Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Leck]

He doesn't look Arab to me.

I'll cop it here but I'm not meaning to be offensive. I have Lebanese relatives and they are Arab. I also have friends form the gym who are Lebanese but I don't think they are Arab.

I thought one of my friends was Greek and another Lebanese told me that was highly offensive because they hate Greeks. The same guy told me the Arabs ruined Lebanon.

If I'm wrong happy to be corrected.

Technically the word Arab refers to the culture and the spoken language 'Arabic'. Today it includes 22 countries that are connected culturally and linguistically.

Facts about Arabs and the Arab World - ADC

Who is an Arab? "Arab" is a cultural and linguistic term. It refers to those who speak Arabic as their first language. Arabs are united by culture and by history. Arabs are not a race. Some have blue eyes and red hair; others are dark skinned; many are somewhere in between. Most Arabs are Muslims

www.adc.org

 

[JRDee]

Newcastle and Wests Tigers are in deep discussions about an immediate potential player swap involving stars Jackson Hastings and David Klemmer.

The Knights are keen on landing Hastings after identifying the former Man of Steel to be their long-term no.7.

While the Tigers have been in talks about signing Klemmer since October. Now the two clubs are in negotiations about how they can make the respective deals work for both parties.

Newcastle originally set their eyes on securing another Wests Tigers half in Luke Brooks. But the Knights have since had a change of heart and view the competitive and on-ball nature of Hastings’ style of play as a perfect complement should they go ahead with plans to switch Kalyn Ponga into the halves.

The Ponga/Hastings combination with Jayden Brailey at hooker looms as a massive upgrade on what Newcastle fielded this year after they failed to replace Mitchell Pearce in the off-season. Brailey and Ponga also dealt with long-term injuries.

The Tigers have made it clear they don’t view Hastings as a half with the club wanting to play him at lock despite their two best performances of the season – wins against Parramatta and South Sydney – coming with Hastings wearing no.7. Three of the four Tigers wins came with Hastings at halfback.

Newcastle have long been reluctant to cut Klemmer free from the final year of his deal – which is worth about $850,000. But such is their need for a genuine half they would be willing to allow Klemmer to take up a multi-year contract at the Tigers if it means they can secure Hastings.

Newcastle are still well serviced up front with the likes of Origin duo Jacob/Daniel Saifiti plus new recruits Jack Hetherington and Adam Elliott.

Given the desire to partner Brooks and Adam Doueihi in the halves and the Tigers willingness to chase the likes of Cameron Munster and Mitchell Moses, Hastings long-term future at the Tigers is uncertain. He has one year left on his deal.

The Tigers are building a world class forward pack. They have already signed representative duo Api Koroisau and Isaiah Papali’i and are now close to landing Klemmer and Englishman John Batmen. It is understood Bateman’s partner – who he met in Canberra – has returned to Australia with their young child. Bateman fell out with the Raiders in his final season at the club in 2020. He is only halfway through a four year deal at Wigan. The Tigers already have the likes of Stefano Utoikamanu, Joe Ofahengaue, Shawn Blore and Alex Twal already on their books.

Klemmer is still only 28 and needs just six games to play 200 first grade matches.

The swap would be the second one for the Tigers after letting Tyrone Peachey go to Penrith in exchange for Charlie Staines.

The story also says we have a glut of play makers , has he ever watched any of our games ?????

 

[AL The Tiger]

Sheens obviously think he can coach him. Does a coach have any influence on a player?

Just like the four previous coaches thought they could coach him as well? Where did that lead us? It's a failed experiment and it's time to admit it. Brooks and the Tigers time is done. Finished. We haven't finished in the top half of the table in the 10 years since he's been here as our halfback.

 

[tony soprano]

Just like the four previous coaches thought they could coach him as well? Where did that lead us? It's a failed experiment and it's time to admit it. Brooks and the Tigers time is done. Finished. We haven't finished in the top half of the table in the 10 years since he's been here as our halfback.

Dude don't make me say the daily m stat.

 

[1eyedmel]

Sheens obviously think he can coach him. Does a coach have any influence on a player?

No coach is going to change Luke Brooks. If we go ahead with the swap deal and lose Hastings and have Brooks and Doueihi as our halves pairing next year we can safely say that we will collect the spoon again. Another extremely dumb decision by this club.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Lot of pressure on Api to direct the team if this happens because Brooks and AD cant.

With that forward pack we will be bringing Moses home to partner brooks

 

[gregjm87]

How can they afford him really.. They must work under the Roosters and Dogs salary cap system.
IF true it will not help Sheen's and his reputation as his still yet to announce a top line player with all this money

They've lost Fifita's 800k and Graham's new contract would have been greatly reduced. Add in salary cap increase they shouldnt have any cap pressure.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Brooks has speed. What's that done for us?

he hasn't had a coach since cleary left , when cleary was well we all know what award he won

 

[Coastie_Tiger]

Not sure who'd be the 13 replacement

Brown i would guess, til the youngster is ready

 

[Halbrowne61]

Technically the word Arab refers to the culture and the spoken language 'Arabic'. Today it includes 22 countries that are connected culturally and linguistically.

Facts about Arabs and the Arab World - ADC

Who is an Arab? "Arab" is a cultural and linguistic term. It refers to those who speak Arabic as their first language. Arabs are united by culture and by history. Arabs are not a race. Some have blue eyes and red hair; others are dark skinned; many are somewhere in between. Most Arabs are Muslims

www.adc.org

Very interesting, thanks for that information as it clarifies some things for me.

 

[thegbone]

I’m just gunna say it

Hastings ain’t as good as our fans make him out to be

 

[hobbo1]

With that forward pack we will be bringing Moses home to partner brooks

Great … a pissant and a midget

 

[getagrip]

Yeah. It's happy days for the players that's for sure. Factoring in the cap increase all players especially those with some match winning talent will get a decent bump.

I think with cap increase 750k is probably a better ball park figure for him mixed in with traditional rep/final/match win bonuses.

The other thing to factor here is agent fees. Clubs will also be aware of this. AD is representing himself. So the take home figure is going to be of focus over the total package which normally includes mgmt fees.

Unfortunately, the cap increase may be just an avenue for the greedy, overrated players to command increases not commensurate with their ability.

 

[sleeve]

Doueihi set to manage himself​

Wests Tigers playmaker Adam Doueihi is taking over his own management and has placed a hefty price tag on his services.

Doueihi has been selling himself as a No.7 or No.6 to a rival club and is after a three-year deal worth at least $900,000 a season. I’ve been told by those with knowledge of the situation he wants a minimum of $850,000 for the first season, with his price going up in future years.

With a dearth of quality No.7s in the competition, it’s a good tactic, but it remains to be seen if a club will go for that price. He is a quality player, but has had knee issues in the past. Even with healthy legs, he is going to need a breakout season to reach that level of income.

There are about half-a-dozen $1 million halves in the NRL, headed by Nathan Cleary, Cameron Munster and Daly Cherry-Evans, but Doueihi is not in that class.

The Tigers’ roster is better than it has been and if he can cash in on good service from the likes of Api Koroisau, Jackson Hastings and maybe Luke Brooks he may mount a case for an upgrade.

‘I’d do it all again tomorrow’: The real reason Young quit Dragons role

Craig Young has hit back at suggestions he was forced out as chairman because of his reference for Brett Finch using the club’s letterhead.

www.smh.com.au

What rubbish, $900,000 a season, if his ability matched the size of his head maybe $500,000.
When do slow centres, useless fullbacks, and sometime 5/8 command anywhwere near this money. Release him, he will be lucky to get any contract.

 

[Tigerwould]

If Hastings does go..it would be interesting to see who plays 13. We are are left with Brooks and A.D in the halves… the 13 will have to be able to do some ball playing

 

[Coastie_Tiger]

I’m just gunna say it

Hastings ain’t as good as our fans make him out to be

Im gunna say it, its a very low bar.

 

[Kaito]

17 clubs actively recruiting & trading
players yet we're the only ones the
media talks about for weeks, the
wooden spooners. Makes you think.
Both Brooks & Hastings are signed for
Next year, makes you think what or who
is behind all this. Seems more than
just agitation going on behind the scenes.
I don't believe that Doueihi story for one sec
We let Jock go and don't have a half
Replacement. Why would we release

 

[Rusty]

If Hastings does go..it would be interesting to see who plays 13. We are are left with Brooks and A.D in the halves… the 13 will have to be able to do some ball playing

Bateman, I reckon...

 

[Telltails]

I’m just gunna say it

Hastings ain’t as good as our fans make him out to be

The same could be said for Brooks fans. If they can't both play half it should come down to which player is the most valuable to the team moving forward and clearly Sheens opinion in the long run is going to be the only one that matters.