SST to Dogs

[mightyrooster]

NRL Market Watch: Connor Watson meets with Bulldogs; Jayden Sullivan tours Wests Tigers

The Bulldogs revival is gathering momentum by the hour - with Roosters X-factor Connor Watson the latest potential recruit.

Fresh from signing South Sydney fullback Blake Taaffe and Panthers utility Jaeman Salmon, Watson is at the pointy end of discussions with Bulldogs GM Phil Gould.

Watson, who hasn’t played since last year’s semi finals after suffering a serious leg injury, only needs to pass a medical assessment by the Bulldogs, to receive a formal offer.

Watson is close to returning to play after suffering a shocking patella tendon injury.

Like Taafe and Salmon, the Bulldogs view Watson as a genuine footballer who can break a game open while also playing a number of positions in the spine.

Watson is also weighing-up interest from two UK Super League clubs and he may opt to take up the opportunity to take his game overseas with a view to travelling the world.

While the club is yet to finalise the signings, Canterbury is preparing to announce Taaffe and Salmon on two-year deals worth around $250,000 each.

Former Roosters premiership-winning prop Sio Siua Taukeiaho is another poised to land at Canterbury.

The Bulldogs this week lured forward Liam Knight from Souths effective immediately.

Knight was named in the Dogs reserves list to face The Dolphins, but could be a late inclusion.

How? Will Tallis have anything to say about their salary cap?

[Chook2]

This is the thing about bad teams like dogs, tigers and St George
they inflate the market for average players
they re do their roster - but guys like Taafe, salmon and knight arnt even guaranteed in the starting 17
but they also sign players and get others to move on, some like RFM who did not know he was being shopped around

[Rooster1908]

Don't worry about BB, she'll have a great time I'm sure.

Thanks MR .Yeah they will have a ball .Free flights , free house rent , free car to use .Job for the daughter as well .Lucky buggers

[mightyrooster]

Thanks MR .Yeah they will have a ball .Free flights , free house rent , free car to use .Job for the daughter as well .Lucky buggers

Even better with all those freebies! Very lucky for sure. Good on them.

[Intercept]

It will be horrible to watch SST in that jersey, if this happens. Ughh! BTW, what ever happened to that ESL prop (I think he is Polish or something) that was apparently being linked with the Roosters at one point? The NRL is obviously a different level but he seemed to have some qualities that mean he could be worth the experiment as a fourth prop in a rotation with JWH, Collins and Leniu. Is that completely off the table now?

[Steakface]

It might have been better to keep Connor Watson and let Victor Radley leave but the decision has been made and Connor will likely leave

I like Watson, but the problem is this knee injury he has had.

Watson's strength is his acceleration. That is the crown jewel in his talents, and He won't have that anywhere near to the same degree any more after this.

He doesnt have a top shelf passing or kicking game. He has adequate defence.

I really wish him all the best, but I think he peaked 2-3 years ago and I see him struggling from here on making an big impact in the NRL.

[Qld Chook]

I like Watson, but the problem is this knee injury he has had.

Watson's strength is his acceleration. That is the crown jewel in his talents, and He won't have that anywhere near to the same degree any more after this.

He doesnt have a top shelf passing or kicking game. He has adequate defence.

I really wish him all the best, but I think he peaked 2-3 years ago and I see him struggling from here on making an big impact in the NRL.

I don’t think he has ever peaked tbh. He has showed plenty of promise and has purple patches of form, but he has struggled with injury too much to get consistent footy under his belt. I really want the club to keep him. We’ve paid his salary all year this year already so we may as well try and keep him and squeeze as much juice out of him for next year.

[Thirteen]

I’m sure Watson will enjoy his move from Rose Bay to Lakemba. Good luck to him. Had a good run with Knights but he’s been nothing but injury prone when wearing our jersey. See ya!

[Random Rooster]

Isn't it funny watching the Bulldogs make the same recruitment mistakes we did in the early to mid 90's.........

[HDTONE]

Dogs on a massive shopping spree. They must have some cash. At least Gus is following his pathways program Crighton, Sexton, Taaffe and Salmon.....didn't know they were in the Dogs pathways.

[Lydon]

I must say I’m a little disappointed with SST and his comments regarding coming back to the NRL..

”I’m coming back to the NRL,wherever I end up.I believe I have a good two or three years left in me”.

I mean considering we gave him his start as an unknown and turned him into the player he is,surely he would give us first crack?

Unless our Club is staying away based on his injuries and mileage..

[Qld Chook]

I must say I’m a little disappointed with SST and his comments regarding coming back to the NRL..

”I’m coming back to the NRL,wherever I end up.I believe I have a good two or three years left in me”.

I mean considering we gave him his start as an unknown and turned him into the player he is,surely he would give us first crack?

Unless our Club is staying away based on his injuries and mileage..

I felt the same when reading these comments. I’m hoping he reached out to us first and we couldn’t fit him in the cap. In saying that I wonder what our cap looks like next year because it’d be nice to retain some players like Turps, Browny & Watson. Doesn’t look promising so far though.

Really hope something is happening behind the scenes because after this year it’s important we have a deep, experienced squad next year to go after it.

[Qld Chook]

where does all this bulldog $$ come from? They already have multiple high priced first or second season signings. Burton/Kikau/Fox/Mahoney/Pangai jnr and who's coming next year Crichton, and the sharks steroid guy, plus in the market for Payne Haas and now Siua.

This is a good question, especially considering they had to pay overs for a lot of these players.

[Qld Chook]

Hypothetical for everyone..

Would you rather Leinu or SST for the next two years?

We reportedly forked out $525K/year for Leinu and the dogs are reportedly offering $500K/year to SST (Dragons & Tigers are also having a nibble at him).

Personally, I’d hands down go SST. I absolutely loved him in our colours and always thought he was criminally underrated. I hope I’m wrong but I think Leinu is just an impact bench forward. Which there is nothing wrong with if he gets on and skittles blokes but I just don’t know if I’d wanna pay that sort of money for him.

[Chook2]

Hypothetical for everyone..

Would you rather Leinu or SST for the next two years?

We reportedly forked out $525K/year for Leinu and the dogs are reportedly offering $500K/year to SST (Dragons & Tigers are also having a nibble at him).

Personally, I’d hands down go SST. I absolutely loved him in our colours and always thought he was criminally underrated. I hope I’m wrong but I think Leinu is just an impact bench forward. Which there is nothing wrong with if he gets on and skittles blokes but I just don’t know if I’d wanna pay that sort of money for him.

Yes I’d go SST particularly for that money, I reckon sst should be commanding $750k
better then Leniu and been around the club all ready for ages
one of the top 5 props the last several years