NRL General Recruitment and Retention

Spencer Leniu becomes the latest high profile failure under Trent Robinson's tenure.
I am so glad that you raised this in regards Robinson’s tenure at the Roosters.

I firmly believe that he is the most over-rated coach in the NRL. Take away the 2 premierships with Cronk as “Captain-Coach”, this leaves Robinson only winning 1 premiership in around 14 seasons. He coaches at a club that has unlimited resources off the field and being the glamour club with such high profile board members like Politis and Bouris, their ability to recruit is at a distinct advantage through TPA’s and careers in the media post career (Keary and JWH recent examples).

The players he has burned include Kyle Flanagan, Brandon Smith, Dominic Young and now Leniu, and you could most probably add Mitchell Pearce to this list. There are others that I have overlooked that you will be able to add to this list. I believe the recruitment of DCE, which meant the release of a young Sandon Smith, was a desperate move for instant success to take pressure off himself.

The very good coaches improve individual performances and that is a pre-requisite of being an NRL coach, not throwing the player under the bus before his contract expires if he doesn’t bring immediate success to the club.
 
I am so glad that you raised this in regards Robinson’s tenure at the Roosters.

I firmly believe that he is the most over-rated coach in the NRL. Take away the 2 premierships with Cronk as “Captain-Coach”, this leaves Robinson only winning 1 premiership in around 14 seasons. He coaches at a club that has unlimited resources off the field and being the glamour club with such high profile board members like Politis and Bouris, their ability to recruit is at a distinct advantage through TPA’s and careers in the media post career (Keary and JWH recent examples).

The players he has burned include Kyle Flanagan, Brandon Smith, Dominic Young and now Leniu, and you could most probably add Mitchell Pearce to this list. There are others that I have overlooked that you will be able to add to this list. I believe the recruitment of DCE, which meant the release of a young Sandon Smith, was a desperate move for instant success to take pressure off himself.

The very good coaches improve individual performances and that is a pre-requisite of being an NRL coach, not throwing the player under the bus before his contract expires if he doesn’t bring immediate success to the club.
It is just so staggering to see some inner city club lists and ask yourself how is this happening?
I include the Roosters and particularly the South Sydney Rabbits team now, and going to next season? It just seems improbable, if not impossible, particularly now we are hearing rumours of Wilison from the Broncos possibly joining Souths in 2028.
After all, history has shown old Wayne is only a good coach of very good players. and an also ran with average players.
 
Interesting that Tommy Dearden is desperate to move to Sydney to be with his wife and new child. He's on an insane deal at the Cows, but there are a bunch of Sydney clubs he'd make a huge impact on, including the Dragons and the Tigers... of course, don't be surprised if he somehow ends up at the Roosters or the Dogs on an amazingly good deal (for the club).
 
Interesting that Tommy Dearden is desperate to move to Sydney to be with his wife and new child. He's on an insane deal at the Cows, but there are a bunch of Sydney clubs he'd make a huge impact on, including the Dragons and the Tigers... of course, don't be surprised if he somehow ends up at the Roosters or the Dogs on an amazingly good deal (for the club).

I was just thinking Souths could well be interested in a decent half.
Haas almost immediately makes them a contender, but an improvement on Walker/Ward would be a huge step - not sure how much cap space they’d have.
Unless they are going all in on Sullivan.

Also, While I was looking at their 2027 roster, I came across the Soufs fan page and there were quite a few posts from a user called “Shauno”. Anything you wanna tell us @Seano ? Haha.
 
No, no alternate postings under the English version of my name *spits*. lol.

Agree, Souths would love Dearden, and he could be the player that gels them into contenders...but would they have the cash?

It's interesting too, with all this talk of indicative value started by Canberra in their fight over keeping Hudson Young from going to the Chiefs... what's Tommy's indicative value, given he's on 12% of the cap in FNQ but would likely be willing to take a cut to get to Sydney?

PS. I think Sullivan is a good player, and Souths will likely keep him as a backup/14, but IDK that he's a premiership starting 7...especially with Cody unsigned next year and Humphreys nearly signing with Perth. I'd guess they re-sign Cody and play him and Ward in the halves, with Bud Sullivan as backup/14 and Humphreys repurposed and competing to play hooker.

I think their spine looks a mess tbh.
 
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