Tigerstigerstigers
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works for me
Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
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He had a good 20 minutes
The kick to Lobb was outstanding
Then it all went to mud
He's an erratic 6 that belongs in super league
DrewPeacock
Well-known member
Buzz the numb nut is at it again..... Can't even get the picture of the right player!
The Wests Tigers are in crisis with revelations their two best young players want out after Friday night’s embarrassing capitulation to St George-Illawarra.
Boom utility star Lachlan Galvin and front-rower Stefano Utoikamanu are both disgruntled after nine straight losses and the likelihood of three straight wooden spoons.
Galvin was overheard in the Wests Tigers dressing room after the 56-14 loss to the Dragons saying that he wanted out, despite being under contract until the end of 2026.
Your columnist understands his manager Isaac Moses has spoken to Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson about the situation and the fact he is being asked to play each weekend with a fracture in his hand.
We have reached out to both Moses and Richardson.
Lachlan Galvin apparently wants out of the Wests Tigers. Picture: Getty Images
Meanwhile the club’s hopes of retaining boom Utoikamanu are diminishing by the day – and money is not the issue.
It’s more about his future development as a player in the right system under the right coach.
While CEO Richardson was recently spending three weeks in the UK, up to eight rival NRL clubs were expressing interest in the former Parramatta Eels junior.
Utoikamanu becomes a free agent under a clause in his contract that makes him a free agent if he is not chosen in the NSW Blues team for the final two games.
Stefano Utoikamanu is yet to re-sign with the Wests Tigers. Picture: Getty Images
The eight clubs have contacted Utoikamanu’s manager Daniel O’Loughlin with expressions of interest should he decide to activate the clause.
The Wests Tigers have offered him $4 million over five years to stay at Concord.
However Utoikamanu is looking for more than the cash.
He’s sat back and watched ex-teammates – the likes of Shawn Blore, Luke Garner, Luke Brooks, Tommy Talau and Billy Walters – improve and develop their games at other clubs.
Utoikamanu would have the choice of playing under a Wayne Bennett, Cameron Ciraldo, Shane Flanagan, Trent Robinson or risk staying at a club that is now facing its third straight wooden spoon.
You can understand why he might be looking to get out.
The Wests Tigers are in crisis with revelations their two best young players want out after Friday night’s embarrassing capitulation to St George-Illawarra.
Boom utility star Lachlan Galvin and front-rower Stefano Utoikamanu are both disgruntled after nine straight losses and the likelihood of three straight wooden spoons.
Galvin was overheard in the Wests Tigers dressing room after the 56-14 loss to the Dragons saying that he wanted out, despite being under contract until the end of 2026.
Your columnist understands his manager Isaac Moses has spoken to Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson about the situation and the fact he is being asked to play each weekend with a fracture in his hand.
We have reached out to both Moses and Richardson.
Lachlan Galvin apparently wants out of the Wests Tigers. Picture: Getty Images
Meanwhile the club’s hopes of retaining boom Utoikamanu are diminishing by the day – and money is not the issue.
It’s more about his future development as a player in the right system under the right coach.
While CEO Richardson was recently spending three weeks in the UK, up to eight rival NRL clubs were expressing interest in the former Parramatta Eels junior.
Utoikamanu becomes a free agent under a clause in his contract that makes him a free agent if he is not chosen in the NSW Blues team for the final two games.
Stefano Utoikamanu is yet to re-sign with the Wests Tigers. Picture: Getty Images
The eight clubs have contacted Utoikamanu’s manager Daniel O’Loughlin with expressions of interest should he decide to activate the clause.
The Wests Tigers have offered him $4 million over five years to stay at Concord.
However Utoikamanu is looking for more than the cash.
He’s sat back and watched ex-teammates – the likes of Shawn Blore, Luke Garner, Luke Brooks, Tommy Talau and Billy Walters – improve and develop their games at other clubs.
Utoikamanu would have the choice of playing under a Wayne Bennett, Cameron Ciraldo, Shane Flanagan, Trent Robinson or risk staying at a club that is now facing its third straight wooden spoon.
You can understand why he might be looking to get out.
rihannafan1
Well-known member
Jazz Tevaga off contract. He is an adult, the right age (28), attitude and pay grade for an NRL squad depth player. Players like him are who we should target to play the next few years while the juniors come through.
The Chad
Well-known member
If Utoikamanu was to move on, he would be a very god short term option.
Something I was talking to my brother about yesterday- recruiting from outside the organisation vs retaining from within.
You're better of overspending on guys that have come through your system than overspending on guys from outside who may not fit.
Tevega works within the Warriors system. If you did sign him, you don't commit to him for 4 years. 1-2 years & you can get out of the commitment without too much pain. This is where the Sullivan deal falls over. 4 year deal- you are locked in & it has to work. Fainu brothers...it has to work. Luai...it HAS to work.
If it doesn't- it's Mbye all over again.
Papali'i...long term commitment..it doesn't work out. Adam Blair. Nobody really laments the Jason Moodie contract though, because it was short term.
Look at the Dragons recruitment this year. Plenty of new faces- no long term deal to be seen. If they want to shift them, they can much easier than we can. If you want them longer- extend them.
Utoikamanu for 5 years...it HAS to work. That is my only stumbling block. The money isn't that important.
crazycat
Well-known member
Maybe but Martin Taupau at the right price could be an option for us.
Look he has lost a lot of playing ability. At say 400k he would make a good battering ram and mentor to Pole and others.
crazycat
Well-known member
Is it better to spend more to bring people external OR spend more to keep internal players?
I can only think Fifita and Marty Taupau in the forwards that I really would have liked to keep. Sure some have done decent elsewhere, i.e. Josh Alolai... But I am going back to LaFranchi before I hit the "keep" button.
Externally, yea I can think of a stack of players we should have signed to boost our side:
Luke Lewis (close).
AFB
Papaii
Payne Haas
...
Bring a top tier forward into our side and you add to our culture. Yes they need to adapt to our system, but they bring the training and knowledge of other clubs. Were just too inbred. We need external culture coming in.
Coastie_Tiger
Well-known member
Buzz the numb nut is at it again..... Can't even get the picture of the right player!
The Wests Tigers are in crisis with revelations their two best young players want out after Friday night’s embarrassing capitulation to St George-Illawarra.
Boom utility star Lachlan Galvin and front-rower Stefano Utoikamanu are both disgruntled after nine straight losses and the likelihood of three straight wooden spoons.
Galvin was overheard in the Wests Tigers dressing room after the 56-14 loss to the Dragons saying that he wanted out, despite being under contract until the end of 2026.
Your columnist understands his manager Isaac Moses has spoken to Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson about the situation and the fact he is being asked to play each weekend with a fracture in his hand.
We have reached out to both Moses and Richardson.
Lachlan Galvin apparently wants out of the Wests Tigers. Picture: Getty Images
Meanwhile the club’s hopes of retaining boom Utoikamanu are diminishing by the day – and money is not the issue.
It’s more about his future development as a player in the right system under the right coach.
While CEO Richardson was recently spending three weeks in the UK, up to eight rival NRL clubs were expressing interest in the former Parramatta Eels junior.
Utoikamanu becomes a free agent under a clause in his contract that makes him a free agent if he is not chosen in the NSW Blues team for the final two games.
Stefano Utoikamanu is yet to re-sign with the Wests Tigers. Picture: Getty Images
The eight clubs have contacted Utoikamanu’s manager Daniel O’Loughlin with expressions of interest should he decide to activate the clause.
The Wests Tigers have offered him $4 million over five years to stay at Concord.
However Utoikamanu is looking for more than the cash.
He’s sat back and watched ex-teammates – the likes of Shawn Blore, Luke Garner, Luke Brooks, Tommy Talau and Billy Walters – improve and develop their games at other clubs.
Utoikamanu would have the choice of playing under a Wayne Bennett, Cameron Ciraldo, Shane Flanagan, Trent Robinson or risk staying at a club that is now facing its third straight wooden spoon.
You can understand why he might be looking to get out.
Who proof reads this rubbish again a picture of Sam Fainu masquerading as Stefano seriously journalism 101 stuff.
Betterdays22
Well-known member
How many internal players will want to come into first grade under the current circumstances?
Looks like the Large boys are gone, Galvin and stefano want out.
Put yourself in Jordan Millers shoes. Thrown to the wolves in first grade this year with a target on his back and no one to back him up? or eased into it over next season in a club with a stronger first grade squad, with limited expectations?
Think its a matter of time until he agitates. Bulldogs have shown the way to build a successful first grade squad - which kills me to say. Relying on 18-21 year olds, (some here even talking about 15-16 year olds) is setting them and the club up for failure. Im not even sure these juniors are as good as the club likes to make out.
Looks like the Large boys are gone, Galvin and stefano want out.
Put yourself in Jordan Millers shoes. Thrown to the wolves in first grade this year with a target on his back and no one to back him up? or eased into it over next season in a club with a stronger first grade squad, with limited expectations?
Think its a matter of time until he agitates. Bulldogs have shown the way to build a successful first grade squad - which kills me to say. Relying on 18-21 year olds, (some here even talking about 15-16 year olds) is setting them and the club up for failure. Im not even sure these juniors are as good as the club likes to make out.
Tigerdazz2
Well-known member
Apart from having had horrendous management who've bought the wrong players on overs & created nothing but managerial chaos for years now, Wests Tigers biggest problem is that they don't have a Penrith Park, a "Brooky" or Newcastle Stadium type "fortress". Instead they are nomads, shifting between Leichhardt, Campbelltown & of late Com Bank.
The club MUST, if it wants to ever become an NRL heavyweight, is to find (or have built) a permanent home ground "fortress" with a capacity for at least 25,000 & as many corporate boxes they can squeeze in, somewhere in the ever fast growing South West in either the Macarthur or Liverpool LGA region.
For all the nostalgia that Leichhardt holds for many of us fans, NOT wholly committing to the SW of Sydney, to it's already huge ever growing population & the "gold" that is our growing Rugby League nursery (that is about to surpass that of the Panthers in a few years) is just stubborn stupidity, plain & simple.
If the club can take the plunge & move lock stock & barrel to the South West results WILL come. Results in an improved sense of identity, results in a better club culture, results in local juniors being loyal & striving to play 1st grade for the club, results in recruitment of (real) marquee players, results in increasing corporate revenue & eventually results in getting bigger crowds to games and most importantly for us fans.... results ON THE FIELD.
What I'd personally like to see?
I'd like to see the Tigers partner up with the Bulldogs & other stake holders (Say Macarthur FC, W.S.Wanderers FC etc) in a consortium to build a 25-30,000 seat stadium near Glenfield or Casula & a new Centre of excellence built next to Campbelltown Stadium, (sell the one at Concord to the ARU) though of course I believe the club MUST play one big home game, say against the Bunnies, annually at Leichhardt in acknowledgement of the heritage of Balmain & it's contribution to the club.
TIme to pull off the bandaid, be brave & make some big, big changes. Repeating the same things they've tried over & over again is just pure craziness & will just doom the club to be perpetual "cellar dwellers" & a barely solvent basket case.
The club MUST, if it wants to ever become an NRL heavyweight, is to find (or have built) a permanent home ground "fortress" with a capacity for at least 25,000 & as many corporate boxes they can squeeze in, somewhere in the ever fast growing South West in either the Macarthur or Liverpool LGA region.
For all the nostalgia that Leichhardt holds for many of us fans, NOT wholly committing to the SW of Sydney, to it's already huge ever growing population & the "gold" that is our growing Rugby League nursery (that is about to surpass that of the Panthers in a few years) is just stubborn stupidity, plain & simple.
If the club can take the plunge & move lock stock & barrel to the South West results WILL come. Results in an improved sense of identity, results in a better club culture, results in local juniors being loyal & striving to play 1st grade for the club, results in recruitment of (real) marquee players, results in increasing corporate revenue & eventually results in getting bigger crowds to games and most importantly for us fans.... results ON THE FIELD.
What I'd personally like to see?
I'd like to see the Tigers partner up with the Bulldogs & other stake holders (Say Macarthur FC, W.S.Wanderers FC etc) in a consortium to build a 25-30,000 seat stadium near Glenfield or Casula & a new Centre of excellence built next to Campbelltown Stadium, (sell the one at Concord to the ARU) though of course I believe the club MUST play one big home game, say against the Bunnies, annually at Leichhardt in acknowledgement of the heritage of Balmain & it's contribution to the club.
TIme to pull off the bandaid, be brave & make some big, big changes. Repeating the same things they've tried over & over again is just pure craziness & will just doom the club to be perpetual "cellar dwellers" & a barely solvent basket case.
wow lots of drama internally at the club currently
i reported ages ago that we were sniffing around cotric thats desd in the water but we are sniffinh around a few outside backs , but honestly no one of note
look again i got this off a third party source
galvin has asked for a release , he has been asked to move to 14 when latu is fit, to give latu an opportunity, wasnt recieved well by galvin and family , the club would also like to him spend time as an outside back due to the current roster depth
issac moses will keep pushing here, hopefully richo holds firm, but galvin to be fair wouldnt be in first grade at many other clubs atm
i reported ages ago that we were sniffing around cotric thats desd in the water but we are sniffinh around a few outside backs , but honestly no one of note
look again i got this off a third party source
galvin has asked for a release , he has been asked to move to 14 when latu is fit, to give latu an opportunity, wasnt recieved well by galvin and family , the club would also like to him spend time as an outside back due to the current roster depth
issac moses will keep pushing here, hopefully richo holds firm, but galvin to be fair wouldnt be in first grade at many other clubs atm
Coastie_Tiger
Well-known member
Luai has his work cut out for him, look at Api he is almost a lone hand now he has Luai coming he has some help. Unless we have a bit of help in the forwards they will be no different to what we saw yesterday. I'd love us to add Arthur to the coaching staff, call Benji the head coach if you like but get someone in who has half an idea.
No one else will want to come here or stay long term under this current set of circumstances.
TigerNeddyK
Well-known member
He also tries to bludge on the blind side a lot it’s really frustrating because he also tries to lift them up in the tackle rather then throw them to the ground .. this allows them to alway get away a late offload ,, it’s killing us
TigerNeddyK
Well-known member
I absolutely agree with this .. he is only playing first grade right now at 5/8 because we are a weak club . He would not get a start at 5/8 at any other club . He is a hell of a young player and will be a rep player for sure IMO but right now he is lucky to play first grade and really should play anywhere we need him .. kind of sick about hearing he wants to leave , if he did he’d be on sg ball side ay any other club .. where is the gratitude
Been reading posts on this forum for a few years now, a long time suffering Magpie/Tiger supporter. Based on our defensive efforts the majority of time it is obvious that we haven’t signed players with the right mindset. Maybe we should take a leaf out of the Storm player evaluation book. They turn people into men/players that are committed to their club.
Coastie_Tiger
Well-known member
Not great reading mate internal drama seems to be an epidemic in our club, any word on Benji and his coaching ethics from the outside looking in he's woefully out of his depth. Granted with the worst roster in the Nrl by some way.
Imo if they're looking to Latu they have an inkling Galvin will get his way out at some point, constantly requesting a release isn't ideal. The kid must be indecisive because it was only a month or so ago he was beaming about the club.
Canberratiger
Well-known member
So on one hand there are complaints about him playing with an injury and now a complaint about a position change. Sounds like a real diva
Was going to jump back on here after reading he has been offered a low value extension with a month to prove himself for a better deal.
“It's understandable [they offered a lower value contract] because I've had a few injuries... but the club have said if I come back and play good footy then the offer could change," he said.
“If I put a good month together then I have a case to the Warriors or whoever”
Off field though, settled in New Zealand just welcomed his first child with his partner”
Even the commentators get Stef and Sam confused. Might be the reason for the inflated view on Stefano. To the uninitiated he is always in two places at once.
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
Has played a massive role in getting Sharks back in the game tonight, barnstorming!!!
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