What’s the point of having $750 k if Richo and benji refuse to sign a experienced replacement , and spent it on useless kids
Isaiah Papali’i #265
- Thread starter MarySt
- Start date
? This is pretty old post. What’s changed recently?
Halbrowne61
Well-known member
Sounds like an honest assessment but of course he was polite enough to not mention the people he’s had around him.I haven't lived up to hype at Wests Tigers: Papali'i
By George Clarke
Updated July 23 2024 - 2:16pm, first published 2:13pm
Isaiah Papali'i has conceded he is the latest big-name player to fail to match expectations at Wests Tigers and lead a revival of the struggling NRL club.
Papali'i will quit the Tigers at the end of the 2024 campaign, cutting short his three-year deal after just two seasons to join Penrith from the start of next year.
The New Zealand international arrived at Concord off a standout year in 2022 with Parramatta where he powered the Eels to the grand final and was named Dally M second-rower of the year.
But since his arrival at the Tigers, on a contract reportedly worth $750,000 per season, Papali'i is the first to admit that he has flattered to deceive.
It's why Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson told him he was free to leave, opening up salary cap room for coach Benji Marshall to play with.
Isaiah Papali'i is set to return from an ankle injury on Friday. (Scott Radford-Chisholm/AAP PHOTOS)
Asked if he felt he had reached the bar he set during his barnstorming two seasons at the Eels, Papali'i said: "To be honest, probably not, I think I've struggled to find form.
"That led to me asking for a definitive answer on whether my future was here.
"I think the club as a whole was trying to find their feet, you can tell that by the results and I think that's what 'Richo' is doing.
"He is making some bold moves and that's a credit to him because he's doing it in the right way.
"For me it's just been a struggle, (having) a few different halves and I guess the club is trying to build a foundation here.
"I wanted to make sure my job was secure post 2025 and there wasn't an answer for that.
"I don't think it was whether I wanted to stay or go, I wanted to know I was part of the picture but we both agreed my form wasn't the best."
The exit of Papali'i, who will return from an ankle injury against the Warriors on Friday, has given the Tigers the spending power to retain Stefano Utoikamanu.
I haven't lived up to hype at Wests Tigers: Papali'i
Preparing to depart West Tigers earlier than originally contracted, Isaiah Papali'i admits he hasn't been able to produce...www.canberratimes.com.au
Pity he couldn’t have had one more season with Luai and maybe become a Martin type clone.
I’m sure he will at Penrith.
Tom Shines
Well-known member
been said a thousand times already … he was let go but who is replacing him ?
Harvey
Well-known member
Liam Knight
Adequate would be my description. It would be very few games where he's played at or above his pay grade. I'd almost forgotten he was still at the club until he was named this week. He seems like a nice guy though.
AmericanHistoryX
Well-known member
Who plays above their pay grade with us?
Tom Shines
Well-known member
In respect of the senior players..who is playing at their pay grade ? One name on that list…
Looking at how their forwards are shaping up next year …adequate would have been fine
Joelcainenumber1fan
Well-known member
seyfarth wouldnt be on much he probley been top 3 forward this season for us
Harvey
Well-known member
Hopefully his improvement continues, because he will be a key starter next year
twentyforty
Well-known member
Yep, he’s top 3 in penalties and sin bins, but he has a go.
Joelcainenumber1fan
Well-known member
?????? he offers way more than that
Tito Santana
Well-known member
Yawn. The Choad is gone
twentyforty
Well-known member
His defence is solid.😁
Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan
Well-known member
How come we didn't try him in the middle before? Since moving there he has been good. We're scrambling for a Stefano replacement when perhaps he was already here.
Tucker
Well-known member
I remember when we first signed him I did a thread on our depth and noted how skinny we were for middles and suggested he should play there. It was mentioned a few more times before that season began and the amount of bullshit posts I copped from people who rubbished the idea as stupid was incredible. He is a far better middle than backrower but the Dally Ms convinced the masses that wasn’t the case.
hank37w
Well-known member
I think that he himself wanted to play in the middle.
Tim Sheens
Well-known member
Got me stuffed, as it was pretty obvious to anybody that cared to look at the middle that was staring back at them.
crazycat
Well-known member
Would be a good 300k signing, only because we need front rowers.
What am I missing here?
