Do we walk away from Musgrove signing?

[Danny Blanco]

Read it this morning @ 7/11\. Its just a short blurb, it basically says that he was in court on (Wednesday) and that the tigers are not going to persue registering his contract regadless of whether or not he is found guilty. It also mentions that we've been paying him to train, and that he would look at another club to revive his NRL career pending his court case. I'm not sure of the validity of this, from what I've heard, he seemed to have a pretty solid defence - the article suggests that this isn't the case whatsoever though. We'll have to wait & see.

 

[gallagher]

Opens it up for Ava.

 

[Newtown]

Besides Ava would Wests Tigers be looking at anyone else now that they have CAP space available?

 

[cktiger]

Besides Ava would Wests Tigers be looking at anyone else now that they have CAP space available?

Hasn't Ava already signed with Super League anyway?

 

[Danny Blanco]

"The Wests Tigers have moved on from signing prop Zane Musgrove regardless of the outcome of his impending court case.

Musgrove was due to join the Tigers from Souths this year to reunite with former coach Michael Maguire on a three-year deal.

However, he was never allowed to formally join the Tigers when the NRL refused to register the contract with his new club.

Musgrove was charged with indecently assaulting a 22-year-old woman at a Coogee pub in December.

The Tigers had toyed with the prospect of allowing Musgrove to train and be paid by the club pending his court case.

Regardless of the outcome of his court matter, he will not be a Tiger, meaning if he is found not guilty he will need to resurrect his career elsewhere.

Musgrove’s matter was listed for mention in Waverly Local Court on Wednesday."

 

[balmain boy]

Would seem extremely odd that we've stood by him for 4 months, obviously believing his side of the story, to now not wait for the outcome at the final stage.
He was in court Wednesday apparently. Was the hearing pushed back a few months? Is the trial ongoing? If we simply wanted to disassociate ourselves with someone of his character why not do so months ago?

 

[Silentio]

Sounds like we dodged a bullet.

He has been before the courts on two domestic violence type charges within a few months.

Sounds like a grub. I'd rather reward an up and comer from ISP (aka Garner) to fill out the top 30.

 

[Masterton]

Would seem extremely odd that we’ve stood by him for 4 months, obviously believing his side of the story, to now not wait for the outcome at the final stage.

I guess there are a few options here. Either the court case looks worse than they expected, or they have been very impressed with Mikaele, or Barry O'Farrell is exerting authority.

 

[Snake]

oh dear you can not be serious!

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Or someone else has presented themselves as an option and we have an obvious exit out of this.

 

[balmain boy]

Ava and Musgrove are very different types of player. We have zero need for Ava and he would not be a suitable replacement in the balance of our squad. He should take the cash in the UK, might be his last big payday.
Most likely to promote one of our development players to fulltime if you ask me.

 

[WT2K]

Perhaps we're going to leave it open for a June 30 pickup like we did Mbye?

 

[swag_tiger]

Could this be our chance to fast track Madden?

 

[The_Patriot]

Or someone else has presented themselves as an option and we have an obvious exit out of this.

Where my money is

 

[cktiger]

Could this be our chance to fast track Madden?

You want to swap a 110kg prop for a skinny 5/8 who's only a kid?
All while we have a $750K 5/8 playing reserves?

 

[gallagher]

Hasn’t Ava already signed with Super League anyway?

I don't think he has yet. There was a link to us a week or so ago and now we don't want Musgrove.

Hopefully Im wrong.

 

[Fraze23]

Disappointing. Disappointing conduct from Musgrove that put himself into this situation in the first place. What's also disappointing is we desperately need a big aggressive prop.

I don't think Ava is the solution. With the benefit of hindsight it would have been handy to hold onto Grant or Sue for 1 more year.

In saying that it does present Mikaele with a great opportunity. Hopefully he can cement himself a spot in the top 17.

 

[WT2K]

Or someone else has presented themselves as an option and we have an obvious exit out of this.

This sounds more likely

 

[TYGA]

Some good players in reserve grade Zac Lomax, Pulu, Rhyse Martin, Xerri, Saifiti. Now the cap penalty is known and Jennings has been signed we should have cap room for a good player when you add in Musgroves salary.

 

[Newtown]

Most Likely.