Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[gallagher]

About time someone from the club spoke up, rather convenient our sponsor also sponsors the blues. Freddy might be a little uncomfortable now, and I hope the hell he is, idiot keeps taking pot shots at the club, people in glass houses Freddy old mate

I'm gonna guess that Freddy probably doesn't give a toss. Getting sponsors for NSW Origin isn't like getting sponsors for Cronulla or Bulldogs, they are lining up.

I think some of us fans just want to see some fight in the club, parra took our players then refused to release one back to us, I don’t have to go over all the other times we’ve been treated like a door mat, it’s refreshing to see the club say “don’t push us around”, I hope they keep challenging it.

There are counter-arguments.

One argument is that, in engaging with Fittler via media, Tigers have now confirmed that his comments are causing drama (aka "hitting the mark"). So Fittler is, in many ways, incentivised to dig at the Tigers again, because he's in the media and it will generate content.

Second argument is that posturing in the media is next to pointless. IIRC Tigers postured about Ryan Matterson's release as well, to basically no effect.

I'm glad you are heartened to hear Tigers are upset and they've got Lee to have some words, but that is about as effective as "having a chat with the referee's boss". Fittler isn't beholden to the Tigers, nor does he have any authority or influence over what Tigers do as an organisation.

It's the off-field activity that matters - the club's decisions and match results - not the exchange of words between an organisation and a media pundit.

To be clear however, I'm not against Tigers speaking out in the media, I just don't think it has any more weight than the original comments from Freddy. Fine, he thinks Tigers made a mistake; being frank we did make a mistake, but it was a complicated situation and ultimately it was the player's decision not the club's. It was quite a while ago now; Tigers really need to have moved on and not be suckered back into public debate by paid-for-comment morons.

If it was all just factual reports I’d agree to leave it alone but it’s relentless to the point of bullying. I was taught you gotta stick up for yourself when you’re being treated unfairly.

Where’s the story about Manly and Gutho? Sharks and Addo-Carr? Bulldogs and Finucane? Dragons and Cook, and so on and so forth. There is an agenda against WT which is damaging the brand and it needs to be addressed.

All those clubs have made the semis in recent times and have had origin reps at the club.
We've had a diabolical roster for years now and the media are only reporting on that, there's no agenda.

 

[Lauren]

Usually have no real issue with anyone's standpoint on our recruitment or retention flaws, however Fittler is the NSW Origin coach and any talk surrounding it should be restricted to the Blues team and not belittling a club.
The harm to our brand may be self-inflicted and there's accuracy in his comments but it's disappointing to hear him take potshots at the WT. These type of comments from someone of influence have potential to cause further damage - stakeholders/shareholders/sponsors.
You'd think there'd be a level of professionalism maintained from someone so high up in NRL circles.

 

[gallagher]

Usually have no real issue with anyone's standpoint on our recruitment or retention flaws, however Fittler is the NSW Origin coach and any talk surrounding it should be restricted to the Blues team and not belittling a club.
The harm to our brand may be self-inflicted and there's accuracy in his comments but it's disappointing to hear him take potshots at the WT. These type of comments from someone of influence have potential to cause further damage - stakeholders/shareholders/sponsors.
You'd think there'd be a level of professionalism maintained from someone so high up in NRL circles.

I'd agree if he was NRL management but he's just a ch9 commentator and a rep coach. I think his accurate words have cut a little too close to the bone for the chairman. He can't change Fittler but he can change our clubs performances and should concentrate on that.

 

[tigerap]

Madge extended till end 2023

 

[pawsandclaws1]

DWZ/Allen for mine are panic buys that don’t greatly improve our spine. Would rather wait till better becomes available or work with cheap youth

I’d take DWZ for a wing spot or centre . Especially if it’s for around 400k.

Too slow. Why oh why when we have money do our supporters want to fritter it away on useless mouths.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Usually have no real issue with anyone's standpoint on our recruitment or retention flaws, however Fittler is the NSW Origin coach and any talk surrounding it should be restricted to the Blues team and not belittling a club.
The harm to our brand may be self-inflicted and there's accuracy in his comments but it's disappointing to hear him take potshots at the WT. These type of comments from someone of influence have potential to cause further damage - stakeholders/shareholders/sponsors.
You'd think there'd be a level of professionalism maintained from someone so high up in NRL circles.

I agree with what you have written Lauren. Fittler should have been across his brief insofar as it relates to his position. Being Blues coach provides him access to players and confidential information concerning clubs/players. This could be used to undermine a club's standing or capacity to improve its roster and or sponsorship if used incorrectly. I'm sure the Roosters would not put up with it. I'm sure also Fittler wouldn't cross that line with the Roosters.

 

[Deleted member 3518]

DWZ/Allen for mine are panic buys that don’t greatly improve our spine. Would rather wait till better becomes available or work with cheap youth

I’d take DWZ for a wing spot or centre . Especially if it’s for around 400k.

Too slow. Why oh why when we have money do our supporters want to fritter it away on useless mouths.

No he isn’t . His speed is fine , he’s just not JAC or Paps fast .
And he doesn’t have to be . He’s a good footy player , who has spent most of his career regarded as being dynamic and potentially elite. This year not so much , but it’s revisionist history to concentrate on the most recent year in a career . Especially when the person your talking about is in thier early 20s.

Like I said , if it’s a 400k signing , I’m ok with . That’s 65k above the median player salary of 335k. If it’s 800k , yea let’s move on. Like I said this is with the idea we still get JAC. Our forwards struggled this year for various reasons , one of which being having to get back and take tough hitups off Our 20m line , due to the lack of punch from the back 3 . This got better around mid season , but we were fielding players like Clarke at that time , so it was tough going

 

[pawsandclaws1]

DWZ/Allen for mine are panic buys that don’t greatly improve our spine. Would rather wait till better becomes available or work with cheap youth

I’d take DWZ for a wing spot or centre . Especially if it’s for around 400k.

Too slow. Why oh why when we have money do our supporters want to fritter it away on useless mouths.

No he isn’t . His speed is fine , he’s just not JAC or Paps fast .
And he doesn’t have to be . He’s a good footy player , who has spent most of his career regarded as being dynamic and potentially elite. This year not so much , but it’s revisionist history to concentrate on the most recent year in a career . Especially when the person your talking about is in thier early 20s.

Like I said , if it’s a 400k signing , I’m ok with . That’s 65k above the median player salary of 335k. If it’s 800k , yea let’s move on. Like I said this is with the idea we still get JAC. Our forwards struggled this year for various reasons , one of which being having to get back and take tough hitups off Our 20m line , due to the lack of punch from the back 3 . This got better around mid season , but we were fielding players like Clarke at that time , so it was tough going

He's not what we need, certainly no speedster. He has been moved on from two clubs. Take the hint. We have to do far better than him or we'll be in the same position for years to come.

 

[The_Patriot]

**Usually have no real issue with anyone's standpoint on our recruitment or retention flaws, however Fittler is the NSW Origin coach and any talk surrounding it should be restricted to the Blues team and not belittling a club.**

100% agree with this. Really is unprofessional and not needed by a man in his position.

Am i surprised, absolutely not! His ego is cashing cheques his intelligence cant handle.

 

[mike]

**Usually have no real issue with anyone's standpoint on our recruitment or retention flaws, however Fittler is the NSW Origin coach and any talk surrounding it should be restricted to the Blues team and not belittling a club.**

100% agree with this. Really is unprofessional and not needed by a man in his position.

Am i surprised, absolutely not! His ego is cashing cheques his intelligence cant handle.

What’s a cheque? I literally haven’t seen one for at least two decades. Do they even exist anymore?

 

[Deleted member 3518]

DWZ/Allen for mine are panic buys that don’t greatly improve our spine. Would rather wait till better becomes available or work with cheap youth

I’d take DWZ for a wing spot or centre . Especially if it’s for around 400k.

Too slow. Why oh why when we have money do our supporters want to fritter it away on useless mouths.

No he isn’t . His speed is fine , he’s just not JAC or Paps fast .
And he doesn’t have to be . He’s a good footy player , who has spent most of his career regarded as being dynamic and potentially elite. This year not so much , but it’s revisionist history to concentrate on the most recent year in a career . Especially when the person your talking about is in thier early 20s.

Like I said , if it’s a 400k signing , I’m ok with . That’s 65k above the median player salary of 335k. If it’s 800k , yea let’s move on. Like I said this is with the idea we still get JAC. Our forwards struggled this year for various reasons , one of which being having to get back and take tough hitups off Our 20m line , due to the lack of punch from the back 3 . This got better around mid season , but we were fielding players like Clarke at that time , so it was tough going

He's not what we need, certainly no speedster. He has been moved on from two clubs. Take the hint. We have to do far better than him or we'll be in the same position for years to come.

Walker didn’t play until he was 26 , was moved on by multiple clubs. Todd Payten was moved on by multiple clubs . Many players are . If a player helps us win then I don’t care . I’m not saying either way is right , but rather , i won’t be saying things like “he’s too slow “ when he’s clearly not

 

[momo_amp_medo]

Madge extended till end 2023

Great result.

 

[Telltails]

I wonder if the WTs intend to inquire about Teddy.They should at the very least pick up the phone. Find it very interesting that the Roosters seem far more interested in focussing on Sualli.

 

[Elderslie_Tiger]

BELIEVE IT OR NOT
if this is true there needs to be an INVESTIGATION
James Roberts set to depart Souths and walk away from contract without a club for 2021
James Roberts looks to have played his last Souths game
James Roberts looks to have played his last Souths game
James Roberts’ time at South Sydney is set to come to end next week, with the centre expected to walk away from the last year of a lucrative contract.

There has been speculation that Roberts, 27, would quit his $550,000-a-year Rabbitohs deal for a number of months.

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The centre has struggled for form since switching from the Broncos midway through the 2019 season, with a pectoral injury and a stint in a mental health facility preventing him from getting on the field.

That talk intensified in recent weeks with the Bunnies re-signing Alex Johnston and offering deals to Taane Milne and Tautau Moga.



They also have Campbell Graham, Dane Gagai, Braidon Burns, Steven Marsters and Latrell Mitchell on long-term deals and have also been linked to Josh Addo-Carr.

Roberts, who last played for NSW in 2018, has a longstanding relationship with Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett.





But that partnership looks set to come to and end this week when Souths name their squad for the 2021 season, The Daily Telegraphreports.

Roberts reunited with Bennett after falling out with Anthony Seibold, the now-departed Broncos coach.


Roberts has previously been at Penrith, the Gold Coast and Brisbane.

Corey Allen has also been told he is free to seek a release from the Bunnies.

CLUBS WHO COULD BE IN THE MARKET FOR A CENTRE

BULLDOGS

Have signed Nick Cotric from Canberra to play centre, but his form at the back end of the year showed just how devastating a winger he has become. Have seen Tim Lafai and Kerrod Holland depart. Local young gun Jake Averillo has just agreed to a new contract.

DRAGONS

Farewelled Tim Lafai and Euan Aitken this season. Have Feagai twins Max and Mat sitting behind Zac Lomax and Brayden Williame, but did go hard to sign Manly’s Moses Suli, offering him a $2m deal over three years.

KNIGHTS

Bradman Best is the Knights’ bright hope for the future in the backline. Have Hymel Hunt and Enari Tuala coming off this contract this year. Both could be moved on if Newcastle needed to make room.

EELS

Have signed Tom Opacic, but also released Brad Takairangi. Michael Jennings’ future is under a cloud due to a positive drugs test, while there are question marks over Waqa Blake’s defence.

STORM

It sounds ridiculous given they just won the grand final, but the exit of Suliasi Vunivalu (Super Rugby) and Josh Addo-Carr’s return to Sydney could see Brenko Lee shift to the wing. Marion Seve is coming back from an ACL and loanee Paul Momirovski is returning to the Tigers. That could the door for Roberts to head to Melbourne, should they fancy him. If there’s any coach that can unlock Roberts’ potential on a consistent basis, Craig Bellamy
is the one.

 

[Russell]

DWZ/Allen for mine are panic buys that don’t greatly improve our spine. Would rather wait till better becomes available or work with cheap youth

I’d take DWZ for a wing spot or centre . Especially if it’s for around 400k.

I'd take him for 4k - to sweep up the floors in the new gym of the COE when its finished.

 

[Thaiger]

Great news - 2 young gun players. Both are rated highly - Kei in particular is a beast.

Well done Warren McDonald.

https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2020/10/31/two-players-added-to-2021-development-squad/

 

[Russell]

About time someone from the club spoke up, rather convenient our sponsor also sponsors the blues. Freddy might be a little uncomfortable now, and I hope the hell he is, idiot keeps taking pot shots at the club, people in glass houses Freddy old mate

I'm gonna guess that Freddy probably doesn't give a toss. Getting sponsors for NSW Origin isn't like getting sponsors for Cronulla or Bulldogs, they are lining up.

I think some of us fans just want to see some fight in the club, parra took our players then refused to release one back to us, I don’t have to go over all the other times we’ve been treated like a door mat, it’s refreshing to see the club say “don’t push us around”, I hope they keep challenging it.

There are counter-arguments.

One argument is that, in engaging with Fittler via media, Tigers have now confirmed that his comments are causing drama (aka "hitting the mark"). So Fittler is, in many ways, incentivised to dig at the Tigers again, because he's in the media and it will generate content.

Second argument is that posturing in the media is next to pointless. IIRC Tigers postured about Ryan Matterson's release as well, to basically no effect.

I'm glad you are heartened to hear Tigers are upset and they've got Lee to have some words, but that is about as effective as "having a chat with the referee's boss". Fittler isn't beholden to the Tigers, nor does he have any authority or influence over what Tigers do as an organisation.

It's the off-field activity that matters - the club's decisions and match results - not the exchange of words between an organisation and a media pundit.

To be clear however, I'm not against Tigers speaking out in the media, I just don't think it has any more weight than the original comments from Freddy. Fine, he thinks Tigers made a mistake; being frank we did make a mistake, but it was a complicated situation and ultimately it was the player's decision not the club's. It was quite a while ago now; Tigers really need to have moved on and not be suckered back into public debate by paid-for-comment morons.

If it was all just factual reports I’d agree to leave it alone but it’s relentless to the point of bullying. I was taught you gotta stick up for yourself when you’re being treated unfairly.

Where’s the story about Manly and Gutho? Sharks and Addo-Carr? Bulldogs and Finucane? Dragons and Cook, and so on and so forth. There is an agenda against WT which is damaging the brand and it needs to be addressed.

All those clubs have made the semis in recent times and have had origin reps at the club.
We've had a diabolical roster for years now and the media are only reporting on that, there's no agenda.

Not talking about us....

We are talking about fairness and evenness.

Where are the stories about the others and add Keary from Souffs?

 

[Russell]

Usually have no real issue with anyone's standpoint on our recruitment or retention flaws, however Fittler is the NSW Origin coach and any talk surrounding it should be restricted to the Blues team and not belittling a club.
The harm to our brand may be self-inflicted and there's accuracy in his comments but it's disappointing to hear him take potshots at the WT. These type of comments from someone of influence have potential to cause further damage - stakeholders/shareholders/sponsors.
You'd think there'd be a level of professionalism maintained from someone so high up in NRL circles.

I agree with what you have written Lauren. Fittler should have been across his brief insofar as it relates to his position. Being Blues coach provides him access to players and confidential information concerning clubs/players. This could be used to undermine a club's standing or capacity to improve its roster and or sponsorship if used incorrectly. I'm sure the Roosters would not put up with it. I'm sure also Fittler wouldn't cross that line with the Roosters.

I think being a media commentator and the Blues coach has now seen a conflict of interest - maybe if he can't do both jobs successfully he should stand down from one of them - your choice Tiger hater.

 

[Tweed_Tiger]

@MichaelChammas
·
26s
BREAKING: Penrith cult hero Josh Mansour appears to have played his final game for his beloved Panthers after being told he would not start next season in first grade.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Great news - 2 young gun players. Both are rated highly - Kei in particular is a beast.

Well done Warren McDonald.

https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2020/10/31/two-players-added-to-2021-development-squad/

Thaiger, do you have any news on young players we have recruited?

The Balmain SG Ball team have a couple of likely prospects. I posted a couple of links. The young centre from Sawtell looks a real gem, being very quick and runs it hard. His name is Malakhi Donovan. I recall Donovan being a famous footballing family on the North Coast.