Letsgotigers31
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Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
- Start date
hank37w
Well-known member
Signing Nofo would be one way to keep the losing streak going.
Tucker
Well-known member
Well, a starting 17 position isn’t given…it is earned.
He keeps telling us he will repay the faith in him with all his time off.
Now is the time to do so.
Get in there Shaun, bust your arse in pre season and smack hard when the season begins proper.
Masterton
Well-known member
Yeah, I can just imagine Bellamy saying, "Don't worry mate. No matter how shit you play, you'll be in the 17."
Tom Shines
Well-known member
Did you miss the part where I said they can’t do it with Nofo because the amount of money is too high?
You aren’t going to waste (pay out) the money on a guy that is getting a reasonable wedge ..
how much is Kepaoa on this year ? $250k?
They could eat that if they wanted … I still think they might if they need another couple of spots freed up..:we know what Kepaoa’s ceiling is … not very high
Tom Shines
Well-known member
He may not want to go to the ESL? the money is guaranteed at the Tigers .. not every player wants to live overseas …
Edit- i see he turns 30 next week … these next 2 years might be his last in the game … probably happier just to stay here and collect his million bucks ..
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Tito Santana
Well-known member
I’m hearing Bennett may be heading our way now to work with Benji……
This club could be epic
This club could be epic
Tiger_Yoshi
Well-known member
When he realises his future at the WT is reserve grade he will get on the blower to other clubs… don’t know why the Eels aren’t biting, they are desperate for backs
Sorry I probably should have been clearer you mentioned Galvin being around for a long time cause benji likes him but Galvins manager always seems to be trying to get him out of the deal
Kelce68
Well-known member
I can only recall a single, unsubstantiated rumour around Sheens' sacking which made no logical sense.
Local junior, playing with his best mates, signed on a four-year deal.
Can't see him going anywhere. Not for a while at least.
They are desperate for good backs. Every single club can find a winger who isn't quick and can't defend but can hit up a bit. There's literally no need to pay that player more than minimum and absolutely no need to help another club out of its salary cap hole by taking one they're overpaying off their hands.
Every single post that imagines another NRL club will be prepared to take Nofoaluma is based on a fundamental error, ie that he is a decent first grade player who happens to be somewhat overpaid. But he's not. If he was out of contract he'd get a train and trial somewhere but there's absolutely no way a club with half an idea how to construct a roster would give him a guaranteed top 30 place let alone pay him more than minimum to take it.
Buttface
Well-known member
No.
Tom Shines
Well-known member
probably doesn’t care playing reserve grade … still gunna get paid … not sure why the Eels want a 30 yr old five foot slow as a wet week winger …
BAGNF05
Well-known member
Talks like Muhammad Ali but gets results like Homer Simpson.
Roar_Power
Well-known member
I want to kick Lee in the pants for Nofo's 5 year contract.
Only 4 years but your right. Lee should be sacked for that decision by itself.
851
Well-known member
Thanks mate, I was worried he would be getting a little uneasy with all these halves signed and potentially Luai as well
Tucker
Well-known member
What, when, where, why and how?
851
Well-known member
Some interesting stuff in there, might if we are lucky it might quiten a few of the alarmists on here for a day or so, as this is not a tele club bashing article, it may be a little closer to the truth for a change
Wests Tigers have provided Jarome Luai a four-year, $4.5 million contract, as well a chance to fulfil an ambition that’s impossible at Penrith; the chance to wear the No.7 jersey.
The Tigers have had ongoing talks with Luai and his manager which, according to sources speaking on the condition of anonymity to ensure negotiations aren’t affected, crystallised in the form of a formal offer on Thursday.
The disparity between what Penrith can afford and what the Tigers have offered is significant. Luai has opted to test the market rather than immediately accept a $1.7 million, two-year extension from the Panthers.
If Luai’s primary motivator is money, it makes sense for him to leave the foot of the mountains. However, the Tigers’ pitch for his services goes beyond finances.
As an extra incentive for Luai to shift from the three-peat Panthers to a team that has earned the past two wooden spoons, Luai has been offered the chance to become the Tigers’ chief playmaker.
Tigers coach Benji Marshall recently made a secret pitch to Luai at the Penrith playmaker’s home. During discussions, according to informed sources, Luai expressed a desire to play at halfback. It’s an ambition the NSW playmaker won’t fulfil at the premiers given Nathan Cleary has a mortgage on the No.7 jersey.
Jarome Luai is weighing up his future.© Sydney Morning Herald / Rhett Wyman
Marshall is happy to provide that opportunity, handing Luai the keys to the team and a chance to emerge from Cleary’s shadow.
In his first season as a head coach, Marshall is keen to make a statement signing and hopes it comes in the form of Luai. The club currently has playmaking options in veteran half Aidan Sezer, newcomers Jayden Sullivan and Latu Fainu, youngster Lachlan Galvin and the injured Adam Doueihi on their books.
Marshall gave little away when asked about Luai at a press conference last week.
“All players that come onto the market, you’ve got to have a look at, especially if they’re marquee players,” Marshall said. “But we’ve signed halves. We’ve got four halves for the season going into it. We’ll prioritise that at the moment.”
The Tigers are also planning to make a play for Addin Fonua-Blake, who is likely to be granted a release from the Warriors for the 2025 season on compassionate grounds. Given he wants to return to Sydney to be closer to family, the Warriors won’t allow him to join an NRL club outside the harbour city.
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has stated Fonua-Blake is on his radar, while Canterbury general manager of football Phil Gould has stated he is a player of interest.
“Addin is a quality player,” Gould said on SEN Afternoons with Jimmy Smith. “I spent a little bit of time with the Warriors during Covid and got to see Addin first-hand, he’s a quality player.
“He’s not cheap, though. I’d imagine there’d be a lot of interest in Addin.”
The Fonua-Blake development comes at a time when there is intrigue over David Klemmer’s future.
Klemmer is contracted until the end of 2025, with a mutual option for the following season. However, the Tigers are prepared to release the former representative prop early if a rival is prepared to offer him a long-term deal. Klemmer’s departure would free up funds, but the Tigers have the salary cap space required to accommodate him and Luai regardless.
There have also been meetings this week with a view to brokering a player swap between Tigers forward Shaun Blore and Melbourne centre Justin OIam. The Storm would need to subsidise part of Olam’s proposed Tigers salary to make the deal palatable and the parties are yet to arrive at a suitable figure.
Wests Tigers have provided Jarome Luai a four-year, $4.5 million contract, as well a chance to fulfil an ambition that’s impossible at Penrith; the chance to wear the No.7 jersey.
The Tigers have had ongoing talks with Luai and his manager which, according to sources speaking on the condition of anonymity to ensure negotiations aren’t affected, crystallised in the form of a formal offer on Thursday.
The disparity between what Penrith can afford and what the Tigers have offered is significant. Luai has opted to test the market rather than immediately accept a $1.7 million, two-year extension from the Panthers.
If Luai’s primary motivator is money, it makes sense for him to leave the foot of the mountains. However, the Tigers’ pitch for his services goes beyond finances.
As an extra incentive for Luai to shift from the three-peat Panthers to a team that has earned the past two wooden spoons, Luai has been offered the chance to become the Tigers’ chief playmaker.
Tigers coach Benji Marshall recently made a secret pitch to Luai at the Penrith playmaker’s home. During discussions, according to informed sources, Luai expressed a desire to play at halfback. It’s an ambition the NSW playmaker won’t fulfil at the premiers given Nathan Cleary has a mortgage on the No.7 jersey.
Jarome Luai is weighing up his future.© Sydney Morning Herald / Rhett Wyman
Marshall is happy to provide that opportunity, handing Luai the keys to the team and a chance to emerge from Cleary’s shadow.
In his first season as a head coach, Marshall is keen to make a statement signing and hopes it comes in the form of Luai. The club currently has playmaking options in veteran half Aidan Sezer, newcomers Jayden Sullivan and Latu Fainu, youngster Lachlan Galvin and the injured Adam Doueihi on their books.
Marshall gave little away when asked about Luai at a press conference last week.
“All players that come onto the market, you’ve got to have a look at, especially if they’re marquee players,” Marshall said. “But we’ve signed halves. We’ve got four halves for the season going into it. We’ll prioritise that at the moment.”
The Tigers are also planning to make a play for Addin Fonua-Blake, who is likely to be granted a release from the Warriors for the 2025 season on compassionate grounds. Given he wants to return to Sydney to be closer to family, the Warriors won’t allow him to join an NRL club outside the harbour city.
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has stated Fonua-Blake is on his radar, while Canterbury general manager of football Phil Gould has stated he is a player of interest.
“Addin is a quality player,” Gould said on SEN Afternoons with Jimmy Smith. “I spent a little bit of time with the Warriors during Covid and got to see Addin first-hand, he’s a quality player.
“He’s not cheap, though. I’d imagine there’d be a lot of interest in Addin.”
The Fonua-Blake development comes at a time when there is intrigue over David Klemmer’s future.
Klemmer is contracted until the end of 2025, with a mutual option for the following season. However, the Tigers are prepared to release the former representative prop early if a rival is prepared to offer him a long-term deal. Klemmer’s departure would free up funds, but the Tigers have the salary cap space required to accommodate him and Luai regardless.
There have also been meetings this week with a view to brokering a player swap between Tigers forward Shaun Blore and Melbourne centre Justin OIam. The Storm would need to subsidise part of Olam’s proposed Tigers salary to make the deal palatable and the parties are yet to arrive at a suitable figure.
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