Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[BlackWhiteGold]

I can't see Bateman going to the Cowboys. I believe he's only digging his heels in with us because he wants to stay an NRL player in NSW.

Surprised he knocked back Souths.

Don't be surprised this is all Moses propaganda to increase the desperation within the Tigers with Manly waiting in the wings. Mestrov/Moses trying to get Richo to chip in as much as possible is plausible!

 

[Tiger Stripes]

yes he is assured that money … I don’t think he is an NRL level player ….my point is that he can go through the motions here… get every cent of his deal and still only be 26 at the end

That's $2.6mil at age 26yrs. Not a bad start in life.
Time to plan a career after football. Get a real lifetime job.

 

[Kaito]

I can't see Bateman going to the Cowboys

 

[jrtiger]

Just guesswork on my part but I don't think Doueihi will play in the halves in reggies, all else being equal. If he's going to be any use to the first grade team at any stage this season it's probably at centre, in which case the club will want him to get as many reps in there as possible. If he's needed in the halves in first grade, first of all: God help us. But second, he does at least have plenty of game time there under his belt so it's not as if he'll benefit much from reserve grade time to acclimatise.

That's not to mention the fact that the club will be keen for Sullivan to be playing somewhere in the hope that he can do enough to convince someone he's worth a look. I don't suppose he can play fullback?

not opposed to Doueihi moving to the backs given as you say it's where he's the best chance of playing grade.

1. Mason
2. Staines
3. To'a
4. Doueihi
5. Naden
6. Sullivan
7. Fainu

means that Feledy, Craig and Saukuru start in Flegg and Lobb and Faataape miss out completely. Naden will have to make way when Makasini comes into Cup as well. they're probably the three that we need to shop therefore.

 

[jrtiger]

In theory, I'm not sure $500k is wildly out of line for your first backup half. Average salary on the cap in 2025 is $380k, and I'd argue third-choice half is a more important position than positions 12-18 on the roster. You've got to assume you'll be missing one of your halves for, what, 5-10 games across the season what with injuries, suspensions and origin - that's a pretty important role.

Some teams will have a young kid coming through who doens't cost them much, but that's going to be a high volatility option. The best option is probably a legit utility - a Connor Watson type - who won't let the side down in the halves but can be at least a good bench player when the first choice pair is available. Those players are easily worth $500k, but if you can't find one it's still worth having some money invested in someone who can make a decent fist in the halves.

The problem for the Tigers is that Sullivan is a bad fit on almost every level. We already have a really good third choice option in Latu Fainu, plus we have a promising backup hooker who can fill in while the first choice hooker plays in the halves if required. Sullivan is also strictly a 5/8 so doesn't help much if the player he's covering is the organising half (as might be required during Origin). Add to that him not having any utility value elsewhere - at fullback, centre or hooker, say - and we have the situation of paying $500k (and using a roster spot) for someone who will probably only get on the field in dire emergency. That really is salary cap suicide.

nailed it. terrible signing. thanks Scott.

 

[jrtiger]

Don't be surprised this is all Moses propaganda to increase the desperation within the Tigers with Manly waiting in the wings. Mestrov/Moses trying to get Richo to chip in as much as possible is plausible!

Payten's managed by Moses and the article was written by Riccio (Moses' personal meat puppet) and Brent Read. it's legitimate.

 

[tigerballs]

Pretty serious charge and looks to have evidence stacked against him. What are the chances temhe NRL will let him back into the game if found guilty?

Gone if found guilty, right to play if victim doesn't testify.

 

[tigerballs]

obviously will need to have his contract registed and cleared by the NRL plus time to regain match fitness and sharpness.

you heard anything more about the situation? I recall you saying Richo was dubious.

It seems he's a bit of a nut job. He's set to sign up if things go his way. Let's see how that all goes for him.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Don't be surprised this is all Moses propaganda to increase the desperation within the Tigers with Manly waiting in the wings. Mestrov/Moses trying to get Richo to chip in as much as possible is plausible!

Were ever Bateman ends up at you can bet it will be delayed till he gets back hear so wages aren't payed before he's ready to train with his new club think its new year.

 

[Lestronge]

not opposed to Doueihi moving to the backs given as you say it's where he's the best chance of playing grade.

1. Mason
2. Staines
3. To'a
4. Doueihi
5. Naden
6. Sullivan
7. Fainu

means that Feledy, Craig and Saukuru start in Flegg and Lobb and Faataape miss out completely. Naden will have to make way when Makasini comes into Cup as well. they're probably the three that we need to shop therefore.

It’s crazy that , that’s pretty close to what some people had our starting backline last year ..
Pretty good indicator right there how far the team has come in 12 months

 

[2041]

nailed it. terrible signing. thanks Scott.

The only defence, really, is that we didn't know we were going to get Luai or that Galvin would come through so quickly when Sullivan signed. Doueihi was out for most of the season so we had to sign someone to play in the halves - two of them, in fact, assuming they didn't think Fainu was going to be a round one starter. And it wasn't as if everyone knew Sullivan was going to be as bad as he turned out: he was highly thought of coming through at the Dragons and we might have hoped to get more out of him than we did.

However... this is still the sort of panic buy badly run clubs make, and it's what keeps them bad. The Roosters are rooted in the halves this year, but they've contained the horror to a single season by making Chad Townsend the fill-in on a one-year deal. They missed out on Hunt but they'll be in on any decent half that becomes available (such as Galvin, God help us) and they back themselves to land one of them.

In fact, their problem is the opposite of ours: we panicked and gave far too many years to whatever was available, then got stuck with a nuffie running round in reserves for three years because we also landed the big fish. The Roosters missed the big fish (well, Ben Hunt - a medium sized fish) but only have one year of negative outcomes to deal with before they're in the clear.

 

[Telltails]

John Bateman has decided against advancing talks with the Rabbitohs – with a Queensland club emerging as a potential home for the English international.
South Sydney had been considering signing Bateman on the basis of his elite-level experience, hard-nosed mentality and likelihood that the Wests Tigers would contribute to a large portion of his salary.

However, it’s understood Bateman advised the Rabbitohs over the past 48-hours that he wouldn’t be pursuing any opportunity with the club.

Instead, it’s the Cowboys that have emerged as a possible destination for Bateman.

The 31-year-old would add a required toughness to their forward pack, while also proving a valuable mentor to the club’s talented batch of younger forwards including Heilum Luki, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai and Griffin Neame.

It’s believed initial discussions have been held between Bateman and the Cowboys.





——

Better load up on the 50+ sun screen Joneh

John might be thinking that staying with WTs is his best option with a strengthened squad. If Benji and he get past any of the suggested problems he may still be running out in our colours next season

 

[jadtiger]

View attachment 18282

A pom on holidays who is just about to find out the meaning of PAIN.A swim amongst the crocs or sharks should soon fix it

 

[jrtiger]

It’s crazy that , that’s pretty close to what some people had our starting backline last year ..
Pretty good indicator right there how far the team has come in 12 months

Richardson's done an incredible job with the outside backs. the purchases of Skelton and Turuva plus the emergence of Makasini and Laulili'i will mean that guys like To'a, Doueihi and Staines – who were a constant presence in first grade last year – will rightly be pushed down the depth chart.

the depth in the middle has also improved with May and Bird coming across, plus the emergence of Johannssen and Sione.

fix the depth issue in the back row and we're just about there.

 

[Tucker]

not opposed to Doueihi moving to the backs given as you say it's where he's the best chance of playing grade.

1. Mason
2. Staines
3. To'a
4. Doueihi
5. Naden
6. Sullivan
7. Fainu

means that Feledy, Craig and Saukuru start in Flegg and Lobb and Faataape miss out completely. Naden will have to make way when Makasini comes into Cup as well. they're probably the three that we need to shop therefore.

Faataape played the most games at centre last year for us.
I doubt theyll bin all the work theyve put in to him.

 

[Buttface]

Yep the most important decision will be how they think he will impact the younger guys off the field, hopefully won’t be a bad influence.

Hopefully he learns the lesson as a person, regardless of whether he plays football again. I have my doubts.

 

[Buttface]

John Bateman has decided against advancing talks with the Rabbitohs – with a Queensland club emerging as a potential home for the English international.
South Sydney had been considering signing Bateman on the basis of his elite-level experience, hard-nosed mentality and likelihood that the Wests Tigers would contribute to a large portion of his salary.

However, it’s understood Bateman advised the Rabbitohs over the past 48-hours that he wouldn’t be pursuing any opportunity with the club.

Instead, it’s the Cowboys that have emerged as a possible destination for Bateman.

The 31-year-old would add a required toughness to their forward pack, while also proving a valuable mentor to the club’s talented batch of younger forwards including Heilum Luki, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai and Griffin Neame.

It’s believed initial discussions have been held between Bateman and the Cowboys.





——

Better load up on the 50+ sun screen Joneh

He will melt in the shade up there.
Go Payto!!!

 

[jrtiger]

Faataape played the most games at centre last year for us.
I doubt theyll bin all the work theyve put in to him.

simply just going off what I've been told mate.

To'a and Doueihi have been training in the first grade side in the centres during preseason thus far in Olam and Turuva's absence. indicates Sol is probably about fifth choice.

 

[kiwitiger]

Unless a Christmas miracle happens, I guess the best we can hope for is that Bud absolutely kills it in NSW Cup for the Magpies next season to put himself in the shop window for 26 & 27.

Might need him in 27 if luai and galvin leave.

 

[Tucker]

Might need him in 27 if luai and galvin leave.

shhhhh!!
That sort of talk is heavily frowned upon round here.