Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[gregjm87]

It looks like we're letting go of Brooks and a few need to come to terms with this information..

💔

Despite being a Brooks supporter and disappointed to see him go Ive come to terms that we may do so.
But that doesn't mean I think Hastings at 7 is any more likely to guide us to the finals.
Doesn't make sense that the same people bagging Brooks for 9 years without finals are saying what a great job Hastings did at 7 in our 1st year to end with a spoon.

 

[BrissieTiger67]

Hastings is far too slow to be an NRL half in our team. The good defences shut him down as he offers little in attack.

Lets be fair though, Hastings had his first season back in NRL this year and he didnt have a long enough stint in the halves to build confidence etc. I'd say what he lacks in speed he can make up for in game management/ kicking and footy knowledge.

 

[WesternSuburbsBoy]

Except for when he Changed momentum in the Souths game we won this year...
With an intercept against play

Then won the game with a field goal.
Except that time.

Saying he can't is rubbish - I've also been a fan a long time, And have seen plenty of times when he has.
His kicking game is a direct result of Forwards getting bashed
- Just like Clearys kicking game is shit in Origin when the forwards getting bashed earlier this year.
- The same as Mitchell Pearces kicking game was shit in Origin when the forwards get bashed.
(2 of the best NRL Halves in the last 10 years)
If you've watched as much footy as you're claiming - You'd know this.

And finally, I could easily put a Highlight reel together of Brooks kicking to and getting results with
quality players (Features quite heavily in Tedescos Tigers highlight reel)
An open minded discussion - On reality... Isn't leaping to anyones' defence.

I don't have to be someones mum

Mate you want to know what clubs like Melbourne & Roosters do when halfbacks have mediocre seasons? (Croft, Flanagan) they get rid of them because that's what good clubs do. They don't sit here making excuses for one player as to why everything goes wrong & how he's not at fault. I'm not saying that the sole of our problems are Brooks fault & Brooks responsibility because that would be unfair & not true, but it's been 9 years & he still hasn't developed into the halfback we expected to him to be & I don't think he's going to do it at the Wests Tigers. There was an immediate difference in the Parramatta & Souths game when Jacko took over the 7 & done majority of the talking & general directing of play which for mine Brooks has shown he's incapable of.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Andrew fifita would be a silly move, I would rather Woods

How silly would it be though.

If we get Klemmer and Joffa we have 60min+ props.
Stefano is a 40min+ prop
Add Twal who can play 80mins
Joffa and Twal could play other forward roles at a pinch (not fulltime but in a game situation)

Fafa in 15-20mins spurts would offer more than Woods from the bench impact wise.

I think often people just look at a name rather than the dynamics of how they would fit into the team rotations.

 

[Curaeus]

Andrew Fifita for 1 year coming off the bench is not a bad outcome at all, he can still do a job…. Not all of the top 30 is gonna be astute signings

Woods however can piss off - left us to drown as our captain and tried taking our best players with him leaving our club in disarray for the last 5 years bc of it… I’ll never ever welcome him back or consider him a tiger after that

Agree the big fella would be great for us for a year or so. Fitness might be an issue having regard to his last few seasons but he could certainly teach our young blokes a lot about toughness and smart forward play. Also think Sheens could get the best out of him.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Lets be fair though, Hastings had his first season back in NRL this year and he didnt have a long enough stint in the halves to build confidence etc. I'd say what he lacks in speed he can make up for in game management/ kicking and footy knowledge.

Look at the comments that the style of footy we will play will be different to the last few seasons. Sheens and Marshall want pace in the halves, so where does the leave Hastings? At 13 where he belongs.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

AD needs to cement his position, make it his own, fight and deliver every week.
We won't win every game but we want the effort, reliability & consistency

I'm not convinced Sheens/Benji sees him as the long-term 5/8th answer.
The talk around us going after Munster & Brown mixed with Laurie at 5/8th suggest otherwise.

He didn't deliver in 22, he is young, we were terrible as a whole and sure coming back from an ACL also had an impact but geez some of his performances were ALOT worse than Brooks.

Lets hope he gets through the RLWC and pre season injury free so we can see the best of him in 23. If we extend him will be interesting as to the length of the deal.

Re Hastings he is the best halfback in the club but his speed is what worries a few around if he can be a halfback. Playing Lock his speed isn't an issue and he can hover in the middle fine. It's lack of punch in his run out wide which he was lacking last year. That could be due to injury though as well he had some repetitive foot issues during the year. I do think he must be resigned though, he is a difference maker on the park which we need.

Can't argue with much of that.

If we found a suitable fullback replacement, I'd like to see Laurie at 6. I don't think he is the long term answer at fullback. He's shown glimpses of ability there but I'd like to see what he can do a pass or two off the ball in the line, he's a slippery fella and he might do a bit more damage with a bit more ball.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

woods would offer more than fafita he is a tackle away from retirement

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

You do realise that statistically Fifita out performed all of our props this season?

I would take A. Fifita over Woods eight days a week. At least you know if his knees hold up on him he'll have a go. Woods is a pre-diabetic oaf who dicked the club as captain. He can worry about his media gig.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Look at the comments that the style of footy we will play will be different to the last few seasons. Sheens and Marshall want pace in the halves, so where does the leave Hastings? At 13 where he belongs.

Might want to find a half that's capable of just being quick then because Brooks lacks the prerequisites outside of pace.

 

[earl]

This is the real issue and many posters don't take it into account when pushing for Hastings at 7 The style of foot you play will dictate the type of player to occupy 6 and 7.

The answer to this one is change your style. We could have a big pack and 2 gun edge back rowers with Hastings and Doueihi being hard to handle and offering good defense because they are big guys.

Madge was criticized for not being able to adapt. I expect the coaching staff to provide a game plan that suits the players we have and wins us games.

 

[BrissieTiger67]

Look at the comments that the style of footy we will play will be different to the last few seasons. Sheens and Marshall want pace in the halves, so where does the leave Hastings? At 13 where he belongs.

Sheens will definitely push an attacking brand as is his style but speed could be translated to faster better decisions, quicker play the ball, more heads up play.

Anyway we'll see what happens, I agree with others douhei and hastings is not a great combo.

 

[batboy]

Mate you want to know what clubs like Melbourne & Roosters do when halfbacks have mediocre seasons? (Croft, Flanagan) they get rid of them because that's what good clubs do. They don't sit here making excuses for one player as to why everything goes wrong & how he's not at fault. I'm not saying that the sole of our problems are Brooks fault & Brooks responsibility because that would be unfair & not true, but it's been 9 years & he still hasn't developed into the halfback we expected to him to be & I don't think he's going to do it at the Wests Tigers. There was an immediate difference in the Parramatta & Souths game when Jacko took over the 7 & done majority of the talking & general directing of play which for mine Brooks has shown he's incapable of.

Are you talking about good teams like the Storm and Roosters, Or are you talking about teams with players who don't know where to stand from a short kick off like the Tigers. Chalk and Cheese.

You're wrong though, Brooks probably is the sole of our problems - He's been a one man band for years now.
He's no where near the level of a Croft or Flanagan (You remember Bellamy was looking to throw money at him last contract yeah) - Might add both those players have played in great, Super successful teams (For most of their existence) Under a successful coach.
When Brooks is playing for the Storm or Roosters - You can compare him to their offcuts,
Until then.. Again, Chalk and Cheese.

 

[earl]

No - But you missed the point, Again.
Hastings nor Doueihi nor Madden did any better with the current side.
I don't expect much more from them next year without significant squad improvement.

Agreed. I hope we run with Hastings 7 and Doueihi 6. Put the pressure on them and see if they perform.

 

[batboy]

Agreed. I hope we run with Hastings 7 and Doueihi 6. Put the pressure on them and see if they perform.

If they don't? - Most here are looking to sign them long term...

 

[LUPO]

Fafita mentioned he signed with dogs.

I Spotted Fafita about a week back at a well known Belmore cafe meeting officials/management. Could well be true

 

[Stevec]

My problem with Kenny is even though he's a good winger he's always injured what we used to call a crock . So If he's does a deal somewhere that's good for him so be it . One position we have plenty of is wingers imo Nofo ,Naden Toa and Kepoa and junior Toupu are all wingers .What we don't have are good centers . Would love if Newcastle that desperate for Brooks we get Klemmer and Bradman Best who was described as unhappy there
A Best /Douehi combo would be a good center pairing

 

[earl]

If they don't? - Most here are looking to sign them long term...

I don't see the need to rush. Doueihi is overpaid and Hastings might be on fair money.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Sheens will definitely push an attacking brand as is his style but speed could be translated to faster better decisions, quicker play the ball, more heads up play.

Anyway we'll see what happens, I agree with others douhei and hastings is not a great combo.

Hastings is viewed as a 13 by Sheens. Hastings has played well at 13 so don't be surprised if Brooks leaves there will be a new 7 and it won't be Hastings.

 

[Don Kershane]

I would take A. Fifita over Woods eight days a week. At least you know if his knees hold up on him he'll have a go. Woods is a pre-diabetic oaf who dicked the club as captain. He can worry about his media gig.

Before considering Fifita I would just ask him one thing-"come over here Andrew and just pop on the scales? "