Rumour mill

[Guest]

If Fergo does go back to the Gummies, are they deserving of a moniker change..

The Tig Raid-pies maybe??..

[milanja]

Shaun Kenny-Dowall is on $450,000 a season. Getting rid of him would just about cover it.

That being said the NRL has to stop shit like this happening. But they've created a situation where dickheads like Dugan and Ferguson know they're bulletproof.

In what other employment sector could you deliberately say 'up yours' to your boss on social media and be ... rewarded with an even bigger contract and higher honours (rep footy). It's a ****ing farce.

Most of my mates down here in Canberra are bloody suicidal about the Raiders. If Milford and Ferguson leave the Raiders must be compensated somehow. If Ferguson is found guilty he has to be stood down for a year.

Yes our team would benefit hugely if he came here and got his head straight (which I think he probably would under Robbo and SBW, living with Mundine etc) but the greater good of the game is more important.

I'm sick to the back teeth of this Gen Y prima donna bitches walking all over the game because they know they're untouchable.

Pretty sure kenny signed a 1.4mil deal for 4 yrs. 350k per season.

[Tommy Smith]

Shaun Kenny-Dowall is on $450,000 a season. Getting rid of him would just about cover it.

That being said the NRL has to stop shit like this happening. But they've created a situation where dickheads like Dugan and Ferguson know they're bulletproof.

In what other employment sector could you deliberately say 'up yours' to your boss on social media and be ... rewarded with an even bigger contract and higher honours (rep footy). It's a ****ing farce.

Most of my mates down here in Canberra are bloody suicidal about the Raiders. If Milford and Ferguson leave the Raiders must be compensated somehow. If Ferguson is found guilty he has to be stood down for a year.

Yes our team would benefit hugely if he came here and got his head straight (which I think he probably would under Robbo and SBW, living with Mundine etc) but the greater good of the game is more important.

I'm sick to the back teeth of this Gen Y prima donna bitches walking all over the game because they know they're untouchable.

100% spot on.

I don't want to benefit from any more of the Raiders misfortune.

I genuinely feel for their diehard fans.

This isn't the path the game should be heading down where all these young "superstars in the their own minds" decide they want to break their massive contracts and move WHEN and WHERE they want.

It's disgraceful and not good for clubs like Canberra.

[Waylander]

Blake Ferguson is a wild, crazy bastard but the mother can play league. I'd have him, on a tight leash...a goddamned chain one.

You mean like this......

pitbullsareforwimps.jpg

[Sonjay Billy Bob]

2015 Backline:

FB: RTS
LW: Tupou
LC: Jenko
RC: SKD
RW: Moga

* Moga would have to play for Newtown in 2014 with Mini at Fullback.

[Guest]

100% spot on.

I don't want to benefit from any more of the Raiders misfortune.

I genuinely feel for their diehard fans.

This isn't the path the game should be heading down where all these young "superstars in the their own minds" decide they want to break their massive contracts and move WHEN and WHERE they want.

It's disgraceful and not good for clubs like Canberra.

Excellent comment, it it not good for the NRL. I feel sorry for the raiders, they have lost a lot of players over the years and the club has received nothing in return.

[Johnny.]

You mean like this......

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1258[/ATTACH]

Verily.

In keeping with S's, here's the Cult.

[Guest]

100% spot on.

I don't want to benefit from any more of the Raiders misfortune.

I genuinely feel for their diehard fans.

This isn't the path the game should be heading down where all these young "superstars in the their own minds" decide they want to break their massive contracts and move WHEN and WHERE they want.

It's disgraceful and not good for clubs like Canberra.

Well said mate.

I wouldn't be opposed to Canberra having some sort of salary cap concession due to its location.

I've got a young family and it's ideal here for that but if you're young and single it's boring as batshit in Canberra. That's why no one wants to come or stay.

Every other club in the NRL at least has something going for it location-wise, except for Canberra.

I know from a good source that the Raiders are prepared to offer Cameron Smith a blank cheque to be their captain. And by blank cheque, I literally mean whatever he wants. If he wanted $2 mil a year they would work their squad around that. But even that probably wouldn't get Smith to Canberra, which shows what they're up against. $1.5 mil/yr to live in Brisbane or $2mil/yr to live in Canberra. Easy choice.

Roosters have a massive advantage in this regard over nearly every team in the comp.

[milanja]

Well said mate.

I wouldn't be opposed to Canberra having some sort of salary cap concession due to its location.

I've got a young family and it's ideal here for that but if you're young and single it's boring as batshit in Canberra. That's why no one wants to come or stay.

Every other club in the NRL at least has something going for it location-wise, except for Canberra.

I know from a good source that the Raiders are prepared to offer Cameron Smith a blank cheque to be their captain. And by blank cheque, I literally mean whatever he wants. If he wanted $2 mil a year they would work their squad around that. But even that probably wouldn't get Smith to Canberra, which shows what they're up against. $1.5 mil/yr to live in Brisbane or $2mil/yr to live in Canberra. Easy choice.

Roosters have a massive advantage in this regard over nearly every team in the comp.

I would rather be in canberra than in the western suburbs of sydney or the crazy tropics of townsville. Wollongong and newcastle have a coast and that is what makes them more appealing, but the cities have no more or less to do than in canberra.

[Guest]

Another issue for the raiders is limited 3rd party sponsorship opportunities. Most business is government or linked to government.

[Guest]

Another issue for the raiders is limited 3rd party sponsorship opportunities. Most business is government or linked to government.

Yep. This is why the Broncos have been such a strong club for two decades. A city of 2 million all to themselves is not a level playing field when it comes to securing sponsorship dollars. Plus the fact their sponsors are guaranteed free-to-air exposure nearly every week.

[Tommy Smith]

Well said mate.

I wouldn't be opposed to Canberra having some sort of salary cap concession due to its location.

I've got a young family and it's ideal here for that but if you're young and single it's boring as batshit in Canberra. That's why no one wants to come or stay.

Every other club in the NRL at least has something going for it location-wise, except for Canberra.

I know from a good source that the Raiders are prepared to offer Cameron Smith a blank cheque to be their captain. And by blank cheque, I literally mean whatever he wants. If he wanted $2 mil a year they would work their squad around that. But even that probably wouldn't get Smith to Canberra, which shows what they're up against. $1.5 mil/yr to live in Brisbane or $2mil/yr to live in Canberra. Easy choice.

Roosters have a massive advantage in this regard over nearly every team in the comp.

Well said.

It also has to be said that what's happening in Canberra doesn't bode well for a Central Qld Franchise bid. If young footballers don't want to live in Canberra, then how on earth would anyone convince them to live in Rockhampton? Good luck with that.

Im just trying to put myself in Canberra's shoes. If we were currently a perennial mid-table team with the potential to make the next step up, i'd be gutted to lose Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in those circumstances. Absolutely gutted and disillusioned.

Fergo is one thing, but Milford would be another. The NRL must do all it can, concessions included as you suggested, to help Canberra retain its young stars.

Otherwise why would the fans continue to fork out money as a fan? I wouldn't if we lost RTS, Cordner etc.

[BUDDY]

I went out for dinner last night and at the table was SBW, Ferguson, Mundine and Nasser so there might be soem turth to this rumor

http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/n...3#.UhIQhRbQUZY

Controversial agent Khoder Nasser helps plot Blake Ferguson's exit from Canberra

PINOCCHIO'S restaurant at Randwick is doing its usual solid Sunday night trade.
In walk four of the biggest names in Australian sport - Sonny Bill Williams, Blake Ferguson, Anthony Mundine and the controversial agent Khoder Nasser.
It’s a popular steakhouse and bar that eastern suburbs celebrities regularly frequent.
The four are there to talk footy and boxing, plus the next career move for the troubled but talented Ferguson, no doubt the conversation as sizzling as the chicken schnitzel.
There’s no alcohol at this table. Mundine, Nasser and SBW don’t drink. Ferguson is trying to give it up, although apparently not all that successfully.
He’s been spotted at a Canberra nightclub and the Gymea Hotel in the last seven days.
On top of the agenda is the fact the blockbusting Origin star wants out from the last two years of his Canberra Raiders contract, as exclusively reported in The Daily Telegraph last week.
One of the options being considered is Ferguson replacing Sonny Bill at the Roosters next year.
Khoder is not Ferguson’s manager but Mundine has taken his nephew to the restaurant to get some advice.
Afterall, Khoder is an expert at getting his boys out of clubs and sports where they don’t want to be, with absolutely no regard for the public backlash that generally comes with it.
The Raiders had always feared Ferguson would turn to Khoder and his ‘family’ of elite athletes.
When I rang coach Dave Furner last week to inform him Ferguson wanted out, he asked: “He hasn’t linked up with Khoder has he?”
Mundine also wanted Ferguson there to speak to Sonny Bill, not necessarily about his football.
In his early years, SBW had similar behavioural issues to Ferguson, most of them alcohol related.
Today he is not just a superstar athlete, but a model citizen.
He is credited for almost single-handedly changing the booze and nightclub culture that existed at the Sydney Roosters before his arrival.
Mundine firmly believes Ferguson has as much natural talent as the champion Roosters back-rower, former All Black and heavyweight boxer.
He’s genuinely convinced he needs to get him out of the national capital to achieve all his goals.
To have him in Sydney, under his own care.
Although it wasn’t discussed over dinner, the mail is getting stronger and stronger that Sonny Bill is moving next year too, heading back to rugby union.
He is believed to have already committed to Super Rugby champions the Chiefs with the eventual goal of winning a rugby union World Cup with the All Blacks.
He will also fight before the start of the rugby season and probably end up making more than $1.5 million-a-year.
That’s the secret with Khoder, Mundine and these private dinners.
On the surface it can look bad, but realistically, it might be what Ferguson needs to get his life and footy career back on the rails.

[milanja]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/n...3#.UhIQhRbQUZY

Controversial agent Khoder Nasser helps plot Blake Ferguson's exit from Canberra

PINOCCHIO'S restaurant at Randwick is doing its usual solid Sunday night trade.
In walk four of the biggest names in Australian sport - Sonny Bill Williams, Blake Ferguson, Anthony Mundine and the controversial agent Khoder Nasser.
It’s a popular steakhouse and bar that eastern suburbs celebrities regularly frequent.
The four are there to talk footy and boxing, plus the next career move for the troubled but talented Ferguson, no doubt the conversation as sizzling as the chicken schnitzel.
There’s no alcohol at this table. Mundine, Nasser and SBW don’t drink. Ferguson is trying to give it up, although apparently not all that successfully.
He’s been spotted at a Canberra nightclub and the Gymea Hotel in the last seven days.
On top of the agenda is the fact the blockbusting Origin star wants out from the last two years of his Canberra Raiders contract, as exclusively reported in The Daily Telegraph last week.
One of the options being considered is Ferguson replacing Sonny Bill at the Roosters next year.
Khoder is not Ferguson’s manager but Mundine has taken his nephew to the restaurant to get some advice.
Afterall, Khoder is an expert at getting his boys out of clubs and sports where they don’t want to be, with absolutely no regard for the public backlash that generally comes with it.
The Raiders had always feared Ferguson would turn to Khoder and his ‘family’ of elite athletes.
When I rang coach Dave Furner last week to inform him Ferguson wanted out, he asked: “He hasn’t linked up with Khoder has he?”
Mundine also wanted Ferguson there to speak to Sonny Bill, not necessarily about his football.
In his early years, SBW had similar behavioural issues to Ferguson, most of them alcohol related.
Today he is not just a superstar athlete, but a model citizen.
He is credited for almost single-handedly changing the booze and nightclub culture that existed at the Sydney Roosters before his arrival.
Mundine firmly believes Ferguson has as much natural talent as the champion Roosters back-rower, former All Black and heavyweight boxer.
He’s genuinely convinced he needs to get him out of the national capital to achieve all his goals.
To have him in Sydney, under his own care.
Although it wasn’t discussed over dinner, the mail is getting stronger and stronger that Sonny Bill is moving next year too, heading back to rugby union.
He is believed to have already committed to Super Rugby champions the Chiefs with the eventual goal of winning a rugby union World Cup with the All Blacks.
He will also fight before the start of the rugby season and probably end up making more than $1.5 million-a-year.
That’s the secret with Khoder, Mundine and these private dinners.
On the surface it can look bad, but realistically, it might be what Ferguson needs to get his life and footy career back on the rails.

Welcome blake, and thanks for the memories and legacy SBW)))

[Johnny.]

I could live with that swap.