Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Rusty]

Thanks for the intel kade7. I know I have said it before, but if we are looking at Lock/Backrow then we should keep agitating Madge re Kobe Hetherington. Kobe is a no-nonsense 80 minute tackling machine. That's what our team needs. If Kobe can help lock up the middle it gives our more skilled forwards such as Terrell, Hunt, Api, Sam F, and Pole more latitude to utilise their attacking prowess.

Cheese is too hot and cold and would cost a lot more than Kobe. Our backline should have enough points in it to win most games. We need to do something very Un-Wests Tigers and invest in a boring footballer. Every game Kobe is on the bench at the donkeys, Richo should be on the phone to his manager.

At least if Hetherington starts at lock and kills it, it will drive up his asking price. Ponies won't be able to afford him and "if true" that we almost had him, may put us in the box seat for his signature for 2026 and beyond.
Downside, may have to pay more, however, we will know what we are getting.

 

[tigerballs]

I think he's a good player, but just looked it up and am surprised he is only a 77% kicker.

Really thought he was a great kicker, but hard to disagree with you here. Consider my king knocked over.*

* Just to be clear, that's a chess reference! 😂

Don't let the numbers fool you. Great kickers don't necessarily have the best percentages because they kick from all over, sometimes from half way. It's worth a shot at the two points even from a long way out, provided they still kick it dead. It's easy to have a 95% rate if you only kick from right in front. Look at the number of goals he has actually kicked.

 

[Canadian Club]

Don't let the numbers fool you. Great kickers don't necessarily have the best percentages because they kick from all over, sometimes from half way. It's worth a shot at the two points even from a long way out, provided they still kick it dead. It's easy to have a 95% rate if you only kick from right in front. Look at the number of goals he has actually kicked.

Yep, and Manly score more long range tries than any team in the comp which means Garrick has more attempts in front of the posts than almost every other kicker.

There was a breakdown somewhere on the internet about a year ago which showed which kickers attempt the most kicks from the sideline and who is actually the best kicker based on kick position and difficulty.

 

[batboy]

smiths agent has had an initial chat with the club
tigers would be interested having cheese at the club only as a forward not as a hooker

believe cheese has given his agent 5 clubs of interest and tigers are one of them

Generous of him 😂😂😂
Wants to stay in Sydney,

There's 9 Clubs - He's already been walked from 1 of them,
No chance at 13 or 9 at the Panthers so count them out,
Now he's giving 5 of the remaining 7 the chance to secure his 'services'.

He'll talk to whoever he can
- He's just looked at the cap of most of the clubs and realised there's no money.
Good player on his day, Haven't seen one of those days for a long while now....
Couldn't do it at the Roosters, Best to leave him where he is.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Thanks for the intel kade7. I know I have said it before, but if we are looking at Lock/Backrow then we should keep agitating Madge re Kobe Hetherington. Kobe is a no-nonsense 80 minute tackling machine. That's what our team needs. If Kobe can help lock up the middle it gives our more skilled forwards such as Terrell, Hunt, Api, Sam F, and Pole more latitude to utilise their attacking prowess.

Cheese is too hot and cold and would cost a lot more than Kobe. Our backline should have enough points in it to win most games. We need to do something very Un-Wests Tigers and invest in a boring footballer. Every game Kobe is on the bench at the donkeys, Richo should be on the phone to his manager.

I know it's known we've publicly shown interest in Hetherington but I would much rather us target Ethan Bullemore. Also off-contract, backrow is his primary position, has just as good if not better tackle efficiency as Hetherington, has greater leg power to break the line in attack and oozes energy & effort.

He could walk into our right backrow position (unless Seyfarth brains it) whereas has more of a fight at Manly for a starting spot. I've mentioned before a potential stumbling block is his manager Isaac Moses but worth a crack for a similar $$$ amount as we were contemplating for Kobe.

 

[crazycat]

It’s a balance.

But talking of a NRL 1-13, only one post ago you let the best young footballer we’ve had debut since Teddy walk?

Well a raw truth, when Teddy was in our side we did not come last.

Two different problems:
The Tigers normally spend heavily on 'Depth' that doesn't even meet most sides first grade.
We sign overpriced players for super long contracts, then we don't have the cap space to make a real team...

Look I want to resign Galvin, yes he is going to be a damn good player. Just the way people talk about him they mention him like he will be a Tedesco or Cleary. Honestly, he isn't THAT good. We have Luai on 1M, we are still paying for Bateman and Bud. 700k no question, I would resign Galvin... but I suspect that bidding could go stupidly high.

We may loose the Galvin bidding war OR say goodbye to Bula and the Fainu's. I feel one of these players are gone and I would decide on the contracts and deals presented.


One thing that really, REALLY hurts us in these bidding wars is our DEPTH signing overpayments. Those fringe grade NRL signings that gobble up spare cap space. When we are paying so much of our cap into spaces 20-30, we don't stand a chance of keeping our stars. That's why I say we need to get a good 1-13, and were close.

I rant against DEPTH because it locks up our money in signing a good 1-13.... Likewise, Galvin may be a future player for our club to build on, he isn't "The Future".

 

[batboy]

Well a raw truth, when Teddy was in our side we did not come last.

Two different problems:
The Tigers normally spend heavily on 'Depth' that doesn't even meet most sides first grade.
We sign overpriced players for super long contracts, then we don't have the cap space to make a real team...

Look I want to resign Galvin, yes he is going to be a damn good player. Just the way people talk about him they mention him like he will be a Tedesco or Cleary. Honestly, he isn't THAT good. We have Luai on 1M, we are still paying for Bateman and Bud. 700k no question, I would resign Galvin... but I suspect that bidding could go stupidly high.

We may loose the Galvin bidding war OR say goodbye to Bula and the Fainu's. I feel one of these players are gone and I would decide on the contracts and deals presented.


One thing that really, REALLY hurts us in these bidding wars is our DEPTH signing overpayments. Those fringe grade NRL signings that gobble up spare cap space. When we are paying so much of our cap into spaces 20-30, we don't stand a chance of keeping our stars. That's why I say we need to get a good 1-13, and were close.

I rant against DEPTH because it locks up our money in signing a good 1-13.... Likewise, Galvin may be a future player for our club to build on, he isn't "The Future".

Galvin may not be a superstar (yet)
but make no mistake

- He's a Franchise player...

 

[SeanT]

Thanks for the intel kade7. I know I have said it before, but if we are looking at Lock/Backrow then we should keep agitating Madge re Kobe Hetherington. Kobe is a no-nonsense 80 minute tackling machine. That's what our team needs. If Kobe can help lock up the middle it gives our more skilled forwards such as Terrell, Hunt, Api, Sam F, and Pole more latitude to utilise their attacking prowess.

Cheese is too hot and cold and would cost a lot more than Kobe. Our backline should have enough points in it to win most games. We need to do something very Un-Wests Tigers and invest in a boring footballer. Every game Kobe is on the bench at the donkeys, Richo should be on the phone to his manager.

Yeah agreed. Kobe for lock. He can play 80 minutes or close too. Helps our rotation. Smiths best position would be lock.

Unfortunately I think Madge will put. Kobe at lock and Carrington in the front row. If Walters. Stayed at the Broncos a little longer I think WWE could of signed him. Really bad timing.


If we added Kobe and a decent 2nd rower we would be a top 8 side.

 

[SeanT]

So if Klemmer doesn't stay next year and wee gett ridd off a few more we will have plenty off cash to splash.

Hopefully Bud stays in 2026. Will help our team with an extra spot.

 

[Odessa]

Lets be realistic...
If 2025 changes, it's because of Luai. Not Galvin.
Sure the guy seems to be a good footballer. Maybe a future SOO rep.

But he isn't that fantastic I would be going too much over 1m to renew him.

Don't get me wrong, I would like to keep him. Not going to open the bank account wide to do so.
Luai + Latu at the halves actually isn't a bad pairing.

Galvin at most is a 450-500K player he's done nothing just alot of promise and 500K is way overs but he's at the Tigers

 

[Tiger Stripes]

I know it's known we've publicly shown interest in Hetherington but I would much rather us target Ethan Bullemore. Also off-contract, backrow is his primary position, has just as good if not better tackle efficiency as Hetherington, has greater leg power to break the line in attack and oozes energy & effort.

He could walk into our right backrow position (unless Seyfarth brains it) whereas has more of a fight at Manly for a starting spot. I've mentioned before a potential stumbling block is his manager Isaac Moses but worth a crack for a similar $$$ amount as we were contemplating for Kobe.

Totally agree.
Haven't seen Hetherington play, but have seen Bullemore and was impressed.
Big solid guy and if similar tackle efficiency and if available 2026 I'm in.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

I know it's known we've publicly shown interest in Hetherington but I would much rather us target Ethan Bullemore. Also off-contract, backrow is his primary position, has just as good if not better tackle efficiency as Hetherington, has greater leg power to break the line in attack and oozes energy & effort.

He could walk into our right backrow position (unless Seyfarth brains it) whereas has more of a fight at Manly for a starting spot. I've mentioned before a potential stumbling block is his manager Isaac Moses but worth a crack for a similar $$$ amount as we were contemplating for Kobe.

Just had a look at his manly profile 110kg and 24yo 2nd rower just what we need for the right side off contract 26?

 

[Odessa]

Totally agree.
Haven't seen Hetherington play, but have seen Bullemore and was impressed.
Big solid guy and if similar tackle efficiency and if available 2026 I'm in.

He gave up the game around 18 months ago to stay in real estate then had an about face

When he was coming through at the Broncos he was the next big thing played some prop as well

 

[TurnStyle]

Don't let the numbers fool you. Great kickers don't necessarily have the best percentages because they kick from all over, sometimes from half way. It's worth a shot at the two points even from a long way out, provided they still kick it dead. It's easy to have a 95% rate if you only kick from right in front. Look at the number of goals he has actually kicked.

I did give AD the benefit of the doubt and ironically (hypocritically?!) said in an earlier post you can't just look at numbers.

So, was actually less forgiving to Garrick, as being a very good kicker was half the reason I thought he'd be good.

I will confess that I was tempted to say he takes half of his attempts on that cow paddock they call a field at Brookvale; I know the ball is on a tee, but footing can't be the best there.

I could also be wrong about the surface...may be better now, but it will forever be burnt into my memory as a poor surface.

 

[JB9918]

Anyone got the latest Saint, Sinner, Shoosh article? Please & thank you.

 

[SeanT]

Bullemore and Kobe would be perfect. Young and dynamic. Would become of the best packs in the comp.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Bullemore and Kobe would be perfect. Young and dynamic. Would become of the best packs in the comp.

Kobe is not going anywhere. Madge loves him.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Anyone got the latest Saint, Sinner, Shoosh article? Please & thank you.

Part 1

Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Tigers CEO shuts down club’s barber shop; NRL star’s disastrous DIY haircut
Wests Tigers boss Shane Richardson gets rid of barber shop, a Raiders star’s Las Vegas scare, Anthony Watmough makes his return to Brookvale, plus more in Saint, Sinner, Shoosh.

January 18, 2025 - 4:00PM

Wests Tigers boss Shane Richardson has closed down the barber shop inside the club’s multimillion-dollar training facility at Concord, declaring “we are not in the haircutting business”.

The Tigers’ $75m training base was opened to much fanfare in 2022. While it included all the modern amenities of a state-of-the-art training hub – including gym, theatrette, sauna, steam room, lap pool, ice baths and a sleeping room – one of the biggest drawcards was a barber.

The hairdresser salon was put in place by a previous administration and it is unclear how many times it was actually used.

Richardson has removed it from the club’s headquarters.

“We just want to make a statement,” Richardson said. “We are all about business and that isn’t the haircutting business.

“Players earn enough to get their own haircuts. The bottom line to have a barber shop in a high-performance centre is not really what we wanted to look like as a club.”

Richardson is in the process of selling off the hairdressing equipment.

“We’ve managed to sell a few things like chairs,” he said.

“We’ll put that money back into the junior leagues.

“We’re all about business. That’s what it is about.”

Richardson is unsure what he will do with the space.

SAINT
Destanee Aiava overcame plenty of personal hurdles to claim her maiden grand slam victory.

She may have lost to ungracious Yank Danielle Collins in the second round of the Australian Open but still won plenty of fans.

“It was really fun,” Aiava said of the raucous crowd.

“It kind of sounded like a rugby league match.”

SINNER
The Indians were rattled by Sam Konstas’ first Test innings, but the Poms have gone one better – losing the plot without even facing our teen wizard.

The Guardian’s chief sports writer Barney Ronay has led the charge, ridiculously calling Konstas cricket’s version of Raygun, saying he’s a “gimmicky … wispy-moustachioed bloke who hasn’t scored any runs”.

The Ashes starts in 306 days. We wish it was tomorrow.

SPOTTED
Tigers centre Justin Olam getting in an extra training session at PARC Fitness in Wetherill Park on Saturday.

SPOTTED
Mitchell Pearce enjoying a night out at a steakhouse in Parramatta on Thursday night.

SPOTTED
A host of NRL stars including Campbell Graham, Cameron Murray and Nicho Hynes on hand to celebrate Liam Knight’s birthday alongside his partner Danika Mason. They enjoyed a feed by renowned chef Ibrahim Kasif at Nour.

SPOTTED
Josh Morris pushing a pram at Miranda Westfield.

SPOTTED
Ivan Cleary having a beer looking relaxed with his wife Rebecca and dog in the sunshine at the Newport Arms.

SHOOSH
Which NRL coach went under the knife to repair an old playing injury during the holiday period?

SHOOSH
Which former star athlete turned up to broadcast a game he wasn’t scheduled to call?

SHOOSH
Which NRL player felt like he needed to wear a hat during recent media commitments after DIY haircut went wrong?

SHOOSH
Which coach is considering putting up a barrier to stop fans from looking into training sessions?

SHOOSH
Which Queensland NRL club is tightening the purse strings and slashing its budget by about $1 million this year?

DRAGONS FLIP COYNE
Former Dragons captain Mark Coyne has been earmarked for a spot on St George Illawarra’s board.

It is understood that Coyne will be parachuted on to the Dragons board as a representative from the St George side of the partnership by the time the season kicks off.

Long-time board member and former major sponsor Martin Newman is expected to step down.

After some time away from the club, Coyne has been brought into the inner sanctum since Shane Flanagan’s appointment as coach.

The pair are close and Coyne had a slight hand in helping Flanagan land the head coaching spot. Coyne has been at events and taken on a mentor role with the players since Flanagan arrived at the club.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN …
Wests Tigers marquee recruit Jarome Luai has revealed the anguish he saw Terrell May go through after being told he was no longer wanted by the Roosters.

Luai was in England with May as the pair were about to play in the second and final Test of the series for Samoa against England.

Luai was Samoan captain and saw first-hand just how rattled May was when he received the surprise phone call from Roosters coach Trent Robinson to tell him that he was free to leave the club.

“He wasn’t going to play that second game,” Luai said.

“To play that second game with all those questions and doubts in his head and worries shows what kind of character he is.”

Luai was quickly in May’s ear to tell him that if the Roosters did not want him then he should follow him to Wests Tigers.

“ I wasn’t direct but I was beating around the bush and having a couple of jokes,” Luai said. “Those talks started to become serious. Hopefully I had some influence on that.

“We are happy to have him. He is going to be a great asset.

“He is coming with a bit of a chip on his shoulder and is dangerous to other teams.”

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Part 1

Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Tigers CEO shuts down club’s barber shop; NRL star’s disastrous DIY haircut
Wests Tigers boss Shane Richardson gets rid of barber shop, a Raiders star’s Las Vegas scare, Anthony Watmough makes his return to Brookvale, plus more in Saint, Sinner, Shoosh.

January 18, 2025 - 4:00PM

Wests Tigers boss Shane Richardson has closed down the barber shop inside the club’s multimillion-dollar training facility at Concord, declaring “we are not in the haircutting business”.

The Tigers’ $75m training base was opened to much fanfare in 2022. While it included all the modern amenities of a state-of-the-art training hub – including gym, theatrette, sauna, steam room, lap pool, ice baths and a sleeping room – one of the biggest drawcards was a barber.

The hairdresser salon was put in place by a previous administration and it is unclear how many times it was actually used.

Richardson has removed it from the club’s headquarters.

“We just want to make a statement,” Richardson said. “We are all about business and that isn’t the haircutting business.

“Players earn enough to get their own haircuts. The bottom line to have a barber shop in a high-performance centre is not really what we wanted to look like as a club.”

Richardson is in the process of selling off the hairdressing equipment.

“We’ve managed to sell a few things like chairs,” he said.

“We’ll put that money back into the junior leagues.

“We’re all about business. That’s what it is about.”

Richardson is unsure what he will do with the space.

SAINT
Destanee Aiava overcame plenty of personal hurdles to claim her maiden grand slam victory.

She may have lost to ungracious Yank Danielle Collins in the second round of the Australian Open but still won plenty of fans.

“It was really fun,” Aiava said of the raucous crowd.

“It kind of sounded like a rugby league match.”

SINNER
The Indians were rattled by Sam Konstas’ first Test innings, but the Poms have gone one better – losing the plot without even facing our teen wizard.

The Guardian’s chief sports writer Barney Ronay has led the charge, ridiculously calling Konstas cricket’s version of Raygun, saying he’s a “gimmicky … wispy-moustachioed bloke who hasn’t scored any runs”.

The Ashes starts in 306 days. We wish it was tomorrow.

SPOTTED
Tigers centre Justin Olam getting in an extra training session at PARC Fitness in Wetherill Park on Saturday.

SPOTTED
Mitchell Pearce enjoying a night out at a steakhouse in Parramatta on Thursday night.

SPOTTED
A host of NRL stars including Campbell Graham, Cameron Murray and Nicho Hynes on hand to celebrate Liam Knight’s birthday alongside his partner Danika Mason. They enjoyed a feed by renowned chef Ibrahim Kasif at Nour.

SPOTTED
Josh Morris pushing a pram at Miranda Westfield.

SPOTTED
Ivan Cleary having a beer looking relaxed with his wife Rebecca and dog in the sunshine at the Newport Arms.

SHOOSH
Which NRL coach went under the knife to repair an old playing injury during the holiday period?

SHOOSH
Which former star athlete turned up to broadcast a game he wasn’t scheduled to call?

SHOOSH
Which NRL player felt like he needed to wear a hat during recent media commitments after DIY haircut went wrong?

SHOOSH
Which coach is considering putting up a barrier to stop fans from looking into training sessions?

SHOOSH
Which Queensland NRL club is tightening the purse strings and slashing its budget by about $1 million this year?

DRAGONS FLIP COYNE
Former Dragons captain Mark Coyne has been earmarked for a spot on St George Illawarra’s board.

It is understood that Coyne will be parachuted on to the Dragons board as a representative from the St George side of the partnership by the time the season kicks off.

Long-time board member and former major sponsor Martin Newman is expected to step down.

After some time away from the club, Coyne has been brought into the inner sanctum since Shane Flanagan’s appointment as coach.

The pair are close and Coyne had a slight hand in helping Flanagan land the head coaching spot. Coyne has been at events and taken on a mentor role with the players since Flanagan arrived at the club.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN …
Wests Tigers marquee recruit Jarome Luai has revealed the anguish he saw Terrell May go through after being told he was no longer wanted by the Roosters.

Luai was in England with May as the pair were about to play in the second and final Test of the series for Samoa against England.

Luai was Samoan captain and saw first-hand just how rattled May was when he received the surprise phone call from Roosters coach Trent Robinson to tell him that he was free to leave the club.

“He wasn’t going to play that second game,” Luai said.

“To play that second game with all those questions and doubts in his head and worries shows what kind of character he is.”

Luai was quickly in May’s ear to tell him that if the Roosters did not want him then he should follow him to Wests Tigers.

“ I wasn’t direct but I was beating around the bush and having a couple of jokes,” Luai said. “Those talks started to become serious. Hopefully I had some influence on that.

“We are happy to have him. He is going to be a great asset.

“He is coming with a bit of a chip on his shoulder and is dangerous to other teams.”

Part 2

RAIDER CLEARED TO FLY
Canberra star Josh Papalii has been given the all clear to travel and play in Las Vegas despite a court case hanging over his head.

Papalii travelled to Sydney just before Christmas to meet with the US Consulate to ensure his Visa would be approved.

The Raiders veteran was given the green light although he will face court on February 6 – just weeks before Canberra will travel to the US for their round one clash against the Warriors.

Papalii has indicated he will plead not guilty to an incident last September. Police claimed that they spoke to the three men and asked them to leave but Papalii became verbally abusive and threatened officers.

Officers negotiated with the group and the three men left, but returned a short time later.

When the men were asked to leave again, police allege Papalii tried to intimidate the officers before the group finally departed the area.

His lawyer, Tom Taylor, confirmed in court in November that Papalii would be pleading not guilty.

Raiders teammate Tom Starling also fronted up to the US Consulate where he too was given the all clear to pack his bags for Las Vegas

MANLY GET CHOCCIES
Manly premiership winner Anthony Watmough is back at the club in a formal capacity after the retired representative backrower was appointed coach of the Sea Eagles’ Jersey Flegg team.

Watmough briefly fell out with the club’s hierarchy last year after suggestions they would relocate their junior development to western Sydney.

However, they have since moved everything in-house. That has led to Watmough – one of the best local products to come through Manly’s system – to step into a leading role at the club.

RABBITOH WHO …?
South Sydney players are getting accustomed to being back with coach Wayne Bennett.

Lewis Dodd had to reintroduce himself to Bennett after his new coach quipped that he didn’t know who he was. He reportedly did something similar with Jack Wighton. Returning prop Tevita Tatola also had a taste of a ‘Bennett-ism’ when the pair reunited.

“When he first saw me he only said to me ‘what have you been doing’,” Tatola said. “I told him I haven’t been able to do anything.

“It’s good to have him back. It’s such a positive vibe.”

LOZ GOES INTERNATIONAL
Laurie Daley may have been forced to stand-down from spruiking odds but the returning NSW coach will be able to keep his spot on the International Rugby League board. Daley joined the international governing body last February and has been earmarked as a potential chairman.

It is understood though there is no conflict despite Daley coaching the Blues this year.

MANLY’S TURBO BOOST
Manly coach Anthony Seibold says winning without Tom Trbojevic last season was a major growth area for his team as he ponders how to negotiate with a tricky string of games this year.

The Sea Eagles have identified two points of the season where they may need to manage some players in a bid to keep them fit at the business end of the season.

Manly play three games in 11 days between round 10-12, which includes a road trip to Townsville. Earlier in the season they will play three matches in 12 days, including a visit to Perth in rounds 5-7.

“This isn’t talking specifically around ‘Turbo’ (Trbojevic), but we’re going to have to do some advanced planning,” Seibold said.

“We’re just going to have to really plan ahead, whether we travel early, whether we do hit-and-run trips, whether we rotate some players. We haven’t come up with the answers yet, but they’re all questions that we need to debate because it is a really sort of funny draw for us.

“So we have to be smart about our program. I’m not convinced we need to rest players or rotate players, but all those questions are on the table and internally as a staff, we need to try and debate them. I just know for us to get to where we want to go, we want ‘Turbo’ in the side.”

Manly has traditionally struggled when Trbojevic has been sidelined through injury. It won two of the four games Trbojevic missed at the midpoint of last season, with Lehi Hopoate impressing at the back.

“One of the big areas for growth for us was to be able to win big games without Turbo, right?” Seibold said. “Because typically that’s been the knock on Manly.

“Turbo, in my opinion, is in the top two or three players in the game, period. He is outstanding. The knock on Manly has been we can’t win without Turbo. And the results back that up. But one of the things we were able to do this year was win some big games without Turbo, which was an area for growth for us.”

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Part 2

RAIDER CLEARED TO FLY
Canberra star Josh Papalii has been given the all clear to travel and play in Las Vegas despite a court case hanging over his head.

Papalii travelled to Sydney just before Christmas to meet with the US Consulate to ensure his Visa would be approved.

The Raiders veteran was given the green light although he will face court on February 6 – just weeks before Canberra will travel to the US for their round one clash against the Warriors.

Papalii has indicated he will plead not guilty to an incident last September. Police claimed that they spoke to the three men and asked them to leave but Papalii became verbally abusive and threatened officers.

Officers negotiated with the group and the three men left, but returned a short time later.

When the men were asked to leave again, police allege Papalii tried to intimidate the officers before the group finally departed the area.

His lawyer, Tom Taylor, confirmed in court in November that Papalii would be pleading not guilty.

Raiders teammate Tom Starling also fronted up to the US Consulate where he too was given the all clear to pack his bags for Las Vegas

MANLY GET CHOCCIES
Manly premiership winner Anthony Watmough is back at the club in a formal capacity after the retired representative backrower was appointed coach of the Sea Eagles’ Jersey Flegg team.

Watmough briefly fell out with the club’s hierarchy last year after suggestions they would relocate their junior development to western Sydney.

However, they have since moved everything in-house. That has led to Watmough – one of the best local products to come through Manly’s system – to step into a leading role at the club.

RABBITOH WHO …?
South Sydney players are getting accustomed to being back with coach Wayne Bennett.

Lewis Dodd had to reintroduce himself to Bennett after his new coach quipped that he didn’t know who he was. He reportedly did something similar with Jack Wighton. Returning prop Tevita Tatola also had a taste of a ‘Bennett-ism’ when the pair reunited.

“When he first saw me he only said to me ‘what have you been doing’,” Tatola said. “I told him I haven’t been able to do anything.

“It’s good to have him back. It’s such a positive vibe.”

LOZ GOES INTERNATIONAL
Laurie Daley may have been forced to stand-down from spruiking odds but the returning NSW coach will be able to keep his spot on the International Rugby League board. Daley joined the international governing body last February and has been earmarked as a potential chairman.

It is understood though there is no conflict despite Daley coaching the Blues this year.

MANLY’S TURBO BOOST
Manly coach Anthony Seibold says winning without Tom Trbojevic last season was a major growth area for his team as he ponders how to negotiate with a tricky string of games this year.

The Sea Eagles have identified two points of the season where they may need to manage some players in a bid to keep them fit at the business end of the season.

Manly play three games in 11 days between round 10-12, which includes a road trip to Townsville. Earlier in the season they will play three matches in 12 days, including a visit to Perth in rounds 5-7.

“This isn’t talking specifically around ‘Turbo’ (Trbojevic), but we’re going to have to do some advanced planning,” Seibold said.

“We’re just going to have to really plan ahead, whether we travel early, whether we do hit-and-run trips, whether we rotate some players. We haven’t come up with the answers yet, but they’re all questions that we need to debate because it is a really sort of funny draw for us.

“So we have to be smart about our program. I’m not convinced we need to rest players or rotate players, but all those questions are on the table and internally as a staff, we need to try and debate them. I just know for us to get to where we want to go, we want ‘Turbo’ in the side.”

Manly has traditionally struggled when Trbojevic has been sidelined through injury. It won two of the four games Trbojevic missed at the midpoint of last season, with Lehi Hopoate impressing at the back.

“One of the big areas for growth for us was to be able to win big games without Turbo, right?” Seibold said. “Because typically that’s been the knock on Manly.

“Turbo, in my opinion, is in the top two or three players in the game, period. He is outstanding. The knock on Manly has been we can’t win without Turbo. And the results back that up. But one of the things we were able to do this year was win some big games without Turbo, which was an area for growth for us.”

PART 3

BURGESS’ PIE FACE

Sam Burgess and South Sydney are seemingly on good terms again after the Rabbitohs hero finally featured in the eighth and final part of their 2014 premiership documentary.



Burgess has had little to do with the club since his inglorious mid-season exit from Maroubra in August last year that prompted his return to England.



But more than a year after his dramatic walkout, a candid Burgess recalled memories from the famous triumph that ended a 43-year title drought.



Part of the episode included an interview with English compatriot James Graham, who revealed a hilarious exchange between the pair during their grand final.



Knowing Burgess has fractured his cheekbone in the first tackle of the match, Graham sought Burgess at a scrum and said: ‘Sam, you need to go off. You’ve got a face like a dropped pie’.



And how did Sam respond?



“I told him to get f$&!*ed. Who thinks of that line in the middle of a grand final?” he said.



“I had a little chuckle but I didn’t show him much. I just bit down on the mouthguard and I thought, ‘Let’s go’.”



TIGERS ADDITION

Barnstorming Wests Tigers centre Justin Olam welcomed his first child this week.



Olam’s partner gave birth to the boy, named Kawallequi, on Tuesday evening.



The 31-year-old Olam underwent double knee surgery late last year and is keen to bounce back into a new-look backline in 2025 that will feature Penrith premiership stars Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva.



NEW DRAGON’S HOT START
Former Australian rugby sevens star Nathan Lawson has made a strong start to his NRL switch, clocking an impressive four minutes 34 seconds in St George Illawarra’s Bronco fitness test this week.

Lawson, who is almost 100kg and pushing for a starting wing spot at the Dragons, having made the transition from union last month.

The 25-year-old was named in the World Sevens dream team and claimed the Australian men’s sevens player of the year award before his shock switch.

TAH’S NIGHT TERRORS
The NSW Waratahs players are conducting short straw games to avoid rooming with new lock Ben Grant, who recently discovered he calls lineouts in his sleep.

Grant’s partner was recently startled awake by the 26-year-old calling specific lineout numbers in his dream, and it has now become a nightly habit.

Grant, born in Queensland, spent the past couple of seasons in New Zealand with the Hurricanes, but has joined the Tahs as a crucial lock option.

The 205cm giant will play an important role in the pack after second-row option Fergus Lee-Warner suffered a serious foot injury in pre-season training.

CHOOK’S NEW DEAL
Word is that the Roosters will give hooker Zach Dockar-Clay a one-year extension, adding depth to their roster.

Dockar-Clay made his debut for the Roosters last year, having previously played for the Bulldogs and in the Super League with Hull.

The 29-year-old was embroiled in the live video stream scandal last May involving Brandon Smith, Terrell May, Naufahu Whyte and Spencer Leniu, but all players were cleared of taking any illegal substances after an investigation.

Smith comes off contract at the end of this season and won’t stay in Bondi, with Reece Robson already signed to the Chooksand Dockar-Clay to be used as a replacement option at hooker or in the halves.

NO RUSH FOR RED V
The Dragons search for a chief executive continues after frontrunner Mike Rush opted against pursing the job. It is understood that talks between the St Helens boss and the Dragons were well advanced but he has since indicated he won’t be taking up the position.