Toohey's News

[Frank McWilliams]

I cant see why not D Saf offered a slight reduced deal if he continues this great run of form. I doubt club would consider that though as already publicly said he is to look elsewhere.

Sullivan has obviously gotten to work very early.
I am more concerned that where tapping players on the shoulder and don’t have the quality to replace them with.

Who better than D Saf can we bring in that’s currently available?
I understand the go with Hethrington / Brailey

I just don’t want to rush players out the door and the club have to pay the price next year with a lack of quality next year.

Think 2025 will be new rebuild so letting some go, promoting younger players is better than paying overs for under performers, we are strong with young players although lacking experience. Club is obviously attacking overpaid under performers, injuries or attitude, meaning the aim is to get salary cap to the point we can get the players we need.
We seem overstocked in some areas and lacking in others so we have a need to offload high paid to obtain those we need with quality that cost dollars

 

[Beatell]

O'Sullivan is everything I've always wished this club would embody.

DSaf and Brailey were part of the furniture here until he arrived. And it was obvious to every fan that Brailey needed to be replaced, but some the previous brains trust view the club as a place of employment for the benefit of its employees rather than a professional sporting organisation that lives and dies by performance outcomes.

It wasnt obvious at the start of the year on this forum about Brailey. It was only a month or two ago most were against Crossland and pro the expertise of Brailey (i wasnt) funny how fast things change

 

[Sarge]

O'Sullivan is everything I've always wished this club would embody.

DSaf and Brailey were part of the furniture here until he arrived. And it was obvious to every fan that Brailey needed to be replaced, but some the previous brains trust view the club as a place of employment for the benefit of its employees rather than a professional sporting organisation that lives and dies by performance outcomes.

In the real world DSAF hasn't met his KPI's for at least two years . Hard to imagine a SOO forward losing his club starting position and not coming out fired up to get it back . Just been going through the motions . Split may be best for both parties

 

[Owey]

The issue I have with DSaf is what he is getting paid. I remember during one contract negotiation him saying how much he loved the club and that he would always stay for less. Couple this with Bennett's belief that no front rower is worth more then 5-600k, we have somehow got to the point of paying him way overs. It sounds like we have a number of backended deals as well. When has that ever worked out in the clubs interest? Maybe you could get lucky backending a couple of deals in to the next pay cycle hoping for a cap increase, but otherwise if a guy is worth $500k now, you pay him that over the course of the contract. At this point, he and his brother aren't SOO forwards, they are forwards who have been picked for the odd SOO game.

 

[coalfieldcountry]

The issue I have with DSaf is what he is getting paid. I remember during one contract negotiation him saying how much he loved the club and that he would always stay for less. Couple this with Bennett's belief that no front rower is worth more then 5-600k, we have somehow got to the point of paying him way overs. It sounds like we have a number of backended deals as well. When has that ever worked out in the clubs interest? Maybe you could get lucky backending a couple of deals in to the next pay cycle hoping for a cap increase, but otherwise if a guy is worth $500k now, you pay him that over the course of the contract. At this point, he and his brother aren't SOO forwards, they are forwards who have been picked for the odd SOO game.

Who manages the twins? and more importantly who else do they manage on over priced deals..? I agree with Bennett no middle worth over 600k. Not the player's fault how much the club wants to pay him. Form and effort is however.

 

[Billy]

The fundamental problem is we have had to pay overs to keep good players even ones we develop on their 2nd or 3rd contract.
I think our improved facilities may have made a bit of a difference with that.
Players coming here can now expect to have access to top quality training and coaching facilities and a good quality of life outside football, so we shouldn't have to overpay them to be here.
Having said that, O'Sullivan is supposed to have the ability to pick future champions well before anyone else, so the aim would be to sign young players for less than their true value, because their true value hasn't been recognised yet.
I can see the player accommodation building that Wests are building will really help with signing young guys if it is close to the training facilities. That will make it very easy for them to live a sporting lifestyle and develop into the best they can be.

 

[Sarge]

The fundamental problem is we have had to pay overs to keep good players even ones we develop on their 2nd or 3rd contract.
I think our improved facilities may have made a bit of a difference with that.
Players coming here can now expect to have access to top quality training and coaching facilities and a good quality of life outside football, so we shouldn't have to overpay them to be here.
Having said that, O'Sullivan is supposed to have the ability to pick future champions well before anyone else, so the aim would be to sign young players for less than their true value, because their true value hasn't been recognised yet.
I can see the player accommodation building that Wests are building will really help with signing young guys if it is close to the training facilities. That will make it very easy for them to live a sporting lifestyle and develop into the best they can be.

Yep in the old days we would lose promising kids to the Sydney clubs who would pay them 40-50k to go to school . Hopefully them days are long gone . Say what you like about Wests / Gardiner . But best thing to happen to us . Mate & I were driving past West on way home last Saturday , people everywhere , a line up to get in .

 

[Defence wins games]

Guess I’m taking the opposite view, what happens if DSaf plays strong and hard, is responsible for several hard fought wins, we make the semis in top 4 position, we go on to further success, possible finalist, possible total success then what, see you later?

We have been waiting for several seasons for this to happen, with many of us hoping.
He has had injuries, but I think his early years playing in regular spoon teams and being the young guys getting belted has left its mark.
I don’t think he was ever going to be a Chief, which is what many on here were/ are hoping for. Chief played tough every game, where DSaf plays tough occasionally, but on big dollars. If only he had Lowe’s drive and motor!

 

[Defence wins games]

We have been waiting for several seasons for this to happen, with many of us hoping.
He has had injuries, but I think his early years playing in regular spoon teams and being the young guys getting belted has left its mark.
I don’t think he was ever going to be a Chief, which is what many on here were/ are hoping for. Chief played tough every game, where DSaf plays tough occasionally, but on big dollars. If only he had Lowe’s drive and motor!

Leo’s

 

[Kurriboy]

I don't care how much coin a player is on. The club needs to manage their cap and will pay the price if they don't.

It's not Dsaf's fault the club paid him a ridiculous amount.

What I care about is the club, and the position DSaf takes in both the roster and on field.

This club for far, far too long has allowed mediocrity to be acceptable. It's embarrasing.

I truly hope with the arrival or Parr and O'Sullivan that the line is beginning to be drawn in the sand and we can start to inch our way towards being a solid club more like the Melbourne culture.

I don't want to be limping in to the 8 and just there to be in the NRL finals photo!

And if that takes moving on DSaf, or any other player to draw that line then so be it!

 

[frankLauda]

I already like this O’Sullivan guy! There’s no mucking about and he’s called it how he see’s it. Most fans know those three players have been underperforming, and he’s acted and the club is supporting him.

Don’t get me wrong I feel for the three and I hope those players do well at there future clubs. But as Kurriboy said we have had enough of mediocre. We have close if not the strongest fan base. And we have one of the biggest player pools.

We should be similar to Penrith. Stoked with Wests group and everyone else involved getting these keys guys in, new facilities and club direction.

We are already starting to bear fruit from the younger guys coming though. I can see a bright future coming soon.

 

[Sarge]

I already like this O’Sullivan guy! There’s no mucking about and he’s called it how he see’s it. Most fans know those three players have been underperforming, and he’s acted and the club is supporting him.

Don’t get me wrong I feel for the three and I hope those players do well at there future clubs. But as Kurriboy said we have had enough of mediocre. We have close if not the strongest fan base. And we have one of the biggest player pools.

We should be similar to Penrith. Stoked with Wests group and everyone else involved getting these keys guys in, new facilities and club direction.

We are already starting to bear fruit from the younger guys coming though. I can see a bright future coming soon.

Yes he is not doing anything a new manager would not do after being bought in to restructure an underperforming business . Already a big tick from
me

 

[Defence wins games]

I already like this O’Sullivan guy! There’s no mucking about and he’s called it how he see’s it. Most fans know those three players have been underperforming, and he’s acted and the club is supporting him.

Don’t get me wrong I feel for the three and I hope those players do well at there future clubs. But as Kurriboy said we have had enough of mediocre. We have close if not the strongest fan base. And we have one of the biggest player pools.

We should be similar to Penrith. Stoked with Wests group and everyone else involved getting these keys guys in, new facilities and club direction.

We are already starting to bear fruit from the younger guys coming though. I can see a bright future coming soon.

I like the theory and practice of this message.

 

[Les Misérables]

I don't care how much coin a player is on. The club needs to manage their cap and will pay the price if they don't.

It's not Dsaf's fault the club paid him a ridiculous amount.

What I care about is the club, and the position DSaf takes in both the roster and on field.

This club for far, far too long has allowed mediocrity to be acceptable. It's embarrasing.

I truly hope with the arrival or Parr and O'Sullivan that the line is beginning to be drawn in the sand and we can start to inch our way towards being a solid club more like the Melbourne culture.

I don't want to be limping in to the 8 and just there to be in the NRL finals photo!

And if that takes moving on DSaf, or any other player to draw that line then so be it!

Great post

 

[Billy]

4/7

Questions if moving DSaf on would be worth it if we have to top up his contract by up to 400k a season.

Asks if Brad Arthur is a chance to join his good friend Adam O'Brien as an assistant coach if he doesn't get the Leeds head coach job or decides he doesn't want to go overseas. Says Arthur has been in Newcastle visiting O'Brien.

Says Hopwood has been added to top 30 and talks about how impressed O'Brien is with him - even calling his mum and telling her how impressed he is. Also says Jermaine McKewn and Connor Votano are now on development contracts.

 

[Brad tighe]

4/7

Questions if moving DSaf on would be worth it if we have to top up his contract by up to 400k a season.

Asks if Brad Arthur is a chance to join his good friend Adam O'Brien as an assistant coach if he doesn't get the Leeds head coach job or decides he doesn't want to go overseas. Says Arthur has been in Newcastle visiting O'Brien.

Says Hopwood has been added to top 30 and talks about how impressed O'Brien is with him - even calling his mum and telling her how impressed he is. Also says Jermaine McKewn and Connor Votano are now on development contracts.

I think we will pay about 200 to 300k for him to leave

 

[EASBay17]

Maybe Moving saf is more about our cap situation for 2026 , hastings (i think) is off contract then , could we be freeing up cash to make a massive play for sam walker who is the biggest named half of contract over the next 2 years? Roosters wont want to let him go but money talks.
he will be 24 by then and we should be getting ourselves in a position where we can atleast be in the race imo.

 

[Billy]

I see Hopwood is rated #2 schoolboy player and fellow Knights prop and under 18s rep this year Jack Hillier is rated #37 as the two current Knights in the top 50 list (as posted in the Jersey Flegg thread yesterday).
Hillier has had injury issues for the last few seasons, but before that he was massively impressive in Mats. He is that rarest of all players, a ball playing prop with great vision.
I assume that both Hopwood and Hillier will do a firstgrade pre-season next year, and some guys thrive when they do their first firstgrade preseason and some guys struggle with the workload. We are lucky to have both these great prospects at prop and it will be interesting to see who takes to seniors better next year. They are very different styles of player, but both really good in their own way.

 

[PTB]

I see Hopwood is rated #2 schoolboy player and fellow Knights prop and under 18s rep this year Jack Hillier is rated #37 as the two current Knights in the top 50 list (as posted in the Jersey Flegg thread yesterday).
Hillier has had injury issues for the last few seasons, but before that he was massively impressive in Mats. He is that rarest of all players, a ball playing prop with great vision.
I assume that both Hopwood and Hillier will do a firstgrade pre-season next year, and some guys thrive when they do their first firstgrade preseason and some guys struggle with the workload. We are lucky to have both these great prospects at prop and it will be interesting to see who takes to seniors better next year. They are very different styles of player, but both really good in their own way.

I sat with my adult son behind Cody Hopwood, after a SG Ball game at Central this year, while he was watching the Flegg game. He is a very impressive young man who speaks very well, appears educated and displays modesty. The fact he was Ball captain this year, even though playing a year up, is a clear indication of how he is viewed by the club.

I don’t like putting wraps on young players, however this young fella has all the attributes to go along way in the game. He is by far our best prospect, as reinforced by his inclusion in top 30 at only 18 years of age.

 

[Sarge]

Maybe Moving saf is more about our cap situation for 2026 , hastings (i think) is off contract then , could we be freeing up cash to make a massive play for sam walker who is the biggest named half of contract over the next 2 years? Roosters wont want to let him go but money talks.
he will be 24 by then and we should be getting ourselves in a position where we can atleast be in the race imo.

Apparently Brisbane want him to replace Reynolds . Either way I think he will be locked up pretty soon