Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[The_Patriot]

Happy with the player signings so far… but...let's be honest.....
I know we aren't Melb or Rosters but I think we would all be lying to ourselves if we can't admit that without signing a gun centre **and** proper forward it's another failed off-season / foray into the player market.

Most distressing is that there are already posts that precede this one, from our fans, that they are satisfied with our 2019 team and how we should probably start thinking about 2020.....
ummm, FYI it's practically the same team! the team that missed the 8...AGAIN!

We were apparently all "cashed up" and it was largely acknowledged that **the 2018 off-season was/is absolutely the window where we need to sign established guns into centre and forward. Particularly forward.**
We have added no origin or rep players to our roster, nor have we even signed any established first-graders, so please, do not cite the lame old reason of the "salary cap" - I do not buy it. That's an excuse for sour-grape-suckers who (1) are never privvy to actual accounts and (2) who veil their inferiority complex behind the excuse of the salary cap. Sorry - that's how I feel.
From where I sit it seems we picked up a few fringe first-graders to fill these positions (though they may come good...I do have hope for Momo). But this is just not good enough. I know the off-season isn't over, but we cannot be complacent. We need to demand better. We need quality!

We need to appreciate that:
(1) our forward pack has lacked punch for years and this excuse has inevitably followed most of our losses - and rightly so.
(2) the Brooks thread has largely been dominated by his groupies slamming his critics, but what we all can agree on is that he hasn't had a proper pack to play behind - and this may very well turn him into a world-beater.

As it stands right now, we haven't made significant improvements to our pack, so I don't see how either of the above trends will change. Thus, I fail to grasp how can any of us realistically expect it to be anything but another year of what if's.

Look, I love our players and have a natural bias as to how awesome they are, but I am trying to be objective, so unless Madge is an absolute genius I just can't see us doing much better in 2019, with largely the same cattle.

Please don't call me a pessimist, I am just calling for some perspective.

We need to learn from the mistakes of the past. Stupidity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
Cronulla did things differently and reaped rewards by becoming a perennial threat. So did Souths.
It's bloody well our turn. Come on Madge!!! Come on fans! Let's NOT settle for anything less than the absolute best we can get!

Please don't shoot down those like me who only want a crazy amazing team and refuse to settle.

You are 100% correct. I’ve been saying this forever. Recruitment, for whatever reason, has been, and continues to be average apart from the odd goodun (Brooks, Mbye, Matterson maybe)
Someone else said it - too many journeymen and too many reserve graders.

I agree with you guys. We are solid but solid doesnt get you titles.

As mentioned earlier by Sunny Tiger im also looking forward to seeing who of our squad Maguire can get to the next level. Who responds to his coaching and improves. A Josh Aloiai for instance or a Braden Robson or a Gamble all have room for improvement and can make a big difference to our overall squad depth.

Unfortunately we lack that genuine strike power in the forwards and an outside back. We just dont have anyone in the roster who can bust a line like BJ Leilua or destroy a defence like a Fafita or Taumalolo.

Solid squad though.

 

[tiger_one]

Solid squad though.

Magic Madge will wave his wand and we're gonna get the surprise.
Some players don't really know their alive - match day is going to be massive.

 

[TigerSJ]

I like Jennings. Would go well.
However, I still think we need another centre in preference to a winger.

I think Jennings (Robert) could play centre or wing. I have been hoping we’d show more interest in him but there doesn’t seem to be any noise around him from WTs.

 

[westy81]

I had high hopes at the beginning of this year, high hopes that we would at least make the 8, but next year I’m not going to expect much more but there is a fair few players coming off contract at the end of 2019, as well as players wanting to impress the new coach, so that could work in our favor

 

[Aceshigh]

The fact is we have 29 contracted players on our books and room for only one more , but who is out there on the market that we desperately need ? i am relatively happy with the squad we have and believe they will need all the support they can get , is no good sitting here whinging about what we have

 

[jirskyr]

Happy with the player signings so far… but...let's be honest.....
I know we aren't Melb or Rosters but I think we would all be lying to ourselves if we can't admit that without signing a gun centre and proper forward it's another failed off-season / foray into the player market.

Most distressing is that there are already posts that precede this one, from our fans, that they are satisfied with our 2019 team and how we should probably start thinking about 2020.....
ummm, FYI it's practically the same team! the team that missed the 8...AGAIN!

We were apparently all "cashed up" and it was largely acknowledged that the 2018 off-season was/is absolutely the window where we need to sign established guns into centre and forward. Particularly forward.
We have added no origin or rep players to our roster, nor have we even signed any established first-graders, so please, do not cite the lame old reason of the "salary cap" - I do not buy it. That's an excuse for sour-grape-suckers who (1) are never privvy to actual accounts and (2) who veil their inferiority complex behind the excuse of the salary cap. Sorry - that's how I feel.
From where I sit it seems we picked up a few fringe first-graders to fill these positions (though they may come good...I do have hope for Momo). But this is just not good enough. I know the off-season isn't over, but we cannot be complacent. We need to demand better. We need quality!

We need to appreciate that:
(1) our forward pack has lacked punch for years and this excuse has inevitably followed most of our losses - and rightly so.
(2) the Brooks thread has largely been dominated by his groupies slamming his critics, but what we all can agree on is that he hasn't had a proper pack to play behind - and this may very well turn him into a world-beater.

As it stands right now, we haven't made significant improvements to our pack, so I don't see how either of the above trends will change. Thus, I fail to grasp how can any of us realistically expect it to be anything but another year of what if's.

**Look, I love our players and have a natural bias as to how awesome they are, but I am trying to be objective, so unless Madge is an absolute genius I just can't see us doing much better in 2019, with largely the same cattle.**

Please don't call me a pessimist, I am just calling for some perspective.

We need to learn from the mistakes of the past. Stupidity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
Cronulla did things differently and reaped rewards by becoming a perennial threat. So did Souths.
It's bloody well our turn. Come on Madge!!! Come on fans! Let's NOT settle for anything less than the absolute best we can get!

Please don't shoot down those like me who only want a crazy amazing team and refuse to settle.

Well, in relation to the bit I highlighted above, the really good news is we only have to do marginally better than 2018 to play finals. One could argue, with largely the same cattle, it is reasonable to believe modest improvements are possible with small changes to roster or coaching - just as equally, modest deterioration is also feasible.

There has in fact been a big change in coach, so that should be one of the "lights of hope", that it may be the coach as much as the roster. I.e. Cleary with this roster got 9th position, who is to say that Maguire cannot go 1 position better with small roster adjustments?

I agree that it is stupid to do the same thing over and over, but 2018 was an absolute gutting of the 2017 side. Of the 30 players used in 2017, only 17 played any games in 2018, and that includes Felise, Grant and McIlwrick who played 11 games between them. Of that same 30 players from 2017, only 10 are contracted to play in 2018\. So to turn over 2/3 of the roster in 2 seasons tells you that there was a large attempt to modify the roster.

Also, Tigers went from being 2nd-worst to 6th-best defensive side in the comp - so clearly the roster overhaul had a dramatic effect on certain metrics. And furthermore, although not playing finals, it was the Tigers' equal best finish in 7 seasons.

Those aren't great results, but they are different to the average since 2011.

So you want to sign a gun centre and a proper forwards - we all do. What I really want to know is who these dudes are, who do we target? Truly a lack of centres on the market right now. Take a look at the player movements 2018 and tell me who you wanted, who we legitimately could have got and who you know that we didn't try to get. That's the most important one - you can kick and scream about recruitment all you want, but we don't really know who we bid for - it might have been an embarrassment of rejections for all we know.

 

[bp_tiger]

Happy with the player signings so far… but...let's be honest.....
I know we aren't Melb or Rosters but I think we would all be lying to ourselves if we can't admit that without signing a gun centre **and** proper forward it's another failed off-season / foray into the player market.

Most distressing is that there are already posts that precede this one, from our fans, that they are satisfied with our 2019 team and how we should probably start thinking about 2020.....
ummm, FYI it's practically the same team! the team that missed the 8...AGAIN!

We were apparently all "cashed up" and it was largely acknowledged that **the 2018 off-season was/is absolutely the window where we need to sign established guns into centre and forward. Particularly forward.**
We have added no origin or rep players to our roster, nor have we even signed any established first-graders, so please, do not cite the lame old reason of the "salary cap" - I do not buy it. That's an excuse for sour-grape-suckers who (1) are never privvy to actual accounts and (2) who veil their inferiority complex behind the excuse of the salary cap. Sorry - that's how I feel.
From where I sit it seems we picked up a few fringe first-graders to fill these positions (though they may come good...I do have hope for Momo). But this is just not good enough. I know the off-season isn't over, but we cannot be complacent. We need to demand better. We need quality!

We need to appreciate that:
(1) our forward pack has lacked punch for years and this excuse has inevitably followed most of our losses - and rightly so.
(2) the Brooks thread has largely been dominated by his groupies slamming his critics, but what we all can agree on is that he hasn't had a proper pack to play behind - and this may very well turn him into a world-beater.

As it stands right now, we haven't made significant improvements to our pack, so I don't see how either of the above trends will change. Thus, I fail to grasp how can any of us realistically expect it to be anything but another year of what if's.

Look, I love our players and have a natural bias as to how awesome they are, but I am trying to be objective, so unless Madge is an absolute genius I just can't see us doing much better in 2019, with largely the same cattle.

Please don't call me a pessimist, I am just calling for some perspective.

We need to learn from the mistakes of the past. Stupidity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
Cronulla did things differently and reaped rewards by becoming a perennial threat. So did Souths.
It's bloody well our turn. Come on Madge!!! Come on fans! Let's NOT settle for anything less than the absolute best we can get!

Please don't shoot down those like me who only want a crazy amazing team and refuse to settle.

gee its good to see that some one else can see are, short comings in recruitment. yes we got 3 players that may be good, but there along way from rep players. most on here need to get there heads out of the sand and see it for what it really is, another failed roster. and if most think it will be better in 2020, just harp back to what we have been dished up over the last 5-10 tens years.

 

[The_Patriot]

Solid squad though.

Magic Madge will wave his wand and we're gonna get the surprise.
Some players don't really know their alive - match day is going to be massive.

Luke Garner is another who could really appreciate Maguire's style. Potential is there he like the others mentioned just need quality coaching and a culture to buy into.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Happy with the player signings so far… but...let's be honest.....
I know we aren't Melb or Rosters but I think we would all be lying to ourselves if we can't admit that without signing a gun centre **and** proper forward it's another failed off-season / foray into the player market.

Most distressing is that there are already posts that precede this one, from our fans, that they are satisfied with our 2019 team and how we should probably start thinking about 2020.....
ummm, FYI it's practically the same team! the team that missed the 8...AGAIN!

We were apparently all "cashed up" and it was largely acknowledged that **the 2018 off-season was/is absolutely the window where we need to sign established guns into centre and forward. Particularly forward.**
We have added no origin or rep players to our roster, nor have we even signed any established first-graders, so please, do not cite the lame old reason of the "salary cap" - I do not buy it. That's an excuse for sour-grape-suckers who (1) are never privvy to actual accounts and (2) who veil their inferiority complex behind the excuse of the salary cap. Sorry - that's how I feel.
From where I sit it seems we picked up a few fringe first-graders to fill these positions (though they may come good...I do have hope for Momo). But this is just not good enough. I know the off-season isn't over, but we cannot be complacent. We need to demand better. We need quality!

We need to appreciate that:
(1) our forward pack has lacked punch for years and this excuse has inevitably followed most of our losses - and rightly so.
(2) the Brooks thread has largely been dominated by his groupies slamming his critics, but what we all can agree on is that he hasn't had a proper pack to play behind - and this may very well turn him into a world-beater.

As it stands right now, we haven't made significant improvements to our pack, so I don't see how either of the above trends will change. Thus, I fail to grasp how can any of us realistically expect it to be anything but another year of what if's.

Look, I love our players and have a natural bias as to how awesome they are, but I am trying to be objective, so unless Madge is an absolute genius I just can't see us doing much better in 2019, with largely the same cattle.

Please don't call me a pessimist, I am just calling for some perspective.

We need to learn from the mistakes of the past. Stupidity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
Cronulla did things differently and reaped rewards by becoming a perennial threat. So did Souths.
It's bloody well our turn. Come on Madge!!! Come on fans! Let's NOT settle for anything less than the absolute best we can get!

Please don't shoot down those like me who only want a crazy amazing team and refuse to settle.

gee its good to see that some one else can see are, short comings in recruitment. yes we got 3 players that may be good, but there along way from rep players. most on here need to get there heads out of the sand and see it for what it really is, another failed roster. and if most think it will be better in 2020, just harp back to what we have been dished up over the last 5-10 tens years.

For all your complaining, you don’t offer many solutions.

 

[Glennb]

Happy with the player signings so far… **but…let's be honest.....**
I know we aren't Melb or Rosters but I think we would all be lying to ourselves if we can't admit that without signing a gun centre **and** proper forward it's another failed off-season / foray into the player market.

Most distressing is that there are already posts that precede this one, from our fans, that they are satisfied with our 2019 team and how we should probably start thinking about 2020…..
ummm, FYI it's practically the same team! the team that missed the 8...AGAIN!

Ok, lets be honest, lets be **REALLY** honest. Why would a SOO or prominent First Grader come to our club? We havent even made the semi's for over 7 years and for a large chunk of that time our team has been a basket case on and off the field. At least up at Newcastle, as well as big money they also have the lifestyle to sell. There is nothing that would attract a top line player to our club….....other than money. This means you have to pay MASSIVE overs for these players which leaves us with a total imbalance in our cap management and pretty soon you are in a cycle whereby one injury brings doom and then you spend 4-5 years trying to correct the cap management. Even as bad as the Tigers have been we had our own version of this which resulted in shafting Farah etc and a couple of very lean years.

Now it seems the Tigers have their act together off the field. We have just signed our highest profile coach at least since Sheens. We have signed first graders (Matterson is light years ahead of a Robbie Rochow type signing). I think this is the way to rebuild our club. Two to three seasons of steady ACTUAL progress. Last year wasnt stellar but it was an improvement on everything before it. Another improvement and we will ahve earned the right to be taken seriously, we havent yet. at least we have earned sufficient respect over the past 18 months to attract coaching candidates such as Maguire & Bennett. 18 Months ago Cleary was the standout in a group that included Todd Payten & Matt Parrish.
\

We need to learn from the mistakes of the past. Stupidity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
Cronulla did things differently and reaped rewards by becoming a perennial threat. So did Souths.
It's bloody well our turn. Come on Madge!!! Come on fans! Let's NOT settle for anything less than the absolute best we can get!

I think we have definitely learnt from the past. In the past we couldnt manage the cap and signed an SOO player in Braith Anasta.

Cronulla have had success on the field and it came from the windfall from their property development, but it appears they have killed the goose that layed the golden egg and are in severe financial trouble with massive losses and debt that may actually see their future in jeopardy (Greenburg has ruled out buying them out). I dont want that kind of short term thinking.

Souffs have a fairy godfather.

 

[WT2K]

Oates re-signs with donkeys for one year.

 

[innsaneink]

Grahan is a similar player to Matterson in my opinion. Only a lot older and a lot more injured.

Keep the barge pole handy.

Lol… Says it all

 

[WT2K]

Rumour on LU forum saying Luke Burgess to wt to work under Madge.

 

[Geo]

Rumour on LU forum saying Luke Burgess to wt to work under Madge.

Great the crapiest Burghi..

 

[WT2K]

Rumour on LU forum saying Luke Burgess to wt to work under Madge.

Great the crapiest Burghi..

Could help us get one of the twins for 2020 if true!

 

[vlad]

Rumour on LU forum saying Luke Burgess to wt to work under Madge.

He’s retired

https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12204/11510830/luke-burgess-retires-after-helping-salford-secure-super-league-status

 

[WT2K]

Rumour on LU forum saying Luke Burgess to wt to work under Madge.

He’s retired

https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12204/11510830/luke-burgess-retires-after-helping-salford-secure-super-league-status

Coaching staff

 

[Nucky_Thompson]

Grahan is a similar player to Matterson in my opinion. Only a lot older and a lot more injured.

Keep the barge pole handy.

Lol… Says it all

Injury free graham is one of the best players in nrl

 

[TYGA]

Grahan is a similar player to Matterson in my opinion. Only a lot older and a lot more injured.

Keep the barge pole handy.

Lol… Says it all

Injury free graham is one of the best players in nrl

Heard yesterday Graham is staying and being named captain of the Sharks when he returns.

 

[goldcoast_tiger]

Happy with the player signings so far… but...let's be honest.....
I know we aren't Melb or Rosters but I think we would all be lying to ourselves if we can't admit that without signing a gun centre **and** proper forward it's another failed off-season / foray into the player market.

Most distressing is that there are already posts that precede this one, from our fans, that they are satisfied with our 2019 team and how we should probably start thinking about 2020.....
ummm, FYI it's practically the same team! the team that missed the 8...AGAIN!

We were apparently all "cashed up" and it was largely acknowledged that **the 2018 off-season was/is absolutely the window where we need to sign established guns into centre and forward. Particularly forward.**
We have added no origin or rep players to our roster, nor have we even signed any established first-graders, so please, do not cite the lame old reason of the "salary cap" - I do not buy it. That's an excuse for sour-grape-suckers who (1) are never privvy to actual accounts and (2) who veil their inferiority complex behind the excuse of the salary cap. Sorry - that's how I feel.
From where I sit it seems we picked up a few fringe first-graders to fill these positions (though they may come good...I do have hope for Momo). But this is just not good enough. I know the off-season isn't over, but we cannot be complacent. We need to demand better. We need quality!

We need to appreciate that:
(1) our forward pack has lacked punch for years and this excuse has inevitably followed most of our losses - and rightly so.
(2) the Brooks thread has largely been dominated by his groupies slamming his critics, but what we all can agree on is that he hasn't had a proper pack to play behind - and this may very well turn him into a world-beater.

As it stands right now, we haven't made significant improvements to our pack, so I don't see how either of the above trends will change. Thus, I fail to grasp how can any of us realistically expect it to be anything but another year of what if's.

Look, I love our players and have a natural bias as to how awesome they are, but I am trying to be objective, so unless Madge is an absolute genius I just can't see us doing much better in 2019, with largely the same cattle.

Please don't call me a pessimist, I am just calling for some perspective.

We need to learn from the mistakes of the past. Stupidity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
Cronulla did things differently and reaped rewards by becoming a perennial threat. So did Souths.
It's bloody well our turn. Come on Madge!!! Come on fans! Let's NOT settle for anything less than the absolute best we can get!

Please don't shoot down those like me who only want a crazy amazing team and refuse to settle.

gee its good to see that some one else can see are, short comings in recruitment. yes we got 3 players that may be good, but there along way from rep players. most on here need to get there heads out of the sand and see it for what it really is, another failed roster. and if most think it will be better in 2020, just harp back to what we have been dished up over the last 5-10 tens years.

For all your complaining, you don’t offer many solutions.

Simple, Buy a quality player :smiley:

I can see us ambushing a few teams early then falling off the pace when our pack hits the wall, much the same as this year, hope not though