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    7news.com.au

    Cleary drops NRL retirement bomb: ‘That’s good enough for me’

    ‘I want to be sitting back having a beer in the stand, mate.’
    7news.com.au 7news.com.au

    Ivan in a latest interview says he may not coach past his current contract, which expires in 3 years. Obviously not leaning towards signing that lifetime deal they offered him and Nathan. 3 years is Jett’s deal with us, would be a handy addition for Jett to know his old man was coming over as a director of coaching, or depending on where Webster has the team by then
     
    Five&Last said:
    I think Charnze would be smart to test the market.

    He's not in my starting 17 next year.

    Which sucks because he's one the all time great effort players for this club.

    But Taine is a better fullback now imo (offers speed and better playmaking) and then Pasikala is the long term fullback once he gets some first grade experience on the wing next year.

    Then Ali and Berry are the long term center pairing. He's definitely not better at center than an injury free Berry and Ali should be given the opportunity to start from round 1 next year imo.
    Click to expand...
    Interesting. I’ve still got him as my starting fb personally. People have short memories. This guy is all effort, was the player of the match against Aussie 30 nil & is consistently in the top run metres in the game. His ball playing has developed over time & is just a hard worker, does all the shit stuff. I really like taine & think he suits the modern game but cnk has runs on the board & is a proven international fullback. Again, this is why this forum is great, different opinions but I think charnze just had a down year - along with 90% of the squad. I’m expecting a bounce back year in 25, but if not, taine is nipping at his heels for that starting spot
     
    Leon Black said:
    Yep I’d take him over Nikora… SBW vibes at times.
    Click to expand...
    What times?????
    He was very average all year and struggled for an impact, which 3 line breaks and 2 line break assists in 22 games points to (I know stats aren’t everything but I had to look because I thought he had struggled). Also offloads at a far less rate than Nikora.
    I understand recruiting a known quantity like Nikora, but if you are going on potential then you would have to back Halasima and Laban above this bloke at 600k
     
    mrblonde said:
    Jerome had Ropati as his surname. Didn't seem to turn him into a super-duper player, did it?
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    Gee this forum has bloody high expectations of what constitutes a good career. Jerome Ropati won a World Cup playing for his country, and you're using him as an example of a dud!

    Same with people acting like Stevenson is a dropkick because he only played for the ABs once.

    Talk about a high bloody bar!
     
    Montoya when his signing was announced it didn't create a lot of excitement. Not all signings are going to be stars or big names. What is important is the attitude they have and their performances.

    I enjoyed his early tackle hit ups. He did some good finishing as well. He was staved of the ball a lot as we worked our plays to the right hand side. I loved some of the big runs he'd make or big fends.

    This year his performances may have slipped a little. Him being quiet could also have been the ball not getting to him.

    He was one of the guys I'd see at the NSW Cup games when the first grade sides weren't playing. It is cool seeing the guys there supporting their team mates.

    We have had a lot of signings that have come here and their performances haven't been what they were at their previous club. Montoya came with a good attitude. A shame seeing him go but the club has a cap to balance. If they can't offer him a long term contract let's hope their plans work out.
     
    I think I was about the only one who was happy to sign him.
    I thought he was a good player in a shit team who had made a couple of high profile errors (which did cost the bdogs games) that people just couldn’t see past.
    I’m glad he got to play his best footy here and he was clearly very popular around the club.
    He did look to have lost a step this year and I think he’s going at the right time.
    One of my son’s favorites and I even got Marcelo to do a swysh video for his team before their grand final which they all loved.
    Thanks for the memories Marcelo and and the best for the future.

    Swysh

    Book a personalised video message from your favourite sports star or celebrity. Every video raises funds for charity.
    my.heyswysh.com my.heyswysh.com
     
    Ever Hopeful said:
    Wow! Interesting read!

    Addiction, loss, death, homelessness and so much more. We see him provide the big hits weekly in the NRL, but James Gavet has faced a lot of hard hitting adversity in his life and persevered to ultimately play rugby league at the highest level.
    _
    “People talk about rugby league being tough. But the hard stuff on the footy field doesn’t really compare to the things I’ve seen and experienced,” says Gavet.
    _
    As a teenager, Gavet joined a Kiwi gang known as JDK. Parramatta Eels enforcer Manu Ma’u was also a member. Gavet even had the gangs insignia tattooed on the back of his head. This is why he has kept his hair long for majority of his career.
    _
    “In the neighbourhood I was from, you have to understand peer pressure,” Gavet explains.
    _
    “It’s all about street cred. The more feared you are, the less you have to fight. So you have no choice to be tough really. If you show weakness, you are finished.”
    _
    By the age of 12 whilst still completing his primary education, Gavet had already smoked cigarettes, weed and began drinking alcohol.
    _
    “Peer pressure was huge and if you weren’t in the in-crowd, you were considered a nobody,” Gavet said.
    _
    Whilst in his final year of high school Gavet was homeless. His family kicked him out. Despite this, he still attended school.
    _
    “I still went to school. I would shower during PE class and then sleep in a cememtary, I’d sleep next to my grandfathers grave. I’d get drunk next to his grave, pass out, and wake up for school the next day,” Gavet said.
    _
    “I was terrified at night, I remember once getting chased by gothic people doing chants, but it was the only place that felt like home because my grandfather was there for me.”
    _
    During this time his football wasn’t great and he has just broken up with his partner. Gavet could take no more. He smashed his bottle of alcohol and began harming himself.
    _
    “I still have the scars on my left arm. I woke up in hospital. I needed 40 stitches to my arm,” Gavet said.
    _
    Despite going through far worse than a lot of people, Gavet found himself in the Wests Tigers system. He became close with Mosesse Fotuaika (the older brother of Titans prop Moeaiki.)

    Sadly Fotuaika took his own life and this really rocked Gavet.
    _
    We can view James Gavet stories in two ways. A sad story and a scary past, or a determined man who found success regardless of everything he endured.
    _
    Gavet has gone on to play 74 NRL games across 5 clubs and represent his heritage twice, wearing the Toa Samoa jersey. From homelessness, addiction, literally digging shit in sewers to professional rugby league, that is his story.
    _
    “I’m not ashamed of my story. My life has taught me that things don’t always come on a silver platter. I know I can’t run away from my past, but I know I can learn from it.”
    _
    “I know what it’s like to have nothing… For any kids out there, I went from that life to pro football… I feel blessed to be alive,” Gavet finishes
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    He is a great human being. Remember when he was a current player he used to go do the groceries with some mates/family, cook a feed and then feed the homeless.
     
    I'll miss Montoya. I was pleasantly surprised at how well he played for us and while there were a few shockers and a brain snap or two, he gave a shit and tried his guts out.
    I love those kinda guys - the ones who don't have the most talent in the world but who bust their arse for the team.
    His last try in Warriors colours - the cut out pass from Metcalf to get us in front against the Sharks was an absolutely beauty.
    Stoked for him that he's been able to pick up a longer contract somewhere else.

    I guess that means the Bulldogs move up a notch in my books. That now puts them at notch one lol
     
    Montoya has been a solid player for the Warriors and I know that him and his wife have enjoyed NZ. It would not surprise me if they returned here at some stage. However when you have kids it is always great to have nearby.

    To be clear, the reason they are leaving NZ is not all about the twins, it relates more to the fact that he was not offered a longer term contract by the Warriors.

    As for Kosi, I have no idea why he is still in the 30 man squad, hopefully he plays NSW Cup only in 2025.
     
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