Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Dec 11, 2024 10:18 am  

MadDogg wrote:

Knowles has a young family I think so doubt he'd consider the NRL but a local SL move might be an option. Lees could go to Australia.

I would be surprised and disappointed if Knowles went to Warrington bearing in mind the club have granted him a testimonial this season. His wife is heavily pregnant with their second child so I'm hoping family support may keep him here.

I can see Lees going as he has no kids and lets face it who wouldn't want to live on the Gold Coast on more money for a few years. Interesting times ahead particularly as there has already been NRL interest in Delaney too.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Dec 11, 2024 11:42 am  

I believe Field has also just got engaged - looking at the pics on Instagram. I think his GF stays over in Aus most of eth year so that may well be a big consideration in the next year or two.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Dec 11, 2024 12:55 pm  

Stu M wrote:

I would be surprised and disappointed if Knowles went to Warrington bearing in mind the club have granted him a testimonial this season. His wife is heavily pregnant with their second child so I'm hoping family support may keep him here.

I can see Lees going as he has no kids and lets face it who wouldn't want to live on the Gold Coast on more money for a few years. Interesting times ahead particularly as there has already been NRL interest in Delaney too.

genuine question

what is a testimonial worth to a player? I know there is lots done re charities with testimonials, but would £x from a testimonial cover a potential contract & salary increase elsewhere?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Dec 11, 2024 1:03 pm  

Mark_P1973 wrote:

genuine question

what is a testimonial worth to a player? I know there is lots done re charities with testimonials, but would £x from a testimonial cover a potential contract & salary increase elsewhere?

No I agree that financially it wouldn't be a game changer. My point was more about loyalty. I know its a short career and they don't get what footballers earn etc but by and large we've managed to keep our top players over the years. Roby was a prime example of someone who could've gone to Australia and didn't. We've managed to keep the likes of Lomax and Walmsley for all their career when I would imagine there would've been interest in both when they were younger.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Dec 11, 2024 1:28 pm  

Stu M wrote:

No I agree that financially it wouldn't be a game changer. My point was more about loyalty. I know it’s a short career and they don't get what footballers earn etc but by and large we've managed to keep our top players over the years. Roby was a prime example of someone who could've gone to Australia and didn't. We've managed to keep the likes of Lomax and Walmsley for all their career when I would imagine there would've been interest in both when they were younger.

You’ve been lucky that you haven’t been raided for your talent. Hopefully it doesn’t continue for you. I imagine Welsby will be next to go. We’ve had plenty of years were we’ve lost players to the NRL. I think this is the first we haven’t lost a player.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Dec 11, 2024 1:51 pm  

There's a report going around today that Woolf is looking towards Superleague to rebuild the Dolphins pack for 2026, once guys like Kafusi and Bromwich retire. You'd be surprised if he isn't looking at Saints to see if guys like Lees and Knowles fancy it. There might be that element of not wanting to do too much damage to his old club but he seems a guy who is pretty ruthless and focused on success, so I'm not sure that'll hold him back.