Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Lestronge]

When I stated we should be looking to sign Brimson instead of Bula you insinuated I was crazy ?

This is how Gus got sacked by Penrith , as his impatience and constant meddling wasn’t allowing the players to breathe . This is not a good thing . This “everything Canterbury do is why we are shit” confirmation bias does my head in .
Everyone with half a brain knew Galvin to 7 was akin to putting Hastings at 7, except the best gm to ever do it and the best coach ever in Ciraldo. Without Chricton the team is not even a top 8 side . In fact I’d argue they’re bottom 6. Yet here we are going around again where people jump on the hype train .
Gus’ own hubris is what’s standing in the clubs way now . He’s somehow turned into a modern day Brian smith weirdly. Totally revamp your club to get you to the precipice, but you need a different voice to get it over the top.
It’s been over 20 years since Gus was apart of a premiership winning team . Let that sink in …

 

[mtd#2]

No you didn't - You said "A large Chunk of his contract"
His contract is 2 years, no? What's a large chunk - Surely more than Half?
Otherwise, It would just be a bit and not a large chunk - Maybe you need better (or more) words?

I stand by my words.

If Bird was on 500k at the dragons for 2025 and the tigers only had to pay 200k, because the dragons wanted to get him off their books - then they are paying a large chunk of it. Even if its 50/50 split, its still a large chunk because you're getting a player at half price of their original contract.

He's not motivated to play on the wage he's on, Or was on - That's what he's talking retirement

(at 28-29 and not even 100 games in)

You know for a fact he's not motivated, how? He came back fitter, stronger and faster after some time in KOE, so what are you basing your statements on?

This Planet.... Spend much time here?

Only on Tuesdays.

Blokes playing in the Wollongong and Illawarra comps
(Do you want some names and phone numbers?)

Seeing as though you have offered, I will take you up on it. Please post their names, numbers and copies of their contracts on a public forum.

Next time you chat, also ask if they would prefer to play in the NRL for 200-300k or in a local league for 150k. My bet is its the 200-300k in the NRL.

The Mines was one job I listed for an example, Plenty of Clubs in both those areas with connections to offer old NRL players cushy jobs to get them to run out for them.
Check some team lists, Plenty of them doing it.

So they have to work in addition to play footy?

Bird is reportedly on 400 - Daily Telegraph, SMH and anywhere else you care to look...

Thats your source of truth is it? Haha

Short memory, remember the article they wrote about Brandon Tumeth and Matamua?

https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2025/04/22/club-statement-false-media-reports/

 

[Tom Shines]

When I stated we should be looking to sign AJ Brimson instead of Bula you insinuated I was crazy ?
Plenty of rival clubs searching far and wide to try and upgrade their rosters, we will likely just pay whatever our players ask for and hope they get to a level where they provide value for money,

My point is not the specific player Briimson replacing Bula at the Wests Tigers …( I like Brimson but I would choose to keep Bula) but the fact that the Dogs are still looking to improve the team that finished 3rd this year …moving on good players and signing better ones … we are told we have our squad and not to expect much change the next two years … which may be our CEO playing 4D chess .. well wait and see …

One thing I’ve said to you previously is that we need more impact in the middle … I would prioritise that over paying big money for new backs … look at the difference that Fonua-Blake has made to the Sharks this finals charge …. That kind of impact is what we are still missing

 

[Tucker]

I don’t think he’s been a bust. He started the season very well and his last month or so after returning to the side he was solid as well. His worst period came when he was used as a starter (not his role) and when he was probably carrying an injury.

With high minute props like Twal and May he is a good point of difference. His metres per minute were the best in our team and his post contact metres were really high. When he was on the field we were points positive. We knew what we were buying - a 20min impact player, and I think he fits that bill. We certainly won most of our games when he was in form, so the key is to get him playing like that consistently.

Whether $600K is too much, it is a valid debate. But I think he offers a point of difference and he was targeted to provide exactly that. I’ll take the glass half full approach and back him in for next season.

Clearly, we need more from him.
Our middles become less effective as the game wears on as they are being asked to shoulder far too much load.
We can’t have a bloke sitting on his arse for 3/4 of the game. This isn’t a pussy sport like NFL where bludgers are celebrated.
We have to get rid of this guy and get some proper big minute footballers in to replace him.

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

Ryan Matterson on his way back to Parra , when he was with us I thought of memory he was very good and money was an issue not his ability , I would see if Parra want to move him on and pay a bit to do so , he is a good lock option and always runs hard and tackles hard , if cheap after Parra tip in I would look at it , leaves AD at 7 and Latu when fit at 14 or reserve grade to learn more as he progresses

Matterson is a Gronk....he failed in Super League....a big NO from me

 

[Tom Shines]

Matterson is a Gronk....he failed in Super League....a big NO from me

Absolutely.., I see Parra have to pay him $600k next year …: I wouldn’t be looking at all to help them out with that …. Matterson will be Russel Packer Mark 2 next year … collecting a pay check to play NSW Cup …

 

[Vicious]

My point is not the specific player Briimson replacing Bula at the Wests Tigers …( I like Brimson but I would choose to keep Bula) but the fact that the Dogs are still looking to improve the team that finished 3rd this year …moving on good players and signing better ones … we are told we have our squad and not to expect much change the next two years … which may be our CEO playing 4D chess .. well wait and see …

One thing I’ve said to you previously is that we need more impact in the middle … I would prioritise that over paying big money for new backs … look at the difference that Fonua-Blake has made to the Sharks this finals charge …. That kind of impact is what we are still missing

As I keep saying you cannot recruit a player in a position that is not available.
There is a big shortage of quality middles, have a look at the depth chart across all NRL clubs for 2026, most of them are lacking middle forward depth just as much as what we are.
The best we can realistically hope for is some low cost experienced depth who might be able to force their way into our top 17, players that are regularly mentioned such as Jack Hetherington, Adam Elliott, Fletcher Baker and even Liam Knight could provide some depth value.
The other issue that many of our supporters love to sweep under the carpet is lack of game breaking match winning quality in our backs.
Between now and 2027 there is plenty of quality players who meet this criteria currently available, but we seem to think our current back 7 will take us to the top,
I think we better prepare for continued disappointment if we honestly believe our current back 7 will take us to the top.

 

[Tom Shines]

As I keep saying you cannot recruit a player in a position that is not available.
There is a big shortage of quality middles, have a look at the depth chart across all NRL clubs for 2026, most of them are lacking middle forward depth just as much as what we are.
The best we can realistically hope for is some experienced depth who might be able to force their way into our top 17, players that are regularly mentioned such as Jack Hetherington, Adam Elliott, Fletcher Baker and even Liam Knight could provide some depth value.
The other issue that many of our supporters love to sweep under the carpet is lack of game breaking match winning quality in our backs.
Between now and 2027 there is plenty of quality players who meet this criteria currently available, but we seem to think our current back 7 will take us to the top,
I think we better prepare for continued disappointment if we honestly believe our current back 7 will take us to the top.

So your theory is that players at the positions of need aren’t currently available … so recruit someone else ? I keep telling you we got about $700k and three spots left … so best to wait until someone does become available like May did last year … this must be the 5th time I have tried to explain this to you