Matt Ballin signs for two years - official

[Flippedy]

I've always liked Ballin and I'm pleased to have him here at WT, but I can't help thinking it might end up being an Anasta-like acquisition - a good player, signed a few years too late. Hope I'm wrong.

 

[Basil_Tiger]

I've always liked Ballin and I'm pleased to have him here at WT, but I can't help thinking it might end up being an Anasta-like acquisition - a good player, signed a few years too late. Hope I'm wrong.

Similar thoughts,i think he will be a better proposition than Braith thou.as he still has some agility,Anasta got too slow & cumbersome,towards the end at Easts they tried him in every position except ball boy but for some reason we parted with the cash to extend his career.

There was a good one liner on Skysports this morning,we should be known as the 'Kings Cross' Tigers considering the number of Hookers that are employed.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

I've always liked Ballin and I'm pleased to have him here at WT, but I can't help thinking it might end up being an Anasta-like acquisition - a good player, signed a few years too late. Hope I'm wrong.

Anasta was always overrated and had been poor for years. Many Easts fans saw that and were rejoicing the day he was rissoled.

Ballin still has good footy in him. The only way this will be a dud signing is if he pops his ACL again.

 

[westTAHger]

I do think that Matt Ballin could have a calming effect on the team. 😛ray:

 

[cktiger]

I don't have anything against Ballin but I can't think of ANY other team who would consider him a good signing.
A 31 year old hooker, no more than ok at his best, who has just done his knee.
Can't understand all the joy.

 

[marzie]

Wonder if he starts training this week

 

[Tigermama]

I have met Matt twice and on both occasions he has always come across as a level headed bloke. Anyone throwing sand at Ballin is going to look very foolish after his 2 years at this club.

He will be a statesman, much like John Morris was during his period at the club.

I look forward to seeing him in our squad every week!

Despite not agreeing with this signing in terms of other Positions need strengthening , but with Taupau being released i'm sure something would of been worked out and would of got Ballin for nothing .

A work colleague knows the Ballin Family well and despite saying that he got a big head a few years ago when he was in some League players Calender modelling there abbs or something along those lines he said :laughing: . But he did say they are a wonderful Family and he gives a lot of his time doing Charity work.

I've always been a massive admirer of Ballin , he is a complete tradesman and love his never say die mentality and competing till the end.
Ballin shouldn't be tarnished in all this Farah vs JT saga as it's not fair on him.

When the dust settles i will be cheering Ballin on like every other Wests Tigers player despite my thoughts on the whole situation between Farah and JT.

Where's the Thumbs Up, when u need it? Great post FT. :slight_smile:

 

[happy_tiger]

I have met Matt twice and on both occasions he has always come across as a level headed bloke. Anyone throwing sand at Ballin is going to look very foolish after his 2 years at this club.

He will be a statesman, much like John Morris was during his period at the club.

I look forward to seeing him in our squad every week!

Despite not agreeing with this signing in terms of other Positions need strengthening , but with Taupau being released i'm sure something would of been worked out and would of got Ballin for nothing .

A work colleague knows the Ballin Family well and despite saying that he got a big head a few years ago when he was in some League players Calender modelling there abbs or something along those lines he said :laughing: . But he did say they are a wonderful Family and he gives a lot of his time doing Charity work.

I've always been a massive admirer of Ballin , he is a complete tradesman and love his never say die mentality and competing till the end.
Ballin shouldn't be tarnished in all this Farah vs JT saga as it's not fair on him.

When the dust settles i will be cheering Ballin on like every other Wests Tigers player despite my thoughts on the whole situation between Farah and JT.

Sorry FT

But why would any normal human being be giving Ballin a hard time

He has nothing to do with this situation , he is a professional footballer who will be doing his best to help secure the WT's some wins this season

Seriously any WT's supporter who boos Ballin is a dead set tool and I hope the knob either gets ejected from the ground or some other WT's supporter drops them like a bad habit

 

[foreveratiger]

I have met Matt twice and on both occasions he has always come across as a level headed bloke. Anyone throwing sand at Ballin is going to look very foolish after his 2 years at this club.

He will be a statesman, much like John Morris was during his period at the club.

I look forward to seeing him in our squad every week!

Despite not agreeing with this signing in terms of other Positions need strengthening , but with Taupau being released i'm sure something would of been worked out and would of got Ballin for nothing .

A work colleague knows the Ballin Family well and despite saying that he got a big head a few years ago when he was in some League players Calender modelling there abbs or something along those lines he said :laughing: . But he did say they are a wonderful Family and he gives a lot of his time doing Charity work.

I've always been a massive admirer of Ballin , he is a complete tradesman and love his never say die mentality and competing till the end.
Ballin shouldn't be tarnished in all this Farah vs JT saga as it's not fair on him.

When the dust settles i will be cheering Ballin on like every other Wests Tigers player despite my thoughts on the whole situation between Farah and JT.

Sorry FT

But why would any normal human being be giving Ballin a hard time

He has nothing to do with this situation , he is a professional footballer who will be doing his best to help secure the WT's some wins this season

Seriously any WT's supporter who boos Ballin is a dead set tool and I hope the knob either gets ejected from the ground or some other WT's supporter drops them like a bad habit

Read the Thread carefully and some have thrown him under the Bus already , Farah adds everything that Ballin does but obviously Management have there reasons for taking such a drastic decision .
JT's call and he will live and Die by it .

 

[Tigermama]

I've always liked Ballin and I'm pleased to have him here at WT, but I can't help thinking it might end up being an Anasta-like acquisition - a good player, signed a few years too late. Hope I'm wrong.

Similar thoughts,i think he will be a better proposition than Braith thou.as he still has some agility,Anasta got too slow & cumbersome,towards the end at Easts they tried him in every position except ball boy but for some reason we parted with the cash to extend his career.

There was a good one liner on Skysports this morning,we should be known as the 'Kings Cross' Tigers considering the number of Hookers that are employed.

The last sentence is classic Basil! :roll

 

[Tigermama]

I do think that Matt Ballin could have a calming effect on the team. 😛ray:

Not too calming i hope Tah. Wouldn't want the boys falling asleep again in 2016 :mrgreen:

 

[Byron_Bay_Fan]

Frankly speaking I can't see Woods (if capt) firing the team up but he may surprise me.

 

[Russell]

Can we stop with the Kings Cross Hooker jokes?

What with "Ryde Ova"l dropping that line at least three times and now supposedly Skysports….

Think it has been done to death.
Not that funny to be used once let alone four times.

 

[Basil_Tiger]

Alright,OK, i won't mention that we should be called the "Kings Cross" Tigers because of the number of Hookers we have any more.

 

[Tigermama]

Alright,OK, i won't mention that we should be called the "Kings Cross" Tigers because of the number of Hookers we have any more.

:laughing: some of us find it funny Basil. :laughing:

 

[tig_prmz]

Wonder if he starts training this week

i think this could be the reason most top players don't wanna come to us. they start their pre-season later than us and want that extra 2 weeks break so they stay with a top 8 team

#mysterysolved

 

[goldcoast_tiger]

Alright,OK, i won't mention that we should be called the "Kings Cross" Tigers because of the number of Hookers we have any more.

h :blah

I think we've got a bit hooked on this.

 

[swag_tiger]

he could be good for us experience wise 😛ray: :master:

 

[Geo]

Meet the Recruits: Matt Ballin

Dan Talintyre (Twitter: @dantalintyre)

Thu 12th November, 04:00PM

Get to know one of Wests Tigers' new recruits for season 2016 — Matt Ballin!

Ballin joins Wests Tigers after more than 200 games and a decade of first-grade experience with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, where he won two premierships in 2008 and 2011 and also made his representative debut for Queensland in 2010.

Speaking to weststigers.com.au, Ballin said he was incredibly excited to join Wests Tigers, believing the move to a mostly young squad will rejuvenate him in season 2016.

"It's really exciting for me, it's been a really exciting week," Ballin said.

"I've been welcomed in and all the players have been really friendly.

"I've found it really refreshing so far and I can't wait to get back on the field.

"I was at Manly for 11 years, but coming here is a change and a breath of fresh air.

"You meet new faces and do new training, and you put yourself back on the edge to learn new things, and that's something that helps you grow as a player.

"I've had nothing but compliments and kind words since coming here, and I'm looking forward to feeding off the enthusiasm in this Club amongst all the young guys."

Having picked up a serious knee injury at the end of season 2015 that saw him undergo off-season surgery, Ballin said his recovery was coming along very well as he looks to return to pre-season training in the New Year to get back on the field for Round 1.

"It's going well," Ballin said. "I haven't had a long-term injury before, so it's something that I don't really have the best handle on but the rehab staff have been really good to me.

"So far it's going really well and I'm just trying to get it stronger and stronger every day."

Hear more from Matt Ballin about his move to the Wests Tigers in the video above.

Player Profile — Matt Ballin

Date of Birth: 5th January, 1984

Position: Hooker

Junior Club: Kingaroy Red Ants

Previous Clubs: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (2007-15)

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

Rep. Honours: Premiership Winner (2007, 2011), Queensland Origin (2010)

http://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2015/11/12/meet_the_recruits_ma.html

 

[Newtown]

"I've had nothing but compliments and kind words since coming here" - I'm glad that he doesn't read some of this forum's comments.