Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Needaname]

I don’t think a coach like Craig Fitzgibbon would have any interest in John Bateman even if he played for free.
The fact virtually no club has any interest in him even at 350k with us contributing 300k says it all.
In saying that we desperately need to sign a good quality edge back rower for 2026 and Teig Wilton is virtually the only one that we might be able to sign without breaking the bank.
I still think we would have to offer around 600k to be a realistic chance of signing him and the question is can he play just as well on the right to allow Samuela to remain on the left ?
All in all Wilton fits the description of what we need, someone who can play on an edge, runs good lines, is big enough and mobile enough to break tackles, make line breaks score tries, while also being a good reliable defender.

I would be looking to move Samuela to the right to continue the combination with Galvin.

 

[Needaname]

Apparently Alex Johnston is testing the market and Souths won't stand in way if he wants out next season.

He's coming off injury and turning 30 next season. While he's definitely a better option than Staines, he'll probably want three years at above average coin.

Quality player Johnston but is made better by the backline he is part of.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

I really don't understand this. If he can't tackle it doesn't matter how cheap he is, he'll lose you games.

Shoooooooosh.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Enough recruitment for now.

Absolute priority - 100% focus on retention of Galvin.

And off load the mediocre top 30 players.
Free up spots for quicker deals as the fruit drops from the trees for 2025 and 2026.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Simply make his life at the WTs hell

And when he fails to comply--------------sack him for free!!!!

 

[Buttface]

Apparently Alex Johnston is testing the market and Souths won't stand in way if he wants out next season.

He's coming off injury and turning 30 next season. While he's definitely a better option than Staines, he'll probably want three years at above average coin.

Nah, he needs a good centre that is not a hog inside him. I’m not sure we have one of those?
I reckon he’d want half a mil a season to come here, but would go to a top four side for min wage.
I did think he was turning 130 next year though.

 

[balmain boy]

I reckon Hunt goes to the Dolphins.

I'd watch out for the Dolphins if he's there.

He wants to win a comp. He won't go to the Dolphins.

 

[426Tlgerland]

Heck, our own government gives money direct to the Broncos and Cowboys.
"NIAA gave $8.2 million to the AFL, $17.4 million to the Brisbane Broncos, $5 million to the (North Queensland) Cowboys, and $11 million to the NRL;" Quote Lidia Thorpe.

Lidia Thorpe questions $41million in federal Indigenous funding given to AFL and NRL

Senator Lidia Thorpe has shone a spotlight on more than $41 million in funding from the National Indigenous Australians Agency being given to the AFL and NRL.At a Senate Estimates hearing this week th...

nit.com.au

You have clubs like Souths and to a far lesser extent WT who really do some good engagement. Yet the Donkeys get direct funding and more then the Entire NRL!


TLDR, ofcourse the Donkeys have an unfair advantage.

If thIs is true and the Broncos and Co got this large amount of money the NRL needs to step in and see exactly where it went , 17 million is disgusting , the broncos are already a strong club , Peter V. Where are you know , this is 100% a huge advantage to the Broncos and Cowboys , NRL is a rort still .

 

[Buttface]

I really don't understand this. If he can't tackle it doesn't matter how cheap he is, he'll lose you games.

No, me either, and I thought @supercoach was Wayne Bennett. 🤷‍♂️

 

[Groundup]

He wants to win a comp. He won't go to the Dolphins.

He dropped his comp. I can’t see that changing with any of his choices

 

[balmain boy]

Heck, our own government gives money direct to the Broncos and Cowboys.
"NIAA gave $8.2 million to the AFL, $17.4 million to the Brisbane Broncos, $5 million to the (North Queensland) Cowboys, and $11 million to the NRL;" Quote Lidia Thorpe.

Lidia Thorpe questions $41million in federal Indigenous funding given to AFL and NRL

Senator Lidia Thorpe has shone a spotlight on more than $41 million in funding from the National Indigenous Australians Agency being given to the AFL and NRL.At a Senate Estimates hearing this week th...

nit.com.au

You have clubs like Souths and to a far lesser extent WT who really do some good engagement. Yet the Donkeys get direct funding and more then the Entire NRL!


TLDR, ofcourse the Donkeys have an unfair advantage.

That's scandalous. The Broncos need to be held accountable and show how they've used that money. Certainly looks like corruption.

 

[hammertime]

That's scandalous. The Broncos need to be held accountable and show how they've used that money. Certainly looks like corruption.

It's through the NIAA. Wonder if they did any particular outreach programs? Would have to be sizeable though. They should be also doing this as part of any decent community organisation.

Should be investigated.

 

[balmain boy]

I don’t think a coach like Craig Fitzgibbon would have any interest in John Bateman even if he played for free.
The fact virtually no club has any interest in him even at 350k with us contributing 300k says it all.
In saying that we desperately need to sign a good quality edge back rower for 2026 and Teig Wilton is virtually the only one that we might be able to sign without breaking the bank.
I still think we would have to offer around 600k to be a realistic chance of signing him and the question is can he play just as well on the right to allow Samuela to remain on the left ?
All in all Wilton fits the description of what we need, someone who can play on an edge, runs good lines, is big enough and mobile enough to break tackles, make line breaks score tries, while also being a good reliable defender.

600k for Wilton??? Yeah nah.

He's a solid worker, a twal type only in second row not prop. Not the sort of player you spend that cash on. I'd rather go for Kai Pearce Paul for 700k

 

[balmain boy]

It's through the NIAA. Wonder if they did any particular outreach programs? Would have to be sizeable though. They should be also doing this as part of any decent community organisation.

Should be investigated.

Such a huge outreach program should be widely known throughout the comp, it would have been reported on across the media, good will stories on Foxsports etc. The government needs to investigate how its funds are being used.

 

[Vicious]

600k for Wilton??? Yeah nah.

He's a solid worker, a twal type only in second row not prop. Not the sort of player you spend that cash on. I'd rather go for Kai Pearce Paul for 700k

I can see the Sharks and/or other clubs offering him 500l minimum, so I can’t see us getting him for anything less than 600k.
You could ask the question is he a much better edge back rower than what Seyfarth could become ? I think Seyfarth will get first crack at our right edge in 2025 to show if or how much he has improved with added maturity and confidence.
Pearce-Paul is the other big name edge forward currently available for 2026, he is certainly an attacking weapon, but I think we would need to pay more than 700k to get him and I don’t think we will have that type of money to spend.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

If I was in a premiership window I’d want Wilton on squad

Just thinking though if Wilton was offered a here for say $400k, Sharks may see value in swapping him for Bateman if we cover $300k of his $650k. Value being not only a few $$$ but someone who has won premierships albeit in ESL. May be clutching.

 

[jrtiger]

Hetherington would be on 350k, maybe 400 at most. Bateman at half price is 350k. They save nothing in that swap

my bad, I thought he was on $500k. Badel's got him at $100k less. they'll probably look to shed elsewhere.

 

[jrtiger]

600k for Wilton??? Yeah nah.

He's a solid worker, a twal type only in second row not prop. Not the sort of player you spend that cash on. I'd rather go for Kai Pearce Paul for 700k

with a few upgrades in order for guys like Galvin and Samuela I don't anticipate we'll have heaps of cash leftover for a well-paid backrower.

I think we'll be looking for a moneyball type at $400k and under.

 

[Spartan117]

I Love how the Tigers dont recruit via the Media anymore,

We are certainly more professional than ever before.

 

[Nonotmeagain]

Just thinking though if Wilton was offered a here for say $400k, Sharks may see value in swapping him for Bateman if we cover $300k of his $650k. Value being not only a few $$$ but someone who has won premierships albeit in ESL. May be clutching.

Honestly that's not even close to a good deal for a guy who is well past his used by date and would kill their culture.