In a surprising twist of events the Dragons are reportedly considering making a play for Sonny Bill Williams.
This follows St George Illawarra missing out on disgruntled Bulldog Corey Harawira-Naera, who will be heading to Canberra on a lucrative two-year deal. Canberra can claim salary cap dispensation for the 2020 season due to John Bateman picking up a shoulder injury while playing for England. This means Corey could be available to play for Canberra as early as Round 12.
Following the Toronto Wolfpack’s collapse and exit from the UK Super League Sonny Bill Williams is eyeing a return to the NRL.
This is an evolving story, but from what I understand, if Sonny Bill Williams wants to return to the NRL in 2020, the Dragons are the only team that has sufficient wiggle room in their salary cap.
The Roosters do not legitimately have the available cap space unless SBW is willing to play for peanuts. The departures of James Graham, Tim Lafai and Issac Luke, plus salary cap dispensation available for the stood-down Jack de Belin, means the Dragons could offer SBW $250,000 for the remainder of the 2020 season.
His contract would need to be registered by 2 August and he’d need to serve a 14-day quarantine period, meaning he could be available for the Round 15 clash against the Broncos. His salary would be $250,000 for six regular-season matches. If you pro rata this over a 26-week season it amounts to almost $1.1 million.
The return of SBW would be quite a coup for the NRL and the Dragons. However, if this deal were struck, there would be no guarantee Williams would remain at the Dragons for 2021. His first preference would always be a return to the Roosters.
I don’t think the Dragons will want to spend the money on a 34-year-old player, but it’s certainly a good topic of conversation. Older Dragons fans will remember late-season overseas inclusions like Martin (Chariots) Offiah or how Ellery Hanley single-handedly took the Tigers to two grand finals.
But what do you think? Should the Dragons go for it? Or is SBW too old at 34 to make an impact? Is he worth all effort?
Skidmarx
Guest
Andy Currier came over the year after I’m reasonably sure .
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
But the Warriors players have exemptions? Your comparison would be accurate if they allowed any non citizen family to come. I doubt that would happen.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
Again apples and oranges. Super Rugby isn't even the same sport and SL is way behind the NRL. 6 years is a long time to be out of the game and he's 34
Wood.Duck
Roar Rookie
He is a professional athlete who wants to win Gold. Not Wooden Spoons. SBW has no cause to come across the other side of the planet to be a good samaritan for the dud clubs.
Andrew
Roar Pro
A name to look out for is Eddie Blacker, he’s made it into the 21 man squad a few times recently. We signed him from the Broncos 2 years ago on a development deal. He’s 20 years old 195cm tall & 116kgs. Big, mobile & fast. He’s contracted to end of 2021. There was talk of him being loaned to the warriors but it didn’t lead to anything. Shame because he’s a player that has suffered due to no reserve grade this year.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Details of Roosters salary cap; https://images.app.goo.gl/N8csR5yYSw6hPYz79
Jacko
Guest
No he has been playing in world cups and SR comps instead...And now has been in the UK league comp this year.....so hes definately capable of playing NRL
Andrew
Roar Pro
A dogs fan would rather walk over hot coals than take him back. They hate him with a passion
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
I see where you're coming from and I know the club is backward ATM but a lot of that is the state of the club. Who really wants to go there now unless paid overs? We had Timms, apparently a gun forward in Canterbury Cup (though I dare say you know more than me in that space), who was let go.. for Luke?? Do we want to pay for him for 5 weeks, not IMO? Unlikely to be in semis. BTW, I'd really enjoy an article from you - who seem to have a deeper knowledge of the young Dragons talent coming up - about who is on the horizon and what our team could look like in 5 years filled with juniors.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Doesn't he need an exemption to be able to come into the country? He doesn't have Australian citizenship so an exemption would be needed. If granted, what about all the Warriors' families who want to come over too. Could be big problems.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Hi DP it’s a quandary. The Dragons haven’t used a dollar of the Salary Cap dispensation available to them for JdB despite the fact it’s been 18mths. The longer his matter drags on the more likely it’ll go to trail in November, when he won’t just be fighting for his NRL career he’ll be fighting for his freedom. Issac Luke was on minimum wage but James Graham & Tim Lafai we’re on pretty good money $300k - $400k each. What has the club done? Sign a fringe reserve grader from Penrith. Not to mention Tyson Frizell is out the door come season end, what has the club done to replace him? Absolutely nothing. Why is the club storing all this money? They didn’t compete for John Bateman or Corey Harawira-Naera who would have been excellent replacements for Frizell. I’d like the Dragons to make a play for SBW at least it’d break the monotony.
Birthday Suit
Roar Rookie
Yea fair call. Would be great to see him do some good for the game and help out a struggling club, but just not gonna happen I guess
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I think if he can play in the NRL, it will be with the roosters. Let’s face it, SBW probably doesn’t need the money, the NRL will welcome the publicity and Uncle Nick will make it work. I don’t think his signing will bring any on field value - more off field value in PR, sponsors, juniors, etc. There could be a few ex NRL players keen to come back for the remainder of the year.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
This case is actually nothing like Gasnier, or possibly others, who came on actual length contracts, not some fly in fly out mercenary deal. For chooks to fit him in someone has to be axed as they have a full squad, or some third party payment dealing has to happen. To be blunt, if the comp 'needs' him for 5 weeks then we really don't have much of a product. The future of league is better spent invested in the young guns than here. I don't know why V'landys is apparently so keen on this happening, we should be more excited to see Harry Grant, Charlie Stains and his magic passes, Tabuai-Fidow in flight, Asi scorching up the middle - these guys developing than 5 weeks 'thanks for the bucks' then gone SBW. If someone wants to argue about what he can bring or teach to some young fellas then Warriors or Dogs are the clubs, chooks certainly don't need him. Frankly, I'd rather Dragons dollars on the youth and our future.
Andrew
Roar Pro
I think the wear & tear on SBW’s body would greater than your comparisons. Particularly the physical way he plays the game. In NFL terms it’s like comparing a Quaterback to a Running Back. There’s a reason why Tom Brady is still playing on into his mid 40’s
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
I know. That is what I put my last sentence in
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Lol, the same great Terry Lamb of the 20 minutes 94 grand final.
Wood.Duck
Roar Rookie
Sonny Bill will only be coming off the bench as an impact X Factor. 20 min stints is all we need from him.
Birthday Suit
Roar Rookie
While that might be a good thing for the game, can any reasonable person honestly say they'd go to a cellar dwellar instead of a team with a real shot at a championship? It's just completely implausible.
Mango Jack
Roar Guru
Few doubt he is a top shelf player, when fully match fit, but he has hardly played recently. Nice publicity for the NRL though.