Joey Leilua guarantees he'll be with Raiders in 2020

[Northern Raider]

Cotric to the centers if Joey goes I reckon


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Right now that's the obvious one with Simonssen to the wing and Oldy next on the depth chart for all spots. If we picked up Lomax then spots will be decided in pre-season and early rounds.

We should also remember that Rapana is off to Japan and no certainty of returning. As such we should be recruiting at least a fringe first grade outside back. Hard to spot the lesser know players like Simonssen and CNK who may be available. Those names I do know that are off contract and could fill a backup role are Josh Hoffman, Brenko Lee and Matt Ikuvalu.

[The Nickman]

Cotric to the centers if Joey goes I reckon


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Right now that's the obvious one with Simonssen to the wing and Oldy next on the depth chart for all spots. If we picked up Lomax then spots will be decided in pre-season and early rounds.

We should also remember that Rapana is off to Japan and no certainty of returning. As such we should be recruiting at least a fringe first grade outside back. Hard to spot the lesser know players like Simonssen and CNK who may be available. Those names I do know that are off contract and could fill a backup role are Josh Hoffman, Brenko Lee and Matt Ikuvalu.

Without Rapana I think we probably go:

1. CNK
2. Cotric
3. Croker
4. Lomax
5. Simonsson

[Botman]

If i had to guess right now, id bet on the following backline for round 1, 2020

1. CNK
2. Cotric
3. Croker
4. Lomax
5. Simonsen

With Rapana coming into the squad after the Japanese Rugby season is finished

[Botman]

God dammit.
It appears i am now the botman


**** IT ALL

[The Nickman]

God dammit.
It appears i am now the botman


**** IT ALL

That's BotpotPickRigMan to you, pal.

[Seiffert82]

I hope we're not picking up more than $100k of his salary...but I guess it all comes down to what the ultimate cost and opportunities are with other players.

I hope he plays on to a high level, but that whole ruptured vertibra issue was a concern.

[The Nickman]

I hope we're not picking up more than $100k of his salary...but I guess it all comes down to what the ultimate cost and opportunities are with other players.

I hope he plays on to a high level, but that whole ruptured vertibra issue was a concern.

I think it's 150k, Seiff. Pretty sure his current deal is 650k and the dogs are talking about 500k.

Honestly, Joey Leilua at 500k is an absolute steal!

[gerg]

mea culpa on Ryan Hall on not being a current international

Still, i really doubt that Hall and Morris combined would be on more than Fergo. This was not a case of the Sombrero at play

Can't comment as I don't know the value of each of their contracts.

I thought Fergo was reportedly on a reasonably low deal with Roosters because of his behavioural issues a few years back and when he got offered crazy money from Eels the Roosters weren't going to match it or stand in his way.

I don't think his salary would cover Morris and Hall. Roosters fans claim that Morris was unwanted but IMO it is more likely that he was unwanted at his asking price. The two statements are different. And lets not pretend that the Roosters are just cap management genius'.

I do note that Matters on also left but he was similar to Fergo - cheap deal and offered more elsewhere. All clubs upgrade players contracts when they come into the NRL but some are more creative with how they do it.

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[Northern Raider]

That's why with Bateman we should be looking at TPAs to top up the current deal. Secures him for the remainder of his contract at the lower cap figure. His new manager gets his cut as they generally claim a higher % of TPA money.

Win win

[gangrenous]

I thought Fergo was reportedly on a reasonably low deal with Roosters because of his behavioural issues a few years back and when he got offered crazy money from Eels the Roosters weren't going to match it or stand in his way.

That’s his point. The Roosters wouldn’t match the Eels deal and for what he’s on at the Eels they can instead have Hall and Morris.

[gangrenous]

Jesus, that’s a pretty big EDIT, gangy. You hate to see it from such an experienced poster.

Guess I’m missing the humour in continually badgering someone...

[Botman]

Yes. It very much appears that you are.

*checks notes*

you hate to see it.
Good grief.

[Roger Kenworthy]

The sums in my head tell me we're still paying 150k in freight. Which means of the 500k "saving" we make, we'll have to take a fair slab of that out for a new guy in the roster, let's say another 150k?

Losing a genuine strike weapon for only 350k in upgrades seems a bit crap to me. Still, if it somehow helps us keep Jack, Bateman and CNK long-term I guess it's the right decision.

And to echo Fergus from earlier, this is the kind of stuff the successful clubs do to keep their premiership window open indefinitely. You need to have faith in the systems in place at your club and whoever comes in and out of those systems can slot in and fulfill their role.

We've only seen one 5+ year run at contention in recent years. All that took to sustain was 4 years of cap cheating so star players could take lesser deals at the back end of their careers.

[-TW-]

1. CNK
2. Oldfield
3. Croker
4. Cotric
5. Simonsson

Wouldn't be unhappy with that

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[Coastalraider]

1. CNK
2. Oldfield
3. Croker
4. Cotric
5. Simonsson

Wouldn't be unhappy with that

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I’d be livid with that from where we were this year.

[Botman]

why? It's just losing Beej and not having Rapana until round 3 this year when the Japanese Rugby finishes up... that backline wouldnt stun me at at all rd 1. And it'll be fine too. That's a really solid backline

[-TW-]

Oldfield as a winger is criminally underrated by some on here

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[Coastalraider]

why? It's just losing Beej and not having Rapana until round 3 this year when the Japanese Rugby finishes up... that backline wouldnt stun me at at all rd 1. And it'll be fine too. That's a really solid backline

Because it relays on Rapana coming back. It’s all the eggs in that basket.

He will have had no off season, will be fatigued from playing rugby while everyone else is freshening up. He was looking busted most of this year, and know we seem content to ship him off to risk more fatigue and injury under someone else’s management.

Would you be happy with that backline and Kris first drop for the whole year? Especially considering the back 5 we have been fielding?

[Botman]

why? It's just losing Beej and not having Rapana until round 3 this year when the Japanese Rugby finishes up... that backline wouldnt stun me at at all rd 1. And it'll be fine too. That's a really solid backline

Because it relays on Rapana coming back. It’s all the eggs in that basket.

He will have had no off season, will be fatigued from playing rugby while everyone else is freshening up. He was looking busted most of this year, and know we seem content to ship him off to risk more fatigue and injury under someone else’s management.

Would you be happy with that backline and Kris first drop for the whole year? Especially considering the back 5 we have been fielding?

Yeah, i think i would.
I think Croker and Cotric are still an excellent centre pairing. Ive got no issues with Simo... and Oldy would start in a decent amount of teams and has done a great job for us.
Im also super high on Kris, higher than most. I think there is a real good player there

[gerg]

I thought Fergo was reportedly on a reasonably low deal with Roosters because of his behavioural issues a few years back and when he got offered crazy money from Eels the Roosters weren't going to match it or stand in his way.

That’s his point. The Roosters wouldn’t match the Eels deal and for what he’s on at the Eels they can instead have Hall and Morris.

I know that. But what Eels were willing to pay him has absolutely nothing to do with how much the Roosters had available to pay him.

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[Timbo]

Oldy would be a starter at most clubs. I would not be too upset with that outside four.

If we get Lomax, it’ll also mean there is genuine competition for spots in the three quarter line.

[afgtnk]

Keeping Raps ahead of BJ makes as little sense as keeping Croker ahead of BJ

[Coastalraider]

I love oldy, but he was very quickly demoted to second drop winger by a kid in a train and trial contract in Bailey, and second drop centre behind Kris.

He is an absolutely solid first drop winger, perhaps the best in the league. But the fact he averages something like 1 start in 3 games between Manly, Roosters, Souths, Penrith and now us tells the story. He is the Sammy Williams of wingers.

He may be criminally underrated by some on this forum, and I will be willing to eat humble pie if he turns into a superstar, but in the 9 years of his first grade career there have been a hell of a lot of coaching staffs that agree with me, including our own.

I am fully comfortable with Bailey in the backline, but I want another proven regular first grade centre/winger as well if we loose BJ and Rapa.

[Raidersteve]

I love oldy, but he was very quickly demoted to second drop winger by a kid in a train and trial contract in Bailey, and second drop centre behind Kris.

He is an absolutely solid first drop winger, perhaps the best in the league. But the fact he averages something like 1 start in 3 games between Manly, Roosters, Souths, Penrith and now us tells the story. He is the Sammy Williams of wingers.

He may be criminally underrated by some on this forum, and I will be willing to eat humble pie if he turns into a superstar, but in the 9 years of his first grade career there have been a hell of a lot of coaching staffs that agree with me, including our own.

I am fully comfortable with Bailey in the backline, but I want another proven regular dirt grade centre/winger as well if we loose BJ and Rapa.

I might be wrong but I don't think he was second drop behind Kris, wasn't he injured for the last 5 or 6 rounds after busting his shoulder I think while scoring a try wasn't it? in the first game of the Cotric suspension (memory might not be right on full details of the injury but I am fairly sure Kris only came in because of the Oldy injury)

[KasparRaider]

I love oldy, but he was very quickly demoted to second drop winger by a kid in a train and trial contract in Bailey, and second drop centre behind Kris.

He is an absolutely solid first drop winger, perhaps the best in the league. But the fact he averages something like 1 start in 3 games between Manly, Roosters, Souths, Penrith and now us tells the story. He is the Sammy Williams of wingers.

He may be criminally underrated by some on this forum, and I will be willing to eat humble pie if he turns into a superstar, but in the 9 years of his first grade career there have been a hell of a lot of coaching staffs that agree with me, including our own.

I am fully comfortable with Bailey in the backline, but I want another proven regular dirt grade centre/winger as well if we loose BJ and Rapa.

I might be wrong but I don't think he was second drop behind Kris, wasn't he injured for the last 5 or 6 rounds after busting his shoulder I think while scoring a try wasn't it? in the first game of the Cotric suspension (memory might not be right on full details of the injury but I am fairly sure Kris only came in because of the Oldy injury)

I thought it was the other way round, but I can't recall either. I do think the coaching team see more growth and talent in Kris than Oldfield. I think Kris is going to boom next year.

[The Nickman]

I love oldy, but he was very quickly demoted to second drop winger by a kid in a train and trial contract in Bailey, and second drop centre behind Kris.

He is an absolutely solid first drop winger, perhaps the best in the league. But the fact he averages something like 1 start in 3 games between Manly, Roosters, Souths, Penrith and now us tells the story. He is the Sammy Williams of wingers.

He may be criminally underrated by some on this forum, and I will be willing to eat humble pie if he turns into a superstar, but in the 9 years of his first grade career there have been a hell of a lot of coaching staffs that agree with me, including our own.

I am fully comfortable with Bailey in the backline, but I want another proven regular dirt grade centre/winger as well if we loose BJ and Rapa.

I might be wrong but I don't think he was second drop behind Kris, wasn't he injured for the last 5 or 6 rounds after busting his shoulder I think while scoring a try wasn't it? in the first game of the Cotric suspension (memory might not be right on full details of the injury but I am fairly sure Kris only came in because of the Oldy injury)

Nice to see you on the forum, Mrs Oldfield. I’m a big fan of your boy too.

[The Nickman]

I love oldy, but he was very quickly demoted to second drop winger by a kid in a train and trial contract in Bailey, and second drop centre behind Kris.

He is an absolutely solid first drop winger, perhaps the best in the league. But the fact he averages something like 1 start in 3 games between Manly, Roosters, Souths, Penrith and now us tells the story. He is the Sammy Williams of wingers.

He may be criminally underrated by some on this forum, and I will be willing to eat humble pie if he turns into a superstar, but in the 9 years of his first grade career there have been a hell of a lot of coaching staffs that agree with me, including our own.

I am fully comfortable with Bailey in the backline, but I want another proven regular dirt grade centre/winger as well if we loose BJ and Rapa.

I might be wrong but I don't think he was second drop behind Kris, wasn't he injured for the last 5 or 6 rounds after busting his shoulder I think while scoring a try wasn't it? in the first game of the Cotric suspension (memory might not be right on full details of the injury but I am fairly sure Kris only came in because of the Oldy injury)

I thought it was the other way round, but I can't recall either. I do think the coaching team see more growth and talent in Kris than Oldfield. I think Kris is going to boom next year.

Ahhhh, Mrs Kris! Welcome!!

[julian87]

This sucks. I think besides Papalii he’s our best player by position compared to the rest of the competition. He’s been my fav for a while now too.

But you can’t be spending more than a mil on your starting centres now. It’s the least important position in rugby league (at least attacking wise) now so I understand the decision.

I just hope we’re not overpaying squad players and that’s why we’re forced to do this.

[julian87]

If Rapana is retained I don’t think Oldfield, Kris and Smith Shields as reserves is a problem at all either. Simonsson being a Hail Mary that paid off means we had the best depth I think we’ll ever see in the backs this year and that can’t really viably continue.

[Coastalraider]

If we 100% retain Rapana, Im fine with current stock minus BJ.

But I am absolutely not fine with letting Rapa spend summer playing Rugby and expecting him to return in good condition ready to play a full (minus 3 games) season as a top flight NRL winger.

The Japanese Rugby season starts on 12 Jan with 15 rounds played until May when we expect Rapa to return. Pre season would HAVE to start in December, meaning Rapa has less recovery time than other Raiders players - even in a year that we have all agreed he looks tired and playing with some sort of injury. He will be under the management of a different S+C team for this time as well. Even if he makes it through the rugby season with no injuries, combining the Japanese Rugby season with the NRL (minus 3 games) is 41 games in succession BEFORE the finals, and this with a reduced recovery period after this season due to the earlier start in Japan.

I absolutely want Rapa in 2020. But I want him 100% committed to us. This 50/50 thing has me VERY wary.

[GreenMachine]

Oldfield as a winger is criminally underrated by some on here

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Agree.
The guy has speed to burn and a boatload of skill.
He never shy's away from tough carries.

[simo]

If i had a choice, i would keep bj over croker (if same money or similar). I love what bj brings to the table and it is not replaceable

[BadnMean]

Oldfield as a winger is criminally underrated by some on here

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Agree.
The guy has speed to burn and a boatload of skill.
He never shy's away from tough carries.

Yep. I'd be happy with 2 years of Oldfield on the wing. He has pace. We need more pace.

Agreed on his carries- he goes HAM. Big body too so he can handle other wingers whether they rely on speed or power.

His hands aren't great for a winger, which is why he maybe hasn't always kicked on.

Compared to the output we got from Rapana this year, Oldfield at a saving of 150k or so is good for us.

Cotric with a proper off season at centre is viable. He was a centre in juniors. He's a tackle buster, strong runner. Worth a longer run there.

Then we have room for Simonsen on the other wing. He deserves a go and if he can't get one here, we'll lose him. Adds more pace too - we were exposed in the GF on the fast break. Pace isn't the be and end all but it's nice to have.

My preference is for BJ to be retained but if he goes I don't thin the sky will fall in. We didn't rely on Leipana magic this year. We relied on Hodgo, Jack and Papa. Bj is a great extra threat and worker but Cotric has potential to be similar, with less brain snaps. He's on less $$$ too.

Do you keep the local junior, cleanskin off the field, origin rep with room to improve or BJ who is top class but wants more $$$, is a significant suspension risk and just back from career threatening neck surgery? If BJ makes me choose, he loses, given that we have a) a potential wing star in Simo to get into the team, b) very solid budget wing in Oldy, c) Cotric who is unlikely to spend his career at wing long term, d) playing hardball on a contract when you've missed 4 months with neck surgery and then come back and been suspended -again- is a weird flex.

[papabear]

If you are paying any of BJs contract for next year it is not worth letting him go and to be honest, I wouldnt let him go anyways.

He had a bad year but he offers so much most other centres dont offer.

[julian87]

The thing with Oldfield is he tends to miss a few games here and there. Don’t think you can bank on a whole season of footy from him at 29.