NRL General Recruitment and Retention

Probably makes more sense to just do all spine players:

Tier 1 (Generational franchise players; no particular order):
Nathan Cleary
Kalyn Ponga
Reece Walsh
Harry Grant

Tier 2 (established elite stars/declining tier 1 players):
Current James Tedesco
Current Cody Walker
Jahrome Hughes
Mitchell Moses
Braydon Trindall
Blayke Brailey

Then I’d probably put Dylan Edwards, Wayde Egan, Api in a similar tier to Brown, Sharpe, Munster, Walker, Katoa.

Not an exact science and I may be overrating the Sharks lads lol but I have high hopes in Sharpe, Brown continuing to ascend alongside Katoa and other young guys like Fa’aologo.
 
Probably makes more sense to just do all spine players:

Tier 1 (Generational franchise players; no particular order):
Nathan Cleary
Kalyn Ponga
Reece Walsh
Harry Grant

Tier 2 (established elite stars/declining tier 1 players):
Current James Tedesco
Current Cody Walker
Jahrome Hughes
Mitchell Moses
Braydon Trindall
Blayke Brailey

Then I’d probably put Dylan Edwards, Wayde Egan, Api in a similar tier to Brown, Sharpe, Munster, Walker, Katoa.

Not an exact science and I may be overrating the Sharks lads lol but I have high hopes in Sharpe, Brown continuing to ascend alongside Katoa and other young guys like Fa’aologo.
I reckon Katoa is already tier 1
 
Katoa doesn't threaten the line a lot with his running game & I think has been a bit anonymous late on in close games. Those would be his big improvement areas. Or rather he'd have to get even better as a ball player cos the running game might just be what it is.
 
How to Negotiate Like The Rabbits

Rabbits: Sorry, Cody, your age and discipline mean we can only offer you one year at $300k.
Cody: Yeah, nah, not taking a pay cut.
Rabbits: Alright, how about $400k, a $75k bonus if we win the title and a club option for 2028, which would make you the equal oldest player in NRL history?
Cody: Better.
 
Cody must have really good character and respected amongst all the indigenous players within the team because it seems like the offer is generous for a style of play that declines much quicker with age, and coming off his injury.
 
My predictions for the upcoming off contract market.

First few are obvious Herbie will be a Rooster in 2028 and both Isaah Yeo and Nathan Cleary will stay at Penrith. Hudson Young to PNG.

I think Harry Grant will also stay at Melbourne while Stefano heads to Bondi.

Gutho surely retires or heads to Super League.

Tedesco, Taumalolo, Tapine, Turbo, Radley and JSaf all to stay at their current clubs.

More predictions after that.
Sam Walker to Cowboys
Dearden to Roosters
Munster to Souths
Coates stays at Storm
Bradman to Parra
Bostock to Dragons
Moses Leota to PNG
Latrell to play one more year at Souths then retire.
Liam Martin to Cronulla
Nikora to Titans
Matt Burton back to Penrith
Blaize Talagi back to Parra
Brimson to Bears
Willison to stay at Broncos
Riki to Storm
Flegler to Storm
Holmes to Super League
Brooks to Super League
Healey to Dragons
Jurbo retires
Cody Walker, Ben Hunt and Dane Gagai all also retire.

Harrison Graham I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a decent offer elsewhere.
 
Would not be surprised if Dane goes to the ESL in 2028...just because of the way he talked earlier this year about how much he still loves playing and that his body is in pretty good nick despite the length of his career, and I can't see him playing QCup.
 
Cody must have really good character and respected amongst all the indigenous players within the team because it seems like the offer is generous for a style of play that declines much quicker with age, and coming off his injury.
He's still one of the best attacking players in the league despite his age. I know he's done his coaching cert. So I would expect he retires after one more season and goes straight on to the coaching staff at the Rabbits.

Celtman's prediction that the Rabbits go for Munster to replace Cody seems like a good one.
 
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I don't disagree with any of that but I don't think Souths alleged offer was unreasonable either. Their indigenous community and roster makes it hard for those sorts of blokes to leave. I think him and Latrell retire a Bunny.
 
I have been thinking since the Roosters pulled Walker’s contract, where would he go. Uncle Nick also said he could go to a new team in 2027 and the Roosters will chip in up to $200,000

I keep coming back to the Dogs and I think it could happen for 2027

I’ll go through my scenario and I’m pretty sure it’ll work these teams under their 2027 salary caps as their salaries are very similar in 2027

Dogs have told Burton they view him as a centre, the Bears want him as their 5/8
Burton goes to the Bears in 2027 on a new multi year contract
Dogs use Burton’s money and sign Walker for 2027 then extend him
Roosters sign Herbie and he comes in 2027. I think he’ll ask for a release cause he was apparently was very upset with the Dolphins players harassing him at their end of season function
Dolphins would loose out, but it would give them extra cash to use to re-sign some of their guys or go to market


Their 2027 salaries from what I could find are
Burton is on $750,000
Walker is on $1,00,000
Herbie is on $850,000
 
Probably makes more sense to just do all spine players:

Tier 1 (Generational franchise players; no particular order):
Nathan Cleary
Kalyn Ponga
Reece Walsh
Harry Grant

Tier 2 (established elite stars/declining tier 1 players):
Current James Tedesco
Current Cody Walker
Jahrome Hughes
Mitchell Moses
Braydon Trindall
Blayke Brailey

Then I’d probably put Dylan Edwards, Wayde Egan, Api in a similar tier to Brown, Sharpe, Munster, Walker, Katoa.

Not an exact science and I may be overrating the Sharks lads lol but I have high hopes in Sharpe, Brown continuing to ascend alongside Katoa and other young guys like Fa’aologo.
Grant doesn't perform to his potential in too many big games to be in the generational tier.
 
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