We'll need a new five-eighth.

[Bates]

Hunt always wanted to return home to the Broncos. He tried to get back there 12 months previously but Flanagan wouldn’t release him. We were never realistically a chance.

Hi mr, if it were you and we offered $300k more than the Broncos highest bid, would you consider staying in Sydney for 2 more years? You're already living in Sydney so it would be tempting Imo.

Money talks.

[Bates]

Salvo, you are a beacon of light in the darkness mate.

The meltdown on here over a trial, while already being fully aware we are in a rebuilding period, is something else.

I think we'll have our moments this year, but I am expecting a finish around 7-8.

I am at peace with that.

Yes we play for premierships. But so does every damn club.

Support the boys & wave your chook flag proudly. We'll be back.

Hi Steakface, the meltdown isn't over a trial. The crux of the matter is the poor planning that's gone into this season that'll most likely see us competing for the spoon!

[rcptn]

Salvo, you are a beacon of light in the darkness mate.

The meltdown on here over a trial, while already being fully aware we are in a rebuilding period, is something else.

I think we'll have our moments this year, but I am expecting a finish around 7-8.

I am at peace with that.

Yes we play for premierships. But so does every damn club.

Support the boys & wave your chook flag proudly. We'll be back.

100% never understood the mythology that we were special in that regard.

[milanja]

Hi Steakface, the meltdown isn't over a trial. The crux of the matter is the poor planning that's gone into this season that'll most likely see us competing for the spoon!

The planning obviously got thrown out the window when Walker and cheese got injured, add to that the ongoing issues with Billy smith. Townsend was planned as a backup, and that worked out because of Sammy’s injury, marky mark was planned to either start or a solid backup.

what still gets me is the release of sitili and may, i would understand it if we were using their cap space, to bring in replacements, but we haven’t, and this is what doesn’t make sense to me.

Youth, great we need to give them a chance, but not all at once.

The other thing that may have thrown the plans was, not every off contract player wants to go to the chooks anymore, Fifita,Hunt,Gagai, get even 2 of the three, and the experience factor goes up ten fold.

i think the planning was in place, but unpredictable circumstances have played their part too.

nothing more we can do than watch the ride.

I usually go into most seasons thinking we will compete for the comp, this season I’m not expecting a top 8 finish, so if we are there abouts, it will be a nice surprise.

[Lydon]

what still gets me is the release of sitili and may, i would understand it if we were using their cap space, to bring in replacements, but we haven’t, and this is what doesn’t make sense to me.

Totally mind boggling mate,leaves you scratching your head..

[Bates]

100% never understood the mythology that we were special in that regard.

But we do play for premierships. We're pro active in that regard as we have a number of Alphas on our board!

SBW and Cronk didn't knock on our door looking for work. It was someone's idea and we went out and recruited them. Without them it's unlikely we win our last 3 premierships imo.

[rcptn]

But we do play for premierships. We're pro active in that regard as we have a number of Alphas on our board!

SBW and Cronk didn't knock on our door looking for work. It was someone's idea and we went out and recruited them. Without them it's unlikely we win our last 3 premierships imo.

I know but so does every other team

[Bates]

I know but so does every other team

Disagree.

Most teams just fumble their way through the modern game and just make up the numbers until they improve their front office management. Only then do they eventually jag a premiership or make the grand final. These teams then fall away and struggle to make the top 8. E,g. Raiders, Sharks, Dragons, Souffs in recent times.

The current clubs that aggressively chase success in the modern game would be Roosters, Storm, Broncos, Panthers.

[MKCS]

He needs to play more games and weed out errors in his game that comes with being a rookie half and find his feet. If we are having this conversation in 2 seasons time and our forwards are firing but our 6 can't ice his plays, then we can be a bit more cut throat with it.

He's currently played 29 first grade games and for the most part has been ineffective, we should give him another 50+ games to decide if he's going to come good? For comparison sake Galvin has only played 21 games and has proven effective already, Bula has played only 39 games whilst even Sam Walker has played under 80 games whilst being effective for a couple seasons now.

In my opinion Sandon should have only this season to prove himself because we have no other options. If it's another ineffective season then it makes sense to move him on and sign someone to fill that role, luckily for us he's off contract at the end of the year.

I find it truly bizarre that we gave Townsend $300K, when it looked to me that he was too slow for NRL and should have retired.

Chad was signed to be a mentor to our two young halves and to play NSW Cup, if Walker and Smith didn't get hurt last year and stay healthy in 2025 then odds are Chad would've only played first grade at the Roosters if Walker was sent into Origin camp.

The Roosters seem to like this method as they've done it with Napa, Jennings and others in the past.

The front row position is a bigger worry than 5/8 IMO

Luckily for us there are a ton of good props available for the 2026 season and we have plenty of cap space. I'd hope that we're very seriously considering signing Payne Haas at the very least.

[HunchoRooster]

He's currently played 29 first grade games and for the most part has been ineffective, we should give him another 50+ games to decide if he's going to come good? For comparison sake Galvin has only played 21 games and has proven effective already, Bula has played only 39 games whilst even Sam Walker has played under 80 games whilst being effective for a couple seasons now.

In my opinion Sandon should have only this season to prove himself because we have no other options. If it's another ineffective season then it makes sense to move him on and sign someone to fill that role, luckily for us he's off contract at the end of the year.



Chad was signed to be a mentor to our two young halves and to play NSW Cup, if Walker and Smith didn't get hurt last year and stay healthy in 2025 then odds are Chad would've only played first grade at the Roosters if Walker was sent into Origin camp.

The Roosters seem to like this method as they've done it with Napa, Jennings and others in the past.



Luckily for us there are a ton of good props available for the 2026 season and we have plenty of cap space. I'd hope that we're very seriously considering signing Payne Haas at the very least.

Given his situation, this season is probably his chance to prove himself. He needs some continuity in the side. Going off the trials though, nearly every half in the comp would struggle off our forwards lack of punch.

[Mickie Lane]

Luckily for us there are a ton of good props available for the 2026 season and we have plenty of cap space. I'd hope that we're very seriously considering signing Payne Haas at the very least.

I’m not across front rowers from other clubs contract situation but you’ve got me interested. So who are the ton of props available for 2026 & if they’re available why haven’t any of them been signed because it’s past November 2024 so clubs are allowed to sign now for 2026.
In regards to Hass why would he leave a powerhouse club that are contenders (for the next few years IMO) that are paying him top dollar?

[Inflictor]

Hunt only wanted 2 more seasons and at $550k a year he would've been a bargain. That's just $250k a year more than Townsend.

He could cover Cheese as you've mentioned then partnered Sammy in the halves. His experience at this point in time would have been priceless!

Reports are we were in the hunt for Hunt up to our ears. Do you believe we offered less than $550K? Do you also believe he is getting paid $550K by the Broncos?
He used us to get his value up and I'm sure the Broncos matched it.
He was always going back home.

[mightyrooster]

Reports are we were in the hunt for Hunt up to our ears. Do you believe we offered less than $550K? Do you also believe he is getting paid $550K by the Broncos?
He used us to get his value up and I'm sure the Broncos matched it.
He was always going back home.

Yep, sorry Bates I agree with the Inflictor on this one.

[Thirteen]

We need a big name to partner Walker in the halves in 2026.

There is nobody decent off contract and that includes Brown the myth.

[Lydon]

There is nobody decent off contract and that includes Brown the myth.

Total myth..