Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[WesternSuburbsBoy]

Don't get what the forums obsession with Taafe is... from the games I've seen him play he's average at best. He was in the Souths system long before Lachy Ilias yet Ilias leapfrogged him to the starting 7 role... tells you all you need to know.

 

[batboy]

Don't get what the forums obsession with Taafe is... from the games I've seen him play he's average at best. He was in the Souths system long before Lachy Ilias yet Ilias leapfrogged him to the starting 7 role... tells you all you need to know.

It's just a name
- When you need a name to help you feel less silly,
You just come up with one.

 

[hammertime]

No one else has snapped up Brooks.

That is the truth.

What are you talking about? he's had options including the Storm and Knights. The bloke stayed because he loved the Tigers from an early age. Don't play it off as a negative.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

If we were to retain Brooks ($650) and somehow nab Hunt ($1m) both for two years, that would make us a top 8 side. And if we were to grab Latu Fainu, he will take over in 2026, plus fill in for injuries before then (with Wakeham), we will be well on the way. Two big gets for us on the opposite side of the spectrum but would be a coup. Fingers crossed...

Hunt is contracted to end of 25.

 

[crazycat]

I still don't want to pay overs for Brooks. I think it'd be good for him to stay as well. Doueihi was a puss contract for us though. He isn't at Mbye or Reynolds level but worse than Brooks by far. It's not a good comparison point.

We have to stop buying players that don't "fit" into a position.
Doueihi
Mbye
Reynolds (although he was always a 5/8, he was a slow one. We then hired Marshall and never really fitted Reynolds into another position.

Utilities are valuable, but we aren't getting those. Instead we get players like Doueihi who are kinda 5/8, kinda fullback, kinda center. not a player like Beau Ryan who played Winger, but could play at Center or Fullback.

Bring on Utilities, but you must own one position.

 

[innsaneink]

Some of the figures posted reflect the emotive nature of the Brooks issue on this forum.

And who knows the correct figures?
Very few

 

[pawsandclaws1]

These are my retention priorities for the next few months (the ones off-contract in '24 can be signed by other clubs from Nov-1):

Luke Brooks (23) - only due to necessity at the right value to lock away one part of our halves puzzle for 24.
Stefano Utoikamanu (24)
Api Korisau (24) - hopefully a one-year extension to rotate with Da Silva in '25.
Junior Tupou (24)
Starford T'oa (24)
Charlie Staines (23)
Brandon Wakeham (23) - ideal backup half

Brooks is one of the few genuine halves available which pretty much destroys your qualification - at the right value. We need him, our club is well aware of it and no doubt his manager as well He has proven over the years he is a loyal type.

 

[hugh1954]

here is an idea.... let's not sign Brooks and run with wakeham and flannagan for next year.... lol
Simply have to sign Brooks out of the Unsigned Players on that list good grief
Problem is getting a 6 or 7 to partner him.

Would rather run an unknown up and coming Junior that buy the Dogs problem

 

[innsaneink]

Resigned to the fact he's likely staying... Will be funny if he leaves

 

[earl]

People here are convinced he’ll play for less
- they’re dead set lying to themselves…

I'm not lying to myself. I'm hopeful we can do a deal with Brooks that is a good deal for us. It'll also be a good deal for him because he may end up a one club player and there are advantages to that.

Let's wait and see what happens.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

And who knows the correct figures?
Very few

Exactly so why post them,

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Would rather run an unknown up and coming Junior that buy the Dogs problem

well next year Flanagan ain't dogs problem
surely one of volkman, Martin or Metcalfe will leave the Warriors

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

well next year Flanagan ain't dogs problem
surely one of volkman, Martin or Metcalfe will leave the Warriors

Yes surely, you can't carry that many halves in the top 30 when you add in Johnson, Walker & Tavita Harris.

 

[GCfan]

Too many guys with low footy IQ and he’s one of them. When Roosters let a young guy go, there’s a reason.

I’m starting to think Roosters judgement ain’t that crash hot. Junior Pauga case in point

 

[851]

What are you talking about? he's had options including the Storm and Knights. The bloke stayed because he loved the Tigers from an early age. Don't play it off as a negative.

No he is saying Brooks has been free to sign with any club since November 1 last year, and he hasn't been signed

 

[tigertragic]

Correct! To think that only one player in the team controls the other 25 players is a fictitious concept.

The good halves control the game
They tell the team where they want the ball taken to to hit a field goal when required
They create opportunities for the hole runners around them
They play eyes up footy for what’s in front of them, not stick blindly to a set play

 

[Canadian Club]

With Joffa leaving and Simpkin, Laurie, Blore and Nofo on the chopping block, it looks like we have significant cap space for next season. I would assume over 2 million based on the Moses offer and the others leaving.

Based on who is currently available/off contract, Frizell and Averillo are the two I would like to see us sign. No other off contract players really stand out.

From there we should be looking for another half currently on contract and see if we can somehow get an early release. Might have to wait until the off season as more players seem to become available once the season is over (similar to Klemmer and Bateman last season).

 

[Nounny]

Can’t agree, Hunt would be perfect for us. If we had him at 7 this year we would have probably 8 more points by now. We desperately need a organising no7 and he is close to the best in the business. Bulla and Brooks would have a field day playing outside him.

Of course we all see things differently but I rate Hunt probably higher than Moses, although you don’t get the goal kicking with Hunt

 

[Nounny]

Does anyone have daily telegraph aerticle regarding Tim sheens and recruitment manager, behind pay wall , seems interested in loving Luke brooks

 

[weststigerman]

McDonnell gone. And lots of theatrics from the Telecrap.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/sports-confidential-turmoil-at-wests-tigers-claims-key-scalp/news-story/eb7d74b9cecd912d0a0ba56533c16125

Wests Tigers have parted ways with one of Tim Sheens most loyal lieutenants, recruitment manager Warren McDonnell.
His departure comes amid rumours that the club was split over the decision to offer Luke Brooks a new contract.

McDonnell, who has spent more than three decades at Wests and the Tigers across two stints, is believed to have split with the club on Wednesday morning.

Wests tigers coach Tim Sheens. Picture: NRL Images
Sheens was the driver behind his return to the club last year but his position has been under a cloud since the Tigers secured Scott Fulton from Manly.

McDonnell was responsible for signing some of the club’s most renowned players including Benji Marshall and Scott Prince.

Club officials privately dismissed those claims on Wednesday after it was put to them that Sheens and Marshall were responsible for the decision to offer Brooks a new two-year-deal when others were less than convinced.