Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Oldman said:
Watched the replay, Missing Twal will be a huge loss, We need Twal, KPP,T.May & Sam Fainu all fit and available to be a chance to make the top 8.
Having Sione, Pole,Hunt and Seyfarth on the field for long minutes weaken’s our defence
Immensely.
Pole & Sione are ok interchanging each other.
Hunt or Seyfarth replacing T. May if needed and only for short minutes preferably 10 minutes each side of halftime.
Latu for Twal if needed.

Looking at our forwards this week I’m thinking we are in a heap of trouble.
Hope I’m wrong
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Looking at our backs vs Panthers..were in even more trouble
Looking for a loss <20 pts ...
Having said that,Cleary is smart and will rest some of his SOO guns as its an easy win
 
Tom Shines said:
If he doesn’t have a ratchet clause … should be sweet with the salary cap going up about 60 percent in 2028
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It won't go up 60%..
Foxtel can't even sell advertising space for the NRL on primetime matches. They buy the content and then lose a heap of money. Companies that keep borrowing money to cover losses, it tends to catch up to them if the owners don't have deep pockets and stupid management
 
mtd#2 said:
If i didnt know any better I'd swear you were a bot designed to send me on an infinite loop where no questions are ever answered.

List the games in 2025/2026 where Suli "destroyed" oppositions?

He doesnt offer much in the way of attack:

2017 - 2 tries
2018 - 1 try
2019 - 6 tries
2020 - 2 tries
2021 - 3 tries
2022 - 5 tries
2023 - 2 tries
2024 - 3 tries
2025 - 1 try
2026 - 2 tries

Toa scored 9 tries last year with 8 try assisrs. That's better than any season Suli has ever had.

Im not sayint Toa is the answer.

But you dont replace like for like, you upgrade.
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Pro Dribbler
- never backs it up when he’s called out and talks about players not really on the radar yet - to save being called out.
 
balmain boy said:
It won't go up 60%..
Foxtel can't even sell advertising space for the NRL on primetime matches. They buy the content and then lose a heap of money. Companies that keep borrowing money to cover losses, it tends to catch up to them if the owners don't have deep pockets and stupid management
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It’s not up to Foxtel how much the NRL salary cap is ,,, the players have a deal with the NRL that they get 43 percent of the revenue…work out what an extra $400 million a year extra broadcast revenue is worth and divide by 19 clubs… about an extra $9 million each althoigh they will probably also give a ( small) cut to the Women players as well…

Most of the Foxtel revenue that they get comes from subscribers not advertisers… expect your monthly fee to go up!
 
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rozelle_rudy said:
I never understand why NRL fans want to quibble and challenge what newly signed players may be worth.

When we sign a player with a record and a reputation like Averillo, we are generally bidding against other clubs.

It's similar to buying a house. The market dictates the price, regardless of what buyers would prefer it to be. You want a sought-after player, you have to offer the winning price.

Otherwise, you're buying unproven rookies or burnt-out oldies.

Who cares if you think the reported price for Averillo is too much? Obviously, the reported competition for his signature dictates the price.

The club determines whether he's worth it based on their plans for the squad over the next 4 years, and how the salary cap management will work.

Besides, we don't know what he will be paid apart from media reports, which can vary. We don't know exactly what other players in the squad are paid, either, and what space there'll be in the salary cap in 2027 and beyond, given recruitment and retention changes.
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I understand why fans worry about the cost of a player, because how far is the club is willing to pay overs for a particular player?

You might look at House A and think, I personally would never pay that much for that, it just doesn't suit, even though the market dictated the price.

It's decided on specific circumstances, not just the market.
 
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rozelle_rudy said:
I never understand why NRL fans want to quibble and challenge what newly signed players may be worth.

When we sign a player with a record and a reputation like Averillo, we are generally bidding against other clubs.

It's similar to buying a house. The market dictates the price, regardless of what buyers would prefer it to be. You want a sought-after player, you have to offer the winning price.

Otherwise, you're buying unproven rookies or burnt-out oldies.

Who cares if you think the reported price for Averillo is too much? Obviously, the reported competition for his signature dictates the price.

The club determines whether he's worth it based on their plans for the squad over the next 4 years, and how the salary cap management will work.

Besides, we don't know what he will be paid apart from media reports, which can vary. We don't know exactly what other players in the squad are paid, either, and what space there'll be in the salary cap in 2027 and beyond, given recruitment and retention changes.
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Its not like buying a house at all. In the property market, the highest bidder wins.

Stefano and Galvin left for less money.

How many property owners sell to someone who isnt the highest bidder?

We are a club who has shot itself in the foot because of a mismanaged salary cap. Klemmer, bateman, Sullivan... to name a few.
 
mtd#2 said:
Its not like buying a house at all. In the property market, the highest bidder wins.

Stefano and Galvin left for less money.

How many property owners sell to someone who isnt the highest bidder?

We are a club who has shot itself in the foot because of a mismanaged salary cap. Klemmer, bateman, Sullivan... to name a few.
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Those are uncommon examples. Did Luai take less money to stay a Panther? Did Api?
 
SMH: Wests Tigers consider signing jailed hooker Manase Fainu

Wests Tigers are considering throwing an NRL lifeline to Manase Fainu when he is released from jail in a move that could deliver one of the most stunning rugby league comebacks of all time.

Fainu is eligible for parole in October after being jailed for the stabbing of a Mormon youth leader at a church dance in Sydney’s south-west in 2019. The former Manly hooker has been incarcerated since December 2022 and has not played in the NRL since he made a semi-final appearance for the Sea Eagles in 2019.

Given the seriousness of the crime – a jury found him guilty of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm – and the lengthy layoff, it appeared Fainu’s promising rugby league career was over.

However, sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue, have told this masthead the Tigers have discussed the prospect of offering Fainu a pathway back to professional rugby league. The club’s motivation primarily comes from a desire to extend the contract of his brother, star forward Samuela Fainu, who becomes a free agent on November 1.

Siblings Samuela, Sione and Latu Fainu are already on the Tigers’ books and the brothers have spoken publicly about their desire for all four to play together at the one club. The Tigers have discussed ways Manase could be integrated back into the rugby league community upon his release, which may result in the 27-year-old being offered a train-and-trial contract.

However, there are several obstacles that must first be overcome. Such a deal would require the approval of the Tigers board and the NRL, which would only be prepared to register Manase if he is considered a fit and proper person. Then there is the question of whether he can get himself back into the physical shape required to handle the demands of the NRL after such a long period out of the game.

Sione Fainu recently recommitted to the Tigers until the end of 2029, while Latu and Samuela are contracted until the end of 2027.

Samuela was one of the form back-rowers in the competition before a foot injury sidelined him in round nine. He is scheduled to return in round 22.

Speaking on The Reset podcast, Manase Fainu’s long-time mentor, Mario Tartak, said the former NSW under-19s hooker was “itching” to return to the game.

“Obviously, we’ve got to get some people onside over at the NRL,” Tartak said.

“I’m confident that everyone deserves a second chance. I’m hopeful we can get him back. That’s my dream.

“I know it’s his parent’s dream, and his brothers’. And let me say this to you, he called me from jail yesterday … and he said, ‘I will play rugby league again.’

“I said, ‘Are you sure?’ And he said, ’100 per cent’.

“There are no guarantees, but let me tell you, if the NRL will give Manase a second chance, I know they will never regret that.”

The last player to return to the NRL after a stint in jail was Russell Packer. The Warriors prop was jailed for two years in 2014 after being convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm during an incident in Sydney. After serving his time, he returned to the game via the Dragons and later captained the Tigers.

The Tigers have been in extension talks with Samuela’s management for some time, although the prospect of Manase being handed an opportunity to join him at the club is likely to enhance the chances of him staying.

The Tigers were contacted for comment.

The last time four brothers played together in the same NRL match was in round 25 of the 2013 season when Sam, Luke, Tom and George Burgess took the field for South Sydney. The Tigers already have two sets of brothers – Terrell and Taylan May, as well as Luke and Kit Laulilii – on their books.

Manase Fainu made 34 first grade appearances for Manly between 2018-19, and also played one Test for Tonga. During that period, the hooker showed sufficient promise to prompt a meeting with then-NSW coach Brad Fittler about the prospect of him being available for the Blues in State of Origin.
 
2041 said:
It's because in a league with a salary cap footballers aren't just footballers - they're footballers with contracts attached.

Do I think Averillo is a good player? Yes. Do I think he'll probably improve the Tigers' first grade team? Also yes. Do I think he'll improve it by so much that I wouldn't mind if the money we're paying him means we can't afford to re-sign, say, Makasini next time he needs extending? No.

That's the point. You can't just say "who cares" what we're paying someone. I mean, sure, the club obviously thinks it's worth it but the club also thought Russell Packer, Josh Reynolds and John Bateman were worth it. We're allowed to have different views - that's sort of what this site is for.

I agree that we don't know what any contract is and I'm sure media reports are often inaccurate. But, again, this is the "signings, suggestions *and rumours*" thread and we can only discuss what's out there. If it's being reported that we're giving Averillo average annual value of around $650,000 that's obviously fair game to discuss - and much as we all slag off NRL reporters I'd be pretty surprised if it turned out to be $300,000 or $1m.
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I explained that none of us really know what he is actually paid, what the rest of the squad is paid and whether the signing of Averillo would mean Makasini couldn't be afforded in future.

So, not worth worrying about.
 
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