Sualli?

[Waylander]

Fair point about that (lung?) injury + the (sepsis?)

That said, he's recovered from both and IMO found career best form in Origin 1. I reckon Jake's gonna play on for another 4-5 years and he's gonna play really well during that time.

That said if he doesn't, he'll have 3 hard earned premierships to his name, Australian/QLD caps and a reputation as one of the toughest Roosters out there.

IMO Cords and Jake have copped the full force of the fact we always have to earn our wins (refs never help us). They've both learned to just get on with the job and our culture has been REALLY tightlipped. Cords/Friend are mentally the 2 toughest players in the game IMO. They shoulder every bit of BS we cop (both from within the club such as personality clashes and from sources such as bad reffing calls). All this must take its toll. If both chose to retire, I wouldn't see that as being a weak move.

There’s a reason that Nick said Jake can only get 1 year contracts until his time is up. His longevity at this point is unknown, and I don’t believe the club wants to take the risk of losing Verrils as his long term successor. I can’t see Jake playing beyond next year or the one after at the latest.

[Bruce Pickett]

Back on topic - I was with a mate who knows roger fabri (the speed coach who’s been working with JS) and he deadset believes the hype around JS apparently rog has worked with many 17 year olds in the past from all over the country and Joseph is the most gifted he’s seen by far.. He was iffy at first before working with him but after a few sessions he has been left amazed. Almost EVERY person who has seen this kid either play or train has given huge wraps on him, incredible.

It seems Bennett rates him as well.

[Rooster_6]

There’s a reason that Nick said Jake can only get 1 year contracts until his time is up. His longevity at this point is unknown, and I don’t believe the club wants to take the risk of losing Verrils as his long term successor. I can’t see Jake playing beyond next year or the one after at the latest.

Uncle Nick also gave 1yr contracts to Minichello and Aubusson.

Its his version of a life time contract. Don't underestimate what Jake means to the club or what he means to Uncle Nick.

[Thirteen]

It’s only the know it all’s on here who have Jake retiring in 2021. Jake has never said he is retiring then.

[Spirit of 66]

A contract signed by a non-adult (<18yo) is non-binding in all states except NSW where a contract with 16-17yo is binding if it can be demonstrated they understood what they were signing.

Suaalii turned 16 in August 2019, and signed the Souths contract six months earlier in February as a 15yo. There is a big lol coming.

Is this what you were referring to? I'm not a lawyer, but I read this as meaning he can jump the minute he turns 18, but before that he needs to prove the last line here:

"A beneficial contract of employment with a Minor, (provided that it is fair and not oppressive), will be binding[15] unless repudiated by the Minor when they reach the age of majority.

The contract with the Minor will be viewed as a whole, so that a contract that provides some benefit for the minor will not be upheld on that basis alone. Likewise, a contract that contains clauses deemed not for the benefit of the Minor, (provided they are usual to that type of contract, (such as restraint of trade clauses)),[17] will not deem the contract void.

If however the oppressive clauses would make the employment contract as a whole not for the benefit of the Minor, the contact will be void."

[Larry Long Balls]

It’s only the know it all’s on here who have Jake retiring in 2021. Jake has never said he is retiring then.

So true. I'm not sure why everyone is so quick to retire him. We have two excellent prospects in the wings but Jake is still the man.

[Mickie Lane]

I wasn’t here nor there about Suaalii when I first heard about him but I now think he is a must buy. There is to many people in the know talking him up for him to turn out a dud. That photo of him training with the sprint coach looks good, he looks big & strong & he is only 17.

[Larry Long Balls]

It will be awesome to see Joseph debut with us. If him and Walker are as good as has been suggested Roosters supporters will have a lot to look forward to.

[The Skeez]

So true. I'm not sure why everyone is so quick to retire him. We have two excellent prospects in the wings but Jake is still the man.

This probably deserves it own thread, probably is one somewhere, but here is how some may see Jake, Sam and Freddy.

Back in 2014 when Souths won the premiership, they had Isaac Luke as their hooker. Luke was in his prime back then and after a good season, he missed the their win in the GF after being suspended trying to take out Sonny in the prelim.

In steps a young Api Koroisau to the GF team and goes on to play a good game and help his side win the game and premiership.

Sound familiar? A little bit like Sam Verrills in our 2019 gf?

Look where Api and Isaac are now. Api bounced around and resettled at Penrith where he started his career and is one of the best hookers going around.

I think people on here are wary of that. Losing a future gun player whilst holding onto a club legend in the twilight of his career.

[Tommy Smith]

Regarding Jake, it's nothing to do with being a "know it all", my position on Friend is the same as Cordner. He's taken a lot of head knocks recently and he looks vulnerable every game he plays.

The same people who reckon Cordner should consider his options at 28 don't seem to think Friend should do the same at 30 with 80 odd extra games of FG?

With Jake making 40+ tackles on 110kg blokes every game - minus the self preservation like a Cam Smith - he only has so much more left to give. Like a pro fighter with some serious wars on the resume.

Friend's greatest asset - his unrelenting tenacity and kamikaze style of play - may also be what sees him retire at 31. The same happened to Dallas Johnson.

[Waylander]

I see a lot of similarities between Jake and Simon Bonetti. Bonetti retired very early (25 I think?). I just don't know how long a bloke of Jakes size can keep doing what he does without risking crippling himself from about 40 onwards.

[chicka]

Jake and Cords are club legends but it would be selfish and counterproductive to try and squeeze every last drop out of them and leave them facing crippling injuries which could affect their quality of life in later years. They have helped us win 3 premierships and bleed red, white and blue. I really hope they are sensible enough to make the right call at the right time because they both literally owe us nothing and we owe them plenty as fans.

[gragra]

What most people do not appreciate is that repeated tackling and collisions of attacking players also causes brain damage. Tests done with accelerometers placed on the skull measuring impacts show when a body is stopped by a tackler the softest tissue, the brain still hits the inside of the skull. The more a player tackles the greater the damage. The accelerometers have shown that soft tissue damage is equivalent to a low level car crash. US experts talk of limiting players careers to a number of years to prevent the cumulative damage that occurs. Once a concussion occurs of any kind with a specific head knock , the recommendation is 28 days is required for the brain damage to repair. Jake unfortunately with his head knocks and quantity of tackling is a prime candidate for such damage......

[ism22]

Uncle Nick also gave 1yr contracts to Minichello and Aubusson.

Its his version of a life time contract. Don't underestimate what Jake means to the club or what he means to Uncle Nick.

Agreed. Dunno his salary but presumably this gives you 'as much as we can afford to pay you'.

[Rooster1908]

Will make his debut this week according to Roosters site