Player movements and rumours

Fucking weird day for Rugby League.

First TPJ channelled his inner Choc, announcing his immediate retirement to move into boxing...

Then Payne Haas re-signed until end of 2027.

Articles are saying $3.5M over 3 years. Which I think will be a bargain, especially once 2026, 2027 rolls round. His stalling was making me a little nervous. While I felt that he'd stay, those rumours of him rejecting $1.1M a year to wait til November was making me think he was going to take a much bigger chunk of the cap, meaning we'd lose other guys in the squad. It's going to get sketch as it is once guys like Walsh, Cobbo, Mam, Riki, Staggs and even Piakura come looking for extensions and upgrades.

It's really imperative that the Broncos pull the trigger and get a prem within the next 3 years I reckon. They are primed this year I think, while they still have Herbie and Flegler.

 

Thing is Cobbo and Mam in particular could command big money on the open market, and are pretty important to the Broncos ability to score points. Also, both have pretty much single handedly clutched games late in the piece they likely would have otherwise lost.

The hooking role is pretty stable for another 2 years at least. Billy isn't on heaps, and has been very solid this year, Smoothy apears quite reliable and Mozer is signed til 2025.

As for the halfback, I think they need to recognise their current blueprint; go to market and buy an established, mature and reliable half to guide thier talented, explosive but loose squad around. Preferably in their final years of their career so the price doesn't blow out. Reynolds is probably a bit of a step above what I'm describing, but that's all they need really. Reynolds is signed up to the end of 2024, but has said he wants to play at least the age of 35, which is 2025. Say he does hang up the boots; a Hunt, a Chez, a Johnson or a Hastings etc. might be looking for a sea change in the twilight of their career on a reduced figure.

 

Though he lacks the all-round game of those mentioned, I reckon he could closer than we think. As far as potential goes anyway.

For instance, I think he's better at performing the ridiculous clutch play that's impossible to defend. His success rate from high margin of error plays is pretty unreal. IMO, if he wasn't so insouciant, to the point where his investment appears to be at backyard footy level, who knows what level he'd be at?

 

I think Cobbo will fizzle. Broncos have overpaid him and Staggs, and should both be copping pay cuts next contracts. Broncos need to significantly upgrade Walsh and Mam, and if Mozer and Mariner kicks on as some expect, they'll need one too.

 

Lachie Miller --> Leeds. Worth an early bet for MoS I reckon.

 

Stupid clubs would offer him over a million. I think he is barely worth 600. Penrith would be better served putting Laurie at 6 on the min wage deal he is on, and using Luai money elsewhere.

 

Yeah, I think what he does will depend on what offers he can get on the open market.