Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[The Chad]

Something that concerns me massively is our willingness to let players who genuinely want to be here and make an impact go. Both Hastings and Joffa have the ability to improve us quite significantly and they wanted to be here so bad and turn this club around, and they were let go to be replaced by Wakeham and Seyfarth (he had one good game but he’s still a plodder). If we have those boys, with our team fully healthy we could’ve made some noise imo.

Don’t take this as a rumour, I’ve heard from someone very very close to Hastings that he wanted to be at the Wests Tigers so badly and tried desperately to stay - but those Bateman/Hastings beef rumours aren’t just rumours and he feels he was forced to leave so Sheens could bring in Bateman. Moving him to lock when he’s a straight up 7 was an example of this.

I appreciate the effort Hastings displayed while at the Tigers. I loved it.

But he is, at best, a limited halfback. No real kicking game, not a runner of the ball. He can organise, and he definitely will fight. But there are reasons, other than the reported personality, he gets to move on so often. He's a replaceable piece.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

The offer to Brooks might suggest the days of overspending are coming to an end.

Hopefully.

I said (and was criticised - nothing new.. ) that Moses Mbye on $300k is MUCH better value than people think. His career started as the main kicking option for the Bulldogs. We moved him to fullback once he got here. He had shown versatility, but he was predominantly a half/5-8. Would Mbye be WORSE than Brooks at 7? Wakeham?

You could be onto something. Not wanted at St. George for next year. St. George are rebuilding.

 

[The Chad]

Wakeham has talent. He went okay the other night.
He walked in after being let go by Penrith. Look at Penrith now. I dont hate anyone. Just maybe his niche is better placed elsewhere. Dont take my word for it - just look at the results.

Actually- we walked out on Penrith. He was head-hunted by Marina to come here. I think he was 1 of around 15 candidates. He'd only been CEO for I think, 1 year at Penrith? It wasn't their choice to let him go.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Actually- we walked out on Penrith. He was head-hunted by Marina to come here. I think he was 1 of around 15 candidates. He'd only been CEO for I think, 1 year at Penrith? It wasn't their choice to let him go.

Fair enough.

 

[jirskyr]

We lowball Brooks and replace him with a reserve grader or ESL player wanting one last contract in the NRL. Another ugly year in 2024 and probably a few more after that. Don’t get me wrong we needed to part ways with Brooks but only if we could replace him with something better or something that has a high ceiling. Blokes like Clifford are a massive backward step. Although when your coming last I guess backward steps make no difference.

Unfortunately the "only replace Brooks with someone better" argument starts to run out of credit after a decade or so.

And that's from someone who supported the concept, and I would not have got rid of Brooks this season either. But at some point you also have to recognise that it's not working, even if there is no easy or obvious replacement.

 

[The Chad]

You could be onto something. Not wanted at St. George for next year. St. George are rebuilding.

Don't get me wrong- I'm not saying Mbye solves all our problems.

I'm saying, at the right $'s, he adds value.

 

[Stevec]

This is what we are up against. It's not easy to get 4 quality players and potentially 5 players. 2 of those are halves as well.

It's not looking good next year either.

Yes that's my point recruiting top class proven NRL talent almost impossible.
I watch Fox nrl channel day after day and everytime they talk about whether this one or that one big names might go to tigers they grin ,smirk and laugh it off as implausible.
When we did land the big 4 forwards to begin this season I think that because we were embarking on a "new era " with an ex famous coach and two legends we were getting the benefit of the doubt .
But NOW stuck on the bottom and having the same old rubbish with admin and footy staff appearing to be on different tacks .That open mind from the football fraternity has completely gone .
So what I feel is something dramatic must happen to tell the world that the Wests Tigers are really in a new direction . Otherwise its a slow death spiral
Bottom club - weak roster - weak recruiting - player exits - even weaker roster-"leading to eventual demise
Right or Wrong someone needs to fall on their sword
IMO its not the coaching staff

 

[The Chad]

Unfortunately the "only replace Brooks with someone better" argument starts to run out of credit after a decade or so.

And that's from someone who supported the concept, and I would not have got rid of Brooks this season either. But at some point you also have to recognise that it's not working, even if there is no easy or obvious replacement.

I wanted Brooks re-signed. But I agree with the club's offer. I don't think you could sink another $700K upwards into him & expect the return to be worth it. If he could get better elsewhere, good for him. When he is Manly's 7 with Schuster at 6....yikes.

 

[coivtny]

Don't get me wrong- I'm not saying Mbye solves all our problems.

I'm saying, at the right $'s, he adds value.

I'm not sure where though. If he was on our bench I'd still say no. I saw him play here for quite a few games and I think he's a dud and not first grade level. It doesn't matter whether you pay a dud $800k or $350K they are still a dud.

 

[hsvjones]

I thought I read or heard on radio that it was 50/50 for the Lainu and that Benji plans to meet them again this weekend? Correct me if I'm wrong but lets hope this is the case and Benji can close it out.

 

[teddy23]

I appreciate the effort Hastings displayed while at the Tigers. I loved it.

But he is, at best, a limited halfback. No real kicking game, not a runner of the ball. He can organise, and he definitely will fight. But there are reasons, other than the reported personality, he gets to move on so often. He's a replaceable piece.

I would disagree… I think that’s just a smokescreen to distract us from the fact that Hastings is everything we need right now.

We’re the most unorganised team in the league by a country mile…. and we let go maybe one of the most organised 7’s in the league.

I think he’s got a pretty good kicking game actually you could make the argument great. His running game isn’t like Munster ofc but he can run the ball pretty well, he actually has scored back to back game by taking the line on recently.

My point is we’ve scarified a whole year just because we don’t have a 7, when we had one to end the year last year who wanted to be here and was forced out…. from a recruitment POV that’s concerning.

 

[teddy23]

I thought I read or heard on radio that it was 50/50 for the Lainu and that Benji plans to meet them again this weekend? Correct me if I'm wrong but lets hope this is the case and Benji can close it out.

Don’t listen to the dolphins mail…. no decision is made yet. We’ve got the edge so far.

It was a wrap about 1-2 weeks ago that they were coming to us - but our recent struggles have just got them thinking and considering all options.

Personally, I still like our chances but this is rugby league and anything can happen…

 

[liltiger]

I'd know where I'd go. Bennett v Senile Sheens.
No brainer I wouldn't come here for any money.

Bennett is only around for a year before Woolfe takes over though, I'm not sure if he's sticking around as a head of football for them after though.

 

[The Chad]

I'm not sure where though. If he was on our bench I'd still say no. I saw him play here for quite a few games and I think he's a dud and not first grade level. It doesn't matter whether you pay a dud $800k or $350K they are still a dud.

The dud played State of Origin, while at the Tigers. And has been in & around first grade his whole career. Either he's the luckiest player in the NRL, or someone sees something.

His 'fall from grace' only came when he was viewed as a 'utility' instead of a half/5-8. Before that, he was a constant in the Bulldogs side.

 

[The Chad]

I would disagree… I think that’s just a smokescreen to distract us from the fact that Hastings is everything we need right now.

We’re the most unorganised team in the league by a country mile…. and we let go maybe one of the most organised 7’s in the league.

I think he’s got a pretty good kicking game actually you could make the argument great. His running game isn’t like Munster ofc but he can run the ball pretty well, he actually has scored back to back game by taking the line on recently.

My point is we’ve scarified a whole year just because we don’t have a 7, when we had one to end the year last year who wanted to be here and was forced out…. from a recruitment POV that’s concerning.

I get that view as well. Like I said- I loved what he did while here. But I just don't see anything in him you can't get from a number of other players. That said, he'd certainly help about now...

 

[liltiger]

Wests Tigers seem to be doing well in that department thus far. But no signings. Winning breeds Big Business. If you build it - they will come.

Only cause our main sponsor is also the main Muppet on the board.

 

[coivtny]

The dud played State of Origin, while at the Tigers. And has been in & around first grade his whole career. Either he's the luckiest player in the NRL, or someone sees something.

His 'fall from grace' only came when he was viewed as a 'utility' instead of a half/5-8. Before that, he was a constant in the Bulldogs side.

Not arguing with you mate. You obviously see him different to me. But the Bulldogs were very happy to let him go mid-season as I recall, we let him go and now the Dragons are letting him go. It's not his fault that three clubs have been willing to throw money at him but I wouldn't throw $350k at him.

 

[The Chad]

Don’t listen to the dolphins mail…. no decision is made yet. We’ve got the edge so far.

It was a wrap about 1-2 weeks ago that they were coming to us - but our recent struggles have just got them thinking and considering all options.

Personally, I still like our chances but this is rugby league and anything can happen…

Hopefully.

Fainu signing (both actually) certainly puts us in a forward motion.

 

[Yossarian]

I thought I read or heard on radio that it was 50/50 for the Lainu and that Benji plans to meet them again this weekend? Correct me if I'm wrong but lets hope this is the case and Benji can close it out.

Assuming that’s true it’s a good sign. Why would he bother meeting with Benji again otherwise? That said, I’d rather make sure Gavin was locked away - that kid looks unbelievably good.

 

[The Chad]

Not arguing with you mate. You obviously see him different to me. But the Bulldogs were very happy to let him go mid-season as I recall, we let him go .

and now the Dragons are letting him go. It's not his fault that three clubs have been willing to throw money at him but I wouldn't throw $350k at him.

$350k is just a number off the top of my head. Let's just say "Wakeham money".

The Bulldogs were happy to let him go- agreed. I 'think' they had just moved him into the fullback role themselves, from memory. I'm trying to think who they had brought in to play 7 next to Reynolds to replace him.

I just remember him being very highly regarded PRIOR to becoming a 'utility'.