Recruitment and retention

[Equaliser]

Bottom line is, Cobbo would be a great signing for the right price but isn't it time, in the 4th year or the club, it started bringing its own Cobbo's into first grade?

But not many backs on the radar just yet. Probably take one more year. Lot of young forwards.

 

[257Matt]

Question.

Lots here talking about Hammer as a centre.

I have been thinking. Brisbane look like letting Cobbo go. His best position is fullback. Do we have a stab at Cobbo and move Hammer to the centres?

I’m not saying we should. Just spit balling

I reckon if Ponga was to be unavailable for the first Origin game that Hammer would be fullback for QLD before Cobbo.

I do rate Cobbo as one of the top 5 most naturally talented gifted players in the game today it's just that his good games are very far apart he has a lot of games he doesn't show any interest in being out there.

 

[257Matt]

Yeah, ratchet clause. A lot of what got Parra into trouble. Not sure all clubs allow them (I know some dont as it was reported on NRL 360 when discussing Parra's issues), not sure if ours does.

Thats something I don't know. I would hope ours doesnt

I reckon most clubs have basic increases in base of a % maybe not for every player but certainly some. Hasler coached teams have got into a lot of roster trouble due to back ending of contracts and Eels issues been the crazy player options. Dolphins coming into the competition caused Eels to go into a lot of contract panic giving Brown the contract he was on with loads of player options which he has now exercised to leave, giving Matterson a 3yr deal with 2026 as an option in his favour he's taken it like no tomorrow when it's clear Ryles doesn't want him in 2025 yet alone 2026 and Paulo signed a crazy deal as he was one of the first Bennett identified to get (source Dawn of the Dolphins). Best thing that happened for Dolphins is NOT signing Matterson.

 

[257Matt]

Forgot about him. Should be back soon as well. Though his defence remains a worry.

I don't think defence is an issue with Fuller he's too full on with defence doesn't back away.

 

[mr_c]

I reckon most clubs have basic increases in base of a % maybe not for every player but certainly some. Hasler coached teams have got into a lot of roster trouble due to back ending of contracts and Eels issues been the crazy player options. Dolphins coming into the competition caused Eels to go into a lot of contract panic giving Brown the contract he was on with loads of player options which he has now exercised to leave, giving Matterson a 3yr deal with 2026 as an option in his favour he's taken it like no tomorrow when it's clear Ryles doesn't want him in 2025 yet alone 2026 and Paulo signed a crazy deal as he was one of the first Bennett identified to get (source Dawn of the Dolphins). Best thing that happened for Dolphins is NOT signing Matterson.

Ryan's on piss all juniors on shitliads n third party deals that's why they won't. Let junior go but with way his foot is i bet top dollar. He retires n Ryan's stays

 

[Dolph]

Ryan's on piss all juniors on shitliads n third party deals that's why they won't. Let junior go but with way his foot is i bet top dollar. He retires n Ryan's stays

Ryan Matterson been plying his trade in NSW Cup without a hint of being recalled. I think Ryles would very much like to get rid if him but no one is buying.

 

[257Matt]

Ryan Matterson been plying his trade in NSW Cup without a hint of being recalled. I think Ryles would very much like to get rid if him but no one is buying.

Matterson was very very very quick to accept his player option for 2026 didn't even test the market.

Eels got so paranoid at Dolphins offering a 3-year deal they gave him a 3 year deal much higher than what Dolphins offered with a 4th year as a player option. Dolphins absolutely messed the Eels books without taking a single player and as a Bulldogs fan I love it but the Eels now have young guns at 1 and 9, the best origin 7 in the game and about to land a young gun at 6.

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

Ryan Matterson been plying his trade in NSW Cup without a hint of being recalled. I think Ryles would very much like to get rid if him but no one is buying.

Matterson also isn't the type of person I would like to be in the trenches with.

Was open with it being all about the money for him. And to each their own. However, you pay the fine and play the game, rather then opting to miss the game because you love the coin.

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

I reckon if Ponga was to be unavailable for the first Origin game that Hammer would be fullback for QLD before Cobbo.

I do rate Cobbo as one of the top 5 most naturally talented gifted players in the game today it's just that his good games are very far apart he has a lot of games he doesn't show any interest in being out there.

Because he hasn't played in position. He is a fullback. He has played on the wing and in the centers mostly, after starting at fullback for the broncos when he first made grade (or around that time).

 

[Red]

Matterson was very very very quick to accept his player option for 2026 didn't even test the market.

Eels got so paranoid at Dolphins offering a 3-year deal they gave him a 3 year deal much higher than what Dolphins offered with a 4th year as a player option. Dolphins absolutely messed the Eels books without taking a single player and as a Bulldogs fan I love it but the Eels now have young guns at 1 and 9, the best origin 7 in the game and about to land a young gun at 6.

In that case, glad the Eels kept him. I don't rate him at all and seemingly no other club does either.

 

[Red]

Matterson was very very very quick to accept his player option for 2026 didn't even test the market.

Eels got so paranoid at Dolphins offering a 3-year deal they gave him a 3 year deal much higher than what Dolphins offered with a 4th year as a player option. Dolphins absolutely messed the Eels books without taking a single player and as a Bulldogs fan I love it but the Eels now have young guns at 1 and 9, the best origin 7 in the game and about to land a young gun at 6.

Who is the young gun 5/8? Galvin?

 

[257Matt]

Who is the young gun 5/8? Galvin?

Yes Galvin

 

[mr_c]

lol i tell you this now ryan aint down there for nothing and its not ryless doing , same reason why galvin goes there is reason why


his manger , all them top players in eels get all the extras ( and those who dont get the bums rush


just look at brown he woulda been in reserve grade to if eels had there way


ryan i got resigned by eels on smaller dollars over 1 thing dolphins n super league teams were asked for a outrageous transferfee

 

[mr_c]

But not many backs on the radar just yet. Probably take one more year. Lot of young forwards.

if they keep reno over cobbo they are cooked

 

[midlands hobo]

Bottom line is, Cobbo would be a great signing for the right price but isn't it time, in the 4th year or the club, it started bringing its own Cobbo's into first grade?

4 Years isn't enough you are probably looking more at 10. You gotta think that the Donkeys have had their pick of the talent pool and tied in anyone that looked promising from the day the expansion was announced.

 

[Josh]

Every NRL club’s recruits rated​

DOLPHINS​

2025 recruits: Junior Tupou (Wests Tigers), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Cowboys), Daniel Saifiti (Knights), Max Feagai (Dragons)

Analysis: The Dolphins needed reinforcements in the middle of the park. Tom Flegler has been sidelined for an extended period, while Jesse Bromwich hung up the boots. In came Daniel Saifiti, who has arguably been the 17th franchise’s best player this season under Kristian Woolf. The former Knights enforcer looked like he had a point to prove from Round 1 at his new club, laying a solid platform for his side who couldn’t capitalise to start the season. However, the Dolphins have found some form and are now rolling off the back of his strong performances. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki has emerged as a regular back row starter and the former Cowboys young gun is immensely talented. He will only improve if he keeps his spot and has been a solid recruit, while Max Feagai is yet to feature in first grade after making the move from the Dragons. Junior Tupou, meanwhile, hasn’t fully lived up to his hype after emerging as a key member of the Tigers backline before making the decision to depart. He played 80 minutes in both Round 1 and Round 2 before finding himself out of the backline once Jack Bostock returned from a pre-season injury.

Grade: B​

 

[257Matt]

Dolphins should go after Sandon Smith

 

[Josh]

Dolphins should go after Sandon Smith

Why? Is he better than Niko?

 

[257Matt]

Why? Is he better than Niko?

Absolutely Nikorima isn't getting younger and getting easily targeted by other teams.

 

[mr_c]

yeah him or the kid from tigers be good