Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

The sooner, the better....
The NRL really needs to act quickly, and FIX this blight on our game, and start to really hold managers and players accountable for their contractual obligations.
Moving forward, we should have nothing to do with Moses. IMO he should be made an example of, and a full investigation into Moses's actions. So far he seems like the Teflon Don, nothing is sticking to him....

I don't see much of a way around this. Agents not having coaches is one thing, but it doesn't stop agents from playing the games they do with agitating for releases with a secret deal on the table.

Depending on the legalities, you could start by regulating certain clauses. For example, the Luai deal is for 5 years, yet he has a get out clause for 3 of the 5 years. In essence, it's not really a 5 year deal for both parties, just for the player if they choose to take up their option.

Secondly, a player that requests a release, must mediate with the club with an NRL mediator and the details of that mediation made public in the interests of transparent dealings.

If a player knows that their BS reasons for leaving are going to be made public, they might think twice. This Galvin situation where he says he has no deal on the table, yet Benji is not right for his development doesn't make sense. Supposedly, there is no offer on the table, so is Galvin saying that any of the other 16 coaches in the NRL are going to be better for him than Benji? It doesn't stand up to any scrutiny. The process for leaving a club early should be more difficult and go through a clear process.

Player and club can still mutually agree to cut ties.

If a club wants to cut a player, they can still allow him into the market to find a new club, because they are on the hook for his salary regardless.

I think that could solve a few issues, but not all.
 
That’s not the point I’m making though. Going to Parra makes no sense. It has to be a good club.
Going to tweek what your saying..

"It has to look like a good club".

Notice the slight but very important difference here. I suspect the Gold Coast are a crap club at the moment, but I have no doubt Des could make it sound like a NRL wonderland. Stephen Kearney was able to sell Parramatta and the Warriors to a bunch of players... I believe he got spoons at both clubs and if he dinnit he did not do much better.

"Adam O'Brien at the Knights, Shane Flanagan at the Dragons, Anthony Seibold at Manly, Toddy Payten at the Cowboys, and Andrew Webster at the Warriors"

I believe Manly has said no, they also need a halfback not a 5/8. Knights don't have the money after Brown.

Parra is one choice and if they don't do well. Moses can use Galvin to get rid of Jason "can't coach" Ryles!

(for the record, I reckon Ryles can build a team.. but will struggle with attacking structure. I see no willingness from him to hire people who will improve his weaknesses... Ryles will do OK, making the 8 but not finals).
 
That’s not the point I’m making though. Going to Parra makes no sense. It has to be a good club.
It makes no sense only because of the flimsy reason he's given. If you remember, he gave a totally different reason the year before and we released Large, moved Sullivan to Souths and debuted him in Rd 1, yet now it's Benji's coaching. I'm sure if we sacked Benji and put in Bellamy, he would find another reason he wants to leave.

There is a monster deal on the table somewhere or, and I am totally speculating here, he doesn't fit the islander culture at the club and he can't really say that publicly. He is also an ex-Parra fanboy and his old school coach is an assistant at Parra. It may be a childhood dream and he may feel more comfortable there.

He's a bit of an awkward kid, so he may struggle to fit into the gold chain influencer brigade. He just ain't that cool.
 
That’s not the point I’m making though. Going to Parra makes no sense. It has to be a good club.
It’s been revealed Mitchell Moses has been meeting up with Galvin for lunch and obviously it wasn’t to discuss the weather.
Isaac is Mitchell’s uncle and Mitchell’s brother Stephen works for Isaac.
Mitchell can work as the go between in negotiations between the Eels and Galvin and nobody other than those two, Isaac and the Eels would know about it, so it’s near impossible to pin them for anti tampering, unless Galvin himself speaks out.
This being the case and with Isaac having a vendetta against Benji and Wests Tigers, you can only imagine the crap that Mitchell has likely been filling Galvin’s head with.
He would no doubt be telling him what a great coach Ryles is even though he cannot win a game and would no doubt be making Lachie feel important by telling him he will be a vital part of their rebuild and probably filling him with information about what players the club are targeting.
Lachie will be an Eel and the agreement has already been done with our old friend Mitchell as the mouthpiece 💯
 
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There is no forward in our current rotation I would drop for Matterson.

If he would be good depth if he is willing to wait for an aside if there were no other factors. Since there are other factors I think and hope its a risk we don't take.
The cardboard cut out would be more dependable and a lesser risk.
 
Puzzling is you completely and repeatedly ignore the Latu/Luai dynamic, the Benji/Moses 1 dynamic, the Galvin/Moses 2 dynamic, the Father loving Parra dynamic, the the club does not see him as a long term half dynamic, the Gus Gould dynamic...
Ok, let’s look at it:
1. The Latu/Luai dynamic - the club clearly chose Galvin and steadfastly stuck by him even when Latu was fit to play. This is despite Latu being ahead in the pecking order before season 24 began. Luai has talked Latu up and maybe this plays into the cultural thing with them both being Samoan? Luai has also talked up Galvin many times. This does not explain the attraction of Parramatta.
2. The Benji/Moses dynamic - this is rough and was used to try and get an early release and the club almost fell for it. Benji did a reasonably good job of shutting it down even though his players threw fuel on the fire. Despite how ugly this is, it doesn’t explain why he would go to Parramatta.
3. The Galvin/Moses dynamic - I’m assuming you are referring to Mitchell? Is there a dynamic? Mitch is a dominant half who is very unlikely to give the bulk of possession to a kid he doesn’t really know playing wise. Galvin craves as many touches as possible. Again, this isn’t a great partnership on paper.
4. His father loves Parra - this may hold some weight, but we are talking about a long contract possibly and that’s not a great reason to uproot and go to a club that’s struggling.
5. The club don’t see him as a long term half dynamic - This has been mentioned, but is not particular to the Tigers. I’ve heard many commentators say it as well including Joey, Freddy, Vossy, Brandy and assorted podcasters. The fact is, we have given him his start, in the halves and played him there irrespective of how he has been going. Parra may have made a promise to him. I doubt it though as anything can happen and locking yourself in to a decision like that years in advance is not good policy.
6. The Gus Gould dynamic - I’ve mentioned this more than you have. I think outside influence from powerbrokers external to his team are stirring the pot far more than is being reported. Most of the big clubs need him and finding cap space for 27 onwards wouldn’t be a stretch for most of them. As you have chosen Gus, explain how his influence equals a move to Parramatta.

So there you go, I haven’t missed or ignored any of this stuff and I am still puzzled as to why he is so hell bent to leave this club and head somewhere worse. If he winds up at the Dogs, Panthers, Chooks etc it makes more sense.
 
It’s been revealed Mitchell Moses has been meeting up with Galvin for lunch and obviously it wasn’t to discuss the weather.
Isaac is Mitchell’s uncle and Mitchell’s brother Stephen works for Isaac.
Mitchell can work as the go between in negotiations between the Eels and Galvin and nobody other than those two, Isaac and the Eels would know about it, so it’s near impossible to pin them for anti tampering, unless Galvin himself speaks out.
This being the case and with Isaac having a vendetta against Benji and Wests Tigers, you can only imagine the crap that Mitchell has likely been filling Galvin’s head with.
He would no doubt be telling him what a great coach Ryles is even though he cannot win a game and would no doubt be making Lachie feel important by telling him he will be a vital part of their rebuild and probably filling him with information about what players the club are targeting.
Lachie will be an Eel and the agreement has already been done with our old friend Mitchell as the mouthpiece 💯
I've come to terms with Galvin leaving and part of me hopes he signs with Parra. They are in a shocking position atm and Ryles is going to take a while to change the culture in that club before they are any chance of being a top 4 team. I really hope he doesn't end up at the dogs. He will just latch onto the success the dogs and Ciraldo have put so much work into and will only feel more justified in leaving WTs.

Galvin can rot with Moses.
 
We’ll have to wait and see I suppose.
Why a player like him would leave a squad that’s clearly improving to go to one that is still descending towards rock bottom is puzzling.
Agree, it makes no sense if it is a lowly team. We are the ones who can also upgrade his salary this year and next (likely around $1M upgrade over those 2 years). If we stick firm and hold him he can’t get that upgrade until 2027. Obviously the play though is to agitate to get him out early.

That’s why I’m wondering how much of this is Isaac Mose’s ego at work and his dislike for Benji. Don’t think it’s necessarily serving Galvin’s best interests. I think there are a few player agents who push agendas more for themselves than their player’s interests.

Galvin (and family) have either been hoodwinked or have drunk the coolaid on his hype and have become super entitled.
 
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Ok, let’s look at it:
1. The Latu/Luai dynamic - the club clearly chose Galvin and steadfastly stuck by him even when Latu was fit to play. This is despite Latu being ahead in the pecking order before season 24 began. Luai has talked Latu up and maybe this plays into the cultural thing with them both being Samoan? Luai has also talked up Galvin many times. This does not explain the attraction of Parramatta.
2. The Benji/Moses dynamic - this is rough and was used to try and get an early release and the club almost fell for it. Benji did a reasonably good job of shutting it down even though his players threw fuel on the fire. Despite how ugly this is, it doesn’t explain why he would go to Parramatta.
3. The Galvin/Moses dynamic - I’m assuming you are referring to Mitchell? Is there a dynamic? Mitch is a dominant half who is very unlikely to give the bulk of possession to a kid he doesn’t really know playing wise. Galvin craves as many touches as possible. Again, this isn’t a great partnership on paper.
4. His father loves Parra - this may hold some weight, but we are talking about a long contract possibly and that’s not a great reason to uproot and go to a club that’s struggling.
5. The club don’t see him as a long term half dynamic - This has been mentioned, but is not particular to the Tigers. I’ve heard many commentators say it as well including Joey, Freddy, Vossy, Brandy and assorted podcasters. The fact is, we have given him his start, in the halves and played him there irrespective of how he has been going. Parra may have made a promise to him. I doubt it though as anything can happen and locking yourself in to a decision like that years in advance is not good policy.
6. The Gus Gould dynamic - I’ve mentioned this more than you have. I think outside influence from powerbrokers external to his team are stirring the pot far more than is being reported. Most of the big clubs need him and finding cap space for 27 onwards wouldn’t be a stretch for most of them. As you have chosen Gus, explain how his influence equals a move to Parramatta.

So there you go, I haven’t missed or ignored any of this stuff and I am still puzzled as to why he is so hell bent to leave this club and head somewhere worse. If he winds up at the Dogs, Panthers, Chooks etc it makes more sense.
Latu Fainu is Tongan.

But there's definitely a connection between these cultures.
 
Latu Fainu is Tongan.

But there's definitely a connection between these cultures.
I am certain that not feeling loved by his team mates off the field due to the cultural difference is at least part of the reason why Galvin wants out.
But if this is the case, can someone explain to him that you are never going to be best friends off the field with all of your team mates no matter what club you play for and no matter what their background is.
 
The club would love to retain Galvin but have been aware of wanting out for a while and viewed this as undesirable, but built up backup plans.

The club has managed this as well as possible. Now to hold him to end of 26 playing wherever his attitude allows and accommodating latu as the best player to develop.
 
I am certain that not feeling loved by his team mates off the field due to the cultural difference is at least part of the reason why Galvin wants out.
But if this is the case, can someone explain to him that you are never going to be best friends off the field with all of your team mates no matter what club you play for and no matter what their background is.
Lots of islanders on every team to boot
 
Yes I’m sure there exists a verbal deal, maybe a couple….and from good clubs.
I don’t think it’s all about money for reasons I mentioned earlier.
Maybe it’s the cultural fit?
Maybe his arrogance has made him unlikeable?
Maybe there’s some jealousy in the group and he gets ignored a bit?
Maybe our preferential treatment of him has made teammates annoyed?
I think he was telling the truth about becoming the best he can be, even though he worded it hideously. He doesn’t trust our club to get him there. However that seems short sighted after seeing how they’re going this year. We have plenty of class and hopefully more to come.

Whatever it is, it won’t paint the club in a good light and that’s the bit that shits me off. Someone or multiples from other clubs are talking crap about WTs. Gus? Ivan? Bennett?
Whoever it is, is a complete scumbag. Like I said earlier none of it makes any sense imo purely because like any young man he loves and idolises his father and he's just doing what ever his father is telling him. One thing imo that needs to happen out of this asap is Wests Tigers need to uncouple from Isaac Moses and Cove Agency and join the other 3 clubs who won't deal with them, rub him and his company out completely.
 
Apologies for changing the subject but Asu kepoa otherwise known as flippers scored 3 tries for Penrith reserve grade.
He's a prolific tryscorer at the Panthers. And they're not Robert Jennings flop over tries. Given the Panthers dire start to the season, it's a wonder he hasn't seen firsts. He would be better than Jenkins.
 
What exactly is the culture at Parra under an unproven coach?

His final decision will prove all the above suppositon to be 'what-if' bullshit!

His exposure to NRL has exponentially benefited his development & would not have happened at any other club at his age - any argument against that is utter bullshit!

The pre-determination of this decision for spurious development reasons concocted by a demonstrably vexatious manager is blatantly obvious to any objective individual with a clue!

Stop being the contrary Drama Queen & defer to those who know better (aka our CEO)!
Yeah Snidest, we can only speculate noone really knows what's being said behind closed doors, no doubt we will all hear both sides once he moves on. I'm not buying any of the reasons given by his team, not while there's pics of him laughing and having fun with Feledy out on the training paddock on Thursday. He looks like a kid in a toy store. Its not adding up. But can only go off what both sides are saying atm, eventually the truth will come out.
 
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