiest. I suspect the club is looking at 2 guys that have done a fantasitc job, but are getting older, more fragile, and on big coin, and thinking its time to deal with the business, not with the heart.

Sezer vs Williams vs Williams is a different kettle of fish. Also, Wighton is our #6, thats not changing. Also, those watching George might note that during the year he switched from left to right side. Hint hint.
Smith-Shields is 95kg according to the NSW cup website. About the same size as Wighton.

https://www.nswrl.com.au/players/nsw-cu ... h-shields/
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Re: Canterbury Bulldogs want to sign Canberra Raiders centre Joey Leilua

Post by Matt »

SeeBee101 wrote: September 16, 2019, 5:26 pm
Matt wrote: September 16, 2019, 2:22 pm TBH, i think the majority of has been covered to this point but, these decisions have to be cap related. No other clubs are paying multiple outside backs the kind of money we are. Croker, BJ and Rapa will all be on good money, esp as the latter 2 re-signed after 2016.

Rapa turned down a deal earlier in the yr, backing himself. Now the club has offered a new deal, which I believe is less.
The idea of shopping BJ has come up a few times since he has been here. This time, he is coming off a really bad injury AND a dumb play. Maybe they are thinking lets get out before his body falls apart.

We have all said that Leipana are better together than apart, so to that end, keep both, or release both, makes sence to me. Given the season Simmonson has had, I can totally see them thinking we have Rapa cover at half the cost. I also think they know what they have in Cotric, and again, we have BJ cover at half the cost.

We have seen what Oldfield can provide as backup. Kris is coming along nicely, and Smith-Sheilds looks really good. I worry about his size, coz he has a Croker vibe about him, as a small body outside back.

Given all this, of all the positions in the NRL to fill, winger is the easiest. I suspect the club is looking at 2 guys that have done a fantasitc job, but are getting older, more fragile, and on big coin, and thinking its time to deal with the business, not with the heart.

Sezer vs Williams vs Williams is a different kettle of fish. Also, Wighton is our #6, thats not changing. Also, those watching George might note that during the year he switched from left to right side. Hint hint.
Smith-Shields is 95kg according to the NSW cup website. About the same size as Wighton.

https://www.nswrl.com.au/players/nsw-cu ... h-shields/
Really?!? Wow. Doesn't look that big.
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Re: Canterbury Bulldogs want to sign Canberra Raiders centre Joey Leilua

Post by Raiders_Pat »

I don't think Rapana is the type of winger who can command big money these days particularly at his age and I'd be fine with him going if we can't get the right price. Leilua is arguably the best centre in the game and deserves a decent contract... I would be trying a bit harder to hold on to him than Raps but wouldn't be matching any ridiculously large offers. I do think we need to find another player who draws in/soaks up defenders like Leilua if he does go - we have picked up a lot of points off the back of the gaps in defence he's created in this regard over the years (the Bateman try on the weekend was a classic example of this).

As for Sezer... surely we'll see him out of here before next season. Unless he's receiving terrible advice from his manager, that is. If we go through to the GF, win or lose, the type of offers he would get as a starting half in this team over what he'd potentially get as a back up half for most of next season would be significantly larger, I'd imagine.

And no, Wighton will not be moving to the centres to accommodate for Sezer with George Williams coming in...
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Re: Canterbury Bulldogs want to sign Canberra Raiders centre Joey Leilua

Post by Matt »

Those saying BJ is the best centre in the game are forgetting about Latrell. Like it or not, he is #1, so at best BJ is #2.
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Re: Canterbury Bulldogs want to sign Canberra Raiders centre Joey Leilua

Post by simo »

Matt wrote: September 17, 2019, 9:28 am Those saying BJ is the best centre in the game are forgetting about Latrell. Like it or not, he is #1, so at best BJ is #2.
Latrells got the best 5 minutes of centre play in the comp. Bj brings so much more over 80 minutes.
Dont delete this GE
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Re: Canterbury Bulldogs want to sign Canberra Raiders centre Joey Leilua

Post by Raiders_Pat »

Matt wrote: September 17, 2019, 9:28 am Those saying BJ is the best centre in the game are forgetting about Latrell. Like it or not, he is #1, so at best BJ is #2.
I did take Mitchell in to consideration which is why I said "arguably", definitely didn't forget about him. Although personally I would have Leilua over Mitchell. Mitchell has better long term prospects and more finesse with the ball in hand which allows him to play 5/8, but as Simo said, Leilua is the better specialist centre particularly over 80mins imo.
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Re: Canterbury Bulldogs want to sign Canberra Raiders centre Joey Leilua

Post by woppadingo »

Mitchell on the left Leilua on the right
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Re: Canterbury Bulldogs want to sign Canberra Raiders centre Joey Leilua

Post by gangrenous »

Here I am, stuck in the middle with you
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Re: Canterbury Bulldogs want to sign Canberra Raiders centre Joey Leilua

Post by Matt »

gangrenous wrote: September 17, 2019, 6:16 pm Here I am, stuck in the middle with you
:roflmao
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Re: Canterbury Bulldogs want to sign Canberra Raiders centre Joey Leilua

Post by Matt »

Raiders_Pat wrote: September 17, 2019, 3:24 pm
Matt wrote: September 17, 2019, 9:28 am Those saying BJ is the best centre in the game are forgetting about Latrell. Like it or not, he is #1, so at best BJ is #2.
I did take Mitchell in to consideration which is why I said "arguably", definitely didn't forget about him. Although personally I would have Leilua over Mitchell. Mitchell has better long term prospects and more finesse with the ball in hand which allows him to play 5/8, but as Simo said, Leilua is the better specialist centre particularly over 80mins imo.
Same could be said of GI. He would drift in and out of games too. But when he decided to inject himself he was unstoppable
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Re: Canterbury Bulldogs want to sign Canberra Raiders centre Joey Leilua

Post by The Nickman »

Matt wrote:
Raiders_Pat wrote: September 17, 2019, 3:24 pm
Matt wrote: September 17, 2019, 9:28 am Those saying BJ is the best centre in the game are forgetting about Latrell. Like it or not, he is #1, so at best BJ is #2.
I did take Mitchell in to consideration which is why I said "arguably", definitely didn't forget about him. Although personally I would have Leilua over Mitchell. Mitchell has better long term prospects and more finesse with the ball in hand which allows him to play 5/8, but as Simo said, Leilua is the better specialist centre particularly over 80mins imo.
Same could be said of GI. He would drift in and out of games too. But when he decided to inject himself he was unstoppable
Same could be said about Paul Gallen
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Re: Canterbury Bulldogs want to sign Canberra Raiders centre Joey Leilua

Post by Matt »

The Rickman wrote: September 18, 2019, 8:10 am
Matt wrote:
Raiders_Pat wrote: September 17, 2019, 3:24 pm
Matt wrote: September 17, 2019, 9:28 am Those saying BJ is the best centre in the game are forgetting about Latrell. Like it or not, he is #1, so at best BJ is #2.
I did take Mitchell in to consideration which is why I said "arguably", definitely didn't forget about him. Although personally I would have Leilua over Mitchell. Mitchell has better long term prospects and more finesse with the ball in hand which allows him to play 5/8, but as Simo said, Leilua is the better specialist centre particularly over 80mins imo.
Same could be said of GI. He would drift in and out of games too. But when he decided to inject himself he was unstoppable
Same could be said about Paul Gallen
Not at all. Gal was always an 'efforts' player. Workrate was his go.
oh wait...inject joke?!?!
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Re: Canterbury Bulldogs want to sign Canberra Raiders centre Joey Leilua

Post by The Nickman »

Oooooh, Matt with the last chance snatch at avoiding the call there... too late though unfortunately.
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Re: Canterbury Bulldogs want to sign Canberra Raiders centre Joey Leilua

Post by Northern Raider »

Mitchell is the best centre in the game whenever he feels like it.
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Re: Canterbury Bulldogs want to sign Canberra Raiders centre Joey Leilua

Post by Matt »

The Rickman wrote: September 18, 2019, 9:12 am Oooooh, Matt with the last chance snatch at avoiding the call there... too late though unfortunately.
coffee hadnt quite kicked in :lol:
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Re: Canterbury Bulldogs want to sign Canberra Raiders centre Joey Leilua

Post by Wiki Special »

I will be genuinely disappointed if we don't have Joey on the roster next season. I understand the clubs position if we don't retain him after 2020 but he is contracted for next year and I hope we hold him to that.
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Re: Canberra Raiders prepared to let grand final centre Joey Leilua walk

Post by greeneyed »

Canberra Raiders prepared to let grand final centre Joey Leilua walk

Canberra are considering letting controversial centre Joey Leilua test the open market for next season. He is also on a hefty $650,000 pay packet and if he left, it would ease the Raiders' salary cap problems considerably.

But the problem is that no rival club would be prepared to match that offer, with the Raiders having to tip in at least $200,000 to move Leilua on.

Read more: https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/the-mole-c ... 4fde1c83a2
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Re: Canterbury Bulldogs want to sign Canberra Raiders centre Joey Leilua

Post by luke »

Matt wrote: September 17, 2019, 9:28 am Those saying BJ is the best centre in the game are forgetting about Latrell. Like it or not, he is #1, so at best BJ is #2.
Wighton is the best centre in the game ;)
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Re: Canberra Raiders prepared to let grand final centre Joey Leilua walk

Post by Billy Walker »

Having to pay at least $200k for another team to have BJ is not exactly wonderful cap management. Very poor outcome!
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Re: Canberra Raiders prepared to let grand final centre Joey Leilua walk

Post by boydy80 »

I'm fine with it. He's on big money. Cotric gets a steady shot in the centres. Simonson gets the starting spot he deserves, and we get $650k to upgrade Wighton and co. Things could pan out worse for us post GF.
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Re: Canberra Raiders prepared to let grand final centre Joey Leilua walk

Post by Dusty »

I would not let Joey go...
Surely if Sezer and Rapana both go it’d free up enough to ease and cap concerns


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2020: 1. Nicol-Klokstad 2. Cotric 3. Croker (c) 4 Leilua 5. Scott 6. Wighton 7. G. Williams 8. Papalii 9. Hodgson (c) 10. Sutton 11. J. Bateman 12. Whitehead 13. Tapine ----
14. Simmonson 15. Soliola 16. Guler 17. Horsburgh
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Re: Canberra Raiders prepared to let grand final centre Joey Leilua walk

Post by Roger Kenworthy »

Dusty wrote: October 15, 2019, 4:17 pm I would not let Joey go...
Surely if Sezer and Rapana both go it’d free up enough to ease and cap concerns


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If teams want us to chip in 200 for BJ then I'm sure it would be similar or more for Sezer.
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Re: Canberra Raiders prepared to let grand final centre Joey Leilua walk

Post by Butters »

boydy80 wrote: October 15, 2019, 4:16 pm I'm fine with it. He's on big money. Cotric gets a steady shot in the centres. Simonson gets the starting spot he deserves, and we get $650k to upgrade Wighton and co. Things could pan out worse for us post GF.
Only $450k if we're tipping in $200k
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Re: Canberra Raiders prepared to let grand final centre Joey Leilua walk

Post by yeh raiders »

He's our best centre, and 2nd best running forward at the same time.

We take a significant step backward letting Joey go IMO.
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Re: Canberra Raiders prepared to let grand final centre Joey Leilua walk

Post by Wiki Special »

I really want one more year of Joey.
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Re: Canberra Raiders prepared to let grand final centre Joey Leilua walk

Post by The Nickman »

Butters wrote: October 15, 2019, 4:19 pm
boydy80 wrote: October 15, 2019, 4:16 pm I'm fine with it. He's on big money. Cotric gets a steady shot in the centres. Simonson gets the starting spot he deserves, and we get $650k to upgrade Wighton and co. Things could pan out worse for us post GF.
Only $450k if we're tipping in $200k
Not even that, you still have to fill his spot on the roster with at least a minimum wage guy. So how much do you really get?? 300k?
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Re: Canberra Raiders prepared to let grand final centre Joey Leilua walk

Post by Raiders666 »

Can't we let Croker go instead?
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Re: Canberra Raiders prepared to let grand final centre Joey Leilua walk

Post by Billy Walker »

Raiders666 wrote: October 15, 2019, 4:44 pm Can't we let Croker go instead?
I think that would be a better option.
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Re: Canberra Raiders prepared to let grand final centre Joey Leilua walk

Post by The Nickman »

Billy Walker wrote: October 15, 2019, 5:03 pm
Raiders666 wrote: October 15, 2019, 4:44 pm Can't we let Croker go instead?
I think that would be a better option.
I'd happily let Croker AND Joey walk if you'd **** off.
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Re: Canberra Raiders prepared to let grand final centre Joey Leilua walk

Post by afgtnk »

This is where the emotion, attachment, and lack of ruthlessness kicks in.

BJ is a striker player, an X factor, and a better centre than Croker in almost every facet. I'm not exactly against the idea of Leilua going, but I am against it when an inferior player in Croker with less bearing on our title chances stays instead on big money. That's the way you **** up any chances you have of a premiership.
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Re: Canberra Raiders prepared to let grand final centre Joey Leilua walk

Post by Seiffert82 »

Am I getting this straight?...

Leilua has a contract with us next season. The club has that factored into our 2020 salary cap.

His manager comes to the club wanting to test his client's value on the open market instead of honouring his contract with us.

No other club is willing to even go close to matching our contract for next season.

Why are we considering paying the freight for him to move clubs early?? So we pay Leilua $200k to play elsewhere and use the balance of his contract to sign an inferior player? Makes no sense.

This is why the fans get pissed off with players and managers playing silly buggers with contracts.
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Re: Canberra Raiders prepared to let grand final centre Joey Leilua walk

Post by -TW- »

I think we went to his manager and said he's free to go if he can find another club, his manager wanted to extend.

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