Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[FrodoTBaggin]

Let's be honest, if we offered nothing, the optics would be bad for the club. It's a way to save face for club and player knowing full well what the end result will be.

Not offering a contract to someone who has had 2 season ending injuries doesn't look bad for the club at all?save face with who? Let be honest, that statement is an overreaction.

 

[TigerSJ]

On AD….
I have little faith in him even returning to the level he once played at - which was at best, inconsistent. He was a selfish player with no real grit or effort in him. His D was rubbish and his skills, for a half and playmaker were below par. Realistically if we are serious about improving our culture and our squad I can’t see a spot for him.
Offering him an opportunity to prove himself on a minimum wage contract is a good faith and sound option. The club is not in a position to take a risk on him.

 

[Odessa]

Agree. Benji has said more than once our attack wasn’t the focus in the preseason or during our season start. He knows it needs to be addressed but was intent on focusing on defensive effort.

If you look at our structures in attack and defensive wise you can see we haven’t practiced much on set plays.

Issue is balance. I get Benji intent but if you don’t have the ability to score 3-4 tries a game you won’t win many games regardless how good the defence is.

Teams know they will win most times because we can’t score that’s half the pre game battle right up front.

Score board pressure the Tiger's don't create for the opposition

Until that's fix let's lose most games games by 8-14 and finish second last instead of last

 

[weststigers]

Not offering a contract to someone who has had 2 season ending injuries doesn't look bad for the club at all?save face with who? Let be honest, that statement is an overreaction.

I'd be quite happy if we got Doeuhi at 150k

 

[SeanT]

yeah nah no thanks

Agreed. For his price he doesnt deliver. Defence is verybordinary as well. Love how he talks him self up but hasnt realised he cant tackle.

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

I'd be quite happy if we got Doeuhi at 150k

I think most would

 

[Leck]

I think most would

I'd be happy if AD realises that his best option at the moment is 14 (maybe 13) and accepts the $150k.

I'm interested to see how Benji fits him in. I think it will be in KOE during July, but then possibly off the bench for the rest of the year. That's not much time to prove his worth and his halves and million-dollar contract aspirations.

...I think he needs a manager, otherwise he'll be pressing shirts.

 

[jirskyr]

I was thinking this too. Comes from nowhere and he's getting more results than Bula. He supports and does things a million miles an hour. Bula still operates on cruise control too much.

I think that is over-simplified.

For starters Armstrong is brand new and the real proof of a player is not the dynamic debut but rather the long-term consistency. Let's see how Armstrong does against consistenly good opponents once they've had a chance to figure him out.

Secondly, Bula plays for the worst team in the comp 2 years running. The Knights arent great but as they showed against us and Titans they are gritty and prepared to work hard down the middle, which is key for the fullback support. Tigers on the other hand fall away in the middle as the match grinds on and instead throw Bula sideways football and hope he does something with it.

Thirdly, Bula's "cruise control" is already fast. You don't have to have your wheels spinning to be effective. Armstrong and Bula are not the same kind of athlete.

In this case I blame the output of the team rather than the lack of effort from the fullback.

 

[jirskyr]

There isn’t a greater example of a wrecking ball that came here and turned into a powder puff. He was the best forward in the comp In 21 and 22. Now he wouldn‘t be top 10.

I think you guys have overlooked pre-Parra Papali'i.

It may be that the Parra stint was a peak for him rather than the standard, with an in-form spine and representative props up front during those seasons.

It's likely that IPs regular output, year-on-year, is solid without being great.

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

I'd be happy if AD realises that his best option at the moment is 14 (maybe 13) and accepts the $150k.

I'm interested to see how Benji fits him in. I think it will be in KOE during July, but then possibly off the bench for the rest of the year. That's not much time to prove his worth and his halves and million-dollar contract aspirations.

...I think he needs a manager, otherwise he'll be pressing shirts.

I agree that 13 could be a great position for him.. but it isn't happening. He has lost 5kg with the intention of playing in the halves. The club will try him at centre when he comes back, and if it doesn't work then no harm done he is outta here.

 

[Viva_Zapata]

Always thought Tommy Talau and Jock Madden were written off way too early. Both had real good performances tonight. Sometimes I think our retention is worse than our recruitment.

Fast forward 12 months and we will see Bud filling a role for someone. One good thing about players going on to perform better else where.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

I think you guys have overlooked pre-Parra Papali'i.

It may be that the Parra stint was a peak for him rather than the standard, with an in-form spine and representative props up front during those seasons.

It's likely that IPs regular output, year-on-year, is solid without being great.

He was only 20-21 at the Warriors. He wasn’t the complete player, but the signs were there.

 

[bigsiro]

apart from Ellis I can't remember a player we have bought who has played to the standard prior to his arrival

You’re talking about good standard I presume 😆
Almost have to back to 2000’s: Prince, Hodgson, Richards, Whatuira, et al.
Other than that the pickings are few and far between.
Tapau was good.
Api has retained his standard.
None else spring to mind.

There are just so many who came here and sucked. i reckon we’ve been “Blair’d” more than most teams. Sure know how to pick em.

 

[mikey]

I'd be happy if AD realises that his best option at the moment is 14 (maybe 13) and accepts the $150k.

I'm interested to see how Benji fits him in. I think it will be in KOE during July, but then possibly off the bench for the rest of the year. That's not much time to prove his worth and his halves and million-dollar contract aspirations.

...I think he needs a manager, otherwise he'll be pressing shirts.

Or joining Team Wakeham in his enterprise

 

[GNR4LIFE]

What chance do players we produce have or living up to potential here, if the majority of players we sign, who are established first graders, and sometimes marquee, flounder when they get here. Would explain why only a very small percentage of juniors have turned into marquee players themselves.

 

[Leck]

What chance do players we produce have or living up to potential here, if the majority of players we sign, who are established first graders, and sometimes marquee, floundering when they get here. Would explain why only a very small percentage of juniors have turned into marquee players themselves.

Culture.

 

[851]

apart from Ellis I can't remember a player we have bought who has played to the standard prior to his arrival

Prince, Elford, Phats, Api, JAC, Stef, Richards, Eiso, Hastings, S. Fainu, Tapau off the top of my head

 

[hank37w]

I'd be quite happy if we got Doeuhi at 150k

I'd be happier if he was on a train and trial and not taking up a top 30 spot.

We often leave a spot open until mid year when we have to fill the 30 and if he impresses in reserve grade he can have one of those after proving himself and playing some NRL after round 10.

If the current $1200 a week doesn't cut it for him we can always send the odd brown paper bag his way every once in a while as a sweetener.

Just annoys me that we extended him for a year before the beginning of last season before a game had even been played coming off a second ACL and low and behold 6 games later he has his 3rd ACL.

Dumb move I thought, as far as I am aware he wasn't in big demand and there was no reason to rush in and give him the extra year at that time when other teams already could have signed him in the 3 months prior to us giving him the extension.

 

[cktiger]

Plenty of stuff going on about what a Telecrap journo writes without any actual quotes.
Here’s one from when he was moved to the centres previously.
In my opinion he doesn’t seem to be the sort of guy that would change.

 

[weststigers]

I'd be happier if he was on a train and trial and not taking up a top 30 spot.

We often leave a spot open until mid year when we have to fill the 30 and if he impresses in reserve grade he can have one of those after proving himself and playing some NRL after round 10.

If the current $1200 a week doesn't cut it for him we can always send the odd brown paper bag his way every once in a while as a sweetener.

Just annoys me that we extended him for a year before the beginning of last season before a game had even been played coming off a second ACL and low and behold 6 games later he has his 3rd ACL.

Dumb move I thought, as far as I am aware he wasn't in big demand and there was no reason to rush in and give him the extra year at that time when other teams already could have signed him in the 3 months prior to us giving him the extension.

If Sezer isn't resigned, he's on a perfect pay grade as a back up playing halves in cup. Maybe even a decent 14 option at times. Plenty of guys in the 30 that get these low value contracts. Could do worse than him considering what you could sign for $150k.