Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[cktiger]

Iv'e said it before,Brooks had alternative,5/8s,9.no decent FB and a forward pack with little go forward .He did not have his best yearbut considering the team, there are very few halves would have performed better.I think he will have a great year.

Seems to me plenty of people saying they don't want to give Hastings a go is
really because he might prove a lot better than Brooks.
I reckon buying him would put the heat on Brooks to perform... and that will be really good for the team or show us he hasn't got what it takes.
You can't deny Hastings form in the UK - and who cares if he's a goose or not.

 

[TigerWest]

Iv'e said it before,Brooks had alternative,5/8s,9.no decent FB and a forward pack with little go forward .He did not have his best yearbut considering the team, there are very few halves would have performed better.I think he will have a great year.

The only person to blame for Brooks performance in 2020 was himself.

Agree, he is not being targeted for the team’s performances, he is being targeted for what he did (or didn’t) do?

Anyway he is still here, hope he has a great year, but if not, then surely he will be gone, probably why the interest in Hastings?

 

[avocadoontoast]

Iv'e said it before,Brooks had alternative,5/8s,9.no decent FB and a forward pack with little go forward .He did not have his best yearbut considering the team, there are very few halves would have performed better.I think he will have a great year.

The only person to blame for Brooks performance in 2020 was himself.

Agree, he is not being targeted for the team’s performances, he is being targeted for what he did (or didn’t) do?

Anyway he is still here, hope he has a great year, but if not, then surely he will be gone, probably why the interest in Hastings?

I thought he was really good in '18 and '19, but he was shocking last year. People who are worried about Mbye at fullback should be equally worried about Brooks. If he doesn't drastically improve this year we're going to struggle massively.

 

[TigerWest]

Iv'e said it before,Brooks had alternative,5/8s,9.no decent FB and a forward pack with little go forward .He did not have his best yearbut considering the team, there are very few halves would have performed better.I think he will have a great year.

The only person to blame for Brooks performance in 2020 was himself.

Agree, he is not being targeted for the team’s performances, he is being targeted for what he did (or didn’t) do?

Anyway he is still here, hope he has a great year, but if not, then surely he will be gone, probably why the interest in Hastings?

I thought he was really good in '18 and '19, but he was shocking last year. People who are worried about Mbye at fullback should be equally worried about Brooks. If he doesn't drastically improve this year we're going to struggle massively.

Exactly, the club has had a purge and a splurge on new players, Brooks performance will be massive in our quest for top 8.

 

[balmain boy]

One thing that baffles me is that Hastings has ripped up ESL and looked a class above it for 2 years now and many people on here still turn their nose up at him and say NO. Yet Gareth Widdop came over last year with a big reputation, did very little and looked average at best, in the very same competition as Hastings yet people still wanted to sign him when he was linked pre Christmas.

I hope you are not comparing Hastings with Widdop? Chalk and cheese.

You say "Widdop came over last year?"

He basically played here since 2010.

i.e. 2010-13 Melbourne Storm (71 games)
2014-19 St. George (125 games)

He earned his reputation don't worry. I know, so did Hastings, but that was as a Flog.


Widdop was outstanding and had a brilliant career in the NRL, I haven't once declared that he didn't. My point is recent form and peoples differing opinions on that.

Widdop flopped in a competition that many declare as average, yet Hastings excelled in it.

My point was, i don’t see how people would of still taken the older, injury prone player who looked average, but then not be interested in someone who's moved on to a lesser competition to rebuild his career, done exactly that and excelled from that point.

Im with you Pom.Many ppl on this forum are backward looking and make decisions dased on distant history ...eg his unsettled "character" from yrs ago at Manly etc(with mitigating circumstances) ......and are unable to digest subsequent events which clearly demonstrate Hastings has both behaved and matured and more importantly has absolutely killed it over there.
Add to that the fact that most who do well in ESL as playmakers generally succeed(and then some) here despite the differences in intensity of defence in NRL
Our current 6 and 7 BOTH are a little vulnerable to making a difference in 2021,and if given the oppportunity Hastings will have leapfrogged one (or probably both)of em to be permanent starter within a few rounds
Hastings is potentially a gamechanger for WTs.... hes is a lot more proven than most of our offseason 'troubled "recruits who havent proven anything on the field recently except "potential:..but still worth the gamble
Hastings is low risk high reward IMO

He's certainly not a low risk player.

Potential to upset all team harmony by introducing a 'lazy dickhead'. He also won't be cheap. Man of Steel winner. 400-500k for a backup half? He'd want a 2-3 year deal too. So he'd chew up a lot of cap, for a few years, for a player who may not contribute to our side.

If he's on a 2 year deal at 200k then sure, give him a shot ahead of ZDC. With clauses that if he messes up his contract gets torn up.

 

[TigerWest]

One thing that baffles me is that Hastings has ripped up ESL and looked a class above it for 2 years now and many people on here still turn their nose up at him and say NO. Yet Gareth Widdop came over last year with a big reputation, did very little and looked average at best, in the very same competition as Hastings yet people still wanted to sign him when he was linked pre Christmas.

I hope you are not comparing Hastings with Widdop? Chalk and cheese.

You say "Widdop came over last year?"

He basically played here since 2010.

i.e. 2010-13 Melbourne Storm (71 games)
2014-19 St. George (125 games)

He earned his reputation don't worry. I know, so did Hastings, but that was as a Flog.


Widdop was outstanding and had a brilliant career in the NRL, I haven't once declared that he didn't. My point is recent form and peoples differing opinions on that.

Widdop flopped in a competition that many declare as average, yet Hastings excelled in it.

My point was, i don’t see how people would of still taken the older, injury prone player who looked average, but then not be interested in someone who's moved on to a lesser competition to rebuild his career, done exactly that and excelled from that point.

Im with you Pom.Many ppl on this forum are backward looking and make decisions dased on distant history ...eg his unsettled "character" from yrs ago at Manly etc(with mitigating circumstances) ......and are unable to digest subsequent events which clearly demonstrate Hastings has both behaved and matured and more importantly has absolutely killed it over there.
Add to that the fact that most who do well in ESL as playmakers generally succeed(and then some) here despite the differences in intensity of defence in NRL
Our current 6 and 7 BOTH are a little vulnerable to making a difference in 2021,and if given the oppportunity Hastings will have leapfrogged one (or probably both)of em to be permanent starter within a few rounds
Hastings is potentially a gamechanger for WTs.... hes is a lot more proven than most of our offseason 'troubled "recruits who havent proven anything on the field recently except "potential:..but still worth the gamble
Hastings is low risk high reward IMO

He's certainly not a low risk player.

Potential to upset all team harmony by introducing a 'lazy dickhead'. He also won't be cheap. Man of Steel winner. 400-500k for a backup half? He'd want a 2-3 year deal too. So he'd chew up a lot of cap, for a few years, for a player who may not contribute to our side.

If he's on a 2 year deal at 200k then sure, give him a shot ahead of ZDC. With clauses that if he messes up his contract gets torn up.

I don’t follow the ESL, but do lazy ones win the “Man of Steel” awards?

If he came, who said he would be backup half?

 

[happy_tiger]

If Brooks does his job we shouldn't need Hastings I guess the real point is .....hell of a lot of money (reported 500 k ) for a back up

And if Madge wasn't sure we should have made this decision a helluva a lot quicker than this .....

And has lead to the decisions ie Mbye ,Reynolds etc in the past

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

My view on Hastings is that if it’s actually true & ZDC is that it’s clear Madge isn’t comfortable with our halfback stocks in Madden or Brooks.

The market is very very thin for halfbacks and unless you splurge, have a good forward pack, fullback and hooker then we will struggle to get one on the market so youngsters is our only hope next few seasons.

Hastings always had a heap of potential and carved up in juniors. ESL he has been very impressive. If our forwards could dominate then he actually could be a good pickup. I don’t see him working well with Brooks though. Maybe Brooks could be pushed.

How is it very clear Madge isn't comfortable with Madden and Brooks?Or is it just your imagination.

Why else go after Hastings (if true)?
It wouldn’t be for depth.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

If Brooks does his job we shouldn't need Hastings I guess the real point is .....hell of a lot of money (reported 500 k ) for a back up

And if Madge wasn't sure we should have made this decision a helluva a lot quicker than this .....

And has lead to the decisions ie Mbye ,Reynolds etc in the past

Agree.
Brooks must step up or we need to move on.

 

[happy_tiger]

If Brooks does his job we shouldn't need Hastings I guess the real point is .....hell of a lot of money (reported 500 k ) for a back up

And if Madge wasn't sure we should have made this decision a helluva a lot quicker than this .....

And has lead to the decisions ie Mbye ,Reynolds etc in the past

Agree.
Brooks must step up or we need to move on.

Million % MT ...this is make or break ...and Brooks must know this

 

[TigerWest]

If Brooks does his job we shouldn't need Hastings I guess the real point is .....hell of a lot of money (reported 500 k ) for a back up

And if Madge wasn't sure we should have made this decision a helluva a lot quicker than this .....

And has lead to the decisions ie Mbye ,Reynolds etc in the past

What is Brooks on?

He’d be around that figure? Maybe do a swap?

 

[boonboon]

The opinions I've seen and respect say Hastings is more a hooker in the NRL then a halfback. We look at the hookers spot we have a 24 yr old with a horrible injury history and a 19 yr old with no 1st grade games - thats where we are looking i'd say

 

[happy_tiger]

If Brooks does his job we shouldn't need Hastings I guess the real point is .....hell of a lot of money (reported 500 k ) for a back up

And if Madge wasn't sure we should have made this decision a helluva a lot quicker than this .....

And has lead to the decisions ie Mbye ,Reynolds etc in the past

What is Brooks on?

He’d be around that figure? Maybe do a swap?

I would have thought early 6's .....maybe ...guess it depended on supply and demand when we signed him

 

[supercoach]

I seriously doubt we have any real interest in Hastings, especially for 2021. We have a lot of coin invested in players like Mybe and Brooks. Didn’t the club say they had to much cap tied up in halves when they let Benji go. Maybe they have sounded him out for 2022 if Brooks fails to deliver this year.
Also he is not going to leave the UK to play a under study role with us

 

[TigerWest]

The opinions I've seen and respect say Hastings is more a hooker in the NRL then a halfback. We look at the hookers spot we have a 24 yr old with a horrible injury history and a 19 yr old with no 1st grade games - thats where we are looking i'd say

But we also have a halfback not really producing much either. So he can be looked for either?

 

[happy_tiger]

The opinions I've seen and respect say Hastings is more a hooker in the NRL then a halfback. We look at the hookers spot we have a 24 yr old with a horrible injury history and a 19 yr old with no 1st grade games - thats where we are looking i'd say

I'm just done with utilities ...seriously ...we have more utilities than the Monopoly game board

 

[cktiger]

I seriously doubt we have any real interest in Hastings, especially for 2021. We have a lot of coin invested in players like Mybe and Brooks. Didn’t the club say they had to much cap tied up in halves when they let Benji go. Maybe they have sounded him out for 2022 if Brooks fails to deliver this year.
Also he is not going to leave the UK to play a under study role with us

Might be we'll be letting Walters go to Brisbane , opening up another spot.

 

[happy_tiger]

The opinions I've seen and respect say Hastings is more a hooker in the NRL then a halfback. We look at the hookers spot we have a 24 yr old with a horrible injury history and a 19 yr old with no 1st grade games - thats where we are looking i'd say

I'm just done with utilities ...seriously ...we have more utilities than the Monopoly game board

Does it do Brooks any favours confidence wise having Hastings ....Brooks needs an excuse free season where he either sinks or turns into Kieran Perkins

 

[balmain boy]

The opinions I've seen and respect say Hastings is more a hooker in the NRL then a halfback. We look at the hookers spot we have a 24 yr old with a horrible injury history and a 19 yr old with no 1st grade games - thats where we are looking i'd say

Has he ever played hooker, at any level of the game? Who on earth comes up with this stuff??

 

[balmain boy]

One thing that baffles me is that Hastings has ripped up ESL and looked a class above it for 2 years now and many people on here still turn their nose up at him and say NO. Yet Gareth Widdop came over last year with a big reputation, did very little and looked average at best, in the very same competition as Hastings yet people still wanted to sign him when he was linked pre Christmas.

I hope you are not comparing Hastings with Widdop? Chalk and cheese.

You say "Widdop came over last year?"

He basically played here since 2010.

i.e. 2010-13 Melbourne Storm (71 games)
2014-19 St. George (125 games)

He earned his reputation don't worry. I know, so did Hastings, but that was as a Flog.


Widdop was outstanding and had a brilliant career in the NRL, I haven't once declared that he didn't. My point is recent form and peoples differing opinions on that.

Widdop flopped in a competition that many declare as average, yet Hastings excelled in it.

My point was, i don’t see how people would of still taken the older, injury prone player who looked average, but then not be interested in someone who's moved on to a lesser competition to rebuild his career, done exactly that and excelled from that point.

Im with you Pom.Many ppl on this forum are backward looking and make decisions dased on distant history ...eg his unsettled "character" from yrs ago at Manly etc(with mitigating circumstances) ......and are unable to digest subsequent events which clearly demonstrate Hastings has both behaved and matured and more importantly has absolutely killed it over there.
Add to that the fact that most who do well in ESL as playmakers generally succeed(and then some) here despite the differences in intensity of defence in NRL
Our current 6 and 7 BOTH are a little vulnerable to making a difference in 2021,and if given the oppportunity Hastings will have leapfrogged one (or probably both)of em to be permanent starter within a few rounds
Hastings is potentially a gamechanger for WTs.... hes is a lot more proven than most of our offseason 'troubled "recruits who havent proven anything on the field recently except "potential:..but still worth the gamble
Hastings is low risk high reward IMO

He's certainly not a low risk player.

Potential to upset all team harmony by introducing a 'lazy dickhead'. He also won't be cheap. Man of Steel winner. 400-500k for a backup half? He'd want a 2-3 year deal too. So he'd chew up a lot of cap, for a few years, for a player who may not contribute to our side.

If he's on a 2 year deal at 200k then sure, give him a shot ahead of ZDC. With clauses that if he messes up his contract gets torn up.

I don’t follow the ESL, but do lazy ones win the “Man of Steel” awards?

If he came, who said he would be backup half?

You think Madge would drop Brooks or Doueihi just like that, without any matches played and without judging them on performance? No chance. Especially when both are on 500k+ for the next few years.

If he came this year he'd be a backup.

If halfway through the season our halves are struggling then we might look at him as an option for 2022. If our halves are doing well then there's no point in spending big money on someone that's not needed