Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[BlackWhiteGold]

After 3 years with us, Jimmy Ngutlik now on a T&T with the Cowboys/Mackay Cutters, according to Courier Mail.

JIMMY NGUTLIK
Winger

Ngutlik burst onto the international stage in 2022 playing for Papua New Guinea at the Rugby League World Cup before a knee injury stalled his career.

Jimmy Ngutlik of Papua New Guinea poses for a photo during the Papua New Guinea Rugby League World Cup Portrait session on October 08, 2022 in Warrington, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images for Rugby League World Cup)

The talented winger has joined the Mackay Cutters after coming up from Wests Tigers where he failed to crack first grade.

The 24-year-old was born in PNG and grew up in Cairns.

 

[balmain boy]

Soooo…. Those 3 players Bateman , klemmer and Naden , all on 500k min- as high as 800k ( depending on which article you read ) can basically get away with thier diabolical season , and because a coach won’t smash an 18 year old , because you know HES 18 !!! , and would rather smash the disgusting footy of our senior players , that they get too tantrum , because they quite rightly were dropped .
Just to Bateman and that Souths game . When the game was on its knife edge , it wasn’t the kids who gave away crucial ball on our goal line . It wasn’t the kids who gave ridiculous penalties that killed the momentum of the team , and it wasn’t the kids who had the responsibility to lead by example because for every 4 kids there was 1 Bateman salary .
That last 11 minutes was an error- athon because the the kids were playing catchup and there was no leadership on the field .
I distinctly remember watching that game wishing I had a Bateman voodoo doll to poke needles in .
And klemmer lacked any fire in his runs and desire to earn his 800k salary either .
If you go to a club and say “I want 800k because I’m an elite footy player” , then what you’re also saying is “ I’m an elite footy player who if you pay me 800k will play to that standard “ . That’s what the money is for .
I feel like I’m taking crazy pills with this . The guys are bitching and moaning because a coach is pissed off that a kid on 150knis out playing 29 year olds on 800k .
I’d be furious if I was Benji too . It’s not a retirement home John and David . It’s first grade football .
If they are bitching and loaning about double standards , then they are right ! There double standards . Because when you’re giving someone 5-8% of your salary cap you’re expecting that to correlate to results . And when you’re paying someone 1% of your cap you’re expecting that to not have and or little contribution to results .
It's maths and analytics ! This shit does my head in …

Actually I think Naden is on 350, Bateman 600, Klemmer also 600k.

Sure it's an overpay for each but not as bad as you say. If we can clear Bateman, Naden and Sullivan out then I reckon we'll be on a good spot. Klem still produces and is only slightly overpaid

 

[gregjm87]

Re: Bateman
Ricky Stuart would be sitting back saying I've been there done that good luck WESTS TIGERS

What happened between Stuart and Bateman? I don't recall any significant incidents. Bateman had a little bit of contract shit at the end of 19 and a punch up with Scott in 2020 but everything seemed fine between him and Stuart, as well as him and the other players.

 

[balmain boy]

After 3 years with us, Jimmy Ngutlik now on a T&T with the Cowboys/Mackay Cutters, according to Courier Mail.

JIMMY NGUTLIK
Winger

Ngutlik burst onto the international stage in 2022 playing for Papua New Guinea at the Rugby League World Cup before a knee injury stalled his career.

Jimmy Ngutlik of Papua New Guinea poses for a photo during the Papua New Guinea Rugby League World Cup Portrait session on October 08, 2022 in Warrington, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images for Rugby League World Cup)

The talented winger has joined the Mackay Cutters after coming up from Wests Tigers where he failed to crack first grade.

The 24-year-old was born in PNG and grew up in Cairns.

Sad he would have warranted a dev or train and trial contract over Lobb and a few others. But maybe he just isn't made for the city and wants to be closer to home

 

[Kelce68]

Sad he would have warranted a dev or train and trial contract over Lobb and a few others. But maybe he just isn't made for the city and wants to be closer to home

I also don't think we're in a position moving forward for a 24 year old, project winger who's coming off the back of an ACL. Though I do agree on Lobb.

Not when we have Turuva, Skelton and Staines, with Laulili'i and Makasini next up.

 

[Tucker]

Soooo…. Those 3 players Bateman , klemmer and Naden , all on 500k min- as high as 800k ( depending on which article you read ) can basically get away with thier diabolical season , and because a coach won’t smash an 18 year old , because you know HES 18 !!! ,

The 18 year olds didnt need smashing, they should have been sent back down to the lower grades. Galvin included.

and would rather smash the disgusting footy of our senior players , that they get too tantrum , because they quite rightly were dropped .

Was there tantrums?
The senior blokes should have put their hands up and done better, however they were not the reason our season sucked arse in isolation.

Just to Bateman and that Souths game . When the game was on its knife edge , it wasn’t the kids who gave away crucial ball on our goal line .

Yes it was. Bula and Laulilii

It wasn’t the kids who gave ridiculous penalties that killed the momentum of the team

They did as well. TDS was one

, and it wasn’t the kids who had the responsibility to lead by example because for every 4 kids there was 1 Bateman salary .

True and as I said, they should have taken more responsibility.
Seems very strange to me they didnt, at least publicly.

That last 11 minutes was an error- athon because the the kids were playing catchup and there was no leadership on the field .

Yes...and they are out of their depth. 2 things can be true at once.

If you go to a club and say “I want 800k because I’m an elite footy player” , then what you’re also saying is “ I’m an elite footy player who if you pay me 800k will play to that standard “ . That’s what the money is for .
I feel like I’m taking crazy pills with this . The guys are bitching and moaning because a coach is pissed off that a kid on 150knis out playing 29 year olds on 800k .

Are they? Can you share a quoted link please?

I’d be furious if I was Benji too . It’s not a retirement home John and David . It’s first grade football .
If they are bitching and loaning about double standards , then they are right ! There double standards . Because when you’re giving someone 5-8% of your salary cap you’re expecting that to correlate to results . And when you’re paying someone 1% of your cap you’re expecting that to not have and or little contribution to results .
It's maths and analytics ! This shit does my head in …

I played in the pack all my life. Nothing pissed me off more than the halves not creating points off my hard graft. For 2 years now, our current forwards have not had any halves who take games by the scruff and create enough points to win. The pigs are getting plenty of field position....if it is creating problems off field and divisions, thats on the coaching staff...who I blame for most of this shit.

 

[twentyforty]

- I hear this rumour about Klemmer bandied around a bit on here, but I'm yet to find any credible source.

- Richardson has publicly backed Marshall ad nauseum.

He literally did it in the Bateman article today...

It doesn’t matter whether it is John Bateman or anybody else in the club, we have to create discipline and a support mechanism behind the head coach,” Richardson said.

“And I support that 100 percent. So the players have got to understand that Benji’s way is the way. It’s as simple as that.

“And if they want to play first grade at the club, they have to understand it is under what Benji’s rules are. It’s got nothing to do with between young players and older players.

Yes interesting 🤔 this is a new type of behaviour we’ve not seen from our CEO in over a decade.

 

[kiwitiger]

Sad he would have warranted a dev or train and trial contract over Lobb and a few others. But maybe he just isn't made for the city and wants to be closer to home

Not sad. Never was close to fg here.
Tough decisions have to be made in professional sport.
We all move on.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

NRL 2025: Three clubs meet with Terrell May, Eels’ Talagi coup, Panther’s premiership ink | Saint, sinner, shoosh
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...h/news-story/57264721a46f2c73308b9422c9df804a

Sydney Roosters prop Terrell May has held talks with St George Illawarra and Canterbury — and will meet the Wests Tigers next week — as he mulls over a change of clubs.

May was stunned when he Roosters coach Trent Robinson told him that he was free to leave, despite having two years left on the deal he only signed earlier this year.

Rival clubs have wasted no time setting up meetings with the powerful front rower as he looks to make an immediate move to a new club.

The Dragons and Bulldogs have been the fastest to react but they won’t be the only interested parties – the Tigers’ interest is only likely to be enhanced after they missed out on the signature of Brisbane lock Kobe Hetherington.

The Tigers were optimistic they would add Hetherington to their ranks but Broncos coach Michael Maguire had other ideas and he will remain in Brisbane.

May made 27 appearances for the Roosters last season, won himself a contract extension and toured England with the Samoan side.

SHOOSH

Which club is on the verge of announcing a unique major sponsorship?

SHOOSH II

Which former high-ranking NRL executive has inquired about joining the board of the Wests Tigers as an independent.

SHOOSH III

Which club is trying to medically retire a player – with just one big catch … the player wants to play on.

 

[Tucker]

NRL 2025: Three clubs meet with Terrell May, Eels’ Talagi coup, Panther’s premiership ink | Saint, sinner, shoosh
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...h/news-story/57264721a46f2c73308b9422c9df804a

Sydney Roosters prop Terrell May has held talks with St George Illawarra and Canterbury — and will meet the Wests Tigers next week — as he mulls over a change of clubs.

May was stunned when he Roosters coach Trent Robinson told him that he was free to leave, despite having two years left on the deal he only signed earlier this year.

Rival clubs have wasted no time setting up meetings with the powerful front rower as he looks to make an immediate move to a new club.

The Dragons and Bulldogs have been the fastest to react but they won’t be the only interested parties – the Tigers’ interest is only likely to be enhanced after they missed out on the signature of Brisbane lock Kobe Hetherington.

The Tigers were optimistic they would add Hetherington to their ranks but Broncos coach Michael Maguire had other ideas and he will remain in Brisbane.

May made 27 appearances for the Roosters last season, won himself a contract extension and toured England with the Samoan side.

SHOOSH

Which club is on the verge of announcing a unique major sponsorship?

SHOOSH II

Which former high-ranking NRL executive has inquired about joining the board of the Wests Tigers as an independent.

SHOOSH III

Which club is trying to medically retire a player – with just one big catch … the player wants to play on.

All those shoosh's are us

 

[Lestronge]

The 18 year olds didnt need smashing, they should have been sent back down to the lower grades. Galvin included.

Was there tantrums?
The senior blokes should have put their hands up and done better, however they were not the reason our season sucked arse in isolation.

Yes it was. Bula and Laulilii

They did as well. TDS was one

True and as I said, they should have taken more responsibility.
Seems very strange to me they didnt, at least publicly.

Yes...and they are out of their depth. 2 things can be true at once.

Are they? Can you share a quoted link please?

I played in the pack all my life. Nothing pissed me off more than the halves not creating points off my hard graft. For 2 years now, our current forwards have not had any halves who take games by the scruff and create enough points to win. The pigs are getting plenty of field position....if it is creating problems off field and divisions, thats on the coaching staff...who I blame for most of this shit.

it’s in the daily telegraph article re. His issues around double standards and lack of performance .
As for your issues with the kids , who else was coming to replace them . Sheens screwed the 30 man by offering all our gun juniors top 30 spots. With toa injured , and the balance of the top 30 all out of whack , and the Naden brain farts , who was replacing the kids ?
As for Galvin .. so Sullivan ? Really ? Because Fainu was out most of the year with his hamstrings , so that’s the only other real option . AD cannot tackle so that’s fixing anything, and in 3 games if Sullivan I saw enough to see he wasn’t first grade material . Maybe 4 years in SL might change that but not now . So I understand this narrative you keep spinning about get rid of the kids , because there was no one to replace them with .
And I played in the pack most my life as well , and the narrative around lack of points was a stat of the season issue . It wasn’t an end of season issue . And even if hypothetically it was , so you drop your bundle because your halves are shit ? How does that make any sense . The scoreline of that game was like 44-26 or something . Hardly a lack of points .
By the time the points started to come guys like klemmer and Stef had checked out , and Bateman was off his head . That’s on their own personal mental toughness .
I also wish we dropped most of the kids , but what was Benji meant to do though ? The fragility of the young mind is a real thing , they constantly need cuddles and pep talks . It is what it is . Even the most hardened kid , will always respond better to positive reinforcement . Bateman was paid to be a leader . And he didn’t perform that function at all . All he’s done recently is prove what many pundits and so called experts were saying when we signed the guy “he’s not leadership material “ .
Everybody is a legend when everything is going great , it’s when things are shit that people’s real character shows through .

 

[Tucker]

it’s in the daily telegraph article re. His issues around double standards and lack of performance .
As for your issues with the kids , who else was coming to replace them . Sheens screwed the 30 man by offering all our gun juniors top 30 spots. With toa injured , and the balance of the top 30 all out of whack , and the Naden brain farts , who was replacing the kids ?
As for Galvin .. so Sullivan ? Really ? Because Fainu was out most of the year with his hamstrings , so that’s the only other real option . AD cannot tackle so that’s fixing anything, and in 3 games if Sullivan I saw enough to see he wasn’t first grade material . Maybe 4 years in SL might change that but not now . So I understand this narrative you keep spinning about get rid of the kids , because there was no one to replace them with .
And I played in the pack most my life as well , and the narrative around lack of points was a stat of the season issue . It wasn’t an end of season issue . And even if hypothetically it was , so you drop your bundle because your halves are shit ? How does that make any sense . The scoreline of that game was like 44-26 or something . Hardly a lack of points .
By the time the points started to come guys like klemmer and Stef had checked out , and Bateman was off his head . That’s on their own personal mental toughness .
I also wish we dropped most of the kids , but what was Benji meant to do though ? The fragility of the young mind is a real thing , they constantly need cuddles and pep talks . It is what it is . Even the most hardened kid , will always respond better to positive reinforcement . Bateman was paid to be a leader . And he didn’t perform that function at all . All he’s done recently is prove what many pundits and so called experts were saying when we signed the guy “he’s not leadership material “ .
Everybody is a legend when everything is going great , it’s when things are shit that people’s real character shows through .

A lot to unpack there.
Everyone is to blame, even the mentaly fragile kids.
Our coaching staff screwed this season well and truly.
THEY need some serious soul searching over the pre season before they blow another.

 

[Lestronge]

Actually I think Naden is on 350, Bateman 600, Klemmer also 600k.

Sure it's an overpay for each but not as bad as you say. If we can clear Bateman, Naden and Sullivan out then I reckon we'll be on a good spot. Klem still produces and is only slightly overpaid

I have no idea about salaries dude . I’ve seen articles saying Bateman is on 850k , I’ve seen 650k and today it was 750k lol . Same thing for klemmer I’ve seen 700k and 800k . And I remember last year I saw a 500k article about Naden . All I’m saying is they’re paid to be leaders . You can’t have at minimum 1.5mil of talent being a burden to the team . Especially if they’re leaders .
Everyone said klemmer was busted when we signed him . So he was 💯 signed for leadership above anything else .

 

[Don Kershane]

Shoosh

Clovelly Bowling & Recreation Club​

Shoosh

Justin Pascoe

Shoosh

Moree Boomerangs

 

[Tigers_Wests]

NRL 2025: Three clubs meet with Terrell May, Eels’ Talagi coup, Panther’s premiership ink | Saint, sinner, shoosh
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...h/news-story/57264721a46f2c73308b9422c9df804a

Sydney Roosters prop Terrell May has held talks with St George Illawarra and Canterbury — and will meet the Wests Tigers next week — as he mulls over a change of clubs.

May was stunned when he Roosters coach Trent Robinson told him that he was free to leave, despite having two years left on the deal he only signed earlier this year.

Rival clubs have wasted no time setting up meetings with the powerful front rower as he looks to make an immediate move to a new club.

The Dragons and Bulldogs have been the fastest to react but they won’t be the only interested parties – the Tigers’ interest is only likely to be enhanced after they missed out on the signature of Brisbane lock Kobe Hetherington.

The Tigers were optimistic they would add Hetherington to their ranks but Broncos coach Michael Maguire had other ideas and he will remain in Brisbane.

May made 27 appearances for the Roosters last season, won himself a contract extension and toured England with the Samoan side.

SHOOSH

Which club is on the verge of announcing a unique major sponsorship?

SHOOSH II

Which former high-ranking NRL executive has inquired about joining the board of the Wests Tigers as an independent.

SHOOSH III

Which club is trying to medically retire a player – with just one big catch … the player wants to play on.

Nice of Terrell May to save his soon to be club until last 😉

 

[SeanT]

All those shoosh's are us

Buzz loves talking about the Tigers.

Who's the medical retirement?

Damn Kobe at 13 would of been great. He can play 80 minutes if given the chance

 

[Tucker]

Buzz loves talking about the Tigers.

Who's the medical retirement?

Damn Kobe at 13 would of been great. He can play 80 minutes if given the chance

Doueihi?

 

[Lestronge]

A lot to unpack there.
Everyone is to blame, even the mentaly fragile kids.
Our coaching staff screwed this season well and truly.
THEY need some serious soul searching over the pre season before they blow another.

💯 agree . I’m not saying Benji handled the Bateman situation well at all . I’m sure it was petulant and immature spontaneous reactions from an inexperienced coach . I’ve got no doubt about that .
But Bateman was horrendous that game and the game before . You can’t take home that coin , and have the personality he has , without expectations around performance and accountability . I mean well you can, but then this type of shit happens because you’re a man child who can dish but not take .
Standards 💯 need to lift and the kids needed to be told thier performances arnt good enough , but if Ive played 150 plus games and im on top dolllar and almost 30 , id have to be the biggest delusional mess of a human to not see that my performances are going to more scrutinised than 18 year old .
When it comes to that , it’s apples and oranges .
If the kids are paid the same as me , well sure , the. He’d have a leg to stand on . But he’s paid almost triple these kids , and he’s in the leadership group . His performance Is completely unacceptable .

 

[Kaito]

What is it?
It's the same train of thought that has had us living the last 12+

And don't worry - It was here well before 2010-2011 as well....
All the false hope and waiting.

Half glass full half empty i suppose...

 

[Lestronge]

Again, Klemmer is not the problem.

In 2024, a season a bit down on his 2023, he produced 101m/game with a tackle efficiency of 96% from 20 games.

He is a professional. He's consistent and he's reliable.

And the 800k is pure speculation. I believe it to be less.

I'm not exactly sure what people want from a veteran front rower.

But he is a long way down the list of our problems at the moment.

It’s because it’s been whispered that he’s the other experienced player kicking rocks . If it’s not him , then I apologise .