Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

jrtiger said:
David Klemmer’s likely move to St George Illawarra will give Wests Tigers a war chest of up to $1 million to further add to one of the NRL’s most extensive roster overhauls.

After initially denying his request, the Dragons have granted Francis Molo permission to negotiate with other clubs. That move will cause a domino effect that is expected to result in Molo moving on and Klemmer coming in to replace him. It is a significant development for the Red V, who will be able to replace one former State of Origin prop with another.

Molo’s destination remains unclear, but there is no thought of a straight swap. Tigers coach Benji Marshall is happy with his front-row rotation, which includes Terrell May, Royce Hunt, Fonua Pole, Alex Twal, Alex Seyfarth and Samuela Fainu.

Klemmer hasn’t officially asked for a release but, given he hasn’t been selected in the Tigers’ two trial matches to date, has almost certainly played his last game for the club. The Tigers already have room in their salary cap and, pending the payout figure for Klemmer, could have up to seven figures to splurge on more signings.

Instead of spending their money on a prop, the Tigers can look at other positions after an aggressive recruitment drive already netted Jarome Luai, Sunia Turuva, May, Hunt, Jack Bird and Jeral Skelton.

Klemmer is on a deal worth about $675,000 a season, about $100,000 more than Molo’s annual salary at the Red V. The former Knights and Bulldogs forward would automatically trigger a contract extension if he played a reported 14 games this year for the Tigers, but that contractual clause is expected to soon become a moot point.

www.smh.com.au

Why Klemmer’s likely Dragons move could give Tigers $1 million war chest

Wests Tigers have overhauled their roster in recent times. Now, the likely departure of David Klemmer could give them another $1 million to spend.
www.smh.com.au www.smh.com.au
Click to expand...
My hunch is Benji sees Sam Fainu's future as a prop. For that to happen we obviously need 2 more first grade quality backrowers. I can understand waiting it out, rather than throwing in on a mediocre front rower for our top 30. What I don't want to see is any undeserved top 30 promotions to fill the spot, I believe that is a backward step.

Its frustrating to see players released with no one coming in, but ive got faith there is a method.
 
shankspony said:
Are you seriously criticising/questioning the recruitment that has occurred under Richo?
Click to expand...
Not criticising him totally, because yes I like what he has done with the backs , but u can’t go and buy one of the best half’s and give him a sub standard pack to work with , if u and others can’t see that well I don’t know how u see football
 
weststigers said:
Ok. The club sucks. The club is at fault for everything.

What should we do? They have literally overhauled the place in just a year with more to do. What changes are you pushing for?
Click to expand...
Well I hope u can give them ur support when we are at the bottom half again , I think we have a VERY solid backline , the half’s are the best we have had in ages , but letting go forwards without adding much needed forwards really worries me , the half’s need a pack to go forward and defend or it will all end the same as the last 3 years
 
GNR4LIFE said:
It’s been hit and miss. While signings like Luai and May have been great, it’s hard to defend releasing three players, possibly four and not signing a replacement for any of them.
Click to expand...
I can’t wait till this club succeeds Luai Richardson and Benji will personally come to your house and say I told ya SO.
 
weststigers said:
Maybe Kit L is the replacement?

May
Pole
Twal
Hunt
Kit L
Sione Fainu

Further down we have
T Johanssen
Broaderlowe

Not sure how keeping Klemmer in that mix would have helped. What are you hoping for?
Click to expand...
The experienced head we are losing , is just that a loss .
But even experience has a finite value attached to it .
My guess is the voices brought in over the summer along with the continued progression of guys like seyfarth and co. Probably has made Klems influence around the playing group a little diminished .
I was listening to an interview and one of the players talked about Klem , and it was completely with respect and awe , but like in the way you respect those OGs who came before , not in a “I’m going to beat this guy to the 17 “ type respect . It just made me pause at the time , because there was no even mention of him leaving. For front rowers when it goes , it goes quick.
 
I don’t believe what I’m reading sometimes.
If we go into a season with Kit Laulilli, Justin Matamua and Tim Johanssen as our first 3 middle forwards to call on as soon as we get an injury, we will finish bottom 4 and there will be nothing our class players can do about it.
They should be 3rd, 4th and 5th call ups at best.
It’s no point including Samuela Fainu and Alex Seyfarth as middles, they are required for the back row.
 
Last edited:
bptiger 0 said:
Not criticising him totally, because yes I like what he has done with the backs , but u can’t go and buy one of the best half’s and give him a sub standard pack to work with , if u and others can’t see that well I don’t know how u see football
Click to expand...
I see football through a tv or the sideline, not in the inner sanctum, so of course anything I believe is through my own lens without the knowledge of what is really occurring in the club.

As for the hysteria about not replacing the trio of forwards my thoughts are:

May for Steph (a clear win for us)

Bird for Bateman (not like for like, but if Bird tries hard, isn't an idiot on the field than he doesn't have to get to any great heights to match Bateman's contribution)

?? for Paps (yep no clear replacement has been picked up here but let's not forget we are replacing Tigers Ice not the bloke that played for the Eels. He didn't want to be here from the get go and although they will never reach the level that Paps was at Parra, Seyfarth or S Finau have the potential to match what Ice produced at our club)

Throw in Hunt and the backs and I am thrilled with the roster management. Of course being a Tigers fan my heart fears it will all go to shit but Richo and Benji have vastly improved our cattle on the team sheet, fingers crossed that translates positively to our position on the table.
 
Betterdays22 said:
My hunch is Benji sees Sam Fainu's future as a prop. For that to happen we obviously need 2 more first grade quality backrowers. I can understand waiting it out, rather than throwing in on a mediocre front rower for our top 30. What I don't want to see is any undeserved top 30 promotions to fill the spot, I believe that is a backward step.

Its frustrating to see players released with no one coming in, but ive got faith there is a method.
Click to expand...
I think that’s where he ends up as well, but probably not for a few years. he’s perfectly suited to the back row currently but as he grows the middle is definitely his spot.
 
Vicious said:
I don’t believe what I’m reading sometimes.
If we go into a season with Kit Laulilli, Justin Matamua and Tim Johanssen as our first 3 middle forwards to call on as soon as we get an injury, we will finish bottom 4 and there will be nothing our class players can do about it.
They should be 3rd, 4th and 5th call ups at best.
It’s no point including Samuela Fainu and Alex Seyfarth as middles, they are required for the back row.
Click to expand...
You agree V we are 2 big middles short now and Benji comes out and says we have plenty of middles I am beginning to think the knocks on him are starting to have some legs.
 
Vicious said:
I don’t believe what I’m reading sometimes.
If we go into a season with Kit Laulilli, Justin Matamua and Tim Johanssen as our first 3 middle forwards to call on as soon as we get an injury, we will finish bottom 4 and there will be nothing our class players can do about it.
They should be 3rd, 4th and 5th call ups at best.
It’s no point including Samuela Fainu and Alex Seyfarth as middles, they are required for the back row.
Click to expand...

Gotta think bigger picture than that.... it's not like Klemmer played well last year. He was average, and he wasn't going to be any better this year.

Benji most likely would've picked those guys ahead of Klemmer anyway - we really haven't lost much unless there's a big injury crisis

I think people are thinking about the Klemmer of 4-5 years ago more than the Klemmer that played last year.
 
jrtiger said:
I think that’s where he ends up as well, but probably not for a few years. he’s perfectly suited to the back row currently but as he grows the middle is definitely his spot.
Click to expand...
The thing is jr he is saying he is middle depth with Klem going, a couple of injuries and you may have to move him to the middle when we are already short on the edges, no confidence in the depth and size under Twal
 
Vicious said:
I don’t believe what I’m reading sometimes.
If we go into a season with Kit Laulilli, Justin Matamua and Tim Johanssen as our first 3 middle forwards to call on as soon as we get an injury, we will finish bottom 4 and there will be nothing our class players can do about it.
They should be 3rd, 4th and 5th call ups at best.
It’s no point including Samuela Fainu and Alex Seyfarth as middles, they are required for the back row.
Click to expand...
with two spots left, I think we need a lock and a back rower. if Taylan May hypothetically does come on the market then you clear out a Feledy, Matamua or Tumeth if need be.

Depth chart for middles reads now as follows:

May, Pole, Twal, Hunt, Bird, Si. Fainu, K. Laulili’i, Matamua, Johannssen*
 
JC99 said:
Gotta think bigger picture than that.... it's not like Klemmer played well last year. He was average, and he wasn't going to be any better this year.

Benji most likely would've picked those guys ahead of Klemmer anyway - we really haven't lost much unless there's a big injury crisis

I think people are thinking about the Klemmer of 4-5 years ago more than the Klemmer that played last year.
Click to expand...
Klemmer never missed a tackle and had a quick play the ball. He was well marked every run because no one else could cause any problems. Don't underestimate his contribution.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Members online

Total: 847 (members: 7, guests: 840)
Back
Top