Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Tiger_Steve]

From The Daily Telegraph

James Roberts is preparing to take a near $400,000 pay cut to rekindle his NRL career after a secret meeting with the Wests Tigers.

The Tigers are unlikely to pursue the man known as ‘Jimmy the Jet’, despite the former NSW centre’s asking price dipping below that of some rookie players.

Once able to command about $550,000 on the open market, Roberts is prepared to accept around $130,000 to show he can still be a first grade player.

Tigers boss Justin Pascoe, head of football Adam Hartigan and Roberts met at an inner-west cafe on Thursday morning. Roberts was joined by his manager Warwick Wright.

Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis said the meeting, which took place before the club was officially told that premier target Josh Addo-Carr would remain in Melbourne, was more about checking in on Roberts’ welfare.

“Justin has a history with James from their Penrith days,” Hagipantelis said. “They reached out to see how he was, where he is at and what his thoughts are his own future. There was nothing more concrete then that.

“He has had a difficult year. There was no discussions of contracts or money.”

Of greater concern for the Tigers though is ensuring prop Josh Aloiai, who has emerged as a potential replacement for representative prop Addin Fonua-Blake at Manly, remains at the club.

Aloiai is in in-depth discussions with the Sea Eagles about joining the club from 2022 with the door ajar for the Samoan representative to sign with the club as early as next season, if he can secure a release from the Tigers.

Aloiai, who celebrated his 25th birthday on Wednesday, is off-contract at the end of 2021 but is now free to negotiate with rival clubs for 2022.

Earlier this month, South Sydney released Roberts from the final year of his contract on compassionate grounds.

Roberts, 27, hasn’t played since suffering a pectoral injury earlier in the season.

He also checked himself into a mental health facility this year to help with personal issues reportedly related to anxiety and depression.

It is understood Newcastle and Canterbury are two clubs not entertaining signing the former NSW Origin representative.

The Tigers are expected to turn their attention to Penrith’s Josh Mansour, who is chasing a three-year deal after being told he was no longer wanted at the Panthers.

The Tigers have been active in the player transfer market, also meeting with Josh Addo-Carr’s agent Mario Tartak on Thursday, suffering another blow as the NSW Origin winger Josh Addo-Carr decided to remain at Melbourne next season.

Despite actively seeking a release from the final year of his Storm deal to return home to Sydney on compassionate grounds, and signing a heads of agreement to join the Tigers if he were to leave the Storm in 2021, Melbourne officials informed the Tigers on Thursday that Addo-Carr’s request to switch clubs would not be granted.

So at the meeting we’re Robert’s, his manager, Hartigan and Pascoe and they’re just checking in on his welfare! That comment could only be said with a straight face by a lawyer lol

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Schuster would be a nice trade for Josh's early release. Saab for Garner.

 

[TigerVinnie]

Would take Roberts for $150k..

Mansour for 3 years is actually embarrassing. More media scrutiny coming our way....

 

[weststigerman]

I liked what AJ did this year, but he was very prone to mistakes i honestly think he is a year away.

That is normal from a young player. Let him make mistakes and learn in the NRL. What he demonstrated is the pace and finishing power that Nofoaluma, Mansour, and Leilua lack. Leilua was having meltdowns and everyone has him as a starter next year! I wouldn't feed him. Give me Kepaoa any day who will have a good crack.

Just checking, are you saying AJ is a better finisher than Nofa?

I wrote that Kepaoa finished tries that Nofoaluma and Mansour couldn't due to lack of pace.

Mansour yes, but I disagree on Nofa. I’d also add Nofa has finished tries that AJ couldn’t due to lack of catching ability.

 

[Telltails]

Isn't Burton's intention to join Barrett at the Bulldogs? After all the hooha about missing out on players why would the club go after a player who has made his preference known

 

[weststigerman]

3 years for Mansour is ridiculous. No more than 1 year IMO.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

I liked what AJ did this year, but he was very prone to mistakes i honestly think he is a year away.

That is normal from a young player. Let him make mistakes and learn in the NRL. What he demonstrated is the pace and finishing power that Nofoaluma, Mansour, and Leilua lack. Leilua was having meltdowns and everyone has him as a starter next year! I wouldn't feed him. Give me Kepaoa any day who will have a good crack.

Just checking, are you saying AJ is a better finisher than Nofa?

I wrote that Kepaoa finished tries that Nofoaluma and Mansour couldn't due to lack of pace.

Mansour yes, but I disagree on Nofa. I’d also add Nofa has finished tries that AJ couldn’t due to lack of catching ability.

Pigs fly as well. You should be a comedian.

 

[JC99]

Mansour wants 3 years, no way. I don’t want him at all but they shouldn’t give him more than 2 years. Maybe do a club option in the third year same as BJ and Tamou

if we sign him for 3 years we don't deserve to win anything.

Roberts at $130k is worth a punt.

If we don’t sign anyone else and the contract says he can’t get on the drink then sure but only as a last resort. Maybe a train and trial type deal could be arranged in the mean time

 

[weststigerman]

I liked what AJ did this year, but he was very prone to mistakes i honestly think he is a year away.

That is normal from a young player. Let him make mistakes and learn in the NRL. What he demonstrated is the pace and finishing power that Nofoaluma, Mansour, and Leilua lack. Leilua was having meltdowns and everyone has him as a starter next year! I wouldn't feed him. Give me Kepaoa any day who will have a good crack.

Just checking, are you saying AJ is a better finisher than Nofa?

I wrote that Kepaoa finished tries that Nofoaluma and Mansour couldn't due to lack of pace.

Mansour yes, but I disagree on Nofa. I’d also add Nofa has finished tries that AJ couldn’t due to lack of catching ability.

Pigs fly as well. You should be a comedian.

Go rewatch the last South’s game and you’ll see who cost us the match with the dropsies.

 

[JC99]

Mansour has asked for 3 years but Christian niclousi who has good WT mail seems to think they’re still deciding on how long a deal. Don’t see Madge giving him a guaranteed 3 years

 

[avocadoontoast]

Mansour wants 3 years, no way. I don’t want him at all but they shouldn’t give him more than 2 years. Maybe do a club option in the third year same as BJ and Tamou

if we sign him for 3 years we don't deserve to win anything.

Roberts at $130k is worth a punt.

If we don’t sign anyone else and the contract says he can’t get on the drink then sure but only as a last resort. Maybe a train and trial type deal could be arranged in the mean time

At $130k there's really no downside, and it's not like we have a great player that's going to miss out on a top 30 spot because of him. I'd rather him at $130k than BJ at $600k, that's for sure.

 

[JC99]

Mansour wants 3 years, no way. I don’t want him at all but they shouldn’t give him more than 2 years. Maybe do a club option in the third year same as BJ and Tamou

if we sign him for 3 years we don't deserve to win anything.

Roberts at $130k is worth a punt.

If we don’t sign anyone else and the contract says he can’t get on the drink then sure but only as a last resort. Maybe a train and trial type deal could be arranged in the mean time

At $130k there's really no downside, and it's not like we have a great player that's going to miss out on a top 30 spot because of him. I'd rather him at $130k than BJ at $600k, that's for sure.

The only downside would be he takes the spot if a talented rookie but as I said if there is no one to take that spot maybe give him a chance I don’t see him finding his fork again though

 

[gallagher]

From The Daily Telegraph

James Roberts is preparing to take a near $400,000 pay cut to rekindle his NRL career after a secret meeting with the Wests Tigers.

The Tigers are unlikely to pursue the man known as ‘Jimmy the Jet’, despite the former NSW centre’s asking price dipping below that of some rookie players.

Once able to command about $550,000 on the open market, Roberts is prepared to accept around $130,000 to show he can still be a first grade player.

Tigers boss Justin Pascoe, head of football Adam Hartigan and Roberts met at an inner-west cafe on Thursday morning. Roberts was joined by his manager Warwick Wright.

Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis said the meeting, which took place before the club was officially told that premier target Josh Addo-Carr would remain in Melbourne, was more about checking in on Roberts’ welfare.

“Justin has a history with James from their Penrith days,” Hagipantelis said. “They reached out to see how he was, where he is at and what his thoughts are his own future. There was nothing more concrete then that.

“He has had a difficult year. There was no discussions of contracts or money.”

Of greater concern for the Tigers though is ensuring prop Josh Aloiai, who has emerged as a potential replacement for representative prop Addin Fonua-Blake at Manly, remains at the club.

Aloiai is in in-depth discussions with the Sea Eagles about joining the club from 2022 with the door ajar for the Samoan representative to sign with the club as early as next season, if he can secure a release from the Tigers.

Aloiai, who celebrated his 25th birthday on Wednesday, is off-contract at the end of 2021 but is now free to negotiate with rival clubs for 2022.

Earlier this month, South Sydney released Roberts from the final year of his contract on compassionate grounds.

Roberts, 27, hasn’t played since suffering a pectoral injury earlier in the season.

He also checked himself into a mental health facility this year to help with personal issues reportedly related to anxiety and depression.

It is understood Newcastle and Canterbury are two clubs not entertaining signing the former NSW Origin representative.

The Tigers are expected to turn their attention to Penrith’s Josh Mansour, who is chasing a three-year deal after being told he was no longer wanted at the Panthers.

The Tigers have been active in the player transfer market, also meeting with Josh Addo-Carr’s agent Mario Tartak on Thursday, suffering another blow as the NSW Origin winger Josh Addo-Carr decided to remain at Melbourne next season.

Despite actively seeking a release from the final year of his Storm deal to return home to Sydney on compassionate grounds, and signing a heads of agreement to join the Tigers if he were to leave the Storm in 2021, Melbourne officials informed the Tigers on Thursday that Addo-Carr’s request to switch clubs would not be granted.

So at the meeting we’re Robert’s, his manager, Hartigan and Pascoe and they’re just checking in on his welfare! That comment could only be said with a straight face by a lawyer lol

They really do just treat us like morons.

 

[avocadoontoast]

Mansour wants 3 years, no way. I don’t want him at all but they shouldn’t give him more than 2 years. Maybe do a club option in the third year same as BJ and Tamou

if we sign him for 3 years we don't deserve to win anything.

Roberts at $130k is worth a punt.

If we don’t sign anyone else and the contract says he can’t get on the drink then sure but only as a last resort. Maybe a train and trial type deal could be arranged in the mean time

At $130k there's really no downside, and it's not like we have a great player that's going to miss out on a top 30 spot because of him. I'd rather him at $130k than BJ at $600k, that's for sure.

The only downside would be he takes the spot if a talented rookie but as I said if there is no one to take that spot maybe give him a chance I don’t see him finding his fork again though

Exactly, so there's really no downside. I'd rather have him in our top 30 than JR or Packer. We know they're a waste of a spot, with zero upside. At least he can play when he's on.

 

[JC99]

Mansour wants 3 years, no way. I don’t want him at all but they shouldn’t give him more than 2 years. Maybe do a club option in the third year same as BJ and Tamou

if we sign him for 3 years we don't deserve to win anything.

Roberts at $130k is worth a punt.

If we don’t sign anyone else and the contract says he can’t get on the drink then sure but only as a last resort. Maybe a train and trial type deal could be arranged in the mean time

At $130k there's really no downside, and it's not like we have a great player that's going to miss out on a top 30 spot because of him. I'd rather him at $130k than BJ at $600k, that's for sure.

The only downside would be he takes the spot if a talented rookie but as I said if there is no one to take that spot maybe give him a chance I don’t see him finding his fork again though

Exactly, so there's really no downside. I'd rather have him in our top 30 than JR or Packer. We know they're a waste of a spot, with zero upside. At least he can play when he's on.

Guess we’ll have to wait and see. As someone else mentioned, he was there with his manager meeting Pascoe AND hartigan, I feel like that’s a bit more than just checking on his welfare ?

 

[Telltails]

Geez Mansour is just more of the same mistakes - please NO NO NO.

 

[weststigerman]

Mansour wants 3 years, no way. I don’t want him at all but they shouldn’t give him more than 2 years. Maybe do a club option in the third year same as BJ and Tamou

if we sign him for 3 years we don't deserve to win anything.

Roberts at $130k is worth a punt.

If we don’t sign anyone else and the contract says he can’t get on the drink then sure but only as a last resort. Maybe a train and trial type deal could be arranged in the mean time

At $130k there's really no downside, and it's not like we have a great player that's going to miss out on a top 30 spot because of him. I'd rather him at $130k than BJ at $600k, that's for sure.

The only downside would be he takes the spot if a talented rookie but as I said if there is no one to take that spot maybe give him a chance I don’t see him finding his fork again though

Exactly, so there's really no downside. I'd rather have him in our top 30 than JR or Packer. We know they're a waste of a spot, with zero upside. At least he can play when he's on.

Guess we’ll have to wait and see. As someone else mentioned, he was there with his manager meeting Pascoe AND hartigan, I feel like that’s a bit more than just checking on his welfare ?

Was about to say that. Obviously they were discussing contract details.

On a related note, if you want to know what’s going on in sensitive contract negotiations, just call Lee and he’ll tell you.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

I liked what AJ did this year, but he was very prone to mistakes i honestly think he is a year away.

That is normal from a young player. Let him make mistakes and learn in the NRL. What he demonstrated is the pace and finishing power that Nofoaluma, Mansour, and Leilua lack. Leilua was having meltdowns and everyone has him as a starter next year! I wouldn't feed him. Give me Kepaoa any day who will have a good crack.

Just checking, are you saying AJ is a better finisher than Nofa?

I wrote that Kepaoa finished tries that Nofoaluma and Mansour couldn't due to lack of pace.

Mansour yes, but I disagree on Nofa. I’d also add Nofa has finished tries that AJ couldn’t due to lack of catching ability.

Pigs fly as well. You should be a comedian.

Go rewatch the last South’s game and you’ll see who cost us the match with the dropsies.

Young player and you expect mistakes, it is part of learning. But the pace, power, passing and strong one on one defence is there.

 

[Tigerbuck63]

I know Geo (or it may have been someone else) mentioned the statistical method Hartigan uses for recruitment targets, but in applying it to Mansour for example how exactly would it measure individual performance rather than due to team effort/momentum etc? He's coming from the Panthers.

I agree Roberts and Mansour would strengthen the team however feel it's Reynolds all over again - signing any player who wants to come here. Filling positions for the sake of it and they don't really increase our chances of a premiership(which is where our goal should be not just the 8th spot) and I'd actually prefer we build and save funds for 2022 anyway. That's obviously my opinion though.
They may very well help our chances of making the 8 but given the injury history of Roberts and Mansour being at the back end of his career, there's an all too familiar feeling as a supporter and I don't want us to not have any cap space when someone significant comes off contract...or even worse be stuck with players constantly injured and causing team reshuffling week in, week out.
Honestly just seems a little desperate to me and we've seemed niftier in our recent approach - Tamou, Kepaoa and JAC.

How many spots do we even have vacant?
Do we need to offload players to get them?
Dependent on the answers of these questions, it could be counterproductive to our short and mid-term plans. I don't want us to go through the next year working on combos when every team is getting better each week - that's dumb.

Have to agree both Mansour (If he is asking for 3 years knowing that Tamou only got 2 does not respect our club) just pass if that's the deal.
Roberts has speed but a basket case we already signed BJ last season and those players don't add value.

If we sign both these players it is sounding like we are desperate to just sign someone, terrible policy.
Agree keep $ extend current players contacts if they perform.

 

[jirskyr]

No harm in having some discussions with Roberts and Mansour and anyone else. Will wait to see if anything happens first, because in the past 2 years or so Tigers have hard-balled just about every deal we've done.

In 2020 we had to promote blokes like Hoffman and Kepaoa and Talau as soon as we got a first-choice injury. All very green footballers. I'm all for blooding juniors, but it's tough going if you have 2 or 3 dudes in your game-day backline with less than 10 games experience.

At least guys like Mansour and Roberts, at the right price, give backline depth options, experience, power and/or speed. E.g. Jimmy Jet, clearly has big issues, but we lack speed and he's probably the second fastest bloke in the comp, after missing out on the fastest.