Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[pawsandclaws1]

Comments suggesting it doesn't matter as they're only reserve graders are missing the point. These players were identified by us and we made them offers. They turned us down. There is no point having a youth strategy if we're unable to sign them.

The vast majority of NRL players will resign with their current clubs. This is not an issue unique to Wests Tigers. Do you think the Wests Tigers were the only club that identified either of these guys?

They are not the only two players we've gone after. We've gone after many other players that have signed with rival clubs.

So what? We are a club that isn’t very attractive because we have spent so much time near the bottom. That won’t change overnight.

You conveniently ignore all the junior talent we have signed because we missed out on 2.

We've missed out on a lot more than two unless of course we didn't really make them an offer at all -

TPJ
JAC
LM
AJ Brimson
Lomax
Jai Arrow
HSS
Egan

Ah so now you’re changing the argument to make the list longer, sorry I didn’t realise players in their mid 20,s were classed as junior talent.

Not changing the argument at all. Egan and HSS were no doubt being recruited for our NRL side, not to sit in KOE. These are players we were linked to and have signed zero. Our miss rate is shocking.

Do you believe bringing Sheens back is an admission a cog is amiss in our recruitment wheel (note I believe Hartigan is doing a fine job)?

Hartigan is also a big piece of the recruitment team, not just Madge.

If our recruitment purportedly sucks, the blame lays with the entire team. You don't get to pick and choose who to single out.

I think whoever is identifying the talent (I imagine a mix of Hartigan and Madge) is doing a good job. They just can't close a deal. That's the issue

Yeah and you will not get an argument from me about that either. We are flush with cash so it's not about that. It's either we are refusing to pay overs to attract the talent as it appears we have had a bit of a moneyball approach of late, or they don't want to be here.

But my reply to Paws was moreso about his willingness to apportion blame toward Madge in it's entirety and absolve absolutely everyone else in the process. Never anyone else's fault but Maguire's.

It's not an unreasonable expectation the NRL coach is the No 1 cog in recruiting NRL players to a club.

Except that is no longer how this club behaves because of previous coaches.

I would expect the NRL coach to play a significant role in getting a signature on a contract eg Wayne Bennett, Trent Barrett,

Is their recruitment process set up similarly to ours?

They don't seem to have problems recruiting NRL players. so obviously not.

They also didn't have Ivan Cleary destroy their cap before skipping out as well.

The Bulldogs had plenty of cap issues but get results with the recruitment. Who wouldn't take JAC and Burton?

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Comments suggesting it doesn't matter as they're only reserve graders are missing the point. These players were identified by us and we made them offers. They turned us down. There is no point having a youth strategy if we're unable to sign them.

The vast majority of NRL players will resign with their current clubs. This is not an issue unique to Wests Tigers. Do you think the Wests Tigers were the only club that identified either of these guys?

They are not the only two players we've gone after. We've gone after many other players that have signed with rival clubs.

So what? We are a club that isn’t very attractive because we have spent so much time near the bottom. That won’t change overnight.

You conveniently ignore all the junior talent we have signed because we missed out on 2.

We've missed out on a lot more than two unless of course we didn't really make them an offer at all -

TPJ
JAC
LM
AJ Brimson
Lomax
Jai Arrow
HSS
Egan

Ah so now you’re changing the argument to make the list longer, sorry I didn’t realise players in their mid 20,s were classed as junior talent.

Not changing the argument at all. Egan and HSS were no doubt being recruited for our NRL side, not to sit in KOE. These are players we were linked to and have signed zero. Our miss rate is shocking.

Do you believe bringing Sheens back is an admission a cog is amiss in our recruitment wheel (note I believe Hartigan is doing a fine job)?

Hartigan is also a big piece of the recruitment team, not just Madge.

If our recruitment purportedly sucks, the blame lays with the entire team. You don't get to pick and choose who to single out.

I think whoever is identifying the talent (I imagine a mix of Hartigan and Madge) is doing a good job. They just can't close a deal. That's the issue

Yeah and you will not get an argument from me about that either. We are flush with cash so it's not about that. It's either we are refusing to pay overs to attract the talent as it appears we have had a bit of a moneyball approach of late, or they don't want to be here.

But my reply to Paws was moreso about his willingness to apportion blame toward Madge in it's entirety and absolve absolutely everyone else in the process. Never anyone else's fault but Maguire's.

It's not an unreasonable expectation the NRL coach is the No 1 cog in recruiting NRL players to a club.

Except that is no longer how this club behaves because of previous coaches.

I would expect the NRL coach to play a significant role in getting a signature on a contract eg Wayne Bennett, Trent Barrett,

Is their recruitment process set up similarly to ours?

They don't seem to have problems recruiting NRL players. so obviously not.

They also didn't have Ivan Cleary destroy their cap before skipping out as well.

And time will tell if Barrett has screwed there cap as well?

You sit and point the finger but the Bulldogs are out there doing it with Gould.

 

[Demps]

Now for the Mikaele 1 year resigning this arvo at 5pm. Hopefully his hands get better in the off-season. He could be as good as Haas if he finds that belief.

Agree.

Needs to find some confidence and knuckle down.

Looks a bit unfit at the moment.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Comments suggesting it doesn't matter as they're only reserve graders are missing the point. These players were identified by us and we made them offers. They turned us down. There is no point having a youth strategy if we're unable to sign them.

The vast majority of NRL players will resign with their current clubs. This is not an issue unique to Wests Tigers. Do you think the Wests Tigers were the only club that identified either of these guys?

They are not the only two players we've gone after. We've gone after many other players that have signed with rival clubs.

So what? We are a club that isn’t very attractive because we have spent so much time near the bottom. That won’t change overnight.

You conveniently ignore all the junior talent we have signed because we missed out on 2.

We've missed out on a lot more than two unless of course we didn't really make them an offer at all -

TPJ
JAC
LM
AJ Brimson
Lomax
Jai Arrow
HSS
Egan

Ah so now you’re changing the argument to make the list longer, sorry I didn’t realise players in their mid 20,s were classed as junior talent.

Not changing the argument at all. Egan and HSS were no doubt being recruited for our NRL side, not to sit in KOE. These are players we were linked to and have signed zero. Our miss rate is shocking.

Do you believe bringing Sheens back is an admission a cog is amiss in our recruitment wheel (note I believe Hartigan is doing a fine job)?

Hartigan is also a big piece of the recruitment team, not just Madge.

If our recruitment purportedly sucks, the blame lays with the entire team. You don't get to pick and choose who to single out.

I think whoever is identifying the talent (I imagine a mix of Hartigan and Madge) is doing a good job. They just can't close a deal. That's the issue

Yeah and you will not get an argument from me about that either. We are flush with cash so it's not about that. It's either we are refusing to pay overs to attract the talent as it appears we have had a bit of a moneyball approach of late, or they don't want to be here.

But my reply to Paws was moreso about his willingness to apportion blame toward Madge in it's entirety and absolve absolutely everyone else in the process. Never anyone else's fault but Maguire's.

It's not an unreasonable expectation the NRL coach is the No 1 cog in recruiting NRL players to a club.

Except that is no longer how this club behaves because of previous coaches.

I would expect the NRL coach to play a significant role in getting a signature on a contract eg Wayne Bennett, Trent Barrett,

Is their recruitment process set up similarly to ours?

They don't seem to have problems recruiting NRL players. so obviously not.

They also didn't have Ivan Cleary destroy their cap before skipping out as well.

The Bulldogs had plenty of cap issues but get results with the recruitment. Who wouldn't take JAC and Burton?

We obviously wanted JAC, didn't work out that way. Maybe Laundy offered him shares in a pub who knows, we're not privy to what goes down. Did JAC tell you he didn't like Madge? Have you got some sort of inside info that no one else on this forum has? If so, do share.

 

[TYGA]

Regarding Luke Thompson the Bulldogs want to keep him. The issue is he has an option in his contract for 2023. It’s big money 850k no club will pay and the Dogs would prefer to have that available. Any new deal he won’t take less than 850k over the next two seasons and wants another 2 until 2025.

It will work for both clubs if Dogs pay 250k a season over the next 2 years and Tigers average a contract at 550k a year. I can see if happening it’s a bad contract the Dogs have signed for a prop.

Outside of Haas, Fisher Harris, Asofa Solomona and maybe Paulo you can’t justify that sort of money.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Comments suggesting it doesn't matter as they're only reserve graders are missing the point. These players were identified by us and we made them offers. They turned us down. There is no point having a youth strategy if we're unable to sign them.

The vast majority of NRL players will resign with their current clubs. This is not an issue unique to Wests Tigers. Do you think the Wests Tigers were the only club that identified either of these guys?

They are not the only two players we've gone after. We've gone after many other players that have signed with rival clubs.

So what? We are a club that isn’t very attractive because we have spent so much time near the bottom. That won’t change overnight.

You conveniently ignore all the junior talent we have signed because we missed out on 2.

We've missed out on a lot more than two unless of course we didn't really make them an offer at all -

TPJ
JAC
LM
AJ Brimson
Lomax
Jai Arrow
HSS
Egan

Ah so now you’re changing the argument to make the list longer, sorry I didn’t realise players in their mid 20,s were classed as junior talent.

Not changing the argument at all. Egan and HSS were no doubt being recruited for our NRL side, not to sit in KOE. These are players we were linked to and have signed zero. Our miss rate is shocking.

Do you believe bringing Sheens back is an admission a cog is amiss in our recruitment wheel (note I believe Hartigan is doing a fine job)?

Hartigan is also a big piece of the recruitment team, not just Madge.

If our recruitment purportedly sucks, the blame lays with the entire team. You don't get to pick and choose who to single out.

I think whoever is identifying the talent (I imagine a mix of Hartigan and Madge) is doing a good job. They just can't close a deal. That's the issue

Yeah and you will not get an argument from me about that either. We are flush with cash so it's not about that. It's either we are refusing to pay overs to attract the talent as it appears we have had a bit of a moneyball approach of late, or they don't want to be here.

But my reply to Paws was moreso about his willingness to apportion blame toward Madge in it's entirety and absolve absolutely everyone else in the process. Never anyone else's fault but Maguire's.

It's not an unreasonable expectation the NRL coach is the No 1 cog in recruiting NRL players to a club.

Except that is no longer how this club behaves because of previous coaches.

I would expect the NRL coach to play a significant role in getting a signature on a contract eg Wayne Bennett, Trent Barrett,

Is their recruitment process set up similarly to ours?

They don't seem to have problems recruiting NRL players. so obviously not.

They also didn't have Ivan Cleary destroy their cap before skipping out as well.

And time will tell if Barrett has screwed there cap as well?

You sit and point the finger but the Bulldogs are out there doing it with Gould.

Except virtually all the signing was done prior to Gould.

 

[Red Rugby]

For what its worth....

A very good mate of mine is a journo in NZ.

Apparently the Tigers are looking at a number of the outside backs in the NPC (which is the level below Super Rugby). No names but he says there is massive potential there.

 

[851]

Guys I am absolutely lost for words at how we can’t sign anyone. Makes me think management and/or **the coach** put the players off

I have been saying this for 2 years, maybe with all the swing and missing, someone in management will wake up to it

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Comments suggesting it doesn't matter as they're only reserve graders are missing the point. These players were identified by us and we made them offers. They turned us down. There is no point having a youth strategy if we're unable to sign them.

The vast majority of NRL players will resign with their current clubs. This is not an issue unique to Wests Tigers. Do you think the Wests Tigers were the only club that identified either of these guys?

They are not the only two players we've gone after. We've gone after many other players that have signed with rival clubs.

So what? We are a club that isn’t very attractive because we have spent so much time near the bottom. That won’t change overnight.

You conveniently ignore all the junior talent we have signed because we missed out on 2.

We've missed out on a lot more than two unless of course we didn't really make them an offer at all -

TPJ
JAC
LM
AJ Brimson
Lomax
Jai Arrow
HSS
Egan

Ah so now you’re changing the argument to make the list longer, sorry I didn’t realise players in their mid 20,s were classed as junior talent.

Not changing the argument at all. Egan and HSS were no doubt being recruited for our NRL side, not to sit in KOE. These are players we were linked to and have signed zero. Our miss rate is shocking.

Do you believe bringing Sheens back is an admission a cog is amiss in our recruitment wheel (note I believe Hartigan is doing a fine job)?

Hartigan is also a big piece of the recruitment team, not just Madge.

If our recruitment purportedly sucks, the blame lays with the entire team. You don't get to pick and choose who to single out.

I think whoever is identifying the talent (I imagine a mix of Hartigan and Madge) is doing a good job. They just can't close a deal. That's the issue

Yeah and you will not get an argument from me about that either. We are flush with cash so it's not about that. It's either we are refusing to pay overs to attract the talent as it appears we have had a bit of a moneyball approach of late, or they don't want to be here.

But my reply to Paws was moreso about his willingness to apportion blame toward Madge in it's entirety and absolve absolutely everyone else in the process. Never anyone else's fault but Maguire's.

It's not an unreasonable expectation the NRL coach is the No 1 cog in recruiting NRL players to a club.

Except that is no longer how this club behaves because of previous coaches.

I would expect the NRL coach to play a significant role in getting a signature on a contract eg Wayne Bennett, Trent Barrett,

Is their recruitment process set up similarly to ours?

They don't seem to have problems recruiting NRL players. so obviously not.

They also didn't have Ivan Cleary destroy their cap before skipping out as well.

And time will tell if Barrett has screwed there cap as well?

You sit and point the finger but the Bulldogs are out there doing it with Gould.

Except virtually all the signing was done prior to Gould.

He is there now and what a great addition to the Bulldogs.

 

[jirskyr]

Geez now we're whining over missing a reserve grader and a bench player. Might have been good for depth, but they're no better than what we already have.

I think the point is we can’t even attract those kinds of players. Good luck signing anyone more established.

Like Maumalo?

Maumalo, Tuilagi, Tuki Simpkin, Jake Simpkins, Blore, Pauga, Amone, Madden, Cini, Stefano, Tamou, Jimmy Jet, Joe Ofa, Laurie, AJ Kepaoa, Sam McIntyre, Hoffman, Harry Grant, Musgrove, Luch, Billy Walters, Doueihi, BJ Leilua

Since start of 2020, Madge's second year, we've debuted 24 new players in first grade, 100% of whom were signed from other clubs / other junior systems.

I would argue these players are almost entirely average to fringe first-grade players when they arrived (some have since improved). I think it's pretty clear Tigers don't have an issue with signing entry-level first graders.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Comments suggesting it doesn't matter as they're only reserve graders are missing the point. These players were identified by us and we made them offers. They turned us down. There is no point having a youth strategy if we're unable to sign them.

The vast majority of NRL players will resign with their current clubs. This is not an issue unique to Wests Tigers. Do you think the Wests Tigers were the only club that identified either of these guys?

They are not the only two players we've gone after. We've gone after many other players that have signed with rival clubs.

So what? We are a club that isn’t very attractive because we have spent so much time near the bottom. That won’t change overnight.

You conveniently ignore all the junior talent we have signed because we missed out on 2.

We've missed out on a lot more than two unless of course we didn't really make them an offer at all -

TPJ
JAC
LM
AJ Brimson
Lomax
Jai Arrow
HSS
Egan

Ah so now you’re changing the argument to make the list longer, sorry I didn’t realise players in their mid 20,s were classed as junior talent.

Not changing the argument at all. Egan and HSS were no doubt being recruited for our NRL side, not to sit in KOE. These are players we were linked to and have signed zero. Our miss rate is shocking.

Do you believe bringing Sheens back is an admission a cog is amiss in our recruitment wheel (note I believe Hartigan is doing a fine job)?

Hartigan is also a big piece of the recruitment team, not just Madge.

If our recruitment purportedly sucks, the blame lays with the entire team. You don't get to pick and choose who to single out.

I think whoever is identifying the talent (I imagine a mix of Hartigan and Madge) is doing a good job. They just can't close a deal. That's the issue

Yeah and you will not get an argument from me about that either. We are flush with cash so it's not about that. It's either we are refusing to pay overs to attract the talent as it appears we have had a bit of a moneyball approach of late, or they don't want to be here.

But my reply to Paws was moreso about his willingness to apportion blame toward Madge in it's entirety and absolve absolutely everyone else in the process. Never anyone else's fault but Maguire's.

It's not an unreasonable expectation the NRL coach is the No 1 cog in recruiting NRL players to a club.

Except that is no longer how this club behaves because of previous coaches.

I would expect the NRL coach to play a significant role in getting a signature on a contract eg Wayne Bennett, Trent Barrett,

Is their recruitment process set up similarly to ours?

They don't seem to have problems recruiting NRL players. so obviously not.

They also didn't have Ivan Cleary destroy their cap before skipping out as well.

And time will tell if Barrett has screwed there cap as well?

You sit and point the finger but the Bulldogs are out there doing it with Gould.

Except virtually all the signing was done prior to Gould.

He is there now and what a great addition to the Bulldogs.

Oh so he gets to share the blame if it blows up spectacularly then?

 

[TigerWest]

Comments suggesting it doesn't matter as they're only reserve graders are missing the point. These players were identified by us and we made them offers. They turned us down. There is no point having a youth strategy if we're unable to sign them.

The vast majority of NRL players will resign with their current clubs. This is not an issue unique to Wests Tigers. Do you think the Wests Tigers were the only club that identified either of these guys?

They are not the only two players we've gone after. We've gone after many other players that have signed with rival clubs.

So what? We are a club that isn’t very attractive because we have spent so much time near the bottom. That won’t change overnight.

You conveniently ignore all the junior talent we have signed because we missed out on 2.

We've missed out on a lot more than two unless of course we didn't really make them an offer at all -

TPJ
JAC
LM
AJ Brimson
Lomax
Jai Arrow
HSS
Egan

Ah so now you’re changing the argument to make the list longer, sorry I didn’t realise players in their mid 20,s were classed as junior talent.

Not changing the argument at all. Egan and HSS were no doubt being recruited for our NRL side, not to sit in KOE. These are players we were linked to and have signed zero. Our miss rate is shocking.

Do you believe bringing Sheens back is an admission a cog is amiss in our recruitment wheel (note I believe Hartigan is doing a fine job)?

Hartigan is also a big piece of the recruitment team, not just Madge.

If our recruitment purportedly sucks, the blame lays with the entire team. You don't get to pick and choose who to single out.

I think whoever is identifying the talent (I imagine a mix of Hartigan and Madge) is doing a good job. They just can't close a deal. That's the issue

Yeah and you will not get an argument from me about that either. We are flush with cash so it's not about that. It's either we are refusing to pay overs to attract the talent as it appears we have had a bit of a moneyball approach of late, or they don't want to be here.

But my reply to Paws was moreso about his willingness to apportion blame toward Madge in it's entirety and absolve absolutely everyone else in the process. Never anyone else's fault but Maguire's.

It's not an unreasonable expectation the NRL coach is the No 1 cog in recruiting NRL players to a club.

Except that is no longer how this club behaves because of previous coaches.

I would expect the NRL coach to play a significant role in getting a signature on a contract eg Wayne Bennett, Trent Barrett,

Is their recruitment process set up similarly to ours?

They don't seem to have problems recruiting NRL players. so obviously not.

They also didn't have Ivan Cleary destroy their cap before skipping out as well.

And time will tell if Barrett has screwed there cap as well?

You sit and point the finger but the Bulldogs are out there doing it with Gould.

Gould has only JUST started there, it’ll change, because of exactly what Barrett is doing, buying anything that moves, they all will, it makes sense.

 

[TigerTone]

looks like Klemmer is going to Bulldogs

Asiata and Klemmer?
interesting to see their cap now!!!


A repeat of their 2001-2002 period

now theyre after a Cook's understudy from Souths

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Regarding Luke Thompson the Bulldogs want to keep him. The issue is he has an option in his contract for 2023. It’s big money 850k no club will pay and the Dogs would prefer to have that available. Any new deal he won’t take less than 850k over the next two seasons and wants another 2 until 2025.

It will work for both clubs if Dogs pay 250k a season over the next 2 years and Tigers average a contract at 550k a year. I can see if happening it’s a bad contract the Dogs have signed for a prop.

Outside of Haas, Fisher Harris, Asofa Solomona and maybe Paulo you can’t justify that sort of money.

I would be concerned paying Thompson that amount due to the form and potential of Stefano. If anyone deserves more $ as a prop it is him.

 

[Demps]

For what its worth....

A very good mate of mine is a journo in NZ.

Apparently the Tigers are looking at a number of the outside backs in the NPC (which is the level below Super Rugby). No names but he says there is massive potential there.

Nice 💯🔥

 

[avocadoontoast]

Regarding Luke Thompson the Bulldogs want to keep him. The issue is he has an option in his contract for 2023. It’s big money 850k no club will pay and the Dogs would prefer to have that available. Any new deal he won’t take less than 850k over the next two seasons and wants another 2 until 2025.

It will work for both clubs if Dogs pay 250k a season over the next 2 years and Tigers average a contract at 550k a year. I can see if happening it’s a bad contract the Dogs have signed for a prop.

Outside of Haas, Fisher Harris, Asofa Solomona and maybe Paulo you can’t justify that sort of money.

I would be concerned paying Thompson that amount due to the form and potential of Stefano. If anyone deserves more $ as a prop it is him.

I'd be happy to pay them both good money Paws. They'd be a fantastic starting prop combo.

 

[Needaname]

I think our best chance for recruitment next year is throwing money after November 1 for our targets for 2023 and trying to get them across a year early.

Agree with this. Apart from getting them early. Nope. Continue developing next year. Let those players play finals with their current clubs and come in and start the climb to the premiership in 23. Bringing them in a year early would be of no benefit to anyone. What you might find though is other players off contract end of 22 or 23 even might be liking the sound of the newly assembled 23 team and be looking to join early or to sign on for the next year.
Would be detrimental to bring 1 or 2 players in early and have a developing year once again. They will get disheartened very quickly and other potential recruits may even be turned off.

 

[TigerWest]

I think our best chance for recruitment next year is throwing money after November 1 for our targets for 2023 and trying to get them across a year early.

Agree with this. Apart from getting them early. Nope. Continue developing next year. Let those players play finals with their current clubs and come in and start the climb to the premiership in 23. Bringing them in a year early would be of no benefit to anyone. What you might find though is other players off contract end of 22 or 23 even might be liking the sound of the newly assembled 23 team and be looking to join early or to sign on for the next year.
Would be detrimental to bring 1 or 2 players in early and have a developing year once again. They will get disheartened very quickly and other potential recruits may even be turned off.

I guess it depends who it is though? If we need them now, then we need them?

 

[earl]

If the Tigers managed to get Zac Lomax and Luke Thompson I think you've had a massive win in terms of recruiting.

Of course but the likelihood of getting either of these players is extremely low. They already have long term contracts.

 

[Harvey]

Seyfarth re-signed. Two year deal
https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2021/08/19/wests-tigers-re-sign-alex-seyfarth

Has been good this year. It is not like we need the roster spot for a signing from another club, we don't seem to be able to get anyone.