Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[rugbygoated]

As long as we dont sell the farm for them.
I wouldnt be upping our Luai offer now that we've pulled out of the race for AFB.

We should either go all in (1.2 million 5 years) or not offer him a deal. If you are signing a marquee player, you don't want them to feel like they are just going to be a helping hand and then get moved on after the contract straight away. I think if Benji truly believes in him, he should show 100% conviction and spend wisely

 

[rugbygoated]

Id offer 5 years $6m. Get it done

Not bad but I'd either offer the 1.125 million for 5 years or 1.2 million for 4 years. Gotta save some money where we can with the deal still looking attractive

 

[Tucker]

A lot of that has to do with the Pantherisation of NSW that Freddy implemented. Instead of coaching them differently not like a club team, he copied Ivan's homework and got a C minus. A big part of NSW halves struggling (Cleary, Luai) is Yeo getting in the way and doing too much ball-playing. Cody Walker played with Cameron Murray in game 3 and it opened him up a lot more than Yeo at first receiver. Same argument could be used for Cleary who has been underwhelming in the tight Origin games so far. He tends to get the plaudits in the games where NSW dominate forwards and backs but goes missing in deciders. I don't think Luai will get picked by Madge as he is the scapegoat for last year's series despite being one of our better players in game 1 and tried hard in game 2, but Teddy will still somehow get picked despite being the main reason we lost the first two games

Yeah thats fair. I wasnt surprised Walker went so well.
He is less manic...more organised

 

[rugbygoated]

I do find it interesting that most people were on-board having a crack at AFB, including myself, and now Richo says we've withdrawn the offer, and many folks are saying "OK probably the right move".

If Pascoe had withdrawn the offer, same folks would probably have lost their minds.

I was against signing him on a million for a long term contract. Richo said in a podcast he wouldn't even pay Payne Haas 1.2 million because he's not a difference maker. Agree completely. Only halves or fullbacks or worth that sort of money, because forwards lay the platform and work the hardest, but halves ice the game when it is in the balance

 

[Todd Packer]

I do find it interesting that most people were on-board having a crack at AFB, including myself, and now Richo says we've withdrawn the offer, and many folks are saying "OK probably the right move".

If Pascoe had withdrawn the offer, same folks would probably have lost their minds.

True, but everyone new gets a honeymoon period to see how things work out.
Pascoe had some history.

 

[rugbygoated]

Yeah thats fair. I wasnt surprised Walker went so well.
He is less manic...more organised

Walker has matured a lot. Thought he would fail after his previous origin performances but he was good with Bradman Best. Interested to see if NSW persist with him as he will be 34 by next year or go with Moses at 6. Not a fan of Hynes personally

 

[wonka]

You cant beat Laundy's leather briefcase $$$$$$$$$

 

[Tiger Stripes]

I'd go option 1.
We have been burnt far too many times by LONG expensive contracts and in the scheme of things the extra $100k per year wouldn't even cover a minimum wage top 30 contract, but having an extra $1.2m in year 5 and the extra flexibility, would provide much better value.

Concur option 1. with a club option year 5 - to be negotiated in year 4
Then sell the Wests Tigers Plan ie. Benji coach. Richo the new WT manager, Morris the assistant coach, become the backline captain, mentor the upcoming youths, money in the bank to attract a centre knowing you will be here in 2025. Money to invest in future recruitment.
Then get everyone together (Benji, Richo, Fulton, to sell the WT product.........whatever it takes!
With Luai signed I think we would attract a top centre to play outside him. IMO

 

[Conbat07]

I do find it interesting that most people were on-board having a crack at AFB, including myself, and now Richo says we've withdrawn the offer, and many folks are saying "OK probably the right move".

If Pascoe had withdrawn the offer, same folks would probably have lost their minds.

Well his rationale for it is right, why break the bank and ruin the salary cap for a front rower

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

You may be right, I may be overthinking.
It just seemed a very calculated comment. Richo wasn't asked about Blake, he volunteered the information and the comment about the coach needing to get the players he wants.
I t seems to be a very public slight of Fulton. Could it be designed to have Fulton fall on his sword?

Time will tell. He did say yesterday he has never spoken to Fulton.

 

[balmain boy]

Question for the forum just curiosity - if you had the option of offering Luai to 2 deals.

1 - 4 years for $4.8 million
2- 5 years for $5.5 million

Which deal do you do? Cause if true that Dogs have offered that extra year at a reduced $ per season. Would you be tempted giving that extra year and dropping 100k each season from our previous offer so we still marginally beat the Dogs offer?

That might be the deal to get it done - not saying we should do it just curious on everyone’s thoughts?

4 years, i'd only offer 5 years if we can get him for 2024.

 

[Tom Shines]

4 years, i'd only offer 5 years if we can get him for 2024.

They really only offering him $850k a year right?

 

[jirskyr]

I think this highlights the respect Richo brings.

Honestly I think it highlights that's Richo is brand new and currently being cut slack.

 

[Kaito]

Time will tell. He did say yesterday he has never spoken to Fulton.

Yes, I like how he indicated a few times that
the buck stops with the coach though and
that it's his roster. Recruitment should be
an advisory role, not limited to that only,
but that should be the core assignment.
Fulton has an ego due in part to his surname.
He needs to stfu & do his damn job lol

 

[teddy23]

For starters, nowhere have I said that Benji should not be involved. He should present the final recommendation from the football department to the CEO. The CEO then discusses with the board, presenting pathways to get the deal done. The board approve a way forward and the CEO either gets the deal done or rejects it officially. The CEO does not make recommendations of players to the coach, he simply approves or rejects the offering of a contract and aids with negotiations.

My point was and only was that Benji should have full control in who he brings in/out of the team…… the financial side of things and how we’ll be able to get said player to the club should heavily involve Richo however.

So I guess you’re repeating my stance too. If so, I agree.

 

[851]

Of course every player is different. But of all the positions you would lock down long-term. It's halves. Look how badly Tedesco has regressed this year. He's only 30. Similar to Darius Boyd's ending. Only someone like Slater could maintain longevity of success as a fullback even being QLD fullback before he retired in 2018. Forwards don't last well beyond 30s. Halves being the most protected (in defence and attack) don't tend to have as bad injuries as backs and forwards because they do less contact work and running than centres or forwards have to. Hookers are also durable and long-lasting. Cameron Smith and Api Koroisau good examples. Even Damien Cook is still going ok. In terms of second rowers or locks, have a look at how Boyd Cordner's career was cut short so soon and I reckon Isaah Yeo is starting to become a bit like that too. Yeo's performances have slowly regressed since 2021 and it is exposed in Origin where the toughest opponent exploits him with ease

Steve Price, JWH, Gallen were all playing well at 34 or 35, depends on the player

 

[Newtown]

You cant beat Laundy's leather briefcase $$$$$$$$$

Only when the NRL continually close their eyes to such blatant obvious scams.

 

[teddy23]

My biggest takeaway from us withdrawing our offer for AFB is the club must be increasingly confident of there chances re-signing Stefano long term beyond 2024.

There’s no way we withdrew that offer for AFB in 2025 if we’re of the belief that Stefano may test his market and is a chance of leaving.

I’d like to hope not cause if we somehow drop out of the AFB race and lose Stefano then all of a sudden our prop rotation long term isn’t looking as solid as we think. Especially with Blore leaving next year too.

 

[AdelaideTiger]

Honestly I think it highlights that's Richo is brand new and currently being cut slack.

Richo wasn't here when we made the offer, so you're hypothetical is kind of flawed.
If Pascoe rescinded the offer, it would mean that he was involved in making an offer and rescinding it, and he would be deservedly booed for lack of decisiveness.
Richo has come in and made a call, if he then in a couple weeks times goes and decides he wants to offer AFB a contract then we can boo him.

 

[Tucker]

My point was and only was that Benji should have full control in who he brings in/out of the team…… the financial side of things and how we’ll be able to get said player to the club should heavily involve Richo however.

So I guess you’re repeating my stance too. If so, I agree.

If that is your stance now then we are agreed...but thats not what you said originally and thats what I responded to.

"Ricoh won’t have much say in regards to anything recruitment orientated - it has/will be a clear message that Benji has full control in regards to who comes in and out of the squad.
If Benji believes Luai/AFB fits the vision of what he’s trying to build then it’ll remain that way."