Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Chipofftheoldblock]

why is this forum obsessed with Sezer? Don't think he has ever had a winning season in the ESL.

He is playing terrible in Super League....Lachlan Lam is killing it though.

 

[weststigers]

There is a plan to this halfback situation...it will come out in due time..... fans will be happy.

Is this a plan we will successfully execute or just a plan?

 

[tigerbenji]

As someone said, I wouldn't mind Sam Walker, I think he is going to be a good player. Is money the only thing to get him here ?.

 

[Robbie's Love Child]

If Brooks ain't going to be here next year I would play him in KOE when he returns and put a young guy in his place for experience. I don't get the doom and gloom of losing him, he has delivered nothing and it is not like we are in the top four and losing him, he is the equivalent of most of the bog average players that are available.

 

[weststigerman]

If Brooks ain't going to be here next year I would play him in KOE when he returns and put a young guy in his place for experience. I don't get the doom and gloom of losing him, he has delivered nothing and it is not like we are in the top four and losing him, he is the equivalent of most of the bog average players that are available.

I’m fine with him going but it’s beyond stupid dropping him to reserve grade when the best replacement we have is Brandon Wakeham.

 

[tigertragic]

Ive already laid out the "plan" such that it is but it is a long way from happening and NOT a sure thing.

As per usual the backup plan is non existent, as is this case every time this regime undertakes something

 

[bathursttiger1]

As per usual the backup plan is non existent, as is this case every time this regime undertakes something

How do you know that there’s not a backup plan in place, you’re just guessing that there isn’t anything in place.
If the club has supposedly lowballed Luke then they would have something else planned.

 

[88]

My other team I follow closely, the Bengals, had a QB named Andy Dalton for 8 or so years. It was always debated whether he was good or not as he'd get them to the playoffs but then not play well in those games and, while he had his moments, he tended not to perform well on big occassions. Bengals eventually released him, drafter a new quarterback in Joe burrow and have been to a Superbowl and a AFC championship game in three years. So it worked out well. Dalton has gone on to be a reasonable backup at a number of different teams. Obviously different situations but made me think that long-term players aren't going to change and players in key positions should be accountable for results.

Even in Brooks' best year he wasn't near being the top halfback and players like Cleary, Hynes, Hughes, Cody Walker etc have all emerged and surpassed him since that season. I don't think we're going to win with him, he's just never been the player to step up in big moments even excusing him on the basis of the teams around him being so bad.

It's good for both brooks and the club if he goes.

Still think Brooks would be fine if played at 6 alongside the right type of 7 (a Moses, Cleary or Adam Reynolds type). Just like a Dylan Brown or Luai, he needs a controlling player to take the pressure off and just chime in with eyes up footy and his speed. Think he has been a victim of his recent salary and expectation that he is the go to half. Us or some other team could have / will get great use out of him matched with the right 7.

 

[Nadz4483]

My other team I follow closely, the Bengals, had a QB named Andy Dalton for 8 or so years. It was always debated whether he was good or not as he'd get them to the playoffs but then not play well in those games and, while he had his moments, he tended not to perform well on big occassions. Bengals eventually released him, drafter a new quarterback in Joe burrow and have been to a Superbowl and a AFC championship game in three years. So it worked out well. Dalton has gone on to be a reasonable backup at a number of different teams. Obviously different situations but made me think that long-term players aren't going to change and players in key positions should be accountable for results.

Even in Brooks' best year he wasn't near being the top halfback and players like Cleary, Hynes, Hughes, Cody Walker etc have all emerged and surpassed him since that season. I don't think we're going to win with him, he's just never been the player to step up in big moments even excusing him on the basis of the teams around him being so bad.

It's good for both brooks and the club if he goes.

Best decision for both parties if Brooks leaves. Brooks doesn't deserve another contract at WTs (he just hasn't been the player we wanted him to be) and I think he'll only benefit from a change in scenery. Who do we sign tho? We seem to be happy to let a few go without any replacements lined up. I'd like to think something exciting is coming our way but then I remind myself of the mongs that run this club.

Go the bengals.... burrow is a freak, his stats are off chops...

 

[hsvjones]

People wonder why we don't get much rumours on here now and we know why.. As soon as someone posts something they just cop it with BS here BS there..
The world is going bonkers.. What happened to just making a comment without attacking or just moving on.

I can only assume we are all on the same side and want the club to be successful. Rumours are better than talking about what happened 10 years ago.

Anyway play on that's just my thoughts.

 

[jadtiger]

How do you know that there’s not a backup plan in place, you’re just guessing that there isn’t anything in place.
If the club has supposedly lowballed Luke then they would have something else planned.

The club always seems to have something "planned" but nothing ever seems to come from the plan except failure and ridicule

 

[twentyforty]

Then get me Sezar. 😀

Just don't OVERSPEND on him.

Don’t know that he would get on too well with Bateman.

 

[Robbie's Love Child]

I’m fine with him going but it’s beyond stupid dropping him to reserve grade when the best replacement we have is Brandon Wakeham.

I think it is "beyond stupid" keeping him in the side when he is not going to be here next year in a key position. Surely we can promote a young player into the five eighth position, which is what Brooks is, rather than waste time with a bloke who is pissing off elsewhere.

 

[liltiger]

Ive already laid out the "plan" such that it is but it is a long way from happening and NOT a sure thing.

Mistymuzzle, what is it if I can ask, I missed it. Is it Sanders and Fainu?

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Here is one take on the direction the Club will go in recruiting Halves for 24 & 25 with some brief reasoning. Sorry for the length, I got carried away. Make a cuppa tea!

Disclaimer, this is not my direction just the direction I think the Club will go based on what we’ve heard from Sheens in interviews this season, the club’s focus to have a clear path for our top 16-19yos & what the market is currently like (i.e. availability & potential of early releases).

Firstly, let’s look at our pathways in the halves:

Onitoni Large 16yo – Possible debut in 25/26
Alex Conti 17yo – Possible debut in 26
Heath Mason 18yo – Possible debut in 25.
Lachlan Galvin 18yo – Possible debut in 25.

I think these are our big 4. Mason played fullback in Ball this season but I see his future in the halves. He was part of the NSW Junior Blues Camp in pre-season so is highly-rated. Many see Galvin’s future in the backrow given his height but he is an exceptional 5/8 atm & may be where his future still lies.

Other potentials are Iverson Matai & Oliver Lawry who are both 19yos, Alex Isdale 16yo & Marc Tannous 17yo (the latter two in CUBS system).

But realistically, the earliest any may get a taste of 1st Grade is 2025, more games in ’26, then permanent fixtures in ’27.

So I think we are looking at halves who can provide experience, leadership, depth & can take us into the Top 8 with our strong Forward Pack and developing Outside Backs, from 2024 to at least 2026.

That’s why I don’t think we’ll focus our halves recruitment on anyone under 23 UNLESS we can secure a generational talent (and that would be Latu Fainu).

TARGETS

Josh Schuster - 23 next season, off contract in 24, x-factor, creative passing & short kicking game.

Chad Townsend - 33 next season, 2 years left in him, organising half only, good long & short kicking game, premiership winner, off contract in 24.

Luke Metcalf - will be 25 next season, has a long-kicking game, goal kicker, speed, very good backing up, good relationship with Fulton, off contract in 24 so would need to be released but something has to give at the Warriors with a surplus of halves for 24.

Lachlan Lam - 26 next season, off contract, quoted as saying wants to return to NRL, long & short kicking game, good speed & agility.

Te Maire Martin - 28 next season, no long kicking game, agile line breaker, good short passing game, good defence, off contract in 25, good relationship with Benji.

Jack Cogger - 26 next season, off contract, nothing flash, solid organiser & kicker, good defensively.

Blake Taafe - 25 next season, off contract, good ball runner, solid passing game, high energy, ok front line defence.

COMBINATIONS

Priority 1 - Schuster with Lam, Townsend or Cogger

Priority 2 (no Schuster) - Townsend with Metcalf, Martin, Taafe

Priority 3 (no Schuster or Townsend) - Metcalf with Lam or Cogger

Priority 4 - Lam with Martin or Taafe

 

[Kelce68]

Here is one take on the direction the Club will go in recruiting Halves for 24 & 25 with some brief reasoning. Sorry for the length, I got carried away. Make a cuppa tea!

Disclaimer, this is not my direction just the direction I think the Club will go based on what we’ve heard from Sheens in interviews this season, the club’s focus to have a clear path for our top 16-19yos & what the market is currently like (i.e. availability & potential of early releases).

Firstly, let’s look at our pathways in the halves:

Onitoni Large 16yo – Possible debut in 25/26
Alex Conti 17yo – Possible debut in 26
Heath Mason 18yo – Possible debut in 25.
Lachlan Galvin 18yo – Possible debut in 25.

I think these are our big 4. Mason played fullback in Matts this season but I see his future in the halves. He was part of the NSW Junior Blues Camp in pre-season so is highly-rated. Many see Galvin’s future in the backrow given his height but he is an exceptional 5/8 atm & may be where his future still lies.

Other potentials are Iverson Matai & Oliver Lawry who are both 19yos, Alex Isdale 16yo & Marc Tannous 17yo (the latter two in CUBS system).

But realistically, the earliest any may get a taste of 1st Grade is 2025, more games in ’26, then permanent fixtures in ’27.

So I think we are looking at halves who can provide experience, leadership, depth & can take us into the Top 8 with our strong Forward Pack and developing Outside Backs, from 2024 to at least 2026.

That’s why I don’t think we’ll focus our halves recruitment on anyone under 23 UNLESS we can secure a generational talent (and that would be Latu Fainu).

TARGETS

Josh Schuster - 23 next season, off contract in 24, x-factor, creative passing & short kicking game.

Chad Townsend - 33 next season, 2 years left in him, organising half only, good long & short kicking game, premiership winner, off contract in 24.

Luke Metcalf - will be 25 next season, has a long-kicking game, goal kicker, speed, very good backing up, good relationship with Fulton, off contract in 24 so would need to be released but something has to give at the Warriors with a surplus of halves for 24.

Lachlan Lam - 26 next season, off contract, quoted as saying wants to return to NRL, long & short kicking game, good speed & agility.

Te Maire Martin - 28 next season, no long kicking game, agile line breaker, good short passing game, good defence, off contract in 25, good relationship with Benji.

Jack Cogger - 26 next season, off contract, nothing flash, solid organiser & kicker, good defensively.

Blake Taafe - 25 next season, off contract, good ball runner, solid passing game, high energy, ok front line defence.

COMBINATIONS

Priority 1 - Schuster with Lam, Townsend or Cogger

Priority 2 (no Schuster) - Townsend with Metcalf, Martin, Taafe

Priority 3 (no Schuster or Townsend) - Metcalf with Lam or Cogger

Priority 4 - Lam with Martin or Taafe

Appreciate the effort, @BlackWhiteGold

I'm trying to find some in-depth thoughts this morning re; the halves puzzle, but have come up empty. I'll sit on my hands a bit but you've given me a bit to think about this morning.

 

[tony soprano]

I’m fine with him going but it’s beyond stupid dropping him to reserve grade when the best replacement we have is Brandon Wakeham.

He's hammy are gone who'd take him

 

[earl]

Here is one take on the direction the Club will go in recruiting Halves for 24 & 25 with some brief reasoning. Sorry for the length, I got carried away. Make a cuppa tea!

Disclaimer, this is not my direction just the direction I think the Club will go based on what we’ve heard from Sheens in interviews this season, the club’s focus to have a clear path for our top 16-19yos & what the market is currently like (i.e. availability & potential of early releases).

Firstly, let’s look at our pathways in the halves:

Onitoni Large 16yo – Possible debut in 25/26
Alex Conti 17yo – Possible debut in 26
Heath Mason 18yo – Possible debut in 25.
Lachlan Galvin 18yo – Possible debut in 25.

I think these are our big 4. Mason played fullback in Matts this season but I see his future in the halves. He was part of the NSW Junior Blues Camp in pre-season so is highly-rated. Many see Galvin’s future in the backrow given his height but he is an exceptional 5/8 atm & may be where his future still lies.

Other potentials are Iverson Matai & Oliver Lawry who are both 19yos, Alex Isdale 16yo & Marc Tannous 17yo (the latter two in CUBS system).

But realistically, the earliest any may get a taste of 1st Grade is 2025, more games in ’26, then permanent fixtures in ’27.

So I think we are looking at halves who can provide experience, leadership, depth & can take us into the Top 8 with our strong Forward Pack and developing Outside Backs, from 2024 to at least 2026.

That’s why I don’t think we’ll focus our halves recruitment on anyone under 23 UNLESS we can secure a generational talent (and that would be Latu Fainu).

TARGETS

Josh Schuster - 23 next season, off contract in 24, x-factor, creative passing & short kicking game.

Chad Townsend - 33 next season, 2 years left in him, organising half only, good long & short kicking game, premiership winner, off contract in 24.

Luke Metcalf - will be 25 next season, has a long-kicking game, goal kicker, speed, very good backing up, good relationship with Fulton, off contract in 24 so would need to be released but something has to give at the Warriors with a surplus of halves for 24.

Lachlan Lam - 26 next season, off contract, quoted as saying wants to return to NRL, long & short kicking game, good speed & agility.

Te Maire Martin - 28 next season, no long kicking game, agile line breaker, good short passing game, good defence, off contract in 25, good relationship with Benji.

Jack Cogger - 26 next season, off contract, nothing flash, solid organiser & kicker, good defensively.

Blake Taafe - 25 next season, off contract, good ball runner, solid passing game, high energy, ok front line defence.

COMBINATIONS

Priority 1 - Schuster with Lam, Townsend or Cogger

Priority 2 (no Schuster) - Townsend with Metcalf, Martin, Taafe

Priority 3 (no Schuster or Townsend) - Metcalf with Lam or Cogger

Priority 4 - Lam with Martin or Taafe

Good post. The only issue here in my opinion is Schuster and only because I bet he comes at a high cost. If he delivers it's fine but I don't think it's worth the risk.

I don't think Townsend is very good either. So I'd probably be happier with priorities 3 or 4. I think the most important signings will be any young player who has the potential to be really good.

 

[88]

I know the club has a smell about it and it’s made recruiting traditionally hard, but I maintain that any half that reads between the lines should see that a gig in the WT halves could be fruitful. We are consistently winning the statistics in games, have good go forward and thus potential front foot play, get a lot of tackles in the red zone, and have a generational hooker that offers lots for a half. Plus a fullback who is only going to get better and offer more as a strike weapon in backline movements. Surely a good combination of 6 and 7 is the last step to really unlocking our potential.

 

[Fingers83]

I know the club has a smell about it and it’s made recruiting traditionally hard, but I maintain that any half that reads between the lines should see that a gig in the WT halves could be fruitful. We are consistently winning the statistics in games, have good go forward and thus potential front foot play, get a lot of tackles in the red zone, and have a generational hooker that offers lots for a half. Plus a fullback who is only going to get better and offer more as a strike weapon in backline movements. Surely a good combination of 6 and 7 is the last step to really unlocking our potential.

Agree on all points here.

Not only that, we’re one of the few clubs who can offer a half toiling in reserve grade, a genuine starting position immediately. Halfback or 5/8.

I feel sorry for Brooks that we’ve never really put a team around him that could see him succeed until this year, coupled with the media scrutiny and absolute mess of a front office. The move is best for everyone involved and I think we can finally start a real rebuild now.

Everything starts and finishes with your halves and I’m excited to see who we can bring in that will be able to take advantage of the teams new found go forward.

Someone with a short kicking game who doesn’t aim for the legs of the defensive line will be enough to help us score more points in the red zone.