Mahe Fonua and Corey Thompson (official)

[Chicken_Faced_Killa]

I wonder how much we paid to lure these two back to Australia especially without a guarantee of first grade. Surely they would have been offered more to say in the U.K. and would be playing top grade there.

I am happy for them both to jump on board as I could see them being good depth or even snaring a first grade spot. Backline still missing a game breaker

The salary cap in ESL is way lower, it's not a great pay day over there for most players. Given the steep increase in our salary cap for next year (and the further projected increases) they're unlikely to be missing out on much coin from coming back even if they are just squaddies. If they can crack it again as regular first graders they'll end up way ahead financially with their next contracts.

Okay cheers. I was always under the impression that players made decent coin in the ESL. Good to hear we haven't had to go crazy to get these guys and they will to keen to impress.

 

[Demps]

I want the backline to be
1\. Lolohea
2\. Nofa
3\. Suli
4\. Rona
5\. Fonua
6\. Reynolds
7\. Brooks

Milne didn't sign to play reserve grade.
I think a selling point woulda been a guaranteed starting spot.

 

[TrueTiger]

I think Packer and Reynolds are 2 of the most quality signings any club has made for next season. They'll take us a long way imo.

Agree, can build a team around these guys.

I think that some of the signings are better than the ones that we have at the moment,but we are so quick to get in a lather whenever someone actually comes here. I'd rather not get all in a knot until we've seen them play a few games for us before I start wetting my daks about them, we have short memories,
It's taken nearly three years for a lot to see the fact that our super halves weren't capable of playing well together. And should not have been put into first grade.
That's not hindside either . as I've had that opinion for most of the time that they were left
To run the team.
I've had plenty thrown at me over the last few years because of my opinion of them. , it's strange seeing so many people now on the bandwagon about them , particularly Moses.
If these guys or at least most of them, work out, that's good
We still need at least one gamebreaker if we want to play Semis IMO.

Totally agree that you were solid in your evaluation of Brooks and Moses GCT,but I did "wet my daks" when Moses left.. :smiley: may I suggest that you go to the supermarket in your area and purchase an ample supply of " Dry Nights" you will need them come round 1 next year when the Tigers start rampaging through the 2018 season..Ivan has done extremely well in recruiting quality players for next year,I know you are an avid supporter of this club and it wouldn't hurt for you to be a bit more excited for us,rather than thinking negatively at this stage.. :laughing:

 

[Tim Sheens]

I wonder how much we paid to lure these two back to Australia especially without a guarantee of first grade. Surely they would have been offered more to say in the U.K. and would be playing top grade there.

I am happy for them both to jump on board as I could see them being good depth or even snaring a first grade spot. Backline still missing a game breaker

The salary cap in ESL is way lower, it's not a great pay day over there for most players. Given the steep increase in our salary cap for next year (and the further projected increases) they're unlikely to be missing out on much coin from coming back even if they are just squaddies. If they can crack it again as regular first graders they'll end up way ahead financially with their next contracts.

Okay cheers. I was always under the impression that players made decent coin in the ESL. Good to hear we haven't had to go crazy to get these guys and they will to keen to impress.

Used to be a bit of a goldmine, but the money in the game here post SL changed things a fair bit as did the value of the exchange rate as our dollar soared for a while and lately the pound nosedived as a result of the Brexit vote.

 

[goldcoast_tiger]

I think Packer and Reynolds are 2 of the most quality signings any club has made for next season. They'll take us a long way imo.

Agree, can build a team around these guys.

I think that some of the signings are better than the ones that we have at the moment,but we are so quick to get in a lather whenever someone actually comes here. I'd rather not get all in a knot until we've seen them play a few games for us before I start wetting my daks about them, we have short memories,
It's taken nearly three years for a lot to see the fact that our super halves weren't capable of playing well together. And should not have been put into first grade.
That's not hindside either . as I've had that opinion for most of the time that they were left
To run the team.
I've had plenty thrown at me over the last few years because of my opinion of them. , it's strange seeing so many people now on the bandwagon about them , particularly Moses.
If these guys or at least most of them, work out, that's good
We still need at least one gamebreaker if we want to play Semis IMO.

Totally agree that you were solid in your evaluation of Brooks and Moses GCT,but I did "wet my daks" when Moses left.. :smiley: may I suggest that you go to the supermarket in your area and purchase an ample supply of " Dry Nights" you will need them come round 1 next year when the Tigers start rampaging through the 2018 season..Ivan has done extremely well in recruiting quality players for next year,I know you are an avid supporter of this club and it wouldn't hurt for you to be a bit more excited for us,rather than thinking negatively at this stage.. :laughing:

I'm. It thinking negatively just being realistic
Im not saying they won't be good signings, just that we've been wfong about players before.so until ive seen them play some games for us I'm not going to go overboard about them. The one that I have no worries about is Reynolds. At least about his ability, his discipline is a whole different matter, and I hope that Ivan can control his costly brain explosionsil be happy to wear the odd nappies, but will till they newbies haveshown that they are good buys before buying them?

 

[yeti]

I want the backline to be
1\. Lolohea
2\. Nofa
3\. Suli
4\. Rona
5\. Fonua
6\. Reynolds
7\. Brooks

Milne didn't sign to play reserve grade.
I think a selling point woulda been a guaranteed starting spot.

I would doubt that Cleary would guarantee anyone a starting spot. However, from what others have been saying, it would surprise me if Milne wasn't in the run on side for next year on talent alone. Let's hope he and Suli develop into the best centre pairing in the comp.

 

[innsaneink]

All new recruits are something of a gamble… It's nothing new

Going by GCTs logic JLJ, Rankin, Lovett etc are all being paid overs

 

[NT_Tiger]

All new recruits are something of a gamble… It's nothing new

Going by GCTs logic JLJ, Rankin, Lovett etc are all being paid overs

Well maybe that's the answer. Instead of lashing out on players that are inconsistent or unproven, maybe we should stick with what we know in our current squad and develop them.

 

[Russell]

I don't get it? You expect or desire a torrent of top-quality players battering our door down? Please show me the entryway to this fantasy land.

Jumped in without understanding the post again, eh?
Did I say that I thought rhat we would get that sort of top quality players coming here, ?
No .
I just said that they aren't knocking us over in the rush to move here. Which is exactlywhat I'd expect., no fantasy just a fact that I hope will one day change.
For the overs that we've been throwing around , it doesn't surprise me that few of the ones that we've signed, would grab the dollars very quickly, as we're paying well. Some are well worth it, but some maybe not. Only time will tell,

I am not understanding your 'overs' argument. From the numbers I have seen bandied around, they are commensurate with the players standings in the game I reckon. Ivan is moneyballing this recruitment drive and I don't believe significant monies have gone to anybody in particular.

That's fine if you think that we haven't,, I think that we have. We'll know in about 18 months.
One way or another

Please explain who we have paid overs to, by how much and who of the recruits we should not have signed?

Brooks and Moses was a different argument - that was potential - the new signings are past potential and are first grade players. I was a Moses fan, still am - he could be one hell of a player, it is unfortunate that his head is in the way at the moment. Does not mean I am a fan of how he conducted himself when wanting to leave though.

Anyway I digress - I am looking forward to your answer to the question.

 

[earl]

I want the backline to be
1\. Lolohea
2\. Nofa
3\. Suli
4\. Rona
5\. Fonua
6\. Reynolds
7\. Brooks

Milne didn't sign to play reserve grade.
I think a selling point woulda been a guaranteed starting spot.

I don't think that anyone gets a guaranteed starting spot and if we sign Rona then someone is missing out. Fonua, Milne and Rona are competing for 2 spots hopefully on the left edge and that assumes Thompson is no chance of making the top team if we are fully fit.

 

[goldcoast_tiger]

I've never heard that no one will come here , but the numberof top quality players who are battering our door down isn't exactly a torrent,

I don't get it? You expect or desire a torrent of top-quality players battering our door down? Please show me the entryway to this fantasy land.

Jumped in without understanding the post again, eh?
Did I say that I thought rhat we would get that sort of top quality players coming here, ?
No .
I just said that they aren't knocking us over in the rush to move here. Which is exactlywhat I'd expect., no fantasy just a fact that I hope will one day change.
For the overs that we've been throwing around , it doesn't surprise me that few of the ones that we've signed, would grab the dollars very quickly, as we're paying well. Some are well worth it, but some maybe not. Only time will tell,

It seems I understood you just fine. You desire one day to have top-quality players battering our door down to sign on for us, you think it might actually be possible. That is a fantasy, I can't see it ever happening.

The whole "overs" thing, I agree with Nelson, you'll never know true contract values so it's pure speculation.

I'd be happy if even one top Quality was player battering our door down. Ellis was one who did , so it's not completely Fanrasy. :smiley:

 

[Russell]

I don't get it? You expect or desire a torrent of top-quality players battering our door down? Please show me the entryway to this fantasy land.

Jumped in without understanding the post again, eh?
Did I say that I thought rhat we would get that sort of top quality players coming here, ?
No .
I just said that they aren't knocking us over in the rush to move here. Which is exactlywhat I'd expect., no fantasy just a fact that I hope will one day change.
For the overs that we've been throwing around , it doesn't surprise me that few of the ones that we've signed, would grab the dollars very quickly, as we're paying well. Some are well worth it, but some maybe not. Only time will tell,

It seems I understood you just fine. You desire one day to have top-quality players battering our door down to sign on for us, you think it might actually be possible. That is a fantasy, I can't see it ever happening.

The whole "overs" thing, I agree with Nelson, you'll never know true contract values so it's pure speculation.

I'd be happy if even one top Quality was player battering our door down. Ellis was one who did , so it's not completely Fanrasy. :smiley:

You need to be winning games consistantly for Marquee players to want to come to the Tigers. Until then we are buying quality players - some will be brilliant - some won't. It is as it is.

 

[TIGER]

Gagai would have been nice.

 

[easthullwesty]

Thompson has been a stand out in a bang average widnes side whilst Fonua has been outstanding during his stint at Hull. He made the dream team playing as a centre where he's been utilised for most of his time in England. Absolutely gutted to be losing him.

 

[cqtiger]

Fonua got MOM in the Challenge Cup overnight.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Fonua will be ahead of Milne in the pecking order.

 

[FreddyK]

Looks like we might have some power and speed out wide (let's hope Rona has bought his bus ticket). We need a second rower with ball skill who can create some damage on the edge and utilise that power. With that in mind, I would like to see ET try that role on the edge because I think he is more than just a tackling machine. But then again who would fill his defensive role up the centre?

 

[Joel Helmes]

Looks like we might have some power and speed out wide (let's hope Rona has bought his bus ticket). We need a second rower with ball skill who can create some damage on the edge and utilise that power. With that in mind, I would like to see ET try that role on the edge because I think he is more than just a tackling machine. But then again who would fill his defensive role up the centre?

Agree, I think McQueen, Lawrence, Taylor are all fairly similar, I feel like we need someone in the back row that adds some real grunt.

Re Fonua, hopefully he's the strong running centre we have lacked since forever!

 

[jirskyr]

Thompson has been a stand out in a bang average widnes side whilst Fonua has been outstanding during his stint at Hull. He made the dream team playing as a centre where he's been utilised for most of his time in England. Absolutely gutted to be losing him.

Thanks for your input, always nice to hear from supporters watching the UK Super League!

 

[momo_amp_medo]

Thompson has been a stand out in a bang average widnes side whilst Fonua has been outstanding during his stint at Hull. He made the dream team playing as a centre where he's been utilised for most of his time in England. Absolutely gutted to be losing him.

Watched them both in couple so Super League games and they both looke pretty good.
Would not be surprised if both become strong contenders for our starting side next year.
Particularly Fonua who looks to me to have it over Milne …. but we will see.
Plenty of competition in the 3/4 line, particularly if couple more signings eventuate.