Player movements and rumours

Brisbane definitely another second rower more than they need a prop. Even if Hurricane's arguments for this position have been at times unconvincing, he's right.

Lodge ended up playing a lot of (shitty) games this year, but between some of the rule changes that might only be temporary that didn't benefit him and the fact that he was actually ruled out for the year with an ACL but ended up only missing a few rounds, I'm happy enough to give it a pass. Hass still can't tackle, especially on his own line, and should subsequently be playing less minutes.. but he shouldn't be benched. Carrigan has nailed down the lock spot, Bullemor might activate his player option, and TPJ (if he even stays at the club, which I doubt tbh) is almost as comfortable up front as he is on an edge anyway, especially if he's gonna train like he did this year.

On the edge they have Glenn (who is passed it), TPJ (maybe - and even so he could just as easily move positions if the balance dictated it) and Riki (who has played like like 8 games and one good one).

Good props are straight up worth more than similarly good second rowers so if AFB became available Brisbane should think about benching Lodge (having Kennedy in the side is a joke, so that'd solve that), but a really gun second rower would be worth more to them IMO.

 

I think Luai will stay for under market value as long as the Penrith offer isn't like, half or something. He loves playing with Cleary (has done so since he was a kid), and if he's smart probably realises that he's a much better secondary playmaker than the primary playmaker he'd probably be made to be at a team throwing heaps of money at him. Souths apparently tried to sign him a few times before Maloney left and he stuck around then, so I don't think he's going anywhere.

Burton will go for sure though. Whare has a year left on his contract but I could see him being released early. Staines will probably bail to play 1 somewhere.