Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[cleanskin]

No thanks to McInnes. Hes had solid seasons, but hes just a toiler.

Something we haven't had for a long time.
EJ was sort of but too hot and cold.
McInnes rarely has a cold game.

 

[happy_tiger]

Panthers have lost Tetevano he’s off to England. Surely Ivan can take Russell Packer? We’ll even pay most his salary if we can get Laurie early

Well it’s bit of a puzzle that couple of latest pre season training photos published on the west’s tigers website don’t feature Packer.

I could say he left a few days early , but I better not .....

 

[Cairnstigers]

Panthers have lost Tetevano he’s off to England. Surely Ivan can take Russell Packer? We’ll even pay most his salary if we can get Laurie early

Well it’s bit of a puzzle that couple of latest pre season training photos published on the west’s tigers website don’t feature Packer.

I could say he left a few days early , but I better not .....

He is there sitting in the stand

 

[Cobarcats]

Has anyone got any gossip on Brandon Smith, are we still in there with a chance of getting him, man I like what this guy could bring to our club, he certainly would build morale and Madge would develop him into a great hooker.

 

[compensate]

kind of don't want McInnes just will stop Liddle and Simpkin's development

McInnes was on the extended bench for NSW this year. Would do almost anything to block Liddle’s development tbh, I don’t rate him at all and think the bloke has had enough chances. Everyone wanted grub out when he was constantly injured, that’s the sort of gist I’m getting with Jacob. Have McInnes starting at hooker with him moving to lock mid-game to pave way for Simpkin

 

[PJ_]

kind of don't want McInnes just will stop Liddle and Simpkin's development

McInnes was on the extended bench for NSW this year. Would do almost anything to block Liddle’s development tbh, I don’t rate him at all and think the bloke has had enough chances. Everyone wanted grub out when he was constantly injured, that’s the sort of gist I’m getting with Jacob. Have McInnes starting at hooker with him moving to lock mid-game to pave way for Simpkin

Agree

 

[Deleted member 3518]

kind of don't want McInnes just will stop Liddle and Simpkin's development

McInnes was on the extended bench for NSW this year. Would do almost anything to block Liddle’s development tbh, I don’t rate him at all and think the bloke has had enough chances. Everyone wanted grub out when he was constantly injured, that’s the sort of gist I’m getting with Jacob. Have McInnes starting at hooker with him moving to lock mid-game to pave way for Simpkin

I disagree with this completely . Liddle is a weapon . It was clear when he returned , how direct he plays as well as his manipulation around the ruck . He puts his forwards onto the ball, and his ruck deception, creates space for his halves who are close to the ruck , especially on kicking options .
And I haven’t even mentioned the thing everyone notices , his speed and ability to get out .
Grants , passing out of the ruck was bog average in my opinion . We went from one of the teams making the most metres , to one of the teams making the least in 1 season . I think that was the transition from Robbie to grant as much as the forwards shat the bed this year.
Grant is an awesome footballer , I’m not saying he’s not, but Liddle is a better dummy half than grant . Grant is a better footballer .

 

[Telltails]

I still can't rate Liddle until he plays at least 5/6 FG games in a row - not including being on the field for 10 mins. Until then he is still a potentially good player for me and not sure how much longer we can afford to have him in that position. Hope he has a break out season for his sake and all those who continue to back him.

 

[jadtiger]

kind of don't want McInnes just will stop Liddle and Simpkin's development

McInnes was on the extended bench for NSW this year. Would do almost anything to block Liddle’s development tbh, I don’t rate him at all and think the bloke has had enough chances. Everyone wanted grub out when he was constantly injured, that’s the sort of gist I’m getting with Jacob. Have McInnes starting at hooker with him moving to lock mid-game to pave way for Simpkin

Completely disagree,you are talking about deliberately blocking the path of a skilful junior.Liddle should get his chance this year and if he has a poor season we move on from him.When Liddle played last year he played well

 

[sleeve]

Its amazing that before Cheese rumours hit the headlines,nobody on the forum was unhappy with our hookers.All the talk was about needing 2nd rowers,and i thought strike backs were our problem.This settled down,and now MacInnes is on the news having coffees with Madge and its on again! I'm sure that if the player was a prop,winger or other the same would happen again.

 

[avocadoontoast]

kind of don't want McInnes just will stop Liddle and Simpkin's development

McInnes was on the extended bench for NSW this year. Would do almost anything to block Liddle’s development tbh, I don’t rate him at all and think the bloke has had enough chances. Everyone wanted grub out when he was constantly injured, that’s the sort of gist I’m getting with Jacob. Have McInnes starting at hooker with him moving to lock mid-game to pave way for Simpkin



Completely disagree,you are talking about deliberately blocking the path of a skilful junior.Liddle should get his chance this year and if he has a poor season we move on from him.When Liddle played last year he played well

I think it’s important we have a contingency plan for hooker. Simpkin has never played first grade and Liddle has only managed 40 odd games over 4 seasons.

If the price is right McInness would be a very good pickup. If Liddle and/or Simpkin do well we can play McInness lock, if not he can play hooker. This is for ‘22 anyway, our hookers will get their shot in ‘21

 

[TigerWest]

kind of don't want McInnes just will stop Liddle and Simpkin's development

McInnes was on the extended bench for NSW this year. Would do almost anything to block Liddle’s development tbh, I don’t rate him at all and think the bloke has had enough chances. Everyone wanted grub out when he was constantly injured, that’s the sort of gist I’m getting with Jacob. Have McInnes starting at hooker with him moving to lock mid-game to pave way for Simpkin



Completely disagree,you are talking about deliberately blocking the path of a skilful junior.Liddle should get his chance this year and if he has a poor season we move on from him.When Liddle played last year he played well

I think it’s important we have a contingency plan for hooker. Simpkin has never played first grade and Liddle has only managed 40 odd games over 4 seasons.

If the price is right McInness would be a very good pickup. If Liddle and/or Simpkin do well we can play McInness lock, if not he can play hooker. This is for ‘22 anyway, our hookers will get their shot in ‘21

We've seemed to have moved on from "the cheese"?

Still first preference imo.

 

[Russell]

Doesnt matter how he spells it...for mine as a no 9(and thats his main role) hes behind Smith/Smith/Harry/Hodgson/korosau/Friend/Cook and Radke..which makes him a mid ranked hooker.
Were not going to improve paying big $$ for honest toilers
Mybe 2.0
Really hope one of Liddle or Simpkins becomes ABOVE average in 2021,plus weve got Walters floating around from May
Weve got no back up in the halves,and a makeshift fullback

How many top 10 players do we have in our team right now? He’s a top 10 hooker. I’d argue he’s better than Friend and Hodgson too. Maybe not worth $700k, but he’s better than average that’s for sure.

You are delusional if you think Josh Hodgson is not as good as McInnes?

Hodgson has been carrying Canberra on his back for a few years. A major blow to their 2020 hopes when he was injured. McInnes is good but is not in the same class.

 

[Russell]

McInness on which position he prefers: "I guess it's good that I can do both so if the team need me to play hooker I will do that but I think that before I viewed myself as a hooker who could play lock whereas now, to be honest, I don't really have a preference for either," McInnes said.

"I view myself as a footy player more than a positional player so hooker, lock or wherever, I don’t mind. As long as I am playing footy I am happy. I really enjoy both, which is pretty pleasing to come out of this season for me."

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2020/07/29/why-positional-switch-has-mcinnes-in-origin-frame/

I don't think he's telling the truth here, I'm sure he's burning after giving everything to the club to only have Ben Hunt at more money and less talent take his position off him. It's a smart response to the question though as he can command more money and have a better shot at playing Origin as a dual player, plus not rub his coach the wrong way by complaining.

That comment from McInnes was back in July - I believe he has changed his tune since then.

 

[AJ1]

I really don't believe McInnes will be coming here and its just him checking for interest. He wants to be 9 and we need a 13, He is the captain of their club, and unless we are offering him big money which is unlikely judging by our current recruitment policy its a no... I would take him at 13 but i suppose it good to see us linked to top line players.

I literally posted a quote of him saying he doesn't care. Where is the evidence that he wants to play 9?

So you believe everything a player or coach says to the media? Look at Bennett, everytime he'd deny signing a player they would go on to sign him a week later.

 

[avocadoontoast]

kind of don't want McInnes just will stop Liddle and Simpkin's development

McInnes was on the extended bench for NSW this year. Would do almost anything to block Liddle’s development tbh, I don’t rate him at all and think the bloke has had enough chances. Everyone wanted grub out when he was constantly injured, that’s the sort of gist I’m getting with Jacob. Have McInnes starting at hooker with him moving to lock mid-game to pave way for Simpkin



Completely disagree,you are talking about deliberately blocking the path of a skilful junior.Liddle should get his chance this year and if he has a poor season we move on from him.When Liddle played last year he played well

I think it’s important we have a contingency plan for hooker. Simpkin has never played first grade and Liddle has only managed 40 odd games over 4 seasons.

If the price is right McInness would be a very good pickup. If Liddle and/or Simpkin do well we can play McInness lock, if not he can play hooker. This is for ‘22 anyway, our hookers will get their shot in ‘21

We've seemed to have moved on from "the cheese"?

Still first preference imo.

He’d be mine too but sounds like he’s preference is qld

 

[JC99]

Doesnt matter how he spells it...for mine as a no 9(and thats his main role) hes behind Smith/Smith/Harry/Hodgson/korosau/Friend/Cook and Radke..which makes him a mid ranked hooker.
Were not going to improve paying big $$ for honest toilers
Mybe 2.0
Really hope one of Liddle or Simpkins becomes ABOVE average in 2021,plus weve got Walters floating around from May
Weve got no back up in the halves,and a makeshift fullback

How many top 10 players do we have in our team right now? He’s a top 10 hooker. I’d argue he’s better than Friend and Hodgson too. Maybe not worth $700k, but he’s better than average that’s for sure.

You are delusional if you think Josh Hodgson is not as good as McInnes?

Hodgson has been carrying Canberra on his back for a few years. A major blow to their 2020 hopes when he was injured. McInnes is good but is not in the same class.

He’s slowed down a little. He’s still a great playmaker but he doesn’t have the running game and defence that McInnes does. Plenty of injury issues too. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, both quality players. Id take either if the opportunity presented itself ?

 

[Cairnstigers]

kind of don't want McInnes just will stop Liddle and Simpkin's development

McInnes was on the extended bench for NSW this year. Would do almost anything to block Liddle’s development tbh, I don’t rate him at all and think the bloke has had enough chances. Everyone wanted grub out when he was constantly injured, that’s the sort of gist I’m getting with Jacob. Have McInnes starting at hooker with him moving to lock mid-game to pave way for Simpkin



Completely disagree,you are talking about deliberately blocking the path of a skilful junior.Liddle should get his chance this year and if he has a poor season we move on from him.When Liddle played last year he played well

I agree
Liddle gets a chance next year to try and stay on the paddock
I don't think many are doubting his ability
I for one would love him to excel at hooker
But that does not mean we can't sign McInnes as a lock 1st and have the luxury of a back up Hooker should injury occur
McInnes would be our best lock and can more than cover Hooker if required
We dont want to carry an extra Hooker on the bench, that spot can be saved for another forward
If we wait 12 months to see if Liddle is worthy of a contract extension, we don't have a chance at getting McInnes

This looks good to me
8 Tamou
9 Liddle / McInnes if Liddle is injured
10 Ofahengaue
11 Lucy L
12 Garner
13 McInnes / Twal if McInnes to Hooker

14 Musgrove
15 Twal / Stefano if twal to lock
16 Blore
17 Mikaele

We dont need Simpkin on the bench just yet, he is to young
Let's see how he develops 1st and then make a decision if we want to re sign
Thats if he wants to re sign as he may get offered a spot at Brisbane by then and we lose him

My thoughts anyway

 

[hank37w]

kind of don't want McInnes just will stop Liddle and Simpkin's development

McInnes was on the extended bench for NSW this year. Would do almost anything to block Liddle’s development tbh, I don’t rate him at all and think the bloke has had enough chances. Everyone wanted grub out when he was constantly injured, that’s the sort of gist I’m getting with Jacob. Have McInnes starting at hooker with him moving to lock mid-game to pave way for Simpkin



Completely disagree,you are talking about deliberately blocking the path of a skilful junior.Liddle should get his chance this year and if he has a poor season we move on from him.When Liddle played last year he played well

Agree completely with what you are saying.

The way some people go on about it here, Benji and Teddy would not have had NRL careers due to their early injuries.

Agree that Liddle looked very good when he made his come back after a very long lay off due to injury, which I might add was a completely different injury that was due to some very unfortunate "friendly fire."

If we can get a McInnes or Smith at the right price and they are willing to play predominately Lock and do a fill in at # 9, I'm all for it, but who is to say that Simpkin may not be able to develop into that lock/ # 9 role over the next season or so.

Whatever happens, I think hanging onto Liddle and Simpkin for at least the next season or so to see what develops is crucial.

 

[DGilly]

I really don't believe McInnes will be coming here and its just him checking for interest. He wants to be 9 and we need a 13, He is the captain of their club, and unless we are offering him big money which is unlikely judging by our current recruitment policy its a no... I would take him at 13 but i suppose it good to see us linked to top line players.

I literally posted a quote of him saying he doesn't care. Where is the evidence that he wants to play 9?

So you believe everything a player or coach says to the media? Look at Bennett, everytime he'd deny signing a player they would go on to sign him a week later.

Yeah but the point is what evidence do you have to the contrary?