Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[tony soprano]

NRL 2021: James Roberts opens up on Wests Tigers lifeline | Summer Buzz

James Roberts has spoken publicly for the first time since signing a one-year deal with the Tigers after quitting Souths at the end of last season.
James Roberts is out to resurrect his rugby league career, with the enigmatic centre declaring himself fully fit and ready to get back to his best.
In his first interview as a Tiger, Roberts revealed he had rediscovered his love for rugby league after a private off-field battle with his mental health.
“It feels good just to be back,” said Roberts, speaking for the first time since signing a one-year deal with the Tigers after quitting Souths at the end of last season.
“I think this is one of the most excited I’ve been about playing footy.
“I’m really looking forward to the season and really happy with where I’m at.”
Walking away from a $500,000-a-year deal with South Sydney after injury and COVID-19-caused isolation affected his mental health, Roberts began training full time with the Tigers last
week and was back in full flight for the first time since he suffered a season-ending injury in July.
“The body was pretty dusty at the start but it’s coming good now,” Roberts said.
“It’s been really easy to settle in. I’ve just been trying to make sure I do my best at training and that’ll lead into what we do on the field. I’m really into it.”
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the Tigers offered Roberts his one-year lifeline after the player personally phoned coach Michael Maguire.
Formerly together at the Rabbitohs when Roberts was an NRL upstart, the surprise phone call has reunited the pair after eight years.
“I’ve been really enjoying it so far — it’s been great to be back and under Madge again. It’s a great bunch of boys here and they’ve been really welcoming,” Roberts said.
“Madge has changed a bit since we first started but has been really good to me and the boys here.”
Jimmy the Jet says he’s ready to step up and become a leader at the club.
Roberts also hinted at becoming a leader at his new club after predicting an exciting future for his new team.
“There’s a really good group here and I think we’ll do something special,” he said.
“I’ve been trying to chime in and help some of the younger boys where I can; I’m sort of one of the older boys now which is a different feeling for me but it’s something I’m enjoying.
“It’s good for me to try and lead the way with my actions and help them with that.”
Maguire said he had been impressed with Roberts who spent three weeks with the club part-time before joining the full-time squad this week.
“He has done everything right,” Maguire said.
“And most importantly he looks happy. He has been buzzing about and getting on really well with the boys. He is happy. We all know what he can do on the field and we will give him the best opportunity to do that.”
The Tigers credited Souths with setting up a treatment plan and support system for Roberts that is still in place.

Thanks mate

 

[tony soprano]

Momorovski will be at the Bulldogs this year. Madge had told him Leilua and Roberts will be 1st choice centres. Momorosvski doesn't want to play reserve grade. Bulldogs have also offered him more money than what he is on at tigers.

I think this is rubbish. Unless we have given him permission how can the Bulldogs offer him more money if he is still contracted to us, not to mention the fact there is more competition for spots at the Dogs? If anything their attention would/should be on forwards

He’s off contract after this year. They could easily make him an offer for 2022, which pretty much always means if he can get himself an early release he’ll have a contract waiting for him. Same with us signing Laurie

He is signed until end of 2022. Zerotackle state it's a players option for next year however the official WT site state he's contracted until end of next year.

Looking at the WT website, is says he’s contracted for 2022 but it’s a player option. He could talk to any club he wants to right now.

I'll take you word it's a PO for 2022, you seem across these things. It's strange the club never disclosed that.... everything I read at the time was it was a 2 year contract, no mention of a one year deal with a player option for 2022.

The club have mention it’s a players option

 

[tony soprano]

Momorovski will be at the Bulldogs this year. Madge had told him Leilua and Roberts will be 1st choice centres. Momorosvski doesn't want to play reserve grade. Bulldogs have also offered him more money than what he is on at tigers.

Madge hasn't told him that, he's told him he's a starter and if not at centre, at 5/8. He'll be one of the first backs picked. He's scored 14 tries in 19 games and played in finals for Easts and the Storm. I'll put money on it if you like and despite all the expert opinions in this forum, Madge rates him and that's all that counts. Do you want to put money on it?

I'll bet you he hasnt played in finals for storm despite your expert opinion on this forum.
Why do his fans need to bullcrap about his career? Last week they said he played and scored in a GF!!

He scored in the prelim final unlucky not to make the storm team surely would of done a better job then branko

 

[earl]

Plus I can’t imagine madge has promised anyone any position as yet we’ve not even fully started pre season.

Can you imagine Madge promising Momo a starting spot ahead of BJ and Roberts. I can't see that happening.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

I’ll trust whatever Maguire decides but I must say I’d be disappointed if momirovski kept either Leilua or Roberts out of the team. We have lacked strike for years and these two (at their best) are as punishing as any back in the game. I’ll go further and say if they are our centres for most of the season we are playing finals football.

There would have to be a marked improvement in Leilua’s game, he was next to useless last year. I’d happily select either Momo or Talau in his place right now.


I don't rate Momo too highly but he is much better than Talau. I'd be surprised if Talau remains in FG.
BJ is better than both of them. By a mile.

Momorovski is a smart footballer and a fine team player. He does a job, can score a try, kick goals and won't cost a fortune. If this move is about more game time for him, I am supportive although sad to see him go.

 

[earl]

I’ll trust whatever Maguire decides but I must say I’d be disappointed if momirovski kept either Leilua or Roberts out of the team. We have lacked strike for years and these two (at their best) are as punishing as any back in the game. I’ll go further and say if they are our centres for most of the season we are playing finals football.

There would have to be a marked improvement in Leilua’s game, he was next to useless last year. I’d happily select either Momo or Talau in his place right now.


I don't rate Momo too highly but he is much better than Talau. I'd be surprised if Talau remains in FG.
BJ is better than both of them. By a mile.

Talau is young and I think he is showing signs of being a quality player. Momo is pretty good as well. BJ is much better than both of them and so is Roberts. The thing is Talau and Momo are probably both much more likely to not do something stupid to derail our season.

 

[earl]

I’ll trust whatever Maguire decides but I must say I’d be disappointed if momirovski kept either Leilua or Roberts out of the team. We have lacked strike for years and these two (at their best) are as punishing as any back in the game. I’ll go further and say if they are our centres for most of the season we are playing finals football.

There would have to be a marked improvement in Leilua’s game, he was next to useless last year. I’d happily select either Momo or Talau in his place right now.


I don't rate Momo too highly but he is much better than Talau. I'd be surprised if Talau remains in FG.
BJ is better than both of them. By a mile.

Momorovski is a smart footballer and a fine team player. He does a job, can score a try, kick goals and won't cost a fortune. If this move is about more game time for him, I am supportive although sad to see him go.

I hope he stays. I understand him going though. There is no way he makes our top team if everyone is fit but I can see him holding down a centre spot and doing a job allowing you to get stars in other positions.

 

[JC99]

Momorovski will be at the Bulldogs this year. Madge had told him Leilua and Roberts will be 1st choice centres. Momorosvski doesn't want to play reserve grade. Bulldogs have also offered him more money than what he is on at tigers.

I think this is rubbish. Unless we have given him permission how can the Bulldogs offer him more money if he is still contracted to us, not to mention the fact there is more competition for spots at the Dogs? If anything their attention would/should be on forwards

He’s off contract after this year. They could easily make him an offer for 2022, which pretty much always means if he can get himself an early release he’ll have a contract waiting for him. Same with us signing Laurie

He is signed until end of 2022. Zerotackle state it's a players option for next year however the official WT site state he's contracted until end of next year.

Looking at the WT website, is says he’s contracted for 2022 but it’s a player option. He could talk to any club he wants to right now.

I'll take you word it's a PO for 2022, you seem across these things. It's strange the club never disclosed that.... everything I read at the time was it was a 2 year contract, no mention of a one year deal with a player option for 2022.

I’m not 100% sure but it seems like there was a change in the rules so clubs had to make it
Public if there’s player and club options in contracts now. I’ve never seen it publicly before squads came out late last year. It’s good to know though.

 

[mikey]

I’ll trust whatever Maguire decides but I must say I’d be disappointed if momirovski kept either Leilua or Roberts out of the team. We have lacked strike for years and these two (at their best) are as punishing as any back in the game. I’ll go further and say if they are our centres for most of the season we are playing finals football.

There would have to be a marked improvement in Leilua’s game, he was next to useless last year. I’d happily select either Momo or Talau in his place right now.


I don't rate Momo too highly but he is much better than Talau. I'd be surprised if Talau remains in FG.
BJ is better than both of them. By a mile.

Momorovski is a smart footballer and a fine team player. He does a job, can score a try, kick goals and won't cost a fortune. If this move is about more game time for him, I am supportive although sad to see him go.

Doesn't make sense to me if true. Why would you send him to Melbourne to learn via the swap and Melbourne system and then let him go, especially given the unknown nature of JTJ?

Also, can't see a coach telling a player he's not in FG or down the pecking order in pre-season without seeing how all players pan out in the team.

 

[Magpie1969]

Quality teams have depth so Mono needs to be kept. JTJ still has a lot to prove this season.

 

[tigger19]

I would be open to a momo swap for Meaney,as it stands either Talau and one of either momo or Jet will be backups so plenty of depth there.Meaney would mean speed and a goal kicker at fb and push Mbye to the bench where he can cover multiple positions

 

[Bob]

I’ll trust whatever Maguire decides but I must say I’d be disappointed if momirovski kept either Leilua or Roberts out of the team. We have lacked strike for years and these two (at their best) are as punishing as any back in the game. I’ll go further and say if they are our centres for most of the season we are playing finals football.

There would have to be a marked improvement in Leilua’s game, he was next to useless last year. I’d happily select either Momo or Talau in his place right now.


I don't rate Momo too highly but he is much better than Talau. I'd be surprised if Talau remains in FG.
BJ is better than both of them. By a mile.

Momorovski is a smart footballer and a fine team player. He does a job, can score a try, kick goals and won't cost a fortune. If this move is about more game time for him, I am supportive although sad to see him go.

Doesn't make sense to me if true. Why would you send him to Melbourne to learn via the swap and Melbourne system and then let him go, especially given the unknown nature of JTJ?

Also, can't see a coach telling a player he's not in FG or down the pecking order in pre-season without seeing how all players pan out in the team

I recall one of the issues when the swap was on gain of again was momos contract after the year ended.

I remember he was reluctant to go to Melbourne as he was not guaranteed first grade time, he used his willingness for the swap to extend his contract.

 

[YesHeCheeKam]

I’ll trust whatever Maguire decides but I must say I’d be disappointed if momirovski kept either Leilua or Roberts out of the team. We have lacked strike for years and these two (at their best) are as punishing as any back in the game. I’ll go further and say if they are our centres for most of the season we are playing finals football.

There would have to be a marked improvement in Leilua’s game, he was next to useless last year. I’d happily select either Momo or Talau in his place right now.


I don't rate Momo too highly but he is much better than Talau. I'd be surprised if Talau remains in FG.
BJ is better than both of them. By a mile.

Momorovski is a smart footballer and a fine team player. He does a job, can score a try, kick goals and won't cost a fortune. If this move is about more game time for him, I am supportive although sad to see him go.

Doesn't make sense to me if true. Why would you send him to Melbourne to learn via the swap and Melbourne system and then let him go, especially given the unknown nature of JTJ?

Also, can't see a coach telling a player he's not in FG or down the pecking order in pre-season without seeing how all players pan out in the team.

I really think sending him to Melbourne had nothing about his development. We wanted Grant and Madge didn't see Momo in the starting side with Mbye and BJ.

 

[bathursttiger1]

Plus I can’t imagine madge has promised anyone any position as yet we’ve not even fully started pre season.

Can you imagine Madge promising Momo a starting spot ahead of BJ and Roberts. I can't see that happening.

On BJ’s form last season I would definitely start Momo ahead of BJ.
Last season he was as useless as an ashtray on a motorcycle.

 

[851]

I’ll trust whatever Maguire decides but I must say I’d be disappointed if momirovski kept either Leilua or Roberts out of the team. We have lacked strike for years and these two (at their best) are as punishing as any back in the game. I’ll go further and say if they are our centres for most of the season we are playing finals football.

There would have to be a marked improvement in Leilua’s game, he was next to useless last year. I’d happily select either Momo or Talau in his place right now.


I don't rate Momo too highly but he is much better than Talau. I'd be surprised if Talau remains in FG.
BJ is better than both of them. By a mile.

Momorovski is a smart footballer and a fine team player. He does a job, can score a try, kick goals and won't cost a fortune. If this move is about more game time for him, I am supportive although sad to see him go.

Doesn't make sense to me if true. Why would you send him to Melbourne to learn via the swap and Melbourne system and then let him go, especially given the unknown nature of JTJ?

Also, can't see a coach telling a player he's not in FG or down the pecking order in pre-season without seeing how all players pan out in the team.

Penrith told Mansour he wouldn’t be in first grade this year

 

[mikey]

I’ll trust whatever Maguire decides but I must say I’d be disappointed if momirovski kept either Leilua or Roberts out of the team. We have lacked strike for years and these two (at their best) are as punishing as any back in the game. I’ll go further and say if they are our centres for most of the season we are playing finals football.

There would have to be a marked improvement in Leilua’s game, he was next to useless last year. I’d happily select either Momo or Talau in his place right now.


I don't rate Momo too highly but he is much better than Talau. I'd be surprised if Talau remains in FG.
BJ is better than both of them. By a mile.

Momorovski is a smart footballer and a fine team player. He does a job, can score a try, kick goals and won't cost a fortune. If this move is about more game time for him, I am supportive although sad to see him go.

Doesn't make sense to me if true. Why would you send him to Melbourne to learn via the swap and Melbourne system and then let him go, especially given the unknown nature of JTJ?

Also, can't see a coach telling a player he's not in FG or down the pecking order in pre-season without seeing how all players pan out in the team.

Penrith told Mansour he wouldn’t be in first grade this year

Yes, he was - at the end of the season. Still doesn't mean the same in regards to Momo.

 

[sleeve]

Iwonder if the reason they told Mansour he would be dropped was to encourage him to look elswhere and to notify other club of his availiability.Maybe thats how we move Mbye?

 

[mikey]

I’ll trust whatever Maguire decides but I must say I’d be disappointed if momirovski kept either Leilua or Roberts out of the team. We have lacked strike for years and these two (at their best) are as punishing as any back in the game. I’ll go further and say if they are our centres for most of the season we are playing finals football.

There would have to be a marked improvement in Leilua’s game, he was next to useless last year. I’d happily select either Momo or Talau in his place right now.


I don't rate Momo too highly but he is much better than Talau. I'd be surprised if Talau remains in FG.
BJ is better than both of them. By a mile.

Momorovski is a smart footballer and a fine team player. He does a job, can score a try, kick goals and won't cost a fortune. If this move is about more game time for him, I am supportive although sad to see him go.

Doesn't make sense to me if true. Why would you send him to Melbourne to learn via the swap and Melbourne system and then let him go, especially given the unknown nature of JTJ?

Also, can't see a coach telling a player he's not in FG or down the pecking order in pre-season without seeing how all players pan out in the team.

I really think sending him to Melbourne had nothing about his development. We wanted Grant and Madge didn't see Momo in the starting side with Mbye and BJ.

Melbourne wouldn't have taken him if there was no potential for Momo to be in FG or if they didn't see him as a suitable swap. maybe, McGuire did offer him up for the reason you state but he doesn't strike me as someone who only thinks in the short-term - he has built two teams into premeirship winners from the scrapheap - that takes a longer strategy plan.

 

[cochise]

Pages of moaning that the dogs recruiting better.
They have a very wealthy family putting money up right now. we can't compete in the 3rd party deals.
Unless Harry cobwebs wallet Trigaboff digs deep it will stay that way.

Harry still puts 6 figure sums into the club EVERY YEAR.

You'd actually be surprised how much he contributes.

He is unfairly bagged on here.

My read on Harry is he is not as engaged with the club as he was in earlier years hence why he no longer ploughs in millions. That's fair enough. We should be thankful he still tips money in here and there however I'd be surprised if he could name 20 of our 27 man squad or who we face in the first round.

That take is completely off the mark.

 

[Cairnstigers]

Momorovski will be at the Bulldogs this year. Madge had told him Leilua and Roberts will be 1st choice centres. Momorosvski doesn't want to play reserve grade. Bulldogs have also offered him more money than what he is on at tigers.

Madge hasn't told him that, he's told him he's a starter and if not at centre, at 5/8. He'll be one of the first backs picked. He's scored 14 tries in 19 games and played in finals for Easts and the Storm. I'll put money on it if you like and despite all the expert opinions in this forum, Madge rates him and that's all that counts. Do you want to put money on it?

I'll bet you he hasnt played in finals for storm despite your expert opinion on this forum.
Why do his fans need to bullcrap about his career? Last week they said he played and scored in a GF!!

Well that was me who said he scored in the GF
That was my mistake but I wouldn't call it bullcrap
It was the preliminary final
Still a great effort in a high pressure game to help the Roosters to get to the Grand final