Given their age and declining production, I don't think we lose much on the field with Friz and Gags gone… they've obviously been bought for their leadership at their new clubs, but we still have Jsaf and KP. I'd rather we developed the younger players on the roster, tbh.
Recruitment And Retention Discussion
- Thread starter HarVeeGee13
- Start date
frankLauda
Matthew Gidley
The question is will Nikora be as good as Frizz his last couple of years. Much younger. He’s had injuries this year so you hope he will be good to go next year and in our starting 17. If the money deal is true than he should be in the top 17. I think he replaces Crouch on the bench. There’s going to be injuries so all those boys will get plenty of FG time.
101k
Nathan Ross
I think we lose plenty, gags is almost always leading our right side kick chase and very rarely do you see the catcher make 10 meters + without gags making any contact. The missed tackle numbers may not say so but I would say there’s only been three or four matchups he’s clearly lost (Trell r9, Leka in FW2 etc) which is saying something considering the talent in that left centre position.
Gags tip ons were also one of the biggest strengths to our right edge and a big reason why dom flourishes with us. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that dom has had close to dally m winger seasons the two times he has been outside of gags.
As for friz it may not be as obvious but watch how many times he’s able to stand in a tackle as a smaller player and then watch what happens after that, it’s either a late offload or a very fast play the ball with no markers which puts us on the front foot. Also had an incredible finals series as a small middle for us.
then add the leadership aspect and experience they have at all the levels, it’s a pretty big hole they’ll be leaving. But I do believe with their age and our young boys looking primed to fill their positions we made the right decision letting them go and giving the younger lads an opportunity to develop.
Is doing a lot of heavy lifting there. Yes, there were plenty of games this season when we had SOO Gags, but go look back through the game threads, particularly the losses; there's plenty of questioning about whether he should retire.
And as for Friz, it was his lowest season for offloads as a Knight despite playing 25 games this season (albeit not always starting).
Tyson Frizell
The NRL profile of Tyson Frizell including career statistics, season stats, games, tries, goals, tackles and fantasy scores.
www.newcastleknights.com.au
I'm not disrespecting either player, who are obviously great Knights, but time catches all of us.
BTW... who do we let go to accommodate Gags and Friz staying? Keeping in mind it has to be players clubs actually want to sign.
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HarVeeGee13
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
You would rather lose a guy a season early than a season late. Still wish he was here next season though holding that trophy.
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Celticman98
Timana Tahu
I think we have enough experience with our next crop of players to step up in the leadership aspect with Gags and Friz.
KP's leadership this year grew out of sight and guys like Crossland, Brown, JSaf and Lucas can fill the void.
KP's leadership this year grew out of sight and guys like Crossland, Brown, JSaf and Lucas can fill the void.
Les Misérables
Mark Hughes
The question of whether 'we lose much' with their departure shouldn't be conflated with 'should we have kept them'
They're both likely to fall off a cliff form wise next season no matter which club they're at. The question was more focused on how much of an impact their absence will have on the team.
I gotta say, I think we lose a fair bit. Both of those guys were 300 game freaks in their respective roles but also serious professionals who rubbed off on those around them. We get nowhere near the GF without them this year.
Frizell will be covered by JSaf. But losing Gags is a big hole. Young will be impacted the most by that.
They're both likely to fall off a cliff form wise next season no matter which club they're at. The question was more focused on how much of an impact their absence will have on the team.
I gotta say, I think we lose a fair bit. Both of those guys were 300 game freaks in their respective roles but also serious professionals who rubbed off on those around them. We get nowhere near the GF without them this year.
Frizell will be covered by JSaf. But losing Gags is a big hole. Young will be impacted the most by that.
pretty sure gags carried rib cartlidge and a foot issue through the early to middle parts of the year. there was a large part of the year he looked past it but you could assume thats a large reason.Is doing a lot of heavy lifting there. Yes, there were plenty of games this season when we had SOO Gags, but go look back through the game threads, particularly the losses; there's plenty of questioning about whether he should retire.
And as for Friz, it was his lowest season for offloads as a Knight despite playing 25 games this season (albeit not always starting).
Tyson Frizell
The NRL profile of Tyson Frizell including career statistics, season stats, games, tries, goals, tackles and fantasy scores.
I'm not disrespecting either player, who are obviously great Knights, but time catches all of us.
BTW... who do we let go to accommodate Gags and Friz staying? Keeping in mind it has to be players clubs actually want to sign.
slotmachine
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
The obvious answer to "who do you let go to keep Friz and/or Gags" is not signing Niukore to a ridiculous contract, but it's a bit late for that.
Sigh, the bloke hasn't walked in the door, yet, has been signed to a "ridiculous contract" despite the value not being publicly disclosed, and not signing him, apparently, would have manufactured two roster spots in our top 30. The club should assign Tommy Cant to show the new whipping boy around.
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Les Misérables
Mark Hughes
Niukore's exact contract value mightn't be public record but the approximate value has been alluded to via comments from people in and around the club. Exact figures were given, they're just not verifiable.
Enough came out of the club at the time for the fans to know that POS first offer was a 2 year deal. Niukore held out and got his 3rd year. The deal was reported as being just shy of what was offered to Barnett by the Broncos.
We can be relatively certain that Niukore is being paid in excess of $500k p.a.
Enough came out of the club at the time for the fans to know that POS first offer was a 2 year deal. Niukore held out and got his 3rd year. The deal was reported as being just shy of what was offered to Barnett by the Broncos.
We can be relatively certain that Niukore is being paid in excess of $500k p.a.
I think the real issue is that Hunt is a genuine first grade player who has done a fantastic job without ever owning a position. I am sure he will grow into the centre position left by Dane. You can't keep Hunt on the bench forever and at some stage you have to let him have that spot.
Good Times
Leo Dynevor
It'd be hilarious if Niukore has a blinder of a first year here. I wonder how many would criticise his contract then? $600k for a class forward is cheap.
We signed him about 6 rounds into a season. $600k sounds a fair price at that time for a forward to relocate countries and join the reigning wooden spooners.