Fletcher Baker appears gone

[Bates]

Does he really ?
I like Lodge as a player but for that coin and 4 years it's a pass from me.

I like him too, but

The other issue for coaches these days is the current speed of the game. The 6 again rule may be the death of the old school big lumbering prop.

[Rooster_6]

Feel like Baker is one of those players who's in the balance. No guarantee he will go on and develop into a top line player but has a really unique style for a prop forward so if he does will be a real shame to have lost him.

Naufahu Whyte's rise this year softens the blow of this.

[ism22]

Not if we lose Lodge.
He must be kept, any way possible.

How much of our cap goes on players who never play firsts?
3 players who never play firsts @ $200,000 each = $600,000, enough to keep Lodge...who can actually tackle Haas, Carrigan and co...and could crash over thru the centres for tries if wound up and used properly.

Agreed mate, something about a bird in the hand... he's not somebody who MIGHT come good. He's a high quality front rower who will be in the box seat to replace JWH if he can spend another season or so earning his stripes.

Anybody disagrees, then I'm happy to crack him, bro.

Destabilising player? IMO this is basically based on...

- Him committing a serious crime for which he's served his punishment and moved on.

- The status of his father and father-in-law mighta caused some dramas? I dunno.

- Clubs being embarrassed because he's been their best option for captain / vice captain based on performance & attitude but no board's gonna let him be captain.

Our culture's too good for one person to destabilise it. Not that Lodge has ever looked like doing so...

[bondi.boy]

Lodge wants 4 years at $800k a season. Does that change the way you feel?

Yes, we could get two big young props from Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, NZ for that...they must be out there somewhere.

[Chook2]

The fact he is off next year we should be really playing May or Whyte this week, brown was going to play but got suspended
I think an honest toiler - average player who doesn’t have a very high cieling
i think allthough seems a great bloke doesn’t have the mungrel you need as a front rower and to slow for the modern game
better chance to make 17 at broncos next year as he would not make the chooks best side
no value trying to spend overs on him
he is 24 this year, when most props are at their prime
May and Whyte have more potential and let’s see what the Vaa brothers have got

[mightyrooster]

He was starting to look good too. Hopefully Whyte, May and the young Va’aa brothers kick on.

[dice]

Lodge wants 4 years at $800k a season. Does that change the way you feel?

In the context of salary cap having risen 30% to $12.1 million, $800k is a reasonable price for one of the best props in the game. 4 years is also reasonable given he is about to turn 28. Although I suspect the sticking point will actually be the 4 years given his recent history.

[nayfo]

We lose Fletch but keep Hutch.
I reckon Hutch could play prop. Please take him Kevvie…..PLEASE!!

[Lydon]

We lose Fletch but keep Hutch.
I reckon Hutch could play prop. Please take him Kevvie…..PLEASE!!

No way we would release a Mitch Aubusson clone for a young up and coming forward, have you gone mad?

[Rooster89]

Sorry but I don't understand what alot of people are carrying on about regarding the loss of baker.

Yes we developed him, but that doesn't really mean anything unless he is more talented then some of our other forwards.

He is behind behind the pecking order as he will be at the broncos too.

I wish him all the best and hope he has a good career and am glad he got his start with the might chooks.

[A Country Member]

Feel like Baker is one of those players who's in the balance. No guarantee he will go on and develop into a top line player but has a really unique style for a prop forward so if he does will be a real shame to have lost him.

Naufahu Whyte's rise this year softens the blow of this.

Could go a similar way to Dave Shillington and leave the Chooks but go on to play Origin and Australia.

[Water boy]

Good let him thrive at another club. Robbo is cancer when it comes to player development

[Headless Chook]

This thread is hilarious. Half the people faining disappointment about him leaving have been the same people bagging the coach for picking him

[bondi.boy]

Lodge wants 4 years at $800k a season. Does that change the way you feel?

No.
Not since I discovered he is only 28.
I changed my mind, I still want to keep him

[RoosterFanNZ]

we will still continue to play him even though hes leaving instead of someone like Whyte.

robbo did the same with Fifita the year before last