Mark Riddell poised for NRL return with Wests Tigers

[redemption]

i dont think he is signing for Balmain ,a least i hope not- he should be on the bench for first grade. Waste of space in Bret. Excellent signing as a bench player, imagine the rotation we could have. **I've got to say his goalkicking isnt as good as it was before, he missed some sitters for his english club a i saw it on tv** but he still uses the salute. Great work Wests Tigers. Something fresh every year. I can see Riddell winning what I believe will be his first NRL premiership - correct me please if im wrong that one that he didnt get with st.george illawarra. Yes, this sounds like a great signing, hope he works out and is utilized by Sheens in the appropiate manner.

He wan't the goal-kicker for Wigan (he only kicked two goals in 56 appearances) - Pat Richards has been their goal-kicker since Andy Farrell retired!

As for his career percentage of 73.14% - it is not much higher than Benji's career record of 69.23% and in his last season as a semi-regular kicker Piggy managed just 62.5% in 2006 (in fact in the previous two seasons his success rates were just 68.42% & 66.67%)!!

His career average is raised by a stellar year with the boot in 2003 where his rate was 80.23% - but that was 8 years ago!

As Fulton can fill in at hooker if Robbie is injured in a game - I would prefer a real back-rower on the bench ahead of Riddell (i.e. Ben M-M, Schirnack, Moors etc) - but he could be handy if we lose Farah for any games!

 

[Guest]

Will be signing a 2 year deal pending his medical which will be conducted today

Cheers for the heads up mate. As suggested, I don't think we'll see a lot of him in FG, provided Robbie gets selected for SOO next year, Riddell could be good value and will certainly go well in State Cup provided he's fit.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

The title says NRL return not state cup return. go figure!

 

[Mrs_T]

Asked how Riddell would be squeezed into the Tigers' salary cap, Humphreys said: "If he were to come here, it would be on a second-tier contract. He wouldn't be in our top 25\. That is the context with which we are considering him."

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

whats the point then? anyway - i hope he is a good buy.

 

[cunno]

Asked how Riddell would be squeezed into the Tigers' salary cap, Humphreys said: "If he were to come here, it would be on a second-tier contract. He wouldn't be in our top 25\. That is the context with which we are considering him."

Does anyone know how much a person on a 2nd tier contract can earn?

 

[Fraze23]

Well what was Skandalis on this year? He definately wasnt in the top 25 players and played a large chunk of the year.
I honestly believe he will be playing plenty of first grade as a backrower. Maybe a bit at lock and slotting into hooker allowing Farah to move out a bit. He just won a premiership in England at hooker so he's obviously still playing some good footy.
Cant wait for the season to kick off!!

 

[PYMBLEPETE]

I am all for it. Unlike a couple of others I reckon Farah is a moral for Origin next year so this is an astute forward thinking signing - and most likely at a bargain price.

 

[hammertime]

Does anyone remember that this is the same guy who stood up for Benji in a pub in 07 when some fools were being douches? Got a glass in the back of his head for his troubles.

I forgot that until today and am really warming up to his signing. Great for depth and a great fit with the team. He will keep us fitting hard during origin when we will probably have the Farah Wheelbarrow out.

 

[Captain_Awesome]

Does anyone remember that this is the same guy who stood up for Benji in a pub in 07 when some fools were being douches? Got a glass in the back of his head for his troubles.

I forgot that until today and am really warming up to his signing. Great for depth and a great fit with the team. He will keep us fitting hard during origin when we will probably have the Farah Wheelbarrow out.

Thought of that as well. He already gets along with several players in our squad

 

[Blackandwhite]

Does anyone know how much a person on a 2nd tier contract can earn?

In 2008 each club could spend up to an additional $350,000 on players outside the top 25 who could play in the NRL competition. It's probably gone up a bit..maybe its $400,000 now.

Maybe the club should just make public who gets paid what…wouldn't that be interesting.

 

[WSTigers]

For all you Wests Tigers fan here is the 'PIGGY JIGGY JIGGY' video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no1W1f8RvQ0

Enjoy!

 

[farahfan]

could be a good signing if riddell takes over the usual backline bench spot, something like

11 ellis
12 payten
13 heigno

14 riddell
15 dywer
16 fulton
17 fifita

 

[Kul]

For all you Wests Tigers fan here is the 'PIGGY JIGGY JIGGY' video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no1W1f8RvQ0

Enjoy!

ahhh lol

that video is funny on soooo many levels!

1 - Riddell being an idiot
2 - How good were Para that year! Yet we trumped them and won the premiership!
3 - The Bulldogs got thrashed in that game, then we thrashed them the week after at Tel$ra

how good was Tim Smith that year!

 

[WSTigers]

1 - Riddell being an idiot
2 - How good were Para that year! Yet we trumped them and won the premiership!
3 - The Bulldogs got thrashed in that game, then we thrashed them the week after at Tel$ra
>
how good was Tim Smith that year!

1 - Very funny moment perhaps the best Try celebration ever, even better than Wendell's :wink:
2 - Para had a great 05 season and amazing they beat us in both games as they had the wood on us from 2004-08.
Still to this day I thank the Cowboys for smashing them 29-0 in the semi final. And the Round 1 game was Benji's only missed game in 2005!
3 - Yes something like 100+ points conceded in 2 weeks. Much like us in 2004 with the Dragons beating us 50-0 and Roosters 56-0.

Tim Smith had a blinder of a year which gave him Rookie of the Year in 2005!

 

[alexaki]

cant see why we need Riddell!….I would've kept the money for upgrades to current players

 

[Spartan117]

Time will tell in 11 - Im warming to this guy especially with the Benji story above.

PS - My old man a Drags nut of 45 years reckons we are specials if Benji stays fit

 

[T-REXX]

cant see why we need Riddell!….I would've kept the money for upgrades to current players

The Cost is not a worry… and not going to affect the top ups for others or negotiations

 

[citizen_cub]

His goal kicking ability could really come in handy, btw if we do sign him you do realise he is a second tier player and will not be in the top 25 contracted players.

 

[hammertime]

I dredged up one of the articles from the event. I have to say, sounds like he is a good bloke and the fellas must have a good rapport with him. I now really hope we welcome him into the club!

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/i-was-trying-to-save-benji/story-e6freuy9-1111114944116" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

p.s. His kicking isn't far above Benji's and Benji only had a terrible run when Taylor came in as kicking coach and obviously gave him bad advice. How many did he kick under pressure in the finals?

I still think with Riddell, Benji should be kicker.