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Wests Tigers signing shafts star recruit Tuimoala Lolohea
JUNE 27, 20171:30PM
THE Wests Tigers bus appears to be heading in two different directions. The club on Monday reportedly picked up Connor Watson on a deal that will see the promising star break his contract with the Roosters one year early to link with the Wests Tigers next season.
The Tigers have reportedly signed Watson under the pretence the 21-year-old will step into James Tedesco’s No. 1 jumper next season — when the Blues fullback moves to the Bondi club. Watson has reportedly been offered a bumper deal worth up to $500,000 per season, but Channel 7 reported on Monday night the promise of a spot in the starting 13 of an NRL club was the driving reason behind his departure. The elephant in the Tigers’ sheds is that star recruit Tuimoala Lolohea was given the same promise just two months ago when the Tigers signed him as their long-term fullback option to replace Tedesco.
Making the situation even more awkward was the public declarations Lolohea made that he moved to the Tigers from the Warriors because coach Ivan Cleary promised him the chance to play at five-eighth or fullback. Since then the club has also signed Bulldogs five-eighth Josh Reynolds as part of their spending spree since it was announced Tedesco, Aaron Woods and Mitchell Moses would be leaving. The Tigers have picked up Russell Packer, Ben Matulino and Taane Milne as well. With Moses moving to the Eels, Lolohea has been moved to five-eighth before he was initially expected to return to the No. 1 jumper next year. Now, Watson is grabbing for the same jumper. Lolohea suddenly finds himself at the exact same position that saw him fall out of favour and dropped from the Warriors at the start of the year.
Suddenly, Ivan Cleary’s words to his star recruit must be sounding pretty empty from where Lolohea is sitting. “One thing I took into consideration [coming to the Tigers] was a better pathway for me,” Lolohea said of his decision to join the Tigers. “Ivan has given me a pathway to play in the halves and he’s not expecting to chuck me in there and do some magic. He’s going to let me build my game. That kind of sold it for me. The pathway was a better opportunity for me.”
“No more in the outside backs. I didn’t play there in my career coming through as a young fella. Ivan has given me a chance to play in a position and make it mine for the rest of the year.” He told The Daily Telegraph earlier this month his inability to find a specific role in the Warriors’ backline was his reason for asking for a release. You can only imagine how awkward it must be now. “I finally realised I wasn’t enjoying footy playing on the wing,’’ Lolohea said. “It’s a bit tough, I’ve been all over the place in first grade playing different positions, and I finally came to a point where I had had enough of it. I wanted to play in a position I could get better and learn and focus on that position. “Ivan had that specific pathway for me and told me the opportunity was mine if I wanted it, and I had to grab it.’’ It seems he has not grabbed it hard enough. The awkwardness of the situation has not been lost on NRL fans. The Wests Tigers’ front office has recently been heavily criticised for its handling of football and commercial operations. The signing of Watson, despite the Roosters star being a hugely talented prospect, does not reflect well on the Tigers front office.
Wests Tigers signing shafts star recruit Tuimoala Lolohea
JUNE 27, 20171:30PM
THE Wests Tigers bus appears to be heading in two different directions. The club on Monday reportedly picked up Connor Watson on a deal that will see the promising star break his contract with the Roosters one year early to link with the Wests Tigers next season.
The Tigers have reportedly signed Watson under the pretence the 21-year-old will step into James Tedesco’s No. 1 jumper next season — when the Blues fullback moves to the Bondi club. Watson has reportedly been offered a bumper deal worth up to $500,000 per season, but Channel 7 reported on Monday night the promise of a spot in the starting 13 of an NRL club was the driving reason behind his departure. The elephant in the Tigers’ sheds is that star recruit Tuimoala Lolohea was given the same promise just two months ago when the Tigers signed him as their long-term fullback option to replace Tedesco.
Making the situation even more awkward was the public declarations Lolohea made that he moved to the Tigers from the Warriors because coach Ivan Cleary promised him the chance to play at five-eighth or fullback. Since then the club has also signed Bulldogs five-eighth Josh Reynolds as part of their spending spree since it was announced Tedesco, Aaron Woods and Mitchell Moses would be leaving. The Tigers have picked up Russell Packer, Ben Matulino and Taane Milne as well. With Moses moving to the Eels, Lolohea has been moved to five-eighth before he was initially expected to return to the No. 1 jumper next year. Now, Watson is grabbing for the same jumper. Lolohea suddenly finds himself at the exact same position that saw him fall out of favour and dropped from the Warriors at the start of the year.
Suddenly, Ivan Cleary’s words to his star recruit must be sounding pretty empty from where Lolohea is sitting. “One thing I took into consideration [coming to the Tigers] was a better pathway for me,” Lolohea said of his decision to join the Tigers. “Ivan has given me a pathway to play in the halves and he’s not expecting to chuck me in there and do some magic. He’s going to let me build my game. That kind of sold it for me. The pathway was a better opportunity for me.”
“No more in the outside backs. I didn’t play there in my career coming through as a young fella. Ivan has given me a chance to play in a position and make it mine for the rest of the year.” He told The Daily Telegraph earlier this month his inability to find a specific role in the Warriors’ backline was his reason for asking for a release. You can only imagine how awkward it must be now. “I finally realised I wasn’t enjoying footy playing on the wing,’’ Lolohea said. “It’s a bit tough, I’ve been all over the place in first grade playing different positions, and I finally came to a point where I had had enough of it. I wanted to play in a position I could get better and learn and focus on that position. “Ivan had that specific pathway for me and told me the opportunity was mine if I wanted it, and I had to grab it.’’ It seems he has not grabbed it hard enough. The awkwardness of the situation has not been lost on NRL fans. The Wests Tigers’ front office has recently been heavily criticised for its handling of football and commercial operations. The signing of Watson, despite the Roosters star being a hugely talented prospect, does not reflect well on the Tigers front office.
Pawsandclaws
New member
@ said:
Halatau on ABC radio suggested the fifth tackle quality of the play the balls was the issue with Brooks always pressured. I'd also suggest both our hookers need to develop short kicking games to provide variation.
tsjonathan
New member
@ said:
I've always said that Brooks' debut game was a curse
Devon Head
Well-known member
Absolutely dreadful sports journalism. No player would ever be promised a particular position to join the club. It may be mentioned that there's the opportunity to paly in a preferred position but it would never be guaranteed. Typical that any potential signing gets turned into a scandal of sorts and typical of journalists twisting and turning a story to make Tigers look like the bad guys.
Here's a red hot tip if Lolo or Watson want the FB position then they will both need to train their arses off in the off season and earn it. Lolo has a leg in due to fact he has rest of this season plus the offseason to impress but both should be given equal opportunity to prove themselves. I personally feel its great to have depth and competition for spots.
Atm Brooks and Lolo have absolutely zero fear of being dropped. Either plays bad then we have Littlejohn to replace :laughing: With Watson there will be a legit back up for the halves/hooker and potentially a starting FB. To me his utility value alone is worth the money. Lolo also offers great utility value and I see no reason why both cant be in the weekly 17 somewhere.
Here's a red hot tip if Lolo or Watson want the FB position then they will both need to train their arses off in the off season and earn it. Lolo has a leg in due to fact he has rest of this season plus the offseason to impress but both should be given equal opportunity to prove themselves. I personally feel its great to have depth and competition for spots.
Atm Brooks and Lolo have absolutely zero fear of being dropped. Either plays bad then we have Littlejohn to replace :laughing: With Watson there will be a legit back up for the halves/hooker and potentially a starting FB. To me his utility value alone is worth the money. Lolo also offers great utility value and I see no reason why both cant be in the weekly 17 somewhere.
Devon Head
Well-known member
@ said:
Potentially playing Watson as a starting hooker next year would help in this department as he has a decent kicking game. Play Liddell as an impact bench hooker for 15mins at a time etc.
Coastie_Tiger
Well-known member
Dont think Brooks is in any danger if we sign Watson seems to be more of a six or one, Lolohea on the other hand could still be playing one or six next year just might be in ISP. In any event its a good headache to have for Cleary competition for spots is what we have been severely lacking this season, too many automatic selections purely because of lack of options.
Everyone cries for depth and then complains when we get it.
Panthers must have been in trouble when they had Mansour, DWZ, Blake, Peachey, Whare, Moylan, Edwards, MWZ, etc. all on their books at once.
In regards to both Lolohea and Watson. Watson is going to be Tedesco 2.0 mark my words. He will kill it at fullback.
Lolohea has spark, he needs to regain match fitness though and he would absolutely fall in his ground if he was to play fullback at this stage, he just can't do it rn.
Reynolds has the number 6, no two ways about it.
Brooks I think will be given a chance at the 7\. Lolohea might be forced into the centres which would be a good move for him in the long term.
Panthers must have been in trouble when they had Mansour, DWZ, Blake, Peachey, Whare, Moylan, Edwards, MWZ, etc. all on their books at once.
In regards to both Lolohea and Watson. Watson is going to be Tedesco 2.0 mark my words. He will kill it at fullback.
Lolohea has spark, he needs to regain match fitness though and he would absolutely fall in his ground if he was to play fullback at this stage, he just can't do it rn.
Reynolds has the number 6, no two ways about it.
Brooks I think will be given a chance at the 7\. Lolohea might be forced into the centres which would be a good move for him in the long term.
JD Tiger
New member
Who writes this trash? Why the vendetta against us? Are we that big a threat? Are they that insecure? Seriously, what the hell?
weststigerman
Well-known member
Why doesn't Penrith get hammered for shafting TMM by playing Cartwright in the halves? Or Parra for sticking Gutherson everywhere to make way for Moses?
Fade_To_Black
New member
@ said:
Spot on. Brooks does cop some unwarranted criticism at times but his inability to find the in-goal is his fault. A 1 out of 20 success rate is unacceptable at any level let alone 1st grade. Needs to really step up in this area, it's killing us.
momo_amp_medo
Well-known member
We have one big target painted on our backs.
I suppose it will be all that sweeter for us, the coach and the front office when the team finally drags its way out of this almighty mess.
Hoping and praying.
I suppose it will be all that sweeter for us, the coach and the front office when the team finally drags its way out of this almighty mess.
Hoping and praying.
BlackandGoldForever
New member
has a back ever been able to make a good fullback in the history of the NRL?? just wondering
Man, news ltd are really enjoying sticking the boot in…
Whilst I hate the way the article is written, it is a little confusing... Seems like we're spending some decent coin on brooks/lolo/Watson, only for one of them to miss out.
I couldn't care less if Ivan promised lolo a starting spot before he signed... That's not how a good footy team work. You EARN your spot, nothing is guaranteed.
Whilst I hate the way the article is written, it is a little confusing... Seems like we're spending some decent coin on brooks/lolo/Watson, only for one of them to miss out.
I couldn't care less if Ivan promised lolo a starting spot before he signed... That's not how a good footy team work. You EARN your spot, nothing is guaranteed.
@ said:
If you are asking about Watson ..he played all his junior football as a fullback..Was only shifted into the utility role at the Rorters given their roster…
