OFFICIAL Blake Ayshford [Discussion]

[Guest]

New culture building at Wests Tigers
Wests Tigers

Friday 12 July 2013 3:06 PM
New culture building at Wests Tigers

Wests Tigers can confirm the release of centre Blake Ayshford from the final two years of his contract.

Contracted to Wests Tigers until the end of the 2015 season, Ayshford approached the club asking for a release. He will see out the season with Wests Tigers before joining Cronulla.

Chief Operating Officer Grant Mayer said the decision to release Ayshford and forward Eddy Pettybourne last week has helped ease salary cap issues that have developed this season due to a heavy injury toll.

"Managing the salary is often a day by day proposition and decisions like this, whilst difficult, are correct for our long term plans" Mayer said.

“We are going through an important rebuilding phase that will re-establish the Wests Tigers as a top contender year on year. We have some exceptionally big decisions to make over the coming months and with the Direction of our Board, I am confident that our future will be bright.

“From a football perspective, we need a cultural shift that will help develop our young talent. Players like Tim Simona, David Nofoaluma, Marika Koroibete, Luke Brooks, Mitchell Moses, Kyle Lovett, Nathan Brown and
Matt Woods are all coming through our system and need to be developed and invested in."

Mayer said that Captain Robbie Farah and the senior leadership group will be instrumental in building the right environment for the younger players.

“They are international players with tremendous leadership qualities and their experience in this area will be vital,’’ he added

 

[strrretch]

A continuation of some recent sensible but tough management decisions.
Great to see. Thanks , too many good young blokes we need tie down .
I like the looks of this "new culture" thing

 

[Eye_Of_Da_Tiger]

:dead Yep but another thread? :dead

 

[Eye_Of_Da_Tiger]

A new culture is needed!

 

[Defiant]

Good player but doesn't pass enough. Another tough but right decision by management imo.

Offloading Lawrence is not really an option as his contract is larger and longer dated then Ash.

Fingers crossed he comes good.. the Sharkies game was one of his best in recent years.

 

[Milky]

Good player but doesn't pass enough. Another tough but right decision by management imo.

Offloading Lawrence is not really an option as his contract is larger and longer dated then Ash.

Fingers crossed he comes good.. the Sharkies game was one of his best in recent years.

I think Lawrence will hit best form again (hopefully) but Koro's defence must improve.

 

[PrattenParkMagpie]

What I do have a problem with is Blake going to the Sharks. Any other team would of been better. This just irks me that another team is building off our experience players….the sharks must be nearly over the cap with all the players that we let go unless their salaries are partly being paid by us.

Experienced, but also ageing

Probably not retaining Ross or Morris for next season and maybe a few others but most of these will still be with the club for a few years to come….

Ross (33)
Morris (33)
Gallen (32 next month)
Taufua (31)
Robson (31 next month)
Heighington (30)
Pomeroy (29)
Gordon (29)
Gibbs (29)
Lewis (29)
De Gois (28)
Ryan (27)
Carney (27)
Tagatese (27 next month)
Wright (26 next month)
Fifita (24)
Bukuya (24)
Stapleton (23)
Feki (22)
Mills (21)
Peachey (21)

And of the younger ones Peachey I believe has signed elsewhere

 

[spearby]

I dont really have a problem with letting Blake go although we must be talking to some other players as we are losing alot of experience in the team for next season.
What I do have a problem with is Blake going to the Sharks. Any other team would of been better. This just irks me that another team is building off our experience players….the sharks must be nearly over the cap with all the players that we let go unless their salaries are partly being paid by us.
I am sure that Utai wont be there next season, Lote is a maybe, Bell is a maybe, Pettybourne gone, Ashford gone....I am hoping that we now have some money in the bank to secure some players like a wide running 2nd rower in Boyd Cordner mould and an impact front rower off the bench.

why would they be over the cap we pay for 1/2 there side :deadhorse:

 

[pHyR3]

Well they got fined 150k the other day for cap infringmements so i dunno how they managed that with us paying so much of their cap already?

 

[alexaki]

Well they got fined 150k the other day for cap infringmements so i dunno how they managed that with us paying so much of their cap already?

Our contributions are included in their cap

 

[system]

Good luck with the Tiger Sharks Blake, different jersey, nearly the same players…..

Unbelievable they have 6 current first graders from us flanagan has used our efforts creating them but he knows how to get the players sparking again

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_

 

[tig_prmz]

im not sure why everyone hates the sharks tbh

i actually quite like them.. it's good to see players that i used to support still in the nrl somewhere instead of superleague or union.

my 2nd favourite team tbh

 

[underdog]

I don't hate the sharks team, just how they made their team.

 

[laufoofan]

We also have Mozlten, Benji and some othe Beau Ryan's clique. Don't forget Benji Beau!!

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

That's a shame. I think he had more to offer, but he wanted the release and perhaps he feels he might be on the outer.

All the best to him.

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_

 

[westy81]

Thanks for all you have done Blake, GL next year

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_

 

[Shooshmeister]

What a shame. Solid player and seemed like a likable guy. Hopefully he will continue to play well for many more years.

I must admit, I too hate the fact all our released players are going to the Sharks, instead of to various other teams. It will feel weird playing against them like it did lat game. Hopefully this is the start of a new and dominant era for the Wests Tigers!!

 

[Peaches]

Well they got fined 150k the other day for cap infringmements so i dunno how they managed that with us paying so much of their cap already?

Our contributions are included in their cap

It was more a paperwork error with a former sponsor for why they got fined.

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_

 

[trumper]

Good luck Ayshford; thanks for being a Tiger.

A victim of the old regime and nothing to take personally as a new coach has brought a different model of thinking.

I hope he does well at Cronulla, why not play with your mates for a team with a structure that may suit him better.

 

[cunno]

Good luck to Blake hope he goes well at the sharks, except when they play us, they are becoming our bogey team atm.