2026 Recruitment And Retention

[krustykraz]

The player has to agree to it

Its worh asking the question.
If he knows he want play much if any NRL at the Knights and the Eels need him in their NRL team, I know what I would choose.
All hypothetical though.

 

[The Gidley flick]

Its worh asking the question.
If he knows he want play much if any NRL at the Knights and the Eels need him in their NRL team, I know what I would choose.
All hypothetical though.

That's what I was thinking he is someone capable of playing wing in the nrl so it would be win win for both clubs

 

[Seano]

If we don't manage to keep KP, obviously a lot of money will go to upgrades....but maybe we still have cash for this guy?

Preston on the prowl: Bulldogs start fight to keep him in the kennel

The origin hopeful is contracted with Canterbury till the end of 2027.

www.zerotackle.com

Not likely, I know, but I'd at least like to see the Dogs have to pay him what he's worth. They just extended Kikau & bought Leo on $800k+ I'd reckon Preson will play Origin and be looking at similar $. The salary cap has to catch up with them at some stage.

 

[R_A]

I haven’t minded what I’ve seen of Preston but he feels like one of those toilers as well that isn’t flash either. We have enough of those
Potentially Penriths version of Liam Martin

 

[BTP]

If we don't manage to keep KP, obviously a lot of money will go to upgrades....but maybe we still have cash for this guy?

Preston on the prowl: Bulldogs start fight to keep him in the kennel

The origin hopeful is contracted with Canterbury till the end of 2027.

www.zerotackle.com

Not likely, I know, but I'd at least like to see the Dogs have to pay him what he's worth. They just extended Kikau & bought Leo on $800k+ I'd reckon Preson will play Origin and be looking at similar $. The salary cap has to catch up with them at some stage.

Between Lucas, McEwen, Manu, Kepaoa, Cant, Elijah and then Mulherin and McKay in SG/Matts we have plenty of backrowers. the goal is to grow from within, not buy positions but bring them through.

The way Cup is playing and SG/Matts talent I think we have very strong coverage for positions of wing, FB/halves/hooker/Forwards.

Only recruitment in lower grades club did in last two years was Mel Nonu from QLD
Riley Wells - Qld.
Devante Hurrell - NZ
Tom Perkins - NZ Union.

Rest are local and in catchments which is quite impressive.

 

[Grandpa Joe]

Lucas and McEwen will chew up all our money for frontline backrowers.

 

[Newygirl]

If we don't manage to keep KP, obviously a lot of money will go to upgrades....but maybe we still have cash for this guy?

Preston on the prowl: Bulldogs start fight to keep him in the kennel

The origin hopeful is contracted with Canterbury till the end of 2027.

www.zerotackle.com

Not likely, I know, but I'd at least like to see the Dogs have to pay him what he's worth. They just extended Kikau & bought Leo on $800k+ I'd reckon Preson will play Origin and be looking at similar $. The salary cap has to catch up with them at some stage.

I don’t think there’s any reason to spend big money on recruiting an edge backrower.

Lucas is just as good, I’d rather keep him and the young guys we have like McEwen, ESL, and Manuleleua. As well as retaining guys like Best, Sharpe and Young

Edge back rowers don’t win a team comps. Look at Brisbane, their money is in their spine and middles Haas and Carrigan.

The only edge I’d make an exception for is Katoa but unfortunately it doesn’t look good for him ever even playing again.

If we don’t get keep KP then surely we’re trying to get the best half or middle we can

 

[HarVeeGee13]

It's hard to see us going to market & spending decent money on an established player any time soon in any position except middle forwards. I know Niukore has mostly played edge in his career but he's been signed as a full time middle, I'm still not sure about him specifically but a middle who can play edge at a pinch was the right archetype to chase.

Everywhere else on the roster, should be looking at retention of what we've got, and at internally replacing players who leave.

You recruit to improve areas of weakness, not upgrade positions where you already have good to great players/prospects.

 

[KPGreatness]

It's hard to see us going to market & spending decent money on an established player any time soon in any position except middle forwards. I know Niukore has mostly played edge in his career but he's been signed as a full time middle, I'm still not sure about him specifically but a middle who can play edge at a pinch was the right archetype to chase.

Everywhere else on the roster, should be looking at retention of what we've got, and at internally replacing players who leave.

You recruit to improve areas of weakness, not upgrade positions where you already have good to great players/prospects.

Heavily agree

 

[Seano]

Whilst I agree with all of this, we still haven't locked down KP, McEwen or Lucas post Nov. 1.

 

[krustykraz]

There's actually quite a few players that can go to market on Nov 1 if not re-signed.
These are my opinions on them,

-Arthur: id let him go early to free up a spot.
-Best: re-sign if possible at a good rate.
-Croker: priority re-sign at right price.
-Hunt: re-sign on low contract.
-Kepoa: wait and see
-Lucas: priority
-Manuleleua: re-sign at the right price
-McKewen: priority
-Ponga: re-sign 1.2-1.5 no ratchets
-Saifiti: priority around 750k??
-ESL: re-sign at the right price
-Saulo: wait and see
-Schiller: id let him go early to free up a spot
-Young: Priority

Off contract 2026
-De Courcey: I'd like to see him play wing in grade first.
-Frizz: minimal 1 year extension towards back of year if still performing
-Gags: minimal 1 year extension towards back of year if still performing
-Gamble: club has already decided to let go
-Graham: re-sign on low top 30 deal
-Jones: club has already decided to let go
-Marzhew: re-sign at right price

I know Toohey has said Gags and Frizz won't be re-signed but they are still showing value and leadership imo.

 

[HarVeeGee13]

Agree on all except Croker, who's a priority *if* he stays for cheap, if that makes sense. If he's chasing an above-average first grader salary, which he's within his rights to do, we may want to look elsewhere.

I'd probably just keep Arthur, too, unless there's a compelling reason salary cap-wise not to. Or Diesel Hagan's claims to the spot are too irresistible.

 

[krustykraz]

Agree on all except Croker, who's a priority *if* he stays for cheap, if that makes sense. If he's chasing an above-average first grader salary, which he's within his rights to do, we may want to look elsewhere. I'd probably just keep Arthur, too, unless there's a compelling reason salary cap-wise not to. Or Diesel Hagan's claims to the spot are too irresistible.

Yea, Croker a priority at the right price (around $450k?)
Hopefully he loves the club and stays for good value because the club has continued to re-sign him.

With Arthur wasn't it reported he was on 300+?
I'd rather retain Gags, Frizz or both.