Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

WestsTigers4VR said:
I don’t know, he’s made some pretty good calls with Galvin and Samuela, even Reuben Porter to an extent. I can’t think of many other coaches beside Wayne that’d give an 18 year old the 6 jersey.
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I wouldn’t call that a masterstroke, we’ve run last with close to the worst attack in the comp.
 
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twentyforty said:
In a team like we have it’s too easy to call out players for not lifting their weight. Our smallest player makes the most tackles and also misses twice as many as anyone. He plays in the middle, what does that tell you? There’s more than one middle not happy. I can understand why some form the view that he’s an average prop, but I’ve seen what he is capable of and so has Richo. Richo by his own admission was prepared to offer overs to keep him. Why? Because he’s only 24 , big strong fast and can have impact in the middle, centralising opposition defence, breaking tackles. We need 2 or 3 middles like that To win games. Sure he has the skill, he’s a footy player, but it’s not enough to enjoy your footy, and that’s where the extra 5% comes from. I’ve seen a lot of our players in the same predicament. Look at Brooks and Talau.
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It's one thing to leave... It's another thing to not give your all in games while still contracted
 
Tucker said:
I wouldn’t call that a masterstroke, we’ve run last with close to the worst attack in the comp.
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Naturally. Regardless of who he puts in we still have the worst squad in the comp. Hardly Benji’s fault given it’s his first year.

Not saying this in a rude way but just as a sort of “look for your self”. I encourage everyone to go through our first grade team and then our reserve team and tell me who you’d swap who for and an actual reason. I guarantee you there’d be no standout swaps available.

Richo has said they have been working on creating better depth cause in order to have a good first grade squad you need reserve graders keeping them on their toes. No one can say we are a worse team then last year, personally I think this teams wipes the floor with last years and a lot of that is contributed to a lack of giving up. These boys have fought regardless and only a few times have there been a genuine lack of trying for a whole 80.

There are so many factors attributing to this side going to the wooden spoon and I’ll happily list a few:

- Injuries (worse then most)
- youngest squad in the comp by far
- Inexperienced coaching staff
- poor depth/poor cup performances
- In game brain explosions I.e missing a kick to touch
- suspensions (more then most)

Now if Benji had been here for multiple years and these were going on I’d be worried but it’s his first year. These are not all the coaches fault, like is Benji missing that kick to touch? Is Benji giving away a high tackle? Is Benji hip dropping our own players to an injury? The rest can be attributed to poor club management which is on the turn around thanks to Richo. Just my opinion though.
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
From Buzz in DT:

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...n/news-story/e65ccabe3f0f5f0bf79f4a52bd509029

Although the Raiders have not officially granted Horsburgh a release, although it appears a formality, the St George-Illawarra Dragons are set to pounce.

There has also been some interest from the Wests Tigers – and he is also a Redcliffe junior.
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Please let it be the dragons… Benji, Richo we already have a Horsburgh in Seyfarth… we don’t need to double our penalties🙏
 
I could get interested in a middle of NAS, Klemmer, Pole, Horsborough, Sione Fainu and twalfarth (not both). Johannsen and Miller as the next two to be groomed.
I know Porter had some good moments but so did Freebairn when he played for us at the end of a wasted season, so I'd like an edge player too. It's not desperate enough for Bateman just yet.

Oh well we only need half a team.
 
WestsTigers4VR said:
Naturally. Regardless of who he puts in we still have the worst squad in the comp. Hardly Benji’s fault given it’s his first year.

Not saying this in a rude way but just as a sort of “look for your self”. I encourage everyone to go through our first grade team and then our reserve team and tell me who you’d swap who for and an actual reason. I guarantee you there’d be no standout swaps available.

Richo has said they have been working on creating better depth cause in order to have a good first grade squad you need reserve graders keeping them on their toes. No one can say we are a worse team then last year, personally I think this teams wipes the floor with last years and a lot of that is contributed to a lack of giving up. These boys have fought regardless and only a few times have there been a genuine lack of trying for a whole 80.

There are so many factors attributing to this side going to the wooden spoon and I’ll happily list a few:

- Injuries (worse then most)
- youngest squad in the comp by far
- Inexperienced coaching staff
- poor depth/poor cup performances
- In game brain explosions I.e missing a kick to touch
- suspensions (more then most)

Now if Benji had been here for multiple years and these were going on I’d be worried but it’s his first year. These are not all the coaches fault, like is Benji missing that kick to touch? Is Benji giving away a high tackle? Is Benji hip dropping our own players to an injury? The rest can be attributed to poor club management which is on the turn around thanks to Richo. Just my opinion though.
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Good post highlighting some factors that frequently get overlooked and we are on the same page in most respects.

If I may offer some respectful counterpoints in the spirit that reasonable people can disagree.

I hear what you say with regards to exculpating Benji but my own view, at this time, is that it’s his job is to reign in the Ill-discipline and he’s proven that he’s simply not up to the task.

Its not the same player getting into trouble, it’s a veritable conga line of miscreants waiting for the next fellow to grab the waist in front.

I imagine that he’s spent a disproportionate amount of the season in passionate refrain of such uncouth behaviour, only for his earnest representations to fall on deaf ears.

Therefore, I conclude that his communication skills and indeed his consequences for such unsavoury behaviour need serious revision and upgrade.

At the moment there seems to be a rush to get the impugned player back into the side asap and I think it’s because Benji is desperate for results to beat last year’s horrifying season that (thankfully) brought down an entire clubs heirachy.

He was “anointed” as coach and didn’t face a competitive process, eagerly grasping the poisoned chalice with both hands. I don’t buy this “rookie coach” excuse for a second and I don’t think it serves him well. Every NRL coach is a rookie at one point and most of them don’t come last in their first year or use their inexperience to conjure up sympathy. It’s a brutal sport, a sporting monstrosity, only the tough succeed.

Another failure is the general decline or lack of enthusiasm from some of the senior players. It worries me because when the kids get older and talent arrives, I don’t want to see the same decay.

Now obviously, we share a similar high view of Richo, but I think if that platform is laid, there is no harm in questioning some of his decisions. I think it’s healthy if the respect is there, especially as a member.

He’s at our service he says. He’s right.

Thanks again for your insights, both enigmatic and well argued.
 
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Our first signing should be a new head of Strength and conditioning. We aren’t fit enough and definitely not strong enough. Our second signing should be any player that can get a kickoff to make the in goal. We give up sometimes 20m just on the kickoff. If we don’t get the S & C right it won’t matter who we sign. Blore was under done according to Bellamy when he arrived. The blokes who joined Panthers have said how much harder the conditioning is Penrith. Our physio department needs a massive overhaul. Our players seem to remain injured for longer periods then most.
 
TSP said:
Good post highlighting some factors that frequently get overlooked and we are on the same page in most respects.

If I may offer some respectful counterpoints in the spirit that reasonable people can disagree.

I hear what you say with regards to exculpating Benji but my own view, at this time, is that it’s his job is to reign in the Ill-discipline and he’s proven that he’s simply not up to the task.

Its not the same player getting into trouble, it’s a veritable conga line of miscreants waiting for the next fellow to grab the waist in front.

I imagine that he’s spent a disproportionate amount of the season in passionate refrain of such uncouth behaviour, only for his earnest representations to fall on deaf ears.

Therefore, I conclude that his communication skills and indeed his consequences for such unsavoury behaviour need serious revision and upgrade.

At the moment there seems to be a rush to get the impugned player back into the side asap and I think it’s because Benji is desperate for results to beat last year’s horrifying season that (thankfully) brought down an entire clubs heirachy.

He was “anointed” as coach and didn’t face a competitive process, eagerly grasping the poisoned chalice with both hands. I don’t buy this “rookie coach” excuse for a second and I don’t think it serves him well. Every NRL coach is a rookie at one point and most of them don’t come last in their first year or use their inexperience to conjure up sympathy. It’s a brutal sport, a sporting monstrosity, only the tough succeed.

Another failure is the general decline or lack of enthusiasm from some of the senior players. It worries me because when the kids get older and talent arrives, I don’t want to see the same decay.

Now obviously, we share a similar high view of Richo, but I think if that platform is laid, there is no harm in questioning some of his decisions. I think it’s healthy if the respect is there, especially as a member.

He’s at our service he says. He’s right.

Thanks again for your insights, both enigmatic and well argued.
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I slight flaw in your argument about coaches all being rookies at one point. While that is true, these coaches usually earned their stripes through the grades and were hired based on results and recommendations.

Through no fault of his own, Benji was not able to serve his apprenticeship, however he hadn't so much as coached a juniors team, let alone an adult team.

I agree we should stick it out, but if, for some reason, the holy grail of coaches becomes available, I'd support a decision to demote Benji and allow him to finish his apprenticeship.
 
Ok, so 5 players to build our squad & cover as many holes as possible.

That wing position is weak. So is centre. Unless we are signing a second rower that plays centre as well, I'm starting to think our new winger also has to cover centre- giving more depth.

Izaac Thompson from the Rabbits is a bigger body that can play both. And would be a budget option. Obviously, the name that fits & has some jazz to it is Val Holmes. His defence is weird, but he certainly an upgrade on the wing in attack. We have the money for him- that's the key. You could overspend (slightly) on a 2-3 year deal without crippling the club and get a genuine superstar.

Faataape needs to be re-signed to become the #3/4 option in the centre ranks & I'd keep Naden simply because of depth purposes. If Naden is centre/winger #4/5 in the squad- we are ok. Luke Lualili'i obviously covers some wing depth as well. At some point Makasini will feature- I suspect he might be the one to push Olam or Doueihi off the roster in time.


The forwards- I'm thinking 1 back row & 3 middles.

Seyfarth is versatile enough to cover 2nd row & actually contributes to my "Bash Brothers" ideal anyway.

That said- watching good teams these days- those wide forwards are really the metre makers. Kleese Haas is young & dynamic & could excel running off Luia. If rumours of Harrison Hassett are true though- he becomes that backrow edge runner. This is why I mention Seyfarth- who might be needed to start until Hassett transitions into a starter. Rueben Porter & Johannssen offer the depth in the backrow, but I think the club needs to look at Fa'agutu & Kit Lualili'i getting some experience there too while numbers are thin.

Our middles are where everyone will have different takes. I've made my ideas pretty clear- I'd sacrifice the explosive runners in place of hard tackling, hard working types & produce that 'hard' edge we are simply not known for. Klemmer will start- he's our best defensive middle despite the critics. Pole & Sione Fainu offer attack (think the way the Roosters use Leniu & Tupouniua) off the bench. Our #13 options are young & untested (Fa'agutu & Kit Lualili'i) and need to earn the starting spot. Twal is a steady player that holds value, but COULD be the guy that floats between 1st grade & 2nd grade.

With Hassett added in the backrow- we need experience in the middle. Horsburgh is still my #1 guy & could play prop or #13 effectively. He adds that starch that makes teams look up before running into the line. WE NEED THAT INTIMIDATION. Currently, teams enjoy running at our middles- that has to stop. Nelson Asofa-Solomona has some value as an enormous human that doesn't get overpowered. He's not the player he used to be, but he does give the forward pack someone teams 'fear'. Good news is- we can afford both. If Nelson isn't available, there are options but none hold that immediate respect he would bring. Jack Hetherington is a big body with a reckless edge & the demeanour I'd want in our forwards- make the opposition wear a few hits running through our middle. I know he has a few of you worried about his discipline, I'm ok with it. Assuming Nelson ISN'T available, Hetherington is my target.

That last spot in my middle three recruits is down to 3/4 options, with 2 playing the same role. Dylan Walker & Jazz Tevaga offer that versatile #13/#9 option that is very valuable. But you only need 1 of the 2. I prefer Tevaga for personality, but Walker might be the more available. The other 2 options- Mat Croker from the Knights who is kind of another Twal, or........Josh Schuster. Before you choke on your tea- Schuster on a decent contract value is by far the most talented option & could revolusionize our attack from #13. But, he is a lazy player & doesn't quite fit my ideal. Of that lot- I think I'd go Tevaga, but suspect Dylan Walker.

So, my 5 new additions would likely be Val Holmes, Corey Horsburgh, Jack Hetherington, Harrison Hassett & Dylan Walker.
 
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