Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Harvey]

The form of Pole, Api and To'a has fallen off a cliff

Stock standard. We play for 20 weeks and then start thinking about Mad Monday

 

[Bus 2 Terrigal]

Chevy Stewart @ raiders

He’s the fullback who got sent off in the grand final of the Matt’s Cup for an alleged homosexual slur (when Wests beat Cronulla 2022). This came a week after he left his team battling with twelve players, sent to the bin for giving lip with his team clinging to a narrow lead over the Roosters in the semi.

Despite his dubious temperament, he can play. Kurnell junior who was seen as the golden boy coming through the age divisions in the Shire.

 

[colinbh]

Is he managed by Richo’s son?
For the coaching and development?
Ok that’s cheeky.
Is he really one of the better 7’s coming through?

Player of the series SOO under 19s

 

[batboy]

You won't like this but i'm sure Benji Marshall has something to do with it...

Why wouldn't I like it?
If you care to go back (to before Benji was head Coach) you might find my post on getting him back to the club in a recruitment role - Said something along the lines of, imagine a 16 year old Kid and his Parents having Benji Marshall in your Lounge Room telling you he wants you at the Tigers.
So, He may well have had plenty to do with it.

Still,
is Benji enough to have you leave your home, Move to another State, to a Struggling team where the future of the coach isn't overly settled? I don't see it.
Be surprised if his Parents or manager did either.

I don't disagree with the Signing (I'd prefer him than Madden - Again)
Just surprised more than anything, considering ALL factors in the decision.

 

[batboy]

Player of the series SOO under 19s

Yep...
Saw someone riding on Madden being the Aus Schoolboys Half years ago just the other day.
So Surely, Andrews Rep games earlier this year count for something?

 

[tigahhh]

Why wouldn't I like it?
If you care to go back (to before Benji was head Coach) you might find my post on getting him back to the club in a recruitment role - Said something along the lines of, imagine a 16 year old Kid and his Parents having Benji Marshall in your Lounge Room telling you he wants you at the Tigers.
So, He may well have had plenty to do with it.

Still,
is Benji enough to have you leave your home, Move to another State, to a Struggling team where the future of the coach isn't overly settled? I don't see it.
Be surprised if his Parents or manager did either.

I don't disagree with the Signing (I'd prefer him than Madden - Again)
Just surprised more than anything, considering ALL factors in the decision.

he was in our pathways a number of years ago, and is in the titans currently which is a mess

 

[Bus 2 Terrigal]

Its been going on for 50+ years.

They spent BIG on the 50s and 60s for one premiership ...known as the millionaires.

Maybe that investment spooked them...they (wests leagues) havent given a stuff about the football club since

It’s true they were known as “The Millionaires” during late fifties/early sixties but the spend wasn’t as great as you are implying. They looked like millionaires because they had a League Club up and running ahead of most other clubs. Wests Ashfield est. 1955, Canterbury 1957, Easts 1959, St George 1963 etc ...

So the investment could well have remained constant - and that it only appeared to have diminished as it was swamped by that of other more successful Leagues Clubs. I would suggest that it wasn’t until recent decades, with the influx of the Chinese population, that Wests Ashfield has filled its pockets.

Also, the one premiership you mention, 1952, was prior to the Millionaire era.

 

[innsaneink]

It doesn’t matter how good your local talent is, you still need to scout far and wide.
The Panthers success over the past 5 or so years is testament to that with the likes of Yeo, Edwards and Martin all scouted and recruited from country areas at a young age.
When I hear that we don’t have the same scouting and player recruitment resources that other clubs do due to our lack of finances, sure it’s a slight hindrance, but that just means we need to and should have connections that are looking out for us and giving recommendations far and wide rather than having our own people on the ground.
Anyway that’s the past, we have recently made some changes in that space, so let’s hope they are changes for the better.

So....volunteer scouts?
We had volunteers doing things for us a few years back.
If any of these "connections" are worthwile why wouldnt other clubs offer to pay them.

What are the recent changes in this space?

 

[Betterdays22]

Why wouldn't I like it?
If you care to go back (to before Benji was head Coach) you might find my post on getting him back to the club in a recruitment role - Said something along the lines of, imagine a 16 year old Kid and his Parents having Benji Marshall in your Lounge Room telling you he wants you at the Tigers.
So, He may well have had plenty to do with it.

Still,
is Benji enough to have you leave your home, Move to another State, to a Struggling team where the future of the coach isn't overly settled? I don't see it.
Be surprised if his Parents or manager did either.

I don't disagree with the Signing (I'd prefer him than Madden - Again)
Just surprised more than anything, considering ALL factors in the decision.

not sure if it is solely on Benji or not. Im speculating that he was probably a huge factor. Looks like he has previously been at the club too, so he must of had a decent experience before.

We know in the past the club would of thrown a top 30 contract at him to get him here, hoping this is not the case here.

 

[batboy]

he was in our pathways a number of years ago, and is in the titans currently which is a mess

Yep - Get that too...
Our pathways is hardly killing it at the moment (Considering we just lost 2 of the best kids in forever)

 

[weststigerman]

Rueben Garrick possibly not resigning at Manly. Such a good, consistent player and can kick goals well. I’d prefer us sign forwards but goal kicking is appealing.

If he was here he would cop it on here almost every week.

 

[weststigers]

It doesn’t matter how good your local talent is, you still need to scout far and wide.
The Panthers success over the past 5 or so years is testament to that with the likes of Yeo, Edwards and Martin all scouted and recruited from country areas at a young age.
When I hear that we don’t have the same scouting and player recruitment resources that other clubs do due to our lack of finances, sure it’s a slight hindrance, but that just means we need to and should have connections that are looking out for us and giving recommendations far and wide rather than having our own people on the ground.
Anyway that’s the past, we have recently made some changes in that space, so let’s hope they are changes for the better.

Shannon Gallant was pretty much doing the job anyway from all reports. It's just a job title change at the end of the day.

The "changes" in the recruitment area still amount to 1 recruitment guy vs the Dogs 7.

It's not enough.

 

[Flippedy]

Rueben Garrick possibly not resigning at Manly. Such a good, consistent player and can kick goals well. I’d prefer us sign forwards but goal kicking is appealing.

He’s goal kicking has been crap lately, seems to have lost his mojo.

 

[weststigers]

Rueben Garrick possibly not resigning at Manly. Such a good, consistent player and can kick goals well. I’d prefer us sign forwards but goal kicking is appealing.

If they're useful and you have the spots and the dollars are right, then why not. Would be awesome to have a fullback/wing/centre fill in that can kick goals.

He's probably going to want decent money and game time though.

 

[weststigers]

Yep - Get that too...
Our pathways is hardly killing it at the moment (Considering we just lost 2 of the best kids in forever)

Still question marks on Da Silva, but we've lost some and gained some from other clubs.

It's not like we aren't poaching juniors from other pathways.

 

[Bus 2 Terrigal]

Yep - Get that too...
Our pathways is hardly killing it at the moment (Considering we just lost 2 of the best kids in forever)

The two kids you speak of did successfully traverse the pathway.
They were NRL players by the time it went pear-shaped

 

[Tiger Stripes]

I really like bringing Andrews back to the club, but we also need to be realistic. He's not on an NRL deal, and he's still young.
I just watched the u19s origin and honestly he was the least involved of the 4 halves on the field. Touched the ball maybe 4-5 times in the first half. Yes he will solid in the last 10 mins but in reality he put in two good grubbers and kicked a goal from the sideline. How he got mom is beyond me.
As a 5/8 I'm not sure where he would fit at wt long term. While I'm not one for moving players I do think he could be a very good centre, or maybe even lock in the future. He's got the size and strong defence, not sure how much pace he has. We already have two running 5/8s at the club long term
I doubt he's even on a development contract for next year. I'd say train and trial, then maybe development in 2027. If he were top 30 or development straight away the club would have mentioned so, like with Murray, Godinet etc.
He's a great prospect to have at the club, he's versatile and skilled. We need more players like that in all grades, and it's great to see us sign a junior from outside our pathways regions. This is what all good clubs do..!

Good to hear another assessment of Andrews' talent. Vicious and BWG raved how good he was when I asked the question as the U 19 highlight real didn't reveal MOM feats.
Will be interesting to follow his development and make my own assessment.

 

[Furious1]

Shannon Gallant was pretty much doing the job anyway from all reports. It's just a job title change at the end of the day.

The "changes" in the recruitment area still amount to 1 recruitment guy vs the Dogs 7.

It's not enough.

For some reason it seems rather difficult for people to comprehend this. Thats not having a go at anyone in particular, just how it appears.

 

[Demps]

He’s the fullback who got sent off in the grand final of the Matt’s Cup for an alleged homosexual slur (when Wests beat Cronulla 2022). This came a week after he left his team battling with twelve players, sent to the bin for giving lip with his team clinging to a narrow lead over the Roosters in the semi.

Despite his dubious temperament, he can play. Kurnell junior who was seen as the golden boy coming through the age divisions in the Shire.

Wow, didn't know that !

Always thought he looked a future star but he hasn't really had the chance.

Dragons are interested eh.
He should be starting somewhere.

 

[weststigers]

Why wouldn't I like it?
If you care to go back (to before Benji was head Coach) you might find my post on getting him back to the club in a recruitment role - Said something along the lines of, imagine a 16 year old Kid and his Parents having Benji Marshall in your Lounge Room telling you he wants you at the Tigers.
So, He may well have had plenty to do with it.

Still,
is Benji enough to have you leave your home, Move to another State, to a Struggling team where the future of the coach isn't overly settled? I don't see it.
Be surprised if his Parents or manager did either.

I don't disagree with the Signing (I'd prefer him than Madden - Again)
Just surprised more than anything, considering ALL factors in the decision.

I agree. Benji would be a great recruitment/GM type guy. I don't see him having a long tenure as coach, but I hope the club keep him in that capacity. He does have pulling power.