Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[twentyforty]

What do you mean 'scrutinised for authenticity'? Are you sure the TPAs can't be policed/ stopped? This is the whole point. Is it not true that providing TPAs to players and then declaring below market value salaries to the NRL is cheating? Is it also not true that careful auditing/ surveillance is required by the league to stamp this out? And, finally, do you agree that the NRL is, in fact, a toothless tiger that is either unmotivated to do anything about it or actively supporting the dishonest activities of self-motivated, powerful figures around the game?

We have IR laws in this country which will not allow you to stop an individual from earning an income by plying their trade.
The job of the auditors is to make sure these entities or individuals are arms length, unrelated to the club.
Can you stop mates helping mates? Isn’t that what the game is all about?
Anyway, it’s such a small amount.

 

[Curaeus]

Footy star Selwyn Cobbo 'could've breached contract' with coach insult

Tigers supremo Lee Hagipantelis - who is the principal of a law firm - thinks the Broncos have 'major concerns' after Cobbo astonished the club and coach Walters with his comments.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Looks like Lee is trying to make the situation worse over there… maybe to make a play for cobbo?

The Donkeys should be grateful. Not much is free anymore, especially legal advice.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

C’mon Jedi… you know every time Brooks’ salary is mentioned in the media it cops a hammering by those who just think they’re guessing.
No matter what the correct figure is he is still our highest paid player.
Yet now we’re crucifying a guy who is ‘rumoured’ to have priced himself at $900k?
As for being an AD supporter?
Of course I am if he’s good for the team… as I am with Brooks.
My problem with Brooks is that he’s on halfback money but he’s not a halfback.
Should be at five eighth or in the centres where he doesn’t control the team.

they are guessing when it comes to Brooks salary though, it changed 5 times to suit Rothfields agenda in 2022

As for AD'S at least they said rumoured salary and haven't stated it as fact

If Brooks does stay in 2024 he won't be on anywhere near what he is on backended for 2023.
Sheens had a choice back Brooks or Hastings at 7 and he has chosen Brooks. So for 2023 he is what we have that is the reality of the season.

If he doesn't fire in 2023 then Sheens will likely not renew a contract for 2024 and beyond.

 

[jirskyr]

You do know "journos" read this forum
Dunno how.many times I've seen something bandied around here and a week or two later it's "reported"

I'll say again what I always say - all salary debates are pointless. Even when papers report it - even when player managers report it - you don't know what the real salary is. Therefore debating or worrying over what was paid is pointless.

 

[Telltails]

Brooks is in an interesting position now re contracts. Newcastle have committed to Hastings at this point and the only other club who does not have their halves sorted are the Bulldogs and maybe the Dolphins - presuming Moses sticks with the Eels. Whether either see him as a possible target who knows.
Dont believe a manager will except a reduced contract value with so few halves available. Even with all the negative around Brooks there is still that aura around him that he is a victim of being at Wests Tigers. If he starts well behind an improved pack watch his value increase and contract talks gather momentum.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

It's just my view that it isn't realistic to hold off on contract talks for a half with current market conditions. There has been not a whisper in the press. There are no leaks from the club - very tight ship.

 

[Cobarcats]

What do you mean 'scrutinised for authenticity'? Are you sure the TPAs can't be policed/ stopped? This is the whole point. Is it not true that providing TPAs to players and then declaring below market value salaries to the NRL is cheating? Is it also not true that careful auditing/ surveillance is required by the league to stamp this out? And, finally, do you agree that the NRL is, in fact, a toothless tiger that is either unmotivated to do anything about it or actively supporting the dishonest activities of self-motivated, powerful figures around the game?

Cheating or bending the rules in League is bred into the game like, putting the ball into scrum incorrectly (actually no such thing 🤣) or shepherding, obstruction, time wasting, holding down or whatever. The NRL has made a lot of rule changes to curb what coaches have started to introduce into the game.
Chicken wing, grapple tackle, cannonball.
The salary cap and TPA rules are no different and can be tweaked but clubs will find a way to bend or avoid the rules.
The only way to combat this is through transparency.
However when money is involved there will never be an even contest.
Corruption is usually connected with money in all facets of society.
If auditors, are steadfast and honest, do their job properly and are not influenced in any way other than to enforce the rules, this is the only way to curb fraudulent behaviour.

 

[liltiger]

My interest in Brooks saga is exausted. I'm not going to stress over him.
Instead I'm praying to the footy gods that we nail Jesse Ramien or RTS. Dream dream dream. 🙏

Oh hell yeah there is nothing I wouldn't do to land RTS. NOTHING.

 

[weststigerman]

He’s only 15 now, turns 16 this year.

Meaning he could play in 2025 at the very earliest (when he turns 18).

I’ve seen “Benji clone” thrown around a bit when it comes to him, and it’s very easy to say it for a young five-eighth coming through at Wests Tigers, but he actually plays nothing like Benji.
More like a young Greg Inglis to be honest, if there was to be a comparison.

I've seen him play, he's big and strong but not lightning fast. If Doueihi is not quick enough for the halves I'd be surprised if Large is. Might end up in the forwards.

 

[earl]

AD, Laurie and Brooks will all be different this year to 22 and have no doubts if injury free we will see them very differently to 22.

It's these three guys that need to improve significantly. I'd love to see the halves and fullback positions sorted out this season for the next couple of seasons.

 

[weststigerman]

He is worth what someone is willing to pay.

If a club offers him 900k or 750k then he is worth that.

The question around does he deliver to the expectation associated with the salary follows from us armchair critics about it but means squat.

On 22 season Brooks, AD and Laurie in my view aren’t 900k players, however the NRL is very short on halfs, 5/8ths and fullbacks mixed with salary cap increase (plus forward cap increase projections).

If I was AD & Brooks unless the Wests Tigers put a nice long term offer infront of them I would be holding off until mid season.

We have forwards, attacking mindset coaching structure, COE, a quality hooker & everyone at training seem very happy with things. AD, Laurie and Brooks will all be different this year to 22 and have no doubts if injury free we will see them very differently to 22.

Well said.

Doueihi becomes much more valuable the minute Moses is off the table. His stocks will rise again (or drop) depending how he starts the season.

 

[earl]

Well said.

Doueihi becomes much more valuable the minute Moses is off the table. His stocks will rise again (or drop) depending how he starts the season.

I would hold off signing him, Brooks and Laurie dependent on dollars until we see how they perform. You can't sign them after one good game either.

 

[SeanT]

Well said.

Doueihi becomes much more valuable the minute Moses is off the table. His stocks will rise again (or drop) depending how he starts the season.

Douhie has still alot of issues to work out though. They might rise but they should rise from a lower wage point because at the moment he's on Lily a 600k player at present

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Douhie has still alot of issues to work out though. They might rise but they should rise from a lower wage point because at the moment he's on Lily a 600k player at present

Lets be real they had a huge increase to the cap, we have a massive recruitment uplift in the forwards - there us no way a player like AD wage point starts lower than what he is on especially at his age.

I’m often critical of AD mainly because I can see a very very good impact match winning player but I don’t think in today’s market he would even start with offers less than 700k

 

[Cobarcats]

Oh hell yeah there is nothing I wouldn't do to land RTS. NOTHING.

Don't sell your soul now liltiger 🤣

 

[KingRobbie]

I've seen him play, he's big and strong but not lightning fast. If Doueihi is not quick enough for the halves I'd be surprised if Large is. Might end up in the forwards.

Nah mate, he was actually a state-level sprinter for his age-group too.

You might be being deceived because he looks like he doesn’t always play at full pace sometimes when he’s organising.

 

[stevied]

Cheating or bending the rules in League is bred into the game like, putting the ball into scrum incorrectly (actually no such thing 🤣) or shepherding, obstruction, time wasting, holding down or whatever. The NRL has made a lot of rule changes to curb what coaches have started to introduce into the game.
Chicken wing, grapple tackle, cannonball.
The salary cap and TPA rules are no different and can be tweaked but clubs will find a way to bend or avoid the rules.
The only way to combat this is through transparency.
However when money is involved there will never be an even contest.
Corruption is usually connected with money in all facets of society.
If auditors, are steadfast and honest, do their job properly and are not influenced in any way other than to enforce the rules, this is the only way to curb fraudulent behaviour.

Your last sentence is spot on Cobarcats. Now can we get the NRL to show some intestinal fortitude and see that this happens! This would be for the good of the game. It's time that the administration stood up to the behind the scenes powerbrokers! Sorry but I can't accept that the Roosters consistently roll out a premiership calibre roster year after year because they 'manage their cap better'.

 

[Yossarian]

Footy star Selwyn Cobbo 'could've breached contract' with coach insult

Tigers supremo Lee Hagipantelis - who is the principal of a law firm - thinks the Broncos have 'major concerns' after Cobbo astonished the club and coach Walters with his comments.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Looks like Lee is trying to make the situation worse over there… maybe to make a play for cobbo?

You reckon Lee ever thinks to himself “I’m a senior office holder at a NRL club. I probably shouldn’t publicly comment on this…”

 

[SeanT]

Lets be real they had a huge increase to the cap, we have a massive recruitment uplift in the forwards - there us no way a player like AD wage point starts lower than what he is on especially at his age.

I’m often critical of AD mainly because I can see a very very good impact match winning player but I don’t think in today’s market he would even start with offers less than 700k

Isn't he on 600? Or is it 650k?

I'm just saying that he hasn't justified an increase in his salary apart from the increase in the cap. 900k is laughable.

 

[coivtny]

You reckon Lee ever thinks to himself “I’m a senior office holder at a NRL club. I probably shouldn’t publicly comment on this…”

Yep. None of his business. Keep your house clean and let others worry about theirs.