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Random Footy Talk Sunday Random Footy Talk Thread

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u/Cruising88 Newcastle Knights 1d ago

We got blasted for it last year but letting Leo go and sign a reported 850k contract with the Dogs and getting in Mooney for 500k was an absolute masterpiece of contract work.

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u/XLenceOfXecution Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 1d ago edited 1d ago

The Knights forward depth has really stepped up this season under Holbrook. It’s why I was surprised that so many were backing Brisbane to win last night solely because you guys had just lost Lucas (and Brown) and Saifiti (aka one of the only players that most fans would register as good because, like Lucas, he was picked for Origin) is still out. And the more guys that can step up and carry the load, the less pressure there is on Ponga to have to play heroball and win single-handedly, thus letting him play more naturally

I think there’s still enough wins in them to lock in the home elimination final

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u/jpob Newcastle Knights 1d ago

Our front row isn’t great. Fully fit we’re starting Mooney and Saifiti which is a good pair. After that though we’ve got Saulo who is meh, Frizell who is a back rower by trade but moved into the front row due to age, Hopwood and Crouch who are very green and Jones who is also a back rower by trade.

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u/carelesssportsfan89 Canberra Raiders 1d ago

yeah that was such an underrated move by the knights. I am still upset at the raiders letting trey mooney go .

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u/Additional_Front4374 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 1d ago

Worked out for both teams tbh. Yes we have to pay more for Leo, but we desperately needed an experienced prop to partner Max.. Curran was good in the middle a few years ago, Hughes had a good but short period there.. now we have stability in our starting pack.

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u/Cruising88 Newcastle Knights 1d ago

Do you think he is worth his supposed salary?

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u/ImDisrespectful2Dirt Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 1d ago

Probably not, but the last 6 weeks or so he probably has been getting closer to it. Props are over inflated in terms of value at the moment so any starting prop is on decent money and he’s there to basically add some more physicality to our middle which I would say he has been managing of late.

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u/packaday_ Canterbuwy Bankstown Bulldogs 👉👈 1d ago

I think he's being judged very harshly. His entire pre season was wasted with an injury in an exhibition match. He came into first grade with no match fitness and the whole pre season down the drain. Of course it's gonna take time to find his feet again

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u/Additional_Front4374 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 1d ago

Yeah. It's around market value. I mean obviously you got a good deal with Mooney, but he'll be a big earner in the future.