Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[tony soprano]

Tigers sniff around
We broke the story last week about Wests Tigers’ interest in Michael Cheika.

There is no question Cheika has been approached by the Tigers, via club great Robbie Farah. Farah deserves praise for showing leadership at a club that often struggles in that area.

Argentina coach Michael Cheika shakes hands with Wallabies coach Eddie Jones.
Argentina coach Michael Cheika shakes hands with Wallabies coach Eddie Jones.CREDIT:GETTY

Cheika has long had an interest in being involved in rugby league on a full-time basis and he’s done a considerable apprenticeship under Trent Robinson at the Roosters and with the Lebanese rugby league team.

In the background is Cheika’s desire to spend more time at home in Sydney, which he hasn’t done a lot of in recent years. He is also vastly experienced in big-time sport.

John Morris is an important addition to the coaching line-up.

Benji Marshall had a decorated playing career, but he’s facing arguably the toughest job in the NRL next year. If he can somehow galvanise the group, it will be one of the biggest achievements of his already impressive career.

 

[Tom Shines]

These guys are the players we need to come good and come really good. Sullivan, Fainu, Galvin and Large are 4 guys with a great junior pedigree and we need at least 2 of them to turn into stars.

If they don't aren't we screwed ?

I’m not expecting them to be great in 2024… there is a chance that the Fainu’s may not see much first grade …

After that ..let’s hope the club has something with at least a couple of them… but we have seen in the past that more than a few of these big name hyped kids don’t go onto much

 

[earl]

Their squad ok but they fall apart most years.

They need a really good run with injuries but if they get that they can win a lot of games. Class players make a massive difference. It's why we struggle.

 

[earl]

I’m not expecting them to be great in 2024… there is a chance that the Fainu’s may not see much first grade …

After that ..let’s hope the club has something with at least a couple of them… but we have seen in the past that more than a few of these big name hyped kids don’t go onto much

I'm hopeful some of these kids show the potential to be top tier players next year. When it comes to how the team performs it'll be interesting. Looking at the new rules on the cap it just seems to me we might have more players to choose from but heaps of them will be kids.

 

[Tom Shines]

They say Cheika is a good coach … but will he be a good RL administrator?

 

[Tom Shines]

I'm hopeful some of these kids show the potential to be top tier players next year. When it comes to how the team performs it'll be interesting. Looking at the new rules on the cap it just seems to me we might have more players to choose from but heaps of them will be kids.

and 2024 another terrible year for us fans whilst the kids go through the growing pains

 

[earl]

and 2024 another terrible year for us fans whilst the kids go through the growing pains

I gave up so early this season. I really hope we aren't out of it so quickly next season.

 

[Tom Shines]

I gave up so early this season. I really hope we aren't out of it so quickly next season.

like I said yesterday… I have no confidence in avoiding the spoon in 2024 if they trot out the same centres and wingers as this season

 

[Vicious]

If you have a look at the players currently off contract in 2024 and available to be signed as of November 1 there is not much that would appeal to us.
Two quality young halves in Dearden and Mam, they will be the Qld halves in a couple of years time. I can’t see either of them leaving Qld based clubs at any cost.
Luai who will be 29 by 2025, we would hope Fainu or Galvin are as good as him if not better by that stage.
Joey Manu would be a big fish to catch, but we appear to have already put our eggs in Bula’s basket as our long term fullback, no chance of getting a player like Manu unless he’s guaranteed the number 1 jersey.
Bradman Best is a standout as a centre. He would be a great signing if a miracle happened and he signed with us, I think you will find each of the 17 NRL clubs will be lining up for his signature, so would need to pay 1 million per season to be a chance of getting him ti Wests Tigers. As good as he is, I don’t think he’s worth that much.
Other than these players the only real big names in the forwards are Kalomatangi, Jai Arrow and Saifiti.
Arrow appears to be very arrogant and injury prone, not sure he has the personality we would want late in his career.
Both of the Saifiti brothers are far better than average, not sure they are worth splashing a lot of cash at.
Kalomatangi looks to be the one who really stands out as the type of player that would really be an asset to us moving fiorward.
I say cut Bateman loose ASAP even if we have to chip in half of his contract to allow us to have a serious crack at Kalomatangi.
Failing that Josh Curran could be the cheaper more gettable version.
This lack of quality available should really highlight the importance of keeping our own players who are highly likely to be in the top echelon in their positions by 2025.

 

[tony soprano]

They say Cheika is a good coach … but will he be a good RL administrator?

Yeh good point, with our set up I'd have him a director of coaching at ground level and leave administration to Robbie.

 

[earl]

like I said yesterday… I have no confidence in avoiding the spoon in 2024 if they trot out the same centres and wingers as this season

2. David Nofoaluma
3. Starford To’a
4. Junior Tupou
5. NEW SIGNING

Staines might fill the other wing spot or they sign someone decent. I can honestly see those guys having good years. Nofo is overpaid and not great but he can finish and hit it up. To'a can play. Tupou can do some damage as well.

The problem with a bunch of our players is that we need them to play to their best consistently.

I think we need our halves to kill it more than anything but we need so much to go right.

 

[earl]

This lack of quality available should really highlight the problem importance of keeping our own players who are highly likely to be in the top echelon in their positions by 2025.

I think the bolded bit is a bit of an overstatement. If that happens giddy up.

You point about there being a lack of quality shows how weak the comp is. That is the reason I think we could improve significantly next season. Penrith and Brisbane are so much better than every other team. Parra went from making the grand final to not making the finals period.

 

[Tom Shines]

2. David Nofoaluma
3. Starford To’a
4. Junior Tupou
5. NEW SIGNING

Staines might fill the other wing spot or they sign someone decent. I can honestly see those guys having good years. Nofo is overpaid and not great but he can finish and hit it up. To'a can play. Tupou can do some damage as well.

The problem with a bunch of our players is that we need them to play to their best consistently.

I think we need our halves to kill it more than anything but we need so much to go right.

They need a new wing and Center in my view…or two new wings if they move Topou permanently ..

Nofo is over the hill and shouldnt be in the Top 17 anymore …

You have to persevere with To’a and Topou… but I have concerns about both of them … To’a goes missing and the only time he has been outstanding was that blow out win against the Cowboys which tells me he is a good front runner but not there when times are tough..
Topou disappeared off the face of the earth after round 10 or so and was only to be seen the rest of the year dropping bombs and gifting the opposition tries…

 

[earl]

Nofo is over the hill and shouldnt be in the Top 17 anymore …

I agree with your concerns but we are paying Nofo 500k. It's hard to get another winger like Staines who also wants 500k.

Unless we get some good young kids coming through I think Nofo will be there.

Nofo is also contracted until I think 25. I can't see any other team taking that contract on or even half of it.

 

[Vicious]

They need a new wing and Center in my view…or two new wings if they move Topou permanently ..

Nofo is over the hill and shouldnt be in the Top 17 anymore …

You have to persevere with To’a and Topou… but I have concerns about both of them … To’a goes missing and the only time he has been outstanding was that blow out win against the Cowboys which tells me he is a good front runner but not there when times are tough..
Topou disappeared off the face of the earth after round 10 or so and was only to be seen the rest of the year dropping bombs and gifting the opposition tries…

On the open market which they will be as of November 1, both To’a and Tupou will be in heavy demand.
They both clearly have the talent to be elite, just need the mindset to play at or near their best much more consistently.
I was highly impressed with Tristan Reilly in his couple of games late in the season and believe he can become a better than average NRL regular moving forward,
Naden is the annoying one, he has the speed, size, strength to be one of the better NRL centres. Unfortunately he is injury prone and seems to lack the commitment and desire required.
I agree keeping Staines is vitally important and we need to add one other quality NRL outside back to add to the competition as I don’t think Feledy is ready and would need to get in much better shape to become an NRL regular.
Some suggesting Galvin might start his NRL career as a centre, that could be right and who knows how soon that could be.

 

[MothMan]

If you have a look at the players currently off contract in 2024 and available to be signed as of November 1 there is not much that would appeal to us.
Two quality young halves in Dearden and Mam, they will be the Qld halves in a couple of years time. I can’t see either of them leaving Qld based clubs at any cost.
Luai who will be 29 by 2025, we would hope Fainu or Galvin are as good as him if not better by that stage.
Joey Manu would be a big fish to catch, but we appear to have already put our eggs in Bula’s basket as our long term fullback, no chance of getting a player like Manu unless he’s guaranteed the number 1 jersey.
Bradman Best is a standout as a centre. He would be a great signing if a miracle happened and he signed with us, I think you will find each of the 17 NRL clubs will be lining up for his signature, so would need to pay 1 million per season to be a chance of getting him ti Wests Tigers. As good as he is, I don’t think he’s worth that much.
Other than these players the only real big names in the forwards are Kalomatangi, Jai Arrow and Saifiti.
Arrow appears to be very arrogant and injury prone, not sure he has the personality we would want late in his career.
Both of the Saifiti brothers are far better than average, not sure they are worth splashing a lot of cash at.
Kalomatangi looks to be the one who really stands out as the type of player that would really be an asset to us moving fiorward.
I say cut Bateman loose ASAP even if we have to chip in half of his contract to allow us to have a serious crack at Kalomatangi.
Failing that Josh Curran could be the cheaper more gettable version.
This lack of quality available should really highlight the importance of keeping our own players who are highly likely to be in the top echelon in their positions by 2025.

There were a few articles about Koloamatangi a few days ago stating the raiders are preparing a 900k a season offer and the roosters are looking at him to replace Angus Crichton. Between them and the Rabbitohs and any other club going after him I can’t see us having any chance for less than $1.1M per season. Even then I think we’re unlikely and he’s not worth it anyway for that money.

 

[Vicious]

There were a few articles about Koloamatangi a few days ago stating the raiders are preparing a 900k a season offer and the roosters are looking at him to replace Angus Crichton. Between them and the Rabbitohs and any other club going after him I can’t see us having any chance for less than $1.1M per season. Even then I think we’re unlikely and he’s not worth it anyway for that money.

I agree with what you are saying.
I really like the sound Josh Curran as a potential much cheaper option.
This is exactly the scenario that is very hard for a club like the Wests Tigers to manage.
The majority of fans are crying out for high profile signings, but they are just not available with realistic price tags.
That’s exactly why I believe we are doing the right thing by trying to stockpile as much emerging young talent as possible.

 

[Tom Shines]

On the open market which they will be as of November 1, both To’a and Tupou will be in heavy demand.
They both clearly have the talent to be elite, just need the mindset to play at or near their best much more consistently.
I was highly impressed with Tristan Reilly in his couple of games late in the season and believe he can become a better than average NRL regular moving forward,
Naden is the annoying one, he has the speed, size, strength to be one of the better NRL centres. Unfortunately he is injury prone and seems to lack the commitment and desire required.
I agree keeping Staines is vitally important and we need to add one other quality NRL outside back to add to the competition as I don’t think Feledy is ready and would need to get in much better shape to become an NRL regular.
Some suggesting Galvin might start his NRL career as a centre, that could be right and who knows how soon that could be.

Anyone know the story with Staines? It’s clear that if they have made him an extension offer then he hasn’t jumped at it…so I would suggest he is probably out the door..

Too early to tell with Reilly… i would prefer a more established first grader but it seems unlikely that will be happening …so he seems the best internal option at this stage if they don’t move Topou to the centers…

Naden mentally seems to have some issues … seems to be a common problem at the club…

If they lose To’a for 2025 then I won’t lose too much sleep on what he has shown so far… Topou would be disappointing because he showed a lot of promise at the start of the year…hopefully he can find that again

 

[Tom Shines]

I agree with your concerns but we are paying Nofo 500k. It's hard to get another winger like Staines who also wants 500k.

Unless we get some good young kids coming through I think Nofo will be there.

Nofo is also contracted until I think 25. I can't see any other team taking that contract on or even half of it.

Nofo is a liability now … too slow and makes defensive errors…

Just because they are paying him $500k a year… they can’t pick him for that reason only..

Staines is also the backup fullback … I hope he stays…

 

[Newtown]

2. David Nofoaluma
3. Starford To’a
4. Junior Tupou
5. NEW SIGNING

Staines might fill the other wing spot or they sign someone decent. I can honestly see those guys having good years. Nofo is overpaid and not great but he can finish and hit it up. To'a can play. Tupou can do some damage as well.

The problem with a bunch of our players is that we need them to play to their best consistently.

I think we need our halves to kill it more than anything but we need so much to go right.

The real problem with many of our most of our players is that don't have much pride in their club.