Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[tiger05premier]

Its ignorance in the extreme to suggest Lawrence was never very good pre hip injury.

By far the best centre I have ever seen play for the Tigers and I have been following since 1970

Puhhlease!!!!!!!!!!
Get real!
I said he had a good few seasons. Maybe he was "very good" for two seasons. But "BY FAR THE BEST CENTRE???"
And Since the 70's????
OMG
Are you Chris Lawrence?

It seems that no-one on this forum can EVER knock Lawrence or Brooks!!
Now he is the greatest centre we have had in 50 years??????
WHAT THE??

If you ever wanted evidence that the Lawrence love-fest has gotten out of hand then this is it!

Firstly, just from Wests Tigers era we have had better players at centre. Whatuira was MUCH better. Halatau and one of my all-time faves Buddha were fantastic. At least IMO their centre careers were "very good" for at least as long, if not longer than Lawrence's.

From a Balmain perspective in the 80's, 90's…I can't remember too many great centres but Brasher played many years there and is in another class to Lawrence. Obviously.
So was Gary Schofield. But craziest of all @larry you think he is better than Ellery Hanley...

I mean, really.... Lawrence better then the black pearl. Well I never. This has gone too far.

I took this comment a bit seriously until you rated Kevin McGuinness above Chris Lawrence. Let yourself down at this point.
You need to remember Lawrence did his hip before his prime. He could have been a great centre but only as good as the 6 inside him.

Such a shame

We lost Dwyer Tuiaki and a full strength Lawrence in the space of a few years

 

[tiger05premier]

For Balmain, Geoff Starling, Dennis Bendall and Buba Kennedy were excellent noting Starling and Bendall had their careers ended prematurely. We never had the chance to realise how good they were going to be.

I must have just been too young to see the other 2 but bubba kennedy was great to watch

A true centre with great pace

Bubbba only retired last season.

We need to bring his son across from the Sharks.

His son??

 

[tiger05premier]

We have had some very good centres, Lawrance being the best.

Really?
…
I mean really? This has gotta be the weakest position in our history.

Lawrence is a club stalwart but he only had one or two good years at centre. He was never "very good". (subjective i guess)...

I would say Wests Tigers as an entity has had no more than 3 "very good" centres. And certainly none for the best part of the last 15 years, i.e. since Whatuira.

There is a forum topic on this very forum suggesting NSW should have Lawrence and Ayshford, as they are the best centres in NSW. Circa 2010 or 11.
PS not arguing against you! Just find it funny!

Chris is the best hole running centre I have seen, the space he created for his outside men was amazing. At times he was able to set them up without even touching the ball. Look at the number of tries Tuiaki and Tuquiri scored in the 08, 09, 10, and 11 season playing outside of chris.

Good post cochise

 

[momo_amp_medo]

Well I thought I would give this thread day and a half before I would touch base …... still chatter about nothing specific ...

So see ya again on Friday!

 

[hodgo]

Fully.
I love Farah but he is only here for transition purposes.
Liddle is supposed to be the transitionee (per se), but if we could get Cook this is a no-brainer.

Note: this is not to say we don't still need a proper strike forward and a class centre.

You've just summed up why people are wary of signing Cook and you don't even realise it.

If Cook signs for 900k a year that's 10% of the cap gone for the next four years, and with it a fair slice of the likelihood that the Tigers will be able to compete the next time a proper strike forward or a class centre become available.

There are people on here who airily demand signings with absolutely no acknowledgment of the consequences for the club's cap position. It was the same when the Wighton rumours were circling. Lots of people said we should sign him to play centre. I said signing a poor fullback on a 700k contract because we think he might go better in the centres was insane. Someone replied "I don't think anyone's talking about signing him for 700k." But that's the contract he's on - he's not going to come here for less.

Cook's a good player; I don't think anyone disputes that. But the question isn't whether he's good - the questions are whether he's the player we need and whether he's good enough to justify the proportion of the cap he's expected to demand. Given hooker is about the only position on the park where the Tigers have the most precious commodity in the NRL - a young player who may be able to produce performances above his cap spend - there is a very, very strong argument that locking ourselves into a mammoth contract in that position would be a very stupid move indeed.

It's like, if I have a perfectly decent Toyota and my house is falling down, and someone offers to sell me a full price Maserati. The sensible response is "no thanks, my car is fine and I really need to spend the money I've saved repairing my house or, even better, waiting for a bargain to come along so I can move to a better house." People on here say "that Maserati is way better than our Toyota, let's spend all our money on it".

i understand what you are saying but your resting one of our most important positions on a kid that cant stay on the park, and has not shown anywhere near the potential required to be a good hooker let alone a game changer.

Just saying Hodgo - I think you are wrong (entitled to your opinion though).

all good hope he proves me wrong

 

[Geo]

Well I thought I would give this thread day and a half before I would touch base …... still chatter about nothing specific ...

So see ya again on Friday!

:laughing: Here is a tip if anything concrete or specific happens it wont be in this thread..

 

[newtiger]

For Balmain, Geoff Starling, Dennis Bendall and Buba Kennedy were excellent noting Starling and Bendall had their careers ended prematurely. We never had the chance to realise how good they were going to be.

I must have just been too young to see the other 2 but bubba kennedy was great to watch

A true centre with great pace

Bubbba only retired last season.

Really? ?

Where was he playing? ?

Must really enjoy it

Do you know his age?

He played for Cargo a small country town I think he was 47.

 

[newtiger]

I must have just been too young to see the other 2 but bubba kennedy was great to watch

A true centre with great pace

Bubbba only retired last season.

We need to bring his son across from the Sharks.

His son??

Yes, apparently quite a good fullback.

 

[momo_amp_medo]

Some chatter on Rabbitohs forum that Souths couldn’t come up with the asking price and Jennings is on the move.

 

[tiger05premier]

I must have just been too young to see the other 2 but bubba kennedy was great to watch

A true centre with great pace

Bubbba only retired last season.

Really? ?

Where was he playing? ?

Must really enjoy it

Do you know his age?

He played for Cargo a small country town I think he was 47.

Cheers bathursttiger

 

[tiger05premier]

Bubbba only retired last season.

We need to bring his son across from the Sharks.

His son??

Yes, apparently quite a good fullback.

Cheers again

 

[Geo]

Some chatter on Rabbitohs forum that Souths couldn’t come up with the asking price and Jennings is on the move.

How specific is this..?

 

[WT2K]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s…t/news-story/af85fb0af640d043f0d912f2886dc173

NRL clubs ready to swoop on unwanted stars after salary cap audit

Dean Ritchie, The Daily Telegraph
an hour ago
\
\
COACHES are sitting back and waiting for the NRL to deliver their annual Christmas bonus — players unable to fit under their clubs’ salary caps.

With the NRL due to issue their annual salary cap audits between now and Christmas, The Daily Telegraph understands a number of clubs are scrambling to remain under the cap.

Those clubs with money left in their salary cap have been waiting patiently for the audits to arrive — and are ready to pounce.

Some clubs face sanctions, with players almost certain to be forced out. Club chief executives are convinced they will be released and thrown directly on to the open market.

“We are hearing there are a few clubs that are going to be over,” one prominent CEO said. “The squeeze could be on.

“We have all been in that position. You think you’re okay and then the salary cap audit comes down and it all changes. Then you have to shed a few.

“We’ll be waiting and seeing what unfolds. A few clubs are similar — they are waiting.”

The Daily Telegraph will not speculate on which clubs could be over the salary cap.

It is known, however, that a number of clubs — including Brisbane, Penrith, Parramatta, Souths, Cronulla and Melbourne — are fighting hard to remain under it.

Manly is also confronting its own salary-cap challenges.

The Panthers’ cap will no doubt have eased with Trent Merrin’s departure last week to Leeds in the English Super League.

Souths is yet to have a new contract for winger Robert Jennings registered by the NRL. That has led to speculation about Alex Johnston’s future.

Cronulla may well be OK now that Valentine Holmes has been released to trial for an NFL contract.

Brisbane has moved Test and Queensland forward Josh McGuire to North Queensland and Gold Coast Titans are circling Broncos forward Alex Glenn. Jordan Kahu could also be moved along.

“We get calls about players who might be moved,” the CEO said. “There is no set time, but all the audits happen about now.

“The NRL can assess things differently to what the club thinks — different interpretations. It can happen.

“There is then a mad scramble to move players.”

The Sharks are also awaiting possible punishment over the club’s recent salary-cap drama. Some suggest the NRL fine will be significant. One theory suggests the departure of Holmes may free up some money for the expected fine.

Some clubs may not receive their NRL audits until January or even early February.

 

[cqtiger]

What happened about a new forward being announced when Maguire gets here? Supposedly signed and just waiting for the new coach for it to be announced?

Obviously, it’s rubbish…. again.

 

[mightymagpie]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s…t/news-story/af85fb0af640d043f0d912f2886dc173

NRL clubs ready to swoop on unwanted stars after salary cap audit

Dean Ritchie, The Daily Telegraph
an hour ago
\
\
COACHES are sitting back and waiting for the NRL to deliver their annual Christmas bonus — players unable to fit under their clubs’ salary caps.

With the NRL due to issue their annual salary cap audits between now and Christmas, The Daily Telegraph understands a number of clubs are scrambling to remain under the cap.

Those clubs with money left in their salary cap have been waiting patiently for the audits to arrive — and are ready to pounce.

Some clubs face sanctions, with players almost certain to be forced out. Club chief executives are convinced they will be released and thrown directly on to the open market.

“We are hearing there are a few clubs that are going to be over,” one prominent CEO said. “The squeeze could be on.

“We have all been in that position. You think you’re okay and then the salary cap audit comes down and it all changes. Then you have to shed a few.

“We’ll be waiting and seeing what unfolds. A few clubs are similar — they are waiting.”

The Daily Telegraph will not speculate on which clubs could be over the salary cap.

It is known, however, that a number of clubs — including Brisbane, Penrith, Parramatta, Souths, Cronulla and Melbourne — are fighting hard to remain under it.

Manly is also confronting its own salary-cap challenges.

The Panthers’ cap will no doubt have eased with Trent Merrin’s departure last week to Leeds in the English Super League.

Souths is yet to have a new contract for winger Robert Jennings registered by the NRL. That has led to speculation about Alex Johnston’s future.

Cronulla may well be OK now that Valentine Holmes has been released to trial for an NFL contract.

Brisbane has moved Test and Queensland forward Josh McGuire to North Queensland and Gold Coast Titans are circling Broncos forward Alex Glenn. Jordan Kahu could also be moved along.

“We get calls about players who might be moved,” the CEO said. “There is no set time, but all the audits happen about now.

“The NRL can assess things differently to what the club thinks — different interpretations. It can happen.

“There is then a mad scramble to move players.”

The Sharks are also awaiting possible punishment over the club’s recent salary-cap drama. Some suggest the NRL fine will be significant. One theory suggests the departure of Holmes may free up some money for the expected fine.

Some clubs may not receive their NRL audits until January or even early February.

Of course the Roosters aren’t one of the clubs fighting to stay under the cap….. ummm I mean sombrero

 

[Tiger_Steve]

Dean Ritchie is useless. Absolute garbage article

 

[momo_amp_medo]

Some chatter on Rabbitohs forum that Souths couldn’t come up with the asking price and Jennings is on the move.

How specific is this..?

As specific as you’re gonna get.

 

[Cairnstigers]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s…t/news-story/af85fb0af640d043f0d912f2886dc173

NRL clubs ready to swoop on unwanted stars after salary cap audit

Dean Ritchie, The Daily Telegraph
an hour ago
\
\
COACHES are sitting back and waiting for the NRL to deliver their annual Christmas bonus — players unable to fit under their clubs’ salary caps.

With the NRL due to issue their annual salary cap audits between now and Christmas, The Daily Telegraph understands a number of clubs are scrambling to remain under the cap.

Those clubs with money left in their salary cap have been waiting patiently for the audits to arrive — and are ready to pounce.

Some clubs face sanctions, with players almost certain to be forced out. Club chief executives are convinced they will be released and thrown directly on to the open market.

“We are hearing there are a few clubs that are going to be over,” one prominent CEO said. “The squeeze could be on.

“We have all been in that position. You think you’re okay and then the salary cap audit comes down and it all changes. Then you have to shed a few.

“We’ll be waiting and seeing what unfolds. A few clubs are similar — they are waiting.”

The Daily Telegraph will not speculate on which clubs could be over the salary cap.

It is known, however, that a number of clubs — including Brisbane, Penrith, Parramatta, Souths, Cronulla and Melbourne — are fighting hard to remain under it.

Manly is also confronting its own salary-cap challenges.

The Panthers’ cap will no doubt have eased with Trent Merrin’s departure last week to Leeds in the English Super League.

Souths is yet to have a new contract for winger Robert Jennings registered by the NRL. That has led to speculation about Alex Johnston’s future.

Cronulla may well be OK now that Valentine Holmes has been released to trial for an NFL contract.

Brisbane has moved Test and Queensland forward Josh McGuire to North Queensland and Gold Coast Titans are circling Broncos forward Alex Glenn. Jordan Kahu could also be moved along.

“We get calls about players who might be moved,” the CEO said. “There is no set time, but all the audits happen about now.

“The NRL can assess things differently to what the club thinks — different interpretations. It can happen.

“There is then a mad scramble to move players.”

The Sharks are also awaiting possible punishment over the club’s recent salary-cap drama. Some suggest the NRL fine will be significant. One theory suggests the departure of Holmes may free up some money for the expected fine.

Some clubs may not receive their NRL audits until January or even early February.

Of course the Roosters aren’t one of the clubs fighting to stay under the cap….. ummm I mean sombrero

The Roosters dont have cap problems
They will pick the eyes and teeth out of the players that come onto the market
Teams like us will get the dregs

 

[2041]

Missing the point, again. Once you've bought the Maserati you can't afford anything in the hardware store.

Everyone knows we needs a centre and an impact forward. Why are we trying to spend lots of money on a hooker?

I'll give you another comparison. Your wife says she'll leave you if you don't take her on holiday. You buy a Maserati, reasoning that she'll be super impressed on the drive to the airport. She is, but you haven't got any money left for flights. She leaves you.

You're assuming we don't have the cap space to improve all our weaknesses over the next two seasons. Im assuming Maguire is better informed of your our cap situation than you.

Yes, I'm assuming we don't have enough money to re-sign Brooks, sign Cook, sign a marquee centre and a marquee middle or edge forward, continue paying Reynolds, Mbye and Packer, and have a full roster of 30 players. Yes, I also assume Maguire has more detailed information than this. Time will tell.

@2041 I like your points and largely I agree with the fact that IF cap space is an issue then judgement calls need to be made. But it is just way too assumptive.

Yes, prioritizing a gun centre and gun forward is the go. Settling for anything less will be unacceptable.
Every team seems to have cap space for a least a few marquee players. We currently have no marquee players now (and NO, Brooks and Mbye are not marquee…at least not yet).
So, if signing a marquee centre and forward transpires then I'll be beaming.

But, if we simply go for "value for money" and "good rather than great" like what @happy wants, then give me Cook.

The analogy of the holiday or the cars doesn't check out for me either. The opportunity cost of signing a player like Cook is not as you say it is. It is more like we have a fleet of Toyota's and we are looking to upgrade a few of them. That's all. Sure, if we were signing 3 Latrell Mitchell's then maybe that might raise a few eyebrows re cap space and we might have to forego or release some first-graders, but we aren't even close to that. So, I think it is important to entertain every single option where we can have players that improve our team (and not poo-poo them because you assume we can't effectively manage our cap or TPA's).

The whole Cook discussion is likely moot, but I don't think this Cook would spoil the broth.....so to speak..... :wink:

Fair points Siro and thanks for making them so reasonably. I actually don't think the car analogy is perfect either, but for a different reason. So far as I'm concerned, there is as yet no certainty that Liddle is a Toyota. All we know is that he's a Toyota price - he might be a Ferrari (and, yes, he might be a cardboard box with the bottom cut out).

I guess what I'm getting at is that the only way the Tigers are going to be competitive is if they can get some value out of players they aren't paying full whack. We're just not in a position to write off juniors, especially ones that came through with such massive wraps on them, so quickly.

At the moment, depressingly, hooker is about the only position on the park where there's any chance at all of that value happening in the next year or so. Maybe the club has soured on Liddle's potential - I don't know. But it would be phenomenally depressing to just give up on a kid who has been heavily tipped from the off, has been put back by some injuries and who has literally barely turned 22\. I'd also be worried if more or less the first thing Maguire does when he walks in the door is block the progress of more or less the only promising youngster on the books.

I'm probably also disappointed by what I read on here. Too many people seem to want to jump on any possible 'name' signing just because it's a shiny new thing, apparently under the impression that we either have an infinite salary cap or can just free ourselves of bad obligations we've made by wishing them away. Binning McQueen (never mind that no-one wants him) will apparently free up sufficient cap space to sign half the NSW origin line up.

If we signed half the players people on here wanted we'd have a champion team (from about 2011) and be mired in cap hell for the next decade.

Anyway, I doubt we're getting Cook so it's probably moot. But I'd be genuinely gutted if we sign Levi or some other nuffie to play ahead of Liddle.

 

[innsaneink]

What happened about a new forward being announced when Maguire gets here? Supposedly signed and just waiting for the new coach for it to be announced?

Obviously, it’s rubbish…. again.

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