#KiwiNRL Brad Abbey and Jeremy Marshall-King Make Moves
Don't do it JMK
Sneaking under the scope during Rugby League World Cup have been a few low key #KiwiNRL transfers, in keeping with the off-season mayhem of players being shipped around to other clubs. For those who don't know, NRL contracts don't mean a whole lot and as long as all parties involved in a player being released from their contract, the contract is definitely no barrier to a player leaving or being shipped on.
That was exactly the case for Brad Abbey. The Bulldogs needed to make some cap space given the shambles their club was in (and maybe still is), so moving Abbey on was a made a priority, they just needed to find the right situation for their own benefit and Abbey's benefit, or more importantly than Abbey's benefit; the club he'll be joining's benefit. Again, the NRL doesn't allow for any transparency in salary caps around the NRL (hence there's always a drama), so I don't know for sure but that Abbey was head-hunted by Des Hasler and the Doggies suggests that Abbey wasn't on your standard rookie contract.
Hasler's role in this is important because he made numerous sketchy deals that put the Bulldogs in the predicament that they now find themselves in. I can't confirm figures, but I'd suggest that Abbey was on a deal that did not reflect his standing as a back up/third string fullback and those roster spots are better going to cheaper blokes. Hasler was kicked to the curb and Abbey - as a Hasler signing - was nek.
The Bulldogs found a club willing to sign Abbey and do a wee swapsie; Abbey went to the Raiders and middle forward Clay Priest went to the Bulldogs. Abbey's now on a two-year deal with the Raiders and will play second fiddle to Jack Wighton, offering cover at fullback and Wighton's versatility will be crucial in giving Abbey his chance in Canberra.
Abbey is unlikely to cover any other backline position and with the Raiders having Jordan Rapana and Nick Cotric on the wings, he won't be surpassing them any time soon. We haven't seen anything to suggest that Abbey is a winger either, yet we have seen Wighton play in the halves and at centre. Wighton could move there through injury or suspension and long-term, don't sleep on possible departures of Joey Leilua or Blake Austin, which could result in a shift for Wighton.
Funnily enough, Abbey replaces Zac Santo as the back up fullback. Santo left Canberra/Mounties to join Aotearoa Warriors and now Abbey will likely take up that Mounties fullback spot. First step is impressing in summer training, then impressing with Mounties and snapping up any opportunity that comes Abbey's way.
The Bulldogs have made a low key #KiwiNRL signing themselves, ruining the possibility of seeing Benji Marshall and younger bro Jeremy Marshall-King playing together for Wests Tigers next season. What's super funky here though is that JMK is joining the Bulldogs to make his own way in the NRL, suss his own lane away from Benji and while I want to see the bros play together, this is definitely a far better spot for JMK to be in.
JMK only made his debut last season for the Tigers as their utility stocks were depleted and he would have been stuck behind Matt McIlwrick (Chch) and Jacob Liddle at hooker, while there's also a log-jam halves with Josh Reynolds, Benji and Tuimoala Lolohea on the roster. Luke Brooks will be halfback and Lolohea's likely to slip into fullback, Reynolds is likely to partner Brooks and Benji has shown that he can contribute coming off the bench at a high level. Tigers also have Tyson Gamble looking to impress in the halves in reserve grade, all of which cluttered the situation for the super versatile JMK.
Tyson Gamble's got an interesting story to how he got to the Tigers and is an example of the flaws of Under 20s footy in preparing young men for life in the NRL.
JMK signed a one-year deal with the Doggies and has a bench spot up for grabs if he's able to impress this summer, opening the door for a longer contract. Michael Lichaa has the hooker spot locked up and a lot will depend on what happens with Moses M'bye; if M'bye partners Kieran Foran in the halves, Fa'aumanu Brown will be a favourite for the bench spot and if M'bye plays hooker then Lichaa will drop to the bench. Either way, JMK is still down in the pecking order.
The ideal situation would be that M'bye plays fullback or centre, or anywhere but hooker/halves. This would allow Christchurch's slickest, Brown to partner Foran, with Lichaa at hooker and JMK coming off the bench. JMK is likely to start the season in reserve grade and like Abbey, JMK will have to put pressure on the NRL players with notable performances in ressies, while waiting for his opportunity.
Jeremy Hawkins has left Melbourne Storm to link up with Easts Tigers in Queensland's Intrust Super Cup. After starting his career in Canberra, Hawkins went down to the Storm but couldn't get an NRL gig and will link up with Redcliffe Dolphins in Queensland. Hawkins is a familiar ISC face having played plenty of footy for one of Melbourne's ISC clubs Sunshine Coast Falcons.
Gonna be going hundies on #KiwiNRL funk and the two reserve grade competitions as well (#ReserveGradeKiwis), so if you're enjoying the vibe all you got to do is hit an ad. That's like a donation, but you don't need to actually do anything and you'll be showing your support to the Niche Cache. We're also on Patreon.
I'll leave you with some Slade Griffin, ain't nothing like the Greymouth Geezer and he's off to Newcastle Knights for next season.
Peace and love 27.
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