Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[TSP]

I honestly wasn't aware that he is a touch dodgy. That would impact my view tbh.

There is literally nothing more persuasive than integrity. And yes, that includes money. Lots of research demonstrates being able to trust your boss is more important than what you are paid.

Dodgy in the sense that he can’t be straightforward with everyone.

His trip to the Uk to buy and sell was leaked.

You don’t want to tell players they are being shopped around, harms performances, upsets the cart.

His family stuff wasn’t all that great. Sailed too close for mine.

But I’m ok with him. No one’s perfect.

 

[Halbrowne61]

And Benji and co are totally oblivious to this guy ?

They're not. They would be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of just about everyone in the immediate pathways system.

But you’re not ! Why has his name not been thrown up before ?

It has. He's a good, versatile, young player. He's been in the system for a little while.

Don't take the piss out of someone because you haven't heard of a junior at the club. That's a reflection of your ignorance moreso than the poster's poor selection.

And Benji and co are totally oblivious to this guy ?

They're not. They would be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of just about everyone in the immediate pathways system.

But you’re not ! Why has his name not been thrown up before ?

It has. He's a good, versatile, young player. He's been in the system for a little while.

Don't take the piss out of someone because you haven't heard of a junior at the club. That's a reflection of your ignorance moreso than the poster's poor selection.

I do take your point K, may I explain further ,
First part was a wind up, coz if they don’t know him they shouldn’t be in charge.
Second point was that although I’ve heard of him, but he’s suddenly thrust forward as a solution.
I’ve watched the lower grade, junior experts on here for quite a while. I remember years ago Tommy T was going to be our saviour and in more recent times Matamua was the man.
I don’t criticise for having an opinion but to just pop up with a grandiose statement surprised me.
Like all of us. I’m waiting for so many of these undiscovered champs to materialise, coz we seem to have gone into hibernation re buying players.
I’m just sick of waiting !!!!

 

[Vicious]

At this point, no one knows (not even Benji) who is going to be our long-term lock ... Matamua, Sione Fainu, Kit Laulilii, Faagutu, Galvin, Latu Fainu or someone from external.

My speculator to develop into this role is Bailey Hodges ... this kid has a touch of class, can run, can pass & can tackle 1-on-1. Seen more as a hooker atm but I think could develop into the lock link-role as he develops his body in the gym.

I hope we keep this kid on a T&T contract for next season.

Good shout BlackWhiteGold.
We desperately need some versatile utility type players and Hodges has shown he’s equally at home playing hooker or lock, plus the occasional back row.
I don’t mind Cayne Nicholas either for the same reason, but he doesn’t make the line breaks as regularly as what Hodges does.
The good thing about these type of players is they are quickly becoming battle hardened by playing regularly and doing their apprenticeship so to soeak..

 

[Halbrowne61]

Good shout BlackWhiteGold.
We desperately need some versatile utility type players and Hodges has shown he’s equally at home playing hooker or lock, plus the occasional back row.
I don’t mind Cayne Nicholas either for the same reason, but he doesn’t make the line breaks as regularly as what Hodges does.
The good thing about these type of players is they are quickly becoming battle hardened by playing regularly and doing their apprenticeship so to soeak..

I don’t know their ages but are they both 18 ? If yes then might be worth giving them a bench spot ( separately) to see what they can do amongst the big boys ?

 

[Bellend]

do not forget Will Clarke.

 

[Vicious]

I don’t know their ages but are they both 18 ? If yes then might be worth giving them a bench spot ( separately) to see what they can do amongst the big boys ?

No they are both older, would both be 21y.o this year I think.
Neither initially had the huge wraps that some of our other young players get, but both have steadily improved, become very reliable players and in Hodges case is now showing he’s a player that can make regular line breaks and score tries whether he’s playing lock or hooker.
Neither of them are very big, but both are quick over a short distance and play with plenty of heart and desire.
I think BlackWhiteGold is right with Hodges being the one most likely to be given a development contract with us for 2025.
Belllend I assume you are talking about Zak Clarke ?
He’s another who I believe is, or will be turning 21 this year.
He definately has x-factor a big bodied and very mobile back rower. His attack is great, if he can tighten up and improve his defence he will be NRL quality for sure.
It seems the club favours Lachlan Broederlow over him at this stage as he appears to have a more reliable all round game, but he cannot bust tackles with ease like Clarke does.

 

[Kelce68]

I do take your point K, may I explain further ,
First part was a wind up, coz if they don’t know him they shouldn’t be in charge.
Second point was that although I’ve heard of him, but he’s suddenly thrust forward as a solution.
I’ve watched the lower grade, junior experts on here for quite a while. I remember years ago Tommy T was going to be our saviour and in more recent times Matamua was the man.
I don’t criticise for having an opinion but to just pop up with a grandiose statement surprised me.
Like all of us. I’m waiting for so many of these undiscovered champs to materialise, coz we seem to have gone into hibernation re buying players.
I’m just sick of waiting !!!!

Me too mate.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

No they are both older, would both be 21y.o this year I think.
Neither initially had the huge wraps that some of our other young players get, but both have steadily improved, become very reliable players and in Hodges case is now showing he’s a player that can make regular line breaks and score tries whether he’s playing lock or hooker.
Neither of them are very big, but both are quick over a short distance and play with plenty of heart and desire.
I think BlackWhiteGold is right with Hodges being the one most likely to be given a development contract with us for 2025.
Belllend I assume you are talking about Zak Clarke ?
He’s another who I believe is, or will be turning 21 this year.
He definately has x-factor a big bodied and very mobile back rower. His attack is great, if he can tighten up and improve his defence he will be NRL quality for sure.
It seems the club favours Lachlan Broederlow over him at this stage as he appears to have a more reliable all round game, but he cannot bust tackles with ease like Clarke does.

Yeah Hodges is 21 this year as is Cayne Nicholas so a big season for them to try to cement a T&T contract for '25 or potentially a Dev contract.

Hodges has been on club's radar don't get me wrong and was actually B&F for the Magpies SG Ball 2 years ago so he always shown something.

I just think he has that touch of class, footy IQ and speed that we lack in the lock role, just needs to develop his body more.

 

[ATown]

Does DOUEIHI have anything positive to contribute is the REAL question dunce!!

I'm not paid by the club to suck!!

What I offer is decades of support - objective analysis and an honest critique!

What do you fangirls offer?

View attachment 13704

You can repeat yourself as often as you like. I’ve made it very clear I’m not a Doueihi fan, he’s a disgrace like the majority of them.

We know your views on Doueihi, we’ve had 500 posts in a row about it. What else have you got?

 

[Vicious]

Yeah Hodges is 21 this year as is Cayne Nicholas so a big season for them to try to cement a T&T contract for '25 or potentially a Dev contract.

Hodges has been on club's radar don't get me wrong and was actually B&F for the Magpies SG Ball 2 years ago so he always shown something.

I just think he has that touch of class, footy IQ and speed that we lack in the lock role, just needs to develop his body more.

I know it won’t happen, but if Bailey Hodges was named at 9,13 or 14 for our NRL team this week, I think it would be a good move and I think he would play well.

 

[Halbrowne61]

I know it won’t happen, but if Bailey Hodges was named at 9,13 or 14 for our NRL team this week, I think it would be a good move and I think he would play well.

I can’t wait to see him now after this build up. Give him a chance Benji and let’s see what he brings !!

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

I can’t wait to see him now after this build up. Give him a chance Benji and let’s see what he brings !!

More time in Cup this season & a T&T contract for next season giving him the pre-season to train with the squad FT would be great Hal. He deserves a bit of a build up this lad.

 

[Tigers_Wests]

More time in Cup this season & a T&T contract for next season giving him the pre-season to train with the squad FT would be great Hal. He deserves a bit of a build up this lad.

Spot on. Wouldn't go above Train and Trial (I doubt there would be any club offering greater than that anyway). Worth a shot to see what he can do with an NRL pre-season though.

 

[TSP]

I honestly wasn't aware that he is a touch dodgy. That would impact my view tbh.

There is literally nothing more persuasive than integrity. And yes, that includes money. Lots of research demonstrates being able to trust your boss is more important than what you are paid.

It kind of depends on what kind of trust you are talking about.

Imagine for a moment you are Bateman, Nado and Sully and you find out that Richo is spending a lot of time and resources trying to offload you.

And you have to conclude that Benji is up to his neck in it as well.

Trust would go out the window.

But from a fans and members viewpoint, as upsetting as it may be, you’d have to trust it is for the good of the club.

The problem with offloading players, is that you don’t quite know if your replacements are going to fare any better.

With Benji, the results aren’t really telling us he can do things with players. He can at times but not consistently.

I’d hope he can be successful, but I’d prefer to trust other coaches. Even Morris at this stage.

 

[Tucker]

I’d hope he can be successful, but I’d prefer to trust other coaches. Even Morris at this stage.

The fella running our defence? Yes he’s a goodun 👍🏼

 

[TigerSJ]

Rumours are that Farah will resign from his coaching role at the end of this season with Richo trying to bring in more experienced support for Benji. Hope it’s true- certainly a good move to prop up the coaching staff.

 

[BirchgroveTigers]

Would be good to add an experienced assistant to help. I don’t think our problems are the coaching (though they may not be helping no doubt).

However, I do honestly believe we have one of the worst rosters in the comp and therefore we’re performing as we should.

 

[finnzo]

People blaming Richo are mental he’s inherited the most inexperienced coaching staff and roster of all time all on long term deals this is entirely previous managements doing

Mathew bettsy never gets a mention but he has been here the hole time I believe previous management gave him to much power he has done a fantastic job setting up the pathways but I believe he has been involved in the process of selecting players to receive top 30 contracts we have way to many kids on top 30 deals

People say contracts mean nothing well that’s complete nonsense if 1 side believes in the contract well then it sticks

 

[Roar_Power]

Would be good to add an experienced assistant to help. I don’t think our problems are the coaching (though they may not be helping no doubt).

However, I do honestly believe we have one of the worst rosters in the comp and therefore we’re performing as we should.

This is what its all about. We have the worst roster in the comp. A list that does contain a handful of stars (or actual NRL players), but too much youth and over-the-hill plodders riding on the coattails of their careers 5-10 years ago.

Reality is WT's aren't a destination club for other established players....unless you pay overs. We now have the waiting game of developing our youth into first graders and determine if they are actually any better than every other clubs pathways. Do we have a competitive advantage here? Jury is out.

Really we should do better next year. If Richo can flick a bit of deadwood for something better, we may finish 10-14 IMO. Question is ''who might be worst than us next year''?

 

[426Tlgerland]

It kind of depends on what kind of trust you are talking about.

Imagine for a moment you are Bateman, Nado and Sully and you find out that Richo is spending a lot of time and resources trying to offload you.

And you have to conclude that Benji is up to his neck in it as well.

Trust would go out the window.

But from a fans and members viewpoint, as upsetting as it may be, you’d have to trust it is for the good of the club.

The problem with offloading players, is that you don’t quite know if your replacements are going to fare any better.

With Benji, the results aren’t really telling us he can do things with players. He can at times but not consistently.

I’d hope he can be successful, but I’d prefer to trust other coaches. Even Morris at this stage.

Morris is already there , if he isn’t giving advise to bail us out from the bottom already I don’t want him as head coach either