Israel Folau? (No rumours yet)

[stryker]

If the Tigers sign Folau, Hayne et al, they will undo the good recruiting work they have achieved the past couple of weeks.
Signing these big money players will see the club cut its own throat. We require a roster of 30 good players at a minimum, not a superstar, a few top liners, a dozen good players, some young up and comers and a half dozen plodders.

100% Disagree.
We need a superstar.

Thinking like yours will see us remain outside the top 8 and further condemn our profile, ie to remain whipping boys with an inferiority complex.
The top teams don't suffer mediocrity, and neither should we. Let's start acting like them, shoot for the stars! and once and for all shed this embarrassing image.

Thats your prerogative…but you are wrong. We need a balanced side to make the finals. Having a superstar on big coin does not allow this. If Folau comes over he would need huge compensation. Probably want to be the codes highest paid. Whats that? 1.3, 1.4mill a year? For that dough we could sign another prop, a backrower and a centre. So by all means sign the superstar and watch nothing change.

 

[Russell]

If the Tigers sign Folau, Hayne et al, they will undo the good recruiting work they have achieved the past couple of weeks.
Signing these big money players will see the club cut its own throat. We require a roster of 30 good players at a minimum, not a superstar, a few top liners, a dozen good players, some young up and comers and a half dozen plodders.

100% Disagree.
We need a superstar.

Thinking like yours will see us remain outside the top 8 and further condemn our profile, ie to remain whipping boys with an inferiority complex.
The top teams don't suffer mediocrity, and neither should we. Let's start acting like them, shoot for the stars! and once and for all shed this embarrassing image.

Thats your prerogative…but you are wrong. We need a balanced side to make the finals. Having a superstar on big coin does not allow this. If Folau comes over he would need huge compensation. Probably want to be the codes highest paid. Whats that? 1.3, 1.4mill a year? For that dough we could sign another prop, a backrower and a centre. So by all means sign the superstar and watch nothing change.

This is ridickerous - I actually agree with you. Lol

 

[weststigers]

If the Tigers sign Folau, Hayne et al, they will undo the good recruiting work they have achieved the past couple of weeks.
Signing these big money players will see the club cut its own throat. We require a roster of 30 good players at a minimum, not a superstar, a few top liners, a dozen good players, some young up and comers and a half dozen plodders.

100% Disagree.
We need a superstar.

Thinking like yours will see us remain outside the top 8 and further condemn our profile, ie to remain whipping boys with an inferiority complex.
The top teams don't suffer mediocrity, and neither should we. Let's start acting like them, shoot for the stars! and once and for all shed this embarrassing image.

I sit in between the both of you. I think we need to build our roster with quality first graders and astute purchases as a priority, then if there's some money left over, make a play for someone big.

Right now, we have the makings of a good forward pack, but we are still missing 2 quality first graders and 1 or 2 fringe/bench players.

We'd get the following players on cheap contracts IMO.

Aiden Guerra
Tony Williams (PROP)
Brenton Lawrence
Albert Vete
Agnatius Paasi
Dave Taylor (PROP)

We also look to have a decent backline, but we are still missing 1 or 2 players there. I'd be looking at the following:

Blake Ferguson
Will Hopoate
Kirisome Auva'a

I'll be interested to see what Ivan does from here with our recruitment. It seems to have gone very quiet.

 

[Tacky]

If the Tigers sign Folau, Hayne et al, they will undo the good recruiting work they have achieved the past couple of weeks.
Signing these big money players will see the club cut its own throat. We require a roster of 30 good players at a minimum, not a superstar, a few top liners, a dozen good players, some young up and comers and a half dozen plodders.

100% Disagree.
We need a superstar.

Thinking like yours will see us remain outside the top 8 and further condemn our profile, ie to remain whipping boys with an inferiority complex.
The top teams don't suffer mediocrity, and neither should we. Let's start acting like them, shoot for the stars! and once and for all shed this embarrassing image.

I sit in between the both of you. I think we need to build our roster with quality first graders and astute purchases as a priority, then if there's some money left over, make a play for someone big.

Right now, we have the makings of a good forward pack, but we are still missing 2 quality first graders and 1 or 2 fringe/bench players.

We'd get the following players on cheap contracts IMO.

Aiden Guerra
Tony Williams (PROP)
Brenton Lawrence
Albert Vete
Agnatius Paasi
Dave Taylor (PROP)

We also look to have a decent backline, but we are still missing 1 or 2 players there. I'd be looking at the following:

Blake Ferguson
Will Hopoate
Kirisome Auva'a

I'll be interested to see what Ivan does from here with our recruitment. It seems to have gone very quiet.

2 things.

1\. Tony Williams and Dave Taylor? Mate you've lost the plot.
2\. You say recruitment has gone quiet but, we just signed Packer 2 days ago.

 

[Russell]

If the Tigers sign Folau, Hayne et al, they will undo the good recruiting work they have achieved the past couple of weeks.
Signing these big money players will see the club cut its own throat. We require a roster of 30 good players at a minimum, not a superstar, a few top liners, a dozen good players, some young up and comers and a half dozen plodders.

100% Disagree.
We need a superstar.

Thinking like yours will see us remain outside the top 8 and further condemn our profile, ie to remain whipping boys with an inferiority complex.
The top teams don't suffer mediocrity, and neither should we. Let's start acting like them, shoot for the stars! and once and for all shed this embarrassing image.

I sit in between the both of you. I think we need to build our roster with quality first graders and astute purchases as a priority, then if there's some money left over, make a play for someone big.

Right now, we have the makings of a good forward pack, but we are still missing 2 quality first graders and 1 or 2 fringe/bench players.

We'd get the following players on cheap contracts IMO.

Aiden Guerra
Tony Williams (PROP)
Brenton Lawrence
Albert Vete
Agnatius Paasi
Dave Taylor (PROP)

We also look to have a decent backline, but we are still missing 1 or 2 players there. I'd be looking at the following:

Blake Ferguson
Will Hopoate
Kirisome Auva'a

I'll be interested to see what Ivan does from here with our recruitment. It seems to have gone very quiet.

Mate - Williams and Taylor are the two biggest duds going around - they would take us back a couple years.

 

[weststigers]

If the Tigers sign Folau, Hayne et al, they will undo the good recruiting work they have achieved the past couple of weeks.
Signing these big money players will see the club cut its own throat. We require a roster of 30 good players at a minimum, not a superstar, a few top liners, a dozen good players, some young up and comers and a half dozen plodders.

100% Disagree.
We need a superstar.

Thinking like yours will see us remain outside the top 8 and further condemn our profile, ie to remain whipping boys with an inferiority complex.
The top teams don't suffer mediocrity, and neither should we. Let's start acting like them, shoot for the stars! and once and for all shed this embarrassing image.

I sit in between the both of you. I think we need to build our roster with quality first graders and astute purchases as a priority, then if there's some money left over, make a play for someone big.

Right now, we have the makings of a good forward pack, but we are still missing 2 quality first graders and 1 or 2 fringe/bench players.

We'd get the following players on cheap contracts IMO.

Aiden Guerra
Tony Williams (PROP)
Brenton Lawrence
Albert Vete
Agnatius Paasi
Dave Taylor (PROP)

We also look to have a decent backline, but we are still missing 1 or 2 players there. I'd be looking at the following:

Blake Ferguson
Will Hopoate
Kirisome Auva'a

I'll be interested to see what Ivan does from here with our recruitment. It seems to have gone very quiet.

2 things.

1\. Tony Williams and Dave Taylor? Mate you've lost the plot.
2\. You say recruitment has gone quiet but, we just signed Packer 2 days ago.

Easy tiger. let me explain.

I just want to be really clear. I said in my post about fringe/bench players - Taylor and Williams would only ever be fringe or bench and should be played at prop due to their size and potential for an offload. Their form does not warrant a first grade contract above $200k.

The reason I mention them is that Williams and Taylor have lifted their game a little and if we need to fill spots in a 30 man roster, you'd do worse than these guys in your bottom 15-30 players on say $200k a season. Heighington would fit the bill too for that money and that role at our club. Currently, Kyle Lovett is filling that type of role for us. I'd take Williams or Taylor over him on potential alone.

The upside is that if they do come good, we all know how damaging they can be. If not, no big loss. Idris is a similar player for our roster and I think he deserves a low wage contract with the view to moving him into the second row.

When I say recruitment has gone quiet, I mean that we've had media speculation about our next target the whole time. Now that Packer has signed, the media aren't saying anything about who our next target will be.

 

[magpiecol]

If the Tigers sign Folau, Hayne et al, they will undo the good recruiting work they have achieved the past couple of weeks.
Signing these big money players will see the club cut its own throat. We require a roster of 30 good players at a minimum, not a superstar, a few top liners, a dozen good players, some young up and comers and a half dozen plodders.

100% Disagree.
We need a superstar.

Thinking like yours will see us remain outside the top 8 and further condemn our profile, ie to remain whipping boys with an inferiority complex.
The top teams don't suffer mediocrity, and neither should we. Let's start acting like them, shoot for the stars! and once and for all shed this embarrassing image.

Thats your prerogative…but you are wrong. We need a balanced side to make the finals. Having a superstar on big coin does not allow this. If Folau comes over he would need huge compensation. Probably want to be the codes highest paid. Whats that? 1.3, 1.4mill a year? For that dough we could sign another prop, a backrower and a centre. So by all means sign the superstar and watch nothing change.

Stryker, everyone seems to agree that Ivan is the best thing for Wests at this time. Everyone seems to agree that his signings so far have been good.

So, what if he decides that we DO need a high profile player and he goes after someone like Falau (not necessarily Falau but someone like him).

Has he lost the plot, or would you go along with him?

 

[teddy23]

We've already got a solid team for 2018, we've signed Packer, Matulino, McQueen, Reynolyds, Twal and Gamble.

If we can fit Falou in now I'd be over the moon, every good team needs a superstar…. We've got a solid team, now let's go get that superstar.

We are in the market for a centre and a bench forward, maybe a Aaron Gray and Brenten Lawrence both wouldn't break the bank along with Falou.

1\. Israel Falou
2\. David Nofalouma
3\. Moses Suli
4\. Aaron Gray
5\. Mahe Fonua
6\. Josh Reynoldys
7\. Luke Brooks
8\. Ben Matulino
9\. Matt Mcwrlick
10\. Russell Packer
11\. Chris McQueen
12\. Josh Alioai
13\. Elijah Taylor

14\. Brenton Lawrence
15\. Sauaso Sue
16\. Esan Masters
17\. Jacob Liddle

 

[Geo]

Isreal Folau will not step foot in Concord…Isaac Moses told me....but continue to name him at fullback...that's OK..

 

[supercoach]

I love the way people say we will get player x on the cheap, okay you might not have to pay inflated prices but every player who is remotely NRL standard comes at a premium.

Anyway like others, I think we are better off at present building a roster that is strong right from top to bottom. Develop a strong team culture and than see what is required to be a real heart weight,I just often think a big super star on a massive salary can do more harm than good.

Also on Folau I think he is a great footballer, but I think his days of being a game breaker are past him, I see him more as a really good pro footballer, but worth a million plus a season???? Mind you the publicity he would attract would be worth a bob or two

 

[stryker]

If the Tigers sign Folau, Hayne et al, they will undo the good recruiting work they have achieved the past couple of weeks.
Signing these big money players will see the club cut its own throat. We require a roster of 30 good players at a minimum, not a superstar, a few top liners, a dozen good players, some young up and comers and a half dozen plodders.

100% Disagree.
We need a superstar.

Thinking like yours will see us remain outside the top 8 and further condemn our profile, ie to remain whipping boys with an inferiority complex.
The top teams don't suffer mediocrity, and neither should we. Let's start acting like them, shoot for the stars! and once and for all shed this embarrassing image.

Thats your prerogative…but you are wrong. We need a balanced side to make the finals. Having a superstar on big coin does not allow this. If Folau comes over he would need huge compensation. Probably want to be the codes highest paid. Whats that? 1.3, 1.4mill a year? For that dough we could sign another prop, a backrower and a centre. So by all means sign the superstar and watch nothing change.

Stryker, everyone seems to agree that Ivan is the best thing for Wests at this time. Everyone seems to agree that his signings so far have been good.

So, what if he decides that we DO need a high profile player and he goes after someone like Falau (not necessarily Falau but someone like him).

Has he lost the plot, or would you go along with him?

No Id be dissappointed with the obvious gaps in the makeup of the side. We would have weaknesses that could have been solved. Personally I want 80% of the current roster gone over the next couple of years. They have not produced. This is the reason I dont want an "all eggs in one basket" type player. By the time Rowdy's contract expires we should have a squad that pushes top 4\. He'll be the last piece to move out.

 

[cqtiger]

100% Disagree.
We need a superstar.

Thinking like yours will see us remain outside the top 8 and further condemn our profile, ie to remain whipping boys with an inferiority complex.
The top teams don't suffer mediocrity, and neither should we. Let's start acting like them, shoot for the stars! and once and for all shed this embarrassing image.

Thats your prerogative…but you are wrong. We need a balanced side to make the finals. Having a superstar on big coin does not allow this. If Folau comes over he would need huge compensation. Probably want to be the codes highest paid. Whats that? 1.3, 1.4mill a year? For that dough we could sign another prop, a backrower and a centre. So by all means sign the superstar and watch nothing change.

Stryker, everyone seems to agree that Ivan is the best thing for Wests at this time. Everyone seems to agree that his signings so far have been good.

So, what if he decides that we DO need a high profile player and he goes after someone like Falau (not necessarily Falau but someone like him).

Has he lost the plot, or would you go along with him?

No Id be dissappointed with the obvious gaps in the makeup of the side. We would have weaknesses that could have been solved. Personally I want 80% of the current roster gone over the next couple of years. They have not produced. This is the reason I dont want an "all eggs in one basket" type player. By the time Rowdy's contract expires we should have a squad that pushes top 4\. He'll be the last piece to move out.

I agree with Stryker.
In another post I mentioned that only the top clubs with access to TPAs are the only ones who could truly afford superstars.

We don't have much in the way of TPAs so we have to manage every dollar in our cap.

 

[stryker]

We've already got a solid team for 2018, we've signed Packer, Matulino, McQueen, Reynolyds, Twal and Gamble.

If we can fit Falou in now I'd be over the moon, every good team needs a superstar…. We've got a solid team, now let's go get that superstar.

We are in the market for a centre and a bench forward, maybe a Aaron Gray and Brenten Lawrence both wouldn't break the bank along with Falou.

1\. Israel Falou
2\. David Nofalouma
3\. Moses Suli
4\. Aaron Gray
5\. Mahe Fonua
6\. Josh Reynoldys
7\. Luke Brooks
8\. Ben Matulino
9\. Matt Mcwrlick
10\. Russell Packer
11\. Chris McQueen
12\. Josh Alioai
13\. Elijah Taylor

14\. Brenton Lawrence
15\. Sauaso Sue
16\. Esan Masters
17\. Jacob Liddle

We dont have a solid side at all. We are slowly building a solid starting team. You have to think about the backup players as well. 2 or 3 key injuries to the side you posted and we have a bottom 8 squad. Dont waste money on a superstar and we have the backup to cover inevitable injuries. The risk of having a superstar without a full squad of quality around them is twofold…Firstly, you can become one dimensional in attack. Look at Teddy. Teams are easily containing him. Secondly, if that star goes down, and they will be targetted heavily so the possibility increases, then the replacements arent good enough to step into the role. Look at the Cows. Their win rate without JT over a dozen years is very sub par...something like 30%. The year they won the comp they had built up a roster of quality around him over a number of years.

We need the quality side before going after the superstar. A team full of dedicated footballers with better than average talent is a lot harder to beat than a team with some super players and through necessity, some plodders. We have proven that for many years.

 

[teddy23]

We've already got a solid team for 2018, we've signed Packer, Matulino, McQueen, Reynolyds, Twal and Gamble.

If we can fit Falou in now I'd be over the moon, every good team needs a superstar…. We've got a solid team, now let's go get that superstar.

We are in the market for a centre and a bench forward, maybe a Aaron Gray and Brenten Lawrence both wouldn't break the bank along with Falou.

1\. Israel Falou
2\. David Nofalouma
3\. Moses Suli
4\. Aaron Gray
5\. Mahe Fonua
6\. Josh Reynoldys
7\. Luke Brooks
8\. Ben Matulino
9\. Matt Mcwrlick
10\. Russell Packer
11\. Chris McQueen
12\. Josh Alioai
13\. Elijah Taylor

14\. Brenton Lawrence
15\. Sauaso Sue
16\. Esan Masters
17\. Jacob Liddle

We dont have a solid side at all. We are slowly building a solid starting team. You have to think about the backup players as well. 2 or 3 key injuries to the side you posted and we have a bottom 8 squad. Dont waste money on a superstar and we have the backup to cover inevitable injuries. The risk of having a superstar without a full squad of quality around them is twofold…Firstly, you can become one dimensional in attack. Look at Teddy. Teams are easily containing him. Secondly, if that star goes down, and they will be targetted heavily so the possibility increases, then the replacements arent good enough to step into the role. Look at the Cows. Their win rate without JT over a dozen years is very sub par...something like 30%. The year they won the comp they had built up a roster of quality around him over a number of years.

We need the quality side before going after the superstar. A team full of dedicated footballers with better than average talent is a lot harder to beat than a team with some super players and through necessity, some plodders. We have proven that for many years.

You know what… I agree!

I think now as a club we aren't ready to invest in a superstar, need to build a solid top 30 first.

Also now that I think about it... Media will be all over us if Folau was to be poor, could you imagine the headlines "poor club culture reason behind Falou's bad performances"

But still if we were to get him I'd be pretty excited....

 

[bigsiro]

FYI Tedesco was a superstar and we were happy to pay to keep him here.
But mention of replacing him with another bonafide star suddenly doesn't make sense?
LAME

 

[stryker]

FYI Tedesco was a superstar and we were happy to pay to keep him here.
But mention of replacing him with another bonafide star suddenly doesn't make sense?
LAME

Ted is not a superstar. He is potentially one, but not presently. I suggest this because he has not:
Cemented an origin position
Played finals football
Played for the Kangaroos
Won major awards such as Dally M player of the year
Become a regular personality on tv, radio or is being used to promote the NRL

I have always thought the money spoken about for him was huge overs considering all he hasnt achieved in the game coupled with the fact he gets injured a fair bit. I wished to keep him like most but I now think we can better use the funds allocated to him to strengthen the squad in a more positive manner.

 

[colmcd]

Israel is not who we need.

We need to build a spine. Israel is raw speed, muscle and talent. He is not a game reader, he hasn't played anywhere near as much League as other hot talents.

The biggest mistake we made IMHO was getting 3 juniors into our spine and saying we will build you together. Yes Melbourne did this with Smith, Cronk and Slater. We were clearly failing to do this with Moses, Brooks and Tedesco. They did not play well together. Then we basically shaft their mentor (rightly or wrongly, we got rid of Robbie Farah who was the only player able to help them fit into position). Then 2 of them leave? Why are we surprised especially since Moses seemed to have his flight shoes on from the start.

IMHO, we need someone at Fullback or Center who can help Brooks and the new Fullback do their job right. Either get an experienced spine and let Brooks and McKilrick learn or get a FB compatible with Brooks. No more of this putting 3 rookies together and thinking that they will be superstars. No more 500-600K payments to "Potentials", ARRGH.

Yes, Israel will attract more media attention. WHY would we want this. Hayne, maybe/yes. Israel NO!

 

[Spud_Murphy]

Thats your prerogative…but you are wrong. We need a balanced side to make the finals. Having a superstar on big coin does not allow this. If Folau comes over he would need huge compensation. Probably want to be the codes highest paid. Whats that? 1.3, 1.4mill a year? For that dough we could sign another prop, a backrower and a centre. So by all means sign the superstar and watch nothing change.

Stryker, everyone seems to agree that Ivan is the best thing for Wests at this time. Everyone seems to agree that his signings so far have been good.

So, what if he decides that we DO need a high profile player and he goes after someone like Falau (not necessarily Falau but someone like him).

Has he lost the plot, or would you go along with him?

No Id be dissappointed with the obvious gaps in the makeup of the side. We would have weaknesses that could have been solved. Personally I want 80% of the current roster gone over the next couple of years. They have not produced. This is the reason I dont want an "all eggs in one basket" type player. By the time Rowdy's contract expires we should have a squad that pushes top 4\. He'll be the last piece to move out.

I agree with Stryker.
In another post I mentioned that only the top clubs with access to TPAs are the only ones who could truly afford superstars.

We don't have much in the way of TPAs so we have to manage every dollar in our cap.

Using TPAs to acquire the really good players should be banned if there isn't a level playing field between all the clubs. And the question has to be asked, why don't we have much in the way of TPAs when quite possibly the richest man in the country is supposedly our No 1 ardent supporter? The guy does little to help the club out, despite having the power to do so, yet sits there spruiking how much he loves it!

 

[Tacky]

2 things.

1\. Tony Williams and Dave Taylor? Mate you've lost the plot.
2\. You say recruitment has gone quiet but, we just signed Packer 2 days ago.

Easy tiger. let me explain.

I just want to be really clear. I said in my post about fringe/bench players - Taylor and Williams would only ever be fringe or bench and should be played at prop due to their size and potential for an offload. Their form does not warrant a first grade contract above $200k.

The reason I mention them is that Williams and Taylor have lifted their game a little and if we need to fill spots in a 30 man roster, you'd do worse than these guys in your bottom 15-30 players on say $200k a season. Heighington would fit the bill too for that money and that role at our club. Currently, Kyle Lovett is filling that type of role for us. I'd take Williams or Taylor over him on potential alone.

The upside is that if they do come good, we all know how damaging they can be. If not, no big loss. Idris is a similar player for our roster and I think he deserves a low wage contract with the view to moving him into the second row.

When I say recruitment has gone quiet, I mean that we've had media speculation about our next target the whole time. Now that Packer has signed, the media aren't saying anything about who our next target will be.

Fair enough but, I think we would do better balancing the side with a couple young players. The word 'potential' seems to have a negative connotation, though I think having young guys with potential in the lower grades is the best way to go.

 

[bigsiro]

Using TPAs to acquire the really good players should be banned if there isn't a level playing field between all the clubs.

Totally. But as long as it isn't banned, if you can't beat em join em.
So why we haven't got lucrative TPA partnerships in place?
Can only be one of two things:
(1) Tigers haven't woken up to the fact that we need great TPA's (which I doubt) _or_
(2) Tigers management are unable to secure lucrative TPA partnerships (which I think is that case, and leads to your next thought Spud…)

And the question has to be asked, why don't we have much in the way of TPAs when quite possibly the richest man in the country is supposedly our No 1 ardent supporter? The guy does little to help the club out, despite having the power to do so, yet sits there spruiking how much he loves it!

Fully. It beggars belief. At least a little.

I wish Harry would do an Oprah's favourite things and be like: "Here's an penthouse for you Cooper and here's a 4 bedroom apartment for you Gillett, and lookie here, here's a special beach-side apartment for you Israel….Oh you all know what?! what the hell! apartments for everyone!"