Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[carltonleach]

100%

Seems like we're upgrading the halves and then we need to work on the backline.

Put the right people in the right positions so there's no reason we cannot succeed.

100% mate. We aren’t as far off as people think, if we manage to get a decent controlling halfback I’ve no doubt we will turn a corner. Our playing style seems so forced at the moment with passes being thrown at the wrong time and often to the wrong player, we fix that we will trouble a lot of teams.

 

[Tiger-ferret]

As long as we can hang onto him there isn’t a fullback in the comp I’d pick over him tbh. Kids a weapon already and is still inexperienced, can’t wait to see what he’s like as time goes on

Hopefully it’s just manager talk. Roosters will be looking to the future and teddy needs a mill a year for a few more seasons.

Bulas development trajectory aligns well with a potential tigers finals/premiership window. Would be such a tigers thing to do to lose a Bula now to sign a Teddy.

 

[Tiger_claws]

I’m willing to give up a young “star” like Toa for him…

Loyalty is a two way street… the club moves on from players all the time .. (hello Joffa)…

I am not talking about Toa. We have some seriously good kids, Heath Mason, Luke Laulilii (forgive spelling) are just two names that a outside backs that will surpass a run down Teddy within a couple of years. I don’t accept your loyalty point when it comes to him. They gave him the keys to the castle not once but twice and he crapped on us. The club made big decisions based on him staying. His heart was never in it for us. This my opinion and I am extremely strong on giving him a miss.

 

[liltiger]

Xavier Willison - yes the Tigers are interested in him ..but here's the problem Broncos are just realising that he might worth keeping and is starting to put in some good performances in the top grade.. Bronco's arelosing two props next season so not sure if we'll get him.

Adrian Sezer - yes we have offered him just a 1 year contract .. last i heard he was keen to accept but his manager wants more from us.

Jayden Sullivan - toured the COE the last week ..but also went to Newcastle. He was very impressed with the CEO .. more so than the Newcastle set up .. i only recently heard that he has asked for an early release from his remaining 2 years with the Dragons. I'll say it here .. Sullivan will be wearing Black and Orange next season .. ;-)

Jake Simpkin - we a have a dilemma here .. we'd like to keep him, but he has realised that he fallen behind TDS now .. so i dont think he'll be with us next season. Interesting enough there are two clubs keeping an keen eye on him .. (Rorters and Show Ponies)

I have heard people say we should have a look at Billy Smith and the Rorters are keen on Bradman Best. The Rorters see Billy Smith as their permanent centre alongside Best .. and yes you heard it here first .. Rorters will Manu to fullback .. so who's the odd man out .. ??I'll let you all do the math here .. lol

Tedesco should retire he's cooked

 

[liltiger]

Out of laui and haas which one are we most likely to sign

Luai, the Api connection I think would make him it. Only problem is if Fainu and Luai end up our future halves pairing there isn't really a game managing half in our spine again.

 

[liltiger]

Luai would want 1.2 mil per year & after winning 2 or maybe 3 comps he is looking to get big money. I don't like his attitude but boy I would take him in a Heart beat.

He's got niggle and mongrel in him, we need as much of that as we can get

 

[Spacecub]

How is it that Mbye is playing for St Helens one week after leaving Saints but it took us 5 months to get Bateman to Australia?

Actually what value we are getting from Bateman, shame it wasn't longer

 

[Tiger-ferret]

I don't understand why people get so caught up on the salary. $500,000 in 2024 is not what it used to be with the new cap. Also have to factor in position.

If there is one lesson learned from this season, it is essential to have halves to be competitive. I would rather have a starting half, even a first choice back up half on the same money as a starting centre or winger. I mean, Nofoaluma is earning more. 500k under the new cap is the equivalent to 300-350k on the current/old cap.

Most starting halves in the NRL are on 800k+, even Schuster. Spending on the halves is the highest priority as it is the biggest 'make or break' position. We also don't have the luxury of a Penrith or the like as decent halves won't come here on average money.

I agree with most of your post and that spending on the halves is a priority. Has to be on proven players though and Sullivan is not a starting half in a top 8 team (at the moment). If he’s seen as a back up with potential then 500 too much to be spending time on the sideline and in ressies. Can easily upgrade him if he proves it.

 

[earl]

He would have shone in our team. Especially with Ponga at fulback, Best and Gagai in the centres and Young on the wing.

Who are our equivalents?

This one cracked me up. I love all the Hastings comments. It's hilarious. We had Hastings dudes. We came last. Sure we've gone backwards this year but only because there is another team in the comp.

 

[earl]

I don’t accept your loyalty point when it comes to him.

However you define loyalty Tedesco has shown the complete opposite of it. Not a guy I want at the club ever again in any capacity.

 

[Tiger_claws]

However you define loyalty Tedesco has shown the complete opposite of it. Not a guy I want at the club ever again in any capacity.

Totally agree

 

[Wildcat777]

I would not hesitate on Sullivan and Teddy. Sullivan and Fainu will be top 4 halves and there is room for Teddy and Bula. Great combination and options. Plus Sezer would rectify some of the weaknesses and provide depth. Which is critical. Which is a common denominator for top 4 clubs. Which really is a no brained. Only issue issue is cap management. And I don’t see there being any major issues there. Get it done and move away from the cellar dwellers.

 

[tigermate]

He would have shone in our team. Especially with Ponga at fulback, Best and Gagai in the centres and Young on the wing.

Who are our equivalents?

Our forwards

In more than 50% of the games we’ve lost we’ve won the stats

We just haven’t had a conductor to setup the final plays to score

That’s all we’ve missed.

Hastings would’ve done this.

That’s what everyone on here is missing.

We’ve won the stats!!!! Just haven’t converted to points.

And before everyone says hastings doesn’t have many assists etc… all he needs to do is setup the movements

Trying to convince people that we would’ve been near the top 8 with him this year is a waste of time … like trying to teach my 6yr old nephew algebra.

For all those that supported my comments I’m glad we have a majority of people on here who understand footy … for the rest of you ,

you’re an unfortunate product of Wests tigers mediocrity / luke brooks fandom / and just pure blind fan hope … I feel sorry for you lol

 

[SeanT]

It’s a strong pass for me if it were teddy. That’s a typical old tigers signing, he would expect overs and is well past his prime. He’s struggling with form in a strong squad if anyone is thinking he would be our saving grace in my opinion they would be strongly mistaken. Only my opinion. If we were going to sign another fullback I’d much prefer Dylan Edwards (I understand the teddy talks is about the origin star)

Yeah rather Bula at fullback anyway. By 2025 hel be past teddy

 

[tony soprano]

Wouldn't fret about Tedesco. Doubt he would come back to the club.

 

[king_sirro]

This one cracked me up. I love all the Hastings comments. It's hilarious. We had Hastings dudes. We came last. Sure we've gone backwards this year but only because there is another team in the comp.

The thing is we have gone backwards because of injuries. Yes the start to the year was horrendous, but 2 things have to be acknowledged there.

1. Brooks had no pre season and AD returning from major knee surgery. Both needed games under their belt, and that started to show in the Parra game where AD unfortunately got injured again.

2. I believe Benji acknowledges the tactics in the early rounds were all wrong and he takes a lot of blame for it.

We then adjusted our tactics, Brooks got some games under his belt, and Api found his feet. We looked better then we have in years. Then we lose Api and Brooks for extended periods....game over.

I don't care what your thoughts are (not u Earl) on AD and Brooks, the fact is, any team that loses its 2 starting halves and hooker n captain will fail miserably which we obviously did.

A smarter start to the year by the coaches and not losing Api and Brooks I believe we are around 8th to 10th.

IMO we are much better then last year.

Bulldogs have only lost Kikau yet they get a free ride with commentators continually pointing out their so called injury woes. Losing 3 of our spine barley gets a mention. Its disgusting.

 

[SeanT]

Our forwards

In more than 50% of the games we’ve lost we’ve won the stats

We just haven’t had a conductor to setup the final plays to score

That’s all we’ve missed.

Hastings would’ve done this.

That’s what everyone on here is missing.

We’ve won the stats!!!! Just haven’t converted to points.

And before everyone says hastings doesn’t have many assists etc… all he needs to do is setup the movements

Trying to convince people that we would’ve been near the top 8 with him this year is a waste of time … like trying to teach my 6yr old nephew algebra.

For all those that supported my comments I’m glad we have a majority of people on here who understand footy … for the rest of you ,

you’re an unfortunate product of Wests tigers mediocrity / luke brooks fandom / and just pure blind fan hope … I feel sorry for you lol

For myself Brooks,Douhie and Hastings are all similar to me in the fact they are bottom 8 team playmakers.

Just because I don't rate Hastings at halfback doesn't mean he couldn't be a decent lock if he had a crack.

When he sets the backline moves he's too slow and predictable. He doesn't have a long kicking game and his passing game is just OK. Yes he tries and yes he can organise but having him here is not going to get this team to threaten the top teams.

Douhi3 and Brooks ain't up to it either. We needed a clean slate in the halves. We have a great hooker and the fullback will come along leaps and bounds. Just 6-7 now. The 7 would not be Hastings even if he was available.

 

[hank37w]

We

We also lost peachy.

Players doing well after they leave tigers is not a revelation

Peachy going to the bin last night was no revelation either, but at least he tries and has had an impact since he has been "back home" at the 'Riff.

They actually increased their lead while he was in the bin, but that is what good teams can do and that is the kind of thing that we poor suffering Wests Tigers supporters dream of being capable of being able to achieve one day

Of course there are some exceptions but the majority of players that come to Wests Tigers either suffer a form slump or don't rise to the level of potential they have shown before coming here.

 

[Needaname]

I don't understand why people get so caught up on the salary. $500,000 in 2024 is not what it used to be with the new cap. Also have to factor in position.

If there is one lesson learned from this season, it is essential to have halves to be competitive. I would rather have a starting half, even a first choice back up half on the same money as a starting centre or winger. I mean, Nofoaluma is earning more. 500k under the new cap is the equivalent to 300-350k on the current/old cap.

Most starting halves in the NRL are on 800k+, even Schuster. Spending on the halves is the highest priority as it is the biggest 'make or break' position. We also don't have the luxury of a Penrith or the like as decent halves won't come here on average money.

True but in my opinion we need to continue to build up our forward pack before we spend an inflated amount on halves. I’d much rather we keep the $500k put it towards a larger salary for Has and sign Sandon Smith from the Roosters.

 

[Sully]

Fainu could play 7 and tedesco 6 in 2025

Teddy does not pass the ball and goes himself too much for a 6.

It worked when he had the pace but he is coming back to the field with age.
Probably made the right decision for his career but I would not want him back at the expense of our juniors.