Toohey's News

A recruitment manager who makes tough calls, doesn't let sentiment get in the way, is tight with money, doesn't rush to the market to sign every journeyman looking for a cheque, fills the roster with quality young talent...despite the current pain which is hopefully short term, the more I see POS operate the more I like what he's doing.
 
On Paul Bryan, reading the article again, it says he has rejected our "initial" offer and will test the open market.
It leaves open the chance he will come back and agree to the deal offered - but I assume the club might move on if he takes too long.
 
It was Lachlan in the article, but he goes by Jake, and I find Jake easier to spell. He was Jake on team lists at the sharks for a few years, then they went with Lachlan Jake Crouch for a while, and now back to Lachlan for some reason.
No, apologies he only goes by Lachlan
 
26/6

Club have made Frizell a smaller offer for 2026 than his "mutual agreement" is worth. They hope to keep him, but he is on the open market next week if he isn't signed by then.

Paul Bryan has a 2 year offer that is take it or leave it, but it's a demotion from top 30 to development deal - he has interest from Sharks and bulldogs.

Hetherington and Elliott have been told the club won't give them an offer for 2026.

Club is still very keen on TDS, but so are several other clubs.

Crossland is looking at a permanent move to ball playing lock.

Crouch is signed for 2026 as a "back up middle", but POS is still looking for 2 middles, and a second row and hooker.

No mention of Gagai or any interest in signing backs in today's article, so I suppose we replace Gags with Hunt, McCarthy, Schiller or Votano if he leaves.

Toohey speculates the spine we are aiming for next year is;

1 Ponga
6 Sharpe
7 Brown
9 TDS or another hooker
13 Crossland (in a ball playing role)
14 Matt Arthur
 
26/6

Club have made Frizell a smaller offer for 2026 than his "mutual agreement" is worth. They hope to keep him, but he is on the open market next week if he isn't signed by then.

Paul Bryan has a 2 year offer that is take it or leave it, but it's a demotion from top 30 to development deal - he has interest from Sharks and bulldogs.

Hetherington and Elliott have been told the club won't give them an offer for 2026.

Club is still very keen on TDS, but so are several other clubs.

Crossland is looking at a permanent move to ball playing lock.

Crouch is signed for 2026 as a "back up middle", but POS is still looking for 2 middles, and a second row and hooker.

No mention of Gagai or any interest in signing backs in today's article, so I suppose we replace Gags with Hunt, McCarthy, Schiller or Votano if he leaves.

Toohey speculates the spine we are aiming for next year is;

1 Ponga
6 Sharpe
7 Brown
9 TDS or another hooker
13 Crossland (in a ball playing role)
14 Matt Arthur
If Fritz leaves that’s insane
 
How do options work?

My understanding is that they are clauses inserted into the contract to allow either party to extend the contract for a predetermined amount.

I get player option is for the player to take up. Eg Luai has 3 years worth of $1M player options that are up to him to accept each year. The club don’t really have a say in a player accepting or declining.

Club options for clubs to retain players. The player doesn’t have much of a say. (Within reason I guess).


What are mutual options?
Is it a “and” or an “or” situation? Eg do both parties need to agree? Is it up to one party?
Is there a player option that is lower than the club option?
 
How do options work?

My understanding is that they are clauses inserted into the contract to allow either party to extend the contract for a predetermined amount.

I get player option is for the player to take up. Eg Luai has 3 years worth of $1M player options that are up to him to accept each year. The club don’t really have a say in a player accepting or declining.

Club options for clubs to retain players. The player doesn’t have much of a say. (Within reason I guess).


What are mutual options?
Is it a “and” or an “or” situation? Eg do both parties need to agree? Is it up to one party?
Is there a player option that is lower than the club option?
I believe with a MO, both parties need to pull the trigger on the contracted amount.
The benifits for the club on this one is that it kept Friz off the open market for an extra 6 months.
 
I believe with a MO, both parties need to pull the trigger on the contracted amount.
The benifits for the club on this one is that it kept Friz off the open market for an extra 6 months.
Thankyou.
Mutual options seem a little silly - in terms of, I can’t see many circumstances where both parties are happy to continue on.
But as you say, an extra 6 months to figure out if we keep him is a benefit.

Think it would be good to keep Frizz around. Think he still has something to offer and has been good in the middle. Need some pack experience to bring on the younger guys
 
It sounds like TDS would be the only genuine firstgrade hooker on our books if he signs.
That might get him across the line if all the other offers he gets are as back ups or to join other hookers.
I think Jacob Davis has a lot of room to improve for us next year. I don't think he did a firstgrade pre-season this year and he isn't much behind Matt Arthur, so he might help to fill out our list.
 
The emergence of Hunt and the return of Dommy XL softens the blow of losing Gagai for next year. Although I still reckon he'll hang around.

Hard to tell with Frizell because we don't know what he's been offered but he's turning 34 this year. Even if he does get an offer from elsewhere is it going to be enough of a difference to relocate for your final year or two?
 
If Frizell stays I would love to see him move back to the right second row spot and then do a stint in the middle in the second half. Obviously he’s an important leader at the club but I don’t think his very effective as a lock/prop.
 
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