Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[BlackWhiteGold]

I would agree is some sense that it’s a fair chance Junior Tupou will become a much more dangerous and better quality NRL player than Justin Olam within the next 1-3 years based on age and physical attributes.
In defence of our Wests Tigers recruitment and retention I assume they believe we need more players with a high profile and experience in the team ready to go for 2024 as it could and should also generate extra confidence in our other players, particularly our up and comers.
As good as both you and I believe Tupou will become, he has been inconsistent up until now and there is no 💯 guarantee he will shake that trait moving forward.
Like yourself I was initially a bit miffed as to why we would not retain an up coming beast in Tupou and sign an ageing star in Olam, but I can certain see some theory and sense behind it.

Spot on @Vicious.

Olam brings experience, is from a winning culture & reportedly has a good voice to direct people around him. Tupou has none of these except potential.

Our recent recruits Api, IP, Bateman, Klemmer & soon Luai are turning this around.

Our youngsters are also from winning environments & will bring confidence.

 

[Camel2281]

@kade7 or @teddy23 hi guys - can either of you tell me why we signed olam over keeping tupou?

I just don’t understand.

Even if tupou was an extra $100k per year - why would we not keep the kid?

He’s younger, has big upside,

I just have no idea why they did that considering our outside backs are weak.

And tupou imo is going to better than staines, naden, etc - like everyone

So I just don’t get it.

Can't make them stay. He chose to leave

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Can't make them stay. He chose to leave

Like Brooks

 

[WesternSuburbsBoy]

Faataape/Ngutlik centre wing combo in cup is
going to go crazy this year. Our cup team has
completely changed with player personnel as
well obviously with the coach. They're going to
be good to watch, upgrades everywhere across
the park hopefully all applying pressure for spots,
Benji won't be hesitant to drop players unlike
his predecessors. Should have a much better year
in both grades with everything that's been
going on recently & then make a big push for 2025

I just don't see where Ngutlik fits in... whose he gonna start ahead of in cup? Alex Lobb, Brent Naden, Solomon Alaimalo, Declan Casey, David Nofoaluma? All of those guys have been training with the NRL squad too while Ngutlik been training with Wests which is kind of telling for me.

 

[bptiger 0]

I see the dogs are at it again , looking to get the may brothers , I find it embarrassing for the nrl that the dogs can keep singing who ever comes available, who would need to have no brains to sign for the dogs , because if someone else comes available who’s better than you , then ur out , but there cap must be under stress

 

[GNR4LIFE]

I see the dogs are at it again , looking to get the may brothers , I find it embarrassing for the nrl that the dogs can keep singing who ever comes available, who would need to have no brains to sign for the dogs , because if someone else comes available who’s better than you , then ur out , but there cap must be under stress

As long as they aren’t doing anything dodgy it’s none of the NRL’s business. Plus, it’s not like we haven’t for every big name on the market the last few years. They missed out on Luai, so are probably throwing his money at them.

 

[hammertime]

Can't make them stay. He chose to leave

This. We want people who want to be here. If the $100k difference is true, and he has walked after we gave him his start, which elevated his earnings, do we want to keep a bloke like that?

That is not how you build a premiership roster. It's born out of people wanting to be here. Buying into Benji's vision and being with your mates. Particularly relevant to the juniors who get their start in our jersey.

 

[jrtiger]

I see the dogs are at it again , looking to get the may brothers , I find it embarrassing for the nrl that the dogs can keep singing who ever comes available, who would need to have no brains to sign for the dogs , because if someone else comes available who’s better than you , then ur out , but there cap must be under stress

they have a stack of cap space. you have to remember Gus signs the majority of these players on 2 year contracts and rolls them in and out and keeps the ones that stick. they also don’t have a player on anything above $850k.

as for Terrell he’s a great player and no surprise the Dogs moved for him as he’s quality in a position they need. I’d expect them to move for Taylan once they move Fox on which I feel is a near certainty to happen. Tyrone has history with Ciraldo too, which does make him a chance of getting there.

 

[gregjm87]

I see the dogs are at it again , looking to get the may brothers , I find it embarrassing for the nrl that the dogs can keep singing who ever comes available, who would need to have no brains to sign for the dogs , because if someone else comes available who’s better than you , then ur out , but there cap must be under stress

They still have 10 roster spots for 2025. They havent spent big on anyone except Crichton. They should have heaps of cap space. Not sure what the issue is.

 

[crazycat]

What can I say...?
Groat was 110kgs..but mostly flab unfortunately.Wasnt ready for the toughness of the NRL ..got smashed out of the game,despite his bulk
Do u think Galvins body shape wont be targeted?Risk is thrown to the wolves too early without the resilience to withstand the inevitable..and loses his confidence
and lost forever

Flab does not get you injured.

I remember the game sped up and Groat just never had the pace to keep up. Oh how I wish we kept Fifita instead.

All said Groat proves what we have learned again and again for the last 10 years, The next "new talent" doesn't mean they will work in first grade. I was fortunately wrong re Bula, it seemed a shot in the dark. It worked out. Galvin could work out in first grade OR he could totally suck, likewise Fainu. Anyone who scores 3 tries in reggies has a blank slate in first grade.

But hey, try the "next big thing", Bula worked out incredibly well. Just have a fallback plan and don't re-arrange your entire team to accomodate any talent.

 

[tigertragic]

They still have 10 roster spots for 2025. They havent spent big on anyone except Crichton. They should have heaps of cap space. Not sure what the issue is.

I think
Kikau, Burton, Mahoney, Fox would all be on solid money + creighton. Would all be about $600,000 to $750,000.
Plus the second rower (club captain) they tried to punt was reportedly on $600,000, which was the issue in trying to get rid of him (a bit like Nofa)
Wasn’t Burton just upgraded to his ‘true’ value or I think that’s what I read

 

[crazycat]

they have a stack of cap space. you have to remember Gus signs the majority of these players on 2 year contracts and rolls them in and out and keeps the ones that stick. they also don’t have a player on anything above $850k.

as for Terrell he’s a great player and no surprise the Dogs moved for him as he’s quality in a position they need. I’d expect them to move for Taylan once they move Fox on which I feel is a near certainty to happen. Tyrone has history with Ciraldo too, which does make him a chance of getting there.

Man Phil Gould is one person who can turn on the Charm and Flick a player when he needs.
Penrith made a smart move hiring him, and a smarter move Firing his arse.

I seriously hope the players wise up to what he is doing. 3-4 year contracts mean if they get injured they have something to build off. 1-2 year contracts mean they get thrown around.

 

[Todd Packer]

Seen Dragons want a hooker and Raiders denied the release of Zac Woolford. Maybe we should offer Jake Simpkin in exchange for Either Lomax or Ravalawa?

I'd be happy to trade Simpkin for a Saints ballboy. They have very good ballboys.

 

[Kaito]

I just don't see where Ngutlik fits in... whose he gonna start ahead of in cup? Alex Lobb, Brent Naden, Solomon Alaimalo, Declan Casey, David Nofoaluma? All of those guys have been training with the NRL squad too while Ngutlik been training with Wests which is kind of telling for me.

Not saying he'll dominate straight away, especially
coming off the reco less than a year ago. I just
see him getting a run soon & showing his value
Only just turned 23 as well. On a side note, think
Casey will play fullback & Alaimalo at centre,
Nado other centre if he doesn't start Rd.2 and
Lobb + Ngutlik on the wings is possible too

 

[bptiger 0]

They still have 10 roster spots for 2025. They havent spent big on anyone except Crichton. They should have heaps of cap space. Not sure what the issue is.

So they haven’t spend big on the other 2 Penrith players , the hooker from the eels , the fox and at least 5-6 more players , they might have 10 spots which I doubt, but there cap has to be in trouble

 

[gregjm87]

I think
Kikau, Burton, Mahoney, Fox would all be on solid money + creighton. Would all be about $600,000 to $750,000.
Plus the second rower (club captain) they tried to punt was reportedly on $600,000, which was the issue in trying to get rid of him (a bit like Nofa)
Wasn’t Burton just upgraded to his ‘true’ value or I think that’s what I read

I think you would be right for all those players (except probably Addo-Carr just under 600K).
But none of those salaries are exorbitant and in line or lower than comparisons at every other club e.g. most clubs would have (at least) one half on as much or more as Burton, one hooker on as much or more as Mahoney and one if not two backrowers on as much or more as Kikau and RFM. The only salary I think would be above the starting position average is Addo-Carr and arguably Crichton.
The rest of their starting 13 would be well below what most teams are spending in their respective positions.

 

[gregjm87]

So they haven’t spend big on the other 2 Penrith players , the hooker from the eels , the fox and at least 5-6 more players , they might have 10 spots which I doubt, but there cap has to be in trouble

Depends what you call "big". As above I think they would be on par with most clubs for their high priced players and well below par for their rest of their best 17 players.

 

[crazycat]

I think
Kikau, Burton, Mahoney, Fox would all be on solid money + creighton. Would all be about $600,000 to $750,000.
Plus the second rower (club captain) they tried to punt was reportedly on $600,000, which was the issue in trying to get rid of him (a bit like Nofa)
Wasn’t Burton just upgraded to his ‘true’ value or I think that’s what I read

The Dogs have to keep Burton... Halfbacks are just too valuable.

Kikau, Mahoney, Fox. They can find second rowers, Hookers and Wing's easily enough.
I would argue Fox is a good pickup but only at the right price.

Fast predictions:
Latu Fainu will be heavily targetted by the Bulldogs. Gould will keep his interest up.
Gould will ruthesly cut players, including Fox who is very loyal to the team.
I expect another tough year for Ciraldo, and perhaps us as well. The difference between the top 4 sides, the next 8 and the bottom straglers is HUGE.

 

[Juice]

I think
Kikau, Burton, Mahoney, Fox would all be on solid money + creighton. Would all be about $600,000 to $750,000.
Plus the second rower (club captain) they tried to punt was reportedly on $600,000, which was the issue in trying to get rid of him (a bit like Nofa)
Wasn’t Burton just upgraded to his ‘true’ value or I think that’s what I read

Kikau, Burton and Critta are all on over $800k each and when Fox signed he was the highest paid winger in the comp. I think they are still a long way off top 8 still as well

 

[gregjm87]

So they haven’t spend big on the other 2 Penrith players , the hooker from the eels , the fox and at least 5-6 more players , they might have 10 spots which I doubt, but there cap has to be in trouble

I'll go further (values from Zerotackle which I don't rate as a source but easiest to use for this).

Crichton: 825K. Bula: 700K
Kikau: 800K. Bateman: 750K
Burton: 750K. Luai: 1.2M
Mahoney: 600K. Api: 700K
Addo-Carr: 550K Nofo: 525K
F-Mariner: 600k. Papali'i: 600k

Total: 4.125M. Total: 4.475M

I then think our "5 or 6 more" including Utoikamanu, Klemmer, Pole, Twal, 2 X Fainu, Sullivan would be on much more than their 5 or 6 more of Preston, Sutton, Curran, Kiraz, Tracey, Olauapu, Mann.

Do this for any team and I think Dogs would be spending far less.