Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[avocadoontoast]

While I am no fan of Moses Woods or Tedesco given the way they left WT, I think it is a bit unfair to label them mercenaries. In retrospect, I can't really blame them for leaving with the coaching fiasco we were going through and the way the Farah departure was handled. If they were here today they might just stay as I think the club has begun the turnaround. Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda.

Woods made a terrible decision. Was captain and a rep player when here. Since then his career has gone down the toilet. I don’t think Tedesco or Moses would have any regrets though.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Dufty is several notches down from the likes of Mitchell but he does possess raw speed (something we've lacked since JAC left) and he does have a kind of "x-factor lite" so might be an OK pickup at the right price.

If we can pick him up at a reasonable price, he is good value. Under Maguire's tutelage, I have no doubt he will improve significantly both in attitude and defence. With the re-signing of Lomax, the Steelers may be looking for some salary cap relief.

And on Lomax, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest Lomax lacks pace for fullback (much like Moylan). Dufty has plenty of pace and teaching him how to improve his defence is easier than attempting to increase pace!

 

[2041]

I am not as worried as others regarding our inability to sign players. I suspect it’s a timing issue with our pursuit (and reported tentative agreement) with LM, we probably were too late for Lomax, Drinkwater etc. Their negotiations would have started some time ago and we obviously thought we had our target - alas we have missed the boat.

So in the absence of anything better, I would look to front end so see contracts so our war chest next year is massive.

The key to this 'war chest' is making the 8 in 2020. Atm, no one wants to come here because of inability to play finals football. We need to make the 8 as of next year and this is critical for us attracting the right players when all this $$ becomes available.


No offence meant to you in particular Tcat, but I'm sick of hearing that nobody wants to come to WT because we rarely make the 8 etc. Mate, I've seen players willingly sign with clubs that regularly finish below us on the ladder and perform far worse than us most years, so I really don't think us not making the 8 is an issue.

We are on the cusp of making the finals nearly every year, we never finish out of contention or dead last. Perhaps if just one or two of these 'top' players came to play with us they could actually help us to become a regular top 8 team and real Premiership threat! You would think that it would be an incentive and a challenge to be part of a team that is on the verge of lifting itself to become one of the better teams in the comp, but they seem to have absolutely no foresight at all.

Couldn’t agree more. The people who say “no-one will sign for us because we haven’t been playing finals” don’t seem to be aware of any other clubs. Not playing finals didn’t stop Klemmer and Ponga signing for Newcastle, or RTS for the Warriors, or Valentine Holmes for the Cowboys. Wanna guess Souths’ last three finishes before they signed Inglis? 14th, 10th, 9th. Mitchell himself might end up at the Titans FFS.

If a club doesn’t seem like a total basket case and offers the best deal, players will go there. It’s as simple as that.

 

[NT_Tiger]

While I am no fan of Moses Woods or Tedesco given the way they left WT, I think it is a bit unfair to label them mercenaries. In retrospect, I can't really blame them for leaving with the coaching fiasco we were going through and the way the Farah departure was handled. If they were here today they might just stay as I think the club has begun the turnaround. Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda.

Woods made a terrible decision. Was captain and a rep player when here. Since then his career has gone down the toilet. I don’t think Tedesco or Moses would have any regrets though.

Yes, probably true. The fact that Woods joined the mutineers indicates the sad state of the club at that time.

 

[barra]

Flanagan cant coach dragons this year, even if Mary goes first week.

NRL are kidding themself if they think Flanagan won't coach them this year. He'll talk like a coach, look like a coach, act like a coach, just Dragons'll call him something else, and call McGregor the coach instead.

Absolutely 100%
As far as signings go, Flanagan is easily the best signature for the Dragons in some time.
There's no doubt his style will be stamped on the team and improve them, it's just a matter of how long that takes. It could even have had an influence on Lomax re-committing to the club.

 

[OzLuke]

A lot of people seem keen to stick the boot into Thompson.....and sure he's not a tedesco calibre fullback, but name other players in our team who go out every week and belt themselves and slog their guts out like he does......
Sure he's not the best fullback going around, but he has certainly done enough to get a bit of recognition around the place.

 

[NT_Tiger]

A lot of people seem keen to stick the boot into Thompson.....and sure he's not a tedesco calibre fullback, but name other players in our team who go out every week and belt themselves and slog their guts out like he does......
Sure he's not the best fullback going around, but he has certainly done enough to get a bit of recognition around the place.

The one thing you know when Thompson is on the field is he wont let the team down by lack of effort.

 

[avocadoontoast]

The one thing you know when Thompson is on the field is he wont let the team down by lack of effort.

No one would deny this. But effort only gets you so far and we’re going to struggle to make the 8 with him in the position. I like the guy and I think he’s a really capable winger, but he’s not a fullback and he never will be.

Going into 2020 with CT at fullback and no specialist hooker will really hurt us imo.

 

[4jtigers]

Until that perception is changed we’re going to continue to struggle.

What perception would that be? some of my friends who follow another team have the Tigers as their second team so I don't know what you mean - it is a great club and the WT is a great brand! :+1: (biased opinion I know)

by the way - The NRL has cleared Zane Musgrove to return to training with the Wests Tigers, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald - from Zero Tackle

 

[TJ21]

What is this rubbish about Clubs offering players positions...no one should be promised a spot..gawd

@Geo especially players transitioning to new positions and untested.

 

[NT_Tiger]

The one thing you know when Thompson is on the field is he wont let the team down by lack of effort.

No one would deny this. But effort only gets you so far and we’re going to struggle to make the 8 with him in the position. I like the guy and I think he’s a really capable winger, but he’s not a fullback and he never will be.

Going into 2020 with CT at fullback and no specialist hooker will really hurt us imo.

Perhaps so but if we are to chase someone as a replacement I would want to be confident that they are better than Thompson. So far no-one has presented themselves as available and affordable.
I am far more concerned with the no9 for the coming season and can't see anything on that horizon.

 

[avocadoontoast]

What perception would that be?

For whatever reason, it appears WT are not overly high on the list of potential destinations for top line players. I believe this to be the case because we don't seem to ever sign any. I like Leilua and I think he'll be a good signing, but if that is our offseason big name signing, we're in a bit of trouble. That's not me being negative either, i'm even ok with signing Moylan. We just need to do something.

 

[avocadoontoast]

Perhaps so but if we are to chase someone as a replacement

If we don't sign a fullback we should give Mbye another shot at fullback. 2018 Mbye is significantly better than CT at fullback imo.

 

[In_Like_Flynn]

I'm going to throw a bit of a wild card entry into the mix for fullback

I think somebody like Damian McKenzie would be a interesting acquisition. Before you say who, he has played 23 games for the all blacks, he is super quick, a great goal kicker, defends well and has the best set of hands I've seen for a long time.

Have a look and see what you think

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2LYJHX3ZV8

 

[Elderslie_Tiger]

According to Zero Tackle the following player are off contract in 2020
Kotoni STAGGS
Nick COTRIC
Jack WIGHTON
William KENNEDY
Brendan ELLIOTT

THE FOLLOWING FULLBACKS OFF CONTRACT 2020.
Caleb AEKINS pen
Dale COPLEY boncs
Anthony DON gc
Bernie FARNWORTH Broncs
Pets HIKU warriors
Albert HOPOATE man
Jordan KAHU Broncs
William KENNEDY sharks
Steven MARSTERS ss
Dylan SMITH WTs
and everybodies favorite LM

not a lot amongst the fullbacks to get excited about However the top 5 mentioned would be well worth having a crack or we could wait for 2021 when our prodigal son comes off contract having won everything possible at the Rorters he may be ready to come home.

 

[hammertime]

I'm going to throw a bit of a wild card entry into the mix for fullback

I think somebody like Damian McKenzie would be a interesting acquisition. Before you say who, he has played 23 games for the all blacks, he is super quick, a great goal kicker, defends well and has the best set of hands I've seen for a long time.

Have a look and see what you think

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2LYJHX3ZV8

All that clip did for me is remind me how much I hate union.

But good left field suggestion.

 

[OzLuke]

According to Zero Tackle the following player are off contract in 2020
Kotoni STAGGS
Nick COTRIC
Jack WIGHTON
William KENNEDY
Brendan ELLIOTT

THE FOLLOWING FULLBACKS OFF CONTRACT 2020.
Caleb AEKINS pen
Dale COPLEY boncs
Anthony DON gc
Bernie FARNWORTH Broncs
Pets HIKU warriors
Albert HOPOATE man
Jordan KAHU Broncs
William KENNEDY sharks
Steven MARSTERS ss
Dylan SMITH WTs
and everybodies favorite LM

not a lot amongst the fullbacks to get excited about However the top 5 mentioned would be well worth having a crack or we could wait for 2021 when our prodigal son comes off contract having won everything possible at the Rorters he may be ready to come home.

Elliott is in the same mold as ct...tries hard but is lacking that little bit of class....all heart though

Surprised wighton is still there

 

[The-moP]

Is that Damian McKenzie looking to switch from Union to League .. ??

 

[Nelson]

Is that Damian McKenzie looking to switch from Union to League .. ??

No

 

[Nelson]

I'm sure he'll go chasing big money in Europe or Japan but...we're the only NRL club that could afford Israel Folau at the moment. Wouldn't that be great for team harmony...