Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[The Chad]

Nobody loves local juniors coming into the top grade as much as I do, I’m a big believer that a successful club needs heart & soul that is best provided by local talent, talent brought to the club at a young age or brought to the club before being an established NRL player elsewhere.
This is also part of the reason why I believe a little bit more grace should be given to home grown players such as Seyfarth etc.
I believe this is also Richo’s theory based on some of his previous interviews.
It is perfect in theory, but when you have been stuck on the bottom for as long as we have, adopting this theory is easier said than done as the player managers, sometimes the player themselves or their families simply want to use the club as a bargaining chip.
Wests Tigers will not climb the ladder if continuing to be used as a bargaining chip and giving in to the demands of home grown or long standing players.
We have to remember for every top quality up and coming player we have, there are plenty of others with similar, sometimes more ability elsewhere.
This is disappointing to say as in a perfect world it would be fantastic to build a dynasty based on what the Panthers have done, but I’m hoping Richo takes the hard stance telling all players they will only be contracted to their true value and will only be selected based on the form they demonstrate on a week to week basis, therefore the club will not give in to player manager demands and if they think they can do better elsewhere, show them the door.

This is how you build culture in a club too. Support of the guys that go through our junior development- they play together, play for each other, learn each others game & needs. It builds bonds. I don't think the young guys coming through at Penrith have been particularly more 'skilled' than anyone else in the NRL. But they play as a unit & for each other.

The club (Tigers) have spent too long buying from other clubs- nearly the majority of our top squad has been developed by other clubs. We are essentially a team of mercenaries.

However, Twal, Seyfarth, Utoikamanu, Pole, Galvin...and then the generation of young guys coming through...

There is always player turnover. And I know Twal, Utoikamanu, the Fainu brothers are all other clubs juniors- but you bring them in early enough, they come through our development to a degree. I don't think anybody would consider Twal a Parramatta trained player, despite being one of their juniors.

It's through having a core group that are developed together that you build a club culture. 2005 was a freak year in some regard- but built largely around this mindset.

 

[tigermate]

If galvin agitates for a release we’re screwed

Also the fact that we haven’t extended him beyond the next two years is concerning

I assume we would try to - and the fact he hasn’t means he will test the market November 1 next year.

We all need to pray that luai catapults us to the top 8 next year or we’re screwed

 

[Telltails]

Personally hope Benji proves me wrong but he's in way out of his depth.

I think it's way more than Benji. People tried to pin it on the last coach too. The perception of this club as being not much more than a feeder for those who think they can do better elsewhere will impact on any coach trying to effect change. Retention becoming a bigger problem than recruitment ATM.

 

[The Chad]

If galvin agitates for a release we’re screwed

Also the fact that we haven’t extended him beyond the next two years is concerning

I assume we would try to - and the fact he hasn’t means he will test the market November 1 next year.

We all need to pray that luai catapults us to the top 8 next year or we’re screwed

The club WILL lose some of the young 'stars' coming through.

There is a significant amount of young depth in our junior ranks in the halves. I'm not convinced Galvin is the top of that pile- just the first through the door.

 

[Juice]

The club WILL lose some of the young 'stars' coming through.

There is a significant amount of young depth in our junior ranks in the halves. I'm not convinced Galvin is the top of that pile- just the first through the door.

Just out of curiosity, who do you rate better?

 

[tigermate]

The club WILL lose some of the young 'stars' coming through.

There is a significant amount of young depth in our junior ranks in the halves. I'm not convinced Galvin is the top of that pile- just the first through the door.

Imo galvin is future origin and national captain

If we lose him it’ll be worse than moses
- maybe on par with teddy

 

[WesternSuburbsBoy]

If galvin agitates for a release we’re screwed

Also the fact that we haven’t extended him beyond the next two years is concerning

I assume we would try to - and the fact he hasn’t means he will test the market November 1 next year.

We all need to pray that luai catapults us to the top 8 next year or we’re screwed

"What he (Benji) has done for me since I've started pre-season has been amazing you know, I love working under him & I love being a Tiger." Galvin in a interview not even 2 months ago. Seriously this random fear mongering about Galvin leaving is based on what exactly?

 

[Tom Shines]

Blore was on 500k too remember

Edit: also it's been said that Ice had a ratchet clause in his contract meaning only year 1 was 650k. Year 2 and 3 are 750k.

yeah … I heard the term “ratchet clause “ … is that normal in NRL contracts ? Never heard it before …Pascoe must be a weak negotiator to allow such crappy terms in these contracts …Also I heard Ice started at $600k … not $650k … 600 to 750 is a lot of ratchet …spanners must have been working hard ratcheting …

was Blore really on $500k this year ? That surprises me considering it was the last year of his deal he signed when he was a relative nobody

 

[Spartan117]

I'm confident Rich and Benji are on alert around retaining our best players.

 

[Lebanese_Coach_aspiration]

Had a scan through Hull FC, Hull KR and couple of others. Really can’t see who we could sign that would make the difference?
Franklin Pele to replace Stefano Utoikamanu?

The Hulls are struggling.
The better players are in the top 4, but i also think there are alot of wingers and centres that are better than what we have, but not stars, and the money we would offer probably doesnt make it worth it.

 

[Lebanese_Coach_aspiration]

Who is going to pay Stef overs to come to them?? Rumor is that he is going to Storm or panthers
so i say see ya and have a good career.

The prop market is dire atm. Stef would have large offers from doggs, Roosters, Souths, eels, Dragons and even the dolphins.

The one advantage is we have him already and we have cap room. Better than a few of the above. Doggs could comfortably throw 700 at him. Roosters 800. Souths i dont know. Eels will want a shake up but probs cant afford unless they do a swap. Drags probably not worth staying.
We going to have to give him 850 at least. Maybe 900.

 

[Lebanese_Coach_aspiration]

As a lebanese coach, I spend alot of time scouring the market and looking for opportunities for recruitment.
We need to go beyond just seeing who is off contract (although we must snap up Aitken quick) but looking how we can 'help' clubs who are unbalanced in they depth.

I can see an opportunity at the doggs to take Hutchison, Skelton or Taafe.
Taafe has lost the FB role but looks like a very handy outside back utility with pace. Would you guys be interested in him? What stops me from committing to him is i want him for our depth but by that logic he may as well stay.
Hutch I think would convert to a great ball playing lock we could get for a steal i bet. He has lost the halfback race and they are covered in the lock/Ute position by Mann, hayward, Salmon etc. Could also be back depth if needed. i would definitely ask the question to his manager.
Skelton a no brainer if we can get him. We wont be alone in chasing him though so we gotta act quick.

Eels and souths are also under some pressure to mix things up. I cant see who we need from souths they would let go, but i think there is a good opportunity to take on an older forward from the eels, because they will want to freshen their pack with younger forwards.
Dont see why we couldnt take Paulo off their hands if we match his contract + add a year.
That has risk but a potential win/win. You offset that with a cheaper hardhead like nathan brown + English and we good.

 

[Lebanese_Coach_aspiration]

There is no need for a 'lebanese touch'. Farah is not a coach. Benji needs experienced coaches around him. Farrah, heighno etc can be water boys and trainers

Fixed your post.

 

[Kaito]

"What he (Benji) has done for me since I've started pre-season has been amazing you know, I love working under him & I love being a Tiger." Galvin in a interview not even 2 months ago. Seriously this random fear mongering about Galvin leaving is based on what exactly?

The Mole can't get his lips off of Moses' clackers lol

 

[Lebanese_Coach_aspiration]

Imo galvin is future origin and national captain

If we lose him it’ll be worse than moses
- maybe on par with teddy

I'm going to risk a ban from this forum for saying this, but what is so good about Galvin?
I see someone who might be good one day but itsnt really atm.

 

[TSP]

I'm going to risk a ban from this forum for saying this, but what is so good about Galvin?
I see someone who might be good one day but itsnt really atm.

4 weeks suspension should suffice!

 

[twentyforty]

The Hulls are struggling.
The better players are in the top 4, but i also think there are alot of wingers and centres that are better than what we have, but not stars, and the money we would offer probably doesnt make it worth it.

OK. I only mentioned Hulls because that’s where Richo is prospecting ATM.

 

[Lebanese_Coach_aspiration]

OK. I only mentioned Hulls because that’s where Richo is prospecting ATM.

He might be looking at juniors.
Hull is a genuine league city. One of the only ones in England. Maybe the only one.

I wonder if he is trying to find a Herbie type player.

 

[twentyforty]

I'm going to risk a ban from this forum for saying this, but what is so good about Galvin?
I see someone who might be good one day but itsnt really atm.

Fair comment mate. I think people compare him with Benji and how much better he was during his first few games, but he has been a little quiet lately? Maybe we should give the kid some space and time? He is good though and looks like he’d be cool under pressure.

 

[tigermate]

"What he (Benji) has done for me since I've started pre-season has been amazing you know, I love working under him & I love being a Tiger." Galvin in an interview not even 2 months ago. Seriously this random fear mongering about Galvin leaving is based on what exactly?

His manager lol

You forget what he did to us with the big 4?

Also that comment was made before we lost 8 in a row. If we win another spoon even his family will be telling him to go to a better system. He’ll have his pick for clubs next November. If we are struggling he’ll be tempted to leave.