Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[TigerWest]

Channel 9 putting 2 +2 together and coming up with Gareth Widdop to WTs

I think if the deal is OK (and I'm sure it will be) then he could be a good asset for us?

Doueihi is our 5/8.

But he isn't here for R1, if somebody, anybody kills it in the position in R11, I doubt they will be replaced next game, just because AD is back.

I like AD, he is pretty handy, they will find him a spot?

Widdop was very good years ago. We have other options for one game.

Not suggesting it would be Widdop, but think he may be handy if he came at the right deal.

WE have 3 spots to fill, got fill em with somebody?

Kei and Gebbie and possibly Tauilagi.

We have over a million bucks to spend on three spots and you want to sign three minimum wage rookies? I support our juniors as much as you but if we want to start winning games immediately then given the choice of Origin and rep players or unproven rookies we've got to opt for quality, or at the very least elite juniors like Suaalii level.

To attract players which will make a substantial difference to our squad, **we would be paying top dollar**. That is contingent upon these players being available, which I am not sure they are. What players do you have in mind? Spending large amounts on average or slightly higher level players seems not to be consistent with recent reforms to contract amounts within the squad.

I would argue Kei is an elite junior certainly highly regarded within our club. Gebbie, due to Covid and his nationality, has lacked for opportunity but not talent. The raw talent he has available to him and the natural toughness of the PNG people, makes him a dynamic prospect for WTs certainly offering speed and elusiveness our squad lacks.

I would also budget upon WTs retaining $ for fending off the inevitable offers for players such as Simpkin. We may need to upgrade his existing contract if he performs.

This would mean development spots are available for other players such as Rizk, Tannous or other juniors.

I don't think we pay overs anymore?

 

[sleeve]

Do we pay overs anymore? - Of course Easts do it,they all do it,it depends on the value the player brings to the side.If for instance Crichton,Staggs,Lui,Munster or other key players come on the market its worth going high if its critical to your side.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Channel 9 putting 2 +2 together and coming up with Gareth Widdop to WTs

I think if the deal is OK (and I'm sure it will be) then he could be a good asset for us?

Doueihi is our 5/8.

But he isn't here for R1, if somebody, anybody kills it in the position in R11, I doubt they will be replaced next game, just because AD is back.

I like AD, he is pretty handy, they will find him a spot?

Widdop was very good years ago. We have other options for one game.

Not suggesting it would be Widdop, but think he may be handy if he came at the right deal.

WE have 3 spots to fill, got fill em with somebody?

Kei and Gebbie and possibly Tauilagi.

We have over a million bucks to spend on three spots and you want to sign three minimum wage rookies? I support our juniors as much as you but if we want to start winning games immediately then given the choice of Origin and rep players or unproven rookies we've got to opt for quality, or at the very least elite juniors like Suaalii level.

To attract players which will make a substantial difference to our squad, **we would be paying top dollar**. That is contingent upon these players being available, which I am not sure they are. What players do you have in mind? Spending large amounts on average or slightly higher level players seems not to be consistent with recent reforms to contract amounts within the squad.

I would argue Kei is an elite junior certainly highly regarded within our club. Gebbie, due to Covid and his nationality, has lacked for opportunity but not talent. The raw talent he has available to him and the natural toughness of the PNG people, makes him a dynamic prospect for WTs certainly offering speed and elusiveness our squad lacks.

I would also budget upon WTs retaining $ for fending off the inevitable offers for players such as Simpkin. We may need to upgrade his existing contract if he performs.

This would mean development spots are available for other players such as Rizk, Tannous or other juniors.

I don't think we pay overs anymore?

To attract players of the quality BB mentions, you may have to pay a premium. A happy dressing room is a more equitable distribution of $. Promoting from within is mainly what the benchmark team does, the Storm. It creates competition and improves morale among our young up and comers. If you were Kei on a minimum contract how would you feel about Joey Leilua? This is the type of situation WTs must end.

 

[avocadoontoast]

Didn't we just get rid of an injury plagued old 5/8...

We did. Once again people wanting to replace one rustbucket with another when they have the money for something with a good donk and a scratch or two.

As a backup for $200k, it makes sense (provided Laurie doesn’t come). Covers 1,6,7 and is a great kicker. At the moment our back ups are Walters who is injured (and nowhere near Widdop skill wise) and Madden and Talau who have never played first grade.

1 year deal, low risk.

 

[Deleted member 3518]

I’m glad the club doesn’t read this forum , because it’s like a lot of you think it’s 2016.
Widdop is done , Doueihi and for that matter Mbye , are much better than him . He’s injury prone , slow , and well on the wrong side of 30. His form in the UK is meh , at best . I watched plenty of games this year with him in it , and if he can’t shine in that comp , he’s doing nothing here .
We need a fullback and a backrower. Laurie and Sorensen , would be great . We should look to front load contracts from next year into this . But don’t do it until June 30 , as I’m sure someone amazing will become available . Signing Gareth Widdop is crazy talk . Honestly , we are better off getting benji back , to run the CC cup team .-
Not that I think that’s a good idea either .

 

[Elderslie_Tiger]

WHO ARE WE CHASING ?????

This came off NRL.COM

His departure frees up the best part of $500,000 in the Tigers salary cap after he was unsuccessfully shopped to NRL rivals last season.

Having already had a six-figure sum to play with for the coming season, Reynolds's early release has the Tigers well placed to target a big-name signing.

At this stage club officials have indicated to NRL.com that former Dragons captain Gareth Widdop is not on the joint-venture's radar, with an outside back their priority.

STAGGS PLEASE

 

[pawsandclaws1]

WHO ARE WE CHASING ?????

This came off NRL.COM

His departure frees up the best part of $500,000 in the Tigers salary cap after he was unsuccessfully shopped to NRL rivals last season.

Having already had a six-figure sum to play with for the coming season, Reynolds's early release has the Tigers well placed to target a big-name signing.

At this stage club officials have indicated to NRL.com that former Dragons captain Gareth Widdop is not on the joint-venture's radar, with an outside back their priority.

STAGGS PLEASE

Thanks. I just sighed in relief. My mate rang me to say Widdop is looking for a retirement cheque and hoped WTs are now a much more discerning club in terms if recruitment.

 

[jadtiger]

I’m glad the club doesn’t read this forum , because it’s like a lot of you think it’s 2016.
Widdop is done , Doueihi and for that matter Mbye , are much better than him . He’s injury prone , slow , and well on the wrong side of 30. His form in the UK is meh , at best . I watched plenty of games this year with him in it , and if he can’t shine in that comp , he’s doing nothing here .
We need a fullback and a backrower. Laurie and Sorensen , would be great . We should look to front load contracts from next year into this . But don’t do it until June 30 , as I’m sure someone amazing will become available . Signing Gareth Widdop is crazy talk . Honestly , we are better off getting benji back , to run the CC cup team .-
Not that I think that’s a good idea either .

Completely agree with all of that.Widdop has been very ordinary in the UK and wasnt going well for the dragons when he left.Avoid him like Typhoid Mary

 

[avocadoontoast]

I’m glad the club doesn’t read this forum , because it’s like a lot of you think it’s 2016.
Widdop is done , Doueihi and for that matter Mbye , are much better than him . He’s injury prone , slow , and well on the wrong side of 30. His form in the UK is meh , at best . I watched plenty of games this year with him in it , and if he can’t shine in that comp , he’s doing nothing here .
We need a fullback and a backrower. Laurie and Sorensen , would be great . We should look to front load contracts from next year into this . But don’t do it until June 30 , as I’m sure someone amazing will become available . Signing Gareth Widdop is crazy talk . Honestly , we are better off getting benji back , to run the CC cup team .-
Not that I think that’s a good idea either .



Completely agree with all of that.Widdop has been very ordinary in the UK and wasnt going well for the dragons when he left.Avoid him like Typhoid Mary

In fairness he missed pretty much the whole season before he left.

 

[Geo]

I’m glad the club doesn’t read this forum , because it’s like a lot of you think it’s 2016.
Widdop is done , Doueihi and for that matter Mbye , are much better than him . He’s injury prone , slow , and well on the wrong side of 30. His form in the UK is meh , at best . I watched plenty of games this year with him in it , and if he can’t shine in that comp , he’s doing nothing here .
We need a fullback and a backrower. Laurie and Sorensen , would be great . We should look to front load contracts from next year into this . But don’t do it until June 30 , as I’m sure someone amazing will become available . Signing Gareth Widdop is crazy talk . Honestly , we are better off getting benji back , to run the CC cup team .-
Not that I think that’s a good idea either .



Completely agree with all of that.Widdop has been very ordinary in the UK and wasnt going well for the dragons when he left.Avoid him like Typhoid Mary

In fairness he missed pretty much the whole season before he left.

And more than half the current SL season since due to injury on the soft fields of the OLD DART..

 

[avocadoontoast]

I’m glad the club doesn’t read this forum , because it’s like a lot of you think it’s 2016.
Widdop is done , Doueihi and for that matter Mbye , are much better than him . He’s injury prone , slow , and well on the wrong side of 30. His form in the UK is meh , at best . I watched plenty of games this year with him in it , and if he can’t shine in that comp , he’s doing nothing here .
We need a fullback and a backrower. Laurie and Sorensen , would be great . We should look to front load contracts from next year into this . But don’t do it until June 30 , as I’m sure someone amazing will become available . Signing Gareth Widdop is crazy talk . Honestly , we are better off getting benji back , to run the CC cup team .-
Not that I think that’s a good idea either .



Completely agree with all of that.Widdop has been very ordinary in the UK and wasnt going well for the dragons when he left.Avoid him like Typhoid Mary

In fairness he missed pretty much the whole season before he left.

And more than half the current SL season since due to injury on the soft fields of the OLD DART..

True. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not pushing for us to sign him, but for $200k and 1 year there are worse options. It’s a stop gap.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

So confused, are people on here talking about another Liddle ? Surely can’t be talking about the one that’s barely played 10 games in the last 3 seasons. To suggest we’re ok at hooker is ludicrous when our options are glass for knees Liddle, Simpkin who’s yet to play an NRL game (do have high hopes for him) and lastly Mbye and that speaks for itself. Give the cheese what he wants

exactlyvwe have Soggy Sao in Liddle or unproven Simpkin who may well be a gun
Would prefer we keep Simpkin as back up as he has potential but if we end up with Liddle then so be it. Either can come on at hooker as Brandon Smith goes to lock.

Do not lose this chance Tigers

 

[AJ1]

For me, not signing Widdop will give a massive indication the club has turned the corner and we are no longer the retirement home for busted players.
Serves him right too considering he was never interested in us when he was at his peak, despite our attempts to recruit him.

 

[diedpretty]

Brandon Smith will be granted an early release if melbourne can get a replacement they want. His manager has contacted 14 clubs including WT. Only wants to play DH unfortunately. He would be outstanding at number 13 for us.

 

[JC99]


 

[JC99]

Replacing Reynolds with Widdop is a very sideways move, they’re virtually the same player, injury issues at the back end of their careers. The only difference is Widdop is cheaper

 

[Spud_Murphy]

So confused, are people on here talking about another Liddle ? Surely can’t be talking about the one that’s barely played 10 games in the last 3 seasons. To suggest we’re ok at hooker is ludicrous when our options are glass for knees Liddle, Simpkin who’s yet to play an NRL game (do have high hopes for him) and lastly Mbye and that speaks for itself. Give the cheese what he wants

exactlyvwe have Soggy Sao in Liddle or unproven Simpkin who may well be a gun
Would prefer we keep Simpkin as back up as he has potential but if we end up with Liddle then so be it. Either can come on at hooker as Brandon Smith goes to lock.

Do not lose this chance Tigers

With 14 clubs possibly interested do you honestly think we are any chance of signing a player like Brandon Smith?

 

[Moh]

So confused, are people on here talking about another Liddle ? Surely can’t be talking about the one that’s barely played 10 games in the last 3 seasons. To suggest we’re ok at hooker is ludicrous when our options are glass for knees Liddle, Simpkin who’s yet to play an NRL game (do have high hopes for him) and lastly Mbye and that speaks for itself. Give the cheese what he wants

If Liddle can stay on the field, he will be a very good hooker. Someone we can use until Simpkin does a Harry Grant.

If we go for Brandon, Simpkin could become impatient.

It's not that Brandon isn't a better player, it's just we're banking on a long-term investment.

Also - I actually think Brandon is better at 13, and would love him there for us. Surprised he sees himself as a hooker only.

 

[Telltails]

TIGERS POACH TALENTED AUCKLAND TRIO
Wests Tigers have raided the Warriors' heartland, signing three fine young prospects from Auckland.

All 18, Jarney Proctor (hooker/halfback), Tamehana Paruru (back-rower) and Tray Lolesio (prop) are Aucklands Manurewa Marlins juniors and had several NRL clubs on their trail.

But the trio decided their best chance of a pathway to the NRL was with the Tigers and will link up with the club in coming weeks for pre-season training.

All are probably 12 months or more off breaking into the NRL but have the talent to be great buys for the club in the long term.

 

[Geo]

So confused, are people on here talking about another Liddle ? Surely can’t be talking about the one that’s barely played 10 games in the last 3 seasons. To suggest we’re ok at hooker is ludicrous when our options are glass for knees Liddle, Simpkin who’s yet to play an NRL game (do have high hopes for him) and lastly Mbye and that speaks for itself. Give the cheese what he wants

exactlyvwe have Soggy Sao in Liddle or unproven Simpkin who may well be a gun
Would prefer we keep Simpkin as back up as he has potential but if we end up with Liddle then so be it. Either can come on at hooker as Brandon Smith goes to lock.

Do not lose this chance Tigers

With 14 clubs possibly interested do you honestly think we are any chance of signing a player like Brandon Smith?

If he ever wants to play for NZ again ...Yes..