Confirmed: Matterson released from Wests Tigers.

[weststigerman]

@Geo Ah missed that. In that case I can’t think of too many external signings recently that we actually wanted to keep beyond their contract.

 

[OzLuke]

@Geo Ah missed that. In that case I can’t think of too many external signings recently that we actually wanted to keep beyond their contract.

corey thompson....

 

[Bathursttiger2]

I had hopes at the end of this season that we were going somewhere and that within a couple of years we could let some overpaid players go and build a team around Brooks and Matterson. Now Matterson is leaving........I am tired of having my hopes dashed. I have opted not to renew my membership for 2020. I will not stop supporting the team, but I cannot keep copping this as a fan. Something has to change - so that this club is not seen by players and player managers as a place to earn some above value coin for nearly retiring players, or as a place where I can get a start and then move on to to a more 'fashionable' club. What needs to change is people's perceptions about who Wests Tigers are. How can this be changed? My personal view is we have to present an attractive proposition for players and their managers - eg powerful corporate support for the club that can offer third party agreements on par with teams like the Roosters, playing out of one venue that is both financially viable and comfortable for fans, high expectations for success driven by management and coaches, quality recruiting processes, excellent training facilities. We currently come up short in a number of these areas and until this changes we will struggle.

I really hope the club is looking at this feedback

If memberships slip then internal questions will be asked by the board.

If anyone tears up their membership over this twerp you need to have a good look look at yourselves .He's been given permission to talk to others which means he has one foot out the door his team are pi***d off with his attitude (never a good sign) his management team I would rate below Isaac Moses and other thing is he as good as everyone seems to be wetting their pants over NO!!!!!!

This isn't a one off event though, is it?


Exactly. For me this was the tipping point. The final straw if you like. I have no intention of stopping my support for the team but I’m not renewing membership until this continued mismanagement and poor team performance stops.
Someone said that a couple of thousand people opting out won’t worry the Tigers. It should. Every person who does not renew should be of grave concern. Every single person.

Who do you hold responsible for the actions taken by Matterson Tiger Steve?
The thing that will make this club strong is memberships.
I just don't understand why the actions of a player who had a great year under our coach at our club and reacts by walking out looking for a better deal is the fault of the club/management/ coach or anyone.
And why should fans support Mattersons actions in this matter by turning on the club? I just don't get it?

Don't think that memberships make the club strong. They just give an amateur administration more coin to fritter away.

Jack Gibson always said that winning starts at the front office.

 

[TIGER]

I think it's fair to say the Tigers posterboy has been ripped off the wall torn up and incinerated.
It's amazing how quickly a player can go from hero to zero.

You just can't get too excited or attached to any player anymore because they disappear as quickly as they came.

Club emblems and colours mean nothing, they're just clothes they wear so their good clothes don't get ruined while they play, kind of like what you send your kids to kindergarten in.

 

[Jimmy]

This is actually kinda sad tbh....Matto was seen as our future capt....an AUS n soo rep in the making....a true leader, that would train and work his guts out and do everything to keep the good players here.....bit like Farah I guess....then this....it just hurts

 

[OzLuke]

I think it's fair to say the Tigers posterboy has been ripped off the wall torn up and incinerated.
It's amazing how quickly a player can go from hero to zero.

You just can't get too excited or attached to any player anymore because they disappear as quickly as they came.

Club emblems and colours mean nothing, they're just clothes they wear so their good clothes don't get ruined while they play, kind of like what you send your kids to kindergarten in.

in all fairness it's just a job to these guys because it's a skill they've been blessed with which is emphasised with a little hard work.
The emblem, colours, history only means something to us fans. It's why last night the parra players were on the field joking with the storm players. It is just another day at the office.

 

[cochise]

I think it's fair to say the Tigers posterboy has been ripped off the wall torn up and incinerated.
It's amazing how quickly a player can go from hero to zero.

You just can't get too excited or attached to any player anymore because they disappear as quickly as they came.

Club emblems and colours mean nothing, they're just clothes they wear so their good clothes don't get ruined while they play, kind of like what you send your kids to kindergarten in.

in all fairness it's just a job to these guys because it's a skill they've been blessed with which is emphasised with a little hard work.
The emblem, colours, history only means something to us fans. It's why last night the parra players were on the field joking with the storm players. It is just another day at the office.

I do not believe that is true for all players though!

 

[OzLuke]

I think it's fair to say the Tigers posterboy has been ripped off the wall torn up and incinerated.
It's amazing how quickly a player can go from hero to zero.

You just can't get too excited or attached to any player anymore because they disappear as quickly as they came.

Club emblems and colours mean nothing, they're just clothes they wear so their good clothes don't get ruined while they play, kind of like what you send your kids to kindergarten in.

in all fairness it's just a job to these guys because it's a skill they've been blessed with which is emphasised with a little hard work.
The emblem, colours, history only means something to us fans. It's why last night the parra players were on the field joking with the storm players. It is just another day at the office.

I do not believe that is true for all players though!

neither do I, but it is a very, very small minority

 

[cochise]

@OzLuke So lets support the players that devote themselves to our club!

 

[OzLuke]

@OzLuke So lets support the players that devote themselves to our club!

wholeheartedly agree!!!

 

[pawsandclaws1]

This is actually kinda sad tbh....Matto was seen as our future capt....an AUS n soo rep in the making....a true leader, that would train and work his guts out and do everything to keep the good players here.....bit like Farah I guess....then this....it just hurts

I would never want him as captain of WTs. He certainly is not representative of my values and a player like Brooks is far more deserving of the captaincy than Matterson even before this incident,.

 

[momo_amp_medo]

If we don’t get something worthwhile

I think that "If we don’t get something worthwhile" he will be introduced to new CC Coach for training next year.

 

[OzLuke]

This is actually kinda sad tbh....Matto was seen as our future capt....an AUS n soo rep in the making....a true leader, that would train and work his guts out and do everything to keep the good players here.....bit like Farah I guess....then this....it just hurts

I would never want him as captain of WTs. He certainly is not representative of my values and a player like Brooks is far more deserving of the captaincy than Matterson even before this incident,.

brooks has done a lot of hard yards for this club. while I don't think he has the personality to be captain, I think he should get a shot before a lot of others

 

[BZN]

@cochise: Chris Lawrence is a perfect example of devotion to our club, and look at the disrespectful way he has been referred to by many of our forumers, as well as by the club itself.

 

[momo_amp_medo]

I had hopes at the end of this season that we were going somewhere and that within a couple of years we could let some overpaid players go and build a team around Brooks and Matterson. Now Matterson is leaving........I am tired of having my hopes dashed. I have opted not to renew my membership for 2020. I will not stop supporting the team, but I cannot keep copping this as a fan. Something has to change - so that this club is not seen by players and player managers as a place to earn some above value coin for nearly retiring players, or as a place where I can get a start and then move on to to a more 'fashionable' club. What needs to change is people's perceptions about who Wests Tigers are. How can this be changed? My personal view is we have to present an attractive proposition for players and their managers - eg powerful corporate support for the club that can offer third party agreements on par with teams like the Roosters, playing out of one venue that is both financially viable and comfortable for fans, high expectations for success driven by management and coaches, quality recruiting processes, excellent training facilities. We currently come up short in a number of these areas and until this changes we will struggle.

I really hope the club is looking at this feedback

If memberships slip then internal questions will be asked by the board.

If anyone tears up their membership over this twerp you need to have a good look look at yourselves .He's been given permission to talk to others which means he has one foot out the door his team are pi***d off with his attitude (never a good sign) his management team I would rate below Isaac Moses and other thing is he as good as everyone seems to be wetting their pants over NO!!!!!!

This isn't a one off event though, is it?


Exactly. For me this was the tipping point. The final straw if you like. I have no intention of stopping my support for the team but I’m not renewing membership until this continued mismanagement and poor team performance stops.
Someone said that a couple of thousand people opting out won’t worry the Tigers. It should. Every person who does not renew should be of grave concern. Every single person.

Who do you hold responsible for the actions taken by Matterson Tiger Steve?
The thing that will make this club strong is memberships.
I just don't understand why the actions of a player who had a great year under our coach at our club and reacts by walking out looking for a better deal is the fault of the club/management/ coach or anyone.
And why should fans support Mattersons actions in this matter by turning on the club? I just don't get it?


You’re missing my point. Why does Matterson not want to stay? Why have we been unable to work through this situation? If it was one off it would be fair to say it’s probably Matterson. But it’s not a one off. It’s one problem in a long line of stuff ups. We seem to mismanage every situation. For whatever reason Matterson (and many others) don’t want to buy into WestsTigers. Why? Because there is obviously something not appealing from within. So many that have left, or under performed, can’t be wrong

It's not unique to us Steve it's just when it happens we care more. RCG, DWZ, Klemmer, and James Roberts all quality players broke contract this year to go elsewhere for what ever reason.
We lost good players during and post JT/Go years for good reason - we were a debacle. We are still recovering, but we have made good progress financially and we have the centre of excellence in the pipeline and we have a good experienced coach - the ambassador role mishandling aside
The thing about Matterson that makes no sense from the clubs point of view after being at Parramatta and the Roosters - he has a break out season under our coach and our club yet wants out. As a club we can't do much more than that for any player.
Get your frustration I think we all are.

I think it's just a case of a talented footballer having smoke blown up his freckle his entire life and has an attitude of entitlement and doesn't realize the world doesn't revolve solely around him

Exactly!
Unless we get some real mileage out of this, and I mean we end up in front ...... then we play har4d ball with him and his management for next two years. Most we can lose is $350k and don't bloody even think about giving him a sniff at an upgrade. Upgrades are usually dependent on annual milestones like a minimum number of first grade appearances. So just play him in CC. Ruin his bloody career.
We hold all the cards here.

 

[JD Tiger]

@MAGPIES1963 Imo Lawrence muddied his reputation by coming out three days before our last season game going on about wanting his contract renewed. Should have been all about the game. But even someone with as big a club record and legacy as him couldn't resist but drag us a bit through the mud.

A couple of years ago my oldest boy asked me who my favourite player was, that was currently playing. And I thought about it, and I couldn't tell him. I didn't have one. Still don't. Who is the one player who will do anything for our club and never even dream of playing for another against us? I don't know any these days. Even our two current/past greats in Robbie and Benji played against us. Lawrence said he would if he had to just days before our last game.

To be fair though, there aren't many clubs in the who league have a player like that, who would stay. I'm struggling to think of any actually, any player at any club who would stay with their club no matter what. who has never publicly looked at leaving publicly, because we can't know personally).

 

[happy_tiger]

I had hopes at the end of this season that we were going somewhere and that within a couple of years we could let some overpaid players go and build a team around Brooks and Matterson. Now Matterson is leaving........I am tired of having my hopes dashed. I have opted not to renew my membership for 2020. I will not stop supporting the team, but I cannot keep copping this as a fan. Something has to change - so that this club is not seen by players and player managers as a place to earn some above value coin for nearly retiring players, or as a place where I can get a start and then move on to to a more 'fashionable' club. What needs to change is people's perceptions about who Wests Tigers are. How can this be changed? My personal view is we have to present an attractive proposition for players and their managers - eg powerful corporate support for the club that can offer third party agreements on par with teams like the Roosters, playing out of one venue that is both financially viable and comfortable for fans, high expectations for success driven by management and coaches, quality recruiting processes, excellent training facilities. We currently come up short in a number of these areas and until this changes we will struggle.

I really hope the club is looking at this feedback

If memberships slip then internal questions will be asked by the board.

If anyone tears up their membership over this twerp you need to have a good look look at yourselves .He's been given permission to talk to others which means he has one foot out the door his team are pi***d off with his attitude (never a good sign) his management team I would rate below Isaac Moses and other thing is he as good as everyone seems to be wetting their pants over NO!!!!!!

This isn't a one off event though, is it?


Exactly. For me this was the tipping point. The final straw if you like. I have no intention of stopping my support for the team but I’m not renewing membership until this continued mismanagement and poor team performance stops.
Someone said that a couple of thousand people opting out won’t worry the Tigers. It should. Every person who does not renew should be of grave concern. Every single person.

Hey mate,
I have been thinking about your stance for the past couple of days and having met you a couple of times I have seen how passionate you are about this club and I definitely do not consider you to be a quitter. I actually think this is a decision you will feel was a mistake when the new season comes around after the heat has gone out of this situation. I truly get your reasons for they way you feel and feel frustrated just like you do but this is our club and the colours run through our veins and are imprinted on our soul. Players and administrators come and go but people like you are here for life.

There are players who dedicate their lives to this club just like the fans do, support those players, get behind those players. Even in this time of greater professionalism we have players that make commitments and sacrifices for the betterment of our club. We will find our next lot of Farahs, Marshalls, Fultons, Brooks and Hodgos. Maybe we already have some of them in the younger players we have coming through. I have been a member of this club for everyday since we formed, that is something that I will not be giving up. Even if it is 2050 when we next win a premiership, the 72 year old me will proudly reminisce of being that proud member and supporter for all 50 years of this clubs history!

Hopefully you see this post in the light it was intended, I know my post often come across as having a go at people but that is definitely not my intention here. Part of it is selfish though as I like having knowledgeable people msitting around me at the games and enjoyed listening to your loud insights at BW this season!


Thanks mate. Awesome post. I think you’re right actually. Thanks.

I am a avid reader of the forum and i have to say i enjoy the banter and each others opinions. I don't post often until i feel i have something to say. I'll start and finish with RM. Shiat is going down. Shiat, none of us know anything about. Media keep coming out with new twists on the dilemma that is RM. Tigers have granted leave from training, Yes and Club statement confrims that. Latest media realese is we have granted him permission to seek employment elsewhere. That is just the media. Until i hear it in a statement from the club i will disregard all those paper blokes. If he goes i will be disappointed but i grew up a magpie so I'm used to it. It happened all the time. I will still luv the Wests Tigers win lose or draw. Matto or not

 

[happy_tiger]

So my question would be to all

When was the last time we resigned an external player we really needed to keep

No one stays .......what does that say ?

Josh Aloiai..

One player WOW

Huh ..Your question was when was the last time...

Corey Thompson another..in this current administration..

Before that Elijah Taylor..

How far you want to go back...

What about a player the Forum members might get excited about

 

[cochise]

We don't often agree but is exactly what I was thinking!

 

[innsaneink]

I had hopes at the end of this season that we were going somewhere and that within a couple of years we could let some overpaid players go and build a team around Brooks and Matterson. Now Matterson is leaving........I am tired of having my hopes dashed. I have opted not to renew my membership for 2020. I will not stop supporting the team, but I cannot keep copping this as a fan. Something has to change - so that this club is not seen by players and player managers as a place to earn some above value coin for nearly retiring players, or as a place where I can get a start and then move on to to a more 'fashionable' club. What needs to change is people's perceptions about who Wests Tigers are. How can this be changed? My personal view is we have to present an attractive proposition for players and their managers - eg powerful corporate support for the club that can offer third party agreements on par with teams like the Roosters, playing out of one venue that is both financially viable and comfortable for fans, high expectations for success driven by management and coaches, quality recruiting processes, excellent training facilities. We currently come up short in a number of these areas and until this changes we will struggle.

I really hope the club is looking at this feedback

If memberships slip then internal questions will be asked by the board.

If anyone tears up their membership over this twerp you need to have a good look look at yourselves .He's been given permission to talk to others which means he has one foot out the door his team are pi***d off with his attitude (never a good sign) his management team I would rate below Isaac Moses and other thing is he as good as everyone seems to be wetting their pants over NO!!!!!!

It’s not about Matterson it’s the message this club sends on a regular basis that we’re a soft touch. You start to question how we can ever get anywhere when we rollover time and time again. Anyone who looks half decent leaves - often while under contract. It gets a bit tired after a while.


Moses Suli
Tevita Tatola
Ryan Papenhuyzen
Josh Addo Car
Marty Taupau
Taniela paseka
Ryan Matterson
Mitchell Moses
Aaron woods
James Tedesco
Blake Austin
Curtis Sironen

All the above left or were let go by the Tigers are in their prime right now...sad state of affairs imo

Every club has a list like this, it's not just Tigers. It's pointless to fret over it because it will never change for any club - it's built into the sport and driven by salary cap.

That may be so but it's what's left that is the big difference.
We lose much and gain little... Others replace like for like or even better