The fallout from James Roberts’ move to Brisbane continues, with speculation the Roosters are set to sign Broncos centre Dale Copley, and Michael Jennings to be moved on from the Bondi club.
Fairfax Media are reporting that the Roosters need to free-up cap space to keep a number of stars on their books – no surprise given virtually their entire best starting 13 are representative players.
And with reports the glamour club are keen to bring Sonny Bill Williams back in 2017, something’s got to give.
Apparently, that something is Jennings.
Copley would be signed as a cut-price replacement for the NSW and Australian centre, with the former Penrith Panther apparently headed to former arch-rivals Parramatta.
The Eels are on the lookout for a centre, after releasing Will Hopoate over a contract dispute and failing to land the signature of Roberts.
If the Jennings move takes place, it would mark one of the most remarkable centre-signing situations seen in years, with Roberts going from the Titans to the Broncos, Copley going from the Broncos to the Roosters, Jennings going from the Roosters to the Eels, Hopoate from the Eels to the Bulldogs, and Lafai going from the Bulldogs to the Dragons. And with almost two months until Round 1 kicks off, the Gold Coast could yet snare an outside back from the Dragons’ ridiculously full stocks and complete the circle!
It would also cap a remarkable spending spree for the Eels, who have added Kiwi international Kieran Foran, Australian and NSW hardman Beau Scott, and one-time Blues rep Michael Gordon to their 2016 squad. Add Jennings and that’s a huge off-season for a club which has struggled to attract big-name signings for a number of years.
Parra have, of course, had serious salary cap issues of late, and any potential move to bring Jennings to the club would be closely scrutinised by the NRL.
Musto
Guest
Jennings is erratic but how could Parra afford him 2 months from season start when the playing roster is determined. And Roberts signed for less money at the Broncos - sure!!!
Tom G
Guest
You have a point Barrets credentials are not tested at this level but Arthurs are and he scores a D-
Tom G
Guest
Well yes Manly did have to pay a proportion of Chocs pay packet but now you have him all on your own for several more years...good luck with that genius move
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Sydney Population - 4.6M. Expected to reach 5M in 2016. Brisbane population - 2.3M Gold Coast population -550k NRL teams in Sydney - 9. 510k per team AFL teams in Sydney - 2 A-League Teams in Sydney - 2 Super Rugby Teams in Sydney - 1 Total teams in Sydney - 14. 330k per team. NRL teams in Brisbane - 1 AFL teams in Brisbane - 1 A-League Teams in Brisbane - 1 Super Rugby teams in Brisbane - 1 Total teams in Brisbane - 4. 575k per team NRL teams in Gold Coast - 1 Total AFL teams in Gold Coast - 1 Total teams in Gold Coast - 2. 275k per team Sydney teams have the advantage of greater corporate support as they are in a bigger city. Most business will have their main base in either Sydney or Melbourne. Very few do in Brisbane. Part of the Gold Coast's weakness is this almost complete lack of corporate support. It's got almost the same population per sporting franchise as Sydney but the Titans struggle hugely, because they don't have this benefit.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Rodney Parra have the slowest spine in the NRL and with the exception of left wing, they lack pace everywhere. Jennings gives you that.
pjm
Roar Rookie
All you can look at his tries scored and stats
Samtwocan
Guest
And a massive head start in establishment .
Muzz
Guest
Albo, Do you think Copley would've scored that try in the 2013 GF? He's been worth every penny. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGjSkLf27DA
The eye
Guest
44 tries in three years..including his kiss goodnight to Manly in the '13 GF..current Australian centre,yep,a nuffy.. Takarangi and Semi on one side...Foran grubbering to Jenno on the other..how can you whinge about that ?
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Aaaah apologies Parrafan, I missed the reference to Choc in Tom's post.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Oh kk that makes sense.
Rodney Olsen
Guest
Can I have my posts cleared to be part of the responses? Thankyou.
Parrafan
Guest
I was talking about Watmough. Word is you blokes paid 350-400k of his contract for 2015 season.
Albo
Guest
Yep ! As a Panthers fan, I was glad to see him released a couple of years ago ! Never saw a player of plenty of ability with such little interest in being involved in the game ! He's like a racehorse sitting at the tail of the field each race, occasionally when the moon is in the right quarter, he makes a dash down the straight and promises more next time !! But the next time never comes. Give me Dale Copley any day ! And I would still have enough cash left over for a couple of boofhead forwards !
Rodney Olsen
Guest
As a Parra fan I along with all the others fans are hoping this is the year we break our drought in regards the top 8, it has been a fair while now since the team was any good. I personally don’t think Parra needs this type of player, yes we need top line players out wide but I’d rather we went for youth over spending silly money and putting more pressure on our cap which seems to have been a problem for us now since about 2010. If we do manage to sign him tho, I won’t cry.
Albo
Guest
Yep ! They bought the wrong Manly 2nd rower last year !
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Why in the world would manly have been paying half the contract of a player coming back from a Mormon mission? He wasn't under contract with manly.
Albo
Guest
And that is a lot of lucre for a player who, when interested, barely runs the ball two or three times a game from dummy half and chalks up a couple of tackles ! I see much better value in Dale Copley at less than half the Jennnings' freight !
pjm
Roar Rookie
Jennings has been one of the most overrated players for years. I can count on one hand how many breaks he makes in a year and he isn't there for anything else.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Watmough has been on one leg for years.