Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Lestronge]

Yep exactly! This rumour did come from a Buzz article today & we all know he is fed info from their manager Isaac Moses with an agenda. I take the bit about Klem with a grain of salt as he is well respected amongst the playing squad.

If they are both at the WT next season, they will have to work hard for their top 17 spots in the pre-season otherwise off to NSW Cup you go.

I reckon that’s what it’s really about . Klem has probably been told that his performances need to lift or he won’t be in the team next year . Not saying he is kicking rocks , but his manager would begin to agitate and create a narrative , that can be circled back to in 4 months should/ if he is in fact dropped . He would know the implications for any further contracts if Klemmer is dropped.
Eg. Out of form ex Aus prop dropped , can now be spun to “trouble in tiger town . Veteran prop out , Battles with Benji … “ then there’s a week of “does Benji know how to coach veterans “ .

 

[PrattenParkMagpie]

How do the people that said it was ridiculous for manly to tell Large he’d play first grade next year feel about Makasini’s manager confirming he was promised the same thing? I personally don’t have problems with teams doing it but a lot of people on here had different opinions

Where has it been reported he was promised a first grade start, twice that article says "could" but I haven't seen any guarantees or promises.

 

[Bellend]

If the right opportunity comes about next season they will blood Makasini but they will not rush it. The kid can play but needs time to develop correctly.

 

[Vicious]

Yep exactly! This rumour did come from a Buzz article today & we all know he is fed info from their manager Isaac Moses with an agenda. I take the bit about Klem with a grain of salt as he is well respected amongst the playing squad.

If they are both at the WT next season, they will have to work hard for their top 17 spots in the pre-season otherwise off to NSW Cup you go.

When we talk about whether or not Benji is experienced enough, is he a good coach or a bad coach etc. I have no doubt he brings some good qualities as a coach, but I have a huge concern that his personality is one that holds a grudge and therefore would struggle to work through differences of opinion and would struggle to effectively communicate with any players that get in his bad books. By the sounds of it there are quite a few players now in his bad books.
I could be off the mark and I hope I am, but if I am even close to being right it is something Richo will need to sort out fast.

 

[Buttface]

Just a thought / query - is / should the NRL contributing any $$$ to these deals in keeping and retaining upcoming league - union players? Wasn't some deal made with Roosters over their Wallaby winger coming in. Maybe in the war between league and union with the poaching of up and comers from the junior club competitions the NRL needs to help out and provide extras / top ups?

I thought the same thing, but that’s only for rorters, doesn’t apply to Tigers.

 

[BAGNF05]

When we talk about whether or not Benji is experienced enough, is he a good coach or a bad coach etc. I have no doubt he brings some good qualities as a coach, but I have a huge concern that his personality is one that holds a grudge and therefore would struggle to work through differences of opinion and would struggle to effectively communicate with any players that get in his bad books. By the sounds of it there are quite a few players now in his bad books.
I could be off the mark and I hope I am, but if I am even close to being right it is something Richo will need to sort out fast.

I didn’t see a response on the field from those players who landed in his bad books. Not sure they’re even worth reconciling with.

 

[88]

When we talk about whether or not Benji is experienced enough, is he a good coach or a bad coach etc. I have no doubt he brings some good qualities as a coach, but I have a huge concern that his personality is one that holds a grudge and therefore would struggle to work through differences of opinion and would struggle to effectively communicate with any players that get in his bad books. By the sounds of it there are quite a few players now in his bad books.
I could be off the mark and I hope I am, but if I am even close to being right it is something Richo will need to sort out fast.

Doesn’t seem to be a problem for Bellamy. Admittedly 20 years of successful coaching bring with it an aura. Players in his bad books seem to respond the right way and lift their game.

Benji has played under Sheens and Bennet so hopefully has picked up some good tips on how to man manage successfully.

 

[balmain boy]

For those who are wanting John Bateman to remain as a Wests Tigers player in 2025, what do you think is a fair & reasonable value for his current playing ability ?
We are supposedly paying him 700k per season ?
I value him at 350k at best and that is being generous.
The people such as myself who want him gone, cannot see what value he is providing us.
When you consider the amount of money we are overpaying Bateman, Klemmer, Olam, Sullivan, if we were only paying them their true value we would have enough money to spend on another million dollar per season player.

His deal was restructured to only be 600k next two years

 

[Nonotmeagain]

Eels grant Gutherson permission to speak to rival clubs immediately

 

[BAGNF05]

Doesn’t seem to be a problem for Bellamy. Admittedly 20 years of successful coaching bring with it an aura. Players in his bad books seem to respond the right way and lift their game.

Benji has played under Sheens and Bennet so hopefully has picked up some good tips on how to man manage successfully.

We’ve never seen Bellamy with a substandard playing roster, that’s the all important difference.

 

[Tucker]

We’ve never seen Bellamy with a substandard playing roster, that’s the all important difference.

LOL yes, he was just handed teams full of Ferraris.
What a lucky man!

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Eels grant Gutherson permission to speak to rival clubs immediately

Would sign him in a heartbeat.

 

[BAGNF05]

LOL yes, he was just handed teams full of Ferraris.
What a lucky man!

And two sets of contracts too. I guess you make your own luck.

 

[Tucker]

Just a thought / query - is / should the NRL contributing any $$$ to these deals in keeping and retaining upcoming league - union players? Wasn't some deal made with Roosters over their Wallaby winger coming in. Maybe in the war between league and union with the poaching of up and comers from the junior club competitions the NRL needs to help out and provide extras / top ups?

I think they should for top line talent.
Weve seen an Origin player and a golden boot winner defect this year. The NRL should have done something to try and keep them.
I dont know whether they should for a kid like Makasini which is where you are going I suspect? Unproven teenagers may be hard to justify.

 

[Spartan117]

If Richo can’t sell the rejected players, Im resigned to the fact that we are just going to have to try to bring them back to their optimum.

It will take a lot of work, resources and on-going commitment, from sports psychology to skills and fitness.

Maybe JL can help Nado rediscover his game? If he can’t do it at a player relationship level, I’m not sure who else can ( in the entire comp).

And Bateman, well he’s a confidence player too.

We can’t have these assets rotting away without some kind of refit or having a go.

Most of the dreggs are only around for the next season.

Most won't be resigned.

If they're smart they would fing employment elsewhere soon and extend they're careers

 

[BAGNF05]

Most of the dreggs are only around for the next season.

Most won't be resigned.

If they're smart they would fing employment elsewhere soon and extend they're careers

Noffa might find a few teammates hopefully

 

[HowDugWT]

Eels grant Gutherson permission to speak to rival clubs immediately

NO

 

[Juice]

Because one earned it and is a beast among boys and the other is onion large

Earned it how? They are basically in identical points of their careers

 

[TSP]

Buzz loves spreading bad news and leaking Tigers stuff because he knows it creates interest and attracts an audience.

I think Gutho would be good addition on the right terms. I’d use him as a utility back. Fierce competitor, trains the house down, good for the side mentally like JL. Big match experience, good kicker.

After the injuries and suspensions hit us, there’s far worse players to call up.

 

[BAGNF05]

I think they should for top line talent.
Weve seen an Origin player and a golden boot winner defect this year. The NRL should have done something to try and keep them.
I dont know whether they should for a kid like Makasini which is where you are going I suspect? Unproven teenagers may be hard to justify.

I wonder if the Roosters went to the NRL and said can you help us keep this kid in the game would they have received support? Call me paranoid but these are the kinds of small advantages that we constantly hear about. They all add up to the kind of results that you collated in the salary cap thread. Smart management yes, but also inequity.