Official RFM granted immediate release

[DinkumDog]

@Marki Gould was a great coach in the 1990's like Tim Sheens and the late Bob Fulton were great coaches of that era. He was a drawcard in that era for anyone wanting to play under him. He owned the Origin arena the 3 game series was his stage. The game has changed massively since Gould was last a full time coach even when he last coached at Origin it has changed. Fittler's plan to bring Gould as chief advisor it backfired and resigned. Gould is from a different era like Sheens was. Sheens had better success in club land and he was moved on last year.

Penrith saw the writing on the wall. Ivan Cleary said Penrith was dysfunctional when he returned back in late 2018. Cleary had to rip up the 5yr plan and start Penrith all over again. We can't be clinging onto look at Penrith now. It's a different club culture wise, how it's run and mentality wise since 2018. They allowed themselves to go into a freefall in 2019 to be a whole different club by 2020.

The RFM split was always going to happen. They couldn't get him on breach notices or termination. Eventually Gould and another club this time being the Dragons came to an agreement. RFM gets full pay possibly even more for his final two years and still plays football. I reckon both clubs are paying for half his contract. He's the big winner.

We again are paying a good portion of the freight for a player at another club. We are making good habit of this. So many contracted players are willfilly shipped on. Our fans have jumped onto this. Doesn't create loyalty and culture for the jersey.

A lot of our new signings are short-term fixes. We need to break out of this turnover cycle and just build stability. We boast about having a rebuild the two central players to that should have been local juniors Averillo and Alamoti. Averillo at 23 is about to hit the peak years of his career. He will enjoy being backed completely by his coach and settling into the one role. Alamoti been the standout best junior in the club for many years finally cracks NRL at just 19yrs and he's flicked before he turns 20. @Flanagun is right about Waddell he should have been kept just as he was coming through the other end he's gone.

Should we be classified as a new NRL club with all the player turnover?

We need to stop the constant turnover cycle and allow some form of stability in the playing ranks to emerge.

Whaddya know it’s back:

Change the record Polly .

 

[Bitemarks]

All the best to Ray, giving him captaincy seemed to be the worst thing for him as he was too nice to bring the whiny players into line and instead went to the coaching staff.

 

[Heckler]

All the best to Ray, giving him captaincy seemed to be the worst thing for him as he was too nice to bring the whiny players into line and instead went to the coaching staff.

So true!

 

[steeliz]

Must’ve happened as the May bros were holding Gus over a barrel simultaneously. That’s going to sting .

Gus is a myth.

#sack Gus

 

[The_Chimpster]

@Marki Gould was a great coach in the 1990's like Tim Sheens and the late Bob Fulton were great coaches of that era. He was a drawcard in that era for anyone wanting to play under him. He owned the Origin arena the 3 game series was his stage. The game has changed massively since Gould was last a full time coach even when he last coached at Origin it has changed. Fittler's plan to bring Gould as chief advisor it backfired and resigned. Gould is from a different era like Sheens was. Sheens had better success in club land and he was moved on last year.

Penrith saw the writing on the wall. Ivan Cleary said Penrith was dysfunctional when he returned back in late 2018. Cleary had to rip up the 5yr plan and start Penrith all over again. We can't be clinging onto look at Penrith now. It's a different club culture wise, how it's run and mentality wise since 2018. They allowed themselves to go into a freefall in 2019 to be a whole different club by 2020.

The RFM split was always going to happen. They couldn't get him on breach notices or termination. Eventually Gould and another club this time being the Dragons came to an agreement. RFM gets full pay possibly even more for his final two years and still plays football. I reckon both clubs are paying for half his contract. He's the big winner.

We again are paying a good portion of the freight for a player at another club. We are making good habit of this. So many contracted players are willfilly shipped on. Our fans have jumped onto this. Doesn't create loyalty and culture for the jersey.

A lot of our new signings are short-term fixes. We need to break out of this turnover cycle and just build stability. We boast about having a rebuild the two central players to that should have been local juniors Averillo and Alamoti. Averillo at 23 is about to hit the peak years of his career. He will enjoy being backed completely by his coach and settling into the one role. Alamoti been the standout best junior in the club for many years finally cracks NRL at just 19yrs and he's flicked before he turns 20. @Flanagun is right about Waddell he should have been kept just as he was coming through the other end he's gone.

Should we be classified as a new NRL club with all the player turnover?

We need to stop the constant turnover cycle and allow some form of stability in the playing ranks to emerge.

I'd ask how can you still function after spouting such verbal diarrhoea, but based on your track record we all know the answer

 

[Bazildog]

@Marki Gould was a great coach in the 1990's like Tim Sheens and the late Bob Fulton were great coaches of that era. He was a drawcard in that era for anyone wanting to play under him. He owned the Origin arena the 3 game series was his stage. The game has changed massively since Gould was last a full time coach even when he last coached at Origin it has changed. Fittler's plan to bring Gould as chief advisor it backfired and resigned. Gould is from a different era like Sheens was. Sheens had better success in club land and he was moved on last year.

Penrith saw the writing on the wall. Ivan Cleary said Penrith was dysfunctional when he returned back in late 2018. Cleary had to rip up the 5yr plan and start Penrith all over again. We can't be clinging onto look at Penrith now. It's a different club culture wise, how it's run and mentality wise since 2018. They allowed themselves to go into a freefall in 2019 to be a whole different club by 2020.

The RFM split was always going to happen. They couldn't get him on breach notices or termination. Eventually Gould and another club this time being the Dragons came to an agreement. RFM gets full pay possibly even more for his final two years and still plays football. I reckon both clubs are paying for half his contract. He's the big winner.

We again are paying a good portion of the freight for a player at another club. We are making good habit of this. So many contracted players are willfilly shipped on. Our fans have jumped onto this. Doesn't create loyalty and culture for the jersey.

A lot of our new signings are short-term fixes. We need to break out of this turnover cycle and just build stability. We boast about having a rebuild the two central players to that should have been local juniors Averillo and Alamoti. Averillo at 23 is about to hit the peak years of his career. He will enjoy being backed completely by his coach and settling into the one role. Alamoti been the standout best junior in the club for many years finally cracks NRL at just 19yrs and he's flicked before he turns 20. @Flanagun is right about Waddell he should have been kept just as he was coming through the other end he's gone.

Should we be classified as a new NRL club with all the player turnover?

We need to stop the constant turnover cycle and allow some form of stability in the playing ranks to emerge.

FMD… you and your buddy need to get out more..

 

[The Faz]

Also my dick pics. Don't forget them as being another reason

We love those TD

 

[Shnissss]

‘I wasn’t pushed out’: Faitala-Mariner says controversial Bulldogs exit was his call
[emoji438] The Sydney Morning Herald

Raymond Faitala-Mariner says his decision to leave Canterbury, just 12 months after being appointed club captain, to join St George Illawarra was his alone.

“They weren’t pushing me out the door at all,” Faitala-Mariner said. “It was just this opportunity that arose. I thought about it, spoke to my partner, to my family and parents, [and] they said maybe a change was what I needed. I took their advice and I’m glad I did.

“Now that I was in camp with the Dragons this week, I can see why the change was needed.”

After the best part of a decade at the Bulldogs, and with two years remaining on his contract, Faitala-Mariner opted for a fresh start. The move ended six months of speculation about his future after this masthead revealed he was on the outer at Belmore.

The shift is significant for both parties. Faitala-Mariner will arrive at the Dragons as one of new coach Shane Flanagan’s first recruits, while Canterbury no longer have any players at the club from the top-30 squad they named in 2021.

“I’ve heard that a few times and the boys text me saying, ‘You’re gone! You were the last man standing!’” Faitala-Mariner said in his first interview since changing clubs.

“That’s footy. The club has a vision and they have to do what they need to do to get what they want. If that’s the direction they’re going in, then I’m all for it. I’ve got nothing but respect and love for that club.

“Where I am at in my career, a change was needed for me to hopefully take my game to the next level.

“It does sadden me to leave the club that I really love; Belmore is my second home. It was very hard to say goodbye and leave, but I have to look at the opportunity for myself and my future.

“That’s what I did, I put myself and my family first.

‘“One thing I do wish we had when I was there is a bit of success. Hopefully, they do well this year and in the years to come.

“From the summer I had there, it seems to be heading in that direction. [Coach] Cameron Ciraldo is doing a good job at the joint, culture wise, and the standard he is setting, it’s very elite.

“There’s no malice towards the club from my end.”

Faitala-Mariner’s last season at the Bulldogs was a rocky one. He contracted pneumonia, was hampered by a hamstring injury and, in September, was officially granted permission to speak with other clubs.

The 30-year-old was a notable absentee when pre-season training started in November – “it was just a miscommunication”, he said – as speculation swirled that he was on the outer.

“[Reports were] saying they didn’t want me there, but every time something came out in the media, I’ve always had a conversation with Ciraldo and Gus [Canterbury general manager of football Phil Gould]. They always confirmed with me that it wasn’t true,” said Faitala-Mariner, who missed Friday’s scrimmage against Manly due to a minor hamstring issue.

“I don’t know where it came from. Whenever things were out in the media saying they were shopping me around and whatnot, I would always go to the coach, and Gus would be there at times, and they gave me their word, they said it wasn’t true and didn’t know where it was coming from.

“I took their word for it and that was that. There was nothing more or less, we just carried on with training.

“Going through the tough times has prepared me for this year. It’s made me more resilient, more prepared for whatever comes my way. Nothing can break me.”

There was also debate about whether “RFM” is better suited in the front or back row, a decision that now falls to Flanagan.

Asked if he can get back to the form that resulted in him representing New Zealand and Samoa, Faitala-Mariner said: “I know you hear this a lot, but truly, and I’m saying this wholeheartedly, yes I can.

“Being just in camp with the Dragons for a week has ignited something in me. Being in a place for so long, sometimes you can get comfortable.

“The change was needed for me. Now I’ve stepped out of my home, so to speak, and am out there testing the waters and being exposed and vulnerable, it’s something I needed.

“Being around a place I’m not so familiar with is bringing the best out of me. Being under Shane Flanagan, an experienced premiership-winning coach, with the conversations we’ve already had, gives me a lot of confidence.

“He’s making me feel a priority and when you make a player feel that way, he tells you to jump and you say how high. I would run through a brick wall for a coach like that.”

 

[steeliz]

‘I wasn’t pushed out’: Faitala-Mariner says controversial Bulldogs exit was his call
[emoji438] The Sydney Morning Herald

Raymond Faitala-Mariner says his decision to leave Canterbury, just 12 months after being appointed club captain, to join St George Illawarra was his alone.

“They weren’t pushing me out the door at all,” Faitala-Mariner said. “It was just this opportunity that arose. I thought about it, spoke to my partner, to my family and parents, [and] they said maybe a change was what I needed. I took their advice and I’m glad I did.

“Now that I was in camp with the Dragons this week, I can see why the change was needed.”

After the best part of a decade at the Bulldogs, and with two years remaining on his contract, Faitala-Mariner opted for a fresh start. The move ended six months of speculation about his future after this masthead revealed he was on the outer at Belmore.

The shift is significant for both parties. Faitala-Mariner will arrive at the Dragons as one of new coach Shane Flanagan’s first recruits, while Canterbury no longer have any players at the club from the top-30 squad they named in 2021.

“I’ve heard that a few times and the boys text me saying, ‘You’re gone! You were the last man standing!’” Faitala-Mariner said in his first interview since changing clubs.

“That’s footy. The club has a vision and they have to do what they need to do to get what they want. If that’s the direction they’re going in, then I’m all for it. I’ve got nothing but respect and love for that club.

“Where I am at in my career, a change was needed for me to hopefully take my game to the next level.

“It does sadden me to leave the club that I really love; Belmore is my second home. It was very hard to say goodbye and leave, but I have to look at the opportunity for myself and my future.

“That’s what I did, I put myself and my family first.

‘“One thing I do wish we had when I was there is a bit of success. Hopefully, they do well this year and in the years to come.

“From the summer I had there, it seems to be heading in that direction. [Coach] Cameron Ciraldo is doing a good job at the joint, culture wise, and the standard he is setting, it’s very elite.

“There’s no malice towards the club from my end.”

Faitala-Mariner’s last season at the Bulldogs was a rocky one. He contracted pneumonia, was hampered by a hamstring injury and, in September, was officially granted permission to speak with other clubs.

The 30-year-old was a notable absentee when pre-season training started in November – “it was just a miscommunication”, he said – as speculation swirled that he was on the outer.

“[Reports were] saying they didn’t want me there, but every time something came out in the media, I’ve always had a conversation with Ciraldo and Gus [Canterbury general manager of football Phil Gould]. They always confirmed with me that it wasn’t true,” said Faitala-Mariner, who missed Friday’s scrimmage against Manly due to a minor hamstring issue.

“I don’t know where it came from. Whenever things were out in the media saying they were shopping me around and whatnot, I would always go to the coach, and Gus would be there at times, and they gave me their word, they said it wasn’t true and didn’t know where it was coming from.

“I took their word for it and that was that. There was nothing more or less, we just carried on with training.

“Going through the tough times has prepared me for this year. It’s made me more resilient, more prepared for whatever comes my way. Nothing can break me.”

There was also debate about whether “RFM” is better suited in the front or back row, a decision that now falls to Flanagan.

Asked if he can get back to the form that resulted in him representing New Zealand and Samoa, Faitala-Mariner said: “I know you hear this a lot, but truly, and I’m saying this wholeheartedly, yes I can.

“Being just in camp with the Dragons for a week has ignited something in me. Being in a place for so long, sometimes you can get comfortable.

“The change was needed for me. Now I’ve stepped out of my home, so to speak, and am out there testing the waters and being exposed and vulnerable, it’s something I needed.

“Being around a place I’m not so familiar with is bringing the best out of me. Being under Shane Flanagan, an experienced premiership-winning coach, with the conversations we’ve already had, gives me a lot of confidence.

“He’s making me feel a priority and when you make a player feel that way, he tells you to jump and you say how high. I would run through a brick wall for a coach like that.”

Is this the truth that we have all been waiting to come out?

Or did Gould force him to say all that under duress again?

 

[King Gus]

Is this the truth that we have all been waiting to come out?

Or did Gould force him to say all that under duress again?

Gus put a Gun to his head and made him say all that.
That’s the truth.

 

[steeliz]

Gus put a Gun to his head and made him say all that.
That’s the truth.

@King Gus

I believe you are correct.

#sack Gus

 

[Alan79]

‘I wasn’t pushed out’: Faitala-Mariner says controversial Bulldogs exit was his call
[emoji438] The Sydney Morning Herald

Raymond Faitala-Mariner says his decision to leave Canterbury, just 12 months after being appointed club captain, to join St George Illawarra was his alone.

“They weren’t pushing me out the door at all,” Faitala-Mariner said. “It was just this opportunity that arose. I thought about it, spoke to my partner, to my family and parents, [and] they said maybe a change was what I needed. I took their advice and I’m glad I did.

“Now that I was in camp with the Dragons this week, I can see why the change was needed.”

After the best part of a decade at the Bulldogs, and with two years remaining on his contract, Faitala-Mariner opted for a fresh start. The move ended six months of speculation about his future after this masthead revealed he was on the outer at Belmore.

The shift is significant for both parties. Faitala-Mariner will arrive at the Dragons as one of new coach Shane Flanagan’s first recruits, while Canterbury no longer have any players at the club from the top-30 squad they named in 2021.

“I’ve heard that a few times and the boys text me saying, ‘You’re gone! You were the last man standing!’” Faitala-Mariner said in his first interview since changing clubs.

“That’s footy. The club has a vision and they have to do what they need to do to get what they want. If that’s the direction they’re going in, then I’m all for it. I’ve got nothing but respect and love for that club.

“Where I am at in my career, a change was needed for me to hopefully take my game to the next level.

“It does sadden me to leave the club that I really love; Belmore is my second home. It was very hard to say goodbye and leave, but I have to look at the opportunity for myself and my future.

“That’s what I did, I put myself and my family first.

‘“One thing I do wish we had when I was there is a bit of success. Hopefully, they do well this year and in the years to come.

“From the summer I had there, it seems to be heading in that direction. [Coach] Cameron Ciraldo is doing a good job at the joint, culture wise, and the standard he is setting, it’s very elite.

“There’s no malice towards the club from my end.”

Faitala-Mariner’s last season at the Bulldogs was a rocky one. He contracted pneumonia, was hampered by a hamstring injury and, in September, was officially granted permission to speak with other clubs.

The 30-year-old was a notable absentee when pre-season training started in November – “it was just a miscommunication”, he said – as speculation swirled that he was on the outer.

“[Reports were] saying they didn’t want me there, but every time something came out in the media, I’ve always had a conversation with Ciraldo and Gus [Canterbury general manager of football Phil Gould]. They always confirmed with me that it wasn’t true,” said Faitala-Mariner, who missed Friday’s scrimmage against Manly due to a minor hamstring issue.

“I don’t know where it came from. Whenever things were out in the media saying they were shopping me around and whatnot, I would always go to the coach, and Gus would be there at times, and they gave me their word, they said it wasn’t true and didn’t know where it was coming from.

“I took their word for it and that was that. There was nothing more or less, we just carried on with training.

“Going through the tough times has prepared me for this year. It’s made me more resilient, more prepared for whatever comes my way. Nothing can break me.”

There was also debate about whether “RFM” is better suited in the front or back row, a decision that now falls to Flanagan.

Asked if he can get back to the form that resulted in him representing New Zealand and Samoa, Faitala-Mariner said: “I know you hear this a lot, but truly, and I’m saying this wholeheartedly, yes I can.

“Being just in camp with the Dragons for a week has ignited something in me. Being in a place for so long, sometimes you can get comfortable.

“The change was needed for me. Now I’ve stepped out of my home, so to speak, and am out there testing the waters and being exposed and vulnerable, it’s something I needed.

“Being around a place I’m not so familiar with is bringing the best out of me. Being under Shane Flanagan, an experienced premiership-winning coach, with the conversations we’ve already had, gives me a lot of confidence.

“He’s making me feel a priority and when you make a player feel that way, he tells you to jump and you say how high. I would run through a brick wall for a coach like that.”

Good of him to say he still loves us. But it really was time to move forward elsewhere. Good luck Ray.

I love how the masthead says he first revealed he was on the outer. If it's buzz writing this, it was his mouth that revealed his source and effectively put him on the outer.

 

[Bulldogsteve]

Good of him to say he still loves us. But it really was time to move forward elsewhere. Good luck Ray.

I love how the masthead says he first revealed he was on the outer. If it's buzz writing this, it was his mouth that revealed his source and effectively put him on the outer.

Very classy RFM

 

[D0GMATIC]

Best of luck Ray, thanks for your service

 

[Moey91]

Best of luck Ray, thanks for your service

What service? He barely played and when he did he was error prone. Cya champ

 

[D0GMATIC]

What service? He barely played and when he did he was error prone. Cya champ

10 years at the club, that's definitely decent service.

 

[King Gus]

10 years at the club, that's definitely decent service.

10 years I thought it was 8

 

[D0GMATIC]

10 years I thought it was 8

Might have been, either way,not too bad

 

[1967]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but pretty sure Hasler shafted Lane for RFM, our success, results, and position on the ladder has bombed since all those type of shitty decisions were being made, RFM is the last of them.

Not blaming Ray by any means, but I’m pretty sure he’s the last of that era and the crappy bad luck bad karma that’s been hanging around ever since ..

Here’s to a new era … all onwards and upwards from here out …. bring on the footy ..

 

[2144superman]

‘I wasn’t pushed out’: Faitala-Mariner says controversial Bulldogs exit was his call
[emoji438] The Sydney Morning Herald

Raymond Faitala-Mariner says his decision to leave Canterbury, just 12 months after being appointed club captain, to join St George Illawarra was his alone.

“They weren’t pushing me out the door at all,” Faitala-Mariner said. “It was just this opportunity that arose. I thought about it, spoke to my partner, to my family and parents, [and] they said maybe a change was what I needed. I took their advice and I’m glad I did.

“Now that I was in camp with the Dragons this week, I can see why the change was needed.”

After the best part of a decade at the Bulldogs, and with two years remaining on his contract, Faitala-Mariner opted for a fresh start. The move ended six months of speculation about his future after this masthead revealed he was on the outer at Belmore.

The shift is significant for both parties. Faitala-Mariner will arrive at the Dragons as one of new coach Shane Flanagan’s first recruits, while Canterbury no longer have any players at the club from the top-30 squad they named in 2021.

“I’ve heard that a few times and the boys text me saying, ‘You’re gone! You were the last man standing!’” Faitala-Mariner said in his first interview since changing clubs.

“That’s footy. The club has a vision and they have to do what they need to do to get what they want. If that’s the direction they’re going in, then I’m all for it. I’ve got nothing but respect and love for that club.

“Where I am at in my career, a change was needed for me to hopefully take my game to the next level.

“It does sadden me to leave the club that I really love; Belmore is my second home. It was very hard to say goodbye and leave, but I have to look at the opportunity for myself and my future.

“That’s what I did, I put myself and my family first.

‘“One thing I do wish we had when I was there is a bit of success. Hopefully, they do well this year and in the years to come.

“From the summer I had there, it seems to be heading in that direction. [Coach] Cameron Ciraldo is doing a good job at the joint, culture wise, and the standard he is setting, it’s very elite.

“There’s no malice towards the club from my end.”

Faitala-Mariner’s last season at the Bulldogs was a rocky one. He contracted pneumonia, was hampered by a hamstring injury and, in September, was officially granted permission to speak with other clubs.

The 30-year-old was a notable absentee when pre-season training started in November – “it was just a miscommunication”, he said – as speculation swirled that he was on the outer.

“[Reports were] saying they didn’t want me there, but every time something came out in the media, I’ve always had a conversation with Ciraldo and Gus [Canterbury general manager of football Phil Gould]. They always confirmed with me that it wasn’t true,” said Faitala-Mariner, who missed Friday’s scrimmage against Manly due to a minor hamstring issue.

“I don’t know where it came from. Whenever things were out in the media saying they were shopping me around and whatnot, I would always go to the coach, and Gus would be there at times, and they gave me their word, they said it wasn’t true and didn’t know where it was coming from.

“I took their word for it and that was that. There was nothing more or less, we just carried on with training.

“Going through the tough times has prepared me for this year. It’s made me more resilient, more prepared for whatever comes my way. Nothing can break me.”

There was also debate about whether “RFM” is better suited in the front or back row, a decision that now falls to Flanagan.

Asked if he can get back to the form that resulted in him representing New Zealand and Samoa, Faitala-Mariner said: “I know you hear this a lot, but truly, and I’m saying this wholeheartedly, yes I can.

“Being just in camp with the Dragons for a week has ignited something in me. Being in a place for so long, sometimes you can get comfortable.

“The change was needed for me. Now I’ve stepped out of my home, so to speak, and am out there testing the waters and being exposed and vulnerable, it’s something I needed.

“Being around a place I’m not so familiar with is bringing the best out of me. Being under Shane Flanagan, an experienced premiership-winning coach, with the conversations we’ve already had, gives me a lot of confidence.

“He’s making me feel a priority and when you make a player feel that way, he tells you to jump and you say how high. I would run through a brick wall for a coach like that.”