Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[BlackWhiteGold]

Dupree's a plodder who's playing at his 8th club in 7 seasons. There's similar quality in our awesome KOE team.
I love watching Super League but I really think the pickings are very slim over there at the moment.
There's 3 quality teams and huge gulf to the rest at the moment. the standard of play really seems to have dropped and there were more people in my loungeroom than at the Wigan game on the weekend.

Really sounds like there is not much in SL for us unless we sign Tim Lafai or Nene Macdonald for 1-2 seasons max for experience & depth. I read that both are doing well for Salford this season.

The only others from highlights aren't really in positions we need - Bevan French, Jai Field & Jack Welsby. French only as a 5/8/fullback, Field fullback only & Welsby would only come to NRL for fullback/5-8 and I's day he'd go to Wolff anyway.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Stefano is on a deal worth around 350 a season?

I think Richo is trying to rearrange the deck chairs as we speak to offer a competitive deal, but there has to be a point where we withdraw if his expectations are too high.

What worries me most is who we could replace him with if he does decide to leave. We are already a prop short. Losing Stefano means we need to find 2 quality props to fill the void.

Stef is a good player...still young and still learning, but I do think his next contract will see him perform to a higher level with extra experience and age under his belt. What's his value?

To be honest, the way Stef is playing, we have to be careful of contract value. He's certainly no liability but he's not dominating consistently like he should be with his experience now.

Depending on what happens at the Storm, maybe a combo of Kamikamica (Fiji link too) & Royce Hunt (Samoa link) if we can pry them away from their clubs whilst the Millers, Faagutus etc develop or Leo Thompson from Newcastle. All 3 are contracted so Richo would need to do some wheeling & dealing.

 

[Tom Shines]

To be honest, the way Stef is playing, we have to be careful of contract value. He's certainly no liability but he's not dominating consistently like he should be with his experience now.

Depending on what happens at the Storm, maybe a combo of Kamikamica (Fiji link too) & Royce Hunt (Samoa link) if we can pry them away from their clubs whilst the Millers, Faagutus etc develop or Leo Thompson from Newcastle. All 3 are contracted so Richo would need to do some wheeling & dealing.

you are talking about “prying them away”… i assume through paying them overs ? I would rather just keep Stef to be honest ..the Fijian bloke is already 30

 

[Nonotmeagain]

Makes sense BB...his best asset is probably defence
that's why balmain saw him as a hooker. Waratahs
were playing trials at Leicchardt when he signed
too. Lack of decent NRL halves may see him cross over
again, I don't see a path to a wallabies jersey 4 him

You haven't seen the others contenders for the 1st 5/8 position in the Wallabies - he'll be in strong contention.

 

[jirskyr]

All that is probably true, but the optics aren’t good when you do something like that. He had to know people would be into him

Optics... jesus, what a cliche

 

[HowDugWT]

I say bring back Sitaleki Akauola or even better Josh Drinkwater

 

[jirskyr]

That’s a weak response. You didn’t answer my question about Bellamy or any of the other top coaches for that matter.

It doesn’t matter what I think of him, if the media are aware of his Fiji trip and he’s not getting results it doesn’t make him or the club look good.

I’ve made my point.

I don't happen to know the itineraries of every Head Coach, so can't help you there.

It doesn't look like anything if he takes a break, unless you buy into the scuttlebutt and rag-mag rubbish that companies like News Ltd spew out to create faux controversy. If you want to get onboard with the fabricated outrage and simple-minded black/white approach to all challenges, go for your life.

I also don't consider Richo such a weak or inexperienced operator that he would rubber-stamp a vacation for the Head Coach if he didn't think it was acceptable.

But, sure, do your fake keyboard outrage, maybe send a text to some of your mates about it.

 

[jirskyr]

I thought that almost immediately when I heard the teams announced...but then realised just as quickly it will probably make no difference to us whatsoever.

Origin is another facet of the game that shows me just how much
I have lost interest and passion for NRL and Origin....I used to get so pumped back in the day when Eastlakes was calling & Gus was doing his preambles.
Tommy albeit briefly, Price Kenny, King Wally, Artie, Close slapping Grothe on the tryline and MG & the King listening intently to David Manson .Still watch pretty much every game but maybe ive just matured

Different calibre of Origin teams though ink. I think the contests are just as good and the quality of football is arguably superior than the 80s and 90s, but the characters aren't really there since guys like Slater and Smith retired.

I don't think either of the NSW or QLD side have those classic Heels, that the other side love to hate but also fear.

Origin used to be as much about characters as the actual footy. E.g. I both loathed and admired King Wally in equal measures. He was the epitome of Queensland but also the Australian captain, so one minute you could hate his guts and then later in the year be glad he was on your team. I don't really feel that way about the current QLD side, they are all a bit generic despite being good footballers.

 

[batboy]

Really sounds like there is not much in SL for us unless we sign Tim Lafai or Nene Macdonald for 1-2 seasons max for experience & depth. I read that both are doing well for Salford this season.

The only others from highlights aren't really in positions we need - Bevan French, Jai Field & Jack Welsby. French only as a 5/8/fullback, Field fullback only & Welsby would only come to NRL for fullback/5-8 and I's day he'd go to Wolff anyway.

Tim Lafai was trash for years before he left, And has been gone for 3 years now....
Why do people keep talking about him here?

Better to talk up Tim Simona....

 

[weststigers]

I’m actually gonna back the 360 bunch for once lol. They’re not wrong in that when you’ve lost 8 games in a row and already had questions about how much work a coach is putting in that going on holiday seems questionable, on the flip if we were doing better it’s a non question.

The Stefano one could be or could not be true but I’m not gonna say it isn’t, I think Stefano has been pushed and challenged quite a bit this year by Benji and I don’t think he is up for it. He seemingly only wants to do the tough stuff when he wants, not when it’s needed. I think in his mind if he is gonna do the tough stuff he wants a reassurance that it’s gonna be repaid. No point bashing his body if his team is gonna let him down. At least at Penrith if he does it it’s gonna be paid with a win. But I’m jus assuming here.

Even a "bad" coach with a decent playing group will get a middle of the table finish.

Our main issue is our roster. Particularly in attack.

Our defence is actually passable, save from a few moments of laziness. If we score more points, we probably don't concede as many either.

Bateman can't break the line. He is too small and weak. Gives away too many penalties as well. He's gotta go. He was cooked when we bought him and he's still cooked now. Signing with the clause that he gets to spend most of the pre season in England was a joke. We don't need that.

Papalii is a nugget trying to play in an Athletic position. He went much better in the middle at 13. You can see the difference Fainu makes on the edge even with little experience.

Klemmers stats might be ok, but he's ineffective. Is it any use get 5 extra PCM if your play the ball speed suffers by 4 seconds while the other team holds you up and their defence resets? We need guys that skittle the defence and get a quick ptb.

Staines doesn't get enough yards out of our own end and is zero threat. Tackling is at 68% efficiency. 20 tackle breaks this season. He is not the answer for us. Isaako by comparison has 38 tackle breaks and tackling at 80%. When I see him 1 on 1 with a player, I know he's not going to beat his man. Need better.

The common denominator here is we need guys in these positions that can actually break a tackle and provide a threat in attack.

Our bench kinda sucks, but we're not going to be able to add 8 players in the off season. If we can get 4 high quality replacements for the above guys, we actually stand a chance with or without Benji as coach.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Tim Lafai was trash for years before he left, And has been gone for 3 years now....
Why do people keep talking about him here?

Better to talk up Tim Simona....

He turned 33 yesterday. With our track record, it’s almost 100% certainty he would be a terrible signing. Always looking for these bargain basement signings that go boom. I don’t think we’ve had once since Blake Austin and Martin Taupau 10 years ago.

 

[weststigers]

I don't happen to know the itineraries of every Head Coach, so can't help you there.

It doesn't look like anything if he takes a break, unless you buy into the scuttlebutt and rag-mag rubbish that companies like News Ltd spew out to create faux controversy. If you want to get onboard with the fabricated outrage and simple-minded black/white approach to all challenges, go for your life.

I also don't consider Richo such a weak or inexperienced operator that he would rubber-stamp a vacation for the Head Coach if he didn't think it was acceptable.

But, sure, do your fake keyboard outrage, maybe send a text to some of your mates about it.

I don't get it either...what is Benji going to do without the players at training?

Do people think he's going to come up with a totally different game plan in a week at the office and implement it in a few days after the bye when the players come back?

Our shortcomings are clear. We don't have the players and half the side is bloody suspended from hip drops or injured.

 

[weststigers]

I’m not gunna answer your question.
But I’d rather there be 27 Tigers players selected to play origin.

I think the NRL Auditor would be knocking on our door if this was the case, but in principle I agree with you 😅

 

[supercoach]

To be honest, the way Stef is playing, we have to be careful of contract value. He's certainly no liability but he's not dominating consistently like he should be with his experience now.

Depending on what happens at the Storm, maybe a combo of Kamikamica (Fiji link too) & Royce Hunt (Samoa link) if we can pry them away from their clubs whilst the Millers, Faagutus etc develop or Leo Thompson from Newcastle. All 3 are contracted so Richo would need to do some wheeling & dealing.

We have so many holes to fill we can’t be paying silly money for big Steph. Like with all contracts the market will determine what we have to pay and my feeling he will want overs to stay because he knows he holds all the aces.
I think we are probably better buying two serviceable props than one hot and cold elite front rower

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

you are talking about “prying them away”… i assume through paying them overs ? I would rather just keep Stef to be honest ..the Fijian bloke is already 30

Not overs, just opportunity.

Kamikamica may be pushed down the pecking order at Storm soon, whilst Sharks have AFB coming so one of their middles will have to make way (possibly Hunt). Both would take on leadership roles at the Tigers if they came. Not sure we'd need to pay much over $450k for either.

Just speculating that a middle rotation of Kamikamica-Hunt rotating with Klemmer-Pole next season would be solid grunt.

Anyway hope that Stef is resigned on a good, fair contract.

 

[Buttface]

I think the NRL Auditor would be knocking on our door if this was the case, but in principle I agree with you 😅

only bcoz it’s WT.
I remember days when the QLD side was filled by predominantly one or two teams, nothing to see there.
I wonder what the highest representation from one team for both sides during the cap era is? And what teams. I think we can all take a stab. The sharks maybe?🤔

 

[gregjm87]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Stefano is on a deal worth around 350 a season?

I think Richo is trying to rearrange the deck chairs as we speak to offer a competitive deal, but there has to be a point where we withdraw if his expectations are too high.

What worries me most is who we could replace him with if he does decide to leave. We are already a prop short. Losing Stefano means we need to find 2 quality props to fill the void.

Stef is a good player...still young and still learning, but I do think his next contract will see him perform to a higher level with extra experience and age under his belt. What's his value?

Reportedly on 500k/yr this and last year.

 

[Canberratiger]

You're right ink. Something is missing and I can't work out if it's that I was a kid and i looked up to my heroes on TV or if the game and tradition has been commercialised and sanitised to the point of it not being the battle it once was.

I'd like to know what those that dont recognise the era you mention and grew up on the modern game think about origin now.

I reckon the timings between the games play a big part. 3 weeks between games makes it more than 9 weeks of coverage and speculation. Needs to go to 2 weeks in between games. Short and intense. Also as a Tiger and NSW fan, it is hard to cheer for the likes of Tedesco, Moses and all the others that disrespect our club.

 

[gregjm87]

only bcoz it’s WT.
I remember days when the QLD side was filled by predominantly one or two teams, nothing to see there.
I wonder what the highest representation from one team for both sides during the cap era is? And what teams. I think we can all take a stab. The sharks maybe?🤔

Roosters have twice had 7 players in an Origin game, 2003 and 2020. Storm had 7 in a series 2019.

 

[Needaname]

Even a "bad" coach with a decent playing group will get a middle of the table finish.

Our main issue is our roster. Particularly in attack.

Our defence is actually passable, save from a few moments of laziness. If we score more points, we probably don't concede as many either.

Bateman can't break the line. He is too small and weak. Gives away too many penalties as well. He's gotta go. He was cooked when we bought him and he's still cooked now. Signing with the clause that he gets to spend most of the pre season in England was a joke. We don't need that.

Papalii is a nugget trying to play in an Athletic position. He went much better in the middle at 13. You can see the difference Fainu makes on the edge even with little experience.

Klemmers stats might be ok, but he's ineffective. Is it any use get 5 extra PCM if your play the ball speed suffers by 4 seconds while the other team holds you up and their defence resets? We need guys that skittle the defence and get a quick ptb.

Staines doesn't get enough yards out of our own end and is zero threat. Tackling is at 68% efficiency. 20 tackle breaks this season. He is not the answer for us. Isaako by comparison has 38 tackle breaks and tackling at 80%. When I see him 1 on 1 with a player, I know he's not going to beat his man. Need better.

The common denominator here is we need guys in these positions that can actually break a tackle and provide a threat in attack.

Our bench kinda sucks, but we're not going to be able to add 8 players in the off season. If we can get 4 high quality replacements for the above guys, we actually stand a chance with or without Benji as coach.

We could surprise the league with enterprising attack if our middles would drop lower when they run and fall at impact rather than standing upright pushing for PCM and offloads. Would work wonders for Steph and Klemmer if they get to the ground quicker than the opposition. They get held and slowed up because they are upright players pushing for extra meters. Both don’t seem to like being on the turf and not prefer to play the ball from an upright position.
What we need is a Barnett. Either him or someone similarly built that has the mungrel and the will to take on the middle forwards as a prop. If only Seyfarth would wake up every night and eat a pound of protein.