Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[BlackWhiteGold]

let's be realistic, there's SFA on the market in positions we need to fill for the first grade side.

some experienced depth players would assist for sure, but in terms of some bigger kills at prop and lock I think we'll be waiting a while.

I've got a feeling Richo & Benji will have a decent crack at Keaon Koloamatangi for 2027 from Nov-1 if he doesn't extend with the Rabbits before then.

Richo gave him his first contract & Benji played with him in 2021 so relationships are there. It will be hard to pry him from his junior club but $$$ talk.

 

[TSP]

think Tino's get-out clause only comes into effect from November, meaning it's from 2027. we've got the money to throw at him but he'd need to go to the Gold Coast asking permission to negotiate if he wants to move any earlier.

throw in the fact that we're quite the sideways move for him and I think it gets even less likely.

Might want too much,

I've got a feeling Richo & Benji will have a decent crack at Keaon Koloamatangi for 2027 from Nov-1 if he doesn't extend with the Rabbits before then.

Richo gave him his first contract & Benji played with him in 2021 so relationships are there. It will be hard to pry him from his junior club but $$$ talk.

He’s a beast, outstanding player.

 

[jrtiger]

I've got a feeling Richo & Benji will have a decent crack at Keaon Koloamatangi for 2027 from Nov-1 if he doesn't extend with the Rabbits before then.

Richo gave him his first contract & Benji played with him in 2021 so relationships are there. It will be hard to pry him from his junior club but $$$ talk.

stranger things have happened for sure but I’d say he’d be near impossible to drag out of The Burrow.

think Richardson’s positioning himself for another shake the tree scenario.

 

[weststigerman]

let's be realistic, there's SFA on the market in positions we need to fill for the first grade side.

some experienced depth players would assist for sure, but in terms of some bigger kills at prop and lock I think we'll be waiting a while.

This makes it even more idiotic releasing our juniors while they are under contract.

There is no one on the market, except for when you approach WT and ask for their players.

 

[Tom Shines]

think Tino's get-out clause only comes into effect from November, meaning it's from 2027. we've got the money to throw at him but he'd need to go to the Gold Coast asking permission to negotiate if he wants to move any earlier.

throw in the fact that we're quite the sideways move for him and I think it gets even less likely.

There are a couple of different versions doing the rounds and I have seen both that he is available for next year and not until 2027 …the original clause was linked to the exit of the previous coach Justin Holbrook who was moved on a while back, so the fact he is still there indicates he has likely modified this ..

Even if it is 2027 …he can negotiate Nov 1, Are the Titans like us and can’t move the player on quick enough when they sign elsewhere? Maybe …

Of course he is unlikely to come here … like any big name that has options … Richo will probably try though ..

 

[Tom Shines]

This makes it even more idiotic releasing our juniors while they are under contract.

There is no one on the market, except for when you approach WT and ask for their players.

Richo promises there parents they can leave

 

[weststigerman]

Richo promises there parents they can leave

What does Frank Ponissi (Storm GM) promise their players parents?

 

[jirskyr]

The facts:

Benjis win rate is 30% ( from official), Madge finished up with us on 36% (Wikipedia).

We will have to see what Benji does this year to see if he goes up.

Instead of doing an appropriate apprenticeship, Benji was trained to coach by Tim who managed a lousy 17% win ratio during his last start here and was sacked on the quiet.

Benji didn’t face any competitive selection process, handed the job on a platter and at the moment is doing poorly with little respite in sight.

We cant win a premiership under Benji and are wasting time with him in the coaching role.

That’s what I and what I understand an increasing number of members and fans are thinking.

He’s not a bad person, he’s not the devil incarnate, he just can’t coach to save his life. It’s tragic that he thinks he can.

He was a superstar player, gifted, way ahead of the curve, worth the price of admission to watch him enchant the game, but that was within his powers.

Now he has to project his own excellence and for whatever reason, he’s tanked.

You appear to have some pre-conceived idea of Benji not being able to coach, or not having served enough apprenticeship, or that he will never be able to become a better coach. Called it after 1.5 seasons, that Benji cannot and will not ever "be able to coach to save his life".

That's all fine as an opinion, but it has nothing to do with how the club handled Madge, which is the original point I responded to.

But I also think to be a fair comparison you need to give Benji some 3.5 seasons just like Madge got, before you can properly judge if he can coach. Unlike Madge who took on a roster that was on the cusp of finals footy for several seasons (and then got worse results every year after he took over), Benji has taken on the 2x wooden spoon team.

The last thing I will say is - I don't think club is likely to punt Benji any time soon, I think they are doubling-down on him as the coach. So it becomes a very WORN argument, which you are allowed to make week after week if you choose, but a very worn down tired argument to keep saying "Benji can't coach" when the club is probably going to keep him until at least deep into 2026.

 

[TSP]

This makes it even more idiotic releasing our juniors while they are under contract.

There is no one on the market, except for when you approach WT and ask for their players.

Yep.

Galvin and TDS’s managers both showed us who was boss.

Richo talks the talk, but we all know ye olde white flag is never far beyond reach.

 

[Tom Shines]

What does Frank Ponissi (Storm GM) promise their players parents?

That you will win premierships if you stay at his club… imagine Richo saying that with a straight face?

 

[TSP]

You appear to have some pre-conceived idea of Benji not being able to coach, or not having served enough apprenticeship, or that he will never be able to become a better coach. Called it after 1.5 seasons, that Benji cannot and will not ever "be able to coach to save his life".

That's all fine as an opinion, but it has nothing to do with how the club handled Madge, which is the original point I responded to.

But I also think to be a fair comparison you need to give Benji some 3.5 seasons just like Madge got, before you can properly judge if he can coach. Unlike Madge who took on a roster that was on the cusp of finals footy for several seasons (and then got worse results every year after he took over), Benji has taken on the 2x wooden spoon team.

The last thing I will say is - I don't think club is likely to punt Benji any time soon, I think they are doubling-down on him as the coach. So it becomes a very WORN argument, which you are allowed to make week after week if you choose, but a very worn down tired argument to keep saying "Benji can't coach" when the club is probably going to keep him until at least deep into 2026.

Thanks, but Benji can’t coach.

 

[jirskyr]

Benji can’t coach.

Bookmark this, let's revisit in September.

 

[upthetigers]

Agree our starts are depressing the way we get dominated. We definitely need to play smarter and more attacking early on.

Im not sure who i would interchange AD with. Bird was the obvious choice at the start of the year but he has been terrible imo.

I'd release Luai, put AD in the halves with Latu and spend the Luai money on a quality middle

 

[TSP]

Bookmark this, let's revisit in September.

What are you expecting, finals or top 4?

 

[tigahhh]

richo would be shaking the tree atm and getting a feel for who might be unhappy campers at their respective clubs

 

[jirskyr]

What are you expecting, finals or top 4?

Well according to you the benchmark is Madge's 36% win rate. Start there.

Anyone who expected Top 4 this year is off their meds and you cannot have a reasonable discussion with them. Top 8 was a pipe dream depending if things worked out just right.

 

[TSP]

Well according to you the benchmark is Madge's 36% win rate. Start there.

Anyone who expected Top 4 this year is off their meds and you cannot have a reasonable discussion with them. Top 8 was a pipe dream depending if things worked out just right.

So Benji has to reach a 36% win percentage to be classified as being able to coach?

 

[jirskyr]

So Benji has to reach a 36% win percentage to be classified as being able to coach?

This is tiresome, come back to me later with new data.

 

[TSP]

This is tiresome, come back to me later with new data.

Forgive me, but it seems you’ve nominated a 36% win rate as a pass mark.

That is next level loyalty to Benji.

Things are far worse than I thought if people believe 36% is a pass mark.

If we could only harness this power of persuasion, including an absolute re-invention of mathematics, we could sign any player we like.

 

[Vicious]

Richo promises there parents they can leave

He also promised the fans a team capable of winning.