Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[jadtiger]

At least now our junior forwards should not be forced into FG too early and will get the opportunity to develop their skills first

 

[upthetigers]

I've reached the point that I just want to win I don't have to like every player lol

 

[jadtiger]

I've reached the point that I just want to win I don't have to like every player lol

Moses has not won a comp for anyone and he never will

 

[balmain boy]

I if I was the tigers and I had the option of signing Moses or rts I would choose rts he would be on a much cheaper deal which would allow us to strengthen other positions in the backline

You do realise RTS would demand a million to come playe for us, right?

 

[SeanT]

You do realise RTS would demand a million to come playe for us, right?

If he's 30 not sure about that.

 

[Champ1]

Ha how naive and simple-minded

Great response. Clearly showing more of your “character “

 

[TonyTiger]

Nathan Brown won't be joining the WT.

Awesome, he’s an angry lightweight fake - we have more promising juniors than him.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

After spending $2.5m up front, Tigers turn to their backline

Dan Walsh SMH
December 27, 2022 — 3.55pm

KEY POINTS
▪️John Bateman was the “main domino to fall” in Tigers’ forward pack revamp
▪️An outside back will be targeted to fill the club’s final roster position
▪️Contract discussions with Luke Brooks and Adam Doueihi will begin in the new year

After eighteen months in the NRL’s volatile player market, around $2.5 million in contracts and endless innuendo, December 24 delivered Tim Sheens the Christmas gift he’d been waiting for.

English international John Bateman completed a Wests Tigers forward pack he no longer wants to tinker with.

Sheens described Bateman’s four-year deal, secured with a reported $250,000 transfer fee from Wigan and announced late on Boxing Day, as “the main domino I wanted to fall.”

At 29, Bateman brings more than 200 Super League and NRL games worth of experience as well as 25 Tests for England and Great Britain.

Between he and fellow signings David Klemmer, Api Koroisau and Isaiah Papali’i, the Tigers have added more than 800 games of NRL, Origin and Test experience to a forward contingent badly exposed by injury en route to a 2022 wooden spoon.

The recruitment drive started under Michael Maguire and delivered Koroisau and Papali’i last summer on $600,000-plus per annum.

The latter wavered and looked to stay at Parramatta before Klemmer and Bateman were secured through unconventional negotiations. The Tigers now turn to their backline and playmakers to build upon a vastly improved pack.

“We’ve got some quality forwards now and guys you can genuinely play behind, with grunt and go forward,” Sheens said of his revamped forwards.

“We’ve got one more position to fill in our top 30 and we’ve got a couple of ideas with that.

“John was the main domino I wanted to fall. Now we’ve got him in our forwards we’re looking at the backline and who could be added there.

“The experience of these guys we’ve signed like Klem and John, that’s the real attraction.

“That experience and quality makes a difference given we had issues with depth and injuries to key forwards this year.”

The Tigers’ recruited quartet will be called on to mentor a raft of rising young forwards led by Stefano Utoikamanu and Shawn Blore as they return from lengthy injury lay-offs, with Joe Ofahengaue, Alex Twal and Fonua Pole other regular NRL options.

Half-turned-lock Jackson Hastings and veteran skipper James Tamou have led a Tigers exodus that has also included back-rowers Luke Garner, Kelma Tuilagi, Zane Musgrove, Jacob Liddle and Tyrone Peachey.

John Bateman’s stint at Canberra combined quality and controversy alike.
John Bateman’s stint at Canberra combined quality and controversy alike.

Sheens added that Bateman is an option at lock as well as in an edge partnership with Kiwi international Papali’i.

The veteran coach holds no concern over the four-year deal that will see Bateman turn 33 by its completion in 2026, pointing to Dale Finucane’s impact at Cronulla this year after signing on the same terms at the same age.

While mindful of an ever-shifting market, bringing Nathan Brown back from Parramatta takes a back seat given the Tigers options up front.

Sheens says returning Tigers duo like fresh recruits
Sheens would not be drawn on interest in former Tiger and Eels lynchpin Mitchell Moses after meeting with him in the UK, and said attention eventually turns to who calls the shots long-term behind his new forwards when training resumes on January 5.

Halves Luke Brooks and Adam Doueihi are both off-contract and have never had a Tigers pack of this quality in front of them.

“Brooksy’s been in rehab with a bit of a calf injury and Adam returns next week as planned,” Sheens said.

“I have spoken to the players and they know that the plan is to have those [contract] conversations in the New Year.

“How far into the New Year, we’ll wait and see, but right now the focus is on this team we’re building now for 2023 because we have to get some results right here, right now.

So RTS is the outside back being sought?

 

[Odessa]

Dudes, it's a football game.

I want to see guy kick the ball. Guy pick up the ball. Guy score the ball.

The refereeing sucks. We were dudded, we are going to yell at the ref and Gordon Tallis next game when we see them!

I am always baffled at how serious our Sport we watch for fun is... and how trivial our serious stuff is now! We need to do what the WWE would do, go to court, have the Judge removed his wig and be revealed to be Wally Lewis with Blocker Roach as the defence and Tim Brasher as the Attack. They all jump out, run to the field and help us win the next game because the ref stuffed the last one.

Cmon who doesn't want to see that?

Mate no offence but did you take something before posting this

The judge Wally Lewis Blocker Roach and Tim Brasher

Lilke I said maybe post of the year

 

[Camel2281]

Did we only sign Staines for one year ? If so, any idea as to why ?

So we could get rid of Peachey

 

[Odessa]

Question who are the half's in the top 30 squad Brooks A.D Smith Laurie who else ?

 

[clontarfkid]

If he's 30 not sure about that.

He will want a 4 yr contract,so may accept a little less

 

[tigerap]

Heard anything about another pom joining us @tigerap ?

No news on that front, but see how things pan out Jan/Feb….Benji and Sheens are exploring a few interesting options… this will be our best recruitment drive since Pascoe came on board… sheens desperate to set Benji up with a winning side

 

[Cobarcats]

So RTS is the outside back being sought?

Exactly what I was thinking Earl....two great minds think alike...if that's the case why are you and I thinking this way? 🤣🤣🤣
Maybe I should speak for myself hey 🤔
Got a shovel?

 

[Cobarcats]

So RTS is the outside back being sought?

You obviously knew I meant you Paws and not Earl, can I have that shovel back 🤣🤣🤣

 

[426Tlgerland]

Has the Pom been on with any updates lately , he’s always pretty good , I may have missed his update if he did one

 

[Muffstar]

Has the Pom been on with any updates lately , he’s always pretty good , I may have missed his update if he did one

No updates from the POM, enjoying his Xmas I dare say.

 

[Cobarcats]

So RTS is the outside back being sought?

It was mentioned that Nathan Brown is now on the back burner.
I'm hoping that money that we put aside for him could go to a player like RTS or even Herbie from the Broncos.
How are the Broncos salary cap wise, would they entertain an early release? What could we do to facilitate that....transfer $ or a swap for someone? Who do they need?

 

[SeanT]

Has the Pom been on with any updates lately , he’s always pretty good , I may have missed his update if he did one

Nit much to update. We have one more spot but that can be filled anytime until June I think. We are short in the halves but depends if Laurie can play at 5/8th if needed.

 

[supercoach]

Nit much to update. We have one more spot but that can be filled anytime until June I think. We are short in the halves but depends if Laurie can play at 5/8th if needed.

If the right players are willing to sign, roster spots can always be found. Its just a matter of moving someone on