Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Betterdays22]

This is a fundamental misunderstanding of how successful NRL rosters are built. It's not basketball - very rarely does adding one guy make a huge difference. It's much more about having at least 25 players who can come in and be first grade standard. That's what Melbourne have, and it's why they're winning finals games without $3m of cap money including their star half on the field. They didn't sign Shawn Blore to be a "difference maker", they signed him to do a job.

The Tigers' best players are fine and the roster is the youngest in the comp - natural improvement from experience should make a significant difference. The problem we have is that as soon as anyone gets injured or loses form there's nothing to come in and replace them. Brent Naden played eight games this year, Charlie Murray played five, Tony Sukkar 15, Jack Bird 17, Charlie Staines 7, Heath Mason 7 - and we didn't have major injury concerns. With the greatest respect to players who I'm sure are doing their best, those guys don't get a game at the Storm unless they have about 20 injuries. They're next in line at the Tigers.

When people talk about "depth" they don't mean signing another Jack Bird. They mean signing Shawn Blore so that when Sam Fainu gets injured we don't have to play Jack Bird.

The club has been highly active at moving on players they don't need anymore and I'm sure it will continue to do so, but the reality is the bulk of that work has now been done. Yes, I'm sure they'd be delighted if someone came and took Royce Hunt off the books with no freight or Jack Bird walked away from the last year of his contract. But it is what it is, and there aren't many clubs with no bad deals on the books. On that front, actually I don't think we're in too bad a position.

On that basis, it sounds like we have a small amount of cap room for 2026 and limited likelihood of increasing it. If that's true, I'd rather the money was spent on three legitimate first grade depth players so Heath Mason and Tony Sukkar never get picked again than one "difference maker" who isn't currently available so would inevitably end up being a Hail Mary desperation heave like Asofa-Solomona.

I agree with most of what you are saying. Roster depth is so important. However I would argue the reason for the Storm's success over multiple sides is because they have 4 or 5 elite talent players who improve the squad players who otherwise might not be capable first graders. Would not surprise me if Tony Sukkar went to Melbourne and became a serviceable squaddie.

Recently Bellamy was interviewed and he said after the salary cap saga that he had no other plans other than to hold onto Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Greg Inglis because he knew he could build around them.

You can't snap your fingers and make Cameron Smith pop out of the air, but I think we are still 1 or 2 top-tier first graders away from competing regularly, plus 1 or 2 serviceable first graders. Those serviceable first graders can be developed from within if the top-tier talent is there. I think we should be holding out to go all in for the next rep level 13 or prop to fall out of the tree.

 

[colinbh]

Elliot and Jack H from Newcastle would be in the price range no problem , I would think both at $ 250/300 each leaving $:200 for another , we need players in position both these guys are what we need position wise

They couldn't even make first grade for the wooden spooners. No thanks.

 

[Buttface]

Just like last year at this time right …😂

The current season isn’t even over yet …May didn’t become available until November

Don’t worry there will be plenty spitting chips when there are no signings on Nov 1.
Just like every year.
I reckon a signing period or maybe two needs to be tried, and get rid of this signing the year before business.
I think I’d prefer 1 signing window at the end of every season. And you can talk from 6 months out.
They can call it Magic Million Month, or something stupider. It would give the losers something to talk about, more media, sell some hats, they can make special jerseys to extort more money from the fans.
But more importantly it gives the fans and the game back some credibility around NRL contracts, as everyone I talk to reckons its Contract Chaos in the NRL.

 

[Tom Shines]

This is a fundamental misunderstanding of how successful NRL rosters are built. It's not basketball - very rarely does adding one guy make a huge difference. It's much more about having at least 25 players who can come in and be first grade standard. That's what Melbourne have, and it's why they're winning finals games without $3m of cap money including their star half on the field. They didn't sign Shawn Blore to be a "difference maker", they signed him to do a job.

The Tigers' best players are fine and the roster is the youngest in the comp - natural improvement from experience should make a significant difference. The problem we have is that as soon as anyone gets injured or loses form there's nothing to come in and replace them. Brent Naden played eight games this year, Charlie Murray played five, Tony Sukkar 15, Jack Bird 17, Charlie Staines 7, Heath Mason 7 - and we didn't have major injury concerns. With the greatest respect to players who I'm sure are doing their best, those guys don't get a game at the Storm unless they have about 20 injuries. They're next in line at the Tigers.

When people talk about "depth" they don't mean signing another Jack Bird. They mean signing Shawn Blore so that when Sam Fainu gets injured we don't have to play Jack Bird.

The club has been highly active at moving on players they don't need anymore and I'm sure it will continue to do so, but the reality is the bulk of that work has now been done. Yes, I'm sure they'd be delighted if someone came and took Royce Hunt off the books with no freight or Jack Bird walked away from the last year of his contract. But it is what it is, and there aren't many clubs with no bad deals on the books. On that front, actually I don't think we're in too bad a position.

On that basis, it sounds like we have a small amount of cap room for 2026 and limited likelihood of increasing it. If that's true, I'd rather the money was spent on three legitimate first grade depth players so Heath Mason and Tony Sukkar never get picked again than one "difference maker" who isn't currently available so would inevitably end up being a Hail Mary desperation heave like Asofa-Solomona.

Personally I see the addition of Fonua-Blake as a game changer this season for the Sharks …particularly in the finals after a very poor post season record recently… Now guys of his quality don’t grow on trees …. But Wests Tigers acquiring someone similar should be the goal in my view…

Vicious had listed his depth players he wanted to acquire …so I understood who he was referring too..

 

[diedpretty]

it’s a really bizarre signing from the dolphins, always thought katoa and nikorima paired really well together.

it is a strange signing. Katoa really stepped up this year in proving himself a top class halfback that can lead a team around the park. Will he take a back seat to Williams?

 

[diedpretty]

I wonder if Katoa is off to Souths now

Add them to the list of teams with unlimited salary cap if he goes there. Plus they are still chasing Fifita.

 

[cqtiger]

So who was the MC interviewing Richo in the recent BTR episode?

 

[GNR4LIFE]

it is a strange signing. Katoa really stepped up this year in proving himself a top class halfback that can lead a team around the park. Will he take a back seat to Williams?

Not as strange as the Raiders signing Brailey when they have Starling and Pattie.

 

[2041]

Personally I see the addition of Fonua-Blake as a game changer this season for the Sharks …particularly in the finals after a very poor post season record recently… Now guys of his quality don’t grow on trees …. But Wests Tigers acquiring someone similar should be the goal in my view…

Vicious had listed his depth players he wanted to acquire …so I understood who he was referring too..

The thing is, if we've got the reported $700-800k in cap room we're not getting Fonua-Blake. Partly because neither he nor anyone remotely comparable to him is available, and second because that's not going to be enough money to sign said player if they were. Fonua-Blake is reported to be on $1m at Cronulla.

Davvy Moale was reported to be on $500k at Souths and presumably he's got a bit more than that out of Manly. Is he enough of a "game changer"? I doubt it.

Meanwhile, a year ago Xavier Willison ($250k) and Corey Jensen ($300k) were on the fringes at Brisbane. TBF I believe we had a crack at Willison and it may just have been Maguire being a vindictive prick that stopped us signing him. After the season he's had he's not going to be leaving any time soon and if he does it'll be for more than $600k. Yet a year ago I'm sure people would have moaned about picking up someone else's rejects or yet another "depth" signing.

Personally I'd rather we made three astute signings like that than blow the budget on someone average like Moale or hold out for a miracle whereby someone like Fonua-Blake becomes available and somehow willing to take unders to come to the Tigers.

More to the point, the reality is that in the roster building cycle we have gone through the phase where we've stripped out everything and have massive flexibility to sign more or less whoever we want. Luai, Koroisau, Bula, May x2, KPP and at least two Fainus are all getting paid decent wedge. If that's not good enough to build a winning side around, I'm afraid we're going to have to wait for some of those contracts to roll off naturally or be prepared to release players we want to keep. From here it's all about value - bringing our own players through and identifying diamonds in the rough. Most clubs, and especially most good clubs, don't make marquee free agent signings every year: I can't think of the last time Penrith or Melbourne did, for instance.

 

[kade7]

believe tyran smith was at concord yesterday , looks after a few players

 

[Tom Shines]

The thing is, if we've got the reported $700-800k in cap room we're not getting Fonua-Blake. Partly because neither he nor anyone remotely comparable to him is available, and second because that's not going to be enough money to sign said player if they were. Fonua-Blake is reported to be on $1m at Cronulla.

Davvy Moale was reported to be on $500k at Souths and presumably he's got a bit more than that out of Manly. Is he enough of a "game changer"? I doubt it.

Meanwhile, a year ago Xavier Willison ($250k) and Corey Jensen ($300k) were on the fringes at Brisbane. TBF I believe we had a crack at Willison and it may just have been Maguire being a vindictive prick that stopped us signing him. After the season he's had he's not going to be leaving any time soon and if he does it'll be for more than $600k. Yet a year ago I'm sure people would have moaned about picking up someone else's rejects or yet another "depth" signing.

Personally I'd rather we made three astute signings like that than blow the budget on someone average like Moale or hold out for a miracle whereby someone like Fonua-Blake becomes available and somehow willing to take unders to come to the Tigers.

More to the point, the reality is that in the roster building cycle we have gone through the phase where we've stripped out everything and have massive flexibility to sign more or less whoever we want. Luai, Koroisau, Bula, May x2, KPP and at least two Fainus are all getting paid decent wedge. If that's not good enough to build a winning side around, I'm afraid we're going to have to wait for some of those contracts to roll off naturally or be prepared to release players we want to keep. From here it's all about value - bringing our own players through and identifying diamonds in the rough. Most clubs, and especially most good clubs, don't make marquee free agent signings every year: I can't think of the last time Penrith or Melbourne did, for instance.

Of course… we definitely couldn’t afford his pay packet for 2026… but I would liike to find the next AFB… because I don’t see the next AFB already at the club …I assume you agree ?

This will probably involve paying some reasonable coin for someone who has been around a couple of years and is on the way up …Id be guessing around $500k- $600k? This is more than “depth “ money obviously

nb - I thought the player that Madge stopped us signing last year was Hethrington?

 

[TheEnz]

believe tyran smith was at concord yesterday , looks after a few players

Doesn't he manage Payne Haas 😉😎

 

[Tom Shines]

believe tyran smith was at concord yesterday , looks after a few players

Richo must have been taking him for lunch

 

[magpies forever]

Not as strange as the Raiders signing Brailey when they have Starling and Pattie.

And also apparently Daine Laurie from Panthers.

 

[The Chad]

believe tyran smith was at concord yesterday , looks after a few players

In the same thread that mentioned Albert Hopoate being released & previously suggesting Talakai from the Sharks might be available....

Both could be smart additions along with Jack Hetherington.....or maybe RCG on a 1 year deal if he is cut free?

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Doesn't he manage Payne Haas 😉😎

Yes but also manages Morgan Harper lol and Taylan May is in Tyran's stable (via manager Ahmed Merhi)
Others off contract on his books include Albert Hopoate & Sifa Talakai

 

[426Tlgerland]

Talakai would be a great get , along with another similar quality , great back ups and push for first grade keep all on their toes

 

[Wiz]

Talakai would be a great get , along with another similar quality , great back ups and push for first grade keep all on their toes

My number 1 for who we should sign. Because he can play middle, edge, and centre, having him on the bench allows you to also carry a hooker on the bench so we can rest and get more impact from Api.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Personally I see the addition of Fonua-Blake as a game changer this season for the Sharks …particularly in the finals after a very poor post season record recently… Now guys of his quality don’t grow on trees …. But Wests Tigers acquiring someone similar should be the goal in my view…

Vicious had listed his depth players he wanted to acquire …so I understood who he was referring too..

Not a snowflakes chance in hell we land or even target anyone close to the price or calibre of Fonua-Blake IMO and here is why ...

- Richo & Benji believe we have close to the squad to contend over the coming seasons. Just need to recruit to fill 'gaps' in the roster targeting certain positions & player qualities (defensive effort, line speed). KPP has been one.

- When have we ever landed a big name recruit except Luai! We are currently not a 'destination' club and are reliant on Benji & current stock to attract players, along with players not getting the opportunity they desire at current club.

- Benji is big on faith in his 'favourite' players. He sees Terrell as our pack leader so will not usurp him with a higher $$$ prop. He has faith in Fonua Pole & will have confidence in him improving his deficiencies to become the starter #10 we need.

- Our current regime in Richo, Benji, Gallant know that we elite quality in Bula, Taylan, Latu, Samuela & Pole developing & Makasini, Godinet, Haywood, Taupau-Moors, Havea Jr & Javon Andrews coming through.

I think many on here have nailed it saying we need an experienced #13 , a big-bodied prop with experience who has a defensive mindset & a depth outside back who can fill-in at centre or wing in the NRL without much lost.

It seems we are looking at players aged under 30 who have the desire & leadership qualities to improve our squad.

Would not surprise if the likes of off contract types Jack Hetherington, Lazarus Vaalepu & Albert Hopoate are being spoken to & we are waiting to see if the likes of Josh Curran & Ray Stone are surplus to requirements at their current clubs.

 

[tigahhh]

Not a snowflakes chance in hell we land or even target anyone close to the price or calibre of Fonua-Blake IMO and here is why ...

- Richo & Benji believe we have close to the squad to contend over the coming seasons. Just need to recruit to fill 'gaps' in the roster targeting certain positions & player qualities (defensive effort, line speed). KPP has been one.

- When have we ever landed a big name recruit except Luai! We are currently not a 'destination' club and are reliant on Benji & current stock to attract players, along with players not getting the opportunity they desire at current club.

- Benji is big on faith in his 'favourite' players. He sees Terrell as our pack leader so will not usurp him with a higher $$$ prop. He has faith in Fonua Pole & will have confidence in him improving his deficiencies to become the starter #10 we need.

- Our current regime in Richo, Benji, Gallant know that we elite quality in Bula, Taylan, Latu, Samuela & Pole developing & Makasini, Godinet, Haywood, Taupau-Moors, Havea Jr & Javon Andrews coming through.

I think many on here have nailed it saying we need an experienced #13 , a big-bodied prop with experience who has a defensive mindset & a depth outside back who can fill-in at centre or wing in the NRL without much lost.

It seems we are looking at players aged under 30 who have the desire & leadership qualities to improve our squad.

Would not surprise if the likes of off contract types Jack Hetherington, Lazarus Vaalepu & Albert Hopoate are being spoken to & we are waiting to see if the likes of Josh Curran & Ray Stone are surplus to requirements at their current clubs.

spot on as always BWG. i think if an experienced prop/13 that fits the character of the club comes up benji & richo will move for them, won’t be a marquee signing but one that can set standards and help lead our young forward pack. otherwise they are comfortable with where the squad is at. our team is still the youngest in the NRL, any experienced heads added will only help lift the young ones.