Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Bula]

The independent enquiry has asked Benny Elias for his input.
Say what you want about Lee and Pascoe but they've never been dumb enough to ask imbecile Benny's opinion.
We're talking about a bloke who has never uttered a coherent sentence or had an intelligent thought, who has no direct knowledge of how the club's run. This is the opinion they're seeking.
As feared all this farce enquiry will achieve is sabotaging Benji's off season and our recruitment.
But hey, the podcasters got to big note themselves and their 3 sycophant listeners got to congratulate them.
That's all that really matters right.

The independent enquiry has asked Benny Elias for his input.
Say what you want about Lee and Pascoe but they've never been dumb enough to ask imbecile Benny's opinion.
We're talking about a bloke who has never uttered a coherent sentence or had an intelligent thought, who has no direct knowledge of how the club's run. This is the opinion they're seeking.
As feared all this farce enquiry will achieve is sabotaging Benji's off season and our recruitment.
But hey, the podcasters got to big note themselves and their 3 sycophant listeners got to congratulate them.
That's all that really matters right.

I'm not sure what the show was but it was a few years back. Blocker and Elias were answering football trivia questions and one question was something like What former Tigers (or Blues) hookers name is an anagram of Bin Lease? Blank stares for several seconds until Blocker says I think that's you mate.

 

[Magpie_Magic]

I'm resigned to the fact that our Board won't change (or will not change significantly) even after this independent review. However, if the image/reputation of the club is to change, there needs to be change at the top level of administration. Regardless of Pascoe's results with government & corporate, we need a leader who commands respect, leadership & enhances the brand image of the club now.

I would be putting the feelers out to Wayne Pearce for this role as you mentioned @Lestronge . This could be another chapter in the Wayne Pearce contribution to the club, much like when he was a player & club legend Keith Barnes was CEO (yes I know different corporate times). But I think Wayne would bring what we need and help unify stakeholders & supporters on this 'dawn of a new era' as Lee calls it.

Interested in your thoughts @balmain boy as I know you've alluded to some ideas for change.

The board has already changed and will change some more. Dorahy has already been appointed.

But no it's not for sale.

And Wayne would be okay.

 

[Magpie_Magic]

I don’t agree with Lee staying but asking Benny about it is stupid. He’s going to be dirty that the owners didn’t sell the club to him and no doubt he’s trying to throw more dirt at the club so his group can come back and try and by the club for even less money.

Just confirms what the petition was about really.

 

[Todd Packer]

Oh dear.

The bloke that has, post football, amassed a net worth in excess of several million from several business ventures, has never had an intelligent thought, aye?

Remarkable.

You should meet up with Benny at Balmain Leagues club to discuss his success and his excellent knowledge of club administration.

Oh wait......

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Oh dear.

The bloke that has, post football, amassed a net worth in excess of several million from several business ventures, has never had an intelligent thought, aye?

Remarkable.

I recall he was a strong advocate of having Bellamy appointed as coach when he was an assistant at Brisbane.

 

[jadtiger]

I'm not what the show was but it was a few years back. Blocker and Elias were answering football trivia questions and one question was someting like What former Tigers (or Blues) hookers name is an anagram of Bin Lease? Blank stares for several seconds until Blocker says I think that's you mate.

If there had been a 10 dollar prize for the fastest answer poor old Blocker would have not been in the hunt

 

[Tcat]

I'm resigned to the fact that our Board won't change (or will not change significantly) even after this independent review. However, if the image/reputation of the club is to change, there needs to be change at the top level of administration. Regardless of Pascoe's results with government & corporate, we need a leader who commands respect, leadership & enhances the brand image of the club now.

I would be putting the feelers out to Wayne Pearce for this role as you mentioned @Lestronge . This could be another chapter in the Wayne Pearce contribution to the club, much like when he was a player & club legend Keith Barnes was CEO (yes I know different corporate times). But I think Wayne would bring what we need and help unify stakeholders & supporters on this 'dawn of a new era' as Lee calls it.

Interested in your thoughts @balmain boy as I know you've alluded to some ideas for change.

Maybe the only way to get rid of the board is to send copious amounts of KFC and Cakes to their meetings and try to kill them off the board. ✌️

 

[Kelce68]

You should meet up with Benny at Balmain Leagues club to discuss his success and his excellent knowledge of club administration.

Oh wait......

Ah, I see.

His fault, was it?

You were exaggerating for effect. It was silly. You can dislike someone without hyperbole.

 

[Magpie_Magic]

Yeah on 360 last night, Benny mentioned he was invited to be interviewed as part of about 50 interviews the consultants are doing & have started. Earlier Pooper & Caryannis (who had lunch with Lee yesterday) from the DT alluded to media, players, ex players, coaches, former coaches, members, fans being on the list of interviews to build wide-ranging stakeholder viewpoints. I wonder if any of the WT Podcast guys have been invited. @helmesy @cochise ??

Maybe Benny can explain to the interviewers why on NRL 360 back in 2017 he thought it was a good thing that Issac had such a hold on the club during the so called big 4 fiasco?

 

[earl]

Ah, I see.

His fault, was it?

You were exaggerating for effect. It was silly. You can dislike someone without hyperbole.

I'm positive he is successful however his rants against the Tigers aren't helpful. I don't know why he goes and talks crap on a TV show rather than go and provide his feedback in a more constructive fashion especially as he is big noting about being involved in the review process.

I reckon he likes the attention as much as Lee.

 

[Red88_Tiger]

So a 5 year hangover from not make the finals for the previous 7 years?

Was basically believing the hangover in the salary cap

 

[Bula]

If there had been a 10 dollar prize for the fastest answer poor old Blocker would have not been in the hunt

Hoppa's always had him covered in fastest finger first. Albert Hoppa was actually named after the original and best.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

$800k per season, will Ola extend???

SEA EAGLES ENFORCER’S HUGE REWARD

Sea Eagles powerbrokers have reportedly tabled a bumper $5.6 million contract in their bid to retain star backrower Haumole Olakau’atu.

If he accepts, the 24-year-old will be contracted until at least the end of 2030 with his previous deal expiring at the end of the 2025 season.

The SMH are reporting the club have been negotiating with Olakau’atu’s management team for several months before the contract was tabled.

His new deal with see him earn around $800,000-per-season to become one of the NRL’s highest-paid forwards.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

If Keppie is on the same money as Twal as reported by the SMH, no deal as I cannot see any benefit for us.

Manly table monster offer to Olakau’atu, consider player swap for Twal

Manly have offered Haumole Olakau’atu one of the longest deals in the NRL, while also attempting to poach Alex Twal from the Tigers via a player swap.

www.smh.com.au

The Sea Eagles are also in the market for Twal, who has been granted permission to explore his options despite being contracted to the Tigers for next year. A move to the northern beaches could come in the form of a player swap with Manly’s Sean Keppie, who has also been given to speak to rivals despite being contracted until the end of 2026.

Given Keppie and Twal are on similar pay packets for next year – in the vicinity of $500,000 – a swap could hold appeal for both clubs. The Sea Eagles and Tigers have been contacted for comment.

.....

NOTE: looks like Weekes confirmed to Canberra too.

Olakau’atu would be one of the game’s most sought-after players if allowed to hit the open market, but Manly have made keeping him their top priority. Only last month, the 24-year-old Tongan international fulfilled a lifelong ambition to purchase his parents a house, in the south-western Sydney suburb of Hinchinbrook.

The Sea Eagles have already bolstered their 2024 roster with the signings of Tigers trio Luke Brooks, Tommy Talau and Aitasi James, as well as Rooster Jaxson Paulo. Those gains have been offset by the losses of Parramatta-bound Kelma Tuilagi and Canberra recruit Kaeo Weekes, while several other contracted players have been given permission to explore their options.

The club also on Thursday announced that five-eighth Jake Arthur will remain on the peninsular until the end of 2025.

 

[Dennisspicer1]

I don’t agree with Lee staying but asking Benny about it is stupid. He’s going to be dirty that the owners didn’t sell the club to him and no doubt he’s trying to throw more dirt at the club so his group can come back and try and by the club for even less money.

At least he is talking about it.

As Benny said, why reward the guy who has helped orchestrate 2 of the worst years this club has experienced since we joined forces.

And anybody has the right to comment, even you.

That's pretty concerning if true.

 

[Bula]

Funny how they have bolstered their ranks by grabbing three wooden spooners. The cream is rising.

 

[Tom Shines]

Sea Eagles 2023 Post season …former Tigers player Kelma Tuilagi moves on from the club

Sea Eagles 2024 Post season…former Tigers players Tommy Talau and Aitasi James move on from the club.

 

[Camel2281]

Man how good is coach Prime goin, if only we could bottle some of that juice he's got...

I've instantly become a Colorado U fan this year

 

[AdelaideTiger]

$800k per season, will Ola extend???

SEA EAGLES ENFORCER’S HUGE REWARD

Sea Eagles powerbrokers have reportedly tabled a bumper $5.6 million contract in their bid to retain star backrower Haumole Olakau’atu.

If he accepts, the 24-year-old will be contracted until at least the end of 2030 with his previous deal expiring at the end of the 2025 season.

The SMH are reporting the club have been negotiating with Olakau’atu’s management team for several months before the contract was tabled.

His new deal with see him earn around $800,000-per-season to become one of the NRL’s highest-paid forwards.

Can the Eagles afford that within the cap?
There's not many teams in the league that have x2 million dollar men, and one of them will be lucky to get on the field next year.

 

[Juice]

Can the Eagles afford that within the cap?
There's not many teams in the league that have x2 million dollar men, and one of them will be lucky to get on the field next year.

I could be wrong but DCE’s massive 8 year contract ended this year and he signed an extension 2024-2025. It’s rumoured he earns between $700k-$800k going forward