Following an unprecedented season in 2020, I'm fully expecting an equally unprecedented off-season. With that will come player movements.

With a big turnover of coaches, it's safe to say that rosters will look vastly different come pre-season training.

The Bulldogs have tapped eight players on the shoulder, with the Warriors also letting players know they will need to look elsewhere for 2020.

Below are 10 hypothetical player transfers that could shake up 2021. We've tried to keep within the realms of possibility in that we're not going to suggest James Tedesco is moving to the Bunnies.

Just to ensure, these aren't movements we expect to happen, but are just 10 moves that have been rumoured, or I can somewhat see happening.

Please let us know below who you believe might be on the move.

5. Shane Flanagan to the Sharks

The potential massive off-season move comes in the Shire with the possible return of Shane Flanagan. With the Sharks losing an assistant coach, and with Flanagan's time at the Dragons coming to an end, this makes too much sense not to put here.

The Sharks defence has been woeful in 2020. Flanagan's calling card? His defensive structures. The Sharks, under Flanagan, were the grittiest team in the modern NRL. They need that to compliment their new found attacking flair.

Whether or not the board will welcome back the man who delivered so many dark days (despite the title success in 2016) is one of two questions here. The second being can John Morris work knowing that the title-winner is looking over his shoulder?

With his coaching ban ending at the end of 2021, every loss under Morris would lead to speculation of Flanagan returning to the top job. His son is also off contract at the end of next season. I'm sure that won't play into any potential decision at all ...

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JULY 15: Sharks Coach Shane Flanagan looks on during the round 19 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Cronulla Sharks at Cbus Super Stadium on July 15, 2017 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Jason O'Brien/Getty Images)

 

7 COMMENTS

  2. Why would a team pay Oates good money to learn a new position at second row. Canโ€™t see many suitors really.
    Burton to the Dogs makes perfect sense
    Also like Bird going home to the dragons with Lomax, Ramsey, Dufty and others buy at what price
    Brandon Smith to the Warriors

    If I was to add/replace some it would be

    1. Jordan Rapana to the Storm
    2. Tex Hoy to the Sharks
    3. Keiran Foran to Manly
    4. Corey Norman for Josh McQuite swap

  3. Newcastle are one of the clubs with a big money backer.
    They want to keep Tex Hoy. With talk about him becoming the number 6, from Andrew Johns.
    So really canโ€™t see him going anywhere?

  4. If Keiraโ€™s Foran returns to Manly, the talk was that young Schuster ( a future star ) would want out of there.
    Maybe Schuster could be a more likely move to Cronulla?

  5. Just a question about halves to the Bulldogs.
    Why would any young half want to go to the Bulldogs now? Experience playing in first grade I suppose. However, the squad still doesnโ€™t look like it will be a great one next season. So as a young half, youโ€™re stuck without a great halves partner . In a squad thatโ€™s not that good .
    In a club where the hierarchy is a mess.

  6. Just a question about all the player moves also.
    Why should Brisbane, Penrith, Newcastle, New Zealand have to build up most other clubs? Especially without any return on the investment, time they put into developing the young players.
    Those clubs & perhaps North Queensland should get together & pressure the NRL. Say that they refuse to put much effort or money into player development in their areas & indeed the other country areas that they support . Without some form of payment via transfer fees , for the players they develop. That are then stolen away from their clubs.
    Whether the non development clubs like it or not? Itโ€™s a good idea. Itโ€™s about time other clubs got off their butts & developed their own juniors .
    Iโ€™m thinking of a transfer fee of about $150,000 per player. Regardless of age from about 14 onwards. When all clubs can see which players will be future stars.
    That transfer fee , can then be used by the development clubs in any manner they like . Put in on top of their salary caps each year , to pay their players. If they like?
    Youโ€™d see every club working hard in junior development, if that were the case. Which is also better for the game as a whole.

  7. Sorry Warrior. Not picking on your comments.
    Why would anyone want Corey Norman at all? Heโ€™s on big money at St.George . He way over rated . North Queensland donโ€™t really need him in the halves or at fullback. So that would be a massive waste of money by them.

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