Murphy was never going to be a starter for the Roosters, even during Origin period. The purpose of him moving over there is for development and to sit under the learning tree of all their current stars and coaching staff. I know it sounds like it defeats the object saying this, but playing Rugby League won't always make you a better player, him playing 25-30 games for Trinity this season wouldn't have been as good for his development as playing 5-10 games in the NSW Cup and being within the Roosters environment.

With Dominic Young, Daniel Tupou, Joseph Sua'ali'i, Mark Nawaranitawase, Junior Pauga, Ethan King, Tyreece Tait and even Joey Manu ahead of you - you have to pray for a miracle to get a chance in that first team.

He has also been injured for a good chunk of the season and the Roosters NSW Cup team hasn't gone so well this season, (currently 12th / 13), so he's doing fine and I wouldn't be worrying about him too much. Although it would be nice to see him back, even just sitting as a spectator in the Roosters squad is beneficial.

But what are they developing him for?! You've just listed loads of players in front of him, they have a conveyor belt of young talent over there, better than him at a similar age level etc, etc. Do you think in a few years he will be a regular starter for them, scoring lots of tries, then maybe scoring the winning try for GB in an Ashes series, then they take the credit for it because they developed his skills?! I hope he does get something out of his experience being there, but like I've said before, I don't get what they get out of it.

I don't understand why you don't understand that.
They see some talent and want to develop it.
No one knows where he'll end up but they are prepared to find out.

By taking him now they get the best chance to develop him rather than an English team ruining him.

Would Dom Young be as good if he hadn't gone to Oz?

What don't I understand?! They want to develop his talent in order to benefit them by playing first grade for years to come, then great, but is he more exceptional than anything they already have at that stage of development? I don't actually know do I, i'm assuming, just like you are in what you say, including that an English team would ruin him?! I've no idea whether Young would have been as good do I?! No-one does, Good luck to Lewis, I hope he does develop over there and further down the line like I've said he'll be starring for England/GB against the Aussies......

You said "I don't get what they get out of it"
I took that as meaning you didn't understand why they would do it.

In terms of whether an English team would ruin him. History tells us that players developing in Oz prove more successful. Both in physique and skills.
They just have more investment than us.

Like Penrith have more players in their pathway programmes than we have playing the game in this country. They won't all be successful. But they are giving them all every chance so they reap the rewards.
I guess they are just including a kid with some success and recommendation who wants to give it a go.

I'm not being critical here but how many players who chose to leave wakefield, despite being looked after by the club have commanded so much attention?
I dont get it - he walked, I'm happy with TJ and LW next season.
Murphy is gone and we surely move on without him, he clearly didnt want to stay with Trinity!

I think the difference here, for me anyway, is that he didn't leave to go to another rival club. He went to a far better league for a chance of a lifetime.
I kinda still think of him as a Wakefield player.

Whereas Tanginoa or Miller went to a rival so they are now just a note in the history book

Fair comment - you're more tolerant than me PT - once they've chosen to go I tend to blank them out .
TJ was a bit different because he committed to our cause, for years, when he too could have walked.

Same as my thinking. Couldn’t care less about Tanginoa etc but Murphy is different. And if we have a clause we’d be silly not to look into it at least.

Murphy went to the NRL because in terms of coaching, competition, environment and payment it's streets ahead - especially at a top club like the Roosters. It's like moving to SL from the championship. Speak to any kid playing RL over here and 99% would fancy a move there. It's a short career and you'd kick yourself later if you didn't give it a go if offered the chance.

It may be it doesn't work out like it didn't for the likes of Mathers, Watkins, Williams etc or he could end up like Young, Whitehead or even Sam Burgess. If Wakey were on the ball they would've negotiated some sort of clause where they get first dibs on him somehow if that doesn't prove a restraint of trade.

Saints bound according to this https://x.com/AaronBower/status/1829532200167215469

Saints bound according to this https://x.com/AaronBower/status/1829532200167215469

Indeed. Good for him though I'm surprised as they just got the other guy from NRL.

Well that’s disappointing as he would have been a good long term signing for a homegrown player too.

I wonder if we did have first option on him on his return or not but he would certainly have been a good addition for the future.

Who knows, maybe we will try jump in and secure his signing yet.

As far as I can tell we still only have two wingers signed next season.

Surprised as I thought we would have been able to sign Murphy up on the same basis as we signed Johnstone?
Therefore easily outbidding any other interested parties… stains have either paid big bucks or we were not prepared to go mad on his wages..