On NRL360 last night Braith Anasta stated that Liam Martin had given Penrith until 25 August to start negotiations and sort out his future. It was also stated that Martin is looking at a $1 million paycheck. Now I doubt Penrith are in a position to offer such cash for Martin with the likes of Yeo and Cleary yet to put pen to paper and the Chiefs and Bears circling being cashed up.
Anasta also said that the Dogs had offered Jacob Preston a 3 year deal worth $1.9 million or as was put $630K a season. Which is a massive slap in the face and lowballing at its worst from Gould. It appears that 7 clubs are looking at the Preston situation with chequebooks at hand come 1 November.
Im a massive Preston fan and hope we are one of the 7 clubs. He is easily worth $850-900K a year. Which brings me to my queation for everyone. In a bidding war both Martin and Preston could very well hit the $1mill a season mark. For that money do we have a go and try to get one of these back rowers? If we do which one would suit Parra better? Martins tenacity and toughness is exactly what our pack needs plus his leadership would assist our young guys to further their careers. Then we could have Preston who is young and full of potential with great hole running working great with Moses' distribution.
Personally I would be stoked with either and you know what with the future television rights and monies $1mill a season probably will be the norm.
Replies
Preston yes Martin no he is over rated
Martin and Preston are in slightly different areas of their careers and each would be an interesting case for us.
Martin has been there and done that. He turns 30 next year. Physically he'd begin to hit the down hill. We'd be paying Martin based on what he's done in the past, although $1m/year with the growth in the salary cap may not be that big of a deal in context.
Preston is younger, turns 25 later this year. He'll be coming into his peak.
My only concern here is that both these signings would represent "shiny things". They're both going to receive a huge amount of interest, everyone would be pretty happy if we got them, but my question is, do we recruit them over say a middle like Spencer Leniu?
Where is the position of greatest need for us at the moment? We desperately need another outside back and NRL-experienced middle forward.
With Jack Williams, Jaydn Su'a, Kitione Kautoga and Charlie Guymer we have solid backrow depth. Whereas in the front row, while we have a lot of depth, we don't have a bonafide starting, experienced middle prop outside of Junior. Even Sam Tuivaiti is still a baby and Moretti seems to get injured after every solid run of form.
Super can I be greedy and have Preston and Leniu!? With Luai and Matterson money surely we can find some extra cash lying behind the couch...
Matterson's contract ended this year. He wouldn't be in the planning from 2027 onwards anyway.
I don't think it is a case of finding some extra money under the couch, as much as how big our TPA purse is.
Preston is a smart boy btw, future leadership potential....only question is whether he is tough enough in the balance of the pack. Martin not so smart and too old for leadership asperations and Super's point is valid, he meets the toughness needs and he is starting on the wrong side of 30, but I do worry about his injury potential, more than his age.
Roosters are after preston to. Gus has overpaid kikau and leo thompson. He's going to stuff their cap just like he did at penrith. 1.7 mill per season just for those two
Please not Martin.. We've already bought Sau who's close to 30. What are we a retirement home????
Preston over Martin, Martin is on the decline. When you play like he does it eventually takes a toll on your body. Having said that, Preston is injury prone but I would still take him.
Won't be going near either, we need middles and backs. Backrowers are not a position of need
I couldn't see why Martin could not evolve into a middle, but agree Leniu or his old mate from Penrith would be a first choice.
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