Joe Ofahengaue #240

[tigerap]

Wests Tigers boss says club is no soft touch

BRENT READ
6:05PM NOVEMBER 30, 2020

Josh Aloiai slipped into a Manly jersey on Monday as Wests Tigers chair Lee Hagipantelis insisted the club had shown they were no longer a soft touch with their handling of his controversial move to the Sea Eagles.

Hagipantelis had threatened to make Aloiai mow the lawns at Leichhardt and Campbelltown unless the club reached an agreement with Manly that was acceptable to the Tigers.

The Tigers eventually allowed him to leave, but only after they received financial compensation from the Sea Eagles and signing Brisbane and Queensland forward Joe Ofahengaue to fill the void created by Aloiai’s departure.

The Tigers have been branded pushovers in the past, but Hagipantelis insists they showed with their handling of Aloiai that they would no longer be an easy mark.

“I said we would not be releasing him unless there was an advantageous outcome for the Wests Tigers,” Hagipantelis said.

“At the end of the day if a player comes to you and asks to be released in the manner Josh approached the club, his remaining at the club comes untenable.

“It wasn’t simply a matter of the player approaching the club and asking for the release. There was another level introduced into it — it was publicly reported that he threatened to never pull on the jersey again.

“The jersey has a certain intrinsic value that every supporter understands. It became clear from the outset that him remaining at the Tigers was untenable.

“What we have done is release a player who did not want to play for the Wests Tigers, we have secured a player who does want to play for the Wests Tigers, and there has been a financial accommodation with two of the clubs which serves the interest of the Wests Tigers.

“So we held firm and we fulfilled out expectations as to how it was going to pan out. I think from a Wests Tigers fan and member perspective you should be proud with the way the club dealt with this situation.”

Aloiai was at Manly’s Narrabeen headquarters on Monday, having made an immediate switch to the Sea Eagles after being released fro the final year of his contract with the Tigers.

Ofahengaue, whose deal will be paid in part by the Brisbane Broncos, is yet to begin training with the Tigers, although he is expected to join his new teammates later this week.

“Did Josh get what he wanted? Yes, he got released,” Hagipantelis said.
“Did the Wests Tigers set the conditions on which the release would be granted? Yes we did. Were those conditions fulfilled? Yes, they were.

“We had a player that made it very clear he didn’t want to play with us. I ask rhetorically, why would any fan or member want that player to remain?”

Asked wether he had a parting message for Aloiai, Hagipantelis said: “I just wish Josh all the very best. I hope he takes a moment to think about some of the more intemperate remarks he made about the Wests Tigers and that he may think better of them moving forward.

“I would hope he cherishes his time at the Wests Tigers and this incident hasn’t soured any of that.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/wests-tigers-boss-says-club-is-no-soft-touch/news-story/2ea652a1c82931799bd3aee962cf171b

So not only are we a snowflake team we now hand out instruction manuals - “how to leave Wests Tigers if you are disgruntled”. What happens next time Lee when no props are available? Is it untenable then?

You can paint this result anyway you choose but in the end .... it’s the WT club, the Board its Chairman and the coaching staff that received the compensation and replacement player which they wanted. So satisfactory result as far as I can see.
Nothing to throw mud about.

I don’t hate the outcome but I’m disappointed in the way it leaves us open to Adam Douehi or LL doing the exact same thing.

Well so is the rest of the clubs in the league. Nothing will change until the NRL puts some effort into this problem and implements some serious rules and penalties to prevent this situation in the future.
And don’t get me started about that other elephant in the room (salary cap and player payments) that is always in too hard basket for the NRL, the clubs and the players association to get serious about.
They have these cast of thousands committees forever banging on about one or two referees and what not whilst ignoring these two priorities areas which turn ..... fans of the game like us ..... from the game in increasing numbers.

Parra enforced the Utoikamanu contract
Penrith are enforcing the Laurie contract
Dragons didn’t let Saab go this year
Gold Coast enforced Jai Arrow
Penrith are keeping Burton
Frizell stayed at Stgeorge
Melbourne / Josh Addo Carr
Etc

Why are we the snowflakes??

Edit: also agree with your salary cap commentary, I enjoy watching the NFL more these days with the draft-transfer rules being much more equitable.

None of those players made any kind of comment about wearing there jersey again
That comment was an insult to the club and all of its supporters
Josh was wrong making those comments
If it was purely a money grab i don't see why he should make comments like that
Its like he hates the club
What did we do to him for these comments to come out of his mouth

I for one I am glad he is gone now
And I do think we have the better player in Ofahengaue
I would love to see him bring his aggression back

Its time for all of our boys to get together and put an end to our finals drought
Our forwards need to make a promise to each other to not get dominated
We have a great bunch of forwards now
They all need to stand up and play there part

By the way
Who the hell is this Josh everyone has been talking about

I like your passion but I have to ask, why is it always us? Our biggest ever legend just left on ordinary terms, the club has a few management issues and in my opinion until it owns them, it’s rinse and repeat.

What would you have liked to see the club do?

 

[the_third]

Is this classed as a transfer fee and does it come out of manly’s salary cap?

 

[Cobarcats]

I smell a Rat, I believe Josh Aloia is loyal, maybe he didn't like the way we let Thompson, Benji and Sam McIntyre go and I'm pretty sure ET and Matt Eisenhuth were his mates. Hard to say. I've chatted to JA and he seems to be a really nice guy with strong religious beliefs, I think there's more to it than money, but as they say money talks and players walk. I'll miss the big guy. The only upside to all this is we picked up a handy forward from the ponies and we got some cash back from manly. I hope that our coach can unify our team in 2021 by playing hard ball with the players but throw in regular team bonding stuff that gets everyone laughing and enjoying training thus building a tight unit.

 

[Deleted member 3518]

Lee is so ridiculously inept in commercial judgement it's embarrassing. I absolutely agree with others on here. Having been in business for 20 years, the fact that he has come out and said "it was untenable because of the comments he made" absolutely gives others (players and agents) the playbook on how to leave.

More than anything it shows Lee for who he is, and who we are as a club - insecure about our perception in the market as someone who is a pushover.... If you are not a pushover, you don't tell people how you're not a pushover, you just don't get pushed over. Period. He is like a nerdy school kid who has been bullied and now wants to tell everyone how good he is, and at the same time just revealed how to get out if you want. "Look at me I did this great deal and didn't get pushed over"! ... He could've just said "we got a financial settlement and we move forward"

It's like he wants to protect his image because he is insecure of his ego. I've dealt with many people like him in negotiations and once you know they are ego-centric, you play along to it - tell them how great they are when you want something, or tell them how much you dislike them - it's all EGO.

Honestly dude. Do the deal. Shut up. Move on. That's how you don't get screwed in the future.

I’ve got an alternate point of view to throw at you. Is Josh ALOIAI . I say again Josh Aloai! Really worth 900k ? Because that’s by the rumours what manly just paid for him .Wven if it’s blown out by 100k , that’s 800k for , once again , JOSH ALOIAI! .
How is that good business ? So people saying the player can force a move , really are missing the point that manly just paid minimum 800k for Josh ALOIAI .
I bring this up , not to be smart , but to emphasise the point , that ultimately the team purchasing had to now pay a kings ransom for a slightly above average front rower. I really don’t see how , as you say you’re a business man , you can say things like “this is the play “ to get out of your contract .
To me , if I’m a manly fan , if be furious to the malpractice . when my team , as recently as last year , were being talked about going bankrupt .
Players can agitate all they want , but at the end of the day , if the team purchasing had to give up 200k , I can’t see that being the standard . Like I said , It makes no football sense , no business sense , no cap management sense , no advanced metric sense , to give 700-900k to josh ALOIAI. It’s reeks of desperation , as , in case you haven’t realised that manly pack is really bad .

 

[watersider]

Lee is so ridiculously inept in commercial judgement it's embarrassing. I absolutely agree with others on here. Having been in business for 20 years, the fact that he has come out and said "it was untenable because of the comments he made" absolutely gives others (players and agents) the playbook on how to leave.

More than anything it shows Lee for who he is, and who we are as a club - insecure about our perception in the market as someone who is a pushover.... If you are not a pushover, you don't tell people how you're not a pushover, you just don't get pushed over. Period. He is like a nerdy school kid who has been bullied and now wants to tell everyone how good he is, and at the same time just revealed how to get out if you want. "Look at me I did this great deal and didn't get pushed over"! ... He could've just said "we got a financial settlement and we move forward"

It's like he wants to protect his image because he is insecure of his ego. I've dealt with many people like him in negotiations and once you know they are ego-centric, you play along to it - tell them how great they are when you want something, or tell them how much you dislike them - it's all EGO.

Honestly dude. Do the deal. Shut up. Move on. That's how you don't get screwed in the future.

I’ve got an alternate point of view to throw at you. Is Josh ALOIAI . I say again Josh Aloai! Really worth 900k ? Because that’s by the rumours what manly just paid for him .Wven if it’s blown out by 100k , that’s 800k for , once again , JOSH ALOIAI! .
How is that good business ? So people saying the player can force a move , really are missing the point that manly just paid minimum 800k for Josh ALOIAI .
I bring this up , not to be smart , but to emphasise the point , that ultimately the team purchasing had to now pay a kings ransom for a slightly above average front rower. I really don’t see how , as you say you’re a business man , you can say things like “this is the play “ to get out of your contract .
To me , if I’m a manly fan , if be furious to the malpractice . when my team , as recently as last year , were being talked about going bankrupt .
Players can agitate all they want , but at the end of the day , if the team purchasing had to give up 200k , I can’t see that being the standard . Like I said , It makes no football sense , no business sense , no cap management sense , no advanced metric sense , to give 700-900k to josh ALOIAI. It’s reeks of desperation , as , in case you haven’t realised that manly pack is really bad .

Sure, the contract he had from Manly was more than what he's worth, but that has nothing to do with whether or not the Tigers stand their ground on retaining him for this year.

 

[Deleted member 3518]

Lee is so ridiculously inept in commercial judgement it's embarrassing. I absolutely agree with others on here. Having been in business for 20 years, the fact that he has come out and said "it was untenable because of the comments he made" absolutely gives others (players and agents) the playbook on how to leave.

More than anything it shows Lee for who he is, and who we are as a club - insecure about our perception in the market as someone who is a pushover.... If you are not a pushover, you don't tell people how you're not a pushover, you just don't get pushed over. Period. He is like a nerdy school kid who has been bullied and now wants to tell everyone how good he is, and at the same time just revealed how to get out if you want. "Look at me I did this great deal and didn't get pushed over"! ... He could've just said "we got a financial settlement and we move forward"

It's like he wants to protect his image because he is insecure of his ego. I've dealt with many people like him in negotiations and once you know they are ego-centric, you play along to it - tell them how great they are when you want something, or tell them how much you dislike them - it's all EGO.

Honestly dude. Do the deal. Shut up. Move on. That's how you don't get screwed in the future.

I’ve got an alternate point of view to throw at you. Is Josh ALOIAI . I say again Josh Aloai! Really worth 900k ? Because that’s by the rumours what manly just paid for him .Wven if it’s blown out by 100k , that’s 800k for , once again , JOSH ALOIAI! .
How is that good business ? So people saying the player can force a move , really are missing the point that manly just paid minimum 800k for Josh ALOIAI .
I bring this up , not to be smart , but to emphasise the point , that ultimately the team purchasing had to now pay a kings ransom for a slightly above average front rower. I really don’t see how , as you say you’re a business man , you can say things like “this is the play “ to get out of your contract .
To me , if I’m a manly fan , if be furious to the malpractice . when my team , as recently as last year , were being talked about going bankrupt .
Players can agitate all they want , but at the end of the day , if the team purchasing had to give up 200k , I can’t see that being the standard . Like I said , It makes no football sense , no business sense , no cap management sense , no advanced metric sense , to give 700-900k to josh ALOIAI. It’s reeks of desperation , as , in case you haven’t realised that manly pack is really bad .

Sure, the contract he had from Manly was more than what he's worth, but that has nothing to do with whether or not the Tigers stand their ground on retaining him for this year.

What ?we got 200k for a bench front rower , who we within a week , replaced with an origin middle , who warranted just had a down year . Like I said , you’re all looking at this wrong .
My point is that IT IS a favourable outcome . It’s not Monopoly money. Manly have to shell out 200k , of which , that would definitely be felt by them . Like I said , if we are enforcing a player swap or a ridiculous transfer fee , It might not ward off the Broncos of the world , but it’s hard to see most teams going “ehh , I think our money is better spent elsewhere “.

 

[Cairnstigers]

Wests Tigers boss says club is no soft touch

BRENT READ
6:05PM NOVEMBER 30, 2020

Josh Aloiai slipped into a Manly jersey on Monday as Wests Tigers chair Lee Hagipantelis insisted the club had shown they were no longer a soft touch with their handling of his controversial move to the Sea Eagles.

Hagipantelis had threatened to make Aloiai mow the lawns at Leichhardt and Campbelltown unless the club reached an agreement with Manly that was acceptable to the Tigers.

The Tigers eventually allowed him to leave, but only after they received financial compensation from the Sea Eagles and signing Brisbane and Queensland forward Joe Ofahengaue to fill the void created by Aloiai’s departure.

The Tigers have been branded pushovers in the past, but Hagipantelis insists they showed with their handling of Aloiai that they would no longer be an easy mark.

“I said we would not be releasing him unless there was an advantageous outcome for the Wests Tigers,” Hagipantelis said.

“At the end of the day if a player comes to you and asks to be released in the manner Josh approached the club, his remaining at the club comes untenable.

“It wasn’t simply a matter of the player approaching the club and asking for the release. There was another level introduced into it — it was publicly reported that he threatened to never pull on the jersey again.

“The jersey has a certain intrinsic value that every supporter understands. It became clear from the outset that him remaining at the Tigers was untenable.

“What we have done is release a player who did not want to play for the Wests Tigers, we have secured a player who does want to play for the Wests Tigers, and there has been a financial accommodation with two of the clubs which serves the interest of the Wests Tigers.

“So we held firm and we fulfilled out expectations as to how it was going to pan out. I think from a Wests Tigers fan and member perspective you should be proud with the way the club dealt with this situation.”

Aloiai was at Manly’s Narrabeen headquarters on Monday, having made an immediate switch to the Sea Eagles after being released fro the final year of his contract with the Tigers.

Ofahengaue, whose deal will be paid in part by the Brisbane Broncos, is yet to begin training with the Tigers, although he is expected to join his new teammates later this week.

“Did Josh get what he wanted? Yes, he got released,” Hagipantelis said.
“Did the Wests Tigers set the conditions on which the release would be granted? Yes we did. Were those conditions fulfilled? Yes, they were.

“We had a player that made it very clear he didn’t want to play with us. I ask rhetorically, why would any fan or member want that player to remain?”

Asked wether he had a parting message for Aloiai, Hagipantelis said: “I just wish Josh all the very best. I hope he takes a moment to think about some of the more intemperate remarks he made about the Wests Tigers and that he may think better of them moving forward.

“I would hope he cherishes his time at the Wests Tigers and this incident hasn’t soured any of that.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/wests-tigers-boss-says-club-is-no-soft-touch/news-story/2ea652a1c82931799bd3aee962cf171b

So not only are we a snowflake team we now hand out instruction manuals - “how to leave Wests Tigers if you are disgruntled”. What happens next time Lee when no props are available? Is it untenable then?

You can paint this result anyway you choose but in the end .... it’s the WT club, the Board its Chairman and the coaching staff that received the compensation and replacement player which they wanted. So satisfactory result as far as I can see.
Nothing to throw mud about.

I don’t hate the outcome but I’m disappointed in the way it leaves us open to Adam Douehi or LL doing the exact same thing.

Well so is the rest of the clubs in the league. Nothing will change until the NRL puts some effort into this problem and implements some serious rules and penalties to prevent this situation in the future.
And don’t get me started about that other elephant in the room (salary cap and player payments) that is always in too hard basket for the NRL, the clubs and the players association to get serious about.
They have these cast of thousands committees forever banging on about one or two referees and what not whilst ignoring these two priorities areas which turn ..... fans of the game like us ..... from the game in increasing numbers.

Parra enforced the Utoikamanu contract
Penrith are enforcing the Laurie contract
Dragons didn’t let Saab go this year
Gold Coast enforced Jai Arrow
Penrith are keeping Burton
Frizell stayed at Stgeorge
Melbourne / Josh Addo Carr
Etc

Why are we the snowflakes??

Edit: also agree with your salary cap commentary, I enjoy watching the NFL more these days with the draft-transfer rules being much more equitable.

None of those players made any kind of comment about wearing there jersey again
That comment was an insult to the club and all of its supporters
Josh was wrong making those comments
If it was purely a money grab i don't see why he should make comments like that
Its like he hates the club
What did we do to him for these comments to come out of his mouth

I for one I am glad he is gone now
And I do think we have the better player in Ofahengaue
I would love to see him bring his aggression back

Its time for all of our boys to get together and put an end to our finals drought
Our forwards need to make a promise to each other to not get dominated
We have a great bunch of forwards now
They all need to stand up and play there part

By the way
Who the hell is this Josh everyone has been talking about

I like your passion but I have to ask, why is it always us? Our biggest ever legend just left on ordinary terms, the club has a few management issues and in my opinion until it owns them, it’s rinse and repeat.

In biggest ever legend i assume you mean Benji Marshall
His time was up and he got a tap on the shoulder
Unlike Jonathan Thurston who played one to many seasons for the cowboys
Our coach knew Benji's time was up but Benji didn't want to hear it
The coach has to make tough calls as it always falls back on his shoulders if the team fails
The coach needs to be able to build a team he thinks can win a title
Benji was not in his plans
Look what Bennett did to Corey Parker
He copped a tap on the shoulder but I though Corey still had plenty to offer
Some players fight to keep on playing
Some leave gracefully
Go back to 2005
We had a number of players in their last year who retired
Its easy when you win
But in Benji's case, he had success in 2005 and then nothing since
He tried his heart out i will give him that
But he feels as though he has un Finished business at the Tigers
A second premiership
But it will never happen with him in the team
His time has passed but he just doesn't want to believe it
Now Brooks needs to stand up or he could be next

 

[jirskyr]

Wests Tigers boss says club is no soft touch

BRENT READ
6:05PM NOVEMBER 30, 2020

Josh Aloiai slipped into a Manly jersey on Monday as Wests Tigers chair Lee Hagipantelis insisted the club had shown they were no longer a soft touch with their handling of his controversial move to the Sea Eagles.

Hagipantelis had threatened to make Aloiai mow the lawns at Leichhardt and Campbelltown unless the club reached an agreement with Manly that was acceptable to the Tigers.

The Tigers eventually allowed him to leave, but only after they received financial compensation from the Sea Eagles and signing Brisbane and Queensland forward Joe Ofahengaue to fill the void created by Aloiai’s departure.

The Tigers have been branded pushovers in the past, but Hagipantelis insists they showed with their handling of Aloiai that they would no longer be an easy mark.

“I said we would not be releasing him unless there was an advantageous outcome for the Wests Tigers,” Hagipantelis said.

“At the end of the day if a player comes to you and asks to be released in the manner Josh approached the club, his remaining at the club comes untenable.

“It wasn’t simply a matter of the player approaching the club and asking for the release. There was another level introduced into it — it was publicly reported that he threatened to never pull on the jersey again.

“The jersey has a certain intrinsic value that every supporter understands. It became clear from the outset that him remaining at the Tigers was untenable.

“What we have done is release a player who did not want to play for the Wests Tigers, we have secured a player who does want to play for the Wests Tigers, and there has been a financial accommodation with two of the clubs which serves the interest of the Wests Tigers.

“So we held firm and we fulfilled out expectations as to how it was going to pan out. I think from a Wests Tigers fan and member perspective you should be proud with the way the club dealt with this situation.”

Aloiai was at Manly’s Narrabeen headquarters on Monday, having made an immediate switch to the Sea Eagles after being released fro the final year of his contract with the Tigers.

Ofahengaue, whose deal will be paid in part by the Brisbane Broncos, is yet to begin training with the Tigers, although he is expected to join his new teammates later this week.

“Did Josh get what he wanted? Yes, he got released,” Hagipantelis said.
“Did the Wests Tigers set the conditions on which the release would be granted? Yes we did. Were those conditions fulfilled? Yes, they were.

“We had a player that made it very clear he didn’t want to play with us. I ask rhetorically, why would any fan or member want that player to remain?”

Asked wether he had a parting message for Aloiai, Hagipantelis said: “I just wish Josh all the very best. I hope he takes a moment to think about some of the more intemperate remarks he made about the Wests Tigers and that he may think better of them moving forward.

“I would hope he cherishes his time at the Wests Tigers and this incident hasn’t soured any of that.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/wests-tigers-boss-says-club-is-no-soft-touch/news-story/2ea652a1c82931799bd3aee962cf171b

So not only are we a snowflake team we now hand out instruction manuals - “how to leave Wests Tigers if you are disgruntled”. What happens next time Lee when no props are available? Is it untenable then?

You can paint this result anyway you choose but in the end .... it’s the WT club, the Board its Chairman and the coaching staff that received the compensation and replacement player which they wanted. So satisfactory result as far as I can see.
Nothing to throw mud about.

I don’t hate the outcome but I’m disappointed in the way it leaves us open to Adam Douehi or LL doing the exact same thing.

Well so is the rest of the clubs in the league. Nothing will change until the NRL puts some effort into this problem and implements some serious rules and penalties to prevent this situation in the future.
And don’t get me started about that other elephant in the room (salary cap and player payments) that is always in too hard basket for the NRL, the clubs and the players association to get serious about.
They have these cast of thousands committees forever banging on about one or two referees and what not whilst ignoring these two priorities areas which turn ..... fans of the game like us ..... from the game in increasing numbers.

Parra enforced the Utoikamanu contract
Penrith are enforcing the Laurie contract
Dragons didn’t let Saab go this year
Gold Coast enforced Jai Arrow
Penrith are keeping Burton
Frizell stayed at Stgeorge
Melbourne / Josh Addo Carr
Etc

Why are we the snowflakes??

Almost all of the players you have mentioned were on development or first contracts - i.e. cheap to retain.

Jason Saab was released from the final 2 years of his contract.

Frizell doesn't count, he signed for Newcastle during his final year at St George, which is a regular old transfer. I don't believe there's any suggestion he asked for a release in 2020 - in fact due to COVID NRL didn't even register his contract for quite some period.

Let's wait until January to see if Laurie and Burton do in fact stay at Penrith another year.

I can name a whole bunch of players released from their deals to immediately sign with someone else. Why does it make Tigers special in this regard?

Players released to Tigers recently:
Joe Ofahengaue
Alex Twal
Adam Doueihi
Moses Mbye
AJ Kepaoa
Tui Lolohea
Elijah Taylor
BJ Leilua
James Roberts

Others released recently:
Joe Suaalii
John Bateman (declined the option in his favour)
Jack Bird
Reimis Smith
Christian Tuipulotu
AFB
Bayley Siro
Sione Mata'utia
Brodie Croft
Curtis Scott
Jesse Ramien
Gehamat Shibasaki
Esan Marsters
Valentine Holmes
RCG
Waqa Blake
Latrell
Kyle Flanagan
Wayde Egan
Mitchell Pearce
James Maloney
Liam Knight

It's like you've given no thought whatsoever to your rant.

 

[Cairnstigers]

I smell a Rat, I believe Josh Aloia is loyal, maybe he didn't like the way we let Thompson, Benji and Sam McIntyre go and I'm pretty sure ET and Matt Eisenhuth were his mates. Hard to say. I've chatted to JA and he seems to be a really nice guy with strong religious beliefs, I think there's more to it than money, but as they say money talks and players walk. I'll miss the big guy. The only upside to all this is we picked up a handy forward from the ponies and we got some cash back from manly. I hope that our coach can unify our team in 2021 by playing hard ball with the players but throw in regular team bonding stuff that gets everyone laughing and enjoying training thus building a tight unit.

Mates or not, they all need to perform
Changes need to be made or we continue to slide down the ladder
Everyone should realise that
Especially players
Its a bad excuse for a player to leave in my opinion
We all want success
We need to release players that don't perform well enough
I don't think Josh likes finishing outside the 8
That is more likely the reason he wanted out
And a bigger pay cheque of course

 

[Telltails]

Lee's comments are ridiculous. Why does he talk to the media? Those comments are embarrassing. Even if we weren't soft in the JA negotiations (I think we were) it still doesn't change our recent history of being bullied by players, coaches and managers. I just don't see what benefit there is for him to announce how much impact a player airing their public grievances can have on the club's decision making process. It sounds childish. I've been uncomfortable with his openness in the past, I actually wonder about his judgement now.

He should never of shared what JA reportedly said with the media. It was a certain way to turn the fans on him and give justification for possibly releasing him. But then he talked tough and made the lawnmower references and didn't follow through.. We got an outcome from it - some believe a good one and hopefully it will be - but no solution to the problem.

 

[JD Tiger]

Gaining Joe and losing Josh are two unrelated events.

I can't even begin to understand how you can say this. They are equivalent forwards and we didn't release Aloiai until we had confirmed signing of Joe O. They are contemporaneous.

>It is just very unfortunate that there was no deterrent for players stitching us up again. And a lot of us said this last time with Matterson. So who’s next? Nofa? Twal? Mikaele? Talau? Liddle? I’m guessing it’s more than one next time. Wonder how that will go down.

Personally I'm happy for it. Every mug who dumps a club because they've leveraged a higher pay packet elsewhere - they can go. I see a correlation between that type of mindset, where you throw your toys out of the cot, with failing to perform in high-stakes situations. It's a weakness of character and we are better off without those players.

Ultimately you want to be as close to the Melbourne Storm as possible - sign them cheap, train them up, hope to hold onto them when other clubs come around with paycheques, but always have a ready-made replacement.

How are they equivalent forwards? Isn't Joe O being talked about as a lock, and Josh A is a prop? I know the two positions are similar, but I haven't heard anyone mention Josh A could ever have played lock for us.

And does anyone remember when only a few weeks ago, we were trying to court JAC? Remember that? It seems a lifetime ago, yet it was less than a month ago. By all reports, we had offered him a contract somewhere around 550k+ with bonuses for if he played fullback, up to somewhere around 800k. Seemingly in that ballpark at least.

Since then we signed Laurie, albeit for 2022, but that is the probable answer to our fullback dilemma. What's my point? My point is, with the fullback postlition having a plan, our recruitment turned to the forwards. And with still a lot of cash to spend, some quality estimates (Curly) put us at around 800k for two more positions. That's after we bought Joey Ofahengaue. So could we have afforded both Josh A, and Joey O in the cap? Most definitely. Could we have fit both in our squad? Yes. Do they play the same position? No.

My biggest concern here which seems to have been glossed over, was we had a player in our midst who wanted to leave us and we just let him go. Did we want to keep him? We certainly did a month ago. But he said some nasty words, which made his position untenable.

Here's the big question. Why? Not why did he say it, but why did he think he could get away with saying it? The comparison that we should be like Storm, in this regard I completely agree. JAC wanted out, they said wait a year then we'll talk. He waited a whole year. They still said no. They upgraded his contract a bit and that was it. Even after all that, no way was JAC going to bad mouth Storm in public, he wasn't game. And why not? Why do players feel they can bad mouth us, but not Storm? That is what WT should be looking at, players know they can talk rubbish on us, and we will roll over. That is what we have to work out how to stop. That is what I wanted us to stand tough over, because I thought us standing tough and refusing to give in to Josh A's childish tantrum wpuld hopefully stop other players treating us like that. But we let him go. We let him get away with it. Yes we got some compensation, got another player, but to the next whingeing brat who wants out, they will just rinse and repeat.

Josh A wasn't that great, but he was our best forward last year, and the year before that we lost our best forward for that year as well. I think our effort to release Josh A was soft, because we gave in to his demands. Why did people get behind Leo's threat to retain Josh A and not care when he backed down? Soft again I say, because we had a chance to stand strong, to tell these players and player managers we won't be trodden on, but instead let them get away with it.

I agree we're better off without those players, but those players may influence others who normally wouldn't to follow in their footsteps. It is certainly not a stretch to think Matterson doing it last year paved the way for Aloiai doing it.

All in all I think we improved the way we handled this, but we still have a lot of improvement to go. And unfortunately, I think we'll get another turn at it.

 

[TigerWest]

Lee's comments are ridiculous. Why does he talk to the media? Those comments are embarrassing. Even if we weren't soft in the JA negotiations (I think we were) it still doesn't change our recent history of being bullied by players, coaches and managers. I just don't see what benefit there is for him to announce how much impact a player airing their public grievances can have on the club's decision making process. It sounds childish. I've been uncomfortable with his openness in the past, I actually wonder about his judgement now.

He should never of shared what JA reportedly said with the media. It was a certain way to turn the fans on him and give justification for possibly releasing him. But then he talked tough and made the lawnmower references and didn't follow through.. We got an outcome from it - some believe a good one and hopefully it will be - **but no solution to the problem.**

Because at club level, **there is no solution to the problem**. Only the NRL can fox this, if they want to.

 

[TigerWest]

I smell a Rat, I believe Josh Aloia is loyal, maybe he didn't like the way we let Thompson, Benji and Sam McIntyre go and I'm pretty sure ET and Matt Eisenhuth were his mates. Hard to say. I've chatted to JA and he seems to be a really nice guy with strong religious beliefs, I think there's more to it than money, but as they say money talks and players walk. I'll miss the big guy. The only upside to all this is we picked up a handy forward from the ponies and we got some cash back from manly. I hope that our coach can unify our team in 2021 by playing hard ball with the players but throw in regular team bonding stuff that gets everyone laughing and enjoying training thus building a tight unit.

We haven't been in the top 8 for a decade, it is professional sport, players come and go, they would all know this, last year we came 11th, something had to change.

Our chairman said JA only a matter of weeks ago sat in front of him and told him how happy he was here, so what changed? His manager found a deal he couldn't refuse.

I think some are looking for devils in the details, it was always about money. I don't have a problem with that, just the way he went about it was extremely poor, anyway he's gone now.

 

[Geo]

Wests Tigers boss says club is no soft touch

BRENT READ
6:05PM NOVEMBER 30, 2020

Josh Aloiai slipped into a Manly jersey on Monday as Wests Tigers chair Lee Hagipantelis insisted the club had shown they were no longer a soft touch with their handling of his controversial move to the Sea Eagles.

Hagipantelis had threatened to make Aloiai mow the lawns at Leichhardt and Campbelltown unless the club reached an agreement with Manly that was acceptable to the Tigers.

The Tigers eventually allowed him to leave, but only after they received financial compensation from the Sea Eagles and signing Brisbane and Queensland forward Joe Ofahengaue to fill the void created by Aloiai’s departure.

The Tigers have been branded pushovers in the past, but Hagipantelis insists they showed with their handling of Aloiai that they would no longer be an easy mark.

“I said we would not be releasing him unless there was an advantageous outcome for the Wests Tigers,” Hagipantelis said.

“At the end of the day if a player comes to you and asks to be released in the manner Josh approached the club, his remaining at the club comes untenable.

“It wasn’t simply a matter of the player approaching the club and asking for the release. There was another level introduced into it — it was publicly reported that he threatened to never pull on the jersey again.

“The jersey has a certain intrinsic value that every supporter understands. It became clear from the outset that him remaining at the Tigers was untenable.

“What we have done is release a player who did not want to play for the Wests Tigers, we have secured a player who does want to play for the Wests Tigers, and there has been a financial accommodation with two of the clubs which serves the interest of the Wests Tigers.

“So we held firm and we fulfilled out expectations as to how it was going to pan out. I think from a Wests Tigers fan and member perspective you should be proud with the way the club dealt with this situation.”

Aloiai was at Manly’s Narrabeen headquarters on Monday, having made an immediate switch to the Sea Eagles after being released fro the final year of his contract with the Tigers.

Ofahengaue, whose deal will be paid in part by the Brisbane Broncos, is yet to begin training with the Tigers, although he is expected to join his new teammates later this week.

“Did Josh get what he wanted? Yes, he got released,” Hagipantelis said.
“Did the Wests Tigers set the conditions on which the release would be granted? Yes we did. Were those conditions fulfilled? Yes, they were.

“We had a player that made it very clear he didn’t want to play with us. I ask rhetorically, why would any fan or member want that player to remain?”

Asked wether he had a parting message for Aloiai, Hagipantelis said: “I just wish Josh all the very best. I hope he takes a moment to think about some of the more intemperate remarks he made about the Wests Tigers and that he may think better of them moving forward.

“I would hope he cherishes his time at the Wests Tigers and this incident hasn’t soured any of that.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/wests-tigers-boss-says-club-is-no-soft-touch/news-story/2ea652a1c82931799bd3aee962cf171b

So not only are we a snowflake team we now hand out instruction manuals - “how to leave Wests Tigers if you are disgruntled”. What happens next time Lee when no props are available? Is it untenable then?

You can paint this result anyway you choose but in the end .... it’s the WT club, the Board its Chairman and the coaching staff that received the compensation and replacement player which they wanted. So satisfactory result as far as I can see.
Nothing to throw mud about.

I don’t hate the outcome but I’m disappointed in the way it leaves us open to Adam Douehi or LL doing the exact same thing.

Well so is the rest of the clubs in the league. Nothing will change until the NRL puts some effort into this problem and implements some serious rules and penalties to prevent this situation in the future.
And don’t get me started about that other elephant in the room (salary cap and player payments) that is always in too hard basket for the NRL, the clubs and the players association to get serious about.
They have these cast of thousands committees forever banging on about one or two referees and what not whilst ignoring these two priorities areas which turn ..... fans of the game like us ..... from the game in increasing numbers.

Parra enforced the Utoikamanu contract
Penrith are enforcing the Laurie contract
Dragons didn’t let Saab go this year
Gold Coast enforced Jai Arrow
Penrith are keeping Burton
Frizell stayed at Stgeorge
Melbourne / Josh Addo Carr
Etc

Why are we the snowflakes??

Almost all of the players you have mentioned were on development or first contracts - i.e. cheap to retain.

Jason Saab was released from the final 2 years of his contract.

Frizell doesn't count, he signed for Newcastle during his final year at St George, which is a regular old transfer. I don't believe there's any suggestion he asked for a release in 2020 - in fact due to COVID NRL didn't even register his contract for quite some period.

Let's wait until January to see if Laurie and Burton do in fact stay at Penrith another year.

I can name a whole bunch of players released from their deals to immediately sign with someone else. Why does it make Tigers special in this regard?

Players released to Tigers recently:
Joe Ofahengaue
Alex Twal
Adam Doueihi
Moses Mbye
AJ Kepaoa
Tui Lolohea
Elijah Taylor
BJ Leilua
James Roberts

Others released recently:
Joe Suaalii
John Bateman (declined the option in his favour)
Jack Bird
Reimis Smith
Christian Tuipulotu
AFB
Bayley Siro
Sione Mata'utia
Brodie Croft
Curtis Scott
Jesse Ramien
Gehamat Shibasaki
Esan Marsters
Valentine Holmes
RCG
Waqa Blake
Latrell
Kyle Flanagan
Wayde Egan
Mitchell Pearce
James Maloney
Liam Knight

It's like you've given no thought whatsoever to your rant.

Needs more Bryce Cartwright..

 

[mikey]

He should never of shared what JA reportedly said with the media. It was a certain way to turn the fans on him and give justification for possibly releasing him. But then he talked tough and made the lawnmower references and didn't follow through.. We got an outcome from it - some believe a good one and hopefully it will be - but no solution to the problem.

I believe there was a need to share what was said. This place was in meltdown because of the seemingly 'yet again inept' stance of the club. Sharing the comment let supporters understand the 'take no prisoners' ultimatum the club was given by a child who wanted his red cordial after Mummy had said no.
The lawnmower comment showed the line had been drawn in the sand at treating the club like a doormat. It gave belief to supporters that the club had turned a corner. It provided an opportunity for the club to find a voice to get the NRL to change this behaviour by managers.

There was no need to follow through with the threat because the club got what it wanted - a favourable outcome - better player and money. We also got rid of a diseased attitude to life and the possible further spread of that in the club.

Maybe that doesn't suit all but realistically there was never going to be a better outcome for the club. I believe the club played it quite well and profited out of it this time. Small but once again positive steps into changing culture and the image of the club.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

I smell a Rat, I believe Josh Aloia is loyal, maybe he didn't like the way we let Thompson, Benji and Sam McIntyre go and I'm pretty sure ET and Matt Eisenhuth were his mates. Hard to say. I've chatted to JA and he seems to be a really nice guy with strong religious beliefs, I think there's more to it than money, but as they say money talks and players walk. I'll miss the big guy. The only upside to all this is we picked up a handy forward from the ponies and we got some cash back from manly. I hope that our coach can unify our team in 2021 by playing hard ball with the players but throw in regular team bonding stuff that gets everyone laughing and enjoying training thus building a tight unit.

Apart from Thompson, who was offered a longer deal on better money, they were all off contract, so it’s his problem if it upset him.

 

[TigerWest]

Lee's comments are ridiculous. Why does he talk to the media? Those comments are embarrassing. Even if we weren't soft in the JA negotiations (I think we were) it still doesn't change our recent history of being bullied by players, coaches and managers. I just don't see what benefit there is for him to announce how much impact a player airing their public grievances can have on the club's decision making process. It sounds childish. I've been uncomfortable with his openness in the past, I actually wonder about his judgement now.

I agree with thoughts on Lee H. He has a high media profile (and position as WT Chairperson) built on leading the Aldi-equivalent of a law firm. He is more liability than asset to the corporate and media standing of WT, in my opinion.

He also puts in a bucket load of money and time to the club, I enjoyed his comments because it was what I was thinking, reality is, that it was never going to happen, we need a full roster.

 

[sleeve]

This type poaching has been around forever.Years ago you had to live in the area to play for the club ,.Saints moved Raper,Smith and Clays homes to the kogarah area.Then Easts poached Coote ,Beetson etc,and today its open slather.I am not sure if its good or bad,but it appears some clubs are more succesfull then others,Maybe its about good negotiators?

 

[diedpretty]

Anyone shed any light to Denan Kemp/The Locker Room saying that there is much more to this story

Seems to be suggesting we have done wrong by Aloiai. Saying it's up to Josh to release his side if the story.

Pm if you can't say online.

Sounds like a standard PR ploy: make an unspecified claim of wrongdoing against the other party and then act as if you're of too strong a moral character to release the details and say you "just want to move on" (with the possible addition of "but they know what they did" to make it seem more genuine).

Sure is - I just hope WT don't come out denying any wrong doing - then it puts doubt in peoples mind that maybe there was something else. Its best to shut up and say nothing about this alleged wrongdoing. Unfortunately our track record of sticking our foot in our mouth is pretty strong.