losing Fergo critical in assembling a warchest to secure Cleary

[fletch]

many will be very disappointed when it is confirmed this will be Fergo's last with the Roosters, but a bigger picture outlook needs to be taken, from November 1 this year teams are allowed to start making "official" offers to Nathan Cleary for the 2020 season and beyond.

I have no doubt Uncle Nick/Robbo will already be looking at what our team looks like post Cronk, and there will certainly be a concern our halfback of the future isn't currently at the club, both O'Sullivan and Lam have some potential but I'm not sure they are guys you can count on to lead this team around the park in 2020 and beyond.

it would be no surprise to find out we will be heavily involved in the Nathan Cleary sweepstakes, and as disappointing as it would be to lose Fergo at the end of this year, I would certainly prefer to secure possibly the best young halfback in the game for the next 5yrs than compete with the money the Knights are throwing at Fergo to retain him and roll the dice on either O'Sullivan or Lam being our long term answer at halfback.

its going be take an absolutely massive offer to secure Cleary, and finding a cheaper option on the wing is going to be part of the strategy to put together the war chest required to sign Cleary.

[zac]

You'd never write off Nick's ability to get the best players, but are we a good chance to secure Cleary? With the salary cap, it makes it difficult. Surely Penrith would have the inside running? Perhaps we need Murdoch to start a break-away comp, so that all bets are off?

But sure, we probably need a new half-back in 2020 and need to keep some money for that. But is it a straight choice between Fergo and Cleary? Maybe there is room for manoeuvre.

[Ivan Benko]

I cannot see where this Cleary hysteria is coming from ,he was completely outplayed by Cronk and he had a very quiet game in SOO. He has had a few good games against weaker opposition but so have other halfbacks. As for Ivan, he really hasn't set the place on fire with his coaching either at the Warriors or at the Tigers so I don't understand all the fuss.As far as I am concerned we should try and keep Fergo and Robinson and develop one of our younger halfbacks instead of seeing them star against us in another team.

[BenCumminsIsACheat]

I don't want Cleary. He's the most overrated player in the NRL

[RoosterFanNZ]

if we wanted cleary couldnt we just pay him that million dollars cronk is earning, since he is replacing him?

[Lydon]

I don't want Cleary. He's the most overrated player in the NRL

I totally agree with you,the fact that some journo’s put him in the same sentence as Ponga at this stage of their careers is laughable.
He’s mastered the craft of hiding behind Maloney and it’s no coincidence the Panthers went on an unbeaten run when he got injured and Jimmy took over..
Not saying one day he won’t be a really good player,but from what I’ve seen so far no thanks..
Hope we don’t lose Fergo!

[The Brain]

Youve all got rocks in ya heads the Kid Cleary is only 20yrs of age .Has a great arsenal in his game. Will get even better. Hiding behind Maloney ? more like learning his craft offa veteran.Has only one problem in his game .Only like to run the ball in second halves.

[Tommy Smith]

Fergo has been our best player this year. The early set work by wingers is crucial to a teams success so I'd be very careful in letting Fergo go easily without a handy replacement.

[Lydon]

Youve all got rocks in ya heads the Kid Cleary is only 20yrs of age .Has a great arsenal in his game. Will get even better. Hiding behind Maloney ? more like learning his craft offa veteran.Has only one problem in his game .Only like to run the ball in second halves.

Happy to be proven wrong mate and as I mentioned he may one day be a very good player,but at the moment the hype doesn’t match the game..
Whereas Ponga is a different beast,you can automatically see it!
All I see at the moment is a Maloney dominant Panthers/NSW team,and Cleary is barely sighted..Just my opinion

[4 the all in brawl]

Parra lost their rudder when Semi set a sail....

[4 the all in brawl]

Cleary is behind a few players for his age. (Ponga, Radley and Mitchell for starters) Okay they are not halves but are bigger and better game breakers than Cleary. Maybe not at half but I wager Ash Taylor would be a better half if he was playing for a decent team. I like Cleary but at the moment he is no better than the half we replaced....

Pearce was probably as good at 20 as he is now. There is no guarantee Cleary will get better. If we get him I hope he does....

[Lydon]

Fergo has been our best player this year. The early set work by wingers is crucial to a teams success so I'd be very careful in letting Fergo go easily without a handy replacement.

Spewing if we lose him,he’s really proven himself this year!

[Guest]

I think Fergo may end up staying and keep signing one year contracts. They seem to suit him in terms of motivation.

[fletch]

Fergo has been our best player this year. The early set work by wingers is crucial to a teams success so I'd be very careful in letting Fergo go easily without a handy replacement.

I'm sure Robbo doesn't want to lose Fergo, but reality is we simply won't match what the Knights will offer him, and at this point in his career Fergo needs to chase the cash, he needs to set his family up for life after football.

[The Brain]

Happy to be proven wrong mate and as I mentioned he may one day be a very good player,but at the moment the hype doesn’t match the game..
Whereas Ponga is a different beast,you can automatically see it!
All I see at the moment is a Maloney dominant Panthers/NSW team,and Cleary is barely sighted..Just my opinion

yeah but back from a long injury too he will be a little tenative ....I expect more from him on Sunday as long as our forwards havea go.