2025 Recruitment And Retention

Seano said:
Is it possible they'll trade Leo for 2025 if they can get something of value to the Knights from the club he's going to and then pick up Matt Lodge as a bargain buy to cover his spot while Sua and Hopwood develop?

PS. I'd put $10 bucks on Jack Hetherington having a big season and earning a contract extension in 2025.
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No fussed on Lodge , but was thinking the same re Hetho!
 
HarVeeGee13 said:
Lodge isn't even good. That's the part that always gets me. On top of him being a bit of a cancer who wears out his welcome quickly at clubs.

I understand why people can hold their nose re: Addin-Fonua Blake's past, but Lodge is just a slug out there. Absolute turnstile.

Just remembered that Lodge is P.O.S's son in law so I wouldn't rule out that it happens, but I'll be pretty filthy. Especially if we punt Leo to get him - yes, it sucks Leo is leaving, but this doesn't change the fact that he's a rep calibre prop who'll play for us during the last season of his career where he's still on a cheap contract. Let's just enjoy that while it lasts.

There is no reason at all to move Leo early unless someone makes it worth our while.
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I hope we don’t get him. We’ve already taken a punt on overpaying someone that wears out their welcome fast, hoping we can be the club that fixes them. I wonder how that’s going for us 🤔
 
If Leo’s a professional, he still has plenty to offer us. The benefit he could bring, outweighs the whole ‘we are just developing him for somebody else’.

But if he’s brining a circus to training/the team or phoning it in. See ya. Or go play in cup for a year to ‘develop a better attitude’ (or at least that’ll be what we tell RLPA).

Players are starting to cotton on that if they agitate, they get the move.

Not sure we could get similar value at 350K. I’d be open to a trade of some type with whoever he signs for, especially if they kick in some $$$ for whoever we get.
 
Owey said:
I really don't think Leo will go early. I don't think we are that club any more, it's generally for clubs trying to sort out their cap. It gives us a year to sort out a replacement.
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I don't see us winning a premiership 2025, I'd rather get a Lodge for 2 years to let our juniors develop, the fact Leo let this drag on so long doesn't sit right with me either. I get its a business but still.
 
I think we need a tough no nonsense forward signed for 2026.

Not too sure who best fits that description but we going to need a recruit a forward or two as I think 2026 is too soon to be relying on Hopwood and Su'a to lead the pack.
 
Celticman98 said:
I think we need a tough no nonsense forward signed for 2026.

Not too sure who best fits that description but we going to need a recruit a forward or two as I think 2026 is too soon to be relying on Hopwood and Su'a to lead the pack.
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Unless I missed the news I'm pretty sure Sua is also off contract at the end of 2025. Probably something they should get onto sooner rather than later if the retention team rate him and think he is a long term option.
 
Celticman98 said:
Lodge is bog average and has been to more clubs than golf clubs that Tiger Woods owns.
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A Lodge signing would only be as a budget stop-gap while our younger props develop and to make sure we don't get smashed in the middle of the park in the short term...as Grandpa Jo says, we're not likely winning a premiership next year this is all about building the side for beyond that.

It also probably depends on how Leo plays next year. $350,000 for a top-level prop is a bargain, it's a lot of money and a wasted roster spot if he's going to faff about so he doesn't get hurt before his new contract. Let's not forget AFB's drop off in form for the Warriors after signing for the Sharks. This is why the Knights should at least consider their options with regard to the market and possibly a 2025 trade for Leo.
 
Grandpa Joe - Prev Lord said:
He did what he did, Leo will be odds on to go in 2025 early, do we won't some of our kids getting beaten up a year early and get broken AKA Dan?

I'd be comfortable with Lodge on a $600k deal for 2 years, he could be the stick for the other guys to jump over to get into firsts and as Seano said his been a cleanskin for years.
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$600k?! Even Manly don’t want him. He’s coming off injuries and can barely get on the park. Seems more interesting in being a celebrity boxer than his footy. That’s before you even get into his history. Would be a dreadful signing.
 
Lol at the Raiders though. Seriously, does Ricky stare at the Knights' annual calendars and have wet dreams over how many players he can get across to Canberra?

Next year's Raiders lineup includes:
Tapine
Saulo
Young
Starling
Levi
Martin
Hosking
Sasagi

Woolford just left as well. Add Leo to the list (most likely) for 2026, and possibly his brother.

🤣
 
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