Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Geo]

I think we are missing a few things here...at one point it was reported we had 1.4 to 1.7 mill to spend when chasing Latrell...now it's just northward of 600K according to the SMH article and signed Musgrove...

Something doesn't add up ..where did the money go...unless they have no clue or we never had that much space to begin with..or there are more than a few getting overs..which apparently we don't do anymore

Signed
Confused..

I think those figures included players off contract 2020 McQueen,ET,Benji etc

We can relax cause there is a counter punch from Fox..

**Wests Tigers set to hit the open market with $1m to spend after Latrell Mitchell snub
NRL PREMIERSHIP**
January 15, 2020 12:14pm

Armed with a war chest of more than $1 million in salary cap space, the Wests Tigers remain ready to pounce in their search for a star outside back. But they’re not going to rushed into a impulse buy.

After being snubbed by Latrell Mitchell, the Tigers are expected to take their time instead of letting their enormous cash freedom burn a hole in their pocket.


Mitchell is believed to have been offered around $1 million a season to play fullback for the Tigers, only to take less money with South Sydney. Tigers coach Michael Maguire is now expected to start the season with the reliable Corey Thompson in the No.1 jumper.

The Tigers currently have 27 spots filled in their NRL top 30 and will need to sign or promote two more players by March 1.


They will likely keep one spot open until the June 30 deadline, when the market traditionally balloons with agitated players.

The wait-and-see strategy highlights a reluctance from the club to repeat past mistakes of hastily signing players on long-term deals.

Already they have been linked to Cronulla fullback Matt Moylan, Brisbane playmaker Anthony Milford, and former winger Josh Addo-Carr.


The Kangaroos and NSW State of Origin star will be released from Melbourne to return to Sydney if the terms are right.

**Reports linking South Sydney utility Adam Doueihi to the club are understood to be wide of the mark.**

The Tigers are working on luring Parramatta young gun Stefano Utoikamanu early after signing him on a three-year-deal from 2021 to beef up their pack. The hulking teenage prop is currently on a development contract with the Eels. Should Utoikamanu be released, it would still leave the Tigers with significant cap space to spend on their backline heading into the 2020 season. However, if no one of interest becomes available, they have the freedom to “front load” player contracts for the upcoming seasons.

The Tigers are also weighing up the effects of a potential suspension for utility Josh Reynolds, with the NRL yet to make a decision over whether he will be stood down while facing domestic violence charges.

The 30-year-old has pleaded not guilty to a charge relating to an alleged domestic violence incident, but could be stood down until his next court hearing in July at the NRL’s discretion.

The Tigers are eager to keep their options open should Reynolds be suspended and they need to buy a replacement.

 

[Newtown]

Latrell Mitchell’s South Sydney switch set to force young gun Adam Doueihi out of Redfen
NRL PREMIERSHIP
January 16, 2020 7:27am
by STAFF WRITERS
Source: FOX SPORTS

Latrell Mitchell’s arrival at Redfern is reportedly set to force talented youngster Adam Doueihi out of the club. The Sydney Morning Herald reports coach Wayne Bennett told the 21-year-old on Wednesday that he was free to negotiate with rival clubs despite having two years to run on his contract.

It is understood Bennett thinks highly of Doueihi but will not stand in his way should he seek an early release. Doueihi finished the 2019 season as Souths’ starting fullback having claimed the No.1 jersey from Alex Johnston in Round 17. But with Mitchell almost certain to take over the fullback duties, Doueihi would be battling with James Roberts, Dane Gagai and Johnston, Campbell Graham and Braidon Burns for starting spots in a jam-packed Rabbitohs backline.

A move to the Wests Tigers could be on the cards with Michael Maguire flushed with up to a million dollar to spend.The Tigers missed out on Mitchell and are in the market for a new fullback. However, they have reportedly been put off by Doueihi’s $500,000 price tag.

Souths do not need to offload players to be salary-cap compliant and would be unwilling to absorb any of his wages for a rival club.The Tigers currently have 27 spots filled in their NRL top 30 and will need to sign or promote two more players by March 1.They will likely keep one spot open until the June 30 deadline, when the market traditionally balloons with agitated players.

The wait-and-see strategy highlights a reluctance from the club to repeat past mistakes of hastily signing players on long-term deals. They have also been linked to their former winger Josh Addo-Carr.

 

[avocadoontoast]

Shame about JAC. With Rankin no longer here he would have a been a good chance to cement a spot in the starting 13.

 

[twentyforty]

So much for us being the preferred destination for JAC.

Did anyone really know that for a fact or was it just a guess because he was a club junior?

A mod said he knew it as a fact.

Willow said it

Apparently the Dogs have offered him a Motza. You can’t hold Willow to that unfortunate change in circumstances.

 

[avocadoontoast]

So much for us being the preferred destination for JAC.

Did anyone really know that for a fact or was it just a guess because he was a club junior?

A mod said he knew it as a fact.

Willow said it


Apparently the Dogs have offered him a Motza. You can’t hold Willow to that unfortunate change in circumstances.

...we could do the same?

 

[Aesopian]

Shame about JAC. With Rankin no longer here he would have a been a good chance to cement a spot in the starting 13.

I've got that punched in the guts feeling. Anyone else?

An old corker from back in 2016;
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/tigers/wests-tigers-best-17-for-the-2016-nrl-season-manaia-cherrington-to-get-limited-games-as-third-hooker/news-story/427bf7a5392201c1faab31c177d47fe7

 

[tiger05premier]

So much for us being the preferred destination for JAC.

Did anyone really know that for a fact or was it just a guess because he was a club junior?

A mod said he knew it as a fact.

Willow said it


Apparently the Dogs have offered him a Motza. You can’t hold Willow to that unfortunate change in circumstances.

I'd rather see him at rorters than dog's

And no I'm not holding willow to anything

Respect him very much

You can only post what you hear and he doesn't come on here to stir things up

I was just stating that he reported WT as JAC preferred destination so there probably is still some hope

 

[tiger05premier]

Shame about JAC. With Rankin no longer here he would have a been a good chance to cement a spot in the starting 13.

Smarter move for him is to go to rorters he will easily make it in their NRL side

 

[851]

So much for us being the preferred destination for JAC.

Another good player who doesn’t want to come here, same old song

 

[diedpretty]

Can someone explain to me how we were offering LM anything from 800k to 1.1 mil for 2020 when now its being reported we only have 600k in the kitty. The media just make things up.

 

[twentyforty]

So much for us being the preferred destination for JAC.

Did anyone really know that for a fact or was it just a guess because he was a club junior?

A mod said he knew it as a fact.

Willow said it


Apparently the Dogs have offered him a Motza. You can’t hold Willow to that unfortunate change in circumstances.

I'd rather see him at rorters than dog's

And no I'm not holding willow to anything

Respect him very much

You can only post what you hear and he doesn't come on here to stir things up

I was just stating that he reported WT as JAC preferred destination so there probably is still some hope

Hey, no problem. I realise that 99% of posts here are opinion. I think what’s going wrong for us is that players have this perception we are desperate and as such are only prepared to move for a significant pay rise. I think we reinforced that view with our handling of the Mitchell negotiations.
More recently Pascoe has affirmed that’s the case by trying to turn it around by giving the media “we won’t pay overs”. IMO

 

[Tigerboy]

Can anyone think of a player we have not yet spoken to? C’mon, put your thinking caps (no pun intended) on. We need 2 players before end of March and the cash is ready to splash but we not gonna pay overs! Think guys?!


C’mon Madge, kick a twenty/forty and put us on the front foot! In the next 48hrs if possible please?

Bro, get a grip... wtf

 

[Tigerboy]

If souffs truly don't have a cap issue for this year then why would they encourage a young player who their coach "thinks highly of" to negotiate elsewhere with 2 yrs left to run on his current contract.. smoke & mirrors...
At the very least Douehi is solid depth for souffs given the fact LM's fitness will be targeted by opposition teams and will likely pick up an injury or 2 sometime this year.

I'd say call their bluff for this season because they're most definitely gonna feel the cap squeeze next year. Then when they're feeling the pinch, and if he's still available, demand they pay 1/2 the freight(250K) for his final year.

This isn't a do or die signing for us so it has to work in our favor, otherwise focus on the bigger fish next off season.

Bang on, Aes.

 

[Geo]

Can someone explain to me how we were offering LM anything from 800k to 1.1 mil for 2020 when now its being reported we only have 600k in the kitty. The media just make things up.

See above Fox counter punched with 1mill..

 

[avocadoontoast]

Trade rumours hit overdrive as Andrew Fifita linked to Titans

Latrell Mitchell’s move to South Sydney could trigger a flurry of shock transfers as rumours emerged that Sharks prop Andrew Fifita could replace Jai Arrow on the Gold Coast this year.

Paul Crawley , The Daily Telegraph

Subscriber only
January 16, 2020 7:23am

Cronulla and Gold Coast have been forced to shut down the NRL’s latest potential player transfer bombshell, that star prop Andrew Fifita could be a possible contender to take Jai Arrow’s place at the Titans this year.

In the wake of Latrell Mitchell’s move to South Sydney in a summer of transfer twists and turns, the latest rumour emerged on Wednesday that the Sharks could be willing to release Fifita to ease their own salary cap pressure.

It was suggested this could ultimately open the door for Arrow to make the move to South Sydney for the start of the 2020 season.

Cronulla aren’t letting Fifita go. For now. Photo: Richard Dobson
Cronulla aren’t letting Fifita go. For now. Photo: Richard Dobson

It came as speculation intensified that a devastated Adam Doueihi was likely to end up at Wests Tigers following Mitchell’s arrival at Souths, while Melbourne flyer Josh Addo-Carr is now being linked to the Sydney Roosters in the wake of Mitchell’s exit.

It is understood Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett has told Doueihi that while he doesn’t want to lose him, he told the talented youngster it would be in his best interests to go now so he can cement an NRL starting spot at the Tigers this year.

The trouble is the Tigers want the Bunnies to help out with some of Doueihi’s reported $500,000 salary but at this point Souths won’t so much as entertain an exit payout.

Adam Doueihi’s future appears away from South Sydney. Photo: Brett Costello
Adam Doueihi’s future appears away from South Sydney. Photo: Brett Costello

Meanwhile Cronulla coach John Morris was adamant Fifita was not for sale.

Morris explained that the Sharks were still searching for another front-rower to replace Matt Prior and losing Fifita would make no sense.

It is no secret the Sharks have some salary cap issues but Morris maintained “we are not pushing anyone out the door”.

Gold Coast head of culture and performance Mal Meninga was equally confused where the talk initiated.

In past years this sort of rumour could be ignored but in the current climate even Meninga conceded “where there is smoke there is usually fire”.

“But that’s a new one for me,” Meninga said. “It’s a beauty but no, we are staying with Jai for 2020. There are no advancements at all to be honest with you.”

Jai Arrow’s immediate future could start the dominoes. Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
Jai Arrow’s immediate future could start the dominoes. Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Meninga praised Fifita as a footballer and said he had been impressed in how he had developed into a leader. But he still maintained that did not mean Fifita was on the Titans’ radar.

Meninga said he would continue communications with South Sydney football boss Shane Richardson but at this stage there was nothing to suggest Arrow would not see out the final year of his Titans contract.

The Rabbitohs are desperate to make the switch with Arrow happen sooner rather than later after losing Sam Burgess and John Sutton to retirement.

After signing Mitchell the Bunnies now have a squad that is close to challenging the Roosters for premiership favouritism but they really need another top class middle forward to try and fill Sam Burgess’ enormous boots.

Tino Fa'Asuamaleaui could quit Melbourne early. Photo: Robb Cox NRL Photos
Tino Fa’Asuamaleaui could quit Melbourne early. Photo: Robb Cox NRL Photos

The other possible scenario would be if Melbourne granted young sensation Tino Fa’asuamaleaui an early release to Gold Coast.

At this point the Storm are playing hardball and are not prepared to release Fa’asuamaleaui from the final year of his current contract, although if it happens that could potentially set off a chain reaction of player swaps at rival clubs.

What no one would dispute is that there is a stack of changes still to come before the season kicks off.

Doueihi is the most likely Rabbitoh to leave Redfern in the wake of Mitchell’s arrival.

Doueihi is understandably shattered that he has had his dream of owning the Rabbitohs’ No.1 jumper crushed at this late stage of the preseason, especially after Bennett had virtually assured him first crack at the fullback job this year before Mitchell became a viable option.

Bennett is building an enviable roster at Redfern. Photo: Mark Evans/Getty Images
Bennett is building an enviable roster at Redfern. Photo: Mark Evans/Getty Images

Bennett has apparently told Doueihi he had to make a similar tough call letting Arrow go from Brisbane a few years back but the young prop rose to the challenge by becoming one of the game’s highest paid forwards, but right now that is little comfort to Doueihi.

While the Tigers want the Rabbitohs to assist with Doueihi’s salary for 2020, the Rabbitohs are not willing to consider paying the Tigers any money. Souths maintain they have available salary cap space to keep Doueihi this season regardless.

Doueihi would be an easy fit at the Tigers given he played junior reps at the club and still lives close by with his parents at Strathfield, which is why he doesn’t want to move out of Sydney.

There is also talk Addo-Carr could still end up in Sydney this year and possibly playing at the Roosters despite the fact the Storm have said previously they would not release the star winger for 2020.

 

[Telltails]

No one knows what anyone is getting paid and therein lies the problem with the system.

 

[tiger05premier]

So much for us being the preferred destination for JAC.

Did anyone really know that for a fact or was it just a guess because he was a club junior?

A mod said he knew it as a fact.

Willow said it


Apparently the Dogs have offered him a Motza. You can’t hold Willow to that unfortunate change in circumstances.

I'd rather see him at rorters than dog's

And no I'm not holding willow to anything

Respect him very much

You can only post what you hear and he doesn't come on here to stir things up

I was just stating that he reported WT as JAC preferred destination so there probably is still some hope


Hey, no problem. I realise that 99% of posts here are opinion. I think what’s going wrong for us is that players have this perception we are desperate and as such are only prepared to move for a significant pay rise. I think we reinforced that view with our handling of the Mitchell negotiations.
More recently Pascoe has affirmed that’s the case by trying to turn it around by giving the media “we won’t pay overs”. IMO

It will take time but Madge will fix this place

I think we will all be surprised as the year progresses at how well we are improving

I just hope it equates to wins and not lots of close losses

 

[Tigerboy]

Can someone explain to me how we were offering LM anything from 800k to 1.1 mil for 2020 when now its being reported we only have 600k in the kitty. The media just make things up.

I’d say they can clearly see how tightly run this ship is now, and can only try to derail us.

IF JAC is moving this year - it is to WT. Dogs cannot and will not be considered next to an *official* offer from us - which hasn’t happened yet - and it shows just how far we’ve progressed... nobody really knows until a signing’s made, but JAC + Doueihi > L.M + Johnston. 650-700k for Josh and round it to $1 million for both when the Bunnies start to play ball. Dominoes to fall so watch this space!

 

[avocadoontoast]

Can someone explain to me how we were offering LM anything from 800k to 1.1 mil for 2020 when now its being reported we only have 600k in the kitty. The media just make things up.

I’d say they can clearly see how tightly run this ship is now, and can only try to derail us.

IF JAC is moving this year - it is to WT. Dogs cannot and will not be considered next to an *official* offer from us - which hasn’t happened yet - and it shows just how far we’ve progressed... nobody really knows until a signing’s made, but JAC + Doueihi L.M + Johnston. 650-700k for Josh and round it to $1 million for both when the Bunnies start to play ball. Dominoes to fall so watch this space!

I'd even take Doueihi and Johnston...Johnston is a really good winger imo.

 

[Deleted member 3518]

Latrell Mitchell’s South Sydney switch set to force young gun Adam Doueihi out of Redfen
NRL PREMIERSHIP
January 16, 2020 7:27am
by STAFF WRITERS
Source: FOX SPORTS

Latrell Mitchell’s arrival at Redfern is reportedly set to force talented youngster Adam Doueihi out of the club. The Sydney Morning Herald reports coach Wayne Bennett told the 21-year-old on Wednesday that he was free to negotiate with rival clubs despite having two years to run on his contract.

It is understood Bennett thinks highly of Doueihi but will not stand in his way should he seek an early release. Doueihi finished the 2019 season as Souths’ starting fullback having claimed the No.1 jersey from Alex Johnston in Round 17. But with Mitchell almost certain to take over the fullback duties, Doueihi would be battling with James Roberts, Dane Gagai and Johnston, Campbell Graham and Braidon Burns for starting spots in a jam-packed Rabbitohs backline.

A move to the Wests Tigers could be on the cards with Michael Maguire flushed with up to a million dollar to spend.The Tigers missed out on Mitchell and are in the market for a new fullback. However, they have reportedly been put off by Doueihi’s $500,000 price tag.

Souths do not need to offload players to be salary-cap compliant and would be unwilling to absorb any of his wages for a rival club.The Tigers currently have 27 spots filled in their NRL top 30 and will need to sign or promote two more players by March 1.They will likely keep one spot open until the June 30 deadline, when the market traditionally balloons with agitated players.

The wait-and-see strategy highlights a reluctance from the club to repeat past mistakes of hastily signing players on long-term deals. They have also been linked to their former winger Josh Addo-Carr.

This article was totally released by Souths . It’s to play games , so they don’t have to pay for a player to leave. I’m assuming they need douehi to leave to free up the money to bring in Arrow . This is why he all of a sudden is on 500k.
I’m not sure it’s salary cap related ie. they’re tight. I think it’s so they can bull crap thier way into arrow .