Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Tiger Karen]

I’m excited by what could be possible but also realistic in what this squad can deliver in 24.

I think the new players in key positions this year, make the 2024 Tigers a very different animal from last year.

I think we will see basic kick and chase and big D. Benji will work on the extra man in attack with positioning. Bula is a weapon.

I doubt Benji will encourage higher risk plays until D is sorted.

And I hope salad can kick to no man’s land. I’m over this kicking to the fullback we’ve been addicted to since time immemorial.

 

[weststigers]

I know, but he was scoring at the same clip in the NRL though. I hope he comes back and proves a few wrong at some stage. Alex Johnson is no star defender and he’s a career try scorer with all time records in his sights.

I'm with you on French. He wouldn't cost a lot and would be more than just cover.

Can also play in the positions that are generally expensive to get decent depth. Fullback being the main one.

For $250k a year, it's good value.

Many will say he'll block juniors, but if they're good enough, they will surpass him. If he's blocking juniors, then the juniors aren't up to it yet.

 

[BAGNF05]

I'm with you on French. He wouldn't cost a lot and would be more than just cover.

Can also play in the positions that are generally expensive to get decent depth. Fullback being the main one.

For $250k a year, it's good value.

Many will say he'll block juniors, but if they're good enough, they will surpass him. If he's blocking juniors, then the juniors aren't up to it yet.

I’d swap him for a few of our outside backs in a heartbeat. We’re plucking blokes who haven’t excelled in rah rah.

 

[gallagher]

I think the new players in key positions this year, make the 2024 Tigers a very different animal from last year.

I think we will see basic kick and chase and big D. Benji will work on the extra man in attack with positioning. Bula is a weapon.

I doubt Benji will encourage higher risk plays until D is sorted.

And I hope salad can kick to no man’s land. I’m over this kicking to the fullback we’ve been addicted to since time immemorial.

Salad 😅😅 I didn't get Romey but I get this one!

 

[Magpie_Magic]

I’m excited by what could be possible but also realistic in what this squad can deliver in 24.

Luai not coming this year was a massive downer.

However still hoping Benji pulls a rabbit out of the hat..............considering only Bula and To'a remain from the mainstay of last years backline (given Staines and Naden were often injured and Tupou may not be a consistent pick) with brand new halves of unknown composition it's hard to compare this side with last years.

Hoping it's not just a rebuild year.

How good Sezer, Fainu and Sullivan are in the halves will determine everything.

Fainu and Sullivan should be chanting at the bit to make a name for themselves.

 

[innsaneink]

Reuniting both Olam and Fox would be massive for us. They’d give us the combination of speed and strength covered on one whole side. They both won competitions together and are representative players. Then you have the winning combination of Api/Luai as well to pair with them.

I think we’d be silly not to explore it.

No one looked good at the dogs last year I don’t think fox is finished he still has lots of value.

He is a leader too...great with young fellas... Can't have too many.

 

[innsaneink]

That's what the nrl should do every time a player knocks back a contract and plays for less else where. There's 1 metric enforced to spread the talent and its made a mockery of.

NRL used to have a 'nominal value' rule to stop things like this

 

[innsaneink]

Why aren't we looking at Taylan May... He was a bit of a dropkick but seems to have metres and his game.has come on.hugely

 

[Vicious]

Why aren't we looking at Taylan May... He was a bit of a dropkick but seems to have metres and his game.has come on.hugely

How do you know we are not looking at him ?
If you do a quick estimate of the estimated/rumoured salary’s for the players already on our books for 2025, you will see we won’t have much salary cap space left to invest in any new players.
We are spending upwards of 2.5 million on our 4 halves alone.
Throw in a few ageing players that we are no doubt paying much more than their true value and I can assure you there isn’t much wriggle room left for 2025.

 

[rugbygoated]

I think more espresso than latte !

The Little Italy Factor!

 

[Spartan117]

Why aren't we looking at Taylan May... He was a bit of a dropkick but seems to have metres and his game.has come on.hugely

We have tried endlessly to reform dropkicks in the hope that they play well.

I don't think we are there as a club just yet.

I have faith in Benji, Richo especially after this week to change club culture

 

[GNR4LIFE]

We have tried endlessly to reform dropkicks in the hope that they play well.

I don't think we are there as a club just yet.

I have faith in Benji, Richo especially after this week to change club culture

Not being able to reform dropkicks would mean they came here and re-offended. I can’t think of any player that we have given a second chance to whose gotten themselves sacked. Players we have picked up off the scrap heap who just haven’t performed on the field is another thing entirely.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

In regards to players reforming, I don’t think there is a better example than Russell Packer

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Why aren't we looking at Taylan May... He was a bit of a dropkick but seems to have metres and his game.has come on.hugely

No Bulldogs connexion

 

[Tiger Karen]

I just saw our beloved board member old mate Dennis Burgess in the Australia Days honours lists.

Services to music!

Good old Dennis, he’s been stoned since the 1971 after the release of second album “ On the wagon”

They used to play his hits on 2FC all the time:

“ You can vomit in my couch anytime”

“ Climb every turkey”

“ Touch me again, and I’ll break your jaw”

Good stuff Dennis. No hard feelings ( I’m serious this time) I couldn’t handle that board either if I was him.

 

[Tiger Karen]

@Tucker, He never thought he was on a board, in his mind with all of those legal substances, he thought Lee was an giant evil elf, wearing the fedora of doom.

If Dennis can get an OAM, then there’s hope for us all son.

 

[stephen]

I just saw our beloved board member old mate Dennis Burgess in the Australia Days honours lists.

Services to music!

Good old Dennis, he’s been stoned since the 1971 after the release of second album “ On the wagon”

They used to play his hits on 2FC all the time:

“ You can vomit in my couch anytime”

“ Climb every turkey”

“ Touch me again, and I’ll break your jaw”

Good stuff Dennis. No hard feelings ( I’m serious this time) I couldn’t handle that board either if I was him.

View attachment 9884

Dave's not here man.

 

[crazycat]

Luai not coming this year was a massive downer.

However still hoping Benji pulls a rabbit out of the hat..............considering only Bula and To'a remain from the mainstay of last years backline (given Staines and Naden were often injured and Tupou may not be a consistent pick) with brand new halves of unknown composition it's hard to compare this side with last years.

Hoping it's not just a rebuild year.

How good Sezer, Fainu and Sullivan are in the halves will determine everything.

Fainu and Sullivan should be chanting at the bit to make a name for themselves.

Yes and it is 100% down to Sullivan and Fainu to prove themselves this year.
I know both have longer term Contracts.

Sullivan however needs to impress in 2024 to claim the other halves spot. If he cannot outperform Fainu/Sezer and own the spot then we can throw him back to St George or whatever club wants him.

It is a good position to be in.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Luai not coming this year was a massive downer.

However still hoping Benji pulls a rabbit out of the hat..............considering only Bula and To'a remain from the mainstay of last years backline (given Staines and Naden were often injured and Tupou may not be a consistent pick) with brand new halves of unknown composition it's hard to compare this side with last years.

Hoping it's not just a rebuild year.

How good Sezer, Fainu and Sullivan are in the halves will determine everything.

Fainu and Sullivan should be chanting at the bit to make a name for themselves.

Luai was never coming this year, it’s not a downer he is coming next year and a few youngsters basically have 12mths to train & play their best to be his partner - that’s what I’m excited about. To see who has it and who doesn’t, if all goes to play they all step up and we have a major headache next season.

This year I expect them to have a crack but to me it’s clear we will experiment & trial a few things through the year mixed with inexperienced players learning NRL speed getting ready to go hard in 25 onwards.

 

[tigerballs]

We have tried endlessly to reform dropkicks in the hope that they play well.

I don't think we are there as a club just yet.

I have faith in Benji, Richo especially after this week to change club culture

The love shown to Olam by his Storm teammates, the regard for Luai from Pamfers, Klemmer, Api, Bula, Ceasar, we've got some outstanding individuals at the club right now. Building the right culture with the right people.