Sam Verrills

[Mark Harris]

Shows that if you have a bad year then your job is on the line.

[Kelby]

I’ll take Sammy V over Smith any day of the week

yeah.............nah

[Kelby]

Why not?
I don't except that too small shite. The game is about momentum nowadays and these 2 would continue that. Rads and Smith will probably play 60mins each. The other 2 bench players will be a prop and a second rower.
If sam leaves, its because he wants to be a starting player not because we don't want him.

[theGman]

Why not?
I don't except that too small shite. The game is about momentum nowadays and these 2 would continue that. Rads and Smith will probably play 60mins each. The other 2 bench players will be a prop and a second rower.
If sam leaves, its because he wants to be a starting player not because we don't want him.

Brandon is a throwback to the days of Noel Kelly who comfortably played hooker, prop and backrow......wherever and whatever the team required him to be. Such was his toughness and nuggety build.
Forza Formaggio.

[ism22]

Why not?
I don't except that too small shite. The game is about momentum nowadays and these 2 would continue that. Rads and Smith will probably play 60mins each. The other 2 bench players will be a prop and a second rower.
If sam leaves, its because he wants to be a starting player not because we don't want him.

Agreed.

Also Robbo's a development coach. IMO he doesn't throw good players on the shyte pile or hold onto them just because he's getting a good deal. He'll have discussions about what happens next in their careers & make sure his boys are being looked after.

The Cheese came on the market around about the time we lost Jake Friend. Verrills has slotted in well as both a premiership winning #14 and a very good #9 during a tough season. This is all greatly respected, but Robbo's ultimately trying to find a way to win his next premiership.

I don't personally think the Cheese is on the same level as SBW or Cronk, but I think the leap from Verrills/Watson to the Cheese is comparable to replacing Pearcie with Cronk. If Verrills/Watson carve up in 2022 then wanna stay on to win a premiership, earn a good ~$350k+ to play #14 under Smith and grow their games then I'm all for it. Equally... NRL careers are limited and if somebody throws $500-600k at them (plus a starting #9 jersey for 3+ years) then go figure. Gotta look after yourself.

[Cockadoodledoo]

Why not?
I don't except that too small shite. The game is about momentum nowadays and these 2 would continue that. Rads and Smith will probably play 60mins each. The other 2 bench players will be a prop and a second rower.
If sam leaves, its because he wants to be a starting player not because we don't want him.

Watson and Verrills playing 20 minutes each is simply not happening. I can’t see how a guy starting the 2019 Grand Final won’t want to be a starter in 2023.

[ism22]

Watson and Verrills playing 20 minutes each is simply not happening. I can’t see how a guy starting the 2019 Grand Final won’t want to be a starter in 2023.

How long does Verrills have to go on his contract?

I reckon that in signing Watson, Robbo's said 'maaaate... if you wanna play #14 then don't go to England! I can guarantee you an NRL game every week + if you read the rumours much, we're looking at signing a serious #9 so you'll possibly bag yourself an NRL premiership if you sign for 2 years'.

Verrills is good but he's not a marquee #9. He'll get offered $500-600k elsewhere as a starting rake and go well. But, I back our call to poach Brandon Smith. You don't get stuck in a 3 way tug-o-war between Robbo, Bellamy and Bennett for nothing.

Watson's had a few years on ~$550k and was considering going to the UK. I reckon we're getting a bargain there and he'll be looking to win a premiership before earning $$$ as a marquee half/fullback/rake in Europe (possibly setting himself up for coaching gigs...etc in the process).

[Kelby]

Watson and Verrills playing 20 minutes each is simply not happening. I can’t see how a guy starting the 2019 Grand Final won’t want to be a starter in 2023.

He wont be a starting 9 in 2023 at the roosters, simple.
When you factor in injuries, SOO and suspensions game time increases.
Rads will have 3 SOO games and time off for sure. The cheese may have test duties, etc. as well.
Walker wont play every game and I can see watson there perhaps. This just covers it all.
But if Verrills goes.................. we have Lussick, Marschke, Tyler Moriarty, Thomas Deakin..................

[Kelvin Johnson]

Verrills is good enough to be first string hooker at another club.
It will be sad to see him go but I'd be surprised if he would be happy to warm the bench behind Smith after doing so for Friend .

What did Verrills do last year that gives any indication he would be first string hooker at another club?
Wouldn't have known he was there half the time last year.

We needed another attacking option and he just couldn't provide that.

Obviously Nick and Robbo have watched what he has/hasn't done and made the correct call to get Smith.

[Thirteen]

What did Verrills do last year that gives any indication he would be first string hooker at another club?
Wouldn't have known he was there half the time last year.

We needed another attacking option and he just couldn't provide that.

Obviously Nick and Robbo have watched what he has/hasn't done and made the correct call to get Smith.

Bottom line if Verills was that good we wouldn’t have signed Smith. It’s that simple.

Will always appreciate his contribution in 2019.

[Kelby]

What did Verrills do last year that gives any indication he would be first string hooker at another club?
Wouldn't have known he was there half the time last year.

We needed another attacking option and he just couldn't provide that.

Obviously Nick and Robbo have watched what he has/hasn't done and made the correct call to get Smith.

Exactly.

[ism22]

Shows that if you have a bad year then your job is on the line.

That includes Robbo... hence why he's gotta make tough calls on players. While doing this, I think it's awesome how he still remains focussed on player welfare any development.

Like I dunno, I've been in position during my career where nobody's gonna sack me because I'm friendly + versatile. However, nobody cares about my development/progression. IMO it's easy to under-rate how much value Robbo adds by developing everybody from the office admin staff to Cronk/BSW/Teddy.

[Bondicigar]

What did Verrills do last year that gives any indication he would be first string hooker at another club?
Wouldn't have known he was there half the time last year.

We needed another attacking option and he just couldn't provide that.

Obviously Nick and Robbo have watched what he has/hasn't done and made the correct call to get Smith.

He would need to recapture the form he had before his run of injuries.
I think we will see an improved Sam Verrills next year , just like our halves our hooker will struggle when our forward pack are being dominated around the ruck.

Hopefully our horror run of injuries are behind us

[The Corner Post]

Verrills can be a starting hooker at a big club, maybe the Panthers, Manly?? Unfortunately i think he will be under utilised with us when Smith comes. Its a shame because raising kids through the lower grades to first grade is where the value is these days. But, we play for Premierships.

[milanja]

Verrills can be a starting hooker at a big club, maybe the Panthers, Manly?? Unfortunately i think he will be under utilised with us when Smith comes. Its a shame because raising kids through the lower grades to first grade is where the value is these days. But, we play for Premierships.

Yep, when we don’t have the right player, we buy the right player. It’s a luxury many other teams in the comp wish they had.