Matt Ballin signs for two years - official

[851]

LIDDLE ISN'T A FIRST GRADE HOOKER
LIDDLE ISN'T A RESERVE GRADE HOOKER
LIDDLE IS NOT AN 80 MIN. UNDER 20's HOOKER

Can all and sundry please stop referring to him like he is anything more than a kid who's had a few good games in his age group.

Milky has a good point, we needed to strengthen other positions not hooker, and that is what we should have hit manly up for.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

so farah starts at 9, cherry #14\. Ballin' in state cup.

Doubt Ballin signed knowing he'd play state cup. He's definitely ahead of Cherrington.

 

[mightymagpie]

Geez, I'm so glad that some of you blokes aren't running this club. We've picked up Ballin for a song and yet you still complain when all we are doing is getting back to the position that we had last year.

We were already well and truly covered last year, what Taylor said was rubbish, Luani didn't see a game in firsts all year, he was barely even considered at hooker if considered at all. We already had four capeable hookers at our club, we just signed a fifth.

Farah
Cherrington
Halatau
Liddle
Ballin

Why couldn't we have negotiated and snared one of Manlys players that we actually need? Liam Knight comes to thought, maybe one of their backs? Our weakest position, a whole heap of players that we could have taken off their books come to mind but no we sign a 31 year old coming off the back of an ACL injury, manly are laughing so hard right now. Josh Starling, Brenton Lawrence, David Williams, Feleti Mateo all would have been pleasing.

Luani wasn't up to it. Liddle not ready yet. Halatau was just filling in at hooker.

I can see Farah at hooker, Cherrington off the bench, Ballin not costing us much and will probably be in NSW Cup and we have a great option during origin or to cover for injury.

As for trades with Manly I think Chee-Kam will go ok for us. And the jokes on them - they signed Moltzen

_Posted using RoarFEED 4.2.0_

 

[batboy]

LIDDLE ISN'T A FIRST GRADE HOOKER
LIDDLE ISN'T A RESERVE GRADE HOOKER
LIDDLE IS NOT AN 80 MIN. UNDER 20's HOOKER

Can all and sundry please stop referring to him like he is anything more than a kid who's had a few good games in his age group.

LIDDLE IS DEVELOPING

Forget Liddle Milky Unless you're worried about a reserve grade hooker for 2020 - Cherrington is still 12 months away… And then will be our primary focus.

 

[Sabre]

Shame about Matt Woods leaving. I thought he showed some promise.

 

[batboy]

Shame about Matt Woods leaving. I thought he showed some promise.

I thought he was ordinary in the Finals this year… To me he was a bit below the similar players we've had before him.
Kyle Lovett
Shaun Spence
Jason Schirnack
Matt Hyland
Jarred Farlow
He's usually the type of player we hang onto for a few years in seniors, We've not had much luck with the others - Glad to see if someone else can get something out of them.
The other 20's back rowers (we still have) were better than him (Stone, Cassel, Sironen etc)

 

[Geo]

official now

http://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2015/11/03/wests_tigers_secure_.html

Wests Tigers secure experienced duo

Wests Tigers Media

Tue 3rd November, 05:00PM
A A

HALABALLIN
Wests Tigers are pleased to confirm the re-signing of utility Dene Halatau on a one-year deal, and also the addition of hooker Matt Ballin from Manly-Warringah.

The pair boast more than 400 first-grade games between them, strengthening the level of experience within the Club’s playing roster for the 2016 season.

Halatau has played a total of 226 NRL matches since making his debut in 2003, with 157 appearances for Wests Tigers over two separate stints.

The Merrylands and North Ryde junior spent four seasons with the Bulldogs (2010-13), before returning to Wests Tigers in 2014.

Ballin, 31, made his NRL debut for Manly-Warringah in 2007 and has played 217 first grade games over nine seasons.

The Kingaroy junior has won two premierships with the Sea Eagles (2008 and 2011), whilst also representing Queensland during the 2010 State of Origin series.

Ballin today signed a two-year contract with Wests Tigers after being granted an early release from Manly-Warringah, where he was contracted until the end of 2016.

Head Coach Jason Taylor said he is delighted to have both players at the Club for the upcoming season.

“We have been working really hard to strengthen depth at the Club,” Taylor said.

“Bringing Matt into the fold means that we currently have three specialist hookers in the full-time squad - the same number we had during the 2015 season.

“Now with Joel Luani leaving the Club it was imperative that we acquired another hooker.

“As a result, we are well-placed should injury or suspension arise, whilst also ensuring that there is healthy competition for positions in the Club’s first grade side.

“Dene has played nine seasons at Wests Tigers and is a great leader amongst the current playing group.

“I’m really happy to have him back for 2016 because of his positive attitude and professionalism at training.”

Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe is confident that both players will further strengthen the playing roster for next season.

“It’s really pleasing to have a great Clubman like Dene re-sign with Wests Tigers,” Pascoe said. “He is an excellent ambassador and an asset to the organisation.

“We have also managed to negotiate a very favourable deal with Manly-Warringah to release Matt from the final year of his contract.

“Matt is a premiership-winning player who will no doubt bring experience and enthusiasm to the Club ahead of the 2016 season.

“Both players have a high-level of experience and will certainly strengthen the Club’s roster for next season.”

Player Profiles
DENE HALATAU

Date of Birth: 27-01-1983

Height: 178cm

Weight: 95kg

Position: Utility

Rep. Honours: 15 Tests for NZ (2004–09), Tri-Nations (2004), World Cup (2008)

Junior Clubs: Merrylands Rams; North Ryde Hawks

Previous Clubs: Wests Tigers (2003-09), Canterbury-Bankstown (2010-13)

FG Debut: Wests Tigers vs. Manly-Warringah, Leichhardt Oval, 08/06/2003 (Rd.13)
\
\
MATT BALLIN

Date of Birth: 05-01-1984

Height: 179cm

Weight: 88kg

Position: Hooker

Rep. Honours: Queensland (2010)

Junior Clubs: Kingaroy Red Ants

Previous Clubs: Manly-Warringah (2007-15)

FG Debut: Manly-Warringah vs. Wests Tigers, Leichhardt Oval, 24/03/2007 (Rd. 2)

 

[stevetiger]

LIDDLE ISN'T A FIRST GRADE HOOKER
LIDDLE ISN'T A RESERVE GRADE HOOKER
LIDDLE IS NOT AN 80 MIN. UNDER 20's HOOKER

Can all and sundry please stop referring to him like he is anything more than a kid who's had a few good games in his age group.

Milky has a good point, we needed to strengthen other positions not hooker, and that is what we should have hit manly up for.

I don't see this as a smart signing. I think all our other signings have been good ones. If Robbie goes then it makes sense but I just can't see that happening.

 

[innsaneink]

Its a signing to put pressure on farah…nothing more...nut JT needs wins or it will backfire badly

 

[batboy]

LIDDLE ISN'T A FIRST GRADE HOOKER
LIDDLE ISN'T A RESERVE GRADE HOOKER
LIDDLE IS NOT AN 80 MIN. UNDER 20's HOOKER

Can all and sundry please stop referring to him like he is anything more than a kid who's had a few good games in his age group.

Milky has a good point, we needed to strengthen other positions not hooker, and that is what we should have hit manly up for.

I don't see this as a smart signing. I think all our other signings have been good ones. If Robbie goes then it males sense but I just can't see that happening.

Depends on the next move:
Maybe Farah will move on
Maybe Robbie will be played at Lock.

Ballin marched a depleted Manly to within a whisker of the 8
Farah marched us to last….
Ballin has missed the finals once in his career
Farah has made them just 3 times.
WE HAVE BOUGHT A WINNER PEOPLE...
Finally, A hooker who doesn't think he is the half back, five eighth and fullback all in one...

It may be that this makes sense to none of us - I can promise you that Ballin hasn't come here to play state cup.

 

[bp_tiger]

what a crap signing when we need backrowers and props, JT is a dill.

 

[TYGA]

We are inept they should have chased Blake Leary or Brenton Lawrence.

In defence of Taylor we did lose Luani and if Ballins contract is funded by Manly he will make a good NSW cup hooker covering for 6 weeks when Farah is is playing for NSW. If he plays a major role in first grade we are running bottom 2.

 

[fergiefurr]

Geez, I'm so glad that some of you blokes aren't running this club. We've picked up Ballin for a song and yet you still complain when all we are doing is getting back to the position that we had last year.

We were already well and truly covered last year, what Taylor said was rubbish, Luani didn't see a game in firsts all year, he was barely even considered at hooker if considered at all. We already had four capeable hookers at our club, we just signed a fifth.

Farah
Cherrington
Halatau
Liddle
Ballin

Why couldn't we have negotiated and snared one of Manlys players that we actually need? Liam Knight comes to thought, maybe one of their backs? Our weakest position, a whole heap of players that we could have taken off their books come to mind but no we sign a 31 year old coming off the back of an ACL injury, manly are laughing so hard right now. Josh Starling, Brenton Lawrence, David Williams, Feleti Mateo all would have been pleasing.

Liddle won't ever play first grade. Feel free to bookmark this, I won't be wrong.

_Posted using RoarFEED 4.2.0_

 

[batboy]

We are inept they should have chased Blake Leary or Brenton Lawrence.

In defence of Taylor we did lose Luani and if Ballins contract is funded by Manly he will make a good NSW cup hooker covering for 6 weeks when Farah is is playing for NSW. If he plays a major role in first grade we are running bottom 2.

Like Manly did this year - After having the worst season ever…..
Oh no, Hang on - that was us that ran in the bottom 2.

 

[Telltails]

LIDDLE ISN'T A FIRST GRADE HOOKER
LIDDLE ISN'T A RESERVE GRADE HOOKER
LIDDLE IS NOT AN 80 MIN. UNDER 20's HOOKER

Can all and sundry please stop referring to him like he is anything more than a kid who's had a few good games in his age group.

Milky has a good point, we needed to strengthen other positions not hooker, and that is what we should have hit manly up for.

I don't see this as a smart signing. I think all our other signings have been good ones. If Robbie goes then it males sense but I just can't see that happening.

Depends on the next move:
Maybe Farah will move on
Maybe Robbie will be played at Lock.

Ballin marched a depleted Manly to within a whisker of the 8
Farah marched us to last….
Ballin has missed the finals once in his career
Farah has made them just 3 times.
WE HAVE BOUGHT A WINNER PEOPLE...
Finally, A hooker who doesn't think he is the half back, five eighth and fullback all in one...

It may be that this makes sense to none of us - I can promise you that Ballin hasn't come here to play state cup.

No promises please Batboy - Ballin is not the answer to our problems,,,, through no fault of his own he has probably just added to them.

 

[marzie]

Man it just seems like a crazy decision to me. Time will tell I guess. I just think we are one quality prop and centre short at the moment and that's what we should be looking for. Maybe woodsy can convince his old mate Klemmer to come over here one year early :smiley:

 

[stevetiger]

Its a signing to put pressure on farah…nothing more...nut JT needs wins or it will backfire badly

Signing someone for this reason isn't real smart. JT does need wins and he will need them desperately now.

 

[haberfield_tiger]

top Recruit. Would of been cheap too. Great mentor for cherington who is clearly not ready for 24 rounds of first grade. When Ballin leaves in 2 yrs Mania will be the best hooker in the game i am sure.. We were stuffed last year when robbie was injured or on origin duty and Halatau was not up to it. I think Ballin and Cherington will share the hooking responsibilities nxt yr. As Batboy said above hes from a winning culture and knows how to execute a plan.. as good a defender as farah. Now we just need souths to jet mcqueen to us so they can make room for burgess…

 

[Newtown]

Has anyone ever considered might be quite happy just to play NRL again but without the mega price tag.

 

[tiger_one]

I'd love to be there when Matt & Robbie are introduced

Ink, I read yesterday that MB telephoned RB a couple of weeks ago to give him a professional/courtesy heads up what was happening - RB was not happy the article said.