Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Vicious]

I highly doubt it, it would be pretty insulting if they do that.

Our first grade squad is rubbish, our cup squad is rubbish. Anyone in our cup squad can already play first grade. We need to strengthen our depth and quality by bringing in new talent to push us higher. It's incredibly obvious.

Even if it's Cup toilers like a Skelton, Riki, Stonestreet, or getting a layer 6 months early like a Savage, Mooney, Iro, Tapuha, Kaufusi etc.

We won't be signing superstars right now but players who aren't with a shot of first grade at their current clubs could take a spot with the opportunity to play for an extension or players getting squeezed out at other clubs may be offloaded early.

Stonestreet is one we should be heavily targeting.
He’s the best winger not playing regular NRL, has the size, height and speed required, has the upside to become a rep standard player and his development is only being stalled the longer he remains at the Sharks.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Coming to Tigers Stonestreet could become Rockyroad.

 

[hammertime]

We may be just clearing some Top 30 to bring forward some of our youngsters. e.g. Bring in Kit, Faagutu or Saukuru early and modify deal. All 3 are in the squad next year anyway.

 

[Todd Packer]

Stonestreet is one we should be heavily targeting.
He’s the best winger not playing regular NRL, has the size, height and speed required, has the upside to become a rep standard player and his development is only being stalled the longer he remains at the Sharks.

Ken's a good player, but his last game for the Magpies was in 1972 and he passed away in 2015.
He probably still goes better than Alaimalo though.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

We may be just clearing some Top 30 to bring forward some of our youngsters. e.g. Bring in Kit, Faagutu or Saukuru early and modify deal. All 3 are in the squad next year anyway.

We wish it were that simple. Not realistic.

 

[Tigerbenb]

Wonder what Cleary sees that we don’t ? Not buying him for fun !

Probably teach him to run better lines, be involved in a great defensive structure, and in a winning club environment. Watch him kick up a gear, in time.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Maybe move them on when we can and have the club positioned to pick up players identified for recruitment or those from the lower grades identified as a priority upgrade. I am not too concerned about results this year as we all know it was going to be tough.

This year is a write-off, OK.
We must now look at the big picture. Make space for the incoming.
Like it or not, we have to let Richo steer us out of this shit hole.
He has the track record of doing so; and all things seem to be pointing in that direction.
Hold the line, have faith, and about 10 hail Mary's should get us there?

 

[weststigerman]

Talau was one of our worst players. How is he the leading try scorer?

Pauga is another who was awful but the Roosters love him.

Maybe it’s not the players? I don’t know what it is.

 

[hank37w]

If he plays in a better team could be in top 10

The 10th best prop in a better team, that is definitely a possibility.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

With his size and mobility - without a doubt.... unless he is another Dane Laurie

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

This year is a write-off, OK.
We must now look at the big picture. Make space for the incoming.
Like it or not, we have to let Richo steer us out of this shit hole.
He has the track record of doing so; and all things seem to be pointing in that direction.
Hold the line, have faith, and about 10 hail Mary's should get us there?

Then Benji has to go OR bring someone in to help him.....guide him... teach him....

 

[hank37w]

Telegraph reporting that Asu Kepaoa is about to depart mid season for Penrith Panthers, joining several other ex Tigers there:
Penrith are set to capitalise on the upheaval at the Wests Tigers and secure extra insurance for the potential departure of Taylan May by signing utility Asu Kepaoa with immediate effect.

**This masthead** understands that Kepaoa will undergo a medical with the Panthers and sign for the remainder of this season as well as next year with the defending premiers after being granted permission by the Tigers to explore the open market.

Kepaoa has made 42 appearances for the Tigers since making his debut four years ago, although only two of those games have been this year.
He played against St George Illawarra in round six off the interchange bench and then against the Dolphins in round 11 from the back row.

He has now become the latest departure as the Tigers undertake a cleanup of their roster in preparation for next season, when they hope to add to the big-name signings of Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva.

Hope the medical includes a thorough inspection of his hands to make sure that they are not actually feet.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

I doubt it.

He's not in the top 10 props in the game currently, barely even top 20.

Do you really think he's going to be in the top 3 highest paid?

We overpay players out of desperation. Other clubs do not, and that's how they manage their caps better than we do.

He's not AFB, Haas, JFH or even remotely in their league as million dollar props.

Exactly, but his ego is higher.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Not in another team.... not with real leadership.... what part do you not understand?

 

[balmain boy]

Talau was one of our worst players. How is he the leading try scorer?

Pauga is another who was awful but the Roosters love him.

Maybe it’s not the players? I don’t know what it is.

They're solid players surrounded by speedsters and superstars, that make their jobs so much easier. When put alongside slow, dumb morons they too are slow dumb morons.

 

[Fainu Brothers]

Talau was one of our worst players. How is he the leading try scorer?

Pauga is another who was awful but the Roosters love him.

Maybe it’s not the players? I don’t know what it is.

Ding ding ding, must be our basket case of a club. Not sure Wayne Bennett or Bellamy could fix this. Its going to be atleast another 2-3 years at best

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Talau was one of our worst players. How is he the leading try scorer?

Pauga is another who was awful but the Roosters love him.

Maybe it’s not the players? I don’t know what it is.

They are at the end of a successful forward and backline. Just have to catch and dive.
They didn't have that here. Not scoring by individual skills.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

McDermott. Give him a shot....

 

[weststigerman]

They are at the end of a successful forward and backline. Just have to catch and dive.
They didn't have that here. Not scoring by individual skills.

So what do we expect from Turuva when he gets here?

Ironically, he was defending against Talau when he scored 4 tries.

 

[balmain boy]

We may be just clearing some Top 30 to bring forward some of our youngsters. e.g. Bring in Kit, Faagutu or Saukuru early and modify deal. All 3 are in the squad next year anyway.

Giving up is not ok.
Surrendering to defeat should never be an acceptable strategy.

While we won't make the finals in the top 2 grades we want to build some momentum heading into next season. That starts by bringing in new faces who might be able to help us jag more wins now.

Winning games now makes us a more attractive target for other players. Losing by 40 points every week for the rest of the year will get all of our current and future players questioning what's going on. We need to save face as much as possible.

Our objective in the NRL is to not finish last. Whether we sign someone on a 6 month nrl contract, or even train and trials with a view to getting a top 30 deal in 2025 we need to offer some nrl ready players the chance. We have no NRL ready players in our cup side, other than throwing more and more teenagers into first grade alongside one another, which isn't a smart move.

Out of the 3 spots available in our top 30 (if flippers leaves) at least 2 must be external players improving our immediate depth. Fast tracking a player a few months early does nothing to help us win games, it just increases their bank accounts. All NSW cup players are all eligible for first grade with no upgrade's necessary, until someone earns it.