Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

He played 22,23,14 and 12 so far this year. So tapering off.
I don’t know, yeah he’s been good, and is probably better than what we have most days but it still feels like a retirement signing and he has Arthur Arthritis doesn’t he?
Yea, that is pretty much what I am thinking.

It's this problem with signing, isn't it:
Player is in form, we pay top $$$$$$
Player is out of form, we pay low $$$*.. Player remains out of form and we get a lemon.
Player is mid range, we get another Fringe Grader taking up spot #25.

I like Bird's defense and his experience. We need an experienced back to get our structure going there. Although I think if the Dragons don't want him, we shouldn't either. 100% Saint's regret punting Lomax and keeping Bird. Flanno would know Bird from his Sharks days.

Bird is tempting, but based off current form a No. I also think if we buy a center we should by a 100% starter. Bird isn't starting in the Dragons side.

*or we stuff up and pay high $$$$$$ i.e. Josh Reynolds.
 
Jack Bird = Typical Tigers signing of the last 10 years. Former big name player who is busted and on the decline
Kobe Hetherington = Talented player underutilised by his current team, yet to hit his peak. Similar to Skelton, a hard working player with a good attitude and the right age.

Based on our signings so far under Richo, you would have to assume that Hetherington is the one that is being chased harder. 25 years old with his best years ahead. Good to see that we are targeting players coming into their prime rather than players past their peak.

Jerome Luai -27 years old
Tito Turuva - 21 years old
Jeral Skelton - 25 years old
 
Dylan Lucas is one, if he was available would be an astute signing! I see Origin written all over this bloke! 🔥 Backrower that can equally cover centre and very well! Huge workrate, runs great lines and a serious try scorer! Pretty quick for a forward too!
Reminds me quite a bit of Angus Crichton in playing style! An aggressive competitor
 
Yea, that is pretty much what I am thinking.

It's this problem with signing, isn't it:
Player is in form, we pay top $$$$$$
Player is out of form, we pay low $$$*.. Player remains out of form and we get a lemon.
Player is mid range, we get another Fringe Grader taking up spot #25.

I like Bird's defense and his experience. We need an experienced back to get our structure going there. Although I think if the Dragons don't want him, we shouldn't either. 100% Saint's regret punting Lomax and keeping Bird. Flanno would know Bird from his Sharks days.

Bird is tempting, but based off current form a No. I also think if we buy a center we should by a 100% starter. Bird isn't starting in the Dragons side.

*or we stuff up and pay high $$$$$$ i.e. Josh Reynolds.
Bird is NOT the word!!!
He’s not even starting for the dragqueens? That says it all for me.
This is a typical crap retirement signing we usually make. I was hoping we’d changed. Bird knows his days are numbered in the NRL, and we need the spots, I would be low balling him. Two years with a club option on the second.
He’d be an upgrade on Doobie or Naden.
I’d be hitting Flanno up for a swap, Doobie or Naden for him?
 
Murmurings or your opinion Teddy?

He is very good mates with Benji & would add a lot for 2 years that we have missing age aside.
It’s what I’m hearing.

Frizell is a serious chance of being at the club by next year.

I personally like it - has the experience and is a leader, you can never question his effort he’s the perfect role model you’d want who’ll lead by action. He’d go really good next to Luai with that mindset.

He still is playing great football and won’t be on an overpaid or long deal as well.
 
Bird is NOT the word!!!
He’s not even starting for the dragqueens? That says it all for me.
This is a typical crap retirement signing we usually make. I was hoping we’d changed. Bird knows his days are numbered in the NRL, and we need the spots, I would be low balling him. Two years with a club option on the second.
He’d be an upgrade on Doobie or Naden.
I’d be hitting Flanno up for a swap, Doobie or Naden for him?
I think the times (and approach) are changing.
No team has become a force by picking up other teams rejects on supplemented contracts.
It’s what we have done for the past 10 years trying to fit these cheap unwanted players into our side.
We need to get the players that we want, not are bullied into signing.

A note on picking up players on inflated contracts.
The clubs interested in moving them on, always end up improving without them regardless of how much they chip in. Reason being, they are a step in front after having another club help them out with their cap issues.
Think about that for a second.
If no club helped Penrith, Melbourne, Roosters, Sharks deal with their inflated cap and roster. How would they fare?
They might actually be forced to move of someone they would regret letting go.
 
Yes I’m thinking we are sick of our centres leaking points and want someone who can defend, but you make a valid point as a good centre also needs to have enough pace to threaten in attack and it looks like Bird has slowed down too much to be a genuine attacking threat as a centre.
I also don't know if Bird would be an attacking center or a defensive center?

Olam to me makes a great left center. Strong, look solid. The center that plays your least "go-to" side but can defend.

Bird with his age, experience, etc would change from a normal right edge/attacking side center to that left side center.
With Galvin/Luai in the halves and AD/Sezer/Fainu/Sullivan around that could fill in. I don't see how we need Bird.
 
I wouldn’t mind this for two years. Plays on the right edge. Good leg speed and a good example for the younger players.
I could get around this provided thorough medicals are done and his fitness is holding up. Still seems to be playing solid. Dude is 33 this year.
 
I think the times (and approach) are changing.
No team has become a force by picking up other teams rejects on supplemented contracts.
It’s what we have done for the past 10 years trying to fit these cheap unwanted players into our side.
We need to get the players that we want, not are bullied into signing.

A note on picking up players on inflated contracts.
The clubs interested in moving them on, always end up improving without them regardless of how much they chip in. Reason being, they are a step in front after having another club help them out with their cap issues.
Think about that for a second.
If no club helped Penrith, Melbourne, Roosters, Sharks deal with their inflated cap and roster. How would they fare?
They might actually be forced to move of someone they would regret letting go.
 
He's 33 in October...talk about pension plans
We are always 1 step off the pace.
Past players.
Reyolds - Bulldogs got the best out of them. Came to us injured and on a inflated deal
Packer - Dragons had him performing for cheap, we had him underperforming on an inflated contract.
Matolino - Warriors got the best years out of him, was decent for us but he wore out quickly. Lucky to get out of his contract.
MBye - was a large contract for a player that didn’t have one recognised position. Dogs kicked a fair bit in for the first year.
Doueihi - on big money with Souths, us taking him effectively enabled them to sign Latrell I.e fit him in their cap. Juries out. Even on min wage getting value out of him is questionable.
BJ L - Signed with a kick in from Ricky after falling out of favour, couldn’t get him interested.
Jet - Signed cheap, injured, mentally out of sorts, didn’t get value.
Tamou - Signed cheap to spearhead him into the leader of tigers. Penrith got about 50% of value out of him on their large contract. Decent deal in terms of money but body could’t handle the requirements.
Klemmer - Was a bit of a square peg in the knights forward pack despite putting up team high performances in the front row. Came heavily subsidised in the first 2 years. Costing us 850k this next season. Paying him a premium salary where we are probably at a point where we are getting the least value out of him.
 
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