Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Buttface]

i dont think i did,Bateman for 4 years is madness

I thought 4 years would be too long but he’s 29 born 30/Sept that makes him 32 in his last season 33 after we win the gf that year. My biggest problem is; can he play at the level required till then, will he make the run-on side in the gf in his last year?
I suppose we might be paying overs for that last year to get the tough experience we need right now.
Otherwise here’s a pen John.

 

[sleeve]

Will smith is on a train and trial. I hardly even count it as a signing.

I agree. We could do with another half. But we do have brooks, doueigh and Laurie. I would be biding our time and trying to lock in a top shelf one, like Sheens and benji are trying to do.

Until then, we play the cheap, diamond in the rough game. Like Nu Brown last year.

Common sense signing, low cost, short term, covers 1,6,7,and 9. All 3 mentioned in the halves have as yet, not set the world on fire. We don,t know how Brooks will go with a better pack, and both AD and Laurie appear to be manufactured halves, with a lot of queries on their games. Smith is no world beater, but either are the others. His signing weather successfull or not will not harm us.

 

[the_third]

There's no way he's 5'11", I'd say more 5'8", he's not very tall.

Brooks will tower over him if he's 5'8"

 

[hank37w]

Hopefully there won't be too many problems with passing the ball to him.

 

[Tigers_Wests]

Bateman is an international, aggressive on-field and a competitor. I am pleased the club has signed him and believe he will be a good buy for WTs. His experience will be excellent for our young players including how to prepare for an NRL game. I cannot see a downside in his signing.

Agreed. I think he is an excellent signing to complement the pack. Tumeth and Kautoga in particular can hopefully learn a lot from him. If they prove in the coming years that they are good enough for NRL, Sheens (and I'm sure Benji) will find them a spot. Sheens is always willing to give a young guy a go if good enough. I reckon if Kautoga makes it, his first couple of years will be impact off the bench anyway (more than Noddy's 3 minutes).

 

[Demps]

It's a life changing decision to relocate to Australia. I can understand Bateman and his family wanting tenure. I also believe getting players from the one stable and agreeing to reasonable terms for one player may open the door to other players from the same manager. There is a need to be pragmatic in our approach to recruitment, an area we have previously struggled with.

Isn't his Mrs from Australia?

He's done it before, he can do it again....
He'll be a part of something special @ the Wests Tigers 🔥

 

[twentyforty]

Can’t believe the negative nancys on here. Probably our best recrruitment drive in years. If we sign Bateman the sky is falling and if we miss out on Bateman the sky is falling. People really think the wooden spooner from last year isnt going to pay overs or give players longer contracts to get them here. Some common sense people !!!

I think posters may be a little surprised or expecting something different. All the talk about us becoming a development club may have conjured an image of youthful star recruits. But we seem to be signing the over 29yo players?
Recruitment was never going to be easy, regardless of who our coach was.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Isn't his Mrs from Australia?

He's done it before, he can do it again....
He'll be a part of something special @ the Wests Tigers 🔥

Yes I read that his wife is from Canberra. Still, selling your home and moving to the other side of the world is a big decision which may in turn be a permanent relocation.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

The question to be asked is will Bateman and our other recruits improve our team? The answer is yes significantly.

 

[Goldust]

The question to be asked is will Bateman and our other recruits improve our team? The answer is yes significantly.

Definitely.
I’m amazed how many people/media outlets are already writing our season off ,it’s a completely different team,all the way down to the coaching staff.
We’ve signed arguably the best 9 and Backrower in the game,a top class Prop and managed to ship off a lot of the players who contributed to our Spoon.
I’m probably more optimistic than most ,but I reckon if our injuries are kept to a minimum we can push for the 8

 

[bptiger 0]

Can’t believe the negative nancys on here. Probably our best recrruitment drive in years. If we sign Bateman the sky is falling and if we miss out on Bateman the sky is falling. People really think the wooden spooner from last year isnt going to pay overs or give players longer contracts to get them here. Some common sense people !!!

Ur 100% correct tiger power , our club has been crap over the last 10 years or so , so now under sheens and the rest we seem to have a plan, yes it means bringing players in who may have left us or maybe getting longer contracts than fans think they should , but for gods sake remember we got the WOODEN SPOON last year , so u have to start some where , so please hold ur hate at least untill sheens and co have a chance to bring it all together . Have a great Xmas and a great new year all

 

[Magpies1969]

WT have seriously recruited well
The forwards needed a serious upgrade and they have addressed this issue.

 

[Telltails]

Api is the key signing for me. He is dual premiership winner and I hope he can set some standards on the field. We have a culture of folding when the going gets tough and some players who have only ever known losing and have become accustomed to it. On paper any thing can sound good while no footy is being played.

 

[sleeve]

Definitely.
I’m amazed how many people/media outlets are already writing our season off ,it’s a completely different team,all the way down to the coaching staff.
We’ve signed arguably the best 9 and Backrower in the game,a top class Prop and managed to ship off a lot of the players who contributed to our Spoon.
I’m probably more optimistic than most ,but I reckon if our injuries are kept to a minimum we can push for the 8

I like your optimism, but that's a huge jump. I think the halves will improve, , but not enough.
Fullback is 50/50 as to what Stains or Laurie can achieve, and our outside backs lack a game breaker. By the end of next year, we need at least 2 or 3 of our outside backs coming through from the young brigade. We will have massive dollars to shop with, and i am confident that we are constantly searching for key players, and will sign at least 3 for 2024. Then the top 8 is a big chance.

 

[versa]

Unbelievable some supporters on here.
Our recruitment has been the best in years. If somesone said youll have
Klemmer
Api
Papali
Bateman in the team in 23 you wouldve taken in a heartbeat. All about length of contracts is irrelevant. We came last and last by a long way. We're a club that needs to change and change quickly and i feel we have and massively. Any other top line signing we get from here on will only push us up the ladder. Be positive i am sure we finally make the 8 in 23

 

[diedpretty]

Didn't Crichton knock us back a couple of years ago, he will go to the dogs for sure.

Yea - could be just a smokey from us to push his price up and make it harder for them to get MM as well.

 

[Goldust]

I like your optimism, but that's a huge jump. I think the halves will improve, , but not enough.
Fullback is 50/50 as to what Stains or Laurie can achieve, and our outside backs lack a game breaker. By the end of next year, we need at least 2 or 3 of our outside backs coming through from the young brigade. We will have massive dollars to shop with, and i am confident that we are constantly searching for key players, and will sign at least 3 for 2024. Then the top 8 is a big chance.

Fullback is a huge concern.
I’d really like Laurie to start returning the ball with a bit more fire and look for a quick play the ball.
Even now I still have no idea what our backline will be come round 1,we desperately need to find some consistency.
Most of our outside backs are centre/wingers need specialists .

 

[Telltails]

I just see Bateman as a mercenary. Screwed Canberra and hasn't done much since a stellar 2019 and has been trading off that since.
So over being sponged by players who see a pay day. Reportedly 4 years why? Any other club chasing him for his signature that we are competing against?
If he is coming hope what we are hearing is very different to the reality - paying 200k just to get him out of deal in itself - he has a lot to live up to.

 

[Telltails]

And yet he’s a massive upgrade on any back rower we’ve had play for us in the last 10 years - I’ll take it

We will see.

 

[Schooner hands]

I spoke to Jesse Ramiens cousin yesterday (I work with him). He said it’s highly unlikely he will leave the sharks and that they are just gauging what the $$$$ is with teams in need of an established centre. Pretty straight forward negotiation practice tbh.
I highly doubt we would pay overs