Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Leck]

McInnes is better than Liddle and Simpkin, why do people think he would be our backup hooker? He even made the NSW squad this year, he’s no backup.

McInnes made the squad but did not play. Nathan Peats is an origin hooker, how much should we offer him?

Look at their current form and tell me which ones better... McInnes had a very good year. Liddle hasn’t played that well consistently ever and Simpkin is a rookie. As it stands, McInnes would be the best hooker at the club.

Hopefully those two come good and we don’t even need to worry about signing a hooker, but fact is if McInnes came here it would be to be our first choice hooker as of right now

For me the issue with Liddle will be if he only plays 50% of the games in 2021 .....it then starts becoming like the Brooks situation ...when and where do you finally draw a line in the sand and say enough is enough

%50 - @happy_tiger it sounds like you've got a crystal ball. Personally I hope Liddle plays every game in 2021.

But I agree with most WTs forum members - it's make or break for him in 2021.

However Simpkin needs to be given a chance, if not I see the same old story happening again in 2 years time.

Tigers lost Addo-Carr, Papp, Marty, Teddy, Korro and now Liddle and Simpkin...

If we sign McInnes (which I doubt ), he would be an excellent lock. We need a leader that can move our pack forward in broken plays, create opportunities when a defense gets tired and jump into dummy half where needed.

 

[Spud_Murphy]

McInnes would be a great buy for us in any position. Having experienced, natural leaders like he and Tamou onboard would be a huge step in the right direction, imo. Good leadership is something we’ve been missing for many years. I sure hope the rumour is true.

 

[Rowdy12]

If McInness comes to us he'll play 13. You need a ball playing lock nowadays as the game is more centered around the ability to score points. The Twal mould of lock is over.
He'll play a role very similar to what Radley does at the Roosters

If you watched him when he played lock he barely passed it once. He just ran and got quick play the balls

 

[TigerVinnie]

If McInness comes to us he'll play 13. You need a ball playing lock nowadays as the game is more centered around the ability to score points. The Twal mould of lock is over.
He'll play a role very similar to what Radley does at the Roosters

If you watched him when he played lock he barely passed it once. He just ran and got quick play the balls

That is just coaching strategy, At least we know he has a passing game - it would be up to the coach to have him play that way.

I think McInness would be the perfect 13 for our club. He brings leadership and is a fantastic defender. Would allow Twal to be apart of the front row rotation and we have two hookers already.

 

[Rusty]

PIpedream

Realistically there is no top tier backrower that we can sign from other clubs 2021 > the likes of
Crighton, Harris, Matterson, Fafita, Pangi Jnr, Fizzell, Graham and Kikua these boys are footballers and break a game open with their skill and presence. That also goes for the next lot of players, they are equally important to there sides, whether it's their stonewall defense, able to link up with their halves, or their running game, able to get an offload or quick play the ball these guys are the ones other players look up to when the going gets tough, the likes of;
Taumalolo, JTurbo, Murray, Radley, Yeo, Barnett, Elliott, Brown, Finucane, Arrow, and Fisher-Harris locking in out the back, The top clubs have all these lads locked down for good reason, they are either club Captains or there financially secure or so unless there's a falling out or act of GOD! we have bucklys chance of getting anyone mentioned above maybe the exception of Brown, Finucane as these guys are coming to the end of their careers.

As for Faitala-Marine, Liam, Tino Fa'as, Katoa, Talakai, Sua, Tuponuiua and Cory H-Narrea the boat has sailed on these guys, they have been identified or giving an opportunity to redeem

So what's left, second-string players that are good on their day and a few waiting for an opportunity the likes of Sironen, Lane, Nickora, Hess, Fitzgibbon, Kaufusi, Sua, Young, Butcher, Capewell and Niukore. Half these guys rely upon a decent half inside them to create something for them otherwise they are what we have already. Out of that lot, Sua, Young, Butcher, Riki, Capewell and Niukore are looking for an opportunity, question is, are they better than what we have already have or do we keep throwing enough mud at youth and hope some of it sticks.

My thoughts, Mud works with me!! I think we have a couple of good ones coming through Blore, O'kane and Tu "kid from Melbourne" pipe dream...

 

[DGilly]

If McInness comes to us he'll play 13. You need a ball playing lock nowadays as the game is more centered around the ability to score points. The Twal mould of lock is over.
He'll play a role very similar to what Radley does at the Roosters

If you watched him when he played lock he barely passed it once. He just ran and got quick play the balls

If he played 9 he has ball playing ability, that would just be part of Mary's poor gameplan

 

[happy_tiger]

If McInness comes to us he'll play 13. You need a ball playing lock nowadays as the game is more centered around the ability to score points. The Twal mould of lock is over.
He'll play a role very similar to what Radley does at the Roosters

If you watched him when he played lock he barely passed it once. He just ran and got quick play the balls


That is just coaching strategy, At least we know he has a passing game - it would be up to the coach to have him play that way.

I think McInness would be the perfect 13 for our club. He brings leadership and is a fantastic defender. Would allow Twal to be apart of the front row rotation and we have two hookers already.

He is bee's willy behind Radley playing the role Radley does at the Roosters ....and most would over the moon if we signed Radley ....

 

[sleeve]

McInnes is better than Liddle and Simpkin, why do people think he would be our backup hooker? He even made the NSW squad this year, he’s no backup.

Time will tell,but i would not gamble $600,000 a year on the outcome!

 

[Leck]

If McInness comes to us he'll play 13. You need a ball playing lock nowadays as the game is more centered around the ability to score points. The Twal mould of lock is over.
He'll play a role very similar to what Radley does at the Roosters

If you watched him when he played lock he barely passed it once. He just ran and got quick play the balls

I watched all the Dragons games in 2020, my better half and her family are all die-hard Dragons supporters.

At lock, McInnes helped them win 4 out of the 6 games he played there. Sure he played a fast running game, but he also laid a platform for the Dragons to attack on both sides of the ruck.

Some WT forum members seem to discount the importance of a ball playing lock in the modern game.

It's now even more important with the 6 again rule change.

The speed of the game has gone to another level - if we don't catch up we'll get left behind.

 

[JC99]

McInnes is better than Liddle and Simpkin, why do people think he would be our backup hooker? He even made the NSW squad this year, he’s no backup.

McInnes made the squad but did not play. Nathan Peats is an origin hooker, how much should we offer him?

Look at their current form and tell me which ones better... McInnes had a very good year. Liddle hasn’t played that well consistently ever and Simpkin is a rookie. As it stands, McInnes would be the best hooker at the club.

Hopefully those two come good and we don’t even need to worry about signing a hooker, but fact is if McInnes came here it would be to be our first choice hooker as of right now

For me the issue with Liddle will be if he only plays 50% of the games in 2021 .....it then starts becoming like the Brooks situation ...when and where do you finally draw a line in the sand and say enough is enough

You can’t keep players who can’t stay on the field. If he has more injury issues I’m happy to let him go and sign another hooker/use Simpkin.

 

[JC99]

If McInness comes to us he'll play 13. You need a ball playing lock nowadays as the game is more centered around the ability to score points. The Twal mould of lock is over.
He'll play a role very similar to what Radley does at the Roosters

If you watched him when he played lock he barely passed it once. He just ran and got quick play the balls


I watched all the Dragons games in 2020, my better half and her family are all die-hard Dragons supporters.

At lock, McInnes helped them win 4 out of the 6 games he played there. Sure he played a fast running game, but he also laid a platform for the Dragons to attack on both sides of the ruck.

Some WT forum members seem to discount the importance of a ball playing lock in the modern game.

It's now even more important with the 6 again rule change.

The speed of the game has gone to another level - if we don't catch up we'll get left behind.

I don’t think they have to be a ‘ball playing lock’ necessarily, but a more mobile lock. Cam Murray for example doesn’t really do a heap of ball playing but he’s mobile, has good footwork but can still bust a tackle. He’s constantly backing up his other forwards and that’s what we lack in the middle of the field, a forward who can bust a game open, make a break and create a try up the middle of the field.

 

[earl]

If McInness comes to us he'll play 13. You need a ball playing lock nowadays as the game is more centered around the ability to score points. The Twal mould of lock is over.
He'll play a role very similar to what Radley does at the Roosters

If you watched him when he played lock he barely passed it once. He just ran and got quick play the balls


I watched all the Dragons games in 2020, my better half and her family are all die-hard Dragons supporters.

At lock, McInnes helped them win 4 out of the 6 games he played there. Sure he played a fast running game, but he also laid a platform for the Dragons to attack on both sides of the ruck.

Some WT forum members seem to discount the importance of a ball playing lock in the modern game.

It's now even more important with the 6 again rule change.

The speed of the game has gone to another level - if we don't catch up we'll get left behind.

I don’t think they have to be a ‘ball playing lock’ necessarily, but a more mobile lock. Cam Murray for example doesn’t really do a heap of ball playing but he’s mobile, has good footwork but can still bust a tackle. He’s constantly backing up his other forwards and that’s what we lack in the middle of the field, a forward who can bust a game open, make a break and create a try up the middle of the field.

Melbourne play the giant there as well. They do interchange him with Brandan Smith though. I'd love Brandan Smith or McInnes here playing lock. 700k is a lot of money though. It's a marquee player. Not as good as Josh Reynolds or Packer but pretty close.

 

[Newtown]

Unless McInnes comes to WT to specifically play lock it is a tragic waste our two good hookers who have so much potential. It is also a waste of up to $700K.

 

[JC99]

If McInness comes to us he'll play 13. You need a ball playing lock nowadays as the game is more centered around the ability to score points. The Twal mould of lock is over.
He'll play a role very similar to what Radley does at the Roosters

If you watched him when he played lock he barely passed it once. He just ran and got quick play the balls


I watched all the Dragons games in 2020, my better half and her family are all die-hard Dragons supporters.

At lock, McInnes helped them win 4 out of the 6 games he played there. Sure he played a fast running game, but he also laid a platform for the Dragons to attack on both sides of the ruck.

Some WT forum members seem to discount the importance of a ball playing lock in the modern game.

It's now even more important with the 6 again rule change.

The speed of the game has gone to another level - if we don't catch up we'll get left behind.

I don’t think they have to be a ‘ball playing lock’ necessarily, but a more mobile lock. Cam Murray for example doesn’t really do a heap of ball playing but he’s mobile, has good footwork but can still bust a tackle. He’s constantly backing up his other forwards and that’s what we lack in the middle of the field, a forward who can bust a game open, make a break and create a try up the middle of the field.

Melbourne play the giant there as well. They do interchange him with Brandan Smith though. I'd love Brandan Smith or McInnes here playing lock. 700k is a lot of money though. It's a marquee player. Not as good as Josh Reynolds or Packer but pretty close.

Exactly, some teams still run big locks and it works for them, all depends on how your pack is going. I wouldn’t be opposed to doing either

 

[Tcat]

McInnes is better than Liddle and Simpkin, why do people think he would be our backup hooker? He even made the NSW squad this year, he’s no backup.

Time will tell,but i would not gamble $600,000 a year on the outcome!

I agree

$600k on essentially a utility player is crazy. If we had no hooker I'd say way not, but with our team composition, we should save the $$ on a specialist positional need.

 

[Leck]

McInnes is better than Liddle and Simpkin, why do people think he would be our backup hooker? He even made the NSW squad this year, he’s no backup.

Time will tell,but i would not gamble $600,000 a year on the outcome!

I agree

$600k on essentially a utility player is crazy. If we had no hooker I'd say way not, but with our team composition, we should save the $$ on a specialist positional need.

A utility player is essential to any good team - they're the Swiss knife that can turn a game around, jump in when injuries occur or redirect the play to break an opponents defense.

CM was reportedly on $450-500K this year, which I think is a fair price. But I agree that $600k is too much

 

[Kiama Tiger]

I am sick of hearing that Simpkins is going to be a gun player none of us have seen him play yet people on this forum prefer him to McInnes who is proven at both hooker and lock. Is it not possible that Maguire doesn't rate either him or Liddle and is looking for an alternative. He is at training with them every day. The $600 to $700 grand being thrown about is here say from someone who wasn't at the meeting. If the club wants him they will offer what they think he is worth and what they can afford and he will take it or leave it. If he leaves it watch the doomsayers start screaming that we can't attract talent.

 

[jrtiger]

McInnes at lock a thousand times yes. McInnes at hooker a thousand times no.

 

[barra]

I'm going to join some dots here.
We meet with McInnes, obviously it wasn't to wish each other Merry Christmas.
We have two good young hooking prospects.
We offer him $700K a season.
He wants to play hooker, and is on $550k a year and he's only "thinking about it"?

If all the above is true, odds on we've dangled a big carrot for him to come to us and play lock.

 

[Russell]

McInnes is better than Liddle and Simpkin, why do people think he would be our backup hooker? He even made the NSW squad this year, he’s no backup.

McInnes made the squad but did not play. Nathan Peats is an origin hooker, how much should we offer him?

Look at their current form and tell me which ones better... McInnes had a very good year. Liddle hasn’t played that well consistently ever and Simpkin is a rookie. As it stands, McInnes would be the best hooker at the club.

Hopefully those two come good and we don’t even need to worry about signing a hooker, but fact is if McInnes came here it would be to be our first choice hooker as of right now

I disagree - probably would be our best defender but not best DH.

McInnes throws a lot of forward passes from DH and wayward balls as well.

Don't let his defence, leadership and enthusiasm convince you he is a better DH than Liddle.