Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[stevied]

He's a 5/8th. We need a halfback with an all-round kicking game.

He's a fullback but you're right about needing a proper halfback. I'd be trying to secure Welsby anyway.

 

[stevied]

Laurie is a good footballer and may need a little more enthusiasm. He is a natural ball player with speed to play in the halves or at fullback and will tackle. Imo he will continue to develop. Sheens comments on Brooks are in the public forum re post 2023 which would no doubt have the agreement of Marshall.

I agree, he is a good footballer who hasn't reached his ceiling. Don't understand all the hate for him on here.

 

[Bula]

Sheens rates Bula

I rate him too.

 

[sleeve]

Many comments on the backs are true. But most are very young with natural ability. The few times they did get a run in the top grade, the side was getting beat by cricket scores, and would have been lucky to get a clean ball all game. This does not build confidence.
As for defence, most kids that get to the top grade can tackle, it is the structure of the defence that let us down, that is the coaching staffs responsibility. The Tigers would not have kept these guys unless they showed promise, i expect the backline and all players will be far better with our stronger pack, and smarter coaches. That's why i say , give them a chance.

 

[The_Patriot]

I have a feeling sheens will be looking for a big attacking forward like Tuki who has size and for the little I have seen of him a great offload in traffic,sheens showed interest early in this guy so don't be surprised if he can get the best out of him

Been feeling the same. Under the radar but this guy is like a piece of clay for a coach like Sheens.

 

[stevied]

Many comments on the backs are true. But most are very young with natural ability. The few times they did get a run in the top grade, the side was getting beat by cricket scores, and would have been lucky to get a clean ball all game. This does not build confidence.
As for defence, most kids that get to the top grade can tackle, it is the structure of the defence that let us down, that is the coaching staffs responsibility. The Tigers would not have kept these guys unless they showed promise, i expect the backline and all players will be far better with our stronger pack, and smarter coaches. That's why i say , give them a chance.

This is the point I've been trying to make all along. It's much easier for an outside back to excel in a strong side with an effective pack of forwards, whether talented or not. The Tigers have lacked go forward and an effective, consistent halves pairing. On top of that, you were asking young players, to perform at a high level who have had very little first grade experience. I don't think we've seen the best of Laurie, Kepaoa, Toa or Tupou yet. Same goes for Douiehi and Naden. I agree, Sleeve, that effective defensive structures can make a difference, including a faster line speed, but, really I think the Tigers suffered from an overall lack of confidence that came from constantly chasing the leather. Lack of grunt, lack of direction and an overall lack of forward progress can really sap a team's self belief. The Tigers didn't sign guys like Laurie, AJ and Tupou for no reason. Obviously, they saw talent and potential. It's now up to our revamped pack to earn their money and lay the platform for them.

 

[fainty]

Speak for yourself mate im 5/324

🤣🤣🤣

 

[liltiger]

This the point I've been trying to make all along. It's much easier to for an outside back to excel in a strong side with an effective pack of forwards, whether talented or not. The Tigers have lacked go forward and an effective, consistent halves pairing. On top of that, you were asking young players, to perform at a high level who have had very little first grade experience. I don't think we've seen the best of Laurie, Kepaoa, Toa or Tupou yet. Same goes for Douiehi and Naden. I agree, Sleeve, that effective defensive structures can make a difference, including a faster line speed, but, really I think the Tigers suffered from an overall lack of confidence that came from constantly chasing the leather. Lack of grunt, lack of direction and an overall lack of forward progress can really sap a team's self belief. The Tigers didn't sign guys like Laurie, AJ and Tupou for no reason. Obviously, they saw talent and potential. It's now up to our revamped pack to earn their money and lay the platform for them.

This, until we have a pack that can get our backs go forward and space to move in, we can't rate how good or poor our backs are because they're ability to shine is really limited. Hopefully with our new look pack we can get a better insight into which backs we keep and who we need to replace

 

[bptiger 0]

Holy crap that's the most overrated load of crap I've read on here in a while.

They're all average at best. No other club wants ANY of them.

Agreed , we also getting the same comments about our young forwards coming throw , they like the backs have done nothing , POLE is the only one who looks the goods . Yet plenty on here don’t want experience forwards like Nathan brown who would fill a important roll over the next two years while the kids sort themselves out . We need hard heads to drag our poor club out of this crap so players will want to come without us having to pay massive overs , the kids will get there chance , but it’s like building a house u need a good foundation to start with .

 

[twentyforty]

Agreed , we also getting the same comments about our young forwards coming throw , they like the backs have done nothing , POLE is the only one who looks the goods . Yet plenty on here don’t want experience forwards like Nathan brown who would fill a important roll over the next two years while the kids sort themselves out . We need hard heads to drag our poor club out of this crap so players will want to come without us having to pay massive overs , the kids will get there chance , but it’s like building a house u need a good foundation to start with .

When you mention our young forwards coming through, why no mention of Stefano 33 games and Shawn 18 games?
These two were great additions by Maguire. If you exclude the 3 games totalling 11 minutes off the bench for Eels both got their start at WT. couple of legends in the making there!

 

[pawsandclaws1]

😂😂😂
I love this joint....

Someone reads the name of some young kid we've signed,
All of a sudden he's a world beater - Most never even seen said kid play a game...

Some of the names have potential - Or some moments....
But that doesn't make them a quality NRL player.

Matamua is the one I get a giggle most out of, If you read here you'd think he's ready to start Back Row for the Blues.... Kid might have infinite potential (Hopefully the case) But has shown to be competent in 20's and little to absolutely nothing in any other grade.
He's a million miles off....

Hoping to see quite a bit more out of all of the players mentioned before they'd be making the starting side for us.

Sheens obviously sees a lot in Matamua and that is why he has been promoted to the Top 30. That is a fact not opinion,

 

[Fingers83]

Sheens obviously sees a lot in Matamua and that is why he has been promoted to the Top 30. That is a fact not opinion,

It’s also ok to be excited by potential.

People sometimes forget that the coaching staff see the 1% moments behind the scenes around how hard a player works to fulfil that potential too.

 

[cktiger]

Sheens obviously sees a lot in Matamua and that is why he has been promoted to the Top 30. That is a fact not opinion,

But it’s only a fact because it’s Sheens opinion.
I seriously hope the young bloke becomes a champion for us… from the little I’ve seen he looks pretty talented.
But, in batboys defence, you have to remember that being top 30 in a wooden spoon club doesn’t instantly make you a world beater.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Just as Sheens did with the likes of...

Jason Schirnack
Matt Hyland
Josh Davis
Jack Spencer
Junior Rociqa
John Grant
Dane Chisolm

And that's just in his last few years coaching here - There's been countless others!!

I don't not rate Matamua, and am certainly hopeful....
The way you bang on about him is embarrassing.
In the NRL games he's played he was poor...

It's a fact about Matamua. Don't obfuscate. Accept it and move on.

 

[earl]

When you mention our young forwards coming through, why no mention of Stefano 33 games and Shawn 18 games?
These two were great additions by Maguire. If you exclude the 3 games totalling 11 minutes off the bench for Eels both got their start at WT. couple of legends in the making there!

I don't want Nathan Brown and this is why. Pole looks great. People were having breakdowns about Stef not being signed longer term when he still had a contract. I think Blore might make a good middle forward which means he'll actually learn how to play on an edge next year.

 

[earl]

Matamua is the one I get a giggle most out of, If you read here you'd think he's ready to start Back Row for the Blues.... Kid might have infinite potential (Hopefully the case) But has shown to be competent in 20's and little to absolutely nothing in any other grade.
He's a million miles off....

He looks like a ball player which makes him different to a lot of players and that makes him stand out a bit. I also think he has a lot of work to do as well but you never know.

 

[twentyforty]

Just on Naden…. I thought he was terrible on the wing for us. He looked completely out of his depth and didn’t know the first thing about playing what is now a specialist position. I much prefer him as a centre, although he needs to keep things simple and not make dumb errors or be a hot head. The guy has the makings of being something but I’m not sure he has the smarts. Let’s hope he receives, and is able to benefit, from some proper coaching.

There’s no sugar coating it, it took just 8 games for the spooners to know they needed to pass him on to the current spooners.
He’s yet to prove he can put to use his obvious ability.

 

[Tito Santana]

Just on Naden…. I thought he was terrible on the wing for us. He looked completely out of his depth and didn’t know the first thing about playing what is now a specialist position. I much prefer him as a centre, although he needs to keep things simple and not make dumb errors or be a hot head. The guy has the makings of being something but I’m not sure he has the smarts. Let’s hope he receives, and is able to benefit, from some proper coaching.

Naden has wheels man. Agreed he is a centre. I think if our forwards can dominate the ruck the backline should be able to show what they can do. There is talent there. My mate has come across from Blacktown Workers to the Tigers and has said Feledy is a gun. Watch this space.

 

[Goldust]

Naden has wheels man. Agreed he is a centre. I think if our forwards can dominate the ruck the backline should be able to show what they can do. There is talent there. My mate has come across from Blacktown Workers to the Tigers and has said Feledy is a gun. Watch this space.

Agreed on Naden ,one of the few in the squad with natural speed.
In my opinion he’s our best centre.
Very excited to see how young Feledy goes.

Arriba

 

[twentyforty]

I don't want Nathan Brown and this is why. Pole looks great. People were having breakdowns about Stef not being signed longer term when he still had a contract. I think Blore might make a good middle forward which means he'll actually learn how to play on an edge next year.

Yeh, not sure why the chase for Browny?
He would have been on Sheens radar a decade ago? We gave Browny a start the following year after Sheens sacking.