Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[WT2K]

Imagine klemmer and woods back together

It's happening as I understand it (woods returning)

 

[851]

Now Madge has joined the Raiders as a Senior Consultant alongside Ricky, is there any chance he'll try and entice our players their way?

I hope so, I will draw him up a list of players I will personally drop off at training for him

 

[Wests🐅]

I wouldn't worry, with sheens overseas, Pascoe is back in charge.

🤣

 

[Newtown]

Now Madge has joined the Raiders as a Senior Consultant alongside Ricky, is there any chance he'll try and entice our players their way?

NO

 

[Fainu Brothers]

It's happening as I understand it (woods returning)

Yuk, the way he betrayed the club as captain, doing a tour of the Bulldogs and encouraging Tedesco and Moses to go there he should never be welcome back, plus he is well past his best

 

[tigerap]

Now Madge has joined the Raiders as a Senior Consultant alongside Ricky, is there any chance he'll try and entice our players their way?

I hope so…..all the players he signed…… starting with Ken M

 

[king_sirro]

Brooks has done the right thing by the club in letting them know he is intending to sign with Newcastle a couple of weeks prior to November 1st.

Happy enough if he and the club come to an agreement prior, but the most important thing is it is opening up opportunities for the club to plan in the coming fortnight if separating.

Whether Sheens or anyone else is overseas or not, isn't really relevant in this day and age.

Exactly. It's a classy move by Brooks giving the club such notice. The way he holds himself amidst the constant media attention is remarkable.

It will be very interesting to see what direction we go in now. Personally I would commit to Hastings at 7 and play a bigger pack, but I don't see Sheens doing that. I think he will still play Hastings at lock and use 2 5/8's in Doueihi and Laurie. Sheens loves the idea of changing the game and this will be his attempt at it.

 

[Leck]

Musgrove's gone and Tim's in the UK, hope he's talking to this guy -

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

A few have a Madge clause as I understand it

Thought that was debunked by both Lee and Sheens when some journos said a few players might have clauses in their contracts when Madge was punted.

 

[tiger_one]

Musgrove's gone and Tim's in the UK, hope he's talking to this guy -

And we need a big bopper!

 

[BAGNF05]

I applaud the work on juniors so what year are these talented kids likely to help us make the NRL finals ? and that's if another club doesn't grab them just as they are about to hit the big time. Raiders just plundered 5 gun Dragons juniors
What most fans want is top8 in 23 !!

100%. I don’t get thrills out of watching our juniors win major trophies and captain their country if they’re playing elsewhere.

 

[BAGNF05]

Release of Musgrove sees the current middle options for ‘23 as - Stefano Utoikamanu, Joe Ofahengaue, Alex Twal, Fonua Pole, Shawn Blore, Tuki Simpkins, Sione Fainu, Alex Seyfarth + Rua Ngatikaura. Teenagers Justin Matamua, Chris Fa’agutu & Jordan Miller also coming through.

Early days but WT have been able to retain the core group of juniors it wanted to build around moving forward (Miller, Da Silva etc) while also hitting on each release so far since the new football department came together.

Adding a Bateman + Klemmer/Brown/Leniu + a fit Blore + Ice would really change the intensity and attitude of the pack. Wouldn’t hurt adding some older, experienced heads with something left in the tank given how young and inexperienced the side is and will continue to get in '23/'24.

Think his best football is behind him and wouldn’t expect any Dally M season repeats, if WT can lower the transfer fee for Bateman, think he could do a lot for this squad for a couple of years. A lot of forwards who are passive in nature and lack an edge and superb experience.

Another one who could come into contention next year is Tuki. Tuki didn’t fit any criteria for what Madge wanted out of his forwards, someone with the ability to offload 2/3/4 times a game would be right up Sheens' alley.

The transfer fee is not included in the cap. If Pascoe is the financial wizz people claim he is a sponsor should cover that with ease.

 

[Stevec]

So if Brooks signs elsewhere for 2024 its better to release him now ? I can't come up with 17 quality experienced 1st graders out of our fast diminishing roster . Take out Brooks ,Musgrove , and say Peachy , Gildardt and Maumalo and what are we down to ?
Note Douehi and Hastings only signed for 2023 like Brooks so what if they sign elsewhere for 2024 in November do we release them too ?
I must admit if we have to pick up zero of Brooks $1mill+ for 2023 that's a big plus .Surely we don't say to Newcastle of course you can have him for next year and we'll pay a part of his wages .?
Please don't fill up our roster with reserve grade players or Juniors that are aren't ready for NRL yet

 

[Telltails]

WHY!

Because he is one of the few players in the backs that is capable of playing FG and possibly in more than one position. We have no depth in our backs in the club - only a couple of injuries away from having to field a substandard team - while we wait for the emergence of the young breed of players who potentially will transition into FG.
And the options available prepared to play for the club are extremely limited so it would be wise to retain the best ones we have who want to play for the club - instead focussing on ones that don't

 

[BAGNF05]

Situation with Brooks has taken a turn in the last couple days, with his management informing the club he intends to sign with Knights from 2024 after November 1. Clearly a move to make things happen earlier in 2023. Some at the club believe this could be a move to get an official extension presented. Fast moving situation, expected to come to a head in the week.

Should be noted Sheens want's to keep Brooks & is keen to coach him, but obviously if he signs for 2024 best off releasing him now.

I think he wants out and don’t blame him. If he was playing the club for more money, punt him.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Exactly. It's a classy move by Brooks giving the club such notice. The way he holds himself amidst the constant media attention is remarkable.

It will be very interesting to see what direction we go in now. Personally I would commit to Hastings at 7 and play a bigger pack, but I don't see Sheens doing that. I think he will still play Hastings at lock and use 2 5/8's in Doueihi and Laurie. Sheens loves the idea of changing the game and this will be his attempt at it.

Good post. I have a high regard for George Williams and thought he had a difficult time off-field at the Raiders. He'd be a good option moving forward for WTs. Hopefully Sheens will sound him out while in the UK.

Brooks has a family to look after and no doubt his was a factor in his decision. Good luck to him at the Knights in 24.

 

[BAGNF05]

I believe a deal will be done, but expected to see what's out there 1st. Nothing to report from UK so far. Brandon Mansfield I believe has actually been offered a 2 year top 30 deal.

Another proven winner at first grade level 😤

 

[BAGNF05]

Danny Levi is off to the Raiders, Rua will get his shot. Nu Brown I don't expect to be at the club, his management came to us twice for a upgrade on the contract he was offered & the club wouldn't budge. If Brooks leave I see Hastings going to 7, but Sheens thinks he's an outright 13.

Benji to 7 😂

 

[TigersFan101]

TikTok - Make Your Day

 

[Curaeus]

Have no problem letting Brooks go a year early but only if we do not offer any cash subsidy as part of the deal. If Newcastle want him in '23, they can pay his full contract entitlement or wait another year to get him up there. Sick of paying guys to play against us.