He left Penrith for the big coin. As for the dogs who's to say they're not pushing him out or he's disillusioned with the direction of the dogs. I'm tipping he wants to stay in Sydney with a young family or I reckon Perth might have got him by now. If Parra offer him a good contract with the option to start at 6 but no guarantees he'll stay there I wouldn't be shocked if that's a genuine option for him. He's also played origin at centre and would unlikely play 6 at origin so I doubt he's as against playing centre as you might think. Bulldogs already have 2 pretty decent centres so 3 doesn't go into 2
Yeah and why did he get big coin? Cause he was playing 5/8.
Sorry AE I just do not see how people think he would be ok with playing Centre. You say he left for big coin, but how did he get it? Because of the position he was set to play. 5/8's earn more than what Centres do just fact.
You cannot use playing rep footy at Centre as an example that he's happy to play it week in week out as to play for your state and country you'll play anywhere as there are other great players in your position. Kenny played Centre when Lewis played 6 for Australia as the example.
We can see what is happening at Dogs. They have Galvin, new toy, need to put him somewhere and Halfback is not working, so Burton odd man out as Dogs will look at a 7 as well. It's quite simple really.
Offer him a deal to start at 6 but no guarentees to stay there? He will just say thanks but no thanks I'll go to Perth and earn slightly more and play 6 full time.
Only way I would see him being content playing Centre is going back to Penrith to win comps.
You also say Dogs have 2 great Centres, 3 doesn't go into 2. Have you not seen Xerri being linked with leaving? If Burton said he was fine playing Centre he would stay at Dogs and they would keep him.
Also reason Perth may not have gotten him by now is simply he was not available or didn't make himself available. They of course would've reached out and said keep us in mind but with the revelation of Gus saying Galvin is not long term 7 that now brings teams into it.
We are all speculating here but I definitely see it as being feasible. My speculation Burton won't stay at Buldogs or go back to Penrith to play centre because they probably wouldn't offer the coin we could. We would be offering 6/centre on very healthy coin. I'm ok with us offering "overs" for Burton or Farnworth because I suspect we have saved money in other areas, Iongi, Smith and potentially Lorenzo wouldn't be on massive money. We have the money and need to add some quality and plug some holes in our squad particularly in the outside backs. Perth and PNG are obvious options but not everyone would want to pack up and move a young family, it's a big move for anyone with young kids. JFH, Niokore, Hunt, AFB, and Barnett all chose to move back home. If he wants to stay in Sydney, earn half money to play centre/6 then we may just land him.
surely 850k for 4 years would be competetive, starting in 27
Angry Eel > mongolian trotting duckMay 23, 2026 at 9:32pm
It would be competitive but would it get the deal done. Whilst I admit on the surface 950-1m appears overs I'd pay that to get the deal done. It's not overs when it's exactly what you team needs to make a massive improvement to your squad
I don't think I'm getting this out right. I understand what you're saying but what if he could get half money to play centre? Would he be that against playing centre if the coin is right? As Coryn said in a latter post we desperately need to add some quality to our outside backs. I'd deadset pay 900 for Burton and 1.2 for Herbie. That's how much we need to improve here. There's nothing coming through at centre
Right though the thing is paying close to a mil for a Centre is not smart cap management unless it is a once in a generation talent. Farnworth it is too much but also he is the best Centre in the world so it is easier to swallow.
At the same time, he could very well get same money elsewhere to play 6.
You can add quality without completely ruining your cap. Xerri, Timoko, Tago, Jenkins. Players that even paying slight overs wouldn't break your cap. If you are going to pay close to a mil for a Centre, Herbie and Critta and maybe Staggs are the options. Even then it is a hard on your cap but are getting the best in their position.
If there was absolutely nothing on the market at Centre, then I could digest paying Burton top tier money and saying you're a Centre take it or leave it. But there are options that are slightly cheaper and will improve our team without breaking bank.
I would not be surprised in the slightest if the plan is Penisini and Samrani Centre pairing. Maybe Tago signing perhaps.
Though could also see us grabbing, for argument sakes, Jenkins, Burton at 6 and a top forward and having that.
yeah it is all speculation though there is a pattern of Burton leaving to be a 6. No coincidence that as soon as Mitch Woods chatter, Metcalf link and Galvin moving to 6 to accommodate either that Burton has one eye on the exit.
Look if we got Burton to play Centre, which obviously do not think he will agree to, then that is incredible recruitment. I would not be against it one bit. Just find it very, very unlikely.
It is when the market is so competitive and you have a half that's in the latter part of his career and the kicker you've got nothing that looks like nrl quality in your outside back ranks.
We are so devoid there.I mean at one point way back when how much would a Semi Radradra be worth in todays market.Going for Burton is also a move we could make but with out those horses on the outside I think we are still in the same situation we are in now.
I actually agree with parts of this. Our outside backs absolutely need upgrading and in today’s market elite strike outside backs are worth more than they were 10 years ago. If a prime Semi was around today he’d command massive money because genuine game breaking outside backs are rare.
Where I still think Burton is different is that you are talking about paying him as if he is already a top tier Centre when he hasn’t proven that over a long period in the NRL. He had a great 2021 season, though was it him or being in a once in a lifetime Penrith outfit that made him look amazing?
If we signed Herbie, Critta or even someone like Staggs, you know exactly what you are buying because they are established Centres first and foremost. Burton’s value has always come from being a spine player.
That’s why I think there’s a difference between:
paying elite money for an elite proven Centre and
paying elite money hoping a marquee 6 becomes an elite Centre long term.
Also if Moses is in the latter part of his career, that almost strengthens the argument for Burton being signed as a 6 rather than a Centre. At some point you’ll need another genuine organising spine player there anyway.
I definitely agree we need more strike out wide though. I just think Burton is far more likely to be targeted as a long term 6 by clubs than a permanent Centre.
"I dunno about MoN being " the number 1 issue with the club atm" but he can be used as a pressure valve...or a fuse if you like...something necessary but replaceable that blows when things get too hot so as to protect the actual important things.…"
"It would be competitive but would it get the deal done. Whilst I admit on the surface 950-1m appears overs I'd pay that to get the deal done. It's not overs when it's exactly what you team needs to make a massive improvement to your squad"
"Poppa I'm a fan of a Burton signing. What im saying is I don't think we are blocking Lorenzo's path if we are paying Burton right. I don't think centre would be an issue for Burton if Lorenzo becomes a must pick at some stage. He doesn't strike me…"
Replies
If he was comfortable moving to the Centres, he would have stayed at Penrith and even Dogs for 2027.
He left Penrith for the big coin. As for the dogs who's to say they're not pushing him out or he's disillusioned with the direction of the dogs. I'm tipping he wants to stay in Sydney with a young family or I reckon Perth might have got him by now. If Parra offer him a good contract with the option to start at 6 but no guarantees he'll stay there I wouldn't be shocked if that's a genuine option for him. He's also played origin at centre and would unlikely play 6 at origin so I doubt he's as against playing centre as you might think. Bulldogs already have 2 pretty decent centres so 3 doesn't go into 2
Yeah and why did he get big coin? Cause he was playing 5/8.
Sorry AE I just do not see how people think he would be ok with playing Centre. You say he left for big coin, but how did he get it? Because of the position he was set to play. 5/8's earn more than what Centres do just fact.
You cannot use playing rep footy at Centre as an example that he's happy to play it week in week out as to play for your state and country you'll play anywhere as there are other great players in your position. Kenny played Centre when Lewis played 6 for Australia as the example.
We can see what is happening at Dogs. They have Galvin, new toy, need to put him somewhere and Halfback is not working, so Burton odd man out as Dogs will look at a 7 as well. It's quite simple really.
Offer him a deal to start at 6 but no guarentees to stay there? He will just say thanks but no thanks I'll go to Perth and earn slightly more and play 6 full time.
Only way I would see him being content playing Centre is going back to Penrith to win comps.
You also say Dogs have 2 great Centres, 3 doesn't go into 2. Have you not seen Xerri being linked with leaving? If Burton said he was fine playing Centre he would stay at Dogs and they would keep him.
Also reason Perth may not have gotten him by now is simply he was not available or didn't make himself available. They of course would've reached out and said keep us in mind but with the revelation of Gus saying Galvin is not long term 7 that now brings teams into it.
We are all speculating here but I definitely see it as being feasible. My speculation Burton won't stay at Buldogs or go back to Penrith to play centre because they probably wouldn't offer the coin we could. We would be offering 6/centre on very healthy coin. I'm ok with us offering "overs" for Burton or Farnworth because I suspect we have saved money in other areas, Iongi, Smith and potentially Lorenzo wouldn't be on massive money. We have the money and need to add some quality and plug some holes in our squad particularly in the outside backs. Perth and PNG are obvious options but not everyone would want to pack up and move a young family, it's a big move for anyone with young kids. JFH, Niokore, Hunt, AFB, and Barnett all chose to move back home. If he wants to stay in Sydney, earn half money to play centre/6 then we may just land him.
surely 850k for 4 years would be competetive, starting in 27
It would be competitive but would it get the deal done. Whilst I admit on the surface 950-1m appears overs I'd pay that to get the deal done. It's not overs when it's exactly what you team needs to make a massive improvement to your squad
I don't think I'm getting this out right. I understand what you're saying but what if he could get half money to play centre? Would he be that against playing centre if the coin is right? As Coryn said in a latter post we desperately need to add some quality to our outside backs. I'd deadset pay 900 for Burton and 1.2 for Herbie. That's how much we need to improve here. There's nothing coming through at centre
Right though the thing is paying close to a mil for a Centre is not smart cap management unless it is a once in a generation talent. Farnworth it is too much but also he is the best Centre in the world so it is easier to swallow.
At the same time, he could very well get same money elsewhere to play 6.
You can add quality without completely ruining your cap. Xerri, Timoko, Tago, Jenkins. Players that even paying slight overs wouldn't break your cap. If you are going to pay close to a mil for a Centre, Herbie and Critta and maybe Staggs are the options. Even then it is a hard on your cap but are getting the best in their position.
If there was absolutely nothing on the market at Centre, then I could digest paying Burton top tier money and saying you're a Centre take it or leave it. But there are options that are slightly cheaper and will improve our team without breaking bank.
I would not be surprised in the slightest if the plan is Penisini and Samrani Centre pairing. Maybe Tago signing perhaps.
Though could also see us grabbing, for argument sakes, Jenkins, Burton at 6 and a top forward and having that.
yeah it is all speculation though there is a pattern of Burton leaving to be a 6. No coincidence that as soon as Mitch Woods chatter, Metcalf link and Galvin moving to 6 to accommodate either that Burton has one eye on the exit.
Look if we got Burton to play Centre, which obviously do not think he will agree to, then that is incredible recruitment. I would not be against it one bit. Just find it very, very unlikely.
It is when the market is so competitive and you have a half that's in the latter part of his career and the kicker you've got nothing that looks like nrl quality in your outside back ranks.
We are so devoid there.I mean at one point way back when how much would a Semi Radradra be worth in todays market.Going for Burton is also a move we could make but with out those horses on the outside I think we are still in the same situation we are in now.
I actually agree with parts of this. Our outside backs absolutely need upgrading and in today’s market elite strike outside backs are worth more than they were 10 years ago. If a prime Semi was around today he’d command massive money because genuine game breaking outside backs are rare.
Where I still think Burton is different is that you are talking about paying him as if he is already a top tier Centre when he hasn’t proven that over a long period in the NRL. He had a great 2021 season, though was it him or being in a once in a lifetime Penrith outfit that made him look amazing?
If we signed Herbie, Critta or even someone like Staggs, you know exactly what you are buying because they are established Centres first and foremost. Burton’s value has always come from being a spine player.
That’s why I think there’s a difference between:
and
Also if Moses is in the latter part of his career, that almost strengthens the argument for Burton being signed as a 6 rather than a Centre. At some point you’ll need another genuine organising spine player there anyway.
I definitely agree we need more strike out wide though. I just think Burton is far more likely to be targeted as a long term 6 by clubs than a permanent Centre.
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