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.
7. Brandon Smith to the Titans or Bulldogs
Brandon Smith, the third string option at hooker in Melbourne, has the talent to completely change the fortunes of a side. If the Titans or Dogs are ANY chance of landing his signature, they need to take it.
Smith looks content in Melbourne but if Cam Smith signs on for 2021 then you'd have to think his patience might be tested just a little. The Titans are supposedly in talks to make him their long-term number nine, while Trent Barrett has reportedly made him a top target.
This all comes down to whether or not Smith wants to move. The Storm could always just ignore phone calls but it's not Bellamy's style.
Genuine game changer here. I'd love to see Smith playing 80 minutes, but if you're in a successful system with guaranteed game time, is a shift to a rebuilding club worth the risk?
Titans team looks very good for 2021. I hope they go well. They dont need Cameron Smith
Why would a team pay Oates good money to learn a new position at second row. Canโt 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
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 canโt see him going anywhere?
If Keiraโs 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?
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 doesnโt look like it will be a great one next season. So as a young half, youโre stuck without a great halves partner . In a squad thatโs not that good .
In a club where the hierarchy is a mess.
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? Itโs a good idea. Itโs about time other clubs got off their butts & developed their own juniors .
Iโm 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?
Youโd see every club working hard in junior development, if that were the case. Which is also better for the game as a whole.
Sorry Warrior. Not picking on your comments.
Why would anyone want Corey Norman at all? Heโs on big money at St.George . He way over rated . North Queensland donโt really need him in the halves or at fullback. So that would be a massive waste of money by them.