NRL NRL 2025 General Recruitment Thread
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NZWarriors.com
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- #2,862
Apparently on a podcast yesterday they were talking about salary cap according to panthers forum and there was a view that panthers would only be able to keep one of Izack Tago or Casey McLean because of their value salary wise? Wouldn’t mind listening to the thought behind it in detail
No brainer really, Casey over Tago everyday of the week, can't believe he's still only 19... By the end of 2026 he'll shed some of that soft teenager underbelly he has in him, and be almost a hardened vet
NZWarriors.com
This might have been from James Graham and Brent Read on James Graham's Bye Round Podcast.
They did a Health Check on every clubs salary cap and how they are travelling for 2026, 2027. Mainly the number of contract, money to go to the market etc.
For the Panthers Graham mentioned their CEO who is on with him regularly and how he talks about how the Panthers have a ceiling for specific position that they won't budge on. Something like they'd spend the money on one winer, centre but not the other. I think the debate may have been if they would for McLean.
View: https://youtu.be/Ks1kYxuChqE
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- #2,865
Looking at their contracts, Izack Tago is on $625k per season until 2029. McLean is contracted until 2028 but could be in line for a pay rise with what he’s doing? Could be worth keeping an eye on for Warriors
You could make a good case Lodge's form has really dropped off since he left us. Here with AFB he was quite a good combination.
He started off well at the Roosters. That would have been due to being wanting to put his best foot forward after being left without an NRL club and having to play club union.
He nearly left Manly as he had a better opportunity for someone of his level (paraphrasing his words). That fell over and he ended up back on a train and trial or at least a lower level contract for the year.
His contracts have obviously been going down as moves from club to club. He feels like he is still worth the money of a marque middle forward. That comes with expectations besides what you do on the field. Even on the field he is struggling to deliver that.
After his incident in America he did get lucky picking up the big contracts to kind of cover his lost income. He will probably his the jackpot again with two new clubs coming in and the need to spread the talent pool. One last big contract with tax incentives with PNG to finish off his career.
He started off well at the Roosters. That would have been due to being wanting to put his best foot forward after being left without an NRL club and having to play club union.
He nearly left Manly as he had a better opportunity for someone of his level (paraphrasing his words). That fell over and he ended up back on a train and trial or at least a lower level contract for the year.
His contracts have obviously been going down as moves from club to club. He feels like he is still worth the money of a marque middle forward. That comes with expectations besides what you do on the field. Even on the field he is struggling to deliver that.
After his incident in America he did get lucky picking up the big contracts to kind of cover his lost income. He will probably his the jackpot again with two new clubs coming in and the need to spread the talent pool. One last big contract with tax incentives with PNG to finish off his career.
NZWarriors.com
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- #2,867
I saw a post yesterday mentioning him not being the best for culture for a club. No idea if the poster was on the mark but said they’d heard Tom Trbojovich say how Lodge was always late to practice and often last on the team bus
Not surprising.
The Roosters banished him to NSW Cup wanting to keep him away from the rest of the NRL squad.
Even with us he didn't want to be seen as a leader or mentor for the younger guys. Sounds like he just wants the pay check but not what is expected to come with it.
Even his last Manly contract was a last minute thing to get him an NRL club for the season. Being a bit cynical it did seem like his coach doing a favour for his manager.
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- #2,869
You also hear the odd bit of positivity when Ed Kosi had his horror night against storm and was struggling, with Lodge apparently taking him out for a coffee and getting around him. Much more negative stories than positive ones regarding him though
NZWarriors.com
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- #2,870
Interesting watch that podcast posted by snake77 with Warriors in a healthy position according to them and could look at retention rather than recruitment which is obviously likely with the talent that seems to be floating around the club. I was considering the rise of Casey McLean when watching the Kiwis in the pacific championship and wondering then whether panthers might have a battle to keep him? Now I’m really interested because watching him represent the Kiwis, he’s a proud Kiwi and panthers limited salary cap could pose an issue? Tago on good money seems like they’d be unlikely to want to pay another centre big money? Tago could shift to second row could solve that to a degree? With how panthers let JFH return home, I wonder if panthers would entertain the idea of doing the same with McLean? I see he’s in a relationship with Leila Amituanai, I’m guessing that’s a relation of Daeon Amituanai? Jesse McLean reported to be departing panthers would be good to bring both over
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- #2,871
Sloan facing axe as new face pushes him out of Dragons
Ominous off-season signs for top tryscorer
www.nine.com.au
Powerhouse newcomer Setu Tu looks to have displaced Tyrell Sloan. Speed to burn Sloan but unfortunately defensive issues. He was brought on for impact against Warriors and almost got the job done
I wouldn't consider Tu to be a defensive rock. Sloan must be utter garbage.
NZWarriors.com
That might be a clash of cultures and fists
Cowboys is a Moses club. That's what happens when your coach is a Moses guy, you get his rubbish.
NZWarriors.com
You get the feeling whoever signs him next will have him for many years to come. Looked great in the Pacific series for such a young guy. The only curly being if he wanted to be a foundation player for the Chiefs, then he’s only signing a short deal.
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- #2,878
Titans might be better to prioritise him over Tino?
NZWarriors.com
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Karl Lawton going to Hull KR
