Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[BlackWhiteGold]

Reimis Smith, Braidon Burns and Corey Allan probably the best three options available to us currently.

shame Hiroti extended with Cronulla, he was probably the guy.

we just need a steady hand to do a job when called upon. the gap between Naden's floor and ceiling has hit us hard and often this year.

The options for a depth right-sided outside back are diminishing. Reimis Smith apparently retiring & Braidon Burns extended with Cows.

Corey Allan would be ideal imo with his experience & versatility and has looked good for the Dragons this season when needed in the NRL team.

I still think the club will offer Naden this spot on much reduced coin but if he declines, Allan or Morgan Harper or Harley Smith-Shields are about the best of those off-contract with NRL experience if that's what Benji is after.

 

[hank37w]

"but Tigers’ reputation for success and player development is believed to be a significant pull factor"

Very funny

3 times premiers, you mean 3 times making final in 26 seasons. 🤣

WTF.

 

[hank37w]

This is just some guys blog by the looks of it...

Obviously clueless or has a great sense of humour.

 

[Odessa]

The 24-year-old has previously drawn interest from several Sydney-based clubs, but Tigers’ reputation for success and player development is believed to be a significant pull factor.

😂

I was thinking it was a cut and stick from a few years ago when he was going to join the Panthers

 

[hank37w]

Nah, it's true - we fans were just asleep at the wheel 🙂

We've all been death riding this club all this time.

What the hell is wrong with us. 🤣

 

[hank37w]

Softmedia.com.ng...it's a Nigerian domain...now I'm really confused as to who these people are and where on earth you found this "publication"

Probably written by a Nigerian Prince.

Where do I send my bank account details to. 🤣

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Fair enough. I think it was untenable for AOB to keep his job when you take into account all factors.

Who on earth would want to be a coach? Benji is mad for giving up his cushy Fox job to coach the Wests Tigers IMO.

Guys like Benji are fine. Can go back to the media tomorrow if he wants to.

 

[poopy_diaper]

Why?

Stuff to do with TDS loan deal KPP meant to come early blah blah.

 

[Vicious]

The options for a depth right-sided outside back are diminishing. Reimis Smith apparently retiring & Braidon Burns extended with Cows.

Corey Allan would be ideal imo with his experience & versatility and has looked good for the Dragons this season when needed in the NRL team.

I still think the club will offer Naden this spot on much reduced coin but if he declines, Allan or Morgan Harper or Harley Smith-Shields are about the best of those off-contract with NRL experience if that's what Benji is after.

Aaron Schoupp has mainly played as a right centre.

 

[Tom Shines]

Aaron Schoupp has mainly played as a right centre.

I’m waiting for you to suggest Morgan Harper next… he plays on the right

 

[weststigerman]

The options for a depth right-sided outside back are diminishing. Reimis Smith apparently retiring & Braidon Burns extended with Cows.

Corey Allan would be ideal imo with his experience & versatility and has looked good for the Dragons this season when needed in the NRL team.

I still think the club will offer Naden this spot on much reduced coin but if he declines, Allan or Morgan Harper or Harley Smith-Shields are about the best of those off-contract with NRL experience if that's what Benji is after.

None of those options are great. I think we’re better off moving May or Makasini to the right or even playing Turuva and bringing up Laulilii or Tuitupou to the wing when needed.

They should be training on both sides in the off season and we’ll probably end up with a train and trial journeyman to play there in NSW Cup. Maybe Taotua plays there.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Softmedia.com.ng...it's a Nigerian domain...now I'm really confused as to who these people are and where on earth you found this "publication"

It has a wiff of Nigerian elephant crap to me, but Benji was chatting to Fifita at LO after the Titan's win apparently, maybe they used that as a reason to start a rumour, 100 to 1 you would think.

 

[Tito Santana]

I'm afraid to click on the link in case it puts a virus on my phone. Should tell you all you need to know about how credible it is.

I sent them $10k to get some legal papers done as apparently I was related to the owner of a mine who carked it recently. They still haven’t sent me anything back. I’ll check with them.

 

[Betterdays22]

I sent them $10k to get some legal papers done as apparently I was related to the owner of a mine who carked it recently. They still haven’t sent me anything back. I’ll check with them.

Sounds very promising, goodluck with it

 

[Odessa]

None of those options are great. I think we’re better off moving May or Makasini to the right or even playing Turuva and bringing up Laulilii or Tuitupou to the wing when needed.

They should be training on both sides in the off season and we’ll probably end up with a train and trial journeyman to play there in NSW Cup. Maybe Taotua plays there.

Allan would be a great pickup put him at fullback in Reggie's kicks goals and can cover wing and centre

 

[Tito Santana]

Thanks as always for the pathways intel @ROZELLE.O.G

Firstly it is disappointing to lose long-time juniors like Cameron Kanaan & Marc Tannous who imo would have been integral members of our Jersey Flegg team next season. Tannous particularly surprising as we don't have a game managing halfback in the 19/20 age in the club and he seemed to be developing nicely.

On the flip side, I am sure Shannon Gallant has his reasons and it is likely due to depth chart priorities. That is my only guess. It is possible the club has prioritised Logan Deininger, Tino Tavana, Max Taotua, Jack Nicholas & Xavier Tauaifaiga as our next batch of outside backs coming through with the likes of 17/18yos James Lanyon, Glassie Glassie, Aaron Paea, Josh Vella & Ali Karbib right behind them.

In the halves, maybe Javon Andrews has been earmarked to play predominantly Flegg next season too & Cohen Benson is also highly rated (and dare I say it, managed by Richo's son). Not much halves depth for Flegg unless we have recruited externally or a Jheveon Lele or Christian Azzi (SG Ball next year) are being thought of as Flegg-ready for next season.

It is still disappointing when the Bulldogs seem to stockpile players in the pathways in each position. Maybe $$$ is the factor there.

Is Kanaan Indian?

He’d have to be the first Indian rugby league player.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

None of those options are great. I think we’re better off moving May or Makasini to the right or even playing Turuva and bringing up Laulilii or Tuitupou to the wing when needed.

They should be training on both sides in the off season and we’ll probably end up with a train and trial journeyman to play there in NSW Cup. Maybe Taotua plays there.

I’m only suggesting these options as depth, perhaps player 28-30 in our roster. With May (left) & To’a (right) as first choice centres, we will have an 18yo Makasini as next in line for likely both sides & then a 19yo Luke Laulilii as possibly next. Apart from Jack Bird (has hardly played as a centre all year) & Doeuihi (slated now for halves/lock), it leaves us very shallow in NRL experienced depth at centre. So either we extend Naden or recruit an Allen or similar to fill this gap in our roster.

PS. Yes I hope & believe Max Taotua can take a step forward next season but atm he’s another 20yo who has only played 2 or 3 NSW Cup games.

 

[Camel2281]

No ex girlfriends, especially ugly ones. If they develop Mason properly he will be better than scatterbrain, so is it an upgrade?
And we don’t have spots to waste in our top 30, and I can’t see that primadona returning here for a Reggie deal.

Mason is a dwarf who cannot catch and cannot tackle. There's nothing there to develop. Keeping him on is a worse decision that Tumeth and co

 

[Canadian Club]

Corey Allan???

Am I being pranked?

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Corey Allan???

Am I being pranked?

If he is medically fine & has the desire and character that Benji wants, why not for a low salary depth roster spot?

Happy to hear other suggestions for an NRL experienced depth centre (able to play right side) who is available plus <$200k

Hiroti & Burns have extended at their clubs, either would have been good.