Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Kelce68]

We’re coming equal last and just weakened our squad with (seemingly) no appropriate replacement. The lunatics are running the asylum at WT.

The point of releasing him didn't appear to be a direct replacement or upgrade, but a funds release.

In that case, the internal replacement looks like Blore (or, hopefully not, Seyfarth) straight into his spot on the bench to play the 30/40 minutes a game.

Or, Kepaoa/Blore into 2nd row, Bateman to Lock and Pole into the prop rotation.

Either way, the above options are more than adequate and cost 1/3 the price.

People may not agree with it, truth be told I'm torn on it too, but it's done and people's ability to see both perspectives on why the decision was made shouldn't be affected by whether or not they agree with it.

You (not you specifically) can hate the call and vehemently say it is the wrong one, whilst still understanding and acknowledging the thought processes behind why the decision makers made it.

 

[DUCK]

Yeah your right. They are both similar. I feel that Twal has upped his game alot this year though. Lot faster and runs angles more.

Interesting times.

If only he can get his first "Meat Pie". I must say I do like the 2023 version of Alex Twal and I can only assume that having Klemmer, Bateman, Isaiah (spelling) and Koroisau as teammates has given him confidence.

 

[liltiger]

cmon Lili..

There must be more too it then that..

No doubt, but iv got no clue what it might be, I was hoping they were going to announce someone to take the top 30 spot or promote someone from within, maybe they will keep a spot open incase someone pops up from left field until the deadline, but I just don't like the fact we are helping a competitor. I know Joffa was on a bit of coin and it frees up some money for us but in all honesty he was playing well, always put in and we can't find anyone to take the coin we had free before. I'm just gutted he's gone, he really put in under Madge and they were some pretty lean years.

 

[Tito Santana]

I like Charlie, But don't see a spot for him moving forward - He won't stay to play ressies....
Seems a lot here forgetting we also have Big Jimmy on the books next year at wing,

He could be anything....

Who’s Jimmy?

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Who’s Jimmy?

Jimmy Ngutlik - big, strong, fast and a PNG player. He's different which is tailor made for Sheens.

 

[hank37w]

Yeah, but why balance it mid season? Parra are obviously struggling for depth, so why help them out when we are competing with them to make the eight?

It's as stupid as playing our home game against the warriors, in nz.

Didn't mind us taking a game to NZ after all the sacrifices the Warriors made over COVID to keep the NRL competition alive when sporting competitions all around the world came to a stop.

Fact of the matter is that we are just a nice club, probably too nice, too nice and too dumb for our own good when we actually need to be ruthless to be successful.

We were probably the only side to make some sort of concessions towards the Warriors in gratitude for what they did to keep the competition alive, and you can certainly argue that hat we did was probably to our detriment.

The way things look at the moment I see the release of Joe as a poor move at this point in time, where we strengthen an opposing club that are having injuries issues, especially when that club has done nothing in the past to assist us.

I should probably wait and see who we replace Joe with to make up the numbers and can only hope that it is a good signing in a position that strengthens us, but going on past experiences, I see this just as dumb as sacking a coach with no replacement lined up or releasing players mid season and throwing Noddy under the bus, basically ensuring we got the spoon.

As I have stated elsewhere, what other club does stuff as dumb as this and St.George come to mind with their coaching fiasco and it's probably no coincidence that they are last on the ladder along with us.

 

[Kelce68]

I think you're missing the point. Joe leaving mid season weakens our team and strengthens our competitors team.

He understands that, but you're ignoring the purpose of this from a Wests perspective.

It may (minorly) weaken our squad in the now, but it vastly strengthens our cap situation now and into the future, which is the purpose.

The discussion about the gap between Joffa and his likely long-term replacement in Blore is open for debate, but I think that gap is being overblown, as is the point as to whether we really lose that much on the field at all, considering Joe's role this year from the bench.

'strengthens our competitors team'

In my opinion, if you wanna talk bad business, holding an inflated bench player contract, simply to spite another team (and in the process eating your own cap away) is the very definition of bad business.

I love Joffa and all he brought to the club, but this situation is mutually beneficial, whether people agree with it or not.

 

[liltiger]

He was contracted, nobody made him leave.

It doesn't make any sense to me. He was contracted for a further 2 - 2.5 years with us, then jumped ship for a 3 year deal at the Eels. Where's the upside for him apart from a further year that he would have got anyway. I reckon to free up cap space he was tapped on the shoulder, reckon Sheens or Fulton moved him on and convinced him of it by telling him he will only be a bench player. He didn't look anything like someone who wanted to leave on Saturday night.
I totally get the N.R.L cattle trading, it's a part of the business, this is more than likely the best move for the club. But personally I had a soft spot for Joffa. Just the way he always put in for the jersey, he had bad games like everyone but he always played with heart. He was a shining light in the Madge years that at a lot of times were pretty bleak. Good luck to him, like I said it'd prob the best move for the club a 600k bench prop isn't really responsible salary cap management, but he was one of my favourites. Am peeved apart from easing the cap we didn't get a junior or another player in return.

 

[Nonotmeagain]

He probably wanted to play finals footy.

 

[liltiger]

He probably wanted to play finals footy.

I'm not sure Parra are guaranteed finals footy this year, they are getting hammered with injuries

 

[liltiger]

He understands that, but you're ignoring the purpose of this from a Wests perspective.

It may (minorly) weaken our squad in the now, but it vastly strengthens our cap situation now and into the future, which is the purpose.

The discussion about the gap between Joffa and his likely long-term replacement in Blore in open for debate, but I think that gap is being overblown, as is the point as to whether we really lose that much on the field at all, considering Joe's role this year from the bench.

'strengthens our competitors team'

In my opinion, if you wanna talk bad business, holding an inflated bench player contract, simply to spite another team (and in the process eating your own cap away) is the very definition of bad business.

I love Joffa and all he brought to the club, but this situation is mutually beneficial, whether people agree with it or not.

Agree with everything you posted, the issue the club has though is we can't find anyone to take the cap money before we let Joffa go. If results improve, then at some stage players would be more likely to join, but as of now we just can't seem to spend our cap.

 

[Bigscreentv]

He understands that, but you're ignoring the purpose of this from a Wests perspective.

It may (minorly) weaken our squad in the now, but it vastly strengthens our cap situation now and into the future, which is the purpose.

The discussion about the gap between Joffa and his likely long-term replacement in Blore in open for debate, but I think that gap is being overblown, as is the point as to whether we really lose that much on the field at all, considering Joe's role this year from the bench.

'strengthens our competitors team'

In my opinion, if you wanna talk bad business, holding an inflated bench player contract, simply to spite another team (and in the process eating your own cap away) is the very definition of bad business.

I love Joffa and all he brought to the club, but this situation is mutually beneficial, whether people agree with it or not.

I agree - I like Joe too, but I don't think we lose that much that we can't replace with a younger player. We also need to keep Tupou, Bula, Toa, Matamua, James...There's also guys in Flegg that will be fed in to first grade over the next 1-2 years.

I feel for Joe though as he didn't really get a chance to feel success at the Tigers.

 

[liltiger]

I like Charlie, But don't see a spot for him moving forward - He won't stay to play ressies....
Seems a lot here forgetting we also have Big Jimmy on the books next year at wing,

He could be anything....

Sheens always likes to carry a utility back like Fitzhenry, reckon Staines at some stage could fill that spot for us, between him and Laurie I'd prefer Staines.

 

[hsvjones]

Someone re signed him at the end of last season till 2025 mid season in - gone. How can you trust that anyone is capable of forward thinking when managing the roster based on the actions of this week. They are either all on the same page or they are not.

To be fair to the club Joe was extended before we picked up our top line forwards in Klemmer, Bateman and Paps was still undecided. I think it was a smart move because if we didn't get them we had Joe locked in as a capable starter. 600k for a bench forward is OK but these funds could be spent on extending the young guns like Bula, tupou etc..

 

[DJG]

Joe will be playing bench for the Eels when they're full strength.

End of the day he went for a longer contract.

The money we get will go to Tupou, Uto and hopefully a class player.

Brooks extension FOR LIFE!

 

[Kelce68]

Agree with everything you posted, the issue the club has though is we can't find anyone to take the cap money before we let Joffa go. If results improve, then at some stage players would be more likely to join, but as of now we just can't seem to spend our cap.

Yeh, for sure, plus the market cupboard is relatively bare.

Unfortunately in NRL world, sometimes that's the case with the market. We're best in those times to front-load and upgrade and extend.

In some ways, we're really lucky to have plenty of coin to upgrade and extend at a time when our best juniors are coming on strong; Bula, Tupou, Pole, etc.

 

[jrtiger]

I like Charlie, But don't see a spot for him moving forward - He won't stay to play ressies....
Seems a lot here forgetting we also have Big Jimmy on the books next year at wing,

He could be anything....

Ngutlik will be on the comeback trail given he did his ACL in the Cup trial in Feb, so will probably just come out of rehab by the time preseason rolls around in November. he's a long way away from regular footy in Cup, let alone first grade.

a 2-year contract for Staines as the backup outside back I think is a good shout. is there anywhere that will let him play regular first grade on the wing or as second string fullback?

 

[Kelce68]

Ngutlik will be on the comeback trail given he did his ACL in the Cup trial in Feb, so will probably just come out of rehab by the time preseason rolls around in November. he's a long way away from regular footy in Cup, let alone first grade.

a 2-year contract for Staines as the backup outside back I think is a good shout. is there anywhere that will let him play regular first grade on the wing or as second string fullback?

Far be it from me to 'play the man' in discussions, but I look forward to seeing your posts @jrtiger .

Once again, you're on the money.

 

[jrtiger]

Far be it from me to 'play the man' in discussions, but I look forward to seeing your posts @jrtiger .

Once again, you're on the money.

too kind mate. feel similar about yours as well. makes for excellent discussion.

I'm hoping Charlie is locked up during this period where we look to retain. he's more than earnt it and ensures that we keep him away from rival clubs.

 

[weststigerman]

However i think the board should be telling Lee H to cut his ties with SEN. The guy just cannot keep his mouth shut about goings on in the club.

Agree. He has too much power and his ego doesn't enable him to say "no comment".