Player Movements, Rumours etc.. to date

[Macarthur Saints]

Around the traps
Written by: Matt Starkey & Michael Edgar
May 30th 2007 11:28 AM

With the explosion in mid-season player movements, you’d be forgiven for thinking we're mimicking the English Premier League.

Here’s a quick run-down on where your club is at:

Broncos: Picked up Frawley from the Raiders. Wallace from the Panthers is under consideration as is Clinton. Resigned to losing Tate most likely to the Warriors.

Bulldogs: Rumoured to be in the hunt for White and Cross from the Storm. Tonga looking to link up with the Cowboys with Utai possibly heading to the Eels. O’Hara from the Tigers also looks likely. Hughes won’t be getting a new contract and there has been some pressure applied to Folkes as head coach.

Cowboys: Looking to pick up Tonga from the Bulldogs and Burns from the Sea Eagles.

Dragons: Picked up Soward from the Roosters mid-season. Will shed Richie Williams to either the Raiders or Rabbitohs and Luke MacDougall has gone to the Knights. Targetting Watmough from the Sea Eagles. Hornby also off contract and they’d want to move on him soon. Brown’s tenure still under pressure, although weight of injuries has eased things.

Eels: Marsh looking for a new home. Green might be on his way out too with the Sharks and Roosters possibilities. Utai from the Bulldogs a possibility to come across.

Knights: Shed Newton who has gone to the Storm. Davico retiring, Woolnough, Perry, Tighe, Carmont, Thaiday, Abraham, Tanner, Seage and Brown told to look elsewhere. Picked up Vuna from the Warriors and MacDougall from the Dragons and also looking at Ryles.

Panthers: Wing keeps on getting mentioned, perhaps if they lose Wallace to the Broncos. Clinton also the target of the Broncos. Were very keen on Carney and Dobson from the Raiders.

Rabbitohs: Several youngsters have agreed to terms including Gordon, Champion, Talanoa and Paea. Looking at Richie Williams from the Dragons.

Raiders: Frawley gone to the Broncos. Irwin has been told to look elsewhere. Joel Monaghan could be on his way back. Carney and Dobson both sought after in the player market.

Roosters: Looking at Green from the Eels with Anasta to play lock.

Sea Eagles: Michael Monaghan out the door frees up some cash. They might need it to keep Watmough who is being pursued by the Dragons.

Sharks: Told Ross, Hannay, Stapleton and Greenfield to find new homes. Were very keen on Carney also and perhaps Tupou and Soliola are on their way there. In the hunt for Green from the Eels and Dobson from the Raiders.

Storm: Picked up Newton from Newcastle in a great coup. Cross could be headed to the Bulldogs.

Tigers: Were interested in Clinton from the Panthers but path seems to have gone cold.

Titans: Picked up Lewis from the Roosters.

Warriors: Trying to persuade Tate from the Broncos to join his brother-in-law across the Tasman. Shed Vuna to the Knights last week.

[yeenar69]

another rumour is that Stacey Jones is interested in the Tiges with Whataweira off contract that may lure him to stay I hope ???? the rumour mill is running hot atm

[Willis 21]

Tate has confirmed he is joining the Warriors for 400k per year

[Beaussie]

From a fans perspective I think it is wrong that players sign contracts with other clubs mid season. I would think it would be devastating news for some fans to know one of their players is leaving - especially when one's team plays the team where that player is headed. Why not have a rule in place that trading can only happen in the off season?

[yeenar69]

Hudderfield giants have made Brett Hodgeson a huge deal

[Willis 21]

From a fans perspective I think it is wrong that players sign contracts with other clubs mid season. I would think it would be devastating news for some fans to know one of their players is leaving - especially when one's team plays the team where that player is headed. Why not have a rule in place that trading can only happen in the off season?

They do it for compassionate reasons.

Tate is moving to another country.. obviously this is a large adjustment to his and his family's personal life, and he may require more time than the two months between the Grand Final and when training starts before Xmas to get his affairs in order...

As par as the player coming up against his new team.. they are full time professional players these days - not really an issue in my books...

[yeenar69]

are but my issue is loyalty ... still pissed wests tigers let go of Skando who didnt want to go and well now he is playing top footy for Huddersfield instead of us

[Beaussie]

From a fans perspective I think it is wrong that players sign contracts with other clubs mid season. I would think it would be devastating news for some fans to know one of their players is leaving - especially when one's team plays the team where that player is headed. Why not have a rule in place that trading can only happen in the off season?

They do it for compassionate reasons.

Tate is moving to another country.. obviously this is a large adjustment to his and his family's personal life, and he may require more time than the two months between the Grand Final and when training starts before Xmas to get his affairs in order...

As par as the player coming up against his new team.. they are full time professional players these days - not really an issue in my books...

Surely 5-6 months from the end of the season is plenty of time to adjust. Happens in the AFL, why not the NRL? That's a lame excuse you've put forward Willis. Surely you don't agree with mid season trading.

[yeenar69]

its a joke lacking in ethics if you ask me

[Scorger Man]

its a joke lacking in ethics if you ask me

I agree, I'm starting to get very bewildered with the NRL. Players should finish a season with the club they started with or sit the rest of the season out. If it's in the interest of the club to get rid of someone, then they should sit him out on full pay until the club is no longer in the competition for the year (depending on how far they go in the finals for eg). If it's the players decision to bail out, then no pay, or eat some humble pie get on with it. We've all done jobs we're not happy with but we do it for the pay, what makes them any different??

Both clubs and players should get back to basics, your only letting the most loyal members of the game down, the fans. In the end they are the ones who are paying you huge salaries.

[Willis 21]

How do you figure 5 - 6 months?

As pointed out originally, players start training in December these days.. two months after the end of the season....

I notice that all the European soccer leagues allow players to move mid season.. doesn't seem to affect them too much,,,

[yeenar69]

They are professionals and it is $$$$ that is destroying the game ... yes its the world that we live but gee how many players stay with one club ?????