There is going to be plenty said about Sam Burgess’ return to the NRL in the coming days – but who is going to make way for him at South Sydney and where will they go?
The Rabbitohs were quick to remind everyone they’ll be without Issac Luke and Glen Stewart next season.
But they also re-signed a lot of they young talent, including George and Thomas Burgess, Aaron Gray, Alex Johnson, Chris Grevsmuhl, Luke Keary, Cameron McInnes, Adam Reynolds, Kyle Turner – along with former Bulldogs hooker Damien Cook.
The only significant players who are off contract are Kirisome Auva’a, Joel Reddy and Daryl Millard – so even if they all remained unsigned, there won’t be a lot of money freed up.
Most NRL fans would agree, you can’t offer a player $1.5 million a season without shuffling the deck.
So who can Souths afford to lose?
It’s been suggested centre Dylan Walker will go. But that’s not inline with Souths’ preference of retaining their young talent – and South Sydney CEO John Lee said Walker won’t be forced out.
Prop Tim Grant and second row Chris McQueen are two names that have been thrown around – and with good reason.
McQueen’s hasn’t been able to recapture the form that saw him represent Queensland in State of Origin, while Grant was brought in specifically to fill the void Burgess left in the Rabbitohs’ forward pack.
With the Rabbitohs’ horde of re-signed young and talented players, both Grant and McQueen could find themselves on the way out.
So where would they go?
I imagine the Newcastle Knights will be closely looking at one or both of them.
The Knights are looking to make another big name signing to bolster their forward pack, which was a sore point for the wooden spooners this season.
Newly appointed coach Nathan Brown has indicated the Knights aren’t interested in Robbie Farah.
“We are looking across the board whether it be a front rower [or] an edge back-rower,” Brown said this week.
“We are under the cap and we have a little bit of money available.”
Brown said the “money has to be right” – which is another box both players tick.
Grant is reportedly on $350,000 a year, while McQueen is on $300,000.
A new coach and new team could be exactly what Grant or McQueen need to recapture the form, which at it’s peak, saw them among the elite players in their position.
So Roarers, who is going to leave and where are they going to go?
Follow Jamieson on Twitter @jamiesonmurph
Jamieson Murphy
Roar Guru
How's that reliable mail going? I thought the rumours around Walker were rubbish? But he's gone and is about to sign with Manly. McQueen to Titans and there are questions marks around Reynolds.
3 Hats
Guest
The latest MAIL: the 12th of November 2015 There are a lot of rumours and innuendos concerning Dylan Walker, they are just Rubbish. What I can tell you is this: Chris Grevsmuhl HAS signed for Penrith. My very reliable mail at Souths is that Tim Grant will end up at Parramatta. Chris McQueen was definitely told to find a new club. I am not sure where he will end up. And the best MAIL of all is that Ben Te'o may rejoin Souths before the June 30 transfer deadline. His contract expires with Leinster on April 30, 2016. So a mid-season move is definitely on the cards. All this depends on whether Grant and McQueen get moved on? Souths are trying to free up cap space for Te'o. Stay tuned for further developments. If all this happens Souths will have 23 players in their TOP 25 so 2 young up and comers will be added, one is Jack Gosiewski, and probably the other will be Ed Murphy, both on small contracts, minimum wage.
3 Hats
Guest
DCE is on 1.3 millon, and Foran is on 1.2 million. I bet not all of that is down on the cap either.
3 Hats
Guest
You guys are very funny. I had a right good old laugh.
3 Hats
Guest
Reggie13 Well yes and no mate. Normally when a player is "being released" it is when a club no longer requires your services. Or gets rid off you as happens regularly. Issac left on compassionate grounds. Reddy sacked or not retained. Lowe retired. I suppose some would say all 3 were released but it is not the same is it,
Squidward
Roar Rookie
500k is what apparently is only going to souths salary sombrero of the 1.2m
Squidward
Roar Rookie
1 souths 2 referee 3 cricket 4 karate 5 all other issues 5 hats in fact!! I hope you have a head the size of Sam Burgess to be able to pop all of them on at once!
Reggie13
Roar Rookie
Actually no. You mentioned Souths, refs, cricket, karate. Why didn't you go Four hats?
3 Hats
Guest
What does squidward mean?
3 Hats
Guest
We don't really know exactly what Sam is getting but the opinions are it will be $500k per season in the cap + 3rd party deals. How much that is, is just a guess.
Reggie13
Roar Rookie
3 Hats - you state "Souths allowed him to go". Doesn't this mean Soths released him from his contractual agreements?
Reggie13
Roar Rookie
Also he is one of the most marketable players in the comp who could demand the highest of third party agreements. He is one of the top 5 players and $700k is fair. If it were higher, say 1M (which would in line with the biggest contract of all time) he would be forced to go to Newcastle or the Titans I.e. he would be lining up for Leeds.
Reggie13
Roar Rookie
DMW you need to consider the possibility that Souths would have been thinking of signing Burgess since the day he departed. He was always coming back it was just a matter of when.
DMW
Guest
I find it difficult to believe Burgess signed a deal worth $500k a season over 3 years. Or are you implying that the deal was worth more than $1.5m over 3 years with the bulk of it paid in 2014?
3 Hats
Guest
Absolute Rubbish, I have been in Hospital before, got out, and went to the Pub the following Saturday. Everyone has done it! He won't be going to Manly, he will be staying put!
3 Hats
Guest
Jack Mudd, if, at your workplace your Boss (RFU, England coach) or you're Customers (RFU former players or fans) Hounded you, accused you and/or blamed you for negligent or shoddy work or suggested that you didn't belong there... WOULD YOU STAY? Seriously would you? You would be an idiot if you did mate! So Sam got the hell out of there. I would do the same!
3 Hats
Guest
dan, Issac Luke was NOT "RELEASED" mate, to clear up cap space. Issac Luke decided to go home to Auckland as his father is very ill, so Issac wanted to be close to him. It may surprise you, but Issac almost went home on two other occasions, but Madge talked him into staying. 2011 (it was John Lang) and again in 2013. This time, Souths allowed him to go as he had 2 years left on his contract! The South Sydney Rabbitohs never ever stop anyone from leaving, If that is their wish to do so!
3 Hats
Guest
Well, you may choose to be hilarious but my facts are on the money mate. 1 hat is for all Souths issues The second is for all referring issues, as I am a fully qualified and Registered Rugby League referee. I am also a Registered Cricket Umpire and a 3rd Dan black belt at Karate and a Qualified and Registered Tournament Referee and Sensei. The third Hat is for all other issues! So you get 3 Hats. do you understand it now?
3 Hats
Guest
Don't quote me but I think Hayne was on about $800k at Parra so he won't be registered for less than that! Under the CAP!
john neeson
Guest
$500k for Sammy eh? Is that the same $500k the Rorters will pay Hayne?