Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[pawsandclaws1]

The impact of the entry of the Dolphins into the competition is being felt. There are simply not enough high end NRL quality players available with more clubs competing for them. Managers are gleefully taking advantage of the state of the market. The Roosters, who are reliant on poaching the best junior talent from other systems, are feeling the bite - JWH, Manu and Keary gone. Here comes WTs with a wave of exciting young talent emerging including Galvin but they're signed long term. Until the NRL address with the Roosters and the Storm their lack of junior production in their districts - Sydney East and Melbourne, the issue will be ongoing.

 

[Betterdays22]

Dont know if they have been taken out of context but Stefs comments certainly dont read well. Ive defended Stef on here but seems another who thinks he has a right to walk into a premiership team rather than do the hard work here. Probably explains why he coasts 75% of the time

 

[The Chad]

With a $2m war chest to spend, if I could replace Utoikamanu with what I would WANT...

I'd get Willison from the Broncos (who will have a salary cap squeeze next season and Willison's contract runs out next year)

AND

I'd bring back the guy we should never have let go- Joe Ofehanguae.

Both bring size to our squad.

Then I'd go all out on Ravalawa on the wing.

 

[BAGNF05]

The impact of the entry of the Dolphins into the competition is being felt. There are simply not enough high end NRL quality players available with more clubs competing for them. Managers are gleefully taking advantage of the state of the market. The Roosters, who are reliant on poaching the best junior talent from other systems, are feeling the bite - JWH, Manu and Keary gone. Here comes WTs with a wave of exciting young talent emerging including Galvin but they're signed long term. Until the NRL address with the Roosters and the Storm their lack of junior production in their districts - Sydney East and Melbourne, the issue will be ongoing.

You don’t needs kids when you got dem money bags 💰

 

[BAGNF05]

With a $2m war chest to spend, if I could replace Utoikamanu with what I would WANT...

I'd get Willison from the Broncos (who will have a salary cap squeeze next season and Willison's contract runs out next year)

AND

I'd bring back the guy we should never have let go- Joe Ofehanguae.

Both bring size to our squad.

Then I'd go all out on Ravalawa on the wing.

See where Stef ends up, the (strong) club who gets him probably has a young middle we could use.

 

[tigerballs]

With a $2m war chest to spend, if I could replace Utoikamanu with what I would WANT...

I'd get Willison from the Broncos (who will have a salary cap squeeze next season and Willison's contract runs out next year)

AND

I'd bring back the guy we should never have let go- Joe Ofehanguae.

Both bring size to our squad.

Then I'd go all out on Ravalawa on the wing.

Willison and Te Kura from the Broncs

 

[Wiz]

Willison and Te Kura from the Broncs

Is this a personal preference or is it based on some “market knowledge”?

 

[Roar_Power]

With a $2m war chest to spend, if I could replace Utoikamanu with what I would WANT...

I'd get Willison from the Broncos (who will have a salary cap squeeze next season and Willison's contract runs out next year)

AND

I'd bring back the guy we should never have let go- Joe Ofehanguae.

Both bring size to our squad.

Then I'd go all out on Ravalawa on the wing.

Great thinking re. Willison. Joe O could be good. Love the thought of Trey Mooney and I reckon Ravalawa would be an astute addition for a season or two.

 

[Vicious]

we are a development team … you will understand soon enough what that means .. I found out last offseason when they didn’t sign anyone ..

If Stef signs elsewhere the pressure will well and truly be on Richo to sign a suitable replacement.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Great thinking re. Willison. Joe O could be good. Love the thought of Trey Mooney and I reckon Ravalawa would be an astute addition for a season or two.

Mooney has re-signed with the Raiders until end of '27.

 

[Tom Shines]

If Stef signs elsewhere the pressure will well and truly be on Richo to sign a suitable replacement.

pressure from who?

he is the safest person at the Club

 

[Roar_Power]

Mooney has re-signed with the Raiders until end of '27.

Damn, thought we had him lol

 

[Roar_Power]

Anyone know who the UK prop is that we are supposed to be in negotiations with?

 

[Tom Shines]

Anyone know who the UK prop is that we are supposed to be in negotiations with?

I think his name is Lee Crooks

 

[Vicious]

pressure from who?

he is the safest person at the Club

Pressure to come up with something to cover his loss, that’s his job.

 

[Tom Shines]

Pressure to come up with something to cover his loss, that’s his job.

What’s he waiting for then?

 

[rusted-on]

So who was that coach who rolled out the ‘baby Broncos’ and gave us a hiding?

The same guy who coached the blues in 3 State of Origin series 🤦‍♂️

Using your logic, there are about half a dozen players in the QLD side from game 1 who are secretly blue, and a couple from the NSW team who are secretly maroon 🤷‍♂️

 

[teddy23]

Well based off Stefanos comments today he’s gone and it couldn’t be more clear. Positives are Richo’s been in the game for a while he knows what those comments entail so he has his answer and green light to go to the market early now.

Bad news is the props available for the next 2 years are very thin hence Stefanos motivation to go to the market he’ll get the big $ and probably more than he’s worth or shown…… also bad news is one of our biggest strengths being our forward pack takes a significant hit with both Papalili and Stefano leaving. Arguably our two best forwards.

Luai’s impending arrival makes it crucial for us to provide a reliable and strong pack to give him the platform to utilise his ability otherwise it’d just be a waste - it’s very important we give him the best chance and pack around him to be the star we all know he is.

I think it’s very clear Xavier Wilson needs to be contacted asap and should be offered a hefty deal with a starting role.

I also have strong belief that we’ll be searching for forwards in England and 99% sure we’ll be signing an English forward next year. I’m not too familiar with the super league so any posters who have some knowledge I’d be interested to know the next stars coming from there in the forward line who’d be a chance especially with our large cap space we have available. One thing about English forwards is you’ll never question their effort which would be refreshing to see in a Wests Tigers jersey and also provide strong mentors and role models for our young forwards coming through.

I posted on here the club are looking at potentially launching a serious bid for Cobbo but the latest reports of home sickness would make our chances heavily slim. If Cobbo stays then expect little to no room for Staggs to remain there, he was very close to going to Parra when he was off contract last so shows he is open to Sydney. Just to remind people he’s 25 and a powerhouse combination of him and Olam would terrify opposition defences and give Luai some toys out wide with Maksini next up after Olam retires. Very dangerous and should be considered.

Regardless, I don’t blame Stefano for wanting to leave. All that being sad it does speak volumes when a young forward would prefer to walk into a finals team instead of helping create one. I guess our last 10 years is a scary thought for a young player to undergo that for their next 10 but I think when it’s all said and done he’ll look back and see he made the wrong decision. I have high hopes for where we’ll be going in the future regardless of results this year and feel comfortable with Richo guiding us from here.

 

[twentyforty]

The same guy who coached the blues in 3 State of Origin series 🤦‍♂️

Using your logic, there are about half a dozen players in the QLD side from game 1 who are secretly blue, and a couple from the NSW team who are secretly maroon 🤷‍♂️

The same guy who had 11 Storm players in the QLD side? And currently coaches at a club which owns a QLD basket ball team?

 

[rusted-on]

The same guy who had 11 Storm players in the QLD side? And currently coaches at a club which owns a QLD basket ball team?

So he may coach some Qlders, it doesnt make him one. Neither do the business interests of his employer. He coached the blues for 3 series ffs, what is so hard to understand about this?