Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Love_the_WestsTigers]

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.

Right behind you brother !! Well said. (Typed)

 

[SeanT]

He can drop the ball too. As long as he improves his handling I’d be happy.

And when he drops it he quickly jumps on the ball like his life depended on it. Before he dropped the ball then look at his hands while the ball was still live. Fair dinkum. Amateurish

 

[finnzo]

We already paid $250k to get the clown released. How much more do we have to give in extras ?
Bateman is like santa clause, we all know he is coming but we haven’t seen one

Yeah but he doesn’t get the $250 k that goes to his previous club and the club is constantly bragging about how well we are going off the field so why not pay a $250 k transfer fee. We need tough players he’s as tough as they come

 

[Love_the_WestsTigers]

Born in PNG but he's Fijian

I was wondering about the origin and heritage as I only associate the word Bula with Fiji.
Bula Vinaka !

 

[Love_the_WestsTigers]

In fairness to our backs i think a few of them are going to surprise us with a forward pack that can hold its own. When you pack is dominated every week and your backs are just defending or on the back foot its hard.
Once our forwards get the go forward I think players like Naden and TT will start to makes some breaks and Laurie / Stains will shine.

Hopefully we get an Xmas announcement today but if not Happy Xmas to everyone and have a happy and safe break.

I don’t want to drop the B word but I feel like he will perform better behind the pack we have for 2023.
There are a lot of positives, at least on paper anyway.

 

[Love_the_WestsTigers]

Yeah but he doesn’t get the $250 k that goes to his previous club and the club is constantly bragging about how well we are going off the field so why not pay a $250 k transfer fee. We need tough players he’s as tough as they come

I’m well aware he doesn’t get a cent from that $250k. But I also believe paying the release fee should add kudos towards the club.
It’s good to be wanted.

On the point of the actual signing, I’m all for it. And I agree with you, we need tough players and he is as tough as they come.

 

[SeanT]

I don’t want to drop the B word but I feel like he will perform better behind the pack we have for 2023.
There are a lot of positives, at least on paper anyway.

Let's hope someone can grubber to the in goal consistently. Don't care who.

 

[supercoach]

When you come last you need to recruit a few players who are hard as nails and absolutely hate losin . Bateman fits that mould, although four years is at least one year to long..but what’s a contract these days

 

[liltiger]

Sure, I will kick it off.
Merry Christmas all.

Merry Christmas

 

[Telltails]

When you come last you need to recruit a few players who are hard as nails and absolutely hate losin . Bateman fits that mould, although four years is at least one year to long..but what’s a contract these days

He hasn't fulfilled his last two - that we do know.
If he delivers great - big rep so there will be plenty sweating on him.

 

[Buttface]

I know a guy who follows the Panthers very closely. He even finds out what's happening at training, who is doing what etc. He tells me Laurie and Staines were equal in the pace department when Laurie was there. Staines isn't anywhere near as quick as people think.

He also said Staines is a better fullback and his ball playing is very good.

I think it will be a very tight call who they pick in the 1.

I lived at Penrith for a while (thanks for your condolences), and I know a fanatic who reckons Staines is a very good FB, better than Laurie, and reckons he will own the FB spot by years end, and that I will be very happy coz he knows I am sick of these manufactured FB’s. He agrees with me when I say Staines to FB and Loz to 5/8 coz he knows I loved Benji and reckons Loz is similar to Benji when at 5/8. I am hoping this is the case. Then Douy, he does deserve a healthy crack at 5/8 but he’s a centre, and when he finally decides to own it I reckon he will be a gun. And all of that equals a better Tigers team.

 

[the_third]

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

ellis says hi

 

[Masterton]

ellis says hi

I guess that's why he said 10 years.

 

[Buttface]

ellis says hi

Wasn’t Ellis 10 years ago???

 

[happy_tiger]

ellis says hi

And so would Matterson ...we hate him ..but he was good

 

[Dennisspicer1]

A Merry Xmas & And a Happy New Year to all.

 

[Tiger_claws]

I lived at Penrith for a while (thanks for your condolences), and I know a fanatic who reckons Staines is a very good FB, better than Laurie, and reckons he will own the FB spot by years end, and that I will be very happy coz he knows I am sick of these manufactured FB’s. He agrees with me when I say Staines to FB and Loz to 5/8 coz he knows I loved Benji and reckons Loz is similar to Benji when at 5/8. I am hoping this is the case. Then Douy, he does deserve a healthy crack at 5/8 but he’s a centre, and when he finally decides to own it I reckon he will be a gun. And all of that equals a better Tigers team.

I watched plenty of Daine in the junior reps playing 6. I have always felt that is his position. But he isn’t anything near Benji.

 

[crazycat]

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.

100% agreed here and that is my point. We have 2 halves in Brooks and AD... Plus Laurie could play 5/8.
No need for "depth" signing that is going to take up cap space and have potential recruits think they are NR #4 instead of NR #3.

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

Bateman is 29, 4 years means he is playing till he is 33.
Gallen retired at 38, which is super rare. Brett Hodgson I think was still playing in Britain at 37, but really 33/34 is the cutoff.

Yet I am reminded that Manly was trying to offload Marty Taupau at one point last year. Marty is 32 now, 32. He is still having massive impact on the line and still honestly cleaning up as a first grader. I suspect at 34, Taupau will still be pretty effective...

Bateman? ??
I have NO IDEA! I totally agree Merlot in his 3rd and 4th year he is a massive risk. My prediction is that British club will poach him, regardless of form.

 

[Buttface]

I watched plenty of Daine in the junior reps playing 6. I have always felt that is his position. But he isn’t anything near Benji.

No one will be, but he might be that 5/8 with flair that suits an attacking side with a good balance. What’s his kicking game from 5/8?
Still luv ya Benj

 

[crazycat]

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

To quote stevied above your post "what choice do we have"?

We have a few:

Take Geriatrics at 34-35. I think this can work, we just have to plan for it. It clearly did not work with Tamou and IMHO he should have had more mileage in him (if he performs for the Cows, then it's us). Cronulla can build players past 33. We cannot do this now, clearly we cannot train people up.

Offer high amounts for fewer years. (I could see this working well for say David Nofo, 2 years at 600k is better then 5 on 500k IMHO.). Problem is you could then be left with a performer who is paid way too much. (i.e. someone on 600k who only delivers 400k worth of value... i.e. Moses Mbye 750k doing a 250k job each week).

Wink wink nudge nudge, offer a 6 year contract and hire as performance coach after year 2 Josh Jackson style.

My personal option is to go more Api Koroisau style or like what Newcastle did with Klemmer/Tyson Frizzel. Offer a big money contract for a player that is a guaranteed start for first grade each week. Yes this hasn't been perfect for them, but:

Klemmer/Frizzel has started in first grade each time. Our Reynolds/Mbye/Leulia/etc have not.