Doubts about latest signings

watersider

watersider

Well-known member
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?
 
No mate, these are good positive signings for the club. Both are representative level players and both will have a lot to offer our younger squad members.

Don't worry, things are looking up.
 
Fair enough and I understand your concerns but we've signed 2 genuine rep players in 2 days. For a club that was supposedly busted a few days ago that's not too shabby. Most of those props you mention were clearly past it but I'd love to have Tamou. Mason wasn't that bad either give his age.

I think most people outside WT management thought Anasta was well past his prime. I'm not getting into the Farah thing again!
 
@ said:
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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Props generally perform better in their mid twenties to early thirties so Matulinos age is no concern. Reynolds is still young enough at 28 also. We need experience so the ages are a positive.
 
Matulino doesn't need reviving - he's one of the best forwards in the game when fully fit & firing. I think he'll be a great asset.
Reynolds I'm less keen on, and agree that four years seems a bit long, but happy to trust uncle Ivan.
 
Reynolds I see being a signing similar to that of Soward at the Panthers (4 years on big money, he had one good year after Dragons but fell away with injuries/poor form/new kids), while I think he has some great footy left, he'll need a hungry pack in front to wield some magic. Was hoping he'd get someone indigenous who could help attract some players in like Soward did, or even an older legend like Watmough at Parra (hopefully without all the price tags and knee issues). The Kiwi boy Matulino should help strengthen the Kiwi contingent within the club.

If I'm not mistaken, Tim Grant was near free, like Wade McKinnon.
 
I get that they have been good players, but I'm concerned that these players aren't wanted by their current clubs. They aren't young players who haven't found a place in an established side, they're long time loyal players who are coming to us because they can't get a contract at their own clubs. If they are so good, why are they expendable at their clubs? That usually doesn't work out. Luke lewis, and Heighno have defied that a little at the sharks, and I didn't expect those signings to work out, but not many players do.

I suppose it's all speculation at this stage, but I'm nervous about the amount of money and years we are throwing around. Feels like we're trying to create new salary cap problems for ourselves after finally clearing space.

We need more Elijah Taylor signings. Good player in wrong situation, something to prove, relatively cheap, years in the tank. Big time money for aged players usually fails (Sharks being the exception).
 
I think that Reynolds will shine playing with Brooks plus you know that he will give 100%.
Cleary will also be great for Josh.
 
28's a decent age for players to come on at peak, we're definitely looking at LEAST at being a consistent top 8 side with this EXPERIENCE signing on for 3-4 years.
 
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.
 
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
 
Nothing wrong with pulling in a few "lost little boys" for a few years. Being unwanted by your current clb and still knowing you've got years ahead of you is a recipe for hunger. Even someone who's done time or had to be away from the game like Wicks at Parra, Ma'u, Packer… on that note, would anyone take Sandor Earl?
 
I like the optimism GNR, hope you're right. Also agree on McQueen, he's a solid signing and exactly what we need, didn't mention him earlier because I am confident about him. Would be a refreshingly new experience if all our signings actually work out how they were planned.
 
@ said:
I get that they have been good players, but I'm concerned that these players aren't wanted by their current clubs. They aren't young players who haven't found a place in an established side, they're long time loyal players who are coming to us because they can't get a contract at their own clubs. If they are so good, why are they expendable at their clubs? That usually doesn't work out. Luke lewis, and Heighno have defied that a little at the sharks, and I didn't expect those signings to work out, but not many players do.

I suppose it's all speculation at this stage, but I'm nervous about the amount of money and years we are throwing around. Feels like we're trying to create new salary cap problems for ourselves after finally clearing space.

We need more Elijah Taylor signings. Good player in wrong situation, something to prove, relatively cheap, years in the tank. Big time money for aged players usually fails (Sharks being the exception).
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You can't fill a squad with the sorts of signings you're talking about, you need a mix.

We needed a new leader for the props with Woods going. The best available fit was Matulino who was in the top 3 props in the game as recently as 2015\. He's played well under Cleary before. He can play long minutes. He has a good offload. He can put a big, inspirational hit on. He's a good signing and things are getting beyond ridiculous if we're now saying 28 is over the hill…Not sure why you think the Warriors didn't want him. I think it's more a case of him wanting out.

Reynolds was one of the best available options at 5/8\. He wouldn't have been my first choice but I don't think he's a terrible signing. He wasn't "unwanted" at the Dogs either, they just wanted Foran more. In that respect he's the same as Elijah Taylor - Penrith just wanted Merrin more.

Maybe they'll work out or maybe they won't but no, they are not on paper stupid signings.
 
@ 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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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.
 
ET defended a bit wider on Sunday at times, obviously something Cleary has implemented to help the halves a bit.
 
@ 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.
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Man alive, when Benny speaks on behalf of the club, I clench my butt cheeks, don't like it at all. He more or less acknowledged that sometimes you need to put a broom through a club roster to get results, and the first person that broom has carried out is his nephew.
 
@ said:
@ 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.

Man alive, when Benny speaks on behalf of the club, I clench my butt cheeks, don't like it at all. He more or less acknowledged that sometimes you need to put a broom through a club roster to get results, and the first person that broom has carried out is his nephew.
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I find it hard to swallow when he refers to himself and the club as ''we.''
He has never acted in the best interests of the Wests Tigers and I doubt he ever will.
 
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