Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[watersider]

This will probably be an unpopular opinion but people are talking about 1 or 2 players that'd be quite high priced for us like Royce hunt or Xavier Willison but I think we should do the bulk turnover approach of the dogs and flush our squad out. We need to get rid of about 10 or so players so we can bring a whole bunch of experienced 26+ year olds who knows how to tackle and play physically. Not world beaters, just solid bench players or even squad depth from other clubs.

Someone like tom eisenhuth has been really valuable to the dragons. Nothing flash but a good solid first grader. We get enough new players in and we can flush the old attitude. I think we should focus on these types rather than flash big dollar players.

Isaiah papalii is a quality player but there's nothing behind him when he's tired or out of form to push him. This team more than needing big talent needs a good squad of 30. In building this squad you probably have to lose some talent, but I think things have become so toxic at the club that you just have to burn that a little. I'd be trying to turnover as much of our forwards as possible and try to get rid of the unreliable backs.

Players to move on: Stef, Klemmer, Pole, kepaoa, doeuihi, toa, Staines, Sullivan, Casey, Naden

I know there's our starting prop rotation being put on the chopping block but I just think they're too passive and infected by our apathetic approach and I want props who want to physically compete and enjoy the physicality and defensive work, hence why I'd like to keep Bateman and Twal. I think you get a new group of experienced props out there all looking to prove themselves then you have a better chance at creating a squad that pushes each other. At the moment we have Stefano and pole being paid on potential, while Klemmer is collecting a pay check. The advantage of these players is they probably have suitors and we may even get players in exchange for them. Let's start again.

 

[rihannafan1]

I'd say Api and Sezer are the halves this week and TDS gets a shot at 9. Gees, it'd be good to have a backup 9 like Jake Simpkin to rotate with Tallyn though.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

I'd say Api and Sezer are the halves this week and TDS gets a shot at 9. Gees, it'd be good to have a backup 9 like Jake Simpkin to rotate with Tallyn though.

I thought that myself, Api to the halves. I can’t see Doueihi coming straight in after a year out, even if we are stretched thin. He needs match fitness.

 

[crazycat]

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.

I totally agree.

Camden/Campbelltown heck even Liverpool is just such a huge area. We won't win Concord/Balmain with Easts/Souths/Cronulla close by.

We need to claim our area.

 

[crazycat]

I'd say Api and Sezer are the halves this week and TDS gets a shot at 9. Gees, it'd be good to have a backup 9 like Jake Simpkin to rotate with Tallyn though.

Yea, but so far Api is not picked for Origin. We can afford to blood TDS and I don't want to loose him.

We also want somewhere for Sullivan or Fainu to go. Simpkin was a Fringe grader but one who did the job. Not someone we had to keep at all.

 

[The Chad]

This will probably be an unpopular opinion but people are talking about 1 or 2 players that'd be quite high priced for us like Royce hunt or Xavier Willison but I think we should do the bulk turnover approach of the dogs and flush our squad out. We need to get rid of about 10 or so players so we can bring a whole bunch of experienced 26+ year olds who knows how to tackle and play physically. Not world beaters, just solid bench players or even squad depth from other clubs.

Someone like tom eisenhuth has been really valuable to the dragons. Nothing flash but a good solid first grader. We get enough new players in and we can flush the old attitude. I think we should focus on these types rather than flash big dollar players.

Isaiah papalii is a quality player but there's nothing behind him when he's tired or out of form to push him. This team more than needing big talent needs a good squad of 30. In building this squad you probably have to lose some talent, but I think things have become so toxic at the club that you just have to burn that a little. I'd be trying to turnover as much of our forwards as possible and try to get rid of the unreliable backs.

Players to move on: Stef, Klemmer, Pole, kepaoa, doeuihi, toa, Staines, Sullivan, Casey, Naden

I know there's our starting prop rotation being put on the chopping block but I just think they're too passive and infected by our apathetic approach and I want props who want to physically compete and enjoy the physicality and defensive work, hence why I'd like to keep Bateman and Twal. I think you get a new group of experienced props out there all looking to prove themselves then you have a better chance at creating a squad that pushes each other. At the moment we have Stefano and pole being paid on potential, while Klemmer is collecting a pay check. The advantage of these players is they probably have suitors and we may even get players in exchange for them. Let's start again.

It's a really poor buyers market in FA this off season. Flushing the front row stocks with nobody to bring in of note is a problem. Willison & Hunt are under contract. They might get let go, but it's not set in stone either.

 

[innsaneink]

Its not just that our back 5 arent strong ball runners. They also don't generate metres from our back 5 because they can't keep another team pinned in their own half and force a long kick for our back 5 to return. I dont think either of those bigger body ball runners will address the issue of running metres (even if they are slight upgrades on what we've got) as they will also be standing under the ball getting hit as soon as they catch it.

We rarely put the ball carrier on the deck, ideally you want the runner down on his back with his legs towards our try line... But we'll have three or four even, holding on trying to get him down, ref calls held the runner peels away and is playing the ball while we might have one or two at marker the other one or two are in no man's land.
First three tackles of the opposition's set are crucial... If we cannot get them at least on the ground we need to push them back so our line is on the front foot.
It rearely happens tho

 

[innsaneink]

I'd say Api and Sezer are the halves this week and TDS gets a shot at 9. Gees, it'd be good to have a backup 9 like Jake Simpkin to rotate with Tallyn though.

Jake didn't get a run yesterday... Thought he was straight into first grade

 

[innsaneink]

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.

There's no way on earth we'd get another Cof E built anywhere... And we don't own.anything of Concord to sell it.

I agree it's an issue one home ground but there's more pressing ones currently

 

[innsaneink]

Galvins being rested cause Richo worried a few fans at LO on Saturday might yell a few unpleasant home truths his way and upset him.

People suggesting it's his parents and or manager behind all this while.its likely pretty close to the mark he has the ability to come out and say otherwise if he doesn't like the way this is all portraying him... Ie: like a spoilt entitled brat.. So saying nothing is as good as agreeing with it all.
Anyone. Involved in JRL will have seen it... Special players who's shit don't stink...oarents are usually the worst but in most NRL players cases once the kid gets a manager the parents are qagged somewhat.
Not all end up like this I've seen close hand Tatola and. B Sirro get to the nrl from kids footy... If the parents have anything to say which usually they do it's done quietly & in then correct manner

 

[watersider]

It's a really poor buyers market in FA this off season. Flushing the front row stocks with nobody to bring in of note is a problem. Willison & Hunt are under contract. They might get let go, but it's not set in stone either.

Yep, but what are we holding onto? A very weak pack that lacks physicality and gets knocked back in defense and has no agro.

I'm not talking about big signings like Willison and Hunt, I'm talking about experienced, hungry players who enjoy the physicality and have something to prove.

Look at the production of players like Josh Curran, J'maine hopgood, tom eisenhuth, scott Sorensen, max King, mitch Nicholls. None of those are big name players but they provide starch. These sort of players are around.

Rather than a massive 5 year contract at 800k for Stef, let's buy two grizzled props who have actually played physically already on short term contracts at 400k each.

Two decent props instead of one who looks great but plays weak.

Same with Klemmer, big contract but only a below average prop, let's get two plodder props who aren't just content to cruise and still want to prove themselves instead of him.

We're holding onto and paying for hope and potential with no production. And they've got us to last place. Rather than adding 1 or 2 players to a disinterested squad we need to blow it up and replace them with honest workers. Stef and Klemmer aren't that, they've led nothing in changing the attitude of the squad. The problem with our pack isn't talent, it's their lack of competitiveness and sense of entitlement. We need to blow this up, and create a squad of players who compete and want to prove.

Our present squad make-up has big money wrapped up at the top on underperforming players. We need to change to a squad where there is genuine competition. No team would carry the performances of Klemmer and Stef without change, yet we do because our strategy of big name buying leaves us with no depth.

 

[Tito Santana]

Galvin’s new player profile pic

 

[Tom Shines]

Yep, but what are we holding onto? A very weak pack that lacks physicality and gets knocked back in defense and has no agro.

I'm not talking about big signings like Willison and Hunt, I'm talking about experienced, hungry players who enjoy the physicality and have something to prove.

Look at the production of players like Josh Curran, J'maine hopgood, tom eisenhuth, scott Sorensen, max King, mitch Nicholls. None of those are big name players but they provide starch. These sort of players are around.

Rather than a massive 5 year contract at 800k for Stef, let's buy two grizzled props who have actually played physically already on short term contracts at 400k each.

Two decent props instead of one who looks great but plays weak.

Same with Klemmer, big contract but only a below average prop, let's get two plodder props who aren't just content to cruise and still want to prove themselves instead of him.

We're holding onto and paying for hope and potential with no production. And they've got us to last place. Rather than adding 1 or 2 players to a disinterested squad we need to blow it up and replace them with honest workers. Stef and Klemmer aren't that, they've led nothing in changing the attitude of the squad. The problem with our pack isn't talent, it's their lack of competitiveness and sense of entitlement. We need to blow this up, and create a squad of players who compete and want to prove.

Our present squad make-up has big money wrapped up at the top on underperforming players. We need to change to a squad where there is genuine competition. No team would carry the performances of Klemmer and Stef without change, yet we do because our strategy of big name buying leaves us with no depth.

in addition to the “big name buying” … there is also the bigger problem in my view that they simply carry too many juniors in the Top 30 squad that aren’t ready for first grade …

Benji bemoans about the lack of discipline after every loss, but still picks the biggest boneheads every week like Seyfarth and Naden because he doesn’t trust the juniors in the team to be any better ..

 

[Bellend]

The only reason we are not fully out in Campbelltown is the corporate dollars dictate we stay a inner city club. Which is why we are treading water as a club.

 

[king_sirro]

Galvins being rested cause Richo worried a few fans at LO on Saturday might yell a few unpleasant home truths his way and upset him.

People suggesting it's his parents and or manager behind all this while.its likely pretty close to the mark he has the ability to come out and say otherwise if he doesn't like the way this is all portraying him... Ie: like a spoilt entitled brat.. So saying nothing is as good as agreeing with it all.
Anyone. Involved in JRL will have seen it... Special players who's shit don't stink...oarents are usually the worst but in most NRL players cases once the kid gets a manager the parents are qagged somewhat.
Not all end up like this I've seen close hand Tatola and. B Sirro get to the nrl from kids footy... If the parents have anything to say which usually they do it's done quietly & in then correct manner

My son is 17 and in a situation where he is building towards a career in sport, not league. He is in a spot where we could see him on TV in a couple of years or he could walk away from the game all together, could go either way. He has made it very clear to me that he does all the talking to the senior people at the club he is at and I'm to stay away. While we are seeing evidence of parent influence, he refuses to do the same. Not that I could influence, and not that I'd want to, but he is old enough to know it's not how he wants it done.

 

[Buttface]

Noah Ryan.

What’s everyone laughing about?
He plays with plenty of ark.

 

[The Chad]

Yep, but what are we holding onto? A very weak pack that lacks physicality and gets knocked back in defense and has no agro.

I'm not talking about big signings like Willison and Hunt, I'm talking about experienced, hungry players who enjoy the physicality and have something to prove.

Look at the production of players like Josh Curran, J'maine hopgood, tom eisenhuth, scott Sorensen, max King, mitch Nicholls. None of those are big name players but they provide starch. These sort of players are around.

Rather than a massive 5 year contract at 800k for Stef, let's buy two grizzled props who have actually played physically already on short term contracts at 400k each.

Two decent props instead of one who looks great but plays weak.

Same with Klemmer, big contract but only a below average prop, let's get two plodder props who aren't just content to cruise and still want to prove themselves instead of him.

We're holding onto and paying for hope and potential with no production. And they've got us to last place. Rather than adding 1 or 2 players to a disinterested squad we need to blow it up and replace them with honest workers. Stef and Klemmer aren't that, they've led nothing in changing the attitude of the squad. The problem with our pack isn't talent, it's their lack of competitiveness and sense of entitlement. We need to blow this up, and create a squad of players who compete and want to prove.

Our present squad make-up has big money wrapped up at the top on underperforming players. We need to change to a squad where there is genuine competition. No team would carry the performances of Klemmer and Stef without change, yet we do because our strategy of big name buying leaves us with no depth.

I don't disagree with what you are saying- but those grizzled props are simply not available in the FA market right now.

 

[Spacecub]

The way we're going he won't have to wait long for the seat to vacate.

Unfortunately this place makes the same mistakes over and over doesn't matter who's in charge nothing changes, we settled for a dinosaur and the kindergarten coach, while flanno and Des were available, Unfortunately richo will back a dud and we'll miss out on Arthur, maybe richo is waiting for Barrett to be available

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Unfortunately this place makes the same mistakes over and over doesn't matter who's in charge nothing changes, we settled for a dinosaur and the kindergarten coach, while flanno and Des were available, Unfortunately richo will back a dud and we'll miss out on Arthur, maybe richo is waiting for Barrett to be available

Barrett is available.

 

[bptiger 0]

The only reason we are not fully out in Campbelltown is the corporate dollars dictate we stay an inner city club. Which is why we are treading water as a club.

My opinion only Campbelltown is a hole , has no atmosphere