Recruitment and retention

[Equaliser]

i reckon woolfy will have us looking at kai from knights was one of his stars over in uk

Good player. Might be even better than Finefeuiaki.

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

Stars with most to gain in Nov 1 feeding frenzy as big pay rises loom​

CONNELLY LEMUELU​

The Dolphins’ back-rower started all 18 of his games for Wayne Bennett’s side last season, becoming a reliable workhorse on the edge on both sides of the ball. Lemuelu has scored eight tries in 41 games at the Dolphins taking his career tally to 12 in 65 matches, after debuting for the Cowboys in 2020. The 26-year-old ran for 1,440 metres to go with three linebreaks, 28 tackle busts, three try assists and 512 tackles last season.

Leumuelu’s consistency was a big reason the Dolphins finished within a whisker of a maiden finals appearance and he is expected to go to another level again in 2025 under new coach Kristian Woolf. However, the Dolphins may have to break the bank to keep Lemuelu, with no shortage of clubs on the lookout for quality back-rowers from November 1, which should drive up his asking price.

The Eels are one club who could be in the market for back rowers, with Shaun Lane making a move into the middle forwards this year and Ryan Matterson’s season being plagued by injuries. Matterson has been given permission to talk to rivals, which could open a path for Jason Ryles to make a play for Lemuelu.

Elsewhere, the Broncos’ back row recruits in 2024 in Fletcher Baker and Jaiyden Hunt didn’t have the seasons they were anticipating, while Jack Gosiewski broke his arm very early in his Brisbane career. Lemuelu could be the perfect man to take over an edge slot and partner Jordan Riki, however it remains to be seen if the club have cap space to work with.

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I'll be frank and say it was a poor year from Connelly. He might not even get an offer from the Dolphins.

I think it was a poor year compared to his first.

I'm mixed about it really. Id offer him another contract (on the strength of year one), however not enormous

 

[Chris]

I think it was a poor year compared to his first.

I'm mixed about it really. Id offer him another contract (on the strength of year one), however not enormous

Honestly, he was good in the first half of 2023 season. Hardly fired a shot since.

 

[mr_c]

Honestly, he was good in the first half of 2023 season. Hardly fired a shot since.

Think he was struggling to get over injury but woolf will know best way to get the best outta him no player has good seasons every season

 

[Equaliser]

I presume the Dolphins aren't interested in Hunt? Might go well as a running 5/8 with Katoa doing most of the game management and playmaking.

 

[Red]

I presume the Dolphins aren't interested in Hunt? Might go well as a running 5/8 with Katoa doing most of the game management and playmaking.

Katoa half and Hunt 5/8 would be a gun halves pairing for 2025 and 2026 giving the club 2 years to find a long-term 5/8 to partner Katoa but I think it might be a bit too expensive.

 

[Blockade]

I presume the Dolphins aren't interested in Hunt? Might go well as a running 5/8 with Katoa doing most of the game management and playmaking.

Woolf is interested but they haven't spoken to him yet.

 

[Equaliser]

Katoa half and Hunt 5/8 would be a gun halves pairing for 2025 and 2026 giving the club 2 years to find a long-term 5/8 to partner Katoa but I think it might be a bit too expensive.

Looks like this might be happening.

 

[mr_c]

Woolf is interested but they haven't spoken to him yet.

they havent spoken to him as they need a swap replacement and we have nothing they want , hence a few our players got extra upgrades as they were sniffing round , they expect something decent in return and hence jesse from dragons talks stalled

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

Woolf is interested but they haven't spoken to him yet.

I looked at what Woolf said. I got the impression he was being polite and wasn't interested. However, went on to affirm that we were always interested in quality players. Maybe, listening to the conversation puts a different light on it.

Hey I could be wrong.

 

[mr_c]

I looked at what Woolf said. I got the impression he was being polite and wasn't interested. However, went on to affirm that we were always interested in quality players. Maybe, listening to the conversation puts a different light on it.

Hey I could be wrong.

your dead right they want swap deal hence why talk with us early on broke down n gc n few others they want a player of his value or in around none ours fit the match

 

[Chris]

I looked at what Woolf said. I got the impression he was being polite and wasn't interested. However, went on to affirm that we were always interested in quality players. Maybe, listening to the conversation puts a different light on it.

Hey I could be wrong.

Not sure about him anyway. Good halfback and good hooker. 2 positions we are doing just fine in.

 

[mr_c]

peter hola from raiders s in our cup side and every chance to be in the 30 visa is was hes 25 now and uk visa restricts players who are older than 24

 

[Dolph]

As for Hunt, I don't really care one way or another. Could be a good 5/8 for 2 years and if the club has salary cap space to accommodate him, why not? But it would have to be for the years 2025 and 2026. St George insist he won't get an early release.

 

[mr_c]

As for Hunt, I don't really care one way or another. Could be a good 5/8 for 2 years and if the club has salary cap space to accommodate him, why not? But it would have to be for the years 2025 and 2026. St George insist he won't get an early release.

Plus would need a suitable swap u can seenhim going to tigers

 

[mr_c]

I presume the Dolphins aren't interested in Hunt? Might go well as a running 5/8 with Katoa doing most of the game management and playmaking.

hunts making call what he does after the 10 nov ( doesnt sound like we are interested yet but maybe if his other offers fall out of play

 

[Dolph]

hunts making call what he does after the 10 nov ( doesnt sound like we are interested yet but maybe if his other offers fall out of play

Doesn't look like any QLD clubs are interested unless he's on not much more than a minimum wage. Broncos might want him for one year if Reynolds retires after next season.

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

Doesn't look like any QLD clubs are interested unless he's on not much more than a minimum wage. Broncos might want him for one year if Reynolds retires after next season.

Problem is he is vastly overpaid. Clubs won’t want him at half of what he is on.

 

[Dolph]

Problem is he is vastly overpaid. Clubs won’t want him at half of what he is on.

For next year for a club in need of a halfback or hooker, I think he might be worth about 500k. The year after assuming he stays healthy, 300k.

 

[Red]

Some of the best off contract players from Nov 1​

• Zac Laybutt (Cowboys)
• Josiah Pahulu (Titans)
• Leo Thompson (Knights)
• Adam Doueihi (Tigers)
• Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos)
• Jackson Hastings (Knights)
• Kai Pearce-Paul (Knights)
• Emre Guler (Raiders)
• Xavier Willison (Broncos)
• Blake Mozer (Broncos)
• Connelly Lemuelu (Dolphins)
• Daniel Atkinson (Sharks)
• Davvy Moale (Rabbitohs)
• Kotoni Staggs (Broncos)
• Braydon Trindall (Sharks)
• Briton Nikora (Sharks)