Doubts about latest signings

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ET defended a bit wider on Sunday at times, obviously something Cleary has implemented to help the halves a bit.
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Yeah or it may also be to give him a bit of a break to stretch him out to 80 minutes (which he's played the last 2 weeks).
 
On warriors forums, they're shattered Matulino is going. That has to be a good sign.
At first, I thought Reynolds was a bad idea but if his aggression and competitive streak could rub off on brooks it may be worth it. I'm still hoping Tedesco will stay because I would like us to have that one player you get really excited about when the ball comes his way.
 
@ said:
@ said:
ET defended a bit wider on Sunday at times, obviously something Cleary has implemented to help the halves a bit.

Yeah or it may also be to give him a bit of a break to stretch him out to 80 minutes (which he's played the last 2 weeks).
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Good point.
Either way, Cleary knows the guy's game back to front, so more than happy with whatever he's got planned.
 
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I really like what Cleary has said and done since taking over, so I'm willing to trust his decision making, however, I'm not sure about either Matulino or Reynolds.

By all reports, Matulino hasn't shown much form recently and is coming back from injury. It's not often you see a prop who fades come good again. Recent examples of Tim Grant, Nate Myles, James Tamou, Nathan Cayless, Willie Mason come to mind. It also sounds like he's on decent money and a long contract. Any examples of props recently reviving their careers after switching clubs at a late age? Props best days are usually at a younger age these days, due to the physicality of the modern game.

Reynolds has always been limited in attack. I think he may work out well and is the sort of player we don't have, but I'd prefer a player like Te Mare Martin, who is cheaper, faster, more skilful and with something to prove. I also think a 4 year contract is too much. I'd be confident in him for 2 years, but given the way he plays the game (very physical), years 3 and 4 could see significant decline in health and performance. It's easy to think of that as the distant future, but a descent into poor form will quickly make this contract look burdensome. You also have to wonder how motivated he is coming to us. Is it to get better, or to earn a last decent contract?

Are both these contracts not classic examples of poorly constructed wests tigers contracts which offer long term deals at high prices to players past their best (Anasta, Blair, Grant, Farah)?

Is it wrong to be so pessimistic?
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The problem us and Newcastle have is players don't mind coming to us but only if we offer more than what they can get where they are - whether that be more years or more money or both. Yes its a gamble but until we can become a consistent final 8 side its the way it will be.
 
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Anyone who has doubts over Reynolds needs to watch this. Graham looks absolutely shattered that he is leaving. Reynolds will be massive for us on and off the park. I'm looking forward to having a player who's going to lead by example and absolutely bust himself on the paddock for us each week. Welcome Josh.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoV68tUeXEw
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Wow having just seen that - if i was in recruitment i would be on to Graham's management straight away about maintaining that friendship and joining a club that is on the way up.
 
They are unusual signings but good ones.

Ivan isn't building a club he is hiring a battalion. This is different to his normal MO. He must have been signed and given the directive of immediate success.

These will quite possibly be the last contracts both of these guys will sign. Might squeeze some extra in but it is more likely than not. Especially for Matulino. Both will be coming here to compete for gold.

I hope our next 16 signings are more long term planning oriented. I want Nelson Asofa Solomona badly. We should throw the kitchen sink at him on a 5 year deal.
 
hindisight is 20/20 as they said and we will only know the results of these signings in a couple of years but right at this moment and right now, i don't think anyone can blame the signings and that's what counts.

matulino's knee may get worse; he may turn out to be a ballin. J reynolds might go ultra grub mode and give away a million penalties a game- these risks are always possible. however, right at this moment, i commend the club and the coach for the signings.
 
I do find the timing of these contracts interesting. Wests must have assumed a while ago they were losing the players they did, and were already making moves.

Maybe the club was not being held to ransom as much as some people think :slight_smile:
 
@ said:
I do find the timing of these contracts interesting. Wests must have assumed a while ago they were losing the players they did, and were already making moves.

Maybe the club was not being held to ransom as much as some people think :slight_smile:
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Makes me optimistic about a new fullback announcement soon too.
On topic, you can never be 100% certain what you're getting (unless it's Cronk, Smith or Slater), but I think these two are a step in the right direction and away from our traditional mould. Bet Farah would love to be out there alongside Reynolds now too!
 
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@ said:
Anyone who has doubts over Reynolds needs to watch this. Graham looks absolutely shattered that he is leaving. Reynolds will be massive for us on and off the park. I'm looking forward to having a player who's going to lead by example and absolutely bust himself on the paddock for us each week. Welcome Josh.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoV68tUeXEw

Wow having just seen that - if i was in recruitment i would be on to Graham's management straight away about maintaining that friendship and joining a club that is on the way up.
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My thoughts exactly. I watched Woods and Graham coming down the tunnel together at the start of the game. Woods looked towards Graham, but Graham gave him the cold shoulder completely with a deliberate lack of recognition, as if to say "you're taking my job, watch your back". Ivan's got a job for you James, just pick up the phone! Passion is nice, hatred is better.
 
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Makes me optimistic about a new fullback announcement soon too.
On topic, you can never be 100% certain what you're getting (unless it's Cronk, Smith or Slater), but I think these two are a step in the right direction and away from our traditional mould. Bet Farah would love to be out there alongside Reynolds now too!
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I agree. One feature of all our signings so far. They all know how to win ugly. Something this team has been lacking for a couple of years
 
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McQueen is the edge back rower we are sorely missing. We really need to sign another though imo. Or even Guerra. That would enable Cleary to push ET out to the other edge.

Matulino is one the best props in the game. Top 5 imo. We saw how good he was last night, and that was first game back from injury. Just wait till he gets a few games under his belt and is starting again.

Reynolds is the best out of the trio. His passion and toughness speaks for itself. I would really consider making him captain if I was Cleary. He has everything you want in a leader.

Hopefully there's more to come.

ET is a lock and there is no reason to move him to an edge where his workload would be less and he would do less ruck control. Guerra has played on an edge for most of his career AFAIK and will be back on an edge for the Roosters once SST is back to full fitness. I cannot see any upside to moving ET out of lock. He will be less effective in both attack and defence.
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The majority of footy ET has played under Cleary has been in the second row.
 
to be honest,wasn't that thrilled with reynolds signing,especially 4 years.
but i get the feeling this signing was more about helping set a new culture.
i've had the feeling alot of our players do the bare minimum to get by.

and from the little i know of reynolds,my impression is that he is anything but a bare minimum guy.

that is what i'm hoping
 
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@ said:
Makes me optimistic about a new fullback announcement soon too.
On topic, you can never be 100% certain what you're getting (unless it's Cronk, Smith or Slater), but I think these two are a step in the right direction and away from our traditional mould. Bet Farah would love to be out there alongside Reynolds now too!

I agree. One feature of all our signings so far. They all know how to win ugly. Something this team has been lacking for a couple of years
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Thats exactly right. Especially with JR you know everything will be left out on the field, gives it 110 week in week out. The future is exciting
 
Its a really interesting time for us all as we have never experienced this before.

Losing most of our squad and rebuilding by purchase with a minor mix of juniors.

I could see why some have concerns. In saying that I also judge the players we aquire by their fans response.

On Reynolds the fact the Bulldogs fans are shattered and Graham last night was clearly not happy with him joining us this shows that he isn't a terrible recruit.

He is a match winner, rep quality, cost us less than Moses, he will give 100% and he will make mistakes. Its clear Cleary is establishing a balanced squad whilst we got an upgrade in a key position for a cheaper price.

I'm extremely happy with him coming on the bus
 
@ said:
McQueen is the edge back rower we are sorely missing. We really need to sign another though imo. Or even Guerra. That would enable Cleary to push ET out to the other edge.

Matulino is one the best props in the game. Top 5 imo. We saw how good he was last night, and that was first game back from injury. Just wait till he gets a few games under his belt and is starting again.

Reynolds is the best out of the trio. His passion and toughness speaks for itself. I would really consider making him captain if I was Cleary. He has everything you want in a leader.

Hopefully there's more to come.
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Captain!!!!! You're kidding right?
Captain's don't deliberately trip people on more than one occasion. He's the last guy I'd want as captain
 
@ said:
@ said:
McQueen is the edge back rower we are sorely missing. We really need to sign another though imo. Or even Guerra. That would enable Cleary to push ET out to the other edge.

Matulino is one the best props in the game. Top 5 imo. We saw how good he was last night, and that was first game back from injury. Just wait till he gets a few games under his belt and is starting again.

Reynolds is the best out of the trio. His passion and toughness speaks for itself. I would really consider making him captain if I was Cleary. He has everything you want in a leader.

Hopefully there's more to come.

Captain!!!!! You're kidding right?
Captain's don't deliberately trip people on more than one occasion. He's the last guy I'd want as captain
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Hey whoa big fella. He's an absolute grub….....but he is now our grub - you watch by this time next year he will be most of the fans favourite player.......
 
@ said:
Its a really interesting time for us all as we have never experienced this before.

Losing most of our squad and rebuilding by purchase with a minor mix of juniors.

I could see why some have concerns. In saying that I also judge the players we aquire by their fans response.

On Reynolds the fact the Bulldogs fans are shattered and Graham last night was clearly not happy with him joining us this shows that he isn't a terrible recruit.

He is a match winner, rep quality, cost us less than Moses, he will give 100% and he will make mistakes. Its clear Cleary is establishing a balanced squad whilst we got an upgrade in a key position for a cheaper price.

I'm extremely happy with him coming on the bus
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I agree. I think it forgotten that we save around 150k by signing reynolds over moses and we get the better player both on and off the field. Same with Matulino, the 700k from what I understand is only 475k that is half the value of woods for a player of equal skill (except matulino will bend the line). Ivan is a very smart man providing the youth with some smart old heads
 
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