old_man_tiger
Well-known member
Let's give him 8 to make sure haha
Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
- Start date
They should make them sit through days of watching Spud Elfords early chase in the 05 GF...
Makes me giggle that one of the 3 things Sheens wanted the team to do in the 05 season
was Kick Chase... Ours has been non existent for decades almost....
Trot down and wait on the 20-30m line for them to return the ball....
Lazy C**nts.
NRL Agenda: Wests Tigers’ history of woe and the young guns who can turn it around
Two rising playmakers have landed on the Tigers’ recruitment radar but will they have the talent to turn around a club in seemingly terminal decline?Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Manly’s Josh Schuster and St George Illawarra’s Junior Amone have landed on the recruitment radar of Wests Tigers as the club moves to shore up its halves stocks.
Sunday’s match against the Sea Eagles will mark a bitter milestone for maligned halfback
Luke Brooks, it’s exactly one year to the day since he last played in an NRL winning side.
In that time the Tigers have tried Brooks, Adam Doueihi, Jackson Hastings, Jock Madden and Brandon Wakeham in the halves but still the search continues, and now Schuster and Amone have entered the frame.
Both Schuster and Amone are contracted until the end of 2024 and won’t be able to field any formal offers from the Tigers until November 1.
It’s understood the Tigers have been meeting with leading player agents to piece together their halves puzzle, both immediately and into the future.
Doueihi is the only playmaker signed at the Tigers beyond this season with Brooks and Brandon Wakeham without deals for 2024.
The club was already on the lookout for a playmaker to finalise this year’s roster. Those endeavours have been amplified after an ACL injury to five-eighth Doueihi, leaving the club scouring for an immediate fix.
New Zealand’s Shaun Johnson and Canterbury duo Kyle Flanagan and Jake Averillo headline a very short list of playmakers still available for next season.
Canterbury supremo Phil Gould believes part of the solution to the halves‘ woes could be right under the Tigers’ noses in fullback Daine Laurie, who Gould recruited to Penrith.
“I believe he’s a 6. He was always going to be a 6. If you watched his junior rep football, he needed to be developed and given the tools to play 6. He’s never been comfortable at fullback. They just played him (at fullback) because they had plenty of halves” Gould tweeted.
The Tigers made major plays for Parramatta’s Mitchell Moses and Melbourne’s Cameron Munster but both opted to stay put.
A turnaround in form will no doubt make the Tigers a more enticing proposition for their recruitment targets.
Highlighting their plight is the stunning fact that Brooks’ last win for the Tigers came on April 23 last year when he kicked a 79th-minute field goal to beat Parramatta.
He was injured for the Tigers’ last victory, a 32-18 victory over Brisbane on July 30.
Since them, it’s been 267 days of hell for Tigers fans.
Red88_Tiger
Well-known member
Suggest you put a stack hat on
There both out and out 6's - like Brooks. We got some fetish for 5/8's with no controlling ability or something.
Happy to take one of them to replace Brooks but still missing the most important piece
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
Reading the play these are some strategies I think Sheens & Benji may be cooking in terms of halves recruitment.
I am speculating that Brayden Trindall will not be released by the Sharks in the immediate future as he is under contract (until the end of 2025) and provides ideal cover for Hynes or Moylan with the Sharks in their premiership window.
Strategy 1 – Experienced halfback who provides direction, leadership & solid kicking game + younger but still experienced five-eighth with running game, bit of x-factor.
SHAUN JOHNSON (Halfback)
Off contract after this season, has rediscovered his mojo this season albeit in a directional capacity, has a relationship Benji, can goalkick, 33 yo next season, only if Warriors do not want to hold up the progression of Volkman.
MITCHELL PEARCE (Halfback)
Reportedly sounded out by Benji so there is interest from our side there. Has a 1 year option in his favour for next season with Catalans so we could potentially lure him with $$$ & chance to play for his father’s club (well one half of it) and potential staff position after that, 35yo next season.
BLAKE TAAFE (Five-eighth)
Off contract this season. Benji will know his game & ability well from his season at Souths. Has experience beyond his years, would be a progressive running & ball-playing 5/8 who has an ok kicking game as well, 24 yo next season. Managed by Sam Ayoub.
CONNOR TRACEY (Five-eighth)
Under contract until end of 2024. Has slid down the pecking order at the Sharks due to his injuries. Back this season & NRL quality when fully fit. Played halves coming up through juniors & could become a versatile running 5/8 for us with plenty of energy & leadership. Managed by Sam Ayoub.
Strategy 2 – Experienced five-eighth with younger up-and-coming halfback who has some NRL experienced
BRAD SCHNEIDER (Halfback)
Off contract this season. Was Canberra’s rookie of the year last season with 12 NRL games experience, will be 23yo next season, reportedly rated by Tim Sheens, ok kicking game & could be one to come on with experience. Managed by Sam Ayoub.
JAKE ARTHUR (Halfback)
Under contract until end of 2024 but won’t be getting a look in at the Eels unless there are injuries. This could be time to take ownership of a team out of his father’s shadow. Has experience beyond his years, will be 22yo next season. Could also be transitioned to Lock in future given his size.
DEAN HAWKINS (Halfback)
Off contract this season. Like Taafe, Benji will know his game & ability well from his season at Souths. Seems to down the pecking order at Souths so not sure what to read into that but past couple of seasons has arguably been the best halfback in NSW Cup.
JAYDEN SULLIVAN (Halfback)
Under contract until end of 2025. But is now behind Ben Hunt & Amone in the Dragons halves battle. Good organiser & kicking game. He wants to be a halfback & depending on whether the coach at Dragons wants him could determine his availability. Potential like a Scott Prince for us. Managed by Crown Sports who also manage a lot of our up-and-comers in SG Ball.
JACK WIGHTON (Five-eighth)
Off contract after this season. Will be 31yo next season. Could be the high profile signing we need to lead our halves with a less experienced halfback. Can be a game-changer & is a leader. Wouldn’t lose him to SOO either now.
TUI LOLOHEA (Five-eighth)
Off contract after this season I believe. Will be 29yo next season. Had a good World Cup campaign with Tonga in the halves. Good running game, ok kicking game, can goal kick and can break the line.
JOSH SCHUSTER (Five-eighth)
Under contract until end of 2024. Will be 22yo next season. This is the one I think could be our game changer now. If Benji’s relationship & belief in Josh can come off (and reportedly Josh was a Tigers & Benji fan growing up), Josh could become our marquee player which he wouldn’t have at Manly with Tommy Turbo there. Captain material and we could pay him a lot more than Manly I’m guessing. If Josh wanted a release, Manly have plenty of young guns coming through including Fainu. Managed by Crown Sports.
TOP 5 PRIORITIES
I am speculating that Brayden Trindall will not be released by the Sharks in the immediate future as he is under contract (until the end of 2025) and provides ideal cover for Hynes or Moylan with the Sharks in their premiership window.
Strategy 1 – Experienced halfback who provides direction, leadership & solid kicking game + younger but still experienced five-eighth with running game, bit of x-factor.
SHAUN JOHNSON (Halfback)
Off contract after this season, has rediscovered his mojo this season albeit in a directional capacity, has a relationship Benji, can goalkick, 33 yo next season, only if Warriors do not want to hold up the progression of Volkman.
MITCHELL PEARCE (Halfback)
Reportedly sounded out by Benji so there is interest from our side there. Has a 1 year option in his favour for next season with Catalans so we could potentially lure him with $$$ & chance to play for his father’s club (well one half of it) and potential staff position after that, 35yo next season.
BLAKE TAAFE (Five-eighth)
Off contract this season. Benji will know his game & ability well from his season at Souths. Has experience beyond his years, would be a progressive running & ball-playing 5/8 who has an ok kicking game as well, 24 yo next season. Managed by Sam Ayoub.
CONNOR TRACEY (Five-eighth)
Under contract until end of 2024. Has slid down the pecking order at the Sharks due to his injuries. Back this season & NRL quality when fully fit. Played halves coming up through juniors & could become a versatile running 5/8 for us with plenty of energy & leadership. Managed by Sam Ayoub.
Strategy 2 – Experienced five-eighth with younger up-and-coming halfback who has some NRL experienced
BRAD SCHNEIDER (Halfback)
Off contract this season. Was Canberra’s rookie of the year last season with 12 NRL games experience, will be 23yo next season, reportedly rated by Tim Sheens, ok kicking game & could be one to come on with experience. Managed by Sam Ayoub.
JAKE ARTHUR (Halfback)
Under contract until end of 2024 but won’t be getting a look in at the Eels unless there are injuries. This could be time to take ownership of a team out of his father’s shadow. Has experience beyond his years, will be 22yo next season. Could also be transitioned to Lock in future given his size.
DEAN HAWKINS (Halfback)
Off contract this season. Like Taafe, Benji will know his game & ability well from his season at Souths. Seems to down the pecking order at Souths so not sure what to read into that but past couple of seasons has arguably been the best halfback in NSW Cup.
JAYDEN SULLIVAN (Halfback)
Under contract until end of 2025. But is now behind Ben Hunt & Amone in the Dragons halves battle. Good organiser & kicking game. He wants to be a halfback & depending on whether the coach at Dragons wants him could determine his availability. Potential like a Scott Prince for us. Managed by Crown Sports who also manage a lot of our up-and-comers in SG Ball.
JACK WIGHTON (Five-eighth)
Off contract after this season. Will be 31yo next season. Could be the high profile signing we need to lead our halves with a less experienced halfback. Can be a game-changer & is a leader. Wouldn’t lose him to SOO either now.
TUI LOLOHEA (Five-eighth)
Off contract after this season I believe. Will be 29yo next season. Had a good World Cup campaign with Tonga in the halves. Good running game, ok kicking game, can goal kick and can break the line.
JOSH SCHUSTER (Five-eighth)
Under contract until end of 2024. Will be 22yo next season. This is the one I think could be our game changer now. If Benji’s relationship & belief in Josh can come off (and reportedly Josh was a Tigers & Benji fan growing up), Josh could become our marquee player which he wouldn’t have at Manly with Tommy Turbo there. Captain material and we could pay him a lot more than Manly I’m guessing. If Josh wanted a release, Manly have plenty of young guns coming through including Fainu. Managed by Crown Sports.
TOP 5 PRIORITIES
- Josh Schuster
- Jack Wighton
- Shaun Johnson
- Jayden Sullivan
- Tui Lolohea
Is Tui so much better than the first time he was here because he was very, very average when he was here last and he was overweight to boot.
crazycat
Well-known member
I was thinking about this... We really need a basics coach.
People lash at Tim Sheens... Yet call him what he is. If Bennett is the Rolls Royce of Coaching and Bellamy is the Bentley... Sheens is the Citroen DS (or Layland P76). In some ways brilliant in other ways "damn that car".
Sheens is unique, he has some strong attributes as a coach but has some weaknesses. He doesn't build players tough enough.
Heck, thinking about the WT, we had some absolute GUN wingers under Sheens and sheens 10,000 passes a day style works with that kind of player. Pass the ball till someone has open space. Fast players like Tukali, Koroisau, Tiquiri, Chris Lawrence (who was a very fast Centre who outraced Billy Slater)... works with that style.
Sheens' fast footy should work with the current rules. We clearly have the hooker in Api for it. We don't have the pace at the back line, not moving up with the line and making small mistakes hurts us bad.
No one in our squad, from what I can see has the pace to beat a rival team. NO ONE.
To use a car analogy, Sheens is that highly experimental european model when we need a Toyota Corolla.
Great post. Didn't we chase Schuster when he was agitating for 6 at manly. Now he has it not sure on chances of him coming here
Mighty_Tiger
Well-known member
I’m sure they would say no to a release this year, let’s see what happens after that.
upthetigers
Well-known member
Ran good lines which we seem to be lacking.
liltiger
Well-known member
With hunt or Trindall it could be a dynamic halves pairing
100% agree but article didn't mention either which i was referencing.
Still hopefuly we on the hunt for a controlling 7 this year!
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
If played as a 5/8 and with the experience he has accumulated in SL and at the WC, I believe so. And at his age, he wouldn't hold up the progress of the 17-18yos coming through.
Maybe some avid SL watchers can shed more light on his current form.
Mighty_Tiger
Well-known member
I wouldn’t get your hopes up unless we punt on a rookie and they step up.
The names being thrown about are all on contenders getting minutes (especially during SOO period) & majority of our players we could offer this year aren’t signed on for next year (the players mentioned are) which makes our leverage position a struggle.
The issue for clubs we would be trading with isn’t cash it’s the quality of player to boost their side.
Buttface
Well-known member
Yes but if the players intensity drop then it’s on the coach’s to remind them of the importance and penalise for lot toeing the line isn’t it?
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
Not sure about then. But we know Benji rates him highly and then today's story appears in the DT how he's on our radar now.
Buttface
Well-known member
I hate Phil Gould.
And why is this info public knowledge? Can’t we just get things done without leaking everything?
Tucker
Well-known member
No, he is shit…fat little butterball of mediocrity.
Tiger-ferret
Well-known member
If I were sharks coach I would say I don’t need to do anything…you are the future of this club.
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