Perth Bears have reportedly offered Junior Paulo a 2 year deal to join the new franchise in 2027. Parramatta have apparently only offered Paulo 1 year, though some talk is around that they could be open to 2 depending on certain areas.
Now is this a good or bad thing? Well depends on how you look at it. On one hand it is a hit to us as he experienced, well liked by his peers, a Parra legend and would have loved to have seen him in a new role off the bench liked planned. I might also mean we need another Prop on top of the one(s) we are already chasing to start. The likes of Ryda Talagi might need to be fast tracked to cover spots in the roster left by another middle moving on. On the other hand, we are smart to not offer Paulo an extra year. His body is deteriorating. He has chronic foot and leg issues. He will be 34 next year playing in the front row. He would be leaving to be Captain, on more money as they would be open to offering around the $800k+ mark you'd imagine with how desperate they are and two years is big considering where his body is right now, that extra year puts a piece of mind for him that he could get an extra $1.5mil and retire at 36. As opposed to signing a one year deal at around $500k and getting hurt to a point where he retires and loses that salary for 2028.
So i do not blame him for taking the role where he would be the alpha in the Bears pack, as compared to a contributor to ours. Where do we go if he signs with Perth? Let's say we get Leniu. We will then have these players as our middles.
Leniu
Hopgood
Williams
Tuivaiti
Brown
Moretti
Doorey
Talagi
Koina
Guymer
Pryke* (not sure if re-signed)
Not a bad list, though one more middle with experience i think would be handy.
It begs the question, does this change our decision on whether to take up de Belin's option or not. As if we lose Paulo, i actually am a little bit more open to de Belin staying for the one year.
https://www.zerotackle.com/contract-differences-revealed-as-bears-eels-fight-for-paulo-236166/
Replies
If we really want Paulo to stay and think he has off-field potential we should offer him 1 year and then an off-field role afterwards. He's at the point in his career where looking for a transition to "what next" is probably more important than getting an extra year on the field.
But if all we offer is 1 year and Perth truly offer him multi year on overs and the relocation doesn't bother him, who would blame him for taking it?
We absolutely shouldn't offer him more than a year. Losing Paulo would be a better outcome than signing him for 2 more years. I wouldn't be mad if we kept JDB for another year.
Far out Perth are an absolute mess...
It all started hiring Mal who they thought players would be falling over to work with but he has the personality of a nat in terms of coaching.
Fact he tried to resign as QLD coach after game 1 2006 proves that he gives up when going gets tough. How will he go when Perth are possibly spooners come Round 10?
Mal Meninga was a great player but not a great coach.
Go and get your retirement top up Jnr you deserve that.
I think in all reality the boat has sailed here for you at Parra and rightfully so the club isn't willing to pay that sought of money or give you the years.
If that is the case like they mention they best be having a plan B and ideally you'd like that to happen before Jnr makes his decision.
He's been on a retirement plan for years. The club deserves someone to stand up and pull it out of the pits. Paulo can piss off but not with some grand farewell. Wish he played half as good for us as he does for Toa Samoa
Yeah he's been taking the piss for years . If he can get a silly offer then see ya . He hasn't earnt it. I'd keep him on half of his current salary , but I won't have a single sentimental thought should he leave. He's a fine example of everything that's been wrong with the joint.
Yep. I'm glad Ryles is gutting the joint.
Well let's be clear, it is not like he is doing to Paulo like he did to say RCG or Gutho. He wanted Paulo to stay but at a cost, that cost is a rolling one year deal til he was fully finished and playing a bench role. Unlike the other two who were pretty much told stay if you want but you aren't here next year.
It is simply another team value Paulo way more than we do, so wouldn't say Paulo is a sign of Ryles gutting the team further than he already has.
He is comfortable losing footy games. 50% win record is pretty poor for a million dollar prop. Go to Perth, good luck, see ya later.
Would rather grabbing Oregon Kaufusi and Spencer Leniu.
Unfortunately Junior doesn't back himself to play himself into an extension . Juniors always been the guy that puts in when it's in his favour but it only lasts a short period . Once he gets that security he's a plodder again . Remember when he landed his big Raiders deal . He plodded right through the term , and has done the same when we have looked after him .
Uncle Wayne saw him for what he is when he flew him to discuss the Dolphins . Offering him a 1 year deal is smart as you'll get a solid year out of him as he'll be playing for an extension. Thats why I said on the other post I'd be happy to go as far as 1 year with a mutual option for the second if that's what it took to get it done .
Don't put in during year 1 , you're playing for a reduced salary in year 2 . Only a desperate fool like Mal would offer him big money for two years .
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