Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Pbulk]

Sounds like managers leaking crap to media because their players are not up to what it takes to succeed and have been called out. Wouldn't go near any player/ manager who is having a whinge about hard work we have been down that path before.

It's players leaking. Sounds like they really hate it over there. Ciraldo has the players there all day, trying to turn them into a version of Penrith but 9-5 doesn't work for them

 

[Pat_Richards_Boot]

I swear the last time Gagai was off contract most people on the forum said he was too old.

Now 2 years older he’s not too old? I wanted him last time he was off contract but now I say he’s too old.

I swear the last time Gagai was off contract most people on the forum said he was too old.

Now 2 years older he’s not too old? I wanted him last time he was off contract but now I say he’s too old.

My biggest concern is his as age as well but looking at his performance this season he still goes pretty well. He is second for tackle breaks this year. He is in some good company still competing with the much younger players.

 

[Tucker]

It's players leaking. Sounds like they really hate it over there. Ciraldo has the players there all day, trying to turn them into a version of Penrith but 9-5 doesn't work for them

Boohoo - they are compensated well.
Put your big boy pants on…

 

[crazycat]

No supporters of wooden spooners ever think their club should be there. But we could well add to our timber collection in 2024.

Sure, we as supporters can't look objectively at our squad.

Yet 2022 I remember we were picked by many to make the 8 due to us having a "complete" squad that wasn't seen as weak in any area. ... we got last.

2023, we hire 2x SOO players + take one of Parra's best props + Charlie Staines from Penrith.... Spoon again.

We should be doing better then we are.

 

[Telltails]

It's players leaking. Sounds like they really hate it over there. Ciraldo has the players there all day, trying to turn them into a version of Penrith but 9-5 doesn't work for them

No doubt players talk but it's managers who feed the media. Players will not get far in this game by bad mouthing their employers.

 

[The Chad]

Undecided on Gagai. I'll probably be happy if it is him, but the critical mind in me says he's probably too old.

Given that I'm normally pretty positive on potential signings...this is a warning sign to me.

 

[hammertime]

If you sign him on yearly contacts, not much of a risk. He's still playing better than any of our centres.

Would be a good pickup

 

[The Chad]

Canterbury are going to go through more long term pain before it gets better there. They might have momentary "up" moments through buying players, but they are literally letting their juniors go (Averillo, Alamoti) in order to buy from other clubs. Not a recipe for success.

Ciraldo will struggle for a while there.

Dragons actually have a smattering of good young players mixed in with a WHOLE BUNCH of bog ordinary.

I firmly believe the Tigers are closer to long-term success than both these clubs. Manly are about to enter a period of struggle. Until Newcastle & Canberra can hold onto their best players, they will be up & down. Souths look like they are on the precipice of a crash once Walker retires.

There are a number of clubs set up to succeed for a while. Penrith, Broncos, Cowboys, Sharks, Storm...they will stay strong for a while. But the rest of the comp is getting into that stage where the 'stars' are either too old (Cherry Evans, Walker, Tedesco) or too young (name any Tigers junior, for example). There will be a state of flux coming up & holding & developing young star players will determine which clubs are strong over the next 4-6 years or so. watch out for the Dolphins. Once they start bringing through their own young players...that club is set up to succeed long term.

 

[tony soprano]

It's players leaking. Sounds like they really hate it over there. Ciraldo has the players there all day, trying to turn them into a version of Penrith but 9-5 doesn't work for them

Imagine putting up signs around your workplace as a reminder how much you suck

 

[Flippedy]

Hey guys! Long time lurker 👀
I heard from a very reliable source that we are going after Dane Gagai from Newcastle. He still has one year to go next year but we are looking to sign him from Nov 1 hoping Newcastle will release him for next season plus 2025.

Oh God I hope not! Notorious for bludging in club matches and playing like superman in Origin.

 

[balmain boy]

Didn't someone who attended a few Flegg games recently say Fa'agutu while having a couple of impact hit ups really was not showing much defensive discipline and was quite lazy around the ruck?

Someone said that, but that was based on one match, where he seemed busted..across the season he was fantastic, but just faded at the very back end of the season.

 

[balmain boy]

Yea I'm surprised how badly rated Toa is on here. I have certainly been critical of his effort at times. He really needs to fix his attitude to hard work in a game, but at the same time I always acknowledge he has the ability to be one of the best centres in the game. We have no one that can break the line like he can.

We have to find a way that switches him on mentally. Definite keeper for now.

Being the best of a bad bunch means nothing. Ultimate Toa has crap defence, little speed and his concentration and decision making are poor. Talent wise he's a crap Suli, but with a better attitude he goes marginally better for now

 

[balmain boy]

So much hype on Feledy, he’s been rubbish in defence in cup. Big task coming up Friday night on his debut

He's played one game you idiot

 

[Magpies1969]

We really need to sign a quality and experienced Centre/s

Gagai and Olam to me fit this narrative and a great chance of WT securing their services.
Both have played in top teams and represented their Country and Gagai QLD with pride.

My backline in 2024

Bula
Staines
Gagai
Olam
Tupou

Sullivan
Sezer

Just need Sullivan and Sezer to feed early and quality ball to our backline.

I still believe in the right environment Toa' is a quality Centre in the making and having role models like Olam and Gagai would unlock his potential.

There is always going to be injuries and form lapses so Toa', Feledy, etc will get their chance. Competition for spots is a good thing and something WT lack compared to teams like Penrith who seem to find quality when their top players are not available.

 

[426Tlgerland]

He's played one game you idiot

Yes give the kid a crack , he could be very good and he may be a bit down on defence but he has a go , we have first graders playing that don’t have a go

 

[426Tlgerland]

Gags , is older but maybe 1 year with 1 x Club option ,
retain Staines and Toa.
Ollam , I’m not sure as Bellamy having him in reserves talks volumes as when he is playing good he is very good something is a miss and we don’t want to find it later and be stuck with crap deals , we got one crap deal to go in Nofa , and that’s not slagging Noffa it’s the deal he is on , Nofa at $ 350/400 more liike it and Gags is aggressive so put him next to Noffa , would get Noffa defending better , Noffa still does do dirty first ups soem side ways but he has a go just needs to fire up defence

 

[king_sirro]

Being the best of a bad bunch means nothing. Ultimate Toa has crap defence, little speed and his concentration and decision making are poor. Talent wise he's a crap Suli, but with a better attitude he goes marginally better for now

I'm sorry, but Toa is one of the faster outside backs in the comp

 

[Red88_Tiger]

Gags , is older but maybe 1 year with 1 x Club option ,
retain Staines and Toa.
Ollam , I’m not sure as Bellamy having him in reserves talks volumes as when he is playing good he is very good something is a miss and we don’t want to find it later and be stuck with crap deals , we got one crap deal to go in Nofa , and that’s not slagging Noffa it’s the deal he is on , Nofa at $ 350/400 more liike it and Gags is aggressive so put him next to Noffa , would get Noffa defending better , Noffa still does do dirty first ups soem side ways but he has a go just needs to fire up defence

Unless the knights want gagai gone I couldn’t see him leaving for one year

 

[Halbrowne61]

We really need to sign a quality and experienced Centre/s

Gagai and Olam to me fit this narrative and a great chance of WT securing their services.
Both have played in top teams and represented their Country and Gagai QLD with pride.

My backline in 2024

Bula
Staines
Gagai
Olam
Tupou

Sullivan
Sezer

Just need Sullivan and Sezer to feed early and quality ball to our backline.

I still believe in the right environment Toa' is a quality Centre in the making and having role models like Olam and Gagai would unlock his potential.

There is always going to be injuries and form lapses so Toa', Feledy, etc will get their chance. Competition for spots is a good thing and something WT lack compared to teams like Penrith who seem to find quality when their top players are not available.

M, can see your vision/ideas and looks real good on paper, it’s just that there is a lot of Dads army in there. Gagai, Olam, Sezer are not getting any younger, so maybe one year with a one year option would be the best we should think about with any of those guys.
Or do we just bite the bullet and go youth/existing. Naden, Reilly, Toa and Feledy as centre options, as the halves are already in place.
I’m not sure what is the right answer ?

 

[magpies forever]

M, can see your vision/ideas and looks real good on paper, it’s just that there is a lot of Dads army in there. Gagai, Olam, Sezer are not getting any younger, so maybe one year with a one year option would be the best we should think about with any of those guys.
Or do we just bite the bullet and go youth/existing. Naden, Reilly, Toa and Feledy as centre options, as the halves are already in place.
I’m not sure what is the right answer ?

I think youth is the way to go but having said that I'd balance that with one experienced old head. I'd be looking at between Olam, Gagai and Momorovski.