Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[weststigers]

Iam just saying , that we don’t need half’s right now , but we really need forwards , yet what do they do sign TWO half’s , yes they might be looking ( and I have no doubt they are ) but it always seems that we get the mix all wrong

We had Galvin, Luai, and Latu before. 3 halves.

Galvin left leaving us short on backup halves as they promoted Latu. Madden is signed so we are back at 3 halves. Javon Andrews will not play NRL and I don't think he is even on a top 30 deal, so it's not detracting from the cap or roster spots.

There is literally no one to play half if Latu or Luai went down if Doueihi doesn't sign on again. We don't even know if Doueihi will sign and even if he does, he only wants one year. We need a half that's played a few first grade games as cover.

Why is this controversial?

 

[bptiger 0]

One half is apparently on a development deal next year ..I don’t think that prevents them signing a forward as well

I get that TOM , just saying we seem to sit back when forwards come available ( may was exception) and let other clubs jump in , and how many forwards have we let go and never replaced one .
Blore
Papa
Bateman
Big joe
Klemmer
Stepo
Garner
Iam sure there is more , but do u see a pattern here ????

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

We definitely need either a bigger body or a hard hittting aggressive defender who can potentially start NRL games and get the job done to allow Api to come on at around the 20th minute mark after the heat of the battle.
That is is problem in us signing Tristan Hope to a top 30 deal.
I like Tristan as a player, but he’s only small and is a similar style of player Api, he doesn’t really offer a point of difference such as hard hitting defence.
Havili is getting on in years, but he could potentially offer this point of difference while seeing if our own much younger, but similar style of player in Josese Lanyon develops well enough to become NRL quality.

I understand the signing of Hope as he provides that experienced full-time dummy half depth in case Api is injured. Hope could slot in and still someone like Havili can come off the bench. Hope is likely just for the 12 months until Haywood moves into the top 30 unless Hope hits it right out of the park next season to get another extension. And yes hopefully Lanyon in future becomes that lock/hooker utility.

 

[PrattenParkMagpie]

It's all still fairly recent, Is Gus 3 years in or some?
How are their Matts, Ball and 20's doing (Serious Question)

Flegg are 6th, Ball finished 7th and Matt's 14th.

 

[Tom Shines]

I get that TOM , just saying we seem to sit back when forwards come available ( may was exception) and let other clubs jump in , and how many forwards have we let go and never replaced one .
Blore
Papa
Bateman
Big joe
Klemmer
Stepo
Garner
Iam sure there is more , but do u see a pattern here ????

No one pushes the need to sign better forwards harder than I have … let’s hope they get a couple more …still time in my opinion

 

[mtd#2]

Iam just saying , that we don’t need half’s right now , but we really need forwards , yet what do they do sign TWO half’s , yes they might be looking ( and I have no doubt they are ) but it always seems that we get the mix all wrong

We need depth across the park. It doesn't matter which signings come first or last, as long as they are here for 26. I'd suggest that it's a coincidence the halves were signed around the same time.. conversations with players in other positions are no doubtedly taking place, it's just a matter of timing (who's available, who's agreed to terms, how far in contract talks they are etc). As long as they are here for 26 it doesn't matter.

 

[weststigers]

I get that TOM , just saying we seem to sit back when forwards come available ( may was exception) and let other clubs jump in , and how many forwards have we let go and never replaced one .
Blore
Papa
Bateman
Big joe
Klemmer
Stepo
Garner
Iam sure there is more , but do u see a pattern here ????

You've gone back like 2-4 years and put the replacements of players we did actually replace.

Like Joe O replaced by Klemmer.

Garner replaced by Bateman/Papalii.

We have promoted Sione Fainu, so I guess that replaced Klemmer.

Royce Hunt was an addition to, as was May.

We are short on 2nd rowers, but I suspect it had more to do with what was available rather than the club ignoring our need for it. We recruited KPP, so I think they are just as aware of the issue as you.

Every position we have been weak in, the club has identified that and recruited well there.

There was a period of tine people were screaming about the club not signing a good centre. Well we have one, but it may not have been on the exact timeline or the order of signing as you might have liked.

 

[Bus 2 Terrigal]

Yeah fair enough mate. Seems like you and the owners of WT align in your assessment.

But seriously, seeing as we're being serious, their squad was put together over about 2 years. They are coming 2nd. Not many juniors are going to be good enough to crack that team right now, but Bailey Hayward is a junior. So is Kiraz. They also poach from other clubs. Jacob Preston for example. They don't necessarily have to come from within your system.

Their junior focus starts at 15/16 years old. It's going to take time to see them come through. Many of their juniors that don't make it also get poached by other clubs. It's not just us that loses juniors believe it or not. The mistake people make is looking at right now without delving into the detail.

If you have the time, this article gives a good summation about what they're doing and you can assess the long-term payoff yourself. But, I'm not going to try to convince you that 7 guys can simply watch way more junior football or make way more contacts to find the next talent than 1 guy.

Meet the young men chasing the NRL dream with the Bulldogs - ABC Pacific

Meet Aisake Manna, who hopes to follow in fellow Fijian and NRL second-rower Viliame Kikau's footsteps; Malachi Filipo from Auckland, who was offered an opportunity with the Under 21s; and recruitment officer Fifita Hala, who is recruiting hopeful future stars.

www.abc.net.au

Wasn’t Kiraz a Saints junior?
Pretty sure he played Matt’s with the Dragons 🤔
But yeah I did say (you may not have taken me seriously) that they do have juniors in their squad - Haywood, Morrin ... Harry Hayes is from The Entrance but given his family connection, may as well be a CB junior ... etc

My argument was you don’t need a thousand recruitment dudes to pinch Preston from Easts or throw a net over a kindergarten full of Kiwis with an eye to 2035

 

[tigahhh]

Wasn’t Kiraz a Saints junior?
Pretty sure he played Matt’s with the Dragons 🤔
But yeah I did say (you may not have taken me seriously) that they do have juniors in their squad - Haywood, Morrin ... Harry Hayes is from The Entrance but given his family connection, may as well be a CB junior ... etc

My argument was you don’t need a thousand recruitment dudes to pinch Preston from Easts or throw a net over a kindergarten full of Kiwis with an eye to 2035

they have a really low number of juniors in their team despite what Gus would like you to believe

 

[weststigers]

Wasn’t Kiraz a Saints junior?
Pretty sure he played Matt’s with the Dragons 🤔
But yeah I did say (you may not have taken me seriously) that they do have juniors in their squad - Haywood, Morrin ... Harry Hayes is from The Entrance but given his family connection, may as well be a CB junior ... etc

My argument was you don’t need a thousand recruitment dudes to pinch Preston from Easts or throw a net over a kindergarten full of Kiwis with an eye to 2035

Well mate sounds like the right man for the job happens to be sitting right here on the forum if it's a simple as you say. You should put your hand up.

 

[Demps]

Wasn’t Kiraz a Saints junior?
Pretty sure he played Matt’s with the Dragons 🤔
But yeah I did say (you may not have taken me seriously) that they do have juniors in their squad - Haywood, Morrin ... Harry Hayes is from The Entrance but given his family connection, may as well be a CB junior ... etc

My argument was you don’t need a thousand recruitment dudes to pinch Preston from Easts or throw a net over a kindergarten full of Kiwis with an eye to 2035

Kiraz is a Dog's jnr

Went to NQ then Newcastle,
Didn't get much of a look at either club.
Returned to the Dogs and got a chance, has looked great ever since.

Wikipedia says he had a crack at Dragons too.

In 2015, Kiraz was a member of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs under-15 Summer Development Squad. In 2018, he was a member of the under-17 Winter Development squad.[2][3] In November 2018, he was named in the St. George Dragons SG Ball Cup train-on squad. On 6 February 2019, he was named in the team's final squad, and played eight games and scored three tries during the season.[4][5]

 

[Bus 2 Terrigal]

Midish table. 6th

Matt’s Cup 14th, SG Ball Cup 7th ... so yeah, the 412 recruitment dudes are doing a bonza job 🤣

 

[Bus 2 Terrigal]

Well mate sounds like the right man for the job happens to be sitting right here on the forum if it's a simple as you say. You should put your hand up.

Now that’s a seriously good summation
All I need is a topped up Opal Card and I’m on to it 👍

 

[Jolls]

Now that’s a seriously good summation
All I need is a topped up Opal Card and I’m on to it 👍

You'll probably need a couple of beer tokens and some lunch money tied in the corner of your hanky before you head off though! 🤣 🤣 🤣

 

[Betterdays22]

Wasn’t Kiraz a Saints junior?
Pretty sure he played Matt’s with the Dragons 🤔
But yeah I did say (you may not have taken me seriously) that they do have juniors in their squad - Haywood, Morrin ... Harry Hayes is from The Entrance but given his family connection, may as well be a CB junior ... etc

My argument was you don’t need a thousand recruitment dudes to pinch Preston from Easts or throw a net over a kindergarten full of Kiwis with an eye to 2035

I know you are exaggerating but I think this is a little out of touch with how modern sporting organisations need to be run. The overwhelming majority of successful sporting organisations on the planet pump money into talent recruitment and identification.

 

[weststigers]

Matt’s Cup 14th, SG Ball Cup 7th ... so yeah, the 412 recruitment dudes are doing a bonza job 🤣

Yeah like you said. We probably only need one and a few volunteers. Park footy stuff. Don't spend too much. Save the bucks. Should go well by your assessment.

You know, Penrith, Broncos etc. Also have loads of recruitment guys. Both teams stacked with their own juniors. I guess we're the clever ones. Saving all that money while Penrith and Brisbane blow their loads on unnecessary recruitment staff.

 

[weststigers]

Not that I want to get into one of your endless tirades,
But you do it the same way the Good Clubs do it.
Build a pathways and development system that they can believe in.
No one believes in us - and ours, that's why we're signing 17 year olds to NRL Contracts - If they could get them elsewhere, They probably would.

How long has the game been talking about Jonah Pezet?
(Has a dozen games to his name)
You're referencing the outcome, I'm referencing the miles before the outcome.

At what other club (System),
Does an 18 year old Kid whos signed for 3+ years request a release before he even Debuts in NRL because he doesn't see a future at the Club?
That's on Development / Pathways - The only place he'd been before the Pre-Season.

Buried somewhere under the opening sledge are a few decent points. Maybe next time just start there.

 

[weststigers]

Now that’s a seriously good summation
All I need is a topped up Opal Card and I’m on to it 👍

Remember mate, it's all contacts and people doing it for free. You pay for your own Opal card. That's how we do it at Wests.

 

[Bellend]

@Halbrowne61 won’t be happy 🤔

Sorry HB61

 

[tigahhh]

wouldn’t mind if they picked up hiroti for outside backs depth, sharks are letting a few go because of salary cap limits