Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[bbobb]

I agree we need to get an organising half (I’d give 2M for Cronk to come out of retirement) but was interested in Sheens’ interview when he said AD was a “big voice” and did a lot of organisation.

I thought we looked much more fluent and organised on Sunday compared to earlier. Could we be better without AD? Does he overrule or confuse the other playmakers?

Just a thought and not an excuse for the earlier rounds.

 

[Demps]

It wouldn't be the first time Sheens has tried to make a 7 out of a 9 (Johnnie Cronk)

They're calling the kid the next Cameron Smith...

He's been ordinary from what I've seen.

 

[mikey]

I still go back to Sheens' comment about looking for an 'experienced half' (or 5/8).

Who fits that bill? Make another play at Pearce after the season? Sezar? Townsend probably fits. Moylan?

Given the situation at the Tigers, it can't be a 'glory chaser'. This needs to be a guy toward the end of his career looking for a challenge, or a lifeline. Attracting the top-end talent doesn't work- Moses, Munster etc.

They need someone that WANTS to play with Ice, Api, Bateman. I honestly don't know if Sheens can get his experienced half. I cringe & think we might need to look at the guys squeezed out elsewhere or looking for redemption.

Gareth Widdop?

Sezar is probably the one I'd lean to, OR you go all-in on Mitch Pearce, knowing it's not the perfect solution BUT he brings the ability to steer a team around the park.

Agree. We need to float up from the bottom a little before we would even look like becoming a destination club.
We need someone to get us moving upwards, even if it's for the short-term.

 

[Halbrowne61]

Braydon Trindall as 18th man not playing either grade. Their nsw cup halves are good and they have Tracey. Surely we could sign Trindall to be out starting half and lead a team around.

I think soon as Hynes goes off on origin duty you will see Trindall. We can then have another assessment with a view to signing him for 24.

 

[bptiger 0]

I think soon as Hynes goes off on origin duty you will see Trindall. We can then have another assessment with a view to signing him for 24.

Ok ,we need a 1/2 , I think most on here and maybe even the coaching staff think trindall or Hawkins maybe be our way out of are shit start to the season . Well we have $1,000,000 dollars sitting there doing jack shit , put a package to there managers and a guarantee that they have a 1st grade spot and see what happens ,

 

[Canberratiger]

You know who keeps popping in my head who would have been absolutely perfect if he was younger of course.
James Maloney, he had defensive deficiencies but that guy now would have been perfect for us, would transform us overnight.

Completely agree. He is the prototype of what we need but his kind are super rare unfortunately

 

[Canberratiger]

Anyone know why the talk of Ethan Sanders has died down? Is Hawkins better than him?

 

[KingRobbie]

Anyone know why the talk of Ethan Sanders has died down? Is Hawkins better than him?

They’re completely different.

Hawkins is a 24-year-old reserve grade halfback who has never been (and likely will never be) anything special.

Very similar to Wakeham in terms of how good they are.

Ethan Sanders is a 18/19-year-old kid who has a lot of potential as a conservative, game-managing halfback but who also isn’t the finished product yet due to his age.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

They’re completely different.

Hawkins is a 24-year-old reserve grade halfback who has never been (and likely will never be) anything special.

Very similar to Wakeham in terms of how good they are.

Ethan Sanders is a 18/19-year-old kid who has a lot of potential as a conservative, game-managing halfback but who also isn’t the finished product yet due to his age.

@KingRobbie do you know how does Sanders compare to Joseph O'Neill the JF halfback at the Bulldogs who had plenty of wraps on him at school at Westfields (so would assume Wayne Lambkin knows him well)?

 

[KingRobbie]

@KingRobbie do you know how does Sanders compare to Joseph O'Neill the JF halfback at the Bulldogs who had plenty of wraps on him at school at Westfields (so would assume Wayne Lambkin knows him well)?

Not 100% mate.

O’Neill is a year older than Sanders but they seem to be at a pretty similar level.

I personally haven’t been that impressed by Sanders from what I’ve seen but would need to watch more games to get a better picture.

 

[The Chad]

Is it safe to say that there isn't a STAR halfback playing reserves or coming off contract in the immediate future?

 

[Demps]

Not 100% mate.

O’Neill is a year older than Sanders but they seem to be at a pretty similar level.

I personally haven’t been that impressed by Sanders from what I’ve seen but would need to watch more games to get a better picture.

Insightful bra.

Who do you think we should be targeting to address our halves issue ?

Wether that be from lower grades, cup or overseas. Keen to hear your opinion.

 

[tony soprano]

They’re completely different.

Hawkins is a 24-year-old reserve grade halfback who has never been (and likely will never be) anything special.

Very similar to Wakeham in terms of how good they are.

Ethan Sanders is a 18/19-year-old kid who has a lot of potential as a conservative, game-managing halfback but who also isn’t the finished product yet due to his age.

I haven't seen too much content on hawkins but what I've heard and remember seeing he is in the reynolds/illias mold where he straighten up the line by running straight and passing late. Plays direct.

Think we could do with this type of halfback.

Heard a few south figures talk him up as similar to Reynolds. You'd think benji would know.

But who knows what they are doing.

Wakeham seems more passive sit back pick a pass kick long type of half.

Read a fox article that the st George 7 upstaged walker last weekend.

Jayden Sullivan he signed up tho I believe

 

[KingRobbie]

Insightful bra.

Who do you think we should be targeting to address our halves issue ?

Wether that be from lower grades, cup or overseas. Keen to hear your opinion.

It’s a tough one mate.

Missing out on Moses really hurt.

Our best halfback prospect coming through looks to be Alex Conti and he’s still years away (if he ever makes it).

I think we have to go for a highly touted junior like O’Neill, Sanders etc. or push for a NRL (or Super League) contracted player to get a release.

Isn’t much available on the market at all unfortunately.

 

[KingRobbie]

I haven't seen too much content on hawkins but what I've heard and remember seeing he is in the reynolds/illias mold where he straighten up the line by running straight and passing late.

Think we could do with this type of halfback.

Heard a few south figures talk him up as similar to Reynolds. You'd think benji would know.

But who knows what they are doing.

Wakeham seems more passive sit back pick a pass kick long type of half.

In the NRL games I’ve seen him play, he hasn’t impressed.

It’s also very rare that a 24-year-old who’s barely played NRL becomes a quality first-grade player.

Like I said, I think he’s at the Wakeham level of quality.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

It’s a tough one mate.

Missing out on Moses really hurt.

Our best halfback prospect coming through looks to be Alex Conti and he’s still years away (if he ever makes it).

I think we have to go for a highly touted junior like O’Neill, Sanders etc. or push for a NRL (or Super League) contracted player to get a release.

Isn’t much available on the market at all unfortunately.

Can see the announcement now, week after the NRL GF, Wests Tigers sign Mitchell Pearce for 2024 alongside future star (one of Ethan Sanders/Joseph O'Neill/Oliver Lawry as a roughie) in top 30. Pearce then to move into a halves coaching role in 25. Brandon Wakeham extended for one season as depth.

PS. Hopefully the club gets to see Oliver Lawry in Flegg this season. I believe he sustained a shoulder injury in about Rd 2/3 of Ball.

 

[Demps]

It’s a tough one mate.

Missing out on Moses really hurt.

Our best halfback prospect coming through looks to be Alex Conti and he’s still years away (if he ever makes it).

I think we have to go for a highly touted junior like O’Neill, Sanders etc. or push for a NRL (or Super League) contracted player to get a release.

Isn’t much available on the market at all unfortunately.

Doesn't Conti prefer union to league?
No guarantees there hey.

Not too many talented junior halves around.
That Karl kid that came down to the dogs looks way off becoming a first grade star.

 

[tony soprano]

Can see the announcement now, week after the NRL GF, Wests Tigers sign Mitchell Pearce for 2024 alongside future star (one of Ethan Sanders/Joseph O'Neill/Oliver Lawry as a roughie) in top 30. Pearce then to move into a halves coaching role in 25. Brandon Wakeham extended for one season as depth.

PS. Hopefully the club gets to see Oliver Lawry in Flegg this season. I believe he sustained a shoulder injury in about Rd 2/3 of Ball.

2024 halves announcent would be better sooner rather than later

 

[Nadz4483]

I'd take taafe in a heartbeat, still young, plays like a man possessed and isn't getting a run at souffs

 

[Vicious]

In the NRL games I’ve seen him play, he hasn’t impressed.

It’s also very rare that a 24-year-old who’s barely played NRL becomes a quality first-grade player.

Like I said, I think he’s at the Wakeham level of quality.

Players such as Cody Walker and Jerome Hughes didn’t start playing NRL until age 24 or later, so I don’t think being around 24, even 25 or 26 and haven’t yet played any/or much NRL is a major concern, BUT the ones such as Cody and Jerome always showed individual brilliance and were regularly starring at Qld Cup level.
I’ve seen a bit of Joseph O’Neill play over the past few years, he looked like being a superstar a few seasons back, but has since stalled a little. He seems a more structured halfback, than he is individually brilliant. The good halves now really need some type of individual brilliance to threaten to make line breaks themselves, otherwise you end up with players such as Kyle Flanagan, Hastings and I think Joseph O’Neill, Dean Hawkins and Kurt Falls are others who fall into that same criteria.
Then you have others who are quick off the mark and strong, but not a lot of creativity aside from those strengths such as Dylan Brown. I believe Ethan Sanders and Ronald Volkman fit into that bracket. Very handy players if you have a dominant creative halve in the team alongside of them.
In Wests Tigers case we obviously need halves who are the full package with plenty of X-Factor to come with it.
Two players not currently being selected in their clubs NRL sides are Jayden Sulllivan and Braydon Trindall who are by far the best attacking halves anywhere outside of the NRL. No NRL team would have trouble scoring points and making line breaks with these 2 as their halves. I realise both are contracted to their current clubs for the next couple of seasons, but both have seemingly re-signed hastily and I doubt either of them would be on any more than 200k tops, where they could both now potentially earn double that, possibly more on the open market with the lack of quality halves.