Joe Ofahengaue #240

[BAGNF05]

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.

We achieved a positive outcome. You seem to have difficulty comprehending that.

1. I’m calling the outcome satisfactory until it plays out but on this occasion the club managed to secure a decent prop - lucky there was one available.

2. I’m unhappy because I still think it will happen again, potentially when AD or LL get sick of whatever it is going wrong at the place. Lee has basically stated that in the media today, if you say you don’t want to play for the jersey we’ll release you (no matter how much you’re needed because it’s untenable).

3. People seem to get upset on here when I criticise the club, we’ve missed finals for going on a decade, questions have to be asked.

You obviously have inside info on AD and Lucy wanting to sook and ask for a release. You keep mentioning these two players only.

Don't think you could have picked two worse players to fit your scenario myself.

I'll tell you what is wrong with the place, Simple: Sooky little players that come here, put in one a half a good year, get a swelled head and want more money at all costs.

How do you stop it? At club level you can't, it's an NRL problem.

We can get rid of the sooks though, when it is to our advantage. In both those cases we came out better off.

We’re always the victim aren’t we.

I Picked those 2 players as I enjoy watching them play - as I did with Matto and Aloiai.

FYI - That’s why other clubs chase them too

Is Aloiai worth $600k?

No, I’d say 500. Outcome on this whole situation was ok in my view. Just didn’t stand our ground and hence I believe it’ll happen again.

How did we not stand our ground? Manly paid up to get him.

JA got exactly what he wanted. If Roosters or any other club want one of our performing players at the end of 21, I don’t doubt their ability to pull one over us.

 

[cochise]

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.

We achieved a positive outcome. You seem to have difficulty comprehending that.

1. I’m calling the outcome satisfactory until it plays out but on this occasion the club managed to secure a decent prop - lucky there was one available.

2. I’m unhappy because I still think it will happen again, potentially when AD or LL get sick of whatever it is going wrong at the place. Lee has basically stated that in the media today, if you say you don’t want to play for the jersey we’ll release you (no matter how much you’re needed because it’s untenable).

3. People seem to get upset on here when I criticise the club, we’ve missed finals for going on a decade, questions have to be asked.

You obviously have inside info on AD and Lucy wanting to sook and ask for a release. You keep mentioning these two players only.

Don't think you could have picked two worse players to fit your scenario myself.

I'll tell you what is wrong with the place, Simple: Sooky little players that come here, put in one a half a good year, get a swelled head and want more money at all costs.

How do you stop it? At club level you can't, it's an NRL problem.

We can get rid of the sooks though, when it is to our advantage. In both those cases we came out better off.

We’re always the victim aren’t we.

I Picked those 2 players as I enjoy watching them play - as I did with Matto and Aloiai.

FYI - That’s why other clubs chase them too

Is Aloiai worth $600k?

No, I’d say 500. Outcome on this whole situation was ok in my view. Just didn’t stand our ground and hence I believe it’ll happen again.

How did we not stand our ground? Manly paid up to get him.

JA got exactly what he wanted. If Roosters or any other club want one of our performing players at the end of 21, I don’t doubt their ability to pull one over us.

Getting paid to let a player go who doesn't want to be here and then being able to replace him with a better player is smart business.

 

[BAGNF05]

It’s about expectations, obviously mine are different to yours. Statistically each team should make the eight one in every two years, we haven’t made it in 9. I expect more than dead last when I make the 4 hour round trip to the footy, which I do often.

I don't have expectations in relation to performance. I pay my money and I watch the footy. I want to win. I'm not out there playing. I'm also not managing the team nor do I have an irrational belief that management are somehow incompetent and that is why we aren't a top tier footy team.

That’s what I said. We have different expectations. When I hear management talk they often speak of their own goals and expectations, which they continually fall short of.

 

[earl]

We made some mistakes in regard to recruitment and retention in the past, those mistakes are being rectified at present.

We've made some terrible decisions but the really bad ones have been the signings of Reynolds and Packer and to a lesser extent McQueen and Mbye. We are slowly getting these contracts off our books and getting better contracts on our books.

 

[BAGNF05]

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.

We achieved a positive outcome. You seem to have difficulty comprehending that.

1. I’m calling the outcome satisfactory until it plays out but on this occasion the club managed to secure a decent prop - lucky there was one available.

2. I’m unhappy because I still think it will happen again, potentially when AD or LL get sick of whatever it is going wrong at the place. Lee has basically stated that in the media today, if you say you don’t want to play for the jersey we’ll release you (no matter how much you’re needed because it’s untenable).

3. People seem to get upset on here when I criticise the club, we’ve missed finals for going on a decade, questions have to be asked.

You obviously have inside info on AD and Lucy wanting to sook and ask for a release. You keep mentioning these two players only.

Don't think you could have picked two worse players to fit your scenario myself.

I'll tell you what is wrong with the place, Simple: Sooky little players that come here, put in one a half a good year, get a swelled head and want more money at all costs.

How do you stop it? At club level you can't, it's an NRL problem.

We can get rid of the sooks though, when it is to our advantage. In both those cases we came out better off.

We’re always the victim aren’t we.

I Picked those 2 players as I enjoy watching them play - as I did with Matto and Aloiai.

FYI - That’s why other clubs chase them too

Is Aloiai worth $600k?

No, I’d say 500. Outcome on this whole situation was ok in my view. Just didn’t stand our ground and hence I believe it’ll happen again.

How did we not stand our ground? Manly paid up to get him.

JA got exactly what he wanted. If Roosters or any other club want one of our performing players at the end of 21, I don’t doubt their ability to pull one over us.

Getting paid to let a player go who doesn't want to be here and then being able to replace him with a better player is smart business.

You’re seeing what you want to see mate. Our best players are exiting stage left as they want to win.

 

[earl]

You’re seeing what you want to see mate

So are you.

 

[cochise]

We made some mistakes in regard to recruitment and retention in the past, those mistakes are being rectified at present.

We've made some terrible decisions but the really bad ones have been the signings of Reynolds and Packer and to a lesser extent McQueen and Mbye. We are slowly getting these contracts off our books and getting better contracts on our books.

That is correct, those decisions have hamstrung us badly. I feel we finally have the processes in place to make sure we don't make those mistakes again.

 

[cochise]

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.

We achieved a positive outcome. You seem to have difficulty comprehending that.

1. I’m calling the outcome satisfactory until it plays out but on this occasion the club managed to secure a decent prop - lucky there was one available.

2. I’m unhappy because I still think it will happen again, potentially when AD or LL get sick of whatever it is going wrong at the place. Lee has basically stated that in the media today, if you say you don’t want to play for the jersey we’ll release you (no matter how much you’re needed because it’s untenable).

3. People seem to get upset on here when I criticise the club, we’ve missed finals for going on a decade, questions have to be asked.

You obviously have inside info on AD and Lucy wanting to sook and ask for a release. You keep mentioning these two players only.

Don't think you could have picked two worse players to fit your scenario myself.

I'll tell you what is wrong with the place, Simple: Sooky little players that come here, put in one a half a good year, get a swelled head and want more money at all costs.

How do you stop it? At club level you can't, it's an NRL problem.

We can get rid of the sooks though, when it is to our advantage. In both those cases we came out better off.

We’re always the victim aren’t we.

I Picked those 2 players as I enjoy watching them play - as I did with Matto and Aloiai.

FYI - That’s why other clubs chase them too

Is Aloiai worth $600k?

No, I’d say 500. Outcome on this whole situation was ok in my view. Just didn’t stand our ground and hence I believe it’ll happen again.

How did we not stand our ground? Manly paid up to get him.

JA got exactly what he wanted. If Roosters or any other club want one of our performing players at the end of 21, I don’t doubt their ability to pull one over us.

Getting paid to let a player go who doesn't want to be here and then being able to replace him with a better player is smart business.

You’re seeing what you want to see mate. Our best players are exiting stage left as they want to win.

JA is not worth $600k plus, thats why he left, Manly paid stupid money for him that we wouldn't match.

 

[earl]

We made some mistakes in regard to recruitment and retention in the past, those mistakes are being rectified at present.

We've made some terrible decisions but the really bad ones have been the signings of Reynolds and Packer and to a lesser extent McQueen and Mbye. We are slowly getting these contracts off our books and getting better contracts on our books.

That is correct, those decisions have hamstrung us badly. I feel we finally have the processes in place to make sure we don't make those mistakes again.

The poor contracts have hurt us a lot more than actually having quality players leave. I also think we have much better processes in place now. I view letting Aloiai go in that light and I still feel we've gone backwards. My take is paying Aloiai 600k per year is setting yourself up for failure over the longer term.

 

[cochise]

We made some mistakes in regard to recruitment and retention in the past, those mistakes are being rectified at present.

We've made some terrible decisions but the really bad ones have been the signings of Reynolds and Packer and to a lesser extent McQueen and Mbye. We are slowly getting these contracts off our books and getting better contracts on our books.

That is correct, those decisions have hamstrung us badly. I feel we finally have the processes in place to make sure we don't make those mistakes again.

The poor contracts have hurt us a lot more than actually having quality players leave. I also think we have much better processes in place now. I view letting Aloiai go in that light and I still feel we've gone backwards. My take is paying Aloiai 600k per year is setting yourself up for failure over the longer term.

He is not worth anywhere near that amount

 

[BAGNF05]

You’re seeing what you want to see mate

So are you.

Matterson “I want to go to a club where I can win a premiership” 10 months later playing in a preliminary final.

He’s a flog, but I rest my case.

 

[cochise]

You’re seeing what you want to see mate

So are you.

Matterson “I want to go to a club where I can win a premiership” 10 months later playing in a preliminary final.

He’s a flog, but I rest my case.

And we got 2 players by letting him go

 

[earl]

You’re seeing what you want to see mate

So are you.

Matterson “I want to go to a club where I can win a premiership” 10 months later playing in a preliminary final.

He’s a flog, but I rest my case.

I'm laughing at this one. That is a pretty poor way to rest your case. That doesn't go anywhere near proving that Wests Tigers are a rabble or incompetently managed.

I don't view Matterson leaving as being about the club being incompetently managed. If anything he just proves to me how hard it is to manage contracts within the NRL.

One point that I would agree with is that if you are a winning footy team it's easier to hold onto the players that you want too. That doesn't mean you get it right. If you look at Penrith they are a winning footy team but let's see how they manage their success going forward.

 

[Nelson]

You’re seeing what you want to see mate

So are you.

Matterson “I want to go to a club where I can win a premiership” 10 months later playing in a preliminary final.

He’s a flog, but I rest my case.

Ah you kind of rested your case while you were behind, a bit like Greg Inglis kicking a field goal when down by 2...

 

[BAGNF05]

You’re seeing what you want to see mate

So are you.

Matterson “I want to go to a club where I can win a premiership” 10 months later playing in a preliminary final.

He’s a flog, but I rest my case.

I'm laughing at this one. That is a pretty poor way to rest your case. That doesn't go anywhere near proving that Wests Tigers are a rabble or incompetently managed.

I don't view Matterson leaving as being about the club being incompetently managed. If anything he just proves to me how hard it is to manage contracts within the NRL.

One point that I would agree with is that if you are a winning footy team it's easier to hold onto the players that you want too. That doesn't mean you get it right. If you look at Penrith they are a winning footy team but let's see how they manage their success going forward.

Just to expand, for a relatively young guy to make an assertion that WT are not heading towards success after an already very long run of poor performance, I have to conclude that there are some issues within the club.

...and you do understand that WT is in the business of winning football games? Our competence in this area is surely in question.

 

[Spud_Murphy]

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.

We achieved a positive outcome. You seem to have difficulty comprehending that.

1. I’m calling the outcome satisfactory until it plays out but on this occasion the club managed to secure a decent prop - lucky there was one available.

2. I’m unhappy because I still think it will happen again, potentially when AD or LL get sick of whatever it is going wrong at the place. Lee has basically stated that in the media today, if you say you don’t want to play for the jersey we’ll release you (no matter how much you’re needed because it’s untenable).

3. People seem to get upset on here when I criticise the club, we’ve missed finals for going on a decade, questions have to be asked.

You obviously have inside info on AD and Lucy wanting to sook and ask for a release. You keep mentioning these two players only.

Don't think you could have picked two worse players to fit your scenario myself.

I'll tell you what is wrong with the place, Simple: Sooky little players that come here, put in one a half a good year, get a swelled head and want more money at all costs.

How do you stop it? At club level you can't, it's an NRL problem.

We can get rid of the sooks though, when it is to our advantage. In both those cases we came out better off.

We’re always the victim aren’t we.

I Picked those 2 players as I enjoy watching them play - as I did with Matto and Aloiai.

FYI - That’s why other clubs chase them too

Is Aloiai worth $600k?

No, I’d say 500. Outcome on this whole situation was ok in my view. Just didn’t stand our ground and hence I believe it’ll happen again.

How did we not stand our ground? Manly paid up to get him.

JA got exactly what he wanted. If Roosters or any other club want one of our performing players at the end of 21, I don’t doubt their ability to pull one over us.

Getting paid to let a player go who doesn't want to be here and then being able to replace him with a better player is smart business.

I think we were just lucky the Broncos didn’t want Ofahengaue and were happy to release him, otherwise I reckon we still would’ve let Aloiai walk and got squat in return, just like we did with Matterson.

 

[cochise]

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.

We achieved a positive outcome. You seem to have difficulty comprehending that.

1. I’m calling the outcome satisfactory until it plays out but on this occasion the club managed to secure a decent prop - lucky there was one available.

2. I’m unhappy because I still think it will happen again, potentially when AD or LL get sick of whatever it is going wrong at the place. Lee has basically stated that in the media today, if you say you don’t want to play for the jersey we’ll release you (no matter how much you’re needed because it’s untenable).

3. People seem to get upset on here when I criticise the club, we’ve missed finals for going on a decade, questions have to be asked.

You obviously have inside info on AD and Lucy wanting to sook and ask for a release. You keep mentioning these two players only.

Don't think you could have picked two worse players to fit your scenario myself.

I'll tell you what is wrong with the place, Simple: Sooky little players that come here, put in one a half a good year, get a swelled head and want more money at all costs.

How do you stop it? At club level you can't, it's an NRL problem.

We can get rid of the sooks though, when it is to our advantage. In both those cases we came out better off.

We’re always the victim aren’t we.

I Picked those 2 players as I enjoy watching them play - as I did with Matto and Aloiai.

FYI - That’s why other clubs chase them too

Is Aloiai worth $600k?

No, I’d say 500. Outcome on this whole situation was ok in my view. Just didn’t stand our ground and hence I believe it’ll happen again.

How did we not stand our ground? Manly paid up to get him.

JA got exactly what he wanted. If Roosters or any other club want one of our performing players at the end of 21, I don’t doubt their ability to pull one over us.

Getting paid to let a player go who doesn't want to be here and then being able to replace him with a better player is smart business.

I think we were just lucky the Broncos didn’t want Ofahengaue and were happy to release him, otherwise I reckon we still would’ve let Aloiai walk and got squat in return, just like we did with Matterson.

We got Stef and Lucy by letting Matterson walk. JA we got a very healthy payout from Manly.

 

[Telltails]

Not to be contentious, but there are some valid points getting lost in semantics.
We've witnessed the degradation of the club, team and our image for over a decade and those quoting the club's inability to "put their foot down" should be entitled to express this on the forum, without receiving such hostility.
I also share some of this view.
It's fantastic that we've managed to recuperate or recover however it's still frustrating as hell to watch players quite capably force the hand of our club.

People stating we're on a road to nowhere until the NRL fix this may be accurate but I recall the same type of arguments about clubs getting away with rorting, so why can't this conversation be explored in the same capacity.
Teams have adjusted their operations and methods, and are more strategic in counterattacking this specifically.
So could @trippa101 AND @BAGNF05 simply be making an attempt to open the conversation with how we can manage it from within the club?

No problem with anyone posting their opinion but if it’s not based on facts, like Bagnf05 claim that Lee leaked Aloiais comments to the media then they can and should be pulled up.

It’s a public forum. Discussion of opposing opinions is the territory and healthy but it’s not healthy when people make things up to push an agenda.

Where did I make a claim of Lee leaking? I referred to his quote in the media “it becomes untenable when a player states they do not want to play for the Wests Tigers jersey”

That’s an instruction to any player hoping to take up a better offer.


My genuine apology. I got you mixed up with @Telltails , you didnt say that. Got your name mixed in because Lauren had quoted you in the post I was replying to.

My point remains the same, but with his name rather than yours.

Just to confirm I never once said Lee leaked anything.


Your exact words were ***"He should never of shared what JA reportedly said with the media."***

The media already knew and asked Lee about it. HE DIDNT SHARE IT WITH THEM.

He did share information about the rumour never suggested he leaked it -,a big difference. He confirmed what was originally a rumour by an anonymous source to the media and in doing so shared it with a bigger audience than WTs forum. That was the point I was making. A bit over you coming at me because I don't have the same opinion as you, and whats with the passive aggressive capitals?

 

[yoyoyoyo]

I dont know why this was deleted but ill tone it back a bit ?

Look none of us really know whether JO will be a better player next year than JA - until we see how they go next year. But for those that think our management our top notch compared to the rest of the NRL is probably symptomatic of the mediocrity we have let set in.

JAC did a backflip we get Roberts (who no one wanted) - again maybe he turns out to be a great buy for us next year (I hope so) but after the fiasco of Latrell Mitchell , we made the same mistake and left the club vulnerable to reputational damage - which it did. Since Lee has been front and centre of recruitment both LM and JAC backflipped… and then they think fans are dumb enough to think Roberts is a great result… c’mon.

JA says he will never put on a tigers Jersey and our Chairman says “he will be here mowing the grass” ,
, then in another article says “it was untenable when he made those statements so he couldn’t have stayed”… completely contradicted his previous statement… yes we got a financial reward… that’s the least we should have got.

And for @strongee who said we are profitable so that makes our admin better - when I sat down with Justin, THE DAY TEDESCO WAS LEAVING, and told him what a joke it was that 3 of our best players had just left and what a poor job Marina had done… you know what he told me… WE ARE PROFITABLE NOW BC OF MARINA (corporate sponsors) AND IN GOOD SHAPE… in his mind they had done a good job… that’s the level of competence...

Yes we have great nursery, big fan base, post a profit etc… and!!!

We come ninth and cant recruit any top line talent because we aren’t respected as a club. The facts speak for themselves.

The club can sugar coat it any way it likes. If our club offered another player the same money as another club I think our club might only beat the Warriors bc of travel. Who else?

But we have a big nursery, big fan base , premiership wining coach, COE on the way, and post a profit ....

With all those things you mentioned we should be a power club… the fact we aren’t goes to my point… our admin is average… they can't sell the dream... it’s like giving a footy team all the best facilities and training equipment but if they aren’t that good than they won’t beat teams who have better players who train in the mud.

 

[cochise]

I dont know why this was deleted but ill tone it back a bit ?

Look none of us really know whether JO will be a better player next year than JA - until we see how they go next year. But for those that think our management our top notch compared to the rest of the NRL is probably symptomatic of the mediocrity we have let set in.

JAC did a backflip we get Roberts (who no one wanted) - again maybe he turns out to be a great buy for us next year (I hope so) but after the fiasco of Latrell Mitchell , we made the same mistake and left the club vulnerable to reputational damage - which it did. Since Lee has been front and centre of recruitment both LM and JAC backflipped… and then they think fans are dumb enough to think Roberts is a great result… c’mon.

JA says he will never put on a tigers Jersey and our Chairman says “he will be here mowing the grass” ,
, then in another article says “it was untenable when he made those statements so he couldn’t have stayed”… completely contradicted his previous statement… yes we got a financial reward… that’s the least we should have got.

And for @strongee who said we are profitable so that makes our admin better - when I sat down with Justin, THE DAY TEDESCO WAS LEAVING, and told him what a joke it was that 3 of our best players had just left and what a poor job Marina had done… you know what he told me… WE ARE PROFITABLE NOW BC OF MARINA (corporate sponsors) AND IN GOOD SHAPE… in his mind they had done a good job… that’s the level of competence...

Yes we have great nursery, big fan base, post a profit etc… and!!!

We come ninth and cant recruit any top line talent because we aren’t respected as a club. The facts speak for themselves.

The club can sugar coat it any way it likes. If our club offered another player the same money as another club I think our club might only beat the Warriors bc of travel. Who else?

But we have a big nursery, big fan base , premiership wining coach, COE on the way, and post a profit ....

With all those things you mentioned we should be a power club… the fact we aren’t goes to my point… our admin is average… they can't sell the dream... it’s like giving a footy team all the best facilities and training equipment but if they aren’t that good than they won’t beat teams who have better players who train in the mud.

Previous post was deleted for disguised swearing