Bradman Best discussion

[Billy]

Bradman is here for 2027.
Even if he decides to look around - we have a year to make alternate arrangements.
Hunt, Winter, McCarthy will all be well and truely ready by 2028, and 3 or 4 other juniors could be close - or we could just shop around for a centre.

Lucas did the same thing this year - waited well past the cut off date and proved he was worth more before signing.
If Best backs himself to play well enough to get a better offer - I'm OK with that.

I just saw that Jye Linnane scored his 4th double try effort and now has 12 tries in 11 games since the Warriors moved him to centre in reserve grade.
A few years ago we gave him a firstgrade pre-season when he was SG Ball aged and playing great in Flegg, and he was one of our best 2 or 3 trainers.
2 ACLs later, he's back scoring a try a game in reserve grade, like he did for us in every grade. He's basically a clone of Fletcher Sharpe.

 

[BlackbuttOG]

What’s the reasoning for shifting Crossland given Crokes is doing such a good job at 13? Does he prefer running threats at hooker eg Smith & Graham combo (when everyone’s fit)

Hopefully we have a potential gun hooker coming through in Hagan and Holbrook will continue to give Crossland 25+ mins at hooker before injecting a more attacking threat. Crossland then becomes part of the middle rotations. I'm not sure if Graham will develop the unique ability to play 80 mins at hooker and I don't think you want a young bloke like Hagan doing it.

 

[OnTilt]

So a little bit of possible insider talk. The wife has become friendly with one of the knights players gf, and I've had the chance to have a chat shop with her a few times. The info so far
- she said weeks ago we don't have the money for Bradman and he may leave. The articles saying bradman was close to being re-signing appeared after our conversation, so I haven't said anything. But now I am concerned. Her comment was that "all the money is allocated and bradman will need to leave to get paid any more".
- confirms change in atmosphere at the club is like comparing night and day. Apparently under Obrien, the 1st grade boys were separate from the rest of the club, and you had to earn the right to be "in" with 1st grade. It was a boys club that you had to earn the right to be in. Now its one big family where everyone from all grades get along.
- Holbrook is apparently trying to push crossland into lock but crossland is adamant he prefers hooker and is fighting hard to keep his spot.
- the club has started organizing events for the wives and partners to help bond. They are really pushing for a "happy and connected environment".
- Holbrook is very active and social with the players. Has started playing golf with the golf crew. Goes for a surf with the surfing crew. Basically he is one of the boys, not the authority figure obrien was.

I would be very surprised if a players wife had the full story of the salary cap.