Where's Benji's mates at?
Can we sign Dylan Brown, Lachlan Ilias, Tyson Frizzell & Haze Dunster... as a start.
Can we sign Dylan Brown, Lachlan Ilias, Tyson Frizzell & Haze Dunster... as a start.
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I heard Dylan Brown is a bit of a hands on guyWhere's Benji's mates at?
Can we sign Dylan Brown, Lachlan Ilias, Tyson Frizzell & Haze Dunster... as a start.
We’ll that gets rid of AJ at leastStains apparently will be ready next week.
Nope.Yeah, saw that after I posted, so definitely not my imagination.
Agree 💯% with TigerNeddyKWe did better with brooks in this team than without. I’ll expect we will go up a gear if he gets back this season. Only thing that could stop us getting another spoon.
Should also be trying to use some as trades (eg: Simpkin) rather than letting them go for nothing. Opportunity over the back end of the season if competing teams are desperate to fill certain positions and we can trade non essentials to help us top up weaker areas.Here is a bit of a summary of our top 30 numbers based on what we know as fact & which identified juniors are likely to progress. In my opinion, our aggressive recruitment drive is for 5-6 external players of which 2 need to be halves, reasoning below ...
Current Squad: 29
Departing end of season: Luke Brooks, Tommy Talau (2)
Incoming juniors into top 30 for 2024: Josh Feledy, Brandon Mansfield, Lachlan Galvin (3)
Off-contract 2023: Brandon Wakeham, Lomi Saukuru, Charlie Staines, Tuki Simpkins, Alex Seyfarth, Daine Laurie (6)
Summary: That leaves us with 24 contracted players for 2024.
Opinion #1: We will re-sign Charlie Staines & Alex Seyfarth.
Opinion #2: We will also progress Tallyn Da Silva & Chris Fa'agutu into top 30 for 2024.
Update: That gives us 28 contracted players & the room to sign 2 players.
Opinion #3: Our priority external signings are 2 halves - a directional experienced halfback and a running/ball-playing 5/8.
Update: That will take us to our maximum 30 players.
Opinion #4: We are significantly depleted in experienced outside backs who are good defensively, decent IQ levels and provide energy & effort.
Opinion #5: We allow the following contracted players to explore other opportunities telling them they will get a greater opportunity at First Grade elsewhere - Asu Kepaoa, David Nofoaluma & Jake Simpkin. (Note: Depending on the negotiations with the Fainu brothers, if they decide on Redcliffe, I'd be allowing Sione Fainu to depart as well)
Update: That takes our squad to 26-27 and the ability to recruit 3-4 external players.
Opinion #6: We will progress 4 juniors into top 30 for 2025 - Kit Laulilii, Luke Laulilii, Jordan Miller & Solo Saukuru. (Note: I think the highly touted Onitoni Large will be development in '25 to top 30 in '26.)
Update: We have 10 players off-contract 2024 - Adam Doeuihi, Brandon Tumeth, Triston Reilly, Rua Ngatikaura, Shawn Blore, Starford T'oa, Junior Tupou, Alex Twal, Api Korisau (mutual option) & Stef Utoikamanu (mutual option).
Opinion #7: We have probably identified Doueihi, Reilly & Ngatikaura to be released to allow our juniors to progress into top 30 in '25. Will likely need to offload maybe a 1-season external recruit from the year before to create enough space.
FINAL COMMENT: This is a perfect world analysis and does not factor in injuries, players asking for a release and other WT juniors progressing faster than anticipated. So in my opinion, we will look to recruit 5-6 players for next season which includes 2 halves and at least 1 other player on just a 12-month contract. I can understand why we are now in an aggressive & vigorous recruitment period now because future years will be focused on retention & progressing our juniors into the squad.
Only 2 teams smell of desperation. One just hired a real coach.Should also be trying to use some as trades (eg: Simpkin) rather than letting them go for nothing. Opportunity over the back end of the season if competing teams are desperate to fill certain positions and we can trade non essentials to help us top up weaker areas.
If we do somehow get some good recruitment in (big if) there are usually ways to offload players to accomodate them.
He has to be to some extent given he has never coached before. Not his fault. He should never have been offered the job. Pascoe and Lee’s fault. They need to go.Maybe Benji is the problem.
Hail Sezer!View attachment 5930
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Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Benji, Fulton clash over halfback signing — Daily Telegraph
Is Scott Fulton’s position at the Wests Tigers becoming untenable? The recruitment boss and Benji Marshall have clashed over the club’s pursuit of Aidan Sezer, writes Phil Rothfield.apple.news