Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Benji has relied upon the “rookie coach excuse” before this season.

I think it’s only good for one press conference myself.

From his perspective, he’d be better off explaining the unfolding chaos through technicalities no one can comprehend.
 
Tucker said:
No.
However if we sign 7 established NRL players as you have suggested, we'll get close.
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No just 5 will get us into the top 8.
Two of NAS, Daniel Saifiti and Royce Hunt.
Valentine Holmes a must and either Reimis Smith or Jeral Skelton.
Plus a good second rower. I cannot see any proven good quality second rowers available so maybe Jack Williams would do as a 13 and hope Fohna Poke can turn into a quality right edge back rower, I think he could.
 
Vicious said:
No just 5 will get us into the top 8.
Two of NAS, Daniel Saifiti and Royce Hunt, Valentine Homes and either Reimis Smith or Jeral Skelton.
Plus a good second rower. I cannot see any proven good quality second rowers available so maybe Jack Williams would do as a 13 and hope Fohna Poke can turn into a quality right edge back rower, I think he could.
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How does none of them sound ?
 
Got to say that, assuming the Holmes to Saints is true, that, and so many other instances, show that before anything becomes public in many ways the new club for the player is mostly already agreed- its just the $$$ to be worked on. Basically no other club gets a look in unless the deal goes sour with $$$. Another less than even / level field of opportunity to strengthen rosters.

Again gives reality to WT looking to the State Cup level players at other clubs where theyre strong in forwards / backs and the State Cup level players dont get much chance to progress. Chance the players will not shine here but chance they will- especially if they have over 12 NRL level games of solid performance behind them. Our reserves such as is, really just dont stand up- too small, too puny and too slow.
 
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Fish88 said:
On paper we’ve lost probably our three best forwards (Stef, Paps and Bateman) from a pack already getting dominated.

Hard to be hopeful for ‘25 with no sign of any replacements.
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Lucky the game isn't played on paper.

For mine, our three best forwards this year have been Pole, Samuela and possibly a Seyfarth (concerning). I will add, though, that Bateman's output has been decent despite losing just about all his game-breaking ability.

There'll be replacements, but I say that purely on blind faith than anything else.

Richardson needs to work overtime to backfill this crumbling roster over the next 6 months, in a market devoid of much quality, for a club with a rookie coach and a penchant for not only not tasting any success in eons, but for destroying the careers of those who've tried to turn the place around.

Great time to go shopping...
 
king_sirro said:
If Olam could get his knee right that would be our left side sorted. If rumours are true that his knee can be fixed with surgery then he has to do it.
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I think he objects to surgery which has been one of the main issues.

He wants the witch doctor to heal it with roots and berries and a bit of juju magic.
 
magpies forever said:
Got to say that, assuming the Homes to Saints is true, that, and so many other instances, show that before anything becomes public in many ways the new club for the player is mostly already agreed- its just the $$$ to be worked on. Basically no other club gets a look in unless the deal goes sour with $$$. Another less than even / level field of opportunity to strengthen rosters.
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I don’t read too much into this stuff.. until the deal is done … Stef was linked with 8 clubs ..and the Dogs came out of nowhere… at the last moment …

St George are linked to every player as well…
 
hank37w said:
Wonder if Richo still thinks that this is the easiest rebuild he has taken on or if he has reassessed that line of thought.

Hope he is here long enough or even lives long enough to sort this one out, because this mess could kill any normal person.

Can hardly wait for the barrage of crap coming the Wests Tigers way on NRL360 tonight.
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We are less than 12 months into the rebuild....
Let's wait until next year to make judgement.
And for NRL 360, if gordy is on there I think he'll back us.. Stef isn't worth the money and hasn't performed.
The Journos opinion = who cares, they are as credible as us in the forum
 
UPDATE!

Stefano notified the club this morning that he intends on leaving at the end of the year. Any reports this decision has been made a week ago or earlier are false. He told the club his priority was the warriors game and he’d take the weekend before announcing his decision. He let us know of his exit first thing this morning and Richo was quick to make sure our members/fans heard of this news first before the media got onto it - hence the member’s announcement.

I’ve been quietly told that Stefano wants the Panthers move…. it hasn’t been reported anywhere about this potential link but that’s what I’ve been told. If those feelings are mutual I’m unsure, but when JFH was announced to the Warriors. The door opened up for sure. If Penrith come knocking or if they already are expect him to join his roommate Papalili next year, the Bulldogs also have a very good shot but his next club is unclear at this stage.

Any indication that Benji has been given any deadline is completely false and inaccurate. Both Richo and the board are completely behind Benji and are 100% focused on building the club around him.

Pole and the club are in deep discussions over a potential 3 year deal. Wouldn’t be shocked if that’s official in the coming weeks. The club are extremely high on Pole.

Don’t expect to see John Bateman back in 2025.

I’ve been calling for it for a while but it also seems like Benji is going to pull the trigger on Latu Fainu at 13 in 2025.

In regards to new signings everything is pretty hush hush within Wests Tigers circles - however, I was told there’s some serious whispers going around that if Taylan May is able to be registered back in the NRL by next year that we will be favourites. Taylan wants to stay within Sydney and Api, Luai and Turuva apparently have strong links to him. The expectation is May’s next contract won’t be big $ as well.
 
426Tlgerland said:
So your saying after we sign Luai Benji gets 6 to 10 weeks with him , cant see that happening but could,be right , if 6 to 10 weeks they may as well go hire another coach as we will,be last after 6 weeks next season as we have no forwards they are all leaving .
any world on Pole upgrade and extend or is he just going to wait it out .?
any word on any players we are looking at as I heard nobody we have approached wants to come hear .?
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I'd take this with a grain of salt.
who's saying he has 6-10 weeks? LOL
Things change every week in the NRL.
 
Tom Shines said:
have a read of the article I just posted about NAS…. I don’t think he is coming to the Tigers …might he time to let that one go
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That’s ok as signing both of Daniel Saifiti and Royce Hunt would still improve us in the middle.
Saifiti is solid without being a tackle busting match winner, but has the variety of a bit footwork and a pass before the line in his game and most importantly he tackles harder than any other prop we have.
Hunt would bring the tackle busting, aggression and go forward we so badly lack. It might be in short bursts, but that’s far better than not at all.
Both appear to be on the move and it’s only us and other struggling clubs that can realistically afford to sign them.
Oregon Kaufusi is younger and probably has more upside than Saifiti, but I’ve read he’s very close friends with Stefano, so with his departure it’s highly unlikely we could interest Oregon.
 
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