Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[tigertragic]

This is really screwed.

I thought Cogger had said NO to the tigers, so not an option.
But surely Sezer doesn’t provide the ‘pace’ Sheens required as part of a half back and one of the reasons Hastings was punted
Fully agree, the club is screwed with these multi direction decisions - DUMB

 

[Needaname]

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.

I read somewhere Will Craig has a contact for nrl can’t remember what year? Need to get Heath Mason signed up and playing 6 or 7 consistently.

 

[carltonleach]

I thought we would end up with Seizer. IMO not a bad signing. Good kicking game.

I think we will also get croft and a you back half like a latu or sanders

Plus i think we will get Seam Keppie and maybe fultons son.

We really need to resign the Forbes Farrai and another quality outside back

I can almost guarantee we don’t get keppie, a bloke I work with is friends with his family and he’s still very salty with how he was handled as a junior coming through the junior ranks

 

[Tigerbenb]

Sezer is twice as fast as Hastings off the mark. He might not be quick, but his initial acceleration is enough to ask questions of the defense.

What this means , no fainu, no Croft, no trindall, no taffe, no sanders …. No more 312 pages pissing on about them

 

[tony soprano]

I thought we would end up with Seizer. IMO not a bad signing. Good kicking game.

I think we will also get croft and a you back half like a latu or sanders

Plus i think we will get Seam Keppie and maybe fultons son.

We really need to resign the Forbes Farrai and another quality outside back

I'd say there's a thousand fights between sheens and Fulton going at the moment

The narrative is players won't play under sheens

 

[Needaname]

The winger Kirk and centre Feledy have scored many tries on the left in Flegg. Feledy has the hands of a good centre, being able to put his fast winger into space. It's reflected in their try tally. It is a skill lacking in Talau's game despite being a former Aust Schools 5/8.

Shame he doesn’t have the shoulders of a good centre

 

[tony soprano]

I thought Cogger had said NO to the tigers, so not an option.
But surely Sezer doesn’t provide the ‘pace’ Sheens required as part of a half back and one of the reasons Hastings was punted
Fully agree, the club is screwed with these multi direction decisions - DUMB

Sezer only fit the experienced criteria

 

[gregjm87]

Pound for pound,

Sezar > Brooks

Hope you are right, but Leeds didn't think so.

 

[liltiger]

Hail Sezer!View attachment 5930
View attachment 5931

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

Would have preferred Cogger over Seizer if Cogger was willing to come across.

 

[gregjm87]

What this means , no fainu, no Croft, no trindall, no taffe, no sanders …. No more 312 pages pissing on about them

na, we still need someone to partner with Sezer.

 

[hsvjones]

I am fine with Sezer if true.
He is quicker than people make out and his kicking game is very good especially long kicking which we lack.
32 and has runs on the board and is a perfect gap player until young ones ready.

 

[Demps]

Hope you are right, but Leeds didn't think so.

& we didn't think Brooks was worth more than 2 years at 550k but Manly thought he was worth a 4 year 650k deal (reported)

We don't need a 7 like Brooks - we need some maturity and an organisationally skilled player in the 7.... we have needed this for years.... hopefully Aidan is the man to play this role.

Now we need a 6... hopefully Latu Fainu, otherwise Croft is next in line.

And some outside backs.

 

[liltiger]

We have a great track record with medicals. Should go through no probs.

Think ours are done by Dr Nick Riviera

 

[boonboon]

Great kicker, one of the better defensive halves and experienced organiser. The right signing imo. Coukd have done much worse.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Mate, he'll fill out in due time. Got to love how
he goes about his biz though. Very eager!

Plays 2nd row for Manly. Was surprised he was in the front row, AND captain!

 

[Kaito]

Plays 2nd row for Manly. Was surprised he was in the front row, AND captain!

Can't talk for shit God bless him lol

 

[Todd Packer]

& we didn't think Brooks was worth more than 2 years at 550k but Manly thought he was worth a 4 year 650k deal (reported)

We don't need a 7 like Brooks - we need some maturity and an organisationally skilled player in the 7.... we have needed this for years.... hopefully Aidan is the man to play this role.

Now we need a 6... hopefully Latu Fainu, otherwise Croft is next in line.

And some outside backs.

You're talking me into it.
Welcome to the Tigers Aidan Yüçel Sezer!

 

[Kaito]

I'm in parra watching wallabies pray 4 me

 

[Kaito]

You're talking me into it.
Welcome to the Tigers Aidan Yüçel Sezer!

Dempsey isn't a Turk lool

 

[Demps]

Dempsey isn't a Turk lool

Some one said Aiden is roman earlier, lol

He played for the indigenous all stars once