Joe Ofahengaue #240

[Nelson]

Yep its easy to belittle players when their down and out...Packer was very good when he first joined us and many were pleased when he and Matalino were the front row combo...but yeah critisise me all you want...

Who was that was happy? No one was happy but we needed something. However he was overpaid 33% on his contract and he never played that well. Sure he did alot of decoys and a few othrr things but when your on that money and putting out 50 running metres a game then im sorry we need him to move on.

Ivan wanted him and gave him the salary....take it up with him...
Packer was a very good player when he was bought over to us....you have your opinion and I will keep mine....

Yes, Packer was at career best form with the Dragons the season we signed him.
When he linked up with Mats early we expected a lot, but got not a lot in return.

What though needs to be asked is why the drop? Is it Packer Cruising on a 4 year contract or is it the way we train and motivate? I think it's us! We have signed a lot of people who were great players and they come here and they go down a step. With the Center of excellence finally happening we may be able to remedy some of this but we need to be honest about why some players haven't been great coming here. I don't know the answer, lets ask the right questions.

There are plenty of props that have had a good season or half a season and then come right back to the pack (or worse).
Shannon Boyd was playing for Australia in 2016, then reggies in 2018 and is now retired aged 28.
Leilani Latu looked great for Penrith in 2017 and then was barely seen in first grade for the Titans. He's now off in ESL.
Tim Grant, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, David Shillington, Justin Poore, Kane Evans...I could go on but the point is, this is not an uncommon trend and it is not just this club that it happens at. The lesson is: don't sign props on 4 year deals...

 

[earl]

s it Packer Cruising on a 4 year contract or is it the way we train and motivate? I think it’s us! We have signed a lot of people who were great players and they come here and they go down a step. With the Center of excellence finally happening we may be able to remedy some of this but we need to be honest about why some players haven’t been great coming here. I don’t know the answer, lets ask the right questions.

My opinion is that a top level sportsman will perform no matter where he goes assuming he trains well and doesn't get injured. You definitely don't need a COE to be a good sportsman. Injury is a little down to luck. You play any tough physical sport and you will get injured.

We do have to ask the right questions but we also have to be rational and logical. Ask yourself would Roger Federer perform if he just had a crappy set of weights along with really good coaching and a tennis court to play on. The answer is he would kill it.

I'm no top level sportsman but I remember a guy who won a bronze medal in the Commonwealth games in boxing. The guy also played professional basketball in Canberra. Now he isn't a super star or anything like that. I remember talking to him and my opinion is that if you want to get good or better at your sport you do more of your sport. He thought exactly the same thing. So he was a boxer and he said just do more rounds. A side point is that he said he hated boxing now. He was a bit older and I don't think he liked punching people in the head.

 

[TrueTiger]

Even though Packer and Mbye are expensive re the cap...dont write them off this coming season...Madge holds both of them in high regard and they both have been superb NRL players...injuries can set players back a mile and both have had their share...

Madge does not hold Packer in high regard.

You may be privvy to info that some of us arent,however I have read that Madge thinks Russ has leadership qualities that suit the younger guys in the squad and has been very good with them on the training paddock...that was why I made the statement...

 

[Tiger5150]

. I told my missus 'we're going to the Tigers'."

Great story, good work recruitment and media guys. Imagine a player that wants to come and play for Madge. ?

It is a great story and I really like him as a bloke, but it is kind of tempered by his interview on WT site where he says "Im not going to lie, Tigers were the only club that gave me an offer".

Regardless, he seems a great bloke with a good attitude.

 

[voice_of_reason]

It is a great story and I really like him as a bloke, but it is kind of tempered by his interview on WT site where he says "Im not going to lie, Tigers were the only club that gave me an offer".

I thought the same thing, although it's refreshing he might actually be telling the truth - a nice change after all the waffle we hear from managers. It might also mean he thinks he owes us so so hopefully he rips in.

 

[Spartan117]

I really like his attitude.

https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2020/12/07/press-conference-joe-ofahengaue/

 

[happy_tiger]

Yep its easy to belittle players when their down and out...Packer was very good when he first joined us and many were pleased when he and Matalino were the front row combo...but yeah critisise me all you want...

Who was that was happy? No one was happy but we needed something. However he was overpaid 33% on his contract and he never played that well. Sure he did alot of decoys and a few othrr things but when your on that money and putting out 50 running metres a game then im sorry we need him to move on.

Ivan wanted him and gave him the salary....take it up with him...
Packer was a very good player when he was bought over to us....you have your opinion and I will keep mine....

I was just saying j wasnt happy with the signings. It felt rushed and we paid too much at the time which has ended up that way.

Packer was an average player that had occasionly above average games.

Of all those signing ...Packer ,Matulino ,Mbye and Reynolds ..I thought Packer was the best low risk high reward ..he was in career best form and because of what had happened he knew he was on his last chance

 

[iofthetigers]

I really like his attitude.

https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2020/12/07/press-conference-joe-ofahengaue/

I hope this is the wake up call he needed, there is a reason the Broncos were happy to move on from him, he has ability on the field his biggest issues have been off it hopefully the change of scenery & now being a little fish in a big bowl will bring out the best on him & help him focus on footy

 

[the_third]

. I told my missus 'we're going to the Tigers'."

Great story, good work recruitment and media guys. Imagine a player that wants to come and play for Madge. ?


It is a great story and I really like him as a bloke, but it is kind of tempered by his interview on WT site where he says "Im not going to lie, Tigers were the only club that gave me an offer".

Regardless, he seems a great bloke with a good attitude.

He does. It seems like he realises we were his only chance and wants to get back to where he was.

He talks pretty well for a forward.

 

[TieDye]

Yep its easy to belittle players when their down and out...Packer was very good when he first joined us and many were pleased when he and Matalino were the front row combo...but yeah critisise me all you want...

Who was that was happy? No one was happy but we needed something. However he was overpaid 33% on his contract and he never played that well. Sure he did alot of decoys and a few othrr things but when your on that money and putting out 50 running metres a game then im sorry we need him to move on.

Ivan wanted him and gave him the salary....take it up with him...
Packer was a very good player when he was bought over to us....you have your opinion and I will keep mine....

I was just saying j wasnt happy with the signings. It felt rushed and we paid too much at the time which has ended up that way.

Packer was an average player that had occasionly above average games.

Of all those signing ...Packer ,Matulino ,Mbye and Reynolds ..I thought Packer was the best low risk high reward ..he was in career best form and because of what had happened he knew he was on his last chance

For sure. Really understated point

 

[Telltails]

For a player with a fairly low profile lots of media around this signing. No denying that any thing related to WTs attracts media attention.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Next, Harry Grant is probably off the market.

Sign Angus Crichon. Else take a brief look Broncos way for Joe's buddy (If Matthew Lodge wasn't offered 1 million a season I would upgrade that Donkey).

Roosters won't let him go if they don't want it to happen.

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

Just watched his interview. Sounds like a bloody good bloke. No fluff or skirting around questions. Sounded grateful to be here.

 

[rustycage]

Just watched his interview. Sounds like a bloody good bloke. No fluff or skirting around questions. Sounded grateful to be here.

You're right, but to me it also sounded like every other first interview at a new club. Actions are what really count and let's hope he's truly fired up.

 

[crazycat]

Yep its easy to belittle players when their down and out...Packer was very good when he first joined us and many were pleased when he and Matalino were the front row combo...but yeah critisise me all you want...

Who was that was happy? No one was happy but we needed something. However he was overpaid 33% on his contract and he never played that well. Sure he did alot of decoys and a few othrr things but when your on that money and putting out 50 running metres a game then im sorry we need him to move on.

Ivan wanted him and gave him the salary....take it up with him...
Packer was a very good player when he was bought over to us....you have your opinion and I will keep mine....

Yes, Packer was at career best form with the Dragons the season we signed him.
When he linked up with Mats early we expected a lot, but got not a lot in return.

What though needs to be asked is why the drop? Is it Packer Cruising on a 4 year contract or is it the way we train and motivate? I think it's us! We have signed a lot of people who were great players and they come here and they go down a step. With the Center of excellence finally happening we may be able to remedy some of this but we need to be honest about why some players haven't been great coming here. I don't know the answer, lets ask the right questions.


The question should be "Why do we throw big money at pensioners?".Fortunately Madge is not following that philososphy.

Honestly, Reynolds and Packer did not look like Pensioners when we signed them. Packer was going great at the Dragons and it looked like we got a hard working Prop. Reynolds did have a bad year at Canterbury, but the team was being broken apart due to cap roarting.

The front row spot has always been there for Packer. Signing him for 4 years just let him cruz.
Benji just kept edging Reynolds. IMHO Reynolds should have muscled up and seriously gone for another position. I get that Reynolds can't play hooker... Anyway Hull's problem now (Hodgson, hope you know what your doing cause I have no idea).

Pensioners, Chris McQueen. I have no idea why we signed him and signed him for 3 years considering his injuries. But yes He was a pensioner signing.

Anyway old ground. I think Packer is the only one still on our books. IMHO I would sign Angus Cricheon, Roosters are going to offload him and he is a top shelf player. Yet learn from the above, no 4 year deals. We still need extra muscle up front to see what our backs can actually do.

 

[hank37w]

Pensioners, Chris McQueen. I have no idea why we signed him and signed him for 3 years considering his injuries. But yes He was a pensioner signing.

I believe we signed him prior to him injuring his neck.

Whatever you may think of him, it would have taken a lot of guts to get back on a footy field after that injury.

 

[crazycat]

Next, Harry Grant is probably off the market.

Sign Angus Crichon. Else take a brief look Broncos way for Joe's buddy (If Matthew Lodge wasn't offered 1 million a season I would upgrade that Donkey).

Roosters won't let him go if they don't want it to happen.

Yes, but the Roosters are Fickle.

No arguments from me, if they want a player suddenly Unkle Nick will appear and a magical Third party agreement will be signed or some other kickback.
Yet the Roosters will move on players. Nate Myles, Todd Carney, Blake Fergusson, Mitchel Pearce, etc. I remember them being called the flight deck for a reason. No doubt they will keep their key players, Teddy and Keary arn't moving.

Angus will be asked to take a paycut to stay and I reckon he won't be too interested. Jake Friend, Mitch Aubusson and co did but I doubt Angus will. Souths and Easts are having a lot of Salary cap problems (Boyd Cordner will be a nightmare for them, expect the NRL to make a special exemption). In short I think we have a shot.

Lastly if we are going to spend big money, lets spend it on the front row for once.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Next, Harry Grant is probably off the market.

Sign Angus Crichon. Else take a brief look Broncos way for Joe's buddy (If Matthew Lodge wasn't offered 1 million a season I would upgrade that Donkey).

Roosters won't let him go if they don't want it to happen.

Yes, but the Roosters are Fickle.

No arguments from me, if they want a player suddenly Unkle Nick will appear and a magical Third party agreement will be signed or some other kickback.
Yet the Roosters will move on players. Nate Myles, Todd Carney, Blake Fergusson, Mitchel Pearce, etc. I remember them being called the flight deck for a reason. No doubt they will keep their key players, Teddy and Keary arn't moving.

Angus will be asked to take a paycut to stay and I reckon he won't be too interested. Jake Friend, Mitch Aubusson and co did but I doubt Angus will. Souths and Easts are having a lot of Salary cap problems (Boyd Cordner will be a nightmare for them, expect the NRL to make a special exemption). In short I think we have a shot.

Lastly if we are going to spend big money, lets spend it on the front row for once.

Yes you accept big money offers but it seems to come with a catch. Crichton has really played some good football and stood tall in the SOO series. I guess we can only dream of having him at WTs. I'd take Crichton and young Leniu from the Panthers. Is that being greedy?

 

[JD Tiger]

One quick question please if I may.

What's the proper way to pronounce this gentleman's surname?

 

[TigerWest]

Pensioners, Chris McQueen. I have no idea why we signed him and signed him for 3 years considering his injuries. But yes He was a pensioner signing.

I believe we signed him prior to him injuring his neck.

Whatever you may think of him, it would have taken a lot of guts to get back on a footy field after that injury.

Pretty sure he was signed after he came back from injury, one of JT’s master stroke signings and another reason we have gone to our new recruitment system.