OFFICIAL Blake Austin [Discussion]

[sideline_eye]

I do hope that, as we rebuild this club from the ground up, we can embrace a culture that there is fierce competition for NRL spots and that playing State Cup for the Wests Tigers is looked upon as no disgrace but a great opportunity to press for a first grade spot.

 

[Furious1]

Blake also had off field issues that have been kept nice and quiet. Good luck in the future Blake

_Posted using RoarFEED_

'HAD' being the operable word.He cleaned himself up whilst still at penrith.
A better role model for troubled kids you will never find.
Good luck to Austin at the raiders next year

Did he? Must have been secretly playing for penrith this year aswell.

_Posted using RoarFEED_

 

[tig_prmz]

One thing I don't understand is whether Austin approached Canberra or they approached him. If Canberra approached Austin for 2015, isn't that illegal since he's contracted to us?

_Posted using RoarFEED_

 

[GNR4LIFE]

One thing I don't understand is whether Austin approached Canberra or they approached him. If Canberra approached Austin for 2015, isn't that illegal since he's contracted to us?

_Posted using RoarFEED_

I would imagine they approached him. Idk why anyone would go out of their way to approach the Raiders.

 

[tig_prmz]

One thing I don't understand is whether Austin approached Canberra or they approached him. If Canberra approached Austin for 2015, isn't that illegal since he's contracted to us?

_Posted using RoarFEED_

I would imagine they approached him. Idk why anyone would go out of their way to approach the Raiders.

Yep and I doubt we shopped Austin around either.

_Posted using RoarFEED_

 

[GNR4LIFE]

One thing I don't understand is whether Austin approached Canberra or they approached him. If Canberra approached Austin for 2015, isn't that illegal since he's contracted to us?

_Posted using RoarFEED_

I would imagine they approached him. Idk why anyone would go out of their way to approach the Raiders.

Yep and I doubt we shopped Austin around either.

_Posted using RoarFEED_

I think the Raiders approached Austin, and he jumped at the opportunity.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

The key to me is this.
On behalf of Wests Tigers I’d like to thank both Blake and James for their efforts while here at the Club and wish them well at their new Clubs,” said Taylor. “Both players have made it abundantly clear that they saw their future elsewhere and therefore we had no hesitation in granting their release.
Taylor wants commitment,these two couldn't give him the 100% he wants,so whilst not ideal,it is probably a great decision.

Could you really blame him though? Probably dirty at the way Potter was treated and the efforts of some of his team mates late in the year as well.

I do agree though that if he felt his future laid elsewhere, you don't want someone who doesn't want to be here.

And its not JT's fault for what happened before he got here. He gets here and for whatever reason there's a guy who isn't committed. Taylor had no other choice. Its his first yr, he doesn't want to risk having players who are going to half arse it.

I am in no way blaming JT. I'm actually saying Blake had made his mind up before JT even came into the picture.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

I was agreeing with you CB. I was adding to the point you were making.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

I was agreeing with you CB. I was adding to the point you were making.

Read your comment out of context. Sorry mate :slight_smile:

 

[Irvine]

What no $ sign for Blake Au$tin.

The CEO wasn't pushing him out…Au$tin wasn't off contract..Yet he has taken the money and run.

 

[Newtown]

Good luck to Blake. He has put his heart soul into his game and deserves to take up the opportunity which has been presented to him. Compared to a player like Lawrence, Austin would have only been on small money with Wests Tigers. Ironically Austin is and will continue to play better than Lawrence who still has a couple of seasons left in his contract. It is likely that Austin's contract would have been a direct swap in money terms for Naquama. Unfortunately it appears that losing promising players like Austin and Gavet will not contribute very much at all to freeing enough cap money space to buy a class player in the foreseeable future. .

 

[madunit]

Austin would've commanded more money than Naiqama. Canberra need him more than we do. He will be a starter there for a number of years, while he'd be a depth player here.

 

[tigerdre]

Blake also had off field issues that have been kept nice and quiet. Good luck in the future Blake

_Posted using RoarFEED_

'HAD' being the operable word.He cleaned himself up whilst still at penrith.
A better role model for troubled kids you will never find.
Good luck to Austin at the raiders next year

Did he? Must have been secretly playing for penrith this year aswell.

_Posted using RoarFEED_

Ok furious cool.What where the incidents?
Or are you just going to throw allegations out there?

 

[supercoach]

The only thing that puzzles me, why are we giving another team a leg up??? If they are clearing space for a top class backrower or a classy outside back, than I understand, but to give a team a leg up because you want a young kid to better himself in a dog eat dog comp is puzzling. Not sure if the Chooks or dogs would do the same thing.

Anyway good luck to Blake, seems like a kid who is a champion person who has had to work very hard to get his big break

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

What no $ sign for Blake Au$tin.

The CEO wasn't pushing him out…Au$tin wasn't off contract..Yet he has taken the money and run.

Wasn't offered a huge contract by the Tigers either before he left. I think that's the glaring difference.

 

[Furious1]

Blake also had off field issues that have been kept nice and quiet. Good luck in the future Blake

_Posted using RoarFEED_

'HAD' being the operable word.He cleaned himself up whilst still at penrith.
A better role model for troubled kids you will never find.
Good luck to Austin at the raiders next year

Did he? Must have been secretly playing for penrith this year aswell.

_Posted using RoarFEED_

Ok furious cool.What where the incidents?
Or are you just going to throw allegations out there?

Not for me to say. Oh and they are not allegations, they have been dealt with officially. Point is maybe Blake wants out of Sydney, that's why I'm wishing him luck for the future.

_Posted using RoarFEED_

 

[BodhiTiger]

"Wests Tigers have today confirmed that the Club has agreed to an early release for Blake Austin."

Bummer!

Good luck Blake.

 

[tsjonathan]

It's a shame however looking forward to seeing more of Moses and Martin now. Perhaps Martin and Moses have more 'upside'.

 

[alexaki]

What no $ sign for Blake Au$tin.

The CEO wasn't pushing him out…Au$tin wasn't off contract..Yet he has taken the money and run.

Very harsh mate…Austin's future with the Tigers was a 2nd tier wage for 2015 and a utility role...or a 3year NRL contract and a genuine shot at being full time NRL #6...which would you chose?...also you know if we didn't have Moses Austin would have **not** sought a release!…

 

[Tbone]

The Raiders have literally millions to play with in spare cap and are apparently front loading contracts.

If they aren't making the Raiders take one of our overpaid and underperforming players as part of the Austin deal, WT management have missed a very big trick.