Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[4jtigers]

I understand Brandon is an established beast of a player, and it's a hard decision but we should bank on Simpkin, with Liddle helping out till he's ready to take over as a 80 minute hooker in 1-2 years.

Would love him to come over as a 13, but Brandon clearly wants to be playing hooker.

I hope Liddle makes them think twice and that he is the 9 that they should stick with and not sign Brandon.

I actually feel for Liddle having all those injuries, I just hope that he stays healthy and gets to show that he is worth sticking with and that he will make people around him look good by his service from DH.

 

[Magpie1969]

I would love to screw the Roosters around by poaching some of their talent.

Sauce has been a good player but not what we need or what club now stands for.

Block of Cheese needs to know he is a lock and a bloody good one at that.

Would love him at lock. Plays with some much passion.

 

[Tigercrb]

I'm a bit torn on the Brendan Smith one.

He would be great and his personality is really good for bringing team mates together. I just feel he is a better lock in today's game with the new rules.

His preference is hooker obviously, but what if we had him in that role for a year or 2 until Simpkin is ready, then move the cheese to lock? I don't believe in promising a position to a player. You say you will have first shot but we will do whatever gives the team the best chance of winning.

I think we would be a realistic chance if liddle was willing to player swap. I believe Melbourne would be on board, rather than losing smith in 12 months for nothing. $$$ shouldn't be an issue with Reynolds gone.

As much as I am a fan of liddle (and I rate him highly), given his injury history and Smith's versatility, I would offer liddle to the storm for 2021 (he would have to agree of course). Play smith at 9 until Simpkin is ready, then 13 going forward.

I know there are 15 other clubs interested in Smith, but with his relationship with Madge and liddle as a swap, I would love to see our management make this happen.

 

[Don Kershane]

Putting this here due to comments on signings.

Tigers extend Maguire deal as club declares interest in Brandon Smith
Christian Nicolussi
December 11, 2020 — 12.01am

On the same day the Wests Tigers announced coach Michael Maguire had extended his deal by a further two years, the joint venture made it known they were the latest club to entertain signing Brandon Smith.

Maguire will remain at the club until at least the end of 2023 as the premiership-winning coach slowly starts to build the roster he wants.

And Smith, the Melbourne star who has been given permission to negotiate an early release from the Storm for 2022, is certainly no stranger to Maguire with the pair spending time together with the New Zealand side.

While the Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane Broncos have made it known they would welcome Smith, Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe said Smith was one of the best players going around.

"Brandon is a quality player – any team would love to have Brandon Smith," Pascoe told the Herald. "But as it stands he is not available until at least 2022, Melbourne have made it clear he won't be released next year, and we still have three spots to worry about.

"Our main focus, now that 'Madge' is done, is re-signing David Nofoaluma. David is happy at the club, we love David, and we'd love to think we can get something done by Christmas."
One of those vacant spots is being kept for Penrith fullback Daine Laurie, who is already signed with the Tigers for 2022, but remains on a development contract with the Panthers who have spent the past four years developing him and are keen to salvage at least something for their efforts.

Laurie is an electric fullback who has already been hailed as an exciting prospect by several Tigers.

There have been suggestions Laurie and winger Josh Mansour would be free to leave Penrith for the Tigers as a package deal.

Maguire's signature was quickly celebrated by fans on social media with the notoriously hard taskmaster determined to make the Tigers ruthless winners rather than likeable.

The signing of Joe Ofahengaue, along with the retention of Zane Musgrove – who praised Maguire when discussing the reasons he spurned big-money deals to recommit to the Tigers this week – and Shawn Blore, not to mention possibly Smith from 2022, are exactly the no-nonsense players Maguire loves.

"We have faith in 'Madge', he's bought into what we're trying to build here at the club, and he's certainly adding value with his strong value set and competitive desire to win – it's the perfect mix," Pascoe said.

Maguire said: "We’ve put a lot of work in over the last couple of years and I’m seeing plenty of change for the club to move forward in a big way. We're all not happy with where we’ve been and everything we do now is about moving us forward towards a premiership."

Maguire's deal will take him through to five years at the helm, which will make him the second-most capped coach behind Tim Sheens at the joint venture. He has the job of ending the club's finals drought that dates back to 2011.
Now we're talking Brandon Smith would be a good signing he's a winner sign him this year back end the following two when Packer & Mbye depart.Mbye

Now we're talking Brandon Smith would be a good signing he's a WINNER sign him this year with Jrey money back end with Packrr and Mbye money when they leave

My worry with Brandon Smith would be the brewing storm over concussions. He has several facial injuries already. Due to his height the guy leads with his head when running-effective in some situations but not much use if he is in the head bin.

 

[TonyTiger]

So does the fact Pascoe and Hartigan talk about identifying our need for speed rule our signing Mansour? A bit contradictory to say we need speed then sign an old slow winger, surely.

“Jobs for The Boys” in Pascoe’s Old Boys Club from his Panther days

 

[JC99]

Brandon Smith is for sure a Very good lock, but he’s also a very good hooker. He’s good enough that he can kill it in both positions not one or the other. He played early in the season at hooker and he smashed it, was so good that people talked about moving Cam to 7.

Don’t let recency bias cloud your judgement, he’s only played as a forward most of the season but he’s also an excellent hooker and has proved that many times

 

[avocadoontoast]

Brandon Smith is for sure a Very good lock, but he’s also a very good hooker. He’s good enough that he can kill it in both positions not one or the other. He played early in the season at hooker and he smashed it, was so good that people talked about moving Cam to 7.

Don’t let recency bias cloud your judgement, he’s only played as a forward most of the season but he’s also an excellent hooker and has proved that many times

He's a fantastic hooker. Would love him at WT.

 

[Russell]

Here we go again! Let's give a big message to any aspiring young player, do not go to Wests Tigers, they prefer slow, old has-beens, so you up-and-comers do not get a go. The Club talks about building a culture, so why go back to the old tried and failed AGAIN.NO to Mansour!!!Let's build a culture that gives us the reputation of giving good up-and-coming players a fair go!.

These kids have to learn off some 1 Mansour has been there and done it he will set an example for these kids to follow

Great idea - we could get Mansour and he could show our youngsters how to run slow, (wouldn't run out of sight on a dark night in the blue mountains) and he could show them how to drop every second ball and get out jumped.

Don't need him, don't want him .... this is not a retirement home anymore!

 

[earl]

I'd love Smith here but it's not the position that we most need an injection of talent. I'd love to play him at lock though and just let him do his thing. He'd be the best hooker at the club.

 

[Russell]

I would say the Mansour talk is just trying not to burn bridges incase Nofo deal falls through. I don't think we have any intentions in Mansour once he resigns which most people believe he's close to.

I don’t think one relates to the other

Nofoaluma is a right winger
Mansour is a left winger
Both bring the ball back hard
Both solid wingers
And not a bad combination on our edges
I wouldn't be upset getting Mansour at all for a year or 2 max

We dont really have any world class players in our team and I don't think we should be paying a million dollars for one either
A couple of players on the edge of greatness would be good
If Nofoaluma sticks around, and we get Mansour along with the fullback we signed from Penrith or Mbye, I wouldn't mind going real hard for both Crichton and Staggs
That would have to be close to the best back 5 in the Nrl
Then If Doueihi can kick on in the halves with Brooks, our one to seven could be set
Our Front row looks great on paper
We have two quality Hookers to choose from
Only real weakness would be our back row but I think we could find someone from within
Lj has one spot so really just after one more good back rower as we have a little depth in Garner

Crichton and Staggs would end up being just as good if not better than Gasnier and Cooper
Or Ettinghausen and McGraw

They would form a lethal combination

Mansour would be a retrograde step and all the good work done by the WTs would be undone. We don't need another slow winger who can't tackle. We already have Nofoaluma. We should be working overtime training our best youngsters to ready them for the NRL. Kepaoa. has already demonstrated he can score tries Nofoaluma can't because of his pace. Pace brings a whole new dimension to both the attack and defence.

Mate!!!!

Nofo scored 17 tries this year - but he can't score tries.

Give us a break ... I know you don't like him and you want a young bloke in his place .... but really, let's not make things up.

Not everyone can score an 90 metre try, in fact very few.

 

[Nelson]

I imagine part of him marketing himself at hooker is wanting to get paid as an elite hooker and flagging that he wants 80 minutes or something close to it each week. He averaged 50 odd minutes a game last year, playing 44, 30 and 33 minutes in the finals. I imagine a club could easily sell him on split minutes between lock and hooker if they flashed enough cash.

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

What will be today's 4.00pm Media Release announcement?

 

[Russell]

Disagree that if B Smith came to the Tigers he would be the best DH at the club. I think he is quite an ordinary DH. Good defender, gets team going , enthusiastic etc but not a good DH. I think he wants to play hooker to get spine money and maybe play longer minutes.

He is a better lock than hooker in my opinion but only still a little above average - also as mentioned the head knocks he has already taken almost put him in the Cordner class.

For those wishing to partake in a swap with the Storm may I suggest we give them Simpkin (assuming he wants to go to Bleak City) and keep the better prospect for ourselves.

 

[Fainu Brothers]

@leichhardtTiger there is another announcement? Hopefully Noffa has resigned

 

[sleeve]

I understand Brandon is an established beast of a player, and it's a hard decision but we should bank on Simpkin, with Liddle helping out till he's ready to take over as a 80 minute hooker in 1-2 years.

Would love him to come over as a 13, but Brandon clearly wants to be playing hooker.

Cannot understand wanting Smith,sure hes a good player.but far from a priority.I know there is uncertanty regarding Liddles recovery from injuries,but backed up by one of the most exciting young players in Simkins it seems ludicrus.Both will be snapped up by other clubs in the blinking of an eye,We have a backline that at its best is promising,at its worst slow and with little skill,this is where we need to spend.

 

[InBenjiWeTrust]

For some time we don’t have a proper lock, Smith would be great!

 

[Moh]

Brandon Smith is for sure a Very good lock, but he’s also a very good hooker. He’s good enough that he can kill it in both positions not one or the other. He played early in the season at hooker and he smashed it, was so good that people talked about moving Cam to 7.

Don’t let recency bias cloud your judgement, he’s only played as a forward most of the season but he’s also an excellent hooker and has proved that many times

Yah - easy to forget how well he goes at 9. I remember when he killed it there for the Kiwis in a real stand-out performance.

Still very good at 13 too though.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

I would say the Mansour talk is just trying not to burn bridges incase Nofo deal falls through. I don't think we have any intentions in Mansour once he resigns which most people believe he's close to.

I don’t think one relates to the other

Nofoaluma is a right winger
Mansour is a left winger
Both bring the ball back hard
Both solid wingers
And not a bad combination on our edges
I wouldn't be upset getting Mansour at all for a year or 2 max

We dont really have any world class players in our team and I don't think we should be paying a million dollars for one either
A couple of players on the edge of greatness would be good
If Nofoaluma sticks around, and we get Mansour along with the fullback we signed from Penrith or Mbye, I wouldn't mind going real hard for both Crichton and Staggs
That would have to be close to the best back 5 in the Nrl
Then If Doueihi can kick on in the halves with Brooks, our one to seven could be set
Our Front row looks great on paper
We have two quality Hookers to choose from
Only real weakness would be our back row but I think we could find someone from within
Lj has one spot so really just after one more good back rower as we have a little depth in Garner

Crichton and Staggs would end up being just as good if not better than Gasnier and Cooper
Or Ettinghausen and McGraw

They would form a lethal combination

Mansour would be a retrograde step and all the good work done by the WTs would be undone. We don't need another slow winger who can't tackle. We already have Nofoaluma. We should be working overtime training our best youngsters to ready them for the NRL. Kepaoa. has already demonstrated he can score tries Nofoaluma can't because of his pace. Pace brings a whole new dimens ion to both the attack and defence.

Mate!!!!

Nofo scored 17 tries this year - but he can't score tries.

Give us a break ... I know you don't like him and you want a young bloke in his place .... but really, let's not make things up.

Not everyone can score an 90 metre try, in fact very few.

How many did he let in? The support you give him you would believe him to be the complete winger. Do you believe at 27 it is too much to ask of him to be a competent defender? Don't you want our team to improve? I do not support WTs because Nofoaluma is in the team. Have you ever wondered why he has not played SOO. I note you don't mind putting the boot into JAC . He is far superior to Nofoaluma. That is the reality.

 

[JC99]

Brandon Smith is for sure a Very good lock, but he’s also a very good hooker. He’s good enough that he can kill it in both positions not one or the other. He played early in the season at hooker and he smashed it, was so good that people talked about moving Cam to 7.

Don’t let recency bias cloud your judgement, he’s only played as a forward most of the season but he’s also an excellent hooker and has proved that many times

Yah - easy to forget how well he goes at 9. I remember when he killed it there for the Kiwis in a real stand-out performance.

Still very good at 13 too though.

He’s good enough of a player that he will excel in either position. Whoever signs him up will have a very good player at their club

 

[the_third]

I would say the Mansour talk is just trying not to burn bridges incase Nofo deal falls through. I don't think we have any intentions in Mansour once he resigns which most people believe he's close to.

I don’t think one relates to the other

Nofoaluma is a right winger
Mansour is a left winger
Both bring the ball back hard
Both solid wingers
And not a bad combination on our edges
I wouldn't be upset getting Mansour at all for a year or 2 max

We dont really have any world class players in our team and I don't think we should be paying a million dollars for one either
A couple of players on the edge of greatness would be good
If Nofoaluma sticks around, and we get Mansour along with the fullback we signed from Penrith or Mbye, I wouldn't mind going real hard for both Crichton and Staggs
That would have to be close to the best back 5 in the Nrl
Then If Doueihi can kick on in the halves with Brooks, our one to seven could be set
Our Front row looks great on paper
We have two quality Hookers to choose from
Only real weakness would be our back row but I think we could find someone from within
Lj has one spot so really just after one more good back rower as we have a little depth in Garner

Crichton and Staggs would end up being just as good if not better than Gasnier and Cooper
Or Ettinghausen and McGraw

They would form a lethal combination

Mansour would be a retrograde step and all the good work done by the WTs would be undone. We don't need another slow winger who can't tackle. We already have Nofoaluma. We should be working overtime training our best youngsters to ready them for the NRL. Kepaoa. has already demonstrated he can score tries Nofoaluma can't because of his pace. Pace brings a whole new dimens ion to both the attack and defence.

Mate!!!!

Nofo scored 17 tries this year - but he can't score tries.

Give us a break ... I know you don't like him and you want a young bloke in his place .... but really, let's not make things up.

Not everyone can score an 90 metre try, in fact very few.


How many did he let in? The support you give him you would believe him to be the complete winger. Do you believe at 27 it is too much to ask of him to be a competent defender? Don't you want our team to improve? I do not support WTs because Nofoaluma is in the team. Have you ever wondered why he has not played SOO. I note you don't mind putting the boot into JAC . He is far superior to Nofoaluma. That is the reality.

that conversation was had somewhere on here, he had 20 try causes this year according to fox stats