Moves, Rumours,Judiciary, Injuries ...

[Graham]

as alluded to above:

Rabbitohs officials and the player himself have steadfastly denied rumours that star halfback Adam Reynolds has sought a release to join the Gold Coast Titans.

In a statement released on Friday afternoon, Souths CEO John Lee said "Adam is enjoying an excellent pre-season and will proudly wear the Rabbitohs jersey in 2016 and beyond."

 

 

but previously

 

 

South Sydney have rejected a request by Adam Reynolds to be released from his contract to join the Titans.

It’s believed the halfback asked for the shock release on Friday but it was turned down by the Rabbitohs.

[Graham]

South Sydney's Greg Inglis has pledged to remain at Redfern until at least the end of 2017 and will continue in the all-important fullback role for the Bunnies next season.

Inglis has been repeatedly linked to becoming a marquee signing for the Brisbane Bombers if the NRL opted to introduce a second team in Brisbane.

Or a surprise exit to join the Brisbane Broncos?

But Inglis says he will be fulfilling the final two seasons of his contract at the Rabbitohs.

“I’m happy at Souths, I’m there until the end of 2017. What happens after that we will have to wait and see but for the time being, I’m the captain and I love the club,” Inglis said.

 

Edited December 12, 2015 by G Las D

[Graham]

Jack Bird is poised to sign with Cronulla until the end of 2017 while St George Illawarra, Brisbane, Parramatta and Souths are fighting for the signature of James Roberts.

[DeadShotKeen]

The James Roberts thing is really poor. I have no problem whatsoever with players moving on or exhausting all options for the best deal etc. (thus why I fully supported DCE on his backflip) but for him to seize upon a technicality to move is a totally different ball game. I mean, you signed a 2 year deal then it turns out it's null and void so you get a better one by way of apology/inconvenience - how much better does that get for you? Take it, spend the extra cash and bask in the glow of the club and its fans for their gratitude and use it to clean up your slightly tarnished off-field image. To turn it down can only mean that you obviously didn't want it in the first place. It's really the very worst way imaginable to leave a club and has put a target on his back for his whole career.

 

If he does end up at the Broncos I think it's hard to see past them next year and it's a hammer blow for the Titans, for whom he was really their only genuine star. Chris McQueen is a decent pick up but they look pretty thin right now.

 

I've said it a few times before and with the Titans surely having tons of cap space and making noises that they think they're being overpriced by free agent players (whose agents presumably know this and the Titans' recruitment woes in general) surely they should be looking at Super League? If I were them I would go after Hardaker, Watkins and Hall at Leeds and make them offers they simply can't refuse.

 

Damn shame on many levels as he (Roberts) was arguably my favourite player to watch but now I'm firmly rooting against him.

 

As for the Titans, what more can possibly go wrong for that club? Losing rookie of the year Paul Carter over some nonsense (and watching him become re-established at the superior Rabbitohs), the cocaine scandal (which admittedly appears to have blown over), the DCE backflip and now this. Short of Cbus Super Stadium vanishing into a crack in the ground caused by an Earth tremor I'm at a loss as to what more bad luck could befall that club. Come on the footy Gods - give that club a break.

[Graham]

There does seem to be an unseemly glee in Roberts' new found freedom to roam after the trigger to release him was pulled within the club by the idiot and the ridiculous forged signature  action:

 

Roberts' uncle and adviser, Jeremy Donovan, said Roberts was eager to settle his future.

"James is excited about the opportunities that lay ahead," Donovan said. "He is also excited about making a decision for himself around where the next couple years of his life will play out.

 

This while turning his back on Titans fans who as you said so well DSK have had misery piled on misery.

Like all good RL fans lets hope that this turns out okay for them. Roberts is without doubt a good player and you can see why he is being chased. All the same question marks still hang around him and his character and his history of personal issues.

I hope he does/has turned the corner and builds a good career.

I too can't say that I'll be looking favourably at him after this though.

[RabbitRhinoovOZ]

I keep hearing Tim Grant to the Tigers is close to being a done deal(Oh god please let it be true)

[Farmduck]

Dylan Walker has officially signed with Manly on a 4-year deal.

[Graham]

Walker's relationship with Souths had broken down to the point that something had to give.

How's this for a statement from Walker's lawyer quoted from SMH
 

Walker's lawyer Julieanne Levick was furious with Souths' final report on the matter.

"The board has come to the conclusion that Walker has abused prescription medication in the absence of any expert opinion," Levick said late last month. "This is such an unsatisfactory outcome in any view especially considering how this kid has been treated like a piece of meat in the face of serious injury throughout the 2015 season.

"He has been sucked in, chewed out and well and truly spat out. Walker has got a release that his counsel was pushing for but at a totally unacceptable price, that being his reputation."

Levick also said Walker had been treated like a piece of meat by Souths

Edited December 17, 2015 by G Las D

[Graham]

Souths views are strong but pretty damning on Walker (and Gray) after their investigations:
 

South Sydney centre Dylan Walker has been released by the club after he and Aaron Gray were fined for their prescription drug scandal. Walker’s lawyer Julieanne Levick told reporters that Walker had been let go by the Rabbitohs after they concluded their investigation into the incident. 
 
The club announced earlier on Thursday that the pair had been fined five per cent of their 2015 contract value. In a statement Souths said that Walker and Gray would also be required to serve 20 hours of community service and attend education sessions on how to better use medicines after the club concluded its investigation into the incident.
A further fine of five per cent of their contract values has been suspended pending the completion of the above. But given Walker has been released that would seem a moot point for the Australian representative. After the duo fronted the Souths’ board earlier this month, the club finalised a report into the incident this week in conjunction with the NRL integrity unit. “... By their actions and their consequent hospitalisation, the players had brought the club and the NRL into serious disrepute,” the Souths statement read.
The 2014 premiers said there was no evidence that either player had illicit drugs or alcohol in their system. However, “both players had nonetheless sourced additional pain-killing medication from their own GPs on the day of the incident, clearly beyond that which was prescribed by their specialists following their respective surgeries”.

 

Edited December 17, 2015 by G Las D

[Farmduck]

Sam Burgess' contract has been formally registered by the NRL. He's officially a Bunny again.

[Graham]

Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor has guaranteed Robbie Farah the No.9 jersey to start round one with Farah's replacement as skipper Aaron Woods declaring he and his Tigers teammates would have been "filthy" if the club let Farah leave. 

Woods was officially unveiled as Farah's successor as skipper after Farah stepped down from the role amid uncertainty surrounding his future.  While Farah maintains his place in the leadership team, Woods will captain the side. Veterans Chris Lawrence and Dene Halatau are the club's vice-captains. 

 

Well FD, is Woods the best choice as captain. He's not a player I would have picked from just watching Tigers' games?

Edited December 19, 2015 by G Las D

[Farmduck]

I don't think any player who's going to be interchanged twice every game is a good choice. After this year's long running soap opera it can't be Farah because that would be telling Robbie that he's defeated another coach. Chris Lawrence? he'll be a back rower and also regularly interchanged. Everyone else has less than 2 seasons of NRL behind them except Halatau who'll be starting from the bench and Matt Ballin who won't be fit for the start of the season and will also be on the bench.

 

Brooks and Moses should just focus on their own games and Tedesco shouldn't think at all. Run Teddy, just run!

[Graham]

The race to sign James Roberts is down to two clubs after St George Illawarra were told he would not be joining the Dragons next season.

 

Roberts is now to decide if his future remains in Queensland with Brisbane or if he should make a return to his junior club South Sydney.

Edited December 22, 2015 by G Las D

[Graham]

Young Jack Bird is expected to re-sign with the Cronulla Sharks in the new-year after reportedly telling the Dragons that his future, at least in the short-term, would remain in the Shire.

The bloke has told it like it is for him -  money has been a big factor in deciding whether he would continue to ply his trade in the black, white and blue, or move back to his junior club the Dragons.

 

[Graham]

Given the way the Farah saga has played out through the media, the likely decision to appoint Wood looks to be spot on.

He is already looked upon as a leader by less experienced players, while he is one who certainly looks to lead by example.

The move would also allow Farah, who I still believe can be one of the Tigers top players, to focus on his game, and also separates him from coach Jason Taylor.

Woods is a player with a long and bright future ahead of him. The chance to captain his side should ensure he spends a large majority of his career at the club.

 

 

Does that sound right then FD?

[Graham]

So Roberts... the Titans offer wasn't good enough for him?

 

Could it be that he'll sign for Broncos for a smaller deal than if he went to Dragons or Souths?

[Farmduck]

"Taylor’s apology to Robbie Farah ends feud
THE AUSTRALIAN

DECEMBER 17, 2015 12:00AM
Margie McDonald

An apology from Wests Tigers head coach Jason Taylor to former club captain Robbie Farah in front of the entire team was the act that ended a four-month feud between the pair."

 

Why didn't they just castrate Taylor live on national TV? There goes any authority the coach had over the players. I almost hope Farah has such a bad season that we lose the first 10 games and even Laurie Daley has second thoughts about picking him for Origin.

 

What I have hated most about the whole farce was the lack of full disclosure. If one side of an argument uses the media as a weapon then the other side is entitled to abandon tact, discretion and good taste and reply with both barrels. If the club had a dirt file on Farah they should have used it.

 

I think most of the Tigers fans are sick of it. The Balmain side backs Farah but they'll be gone soon. Balmain will default on their NRL loan in March and Wests Magpies at Ashfield will take over the Balmain share (hopefully).

 

I hope Aaron Woods works out but if Farah's playing the full 80 minutes I guess he's the obvious captain while Woods is on the bench.

[RabbitRhinoovOZ]

Well I think two sure things have came out today for the 2016 NRL season & they are...

#1 Broncos will win the comp with ease

#2 West Tigers to really struggle after the latest development in Robbie "Teflon" Farah saga (How bloody

embarrassing!)

[Graham]

James Roberts signing for Broncos today according to reports. They say he could have got more money elsewhere.

[DiddyDave]

Yes,Roberts has finally signed for the Broncos on about a hundred grand less than he would`ve got at the Titans,so if anybody can work that one out,I`d be very pleased to read it! Poor Paul Copley looks like he`s the one being dispensed with,so if I were him I`d be very bloody annoyed. Which makes me think;how can the Broncos or any other club simply ditch a bloke who`s contracted just because they`ve just signed another player? Bennett says Roberts has the x factor that you just can`t coach comparing him to Steve Renouf, Well I guess we`ll just have to wait and see. 

[Graham]

North Queensland coach Paul Green has an interest in luring Dale Copley to the NRL premiers now there is no place for him within the Broncos salary cap.

Copley cannot remain within the Broncos salary cap for next year after they signed former Titans centre James Roberts on a two-year contract.

Asked if the Cowboys could fit Copley within their salary cap for next year, Green said: “Not just yet.’’
 

Edited December 24, 2015 by G Las D

[Lounge Room Lizard]

Rumour that this next year, Cronk will finish with the Storm and move to Sydney to be with his GF Tara Rushton. Think it could be a good move for the Storm, as Cronk is 32 and  has had a few bad injuries over the years. Ultra professional, but maybe Storm need to look to the future and it will release alot of space on the cap. Dragons are allegedly offering him a deal worth 3 years. Has been a great servant for the Storm but the future is now away from the big 3. Munster, Chambers are the future but they need a good young half as not sure Benny Hampton is up to it. 

[Graham]

Que sera sera.

Met Coops when he came over here to the UK for a World Club Challenge.

He was perhaps the most friendly and interesting bloke in the squad, easy to talk to.

Having seen him operate in the team for so long I could see him moving into coaching and doing a really good job.

I'd have liked to see him transfer into the coaching side coaching at the right time with Storm.

[Lounge Room Lizard]

Que sera sera.

Met Coops when he came over here to the UK for a World Club Challenge.

He was perhaps the most friendly and interesting bloke in the squad, easy to talk to.

Having seen him operate in the team for so long I could see him moving into coaching and doing a really good job.

I'd have liked to see him transfer into the coaching side coaching at the right time with Storm.

I get the feeling Slater will defo be at the Storm for years to come as he is well settled there and does a fair bit of coaching. Smith I feel will move to Qld where he has said he would like to move back one day. Cronk may feel that long term his future lies in the Sydney area with his GF and the more chance to coach and media work. Will see but been an honour to watch them 3 play together for Melbourne, Qld and Australia.

[Graham]

Sydney Roosters boss Brian Canavan has insisted Michael Jennings was in the club’s plans for 2016, despite speculation he is about to join the club he once despised, Parramatta.

Jennings was linked with a possible shock move to the Eels for this season so the Roosters could free up some much-needed space in their salary cap to recruit Brisbane’s Dale Copley.

Edited January 4, 2016 by G Las D