Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

weststigers said:
How can you say his heart was in it when he dragged the club through that BS right up until he started pre-season training? He got cold feet and never wanted to come. Let's be honest.

2024 is a dead year - you'd better get used to the idea before the season starts.

2025 is what Benji is building for. If he can land some of the high profile recruits he is aiming for, you won't be worried about IP.
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I’m not expecting big things in 24, but who do we have that can replace IP with? Answer is no one and even if we managed to get AFB and Luai but lose IP while the squad is stronger in other positions it still makes us poor. Chances are if we land both of those (which is unlikely) we won’t be doing much more recruiting as those 2 will be taking up what’s available money wise for 25.
 
Fingers83 said:
I agree witht this. I think there is some short-sighted comments in here (not meant to offend).

With a different halves pairing, Ice will be used differently and I think we will see the guy we actually signed next season.
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Would love to see him outside a ballplayer like he was at the Eels. Would be great if him and Fainu could form a combo in the second half of this year.

Besides as some have alluded to, we aren't exactly flush with 2nd rowers. Middles seem to be the only place we have some depth.
 
Glenji95 said:
I’m not expecting big things in 24, but who do we have that can replace IP with? Answer is no one and even if we managed to get AFB and Luai but lose IP while the squad is stronger in other positions it still makes us poor. Chances are if we land both of those (which is unlikely) we won’t be doing much more recruiting as those 2 will be taking up what’s available money wise for 25.
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Ok, I see what's happening here.

Firstly, you are seeing us losing IP as a need to replace him for the exact same rated player or better for you to feel you haven't lost out. This isn't Rugby League Live 4 on Playstation. It doesn't have to be that way.

Try and look at it this way. AFB adds a dimension to our attack that IP doesn't. His offloads in the middle contribute to a lot of second phase play. He had the most running metres amongst props in 2023 and scored 9 tries. That type of contribution adds something different, but arguably better than what we have now with IP.

Blore can replace IP - you have pegged him as a middle, but he can and has played on an edge. I'd argue Blore performed like an absolute beast at the back end of the season. These were performances with the same halves and team that you blame for IP's bad performances. If Blore can do it within that team, why can't IP? At this stage, I'm taking Blore over IP for performance and value until something better comes along.

A lot can happen in a season. Often the players that switch clubs aren't even on the market. Something always comes along. If you're willing to pass up AFB to hold onto IP, then I'm genuinely shocked.
 
I recall Warriors were in talks with Papali’i sometime ago

The rumour slowly faded away

It’d be a win for Tigers if we managed to bring in AFB and trade iPap
 
WestsEffTheRest said:
Papali'i was not average. He was just surrounded by dog shit halves who had no idea how to use him or feed him good ball. Can anyone tell he how many times he was put through a hole last season?
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Papali'i was average. Regardless of who is around him, he did play average. Better than a lot of our other squad members. But at some point you have to will yourself into a game, like John Bateman. Now I understand they are two different players but sometimes you do need to push yourself and call for the ball. He wasn't bad just quiet. I would hope which ever edge he slots into he will be given good ball.
 
I'd like to add AFB.

I would NOT trade away Papali'i for him. Or Utoikamanu.

The Tigers need to get better. Not lose to gain.

If it were Blore the Warriors were chasing- fair enough.

All this in mind, there will be a natural progression from Fonua Pole to factor in as well. I believe he is a damaging runner of the ball & could fill that role comfortably.
 
The Chad said:
I'd like to add AFB.

I would NOT trade away Papali'i for him. Or Utoikamanu.

The Tigers need to get better. Not lose to gain.

If it were Blore the Warriors were chasing- fair enough.

All this in mind, there will be a natural progression from Fonua Pole to factor in as well. I believe he is a damaging runner of the ball & could fill that role comfortably.
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I will say this. Fonua Pole has more upside than any other forward at our club.
 
Glenji95 said:
I’m not expecting big things in 24, but who do we have that can replace IP with? Answer is no one and even if we managed to get AFB and Luai but lose IP while the squad is stronger in other positions it still makes us poor. Chances are if we land both of those (which is unlikely) we won’t be doing much more recruiting as those 2 will be taking up what’s available money wise for 25.
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Blore - even though he is lame.

What about Mr Whippy?
 
GNR4LIFE said:
No way do you trade any of our forwards for AFB. Unless they are willing to take Seyfarth. AFB needs Klemmer, Stef and Ice to compliment him. AFB is a gun but he can’t do it all himself.
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Absobloodylutely! Papalii was the best back rower in the game the year before he signed with us. He’s had one average season trying to find his feet in what was a badly performing team all round and now everyone wants to offload him!! NO just NO! Build around him with other quality forwards as GNR says and add some decent halves to boot. Then we will see the best of the likes of Papa, Klemmer, Steph, Bateman etc. That’s a damn good pack, I don’t want to lose any of them.
 
jrtiger said:
if AFB signs Papali’i will be swapped in a deal. why? because I believe a certain backrower from Manly will be playing in black, gold and white very soon.
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If he was to come here who would we trade in return? Doesn’t make sense to let a top 5 2nd rower in the comp leave early for nothing
 
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