2017 Player Contracts

[GIGS20]

Possibly has something to do with injuries, he has had a couple of big ones in the last few years and might not be seen as durable. His game has also plateaued recently, maybe thats injury, maybe his cf, but Scoble has proven to be capable, local and probably cheap, due to age and experience.

Tony decisions need to be made and maybe this is one of them.

[Alison]

I think you're spot on with that assessment Gigs. At the end of the day I think the final clincher was the money.

[Emu]

REPRINTS & PERMISSIONS
Canterbury Bulldogs free up cash with departure of Curtis Rona and Tim Browne

Adrian Proszenko

Canterbury will part company with Curtis Rona and Tim Browne at the end of the season in moves that could free up cash for a play at Kieran Foran.

Rona will cross codes to link up with Super Rugby franchise Western Force, while Browne has signed with Penrith.

Browne is an unheralded contributor to an all-star Bulldogs pack, making all 79 of his first-grade appearances for the club since his debut in 2010. The 28-year-old grew up in the Penrith district and the western Sydney club has tried for several seasons to sign him. The Panthers have finally got their man and will add the 194-centimetre, 112-kilogram prop to an impressive pack already containing Trent Merrin, Regan Campbell-Gillard, Sam McKendry, Leilani Latu and James Fisher-Harris.

Rona is contracted to Canterbury until the end of next year, but is poised to receive a release to switch codes. Rona has been a prolific try scorer for the Bulldogs since switching from North Queensland in 2015, scoring 25 tries from 45 games. His tally of 23 last year was second only to Parramatta's Dally M winger of the year Semi Radradra.

Heading back west: Canterbury winger Curtis Rona will make a switch to rugby union.
Born in Waitara, New Zealand, Rona has previously played rugby and grew up in Perth and is seeking to head back to the region. The 24-year-old was part of the New Zealand squad that toured England last year but he didn't play a game after flying back early to witness the birth of his first child.

Rona, who was a member of the Western Force academy while playing both codes in Western Australia, is ineligible for State of Origin selection, but could yet qualify for the Wallabies. It's understood Rona's interest in the 15-man code has piqued the interest of national coach Michael Cheika and the Bulldogs are resigned to losing him.

The Bulldogs are the favourites to sign Foran if he resumes his NRL career, although that is far from a certainty given his many off-field issues. The Eels stripped Foran of the captaincy and granted an early release to allow the former Kiwi international to get his life back in order.

Despite being below their best for most of the season, the Bulldogs are sit in the top four and can take an important step towards cementing the position with a win against Manly on Thursday night.

[Tazzmania]

Appears Curtis Rona confirmed for two years.

The west

[The InnFORCEr]

Appears Curtis Rona confirmed for two years.

The west

Front page updated

[Rockyfan]

Outside backs are starting to look decent. Needs a class 12 to fill out back line of Prior Lance Morahan ???? Meakes Rona and DHP.

[jono]

this is assuming Rona fits straight in and is immediatley world class.

CTM didn't work, even SBW took time to get his feet in union.
i think we need an established I/B on a 1+1 deal as well.

[GIGS20]

+1

We might have a decent starting lineup, but we had that this year, we need depth, coaching and ticker now!

[RugbyReg]

I see Brad Lacey has turned up in the Brisbane City NRC squad. Thoughts? A shame to see that talent head east.

[The InnFORCEr]

I guess he made an impression here in his earlier years when Stiles was part of the set up, and he still feels he has something to offer, so has dragged him over there.

Just like NSW & QLD will never be able to hold on to very born and bred player, neither will we. Better still, a sign that are breeding some worthy talent.

[jono]

playing for Bris city in the NRC doesnt automatically mean he's lost to the force though.

[Alison]

From memory, Lacey wasn't on the player roster that Sinderberry went through at the members' forum earlier this month.

[G_Beard]

From memory, Lacey wasn't on the player roster that Sinderberry went through at the members' forum earlier this month.

So how much say does/did the coach have in the players?

[Tazzmania]

NRC squads have a limited amount of Super 14 contracted players that can be selected, therefore the line has be drawn somewhere.

[AndyS]

This thread may have gone on too long...there was an earlier discussion about Lacey not being offered a contract. I thought he might have been looking overseas; maybe he is just looking for a gig anywhere.