Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

gregjm87 said:
I don't think our halves looked any better with AD at first receiver. I think AD did a better job there than either of them did, but I don't think they looked better with him there.
Quite often he didn't look to give them more time and space but rather just moved the defensive pressure wider of the ruck. I think this is how he scored his try. Defensive pressure pushed up wide of the ruck and forgot about the bloke with the ball.
I think the issue with AD playing as a lock is that he needs to be willing to take hit ups and get bashed. Running into the line with the ball is how you then create the space wider. If he's not taking 15+ hit ups effective enough for 100+m then defence will just slide off him with the 2nd receiver not getting any additional space.
Additionally for me the locks key ball playing role is short passing to isolate middle defenders and get our ball running forwards one on one. It will rarely lead to a line breaks but is how those forwards then find their front and generate fast play to then attack off. I didn't see any of this in his little cameo.
Not saying he can't do any of the above or that we shouldn't continually trial it for the remainder of the season. I'm just in no way convinced yet.
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Great take!
 
Jolls said:
Great take!
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Which is why he would be best used from roughly 20 minutes onwards which might be an ego hit for him, but would be best for the team. Same with Bayley Hayward at the dogs. He looks far better on at that 20 minute mark but when starting loses a bit of punch.
 
BBTF said:
Which is why he would be best used from roughly 20 minutes onwards which might be an ego hit for him, but would be best for the team. Same with Bayley Hayward at the dogs. He looks far better on at that 20 minute mark but when starting loses a bit of punch.
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It’s probably our only reasonable option, but not necessarily an answer in helping us start games better than we normally do.
If we get a few of our early crowd pleasing penalties at Leichhardt Oval, that might help,
 
BBTF said:
Which is why he would be best used from roughly 20 minutes onwards which might be an ego hit for him, but would be best for the team. Same with Bayley Hayward at the dogs. He looks far better on at that 20 minute mark but when starting loses a bit of punch.
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@gregjm87 nailed it. What he did againtt the Warriors was simply stand in as first receiver to give Latu and Luai more time. This was a way to counter their line speed/up and in defence. The other option we had was to chip over the top/through the line or kick some early set 40/20s. If we had done that the oudside backs would have had to sit on their heels a bit which wouldenable the shift. A thinking captain would have made that decision - not have to wait for Benji to do it for them from the sideline.

I share the concerns that he probably won't take the dirty hit ups. If our game plan is to grind out the first 20 and then shift, and shift quickly it may be workable. However, a 13 (right now) AD is not. A short term solution to a bigger problem (on field leadership) he could well be. Who knows, with the right attitude and a contract up for grabs he may just play out of his skin!
 
hank37w said:
How about for players 11 and onwards which is where Bula is currently at?

It would appear that we are already paying overs for what his output is currently, want to see more improvement in him before talking even more money, we seem to be always paying on potential that does not eventuate.
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You’re not understanding the context of the article.
It is a ranking within a club not a ranking per position. Bula is outside our captains the next highest earner in my opinion maybe at other clubs he wouldn’t be.
 
With his speed, leg drive aggression and energy would it be too outrageous to consider TMay (the Tiny variety) as a future lock, potentially making room for big Mak to make the left centre position his own in the near distant future?
 
Needaname said:
With his speed, leg drive aggression and energy would it be too outrageous to consider TMay (the Tiny variety) as a future lock, potentially making room for big Mak to make the left centre position his own in the near distant future?
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It could work as he could become Reuben Cotter style of light weight, but fast and tough style of 13.
 
Jolls said:
@gregjm87 nailed it. What he did againtt the Warriors was simply stand in as first receiver to give Latu and Luai more time. This was a way to counter their line speed/up and in defence. The other option we had was to chip over the top/through the line or kick some early set 40/20s. If we had done that the oudside backs would have had to sit on their heels a bit which wouldenable the shift. A thinking captain would have made that decision - not have to wait for Benji to do it for them from the sideline.

I share the concerns that he probably won't take the dirty hit ups. If our game plan is to grind out the first 20 and then shift, and shift quickly it may be workable. However, a 13 (right now) AD is not. A short term solution to a bigger problem (on field leadership) he could well be. Who knows, with the right attitude and a contract up for grabs he may just play out of his skin!
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Are you saying the captain should have made the positional switch mid game? I don't think that has ever happened in the history of the game
 
A few tidbits from the agent side of things (supposedly):

Wests Tigers apparently have $1M earmarked for a big name recruit for 2026 rather than journeymen types. Going for Adam Reynolds was evidence for this as well as front-loading contracts and removing players this year. No one signed yet as it is sensitive with contracting but they have been taking some big swings, all above board but depends on a few things such as coaching merry-go rounds in other clubs. Tigers have recognised they need at least one more elite leader at the club and are making moves.

As for Bula, Tigers and his manager to renegotiate an extension or rather a new contract that could be good for all parties involved. Reading between the lines, if Tigers take up their option of $900k, Isaac Moses doesn't get commission so he is open to negotiating a lesser value but more years so he gets his cut and Bula doesn't want to play anywhere else. Maybe business beats out bad blood here. I guess we'll see.

A few other non-tigers stuff like Cam Smith to coach Titans next year and also Weekes getting a big upgrade. Oh and apparently he knows someone who saw footage of the Benji/Doueihi fight and it was literally a big tackle and not even any push and shove. Chinese whispers got to a journo who made it into something it wasn't.
 
Tiger Tarl said:
A few tidbits from the agent side of things (supposedly):

Wests Tigers apparently have $1M earmarked for a big name recruit for 2026 rather than journeymen types. Going for Adam Reynolds was evidence for this as well as front-loading contracts and removing players this year. No one signed yet as it is sensitive with contracting but they have been taking some big swings, all above board but depends on a few things such as coaching merry-go rounds in other clubs. Tigers have recognised they need at least one more elite leader at the club and are making moves.

As for Bula, Tigers and his manager to renegotiate an extension or rather a new contract that could be good for all parties involved. Reading between the lines, if Tigers take up their option of $900k, Isaac Moses doesn't get commission so he is open to negotiating a lesser value but more years so he gets his cut and Bula doesn't want to play anywhere else. Maybe business beats out bad blood here. I guess we'll see.

A few other non-tigers stuff like Cam Smith to coach Titans next year and also Weekes getting a big upgrade. Oh and apparently he knows someone who saw footage of the Benji/Doueihi fight and it was literally a big tackle and not even any push and shove. Chinese whispers got to a journo who made it into something it wasn't.
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Tino come on down 🙏
 
king_sirro said:
Are you saying the captain should have made the positional switch mid game? I don't think that has ever happened in the history of the game
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No, not that he should have made the positional switch - don't get me wrong that is the coaches perogative. If the game plan is not working then the captain needs to have the ability to identify why the plan can't be executed and adjust.

This weekend - the Warriors line speed and up and in defence had us turning the ball back into their pack and doing a lot of one out running. Api or Luai could have made the decision to:
  • Execute the same game plan one off the ruck to provide time and space to execute the plan,
  • Kicked over the top/through the line to slow the line speed and then go back to the game plan,
  • Kick, or attempt to kick, a couple of 40/20s to get outside backs in two minds to enable us to execute the game plan.
  • Execute the flat 4 approach deeper to provide time and space.
Either Api or Luai should have had the nouse to execute any or several of those actions without having their hand held by Benji. Benji has given them the intent - they are big boys getting paid big dollars - time to earn it.

Modern footy is a simple game, and for most players they just need to execute their part and do the 1%ers that make a difference, but someone out there has to have enough smarts to adapt when required.
 
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king_sirro said:
Are you saying the captain should have made the positional switch mid game? I don't think that has ever happened in the history of the game
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No the captain should have made the adjustments to the game plan (kicking behind the outside backs or kicking long early in the sets) mid game.
They should also have a structure for early shifts that don't involve positional changes to be called upon when the captain deems appropriate.
 
Jolls said:
No, not that he should have made the positional switch - don't get me wrong that is the coaches perogative. If the game plan is not working then the captain needs to have the ability to identify why the plan can't be executed and adjust.

Thsi weekend - the Warriors line speed and up and in defence had us turning the ball back into their pack and doing a lot of one out running. Api or Luai could have made the decision to:
  • Execute the same game plan one off the ruck to provide time and space to execute the plan,
  • Kicked over the top/through the line to slow the line speed and then go back to the game plan,
  • Kick, or attempt to kick, a coupel fo 40/20s to get outside backs in two minds to enable us to execute the game plan.
  • Execute the flat 4 approach deeper to provide time and space.
Either Api or Luai should have had the nouse to execute any or several of those actions without having their hand held by Benji. Benji has given them the intent - they are big boys getting paid big dollars - time to earn it.

Modern footy is a simple game, and for most players they just need to execute their part and do the 1%ers that make a difference, but someone out there has to have enough smarts to adapt when required.
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Have you ever noticed what happens after an attempted 40/20 kick that doesn’t come off? The opposition get a heap of easy territory very quickly. That’s why it is such a good skill to have in the bag. But the better option would be to kick in field rather than attempt a 40/20.
One play that stood out to me in the Sharks game from Katoa the golden man at the moment.
Sharks had the Phins deep in their half and I was watching Katoa to see what he decided to do on tackle 4. He set one more forward run and received the ball about 10 out from touch 10 metres from the 40 metre line. Looking at the sideline he teased Kennedy with the thought of placing it down the line (attempting a 40/20 only to keep to the right of Kennedy and down into the 10m line where it was retrieved. Still despite that being such a big kick and well placed the sharks started their set about 30 out despite only Kennedy being back to retrieve the kick.
We had a similar opportunity being squeezed well in our half and on tackle 4 I was willing for a kicker to take the early kick and try and find the grass. Unfortunately Api took one more forward up field and decided to kick out of dummy half all 3 warrior backs were in position to retrieve his kick and started their set on the halfway line. Obviously the Phins did a better job as did the Warriors in setting their defence but going for the 40/20 on the backfoot is a huge risk and one only the best kickers in the game can nail. Unfortunately we have probably the worst kicking combination spine in the comp.
 
Tiger Tarl said:
A few tidbits from the agent side of things (supposedly):

Wests Tigers apparently have $1M earmarked for a big name recruit for 2026 rather than journeymen types. Going for Adam Reynolds was evidence for this as well as front-loading contracts and removing players this year. No one signed yet as it is sensitive with contracting but they have been taking some big swings, all above board but depends on a few things such as coaching merry-go rounds in other clubs. Tigers have recognised they need at least one more elite leader at the club and are making moves.

As for Bula, Tigers and his manager to renegotiate an extension or rather a new contract that could be good for all parties involved. Reading between the lines, if Tigers take up their option of $900k, Isaac Moses doesn't get commission so he is open to negotiating a lesser value but more years so he gets his cut and Bula doesn't want to play anywhere else. Maybe business beats out bad blood here. I guess we'll see.

A few other non-tigers stuff like Cam Smith to coach Titans next year and also Weekes getting a big upgrade. Oh and apparently he knows someone who saw footage of the Benji/Doueihi fight and it was literally a big tackle and not even any push and shove. Chinese whispers got to a journo who made it into something it wasn't.
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Thanks for the tidbits TT.

Personally I would love one of these 3 ... obviously Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (but just can't see it) but also either Keaon Koloamatangi as a middle or Spencer Leniu.

Spencer would actually bring the 'Eye of the Tiger' to the club and I think would thrive as a leader with Terrell May. With so many young forwards progressing at a rapid rate at the Chooks, maybe a 'westie' like Spencer could fall from the tree branches!
 
Needaname said:
Have you ever noticed what happens after an attempted 40/20 kick that doesn’t come off? The opposition get a heap of easy territory very quickly. That’s why it is such a good skill to have in the bag. But the better option would be to kick in field rather than attempt a 40/20.
One play that stood out to me in the Sharks game from Katoa the golden man at the moment.
Sharks had the Phins deep in their half and I was watching Katoa to see what he decided to do on tackle 4. He set one more forward run and received the ball about 10 out from touch 10 metres from the 40 metre line. Looking at the sideline he teased Kennedy with the thought of placing it down the line (attempting a 40/20 only to keep to the right of Kennedy and down into the 10m line where it was retrieved. Still despite that being such a big kick and well placed the sharks started their set about 30 out despite only Kennedy being back to retrieve the kick.
We had a similar opportunity being squeezed well in our half and on tackle 4 I was willing for a kicker to take the early kick and try and find the grass. Unfortunately Api took one more forward up field and decided to kick out of dummy half all 3 warrior backs were in position to retrieve his kick and started their set on the halfway line. Obviously the Phins did a better job as did the Warriors in setting their defence but going for the 40/20 on the backfoot is a huge risk and one only the best kickers in the game can nail. Unfortunately we have probably the worst kicking combination spine in the comp.
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you are spot on, the key to any 40/20 or early tackle set is to find the grass and have a great chase. If the 40/20 comes off it is a bonus, if it doesn't and they are starting their sets deep that as great outcome as well. If we are gassed and under fatigue from momentum we can also kick for touch to slow the game down a little and start from a set line. That can be dangerous if they get a scrum base move right, but at times it is worth the risk.

The bit that is important is not so much the kick - be it short or long - it is the threat of the defence being caught out if we get it right.

A couple of dabs in behind the line mid field (which Luai and Latu are both good at) holds the line back a little and provides room and also brings the fullback up a little that give you more opportunies to kick to to the seagulls and have them statting the sets deep.

When we are under pressure we don't try in get inside the head of our opposition and make them adjust their play to enable ours. That is where we really struggle. We can score a few points - but how many more could we score if the had that extra time and space?
 
Tiger Tarl said:
A few tidbits from the agent side of things (supposedly):

Wests Tigers apparently have $1M earmarked for a big name recruit for 2026 rather than journeymen types. Going for Adam Reynolds was evidence for this as well as front-loading contracts and removing players this year. No one signed yet as it is sensitive with contracting but they have been taking some big swings, all above board but depends on a few things such as coaching merry-go rounds in other clubs. Tigers have recognised they need at least one more elite leader at the club and are making moves.

As for Bula, Tigers and his manager to renegotiate an extension or rather a new contract that could be good for all parties involved. Reading between the lines, if Tigers take up their option of $900k, Isaac Moses doesn't get commission so he is open to negotiating a lesser value but more years so he gets his cut and Bula doesn't want to play anywhere else. Maybe business beats out bad blood here. I guess we'll see.

A few other non-tigers stuff like Cam Smith to coach Titans next year and also Weekes getting a big upgrade. Oh and apparently he knows someone who saw footage of the Benji/Doueihi fight and it was literally a big tackle and not even any push and shove. Chinese whispers got to a journo who made it into something it wasn't.
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Only worth paying someone $1 mill if they are worth it. At this time of year, the only player worth that money is already contracted and would be maybe seeking release. So, there is a good chance that we can't sign a million dollar player. How was this not identified and used earlier would be my question? There is no point figuring out in July you can sign a $1 mill player for next year.

I would rather use that money carefully for next year (eg short upgrades) and have it available for 2027, then rush in and pay overs for someone on a long contract like Packer, Sullivan, Mbye, Reynolds, BJ, Klemmer, Bateman, where it becomes really challenging to get rid of them or we end up paying money for them to play elsewhere
 
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