If not offered a contract or we did not value them the same as another club they were let go, Arona was not offered a contract so he decided to retire because of this.
I was asked who the ten players were and I provided the list, they were all in the first team squad and all were being paid, I didn’t realise that only those Vastman considers a loss should count.
With regards new signings I am reminded of the phrase “talk is cheap” because that is all we have, so vague promise that we will be competitive.

Well that’s one way to spin it

We should probably wait and see who these players are replaced by before the pitch forks are out.

But they are still 10 salaries we are no longer paying irrespective of whether they played 0 games or all of them. You can probably add a few more into the mix too? Assuming army Dave won't be with us next year. Did he leave the club early doors in the season?

When we say we are replacing these players with 5 quality players, is the intention to spend the same amount of salary we were spending on the players who won't be with us? Or are we spending less? Best case scenario is 5 in through the door and then the additional spend used on improved contracts for Murphy, Hall etc.

The proof is in the pudding as they say but I think we need to see some genuine statements of intent in the coming weeks.

Just been watching Devils against the Dolphins in the Grand final. Devils half backs were Tyrone Roberts and Tyson Gamble. I know Gamble is off to Newcastle, not sure about Roberts but the quality of the play wasn’t any different to SL.

I agree with the first bit. We must recruit, but we must keep the best of what we have too.

And sorry to be pedantic but it's a bugbear of mine
'The proof of the pudding is in the eating'

Equates to
The proof of the signing is in the results

It’s a funny thing the biggest plus Poching had was his knowledge of the Southern Hemisphere game. Not sure really why I thought that as he’s lived here for twenty years.

I also believed it to be Applegarth weakness. However I’m informed he did live and play in Australia for nearly three years and has plenty of knowledge and contacts.

We shall see.

What I’m totally confident about is that Mash will absolutely Hoover out all the hidden gems and old warriors in the British games. Of course all the usual suspect will turn their noses up and instantly write them off. Six months later they will be denying they ever said any such thing..

I firmly believe most of our signings will be fairly low key. Not because of financial restraints but because he will sign on ability not reputation.

I don’t expect much from next season though I always live in hope. What I expect to see is the start of the building of a team with a real ethos and a desire to improve.

I don’t believe in five year plans to win titles in sport, it’s too random for that. But by year 3 or 4 I hope to see us right up there in the mix. Three seasons seems a fair goal.

Just noted that Mash played for us from 2004 to 2008, same period as JD.

Don’t know if they were mates and still in contact. But can anyone think of a better person to recommend the type of Aussie player who could rip it up at BV? I can’t.

Let’s hope they are good mates.

From Monty Bethan’s Twitter

Don’t forget Mash club legend and amazing coach
@DemetriouJason
is only a phone call away. Lessgo Mash!

I do think your being pedantic. But your also correct

Got to be of value

Agree on that last paragraph there

What makes you think we have three or four seasons because we have one the next one. If you think we can progress with low key signings then you are much mistaken. I didn’t know you knew so much about the abilities of our new coach and any signings of old warriors by definition will be on reputation and not ability and youngsters on possibility but unknown ability.
We have plenty of spare cash so failure to sign quality is a club decision, what they should consider is producing a squad that make the long suffering supporters proud and not the bank manager.
With regards your view on those supporters who turn their noses up, why not if we sign Gale then I don’t need six months, he was good three seasons ago but now reputation only. Let us not forget your views on Fifita who you considered would be better sent to Catalan because he no longer added anything to our squad, how wrong you were and not for the first time. I wonder how many of our current crop of prop forwards would be able to score a try like Fifita did away at Castleford.

I’m hoping we’ve got our eyes on players like the Fiji half back Wakeham who is out of contract…… https://www.bulldogs.com.au/teams/telst ... n-wakeham/

I’m hoping we’ve got our eyes on players like the Fiji half back Wakeham who is out of contract…… https://www.bulldogs.com.au/teams/telst ... n-wakeham/

Applegarth knows what he’s good at and what he’s comfortable coaching.
It’ll be get to a point (40s & 60s) and play wedge wedge, rinse & repeat as nauseam!
Every player will know his job (good) but will be limited to that job description (not good), going outside that will get you dropped because the teams chances of success lays in every player sticking to a limited game plan.

Structured, scripted, repetitive, boring but it might be good for a club like us who just don’t want to get relegated!

Quote ="asmadasa"I’m hoping we’ve got our eyes on players like the Fiji half back Wakeham who is out of contract…… https://www.bulldogs.com.au/teams/telst ... n-wakeham/'" At 23, still quite young. Played more games in the NRL that Miller did, and sometimes, the South Sea islanders, as they are known as, dont always have a big price tag on their head. Miller was also 23 when he joined us. Could be worth a punt

Quote ="asmadasa"I’m hoping we’ve got our eyes on players like the Fiji half back Wakeham who is out of contract…… https://www.bulldogs.com.au/teams/telst ... n-wakeham/'" At 23, still quite young. Played more games in the NRL that Miller did, and sometimes, the South Sea islanders, as they are known as, dont always have a big price tag on their head. Miller was also 23 when he joined us. Could be worth a punt

Can’t possibly be as boring or repetitive as you

There are a lot of Aussie HB’s worth a punt. However it’s getting a work permit these days. Not sure he’s played enough games but tbh I’m not sure how it works.

He’s played 20+ first grade and three international games… jai Field had only played 17 first grade games when Wigan signed him.

Oh the irony

As I say I’m not sure how it works but if that’s the case sounds promising.

Gale signed a few weeks ago , so let’s start looking to get our forwards power in order and give our new half back pairing to work off . Not chip oil talk or hear say but facts .

When did that happen? All signings were put on hold until a decision was made regarding Pochings future.


Personally no issue with Gale but if he’s signed you know something nobody else seems to.

I can tell you one thing I did get told, that Lino has been told he must step up and lead the team this season. With that in mind I’d suggest Gale would be unlikely.

Still we will see soon enough and who knows.

No irony, what you posted is a total falsehood.

I’ve made it my mission to watch as much Academy and Reserve games as possible from the last few years. There is loads out there, you should try it.

None of those teams play in the style you suggest, quite the opposite. It’s also totally at odds with the style of rugby Applegarth said he wanted from his team in his press conference.

So how on earth do you come to the conclusion that he will abandon his philosophy and play how you suggest - it’s utter nonsense based on nothing but vindictiveness as far as I can see.

You called him one dimensional yet the irony is that you’re the one dimensional one.

Abit off topic but I’ve flicked on Fox Sport Aus and Ben Jeffries is the coach of PNG women national side who are currently playing Aus Prime ministers 13. Good on him.

I know Craig Harrison met with MC and JM a few weeks ago as he said he was going to on his podcast.