Toohey's News

I am interested if the market is lukewarm and the offers aren’t ’blowing him away’ where there isn’t a big difference in money he takes maybe 3 years with a fourth in his favour. As mentioned by Baz because of injury concerns (lack of games played)

Then re evaluate then and if someone comes up with a huge 3-4 year upgrade offer you’re not even mad at him if he leaves even if it’s 360/union…that’s already 10 years of service and three contracts worth of loyalty…all the best then.
Similar to Teddy getting one after 30
 
frankLauda said:
Yeah Sharpe is priority now. But it would be great to keep KP. Having Sharpe KP and Brown in the team long term would be amazing. Well we have that for this year and next at least.
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Agree completely, however with they way our luck is we never get to see them all on the field for extended periods of time.
 
PNG would be mad if they didn't go hard after KP (and Cleary(s)) with tax-free dollars. Looks like KPs options are huge payday, roll the dice on a Sydney club with a premiership window for around what he's on now (but likely with heaps of 3PAs), or take less money and go all in on being the next Knights captain to lift the trophy. Interesting times.

PS. Still can't believe the NRL gave the Bears no salary cap dispensation to help them establish themselves in the West. No marquee, no hooker. They've done well with limited resources, but they're going to need some miracle budget signings turning into superstars to avoid being constantly in a spoon battle.
 
Geez Sandon was chased down to sign with everyone all for the signing and now we want to get rid? 3 more years everyone! In fareness he was clearly courted to be here and he’s played as expected to his capacity, not the dream everyone hyped him to be. Including our recruiter.

Holding off on signing Harrison Graham for 2 years? Geez we have Arthur as the top 30 hooker on very decent dollars and for another year yet and although has been injured, Graham was showing better potential (and since proven) in first grade than he was. We still have Arthur for next year and we now are saying we won’t sign a player who has been solid as a “development” signing due to a kid coming through? I’ve seen many a kid come through our system and come a years time we are the looking at the next kid. Lock up Harrison otherwise he’s off elsewhere and making us look stupid!

Lock up Sharpe before Ponga - clearly proven he’s potentially our most valuable asset. Show him his value!
 
Seano said:
Personally, I really like what we've seen from Sandon. Sure, he's an unfinished project with plenty to work on, but do that work, get a forward pack that can lay a platform and with the strike we have across the park, and he could be anything in the coming seasons.
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Totally agree. He wasn’t a marquee player that I think he was hyped. He’s still a developing player and yes a good consistent forward pack solidifies better opportunities for these guys to develop their craft!
 
R_A said:
The truth is no one really knows, but there is definitely some truth to how much happier he's been. You even look at Dom Young being happier and playing like it. Would Ponga be happy and play anywhere near as good elsewhere if he wasn't?

Remember when Ponga had one foot out the door according to the Sydney media when he was years from being off contract last time but in reality never came close to leaving?

Pepperidge Farm remembers.
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This will be the last contract for Ponga in his prime years, if we are nudging on top 4 we'll keep him, if it's more of the same he likely and should leave, a generational talent like his should atleast get 1 premiership.

His next deal will be 5 years for sure and take him through to 34?
 
Seano said:
PNG would be mad if they didn't go hard after KP (and Cleary(s)) with tax-free dollars. Looks like KPs options are huge payday, roll the dice on a Sydney club with a premiership window for around what he's on now (but likely with heaps of 3PAs), or take less money and go all in on being the next Knights captain to lift the trophy. Interesting times.

PS. Still can't believe the NRL gave the Bears no salary cap dispensation to help them establish themselves in the West. No marquee, no hooker. They've done well with limited resources, but they're going to need some miracle budget signings turning into superstars to avoid being constantly in a spoon battle.
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they have to pay tax when they come back to Aus - unless you get a fancy accountant in the Cayman Islands!
 
Grandpa Joe said:
This will be the last contract for Ponga in his prime years, if we are nudging on top 4 we'll keep him, if it's more of the same he likely and should leave, a generational talent like his should atleast get 1 premiership.

His next deal will be 5 years for sure and take him through to 34?
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Yeah I’m in two minds, he can gamble on 3 years, if he kills it he probably prices himself out of a new deal here after that, premiership or not.
Or can take the cozy five year deal like he did last time at similar dollars to now (maybe more middle loaded) and ride that out.

That’s why I thought middle ground maybe 3 with the fourth being a player option would be hedging their bets as mentioned.

If we are still looking good especially with Brown here over the next few months I think that’s enough to sell it.
Going to Perth/PNG is starting again and less happier
 
☢️Long Talk incoming☢️

KP - Ok, many argue without KP our premiership window closes but I’d argue if we give to much and resign him we could lose other important pieces and that will also close it up, Ponga won’t win us a title himself we know this from the years of him trying.

If reports are true, we are going to be losing Sullivan (MR), Gagai, Frizell, Gamble and Brodie, the combined money will help us with Lucas and Best who are non negotiable resigning’s, although some money has already gone to Niukore you’d imagine, if we can get Ponga to take a pay cut to $1m flat or $1.1m that helps a lot more as well, I know the cap is expected to go up but that makes the pay cut even greater, plus that’s still great money for a super injury prone player that struggles to stay on the field for 20 games in a year and haven’t in a while.

He has been on millions for a long time now, mix in sponsorships and third party deals, he should be able to live on the $1m-$1.1m, it’s time like this we really do just have to hope he wasn’t lying and actually does love the town and club that has bent over backwards for him, I’ve seen $1.5m-$2m thrown around and if we pay that we are stupid and will make us lose multiple top talents which in turn will defeat the purpose of the KP resigning.

If we can also offload Arthur who is reportedly on good money for his place in the team, we have a steady hooker in Graham and Crossland as well as the rising star in Hagan, so if we can offload Arthur that will help a lot.

For years people on here have stated we need to put talent around Ponga as he can’t do it himself, well now we have Best, Lucas, Young, Brown, Sharpe, Smith, McEwen etc, so we have done that now the ball is in Ponga’s court

It will be interesting as let’s not be naive Ponga is far from poor, he is rich and can live the rest of his life happily so it’s not like he will ever need the money plus let’s be real if he wanted he could get a job at the Knights once he retires if he decides to take a pay cut and stay.

It’s time like this a player can go from great to a legend in a club which is still a legacy which is what he clearly wants talking about bring a premiership to Newcastle.

It is what it is, at the end of the day it is his decision and his alone, the Knights can only try.

Just my two cents
 
Again, was never framed as though he was actually reporting anything new on the situation (beside maybe the "quiet optimism of a financial sacrifice part") or even giving an opinion on what he thinks will happen. Was just an overview on Ponga's contract situation and how it will affect the rest of the roster that any of us could've written.
 
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