Eels going after key Tiger

[TopTiger]

**How long has he been the recruitment manager?** I know he was around in 2009 when Ellis was signed, even though it was reported that Mark O'Neil started the ball rolling in relation to this signing.

I know a number of quality juniors were developed over the years and lost such as Ryan Hoffman, Jeff Lima etc, even Lewis Brown played for Balmain in NSW cup and was let go. How many quality, consistent performers outside of Ellis have the Tigers signed over the last decade as even Taupau struggled at the Dogs as did Naiqama at the Panthers to break into their respective NRL sides. Blair was not the success we all hoped for so other than fringe first graders who may blossom such as Austin we have recruited poorly over the last decade even before the current salary cap dramas began.

The Wests Tigers are just fortunate to have a great nursery of young talent to draw from and hopefully retain the cream of the crop with noted exceptions of course, but we can't keep everyone. Warren may have been instrumental in retaining some of our juniors or luring talented juniors via Keebra Park to come over to Australia but in terms of recruitment there have not been many that you would call a resounding success over the last decade. I think on the recruiting front the results speak for themselves whilst on junior development and retention I believe the current crop of players being Brooks, Moses, Tedesco etc. are the future of the Wests Tigers so on this front he would receive a hearty congratulations (even though I am uncertain of his influence or role in any of these players staying at the Tigers) .

Since 2005

Thanks, considering it has been since 2005 then it is definitely time to move on!!

 

[Bengal_Tiger]

If he does move on, any suggestions in who we should target??? Or is it simply who ever has the most $ gets the best juniors?

 

[Chris]

Im wondering if Mossy has something to do with this. Tapping into his resources at the Eels to fix a problem here lol.

 

[softlaw]

don;t let the door hit you on the way out

 

[Eye_Of_Da_Tiger]

Don't let the door hit behind you.

 

[Russell]

You guys are a bunch of idiots.

Ssshhhh!! Say nothing, post how good he is.

If they read the above - we'll never get them to take him.

Then where will we be?????

 

[Pawsandclaws]

Junior development is our strength and the club is renowned for bringing our young players to the NRL. I don't understand the attitude towards him especially when you consider in the past how Wests and Balmain struggled for talent. I hope the club retains him as he has been good for us.

 

[tig_prmz]

isnt he the junior recruiter only atm?

he's got nothing to do with out top 25 recruiting afaik

good luck to him.

 

[balmain boy]

Hey sure does a great job scouting the boys in the Balmain and wests sg ball sides.

He's had nothing to do with the majority of our juniors and we don't need him.

_Posted using RoarFEED 4.2.0_

 

[Goose]

We have established outstanding junior pathways that I believe he was involved in, although I'm under the impression that Sheens and Gentle were the leading hands.
Parramatta have an amazing nursery and are pretty good at getting quality youth into their system, but horrible at bringing them through in the last 5 or so years. McDonnell may be targeted to improve those areas.

 

[Tigerdave]

title is a little confusing, they used "key" in reference to McDonnell

 

[Guest]

Junior development is our strength and the club is renowned for bringing our young players to the NRL. I don't understand the attitude towards him especially when you consider in the past how Wests and Balmain struggled for talent. I hope the club retains him as he has been good for us.

Your last sentence is highly subjective. The majority on here would argue otherwise.