Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Tucker]

I don’t see how that quote above suggests that I wasn’t implying that Benji should have full control in who comes in/out of the team?

You said squad, not team. There is a difference.
Benji should have final say on who is in the team each week.
Richo should have the final say on new squad appointments.

Richo shouldn’t have much say in the players we bring into the club as Benji has a specific plan on what style of football he wants this team playing and there may be a disconnection there.

I do not agree with this.
By all means, Benji dictates what sort of player he is after. He shouldn’t take advice on what sort of team he coaches.
However. He is not the one balancing the books and by that definition, he cannot have the final say.
The CEO is higher up the ladder than the coach and he has to look at the whole picture. He has to weigh up not just the financial cost of hiring a Luai for example, but also the opportunity cost of losing a Galvin if we do go overboard on a contract.

However, the financial side and how that deal gets done should be handled by the experts aka Shane Richardson and co.

Yes and for this reason, the CEO does get a say and in fact gets veto power on a signing.

Benji gets to set the plan, and devise a squad that he would want to be in charge of….on paper. The upper management provide the checks and balances to make sure it can work. They absolutely must be involved in recruitment/retention and they must have the final say.

 

[The Chad]

JAC, on a subsidised deal, for a couple of years, is not a bad signing.

I don't mind RFM on a part-paid deal either.

Those 2 guys are not why the Bulldogs barely beat us home.

A little experience in our outside backs does not hurt. It might help reduce some of the inconsistancy at least.

 

[Buttface]

JAC, on a subsidised deal, for a couple of years, is not a bad signing.

I don't mind RFM on a part-paid deal either.

Those 2 guys are not why the Bulldogs barely beat us home.

A little experience in our outside backs does not hurt. It might help reduce some of the inconsistancy at least.

And helps the dogs buy Luai?

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

If Luai wanted to play for the WT he’d signed by now…Gus has his man

 

[Magpie_Magic]

Still think we're a good chance of landing Luai with Richo helping out Benji & Co with negotiations for season '25 and beyond. A lot better chance than with the dogs breakfast of an administration we've just moved on from

Thinking low probability now.

Probably the only casualty from the changes.

 

[GCfan]

I think that was at Richos request. Said he didn't know who he'd be working with and he'll make that assessment after 6 months. He's just giving himself an out if the new board makes it impossible for him to run the club.

Makes sense but a real shame nonetheless

 

[Needaname]

Thinking low probability now.

Probably the only casualty from the changes.

No chance. The changes would not of impacted us losing Luai. If anything he may of been holding off until this was resolved before making his final decision.

 

[balmain boy]

Wheres his junior nursery this time? He had that luxury last time.

The dogs finished above us in NSW cup, flegg ball and matts last season. They don't have huge numbers but they have got some quality at the moment.

 

[Magpie_Magic]

No chance. The changes would not of impacted us losing Luai. If anything he may of been holding off until this was resolved before making his final decision.

Hopefully.

But don't think so.

 

[Needaname]

Hopefully.

But don't think so.

I don’t think so either. But let me rephrase. If he was keen to sign with WT originally. The changes wouldn’t have put him off, only strengthen his confidence in the club putting in place the necessary pillars for success

 

[balmain boy]

Hi All,

the mail has stayed the same with Jerome
dogs are looking to offload RFM and JAC to sign him and a middle

the relationships with ciraldo / critta / burton / kikau / salmon are all too strong especially when a longer deal is at play

still more to play out / no offer has been formally made by the dogs

So they need to free up ~1.5 million at least to even get close to making an offer, and that's not considering how much of RFMs 700k they have to pay to offload him, same with Jac.

They're in cap hell. They have 4 players on more than anyone at the tigers. Not sure how they can afford another.

Just depends, is he interested in coming here or is he happy to wait 6 months for dogs to free up space. If he's only interested in ciraldo and the other former Panthers then we're no chance. I'd say we'll be recommencing negotiations with our new look team shortly

 

[TigerSJ]

Gotta disagree with many. When I reflect on the amount of go forward and dominance of our front rowers this season just gone, I can’t say that they impressed me all that much. Compared to the best props in the game they were far less effective and certainly were rarely enforcers on the field. Klem struggled with yardage at times and Uto was inconsistent. Twal tried hard but isn’t necessarily busting tackles. Pole is great but still needs to increase his output, involvement and minutes.
Realistically AFB is miles ahead of our guys based on current performance so to say we don’t need him or that he wouldn’t make much difference, I believe is BS.
Over $1m is a lot to pay for a prop, I will concede that. However, he might just inspire & lead our pack, and could just drag our current front rowers up to his level.

 

[weststigers]

Gotta disagree with many. When I reflect on the amount of go forward and dominance of our front rowers this season just gone, I can’t say that they impressed me all that much. Compared to the best props in the game they were far less effective and certainly were rarely enforcers on the field. Klem struggled with yardage at times and Uto was inconsistent. Twal tried hard but isn’t necessarily busting tackles. Pole is great but still needs to increase his output, involvement and minutes.
Realistically AFB is miles ahead of our guys based on current performance so to say we don’t need him or that he wouldn’t make much difference, I believe is BS.
Over $1m is a lot to pay for a prop, I will concede that. However, he might just inspire & lead our pack, and could just drag our current front rowers up to his level.

So the offer has been withdrawn…how do you feel about that?

 

[Nonotmeagain]

Can't figure out if you're trying to act smart
or have been living under a rock lmao.
There's been friction since the appointment
was made behind Benji's back, it came to
a head when Fulton wanted to sign Schuster.
Articles & people talking about this exact
issue for months must have alluded you.
I'm backing the coach, not the recruitment guy.

Maybe read the comment - what has Fulton said ? Not articles about, not people talking about, not hearsay and not speculation here but what comments has he ACTUALLY made ??

 

[watersider]

I don't think we were ever getting AFB or Luai. We're not an appealing club for the best players. I'm guessing Richardson withdrew offer because he wants to stop us looking so scattershot, desperate and hopeless in our approach. We've literally targeted and not got all of the major free agents over the last few years. Being a bit more judicious about who we target can't hurt.

 

[Kaito]

Maybe read the comment - what has Fulton said ? Not articles about, not people talking about, not hearsay and not speculation here but what comments has he ACTUALLY made ??

Our club has some of the best politicians
& diplomats in the business haha.
He doesn't have to speak publicly 2 be a hack

 

[Oldman]

QLD wanted that win. A clean sweep is a kick in the nuts. They wanted to deliver that.

They might have wanted to win, but it’s amazing how few clean sweeps have been achieved.
After going out and celebrating the series win after game 2 the effort in game 3 doesn’t seem the same.
It’s called a Dead rubber for a reason.

 

[ROZELLE.O.G]

I don't think we were ever getting AFB or Luai. We're not an appealing club for the best players. I'm guessing Richardson withdrew offer because he wants to stop us looking so scattershot, desperate and hopeless in our approach. We've literally targeted and not got all of the major free agents over the last few years. Being a bit more judicious about who we target can't hurt.

Common sense prevailed paying a prop way overs when we can pick up an above average or develop one of our own for a third less. I am hearing that Luai is done so at least we are trending in the right direction. If we can add a back or two at least we will be more competitive than previous years.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Common sense prevailed paying a prop way overs when we can pick up an above average or develop one of our own for a third less. I am hearing that Luai is done so at least we are trending in the right direction. If we can add a back or two at least we will be more competitive than previous years.

Great post. I enjoy your updates regarding our juniors and please continue to share it if you are inclined.

 

[Juice]

It’s funny that the Tigers and Dogs both ‘withdrew’ the offer they had for AFB, more likely they knew he was a done deal somewhere else and didn’t want to look like they were rejected by him