Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Camel2281]

The attached link to this MSN article advises that Mam will not be sacked. Shock horror. The article suggests Ben Hunt may be a target to replace Mam who may miss the start of the season but to afford him will require a star player to be moved on.

MSN

We could happily take Staggs off their hands

 

[Kelce68]

article from July 2023 indicates Will Craig is on a 'multi-year deal'.

knowing Sheens and McDonnell I reckon Craig's got a Top 30 clause in his contract for 2026/27.

Goodness. SURELY not...

 

[Glenji95]

What contract do we have Tim Johanssen on for 2025 and does anyone know if we will have his brother Noah sticking around next season ?

Tim re-signed for 2 years according to the article the club released when we announced those 7 lower grade re-signings so my guess is he’s on a Cup contract. No idea about his brother though.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

article from July 2023 indicates Will Craig is on a 'multi-year deal'.

knowing Sheens and McDonnell I reckon Craig's got a Top 30 clause in his contract for 2026/27.

Gawd hopefully not, he did not show anywhere near enough in 2023 to warrant progression to top 30. Maybe multi-year was just referring to two years. Otherwise this becomes another contract for the 'hall of shame'.

 

[jrtiger]

Goodness. SURELY not...

Gawd hopefully not, he did not show anywhere near enough in 2023 to warrant progression to top 30. Maybe multi-year was just referring to two years. Otherwise this becomes another contract for the 'hall of shame'.

history suggests that, despite your justified opinions and concerns, it is inevitable.

 

[user118245]

Everyone’s seen announcement today, but still no Sione meaning 1 of 3 things

1. He’s gone
2. He’s retained but will be announcement with his brothers or just one of then
3. He’s retained but we have to wait for a top 30 spot to open before announcing.

Also would be curious, can we sign him for 2026/27 and however longer, but not 2025 and either let him play elsewhere for the year like a loan but not really, or not?

 

[Glenji95]

Everyone’s seen announcement today, but still no Sione meaning 1 of 3 things

1. He’s gone
2. He’s retained but will be announcement with his brothers or just one of then
3. He’s retained but we have to wait for a top 30 spot to open before announcing.

Also would be curious, can we sign him for 2026/27 and however longer, but not 2025 and either let him play elsewhere for the year like a loan but not really, or not?

I would say 3 is the most likely reason, with our 30 full we can’t announce him until we let go of someone else in our 30. The signings today are development contract signings not top 30 ones. We technically could announce him for 26 but it would look extremely odd for us to announce him for 26 given he’s got no contract for 25.

 

[weststigerman]

New deals for Faataape and Porter

Wests Tigers is pleased to confirm contract extensions for Reuben Porter and Solomona Faataape.

www.weststigers.com.au

As long as it doesn't make them top 30 players in 2026, this is good news.

 

[user118245]

I would say 3 is the most likely reason, with our 30 full we can’t announce him until we let go of someone else in our 30. The signings today are development contract signings not top 30 ones. We technically could announce him for 26 but it would look extremely odd for us to announce him for 26 given he’s got no contract for 25.

That’s kinda my thinking tho with the 2026 contract, or we don’t have to announce it so clubs don’t disfavour him. Gives him an opportunity to play first grade or reggies when we don’t have roster spots in 2025, but can bring him back ASAP.

 

[Glenji95]

That’s kinda my thinking tho with the 2026 contract, or we don’t have to announce it so clubs don’t disfavour him. Gives him an opportunity to play first grade or reggies when we don’t have roster spots in 2025, but can bring him back ASAP.

I imagine with his brothers here he wouldn’t want to leave it’ll help us keep them in the future especially if we can turn the tide. The stuff about Bateman is firing up more so I won’t be surprised if as soon as we let him go we announce Sione staying next year onwards.

 

[Tigers_Wests]

Just some notes on our Development contracts for Mason, Craig, Lobb, Faataape, Porter & Makasini:

- I understand Development contracts are $80,000 base + $3k for each NRL game (cap of $650k).
- 5 backline players & 1 forward.
- All 6 development players only contracted to dev squad for 2025. Makasini promoted to top 30 in 2026. So 6 whole development spots up for grabs in 2026.
- Development players can play NRL from Round 1 whereas T&T only from Round 11.
- Still in limbo (too old for Flegg, not announced as T&T yet) are Bailey Hodges, Cayne Nicholas & Herman Tofaeono.

Out of the players in limbo, Herman is the main one I hope we can retain. I was thinking he would have landed Will Craig's development spot (when he was rumoured to go). Not too fussed if we lose Hodges or Nicholas as we have plenty of depth at 9 and better prospects at 13.

 

[kade7]

the discussions with bateman are on going

manly want two years with tigers paying 60/40

tigers want to pay no more than 400k over the next two seasons , i wouldn’t say its dead in the water, but tigers will need to budge

 

[AdelaideTiger]

the discussions with bateman are on going

manly want two years with tigers paying 60/40

tigers want to pay no more than 400k over the next two seasons , i wouldn’t say its dead in the water, but tigers will need to budge

If having to pay 60/40, we would be better off keeping him.

 

[mtd#2]

May be difficult to pry Bullemor from Manly as he's managed by Isaac Moses

We seem to be in favour with Moses lately don't we?

 

[mtd#2]

the discussions with bateman are on going

manly want two years with tigers paying 60/40

tigers want to pay no more than 400k over the next two seasons , i wouldn’t say its dead in the water, but tigers will need to budge

I'd rather not nudge
Play him in reggies

 

[Camel2281]

If having to pay 60/40, we would be better off keeping him.

Would we though. Holds up a Top 30 spot and is a cancerous tumour that will just fester if left

 

[Coastie_Tiger]

the discussions with bateman are on going

manly want two years with tigers paying 60/40

tigers want to pay no more than 400k over the next two seasons , i wouldn’t say its dead in the water, but tigers will need to budge

Whats Bateman supposedly on? I'd pay 500k over 2 seasons to see the back of him.

Probably should have used Large as leverage in the negotiations, seems we got nothing at all out of that very weird.

 

[tigerballs]

It doesn't matter how often this is pointed out. People will still insist Bird will play centre and Turuva wing. The actual word of these players mean nothing to some, they know better.

Just like Douehi insisted he was playing 5/8.

 

[jrtiger]

If having to pay 60/40, we would be better off keeping him.

comes down to whether you deem Bateman cancerous for good culture. if he's going to be a very loud and negative influence on the group then there's no amount of money you won't pay to see the back of him.

Richardson runs a hard bargain but ultimately he's going to have to play ball with Mestrov on this one.

 

[king_sirro]

Just like Douehi insisted he was playing 5/8.

A little different in my opinion. Bird and Tiruva are new signings to a club. The role and position they will play is all part of recent discussions. If you remember when Doueihi first came to the Tigers, he was told he would play fullback then move to 5/8 when Benji retired. I believe that's what happened. He wasn't good enough to make the role his own. So if Turuva can't make centre his spot then he moves to the wing.