Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Tiger5150]

what happened to Jamayne isaako I thought we where after him early on along side pangi he can play multiple positions and has speed plus he is a very good goal kicker and he makes a few mistakes but who doesnt at the tigers I think he could do ok with a change of club

Think once Maumalo was signed all interest in Isaako dropped off.

There is a win by Tigers recruitment right there but I dont expect anyone to acknowledge it.

Whilst everyone is wetting thair pants that we "cant attract anyone" and "missed out on" marquee player X, the clubs recruitment team has added Maumalo, Laurie, Stef, Tuki, Joe O, Tuilagi, in the last 12 months to add to Douiehi, LL & Blore in the 12 months prior.

These players are the best in our squad and if we had a squad of this capability we make the 8. I am genuinely amazed that everyone here is blind to seeing that the improvement of the squad over the last 18-24 months is due to the recruitment system we have.

It’s amazing that a couple wins in a row and suddenly we’re an improved squad.

Name the 6 best players in our squad and when they were recruited.....

 

[GNR4LIFE]

what happened to Jamayne isaako I thought we where after him early on along side pangi he can play multiple positions and has speed plus he is a very good goal kicker and he makes a few mistakes but who doesnt at the tigers I think he could do ok with a change of club

Think once Maumalo was signed all interest in Isaako dropped off.

There is a win by Tigers recruitment right there but I dont expect anyone to acknowledge it.

Whilst everyone is wetting thair pants that we "cant attract anyone" and "missed out on" marquee player X, the clubs recruitment team has added Maumalo, Laurie, Stef, Tuki, Joe O, Tuilagi, in the last 12 months to add to Douiehi, LL & Blore in the 12 months prior.

These players are the best in our squad and if we had a squad of this capability we make the 8. I am genuinely amazed that everyone here is blind to seeing that the improvement of the squad over the last 18-24 months is due to the recruitment system we have.

It’s amazing that a couple wins in a row and suddenly we’re an improved squad.

Name the 6 best players in our squad and when they were recruited.....

That’s great, but it’s another year of no finals. And next year will be the same at this rate.

 

[rihannafan1]

what happened to Jamayne isaako I thought we where after him early on along side pangi he can play multiple positions and has speed plus he is a very good goal kicker and he makes a few mistakes but who doesnt at the tigers I think he could do ok with a change of club

Think once Maumalo was signed all interest in Isaako dropped off.

There is a win by Tigers recruitment right there but I dont expect anyone to acknowledge it.

Whilst everyone is wetting thair pants that we "cant attract anyone" and "missed out on" marquee player X, the clubs recruitment team has added Maumalo, Laurie, Stef, Tuki, Joe O, Tuilagi, in the last 12 months to add to Douiehi, LL & Blore in the 12 months prior.

These players are the best in our squad and if we had a squad of this capability we make the 8. I am genuinely amazed that everyone here is blind to seeing that the improvement of the squad over the last 18-24 months is due to the recruitment system we have.

The squad has not improved from 18 months ago.

 

[Demps]

NRL 2021: Bulldogs star Luke Thompson shopped to rivals, Dragons chase Origin star

Canterbury prop Luke Thompson has attracted interest from rival NRL clubs as his English-based manager looks to secure a long-term deal.
Dean Ritchie
,
Canterbury prop Luke Thompson has attracted interest from rival NRL clubs after his English-based manager could not secure a new, long-term deal with the Bulldogs.

While wanting him to complete his contract at Belmore, Canterbury would consider releasing Thompson early should he procure a lengthy deal elsewhere.

The Bulldogs know there is interest in Thompson.

Thompson has two years remaining on his current Bulldogs deal but his agent, Andy Clarke, has been contacting NRL clubs trying to gauge their interest in the giant British forward from 2024.

The Daily Telegraph has been told Wests Tigers have shown a keenness in Thompson, who earns around $850,000 a season.

Luke Thompson’s manager is trying secure his clients long-term future in Australia.
Clarke wants to nail down Thompson’s long-term future in Australia. He contacted Canterbury hoping the club would agree to an extension.

Yet with a crammed salary cap, Canterbury was unable to tell Clarke they could extend Thompson beyond his current deal. Thompson has an option his way for 2023.

If he can obtain a four-year deal for Thompson, Clarke may ask Canterbury for a release.

The Daily Telegraph has been told Canterbury is right on its salary cap limit for next season.

Rival clubs would want Canterbury to pay around $350,000 a year to take Thompson.

Canterbury can send out its new-look squad next season with any financial pressure but would struggle to sign any new players - or even upgrade a player - given how tight their salary cap has become.

New Bulldogs general manager of football, Phil Gould, is closely monitoring and reworking the club’s cap. Thompson leads the club’s stats every week but an early departure would free up some cash.

Luke Thompson has been one of the Bulldogs best forwards in 2021, but a move would free up salary cap space. Picture: Alix Sweeney.
Luke Thompson has been one of the Bulldogs best forwards in 2021, but a move would free up salary cap space. Picture: Alix Sweeney.
Canterbury is adamant Thompson is not being shopped around - it’s more Clarke trying to settle his client’s long-term NRL future.

Clarke is said to be looking “at all options”.

There are no guarantees Canterbury would allow Thompson to leave early but the club would carefully consider any approach.

There is at least one other Sydney club which has been approached about Thompson.

Thompson has told friends he wants to stay at Canterbury and be part of the expected revival next season.

The Bulldogs are open to moving a player or two while they work to reshape their salary cap. Canterbury has one spot open for next season.

Thompson has established himself among the finest forwards in the NRL desire playing in a wooden-spoon side. He overcame a bout of homesickness just last year.

In September last year, Thompson said: “I’m fully committed to the Bulldogs.”

Thompson will play prop in Canterbury’s match against Newcastle this Saturday on the Gold Coast


Looks like the overspending on players at the dogs is already biting hard.They have already let players on large contracts be subsidised and moved on Thompson will be another.
Thank goodness Hartigan is pulling the financial strings here

LOL it’s year 2 of this rebuild , how is that even possible ? Am I missing something ? How is that last placed pack , going to make the 8 with the addition of TPJ and …. A lot of backs . They can barely get over halfway most sets .
Thompson is , ok , I guess , but he’s hardly the “best prop in the world “ that was being brandished about a year or 2 ago.

Backs get you over the line , forwards get you to it in the first place .
Having 2 average nrl back lines take up 70% of your cap , is not smart business IMO . The game where Burton ran the show against us , should be an eye to how the dogs will go next year . Just my opinion , but until they change every last man in that forward pack , and find a 9 , they can buy the aus backline , that team is not winning anything .

Mate, I'm mostly agreeing with you but I rate Burton.... as anything but a half. Second receiver on he's a deadset gun. If they choose him to play half, good luck to them. And if they let Thompson go, they are completely insane. The only good forward they've got. You're on the money.

I’m not saying Burton is hopeless or anything like that , I’m just saying we saw the Penrith sidethat night , which is way better than anything the dogs will trot out next year , basically offer nothing because it was Burton and nothing else . He’s on a hiding to nothing . I give it round 10 before the TPJ of the distractions outside footy and TPJ make the papers . From memory , it was one of the reason he had to get out of nsw , and Brisbane was a fresh start . He found the same guys , on the GC . That’s thier forward leader .
Here , he wouldn’t have had to be that , he would have been a complimentary piece . An enhancement to our pack . But I’m actually glad he’s not here , as I was always worried about his influence .
I wish him all the best , but that’s just not happening at the dogs .
But hey who am I ? Just another bum hole with an opinion .

TPJ played for Canberra before Brisbane.

Are u confusing him with some one else?

Who cares if hes friends with bikies, lol. He's not an enforcer for em or anything ?

No , he’s from newy went to Canberra , and was having off field issues with both clubs , that was the run in him , from memory . I’m not confusing him with anyone .

He was in high school when he left Newcastle to join Canberra NYC....

Yea , I’m not saying it was fair , just that I’d heard he had attitude issues when he left Newcastle , but it was more about his leaving Canberra . It was from someone bitter about him leaving the Raiders though . So it wasn’t exactly impartial , and it was like 6 or 7 years ago . So I’m open to being wrong on this . But I don’t think I am.

If it walks like a duck brah...

Sounds like something that could and would be true.

 

[rihannafan1]

HSS and Egan Butcher coming??? Oh wait nah they're not.. typical..smh

They're reserve graders at present and would not have made a huge difference.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

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.

There seems to be a lot of scouts looking at NZ, but I'm surprised we (I mean NRL clubs generally) don't seem to look at South African rugby, surely there's some talent over there that would jump at the chance to move to Australia?

I suggested this in my first post a few years ago and was attacked for being some private school (not) jerk. I am sure there is lots of talent over there .

remember Sheens tried to get Ma'a Nonu from All Blacks at one point to come play centre

 

[TigerWest]

what happened to Jamayne isaako I thought we where after him early on along side pangi he can play multiple positions and has speed plus he is a very good goal kicker and he makes a few mistakes but who doesnt at the tigers I think he could do ok with a change of club

Think once Maumalo was signed all interest in Isaako dropped off.

There is a win by Tigers recruitment right there but I dont expect anyone to acknowledge it.

Whilst everyone is wetting thair pants that we "cant attract anyone" and "missed out on" marquee player X, the clubs recruitment team has added Maumalo, Laurie, Stef, Tuki, Joe O, Tuilagi, in the last 12 months to add to Douiehi, LL & Blore in the 12 months prior.

These players are the best in our squad and if we had a squad of this capability we make the 8. I am genuinely amazed that everyone here is blind to seeing that the improvement of the squad over the last 18-24 months is due to the recruitment system we have.

The squad has not improved from 18 months ago.

I don’t believe that’s true, the squad has improved, Maumalo, Laurie, Steff, are just a few that counter your claim, granted our results are still not where we want them though.

 

[Tiger5150]

what happened to Jamayne isaako I thought we where after him early on along side pangi he can play multiple positions and has speed plus he is a very good goal kicker and he makes a few mistakes but who doesnt at the tigers I think he could do ok with a change of club

Think once Maumalo was signed all interest in Isaako dropped off.

There is a win by Tigers recruitment right there but I dont expect anyone to acknowledge it.

Whilst everyone is wetting thair pants that we "cant attract anyone" and "missed out on" marquee player X, the clubs recruitment team has added Maumalo, Laurie, Stef, Tuki, Joe O, Tuilagi, in the last 12 months to add to Douiehi, LL & Blore in the 12 months prior.

These players are the best in our squad and if we had a squad of this capability we make the 8. I am genuinely amazed that everyone here is blind to seeing that the improvement of the squad over the last 18-24 months is due to the recruitment system we have.

It’s amazing that a couple wins in a row and suddenly we’re an improved squad.

Name the 6 best players in our squad and when they were recruited.....

That’s great, but it’s another year of no finals. And next year will be the same at this rate.

Easy argument to make but this thread is the "Signings" thread and Im sorry to interrupt the bed wetting, but the fact remains that probably the best 10 players in our squad are a result of the new recruitment system/policies/people at the club. They are also the younger players in our squad.

Im not equating them but two years ago this current world beating Penrith squad missed the 8 (they came 10th behind Tigers). That team included Burton, Campbell Gillard, Nathan Cleary, Stephen Crichton, Dylan Edwards, Isaah Yeo, James Fisher Harris, Fuimaono, Kikau, Leniu, Leota, Luai, To'o. They were rubbish because they were kids but they were persisted with and kept together and developed into a great team. Our best players are still very young.

Early 80's Frank Stanton built a team at Balmain known as Frank's Babes. A VERY young team that included kids like Pearce, Jack, Roach, Elias, Brooks etc which soon was a regular finals team and of course two GF's. Balmain had the same impediments to success that WT has.

None of this means that this squad is on its way to being Penrith or 80's Balmain but the stepping stones ARE in place being recently recruited players being our best, all young.

EDIT: In 2021 Wests Tigers are the **youngest** in the NRL, in 2019 we were the **oldest**.

 

[Demps]

HSS and Egan Butcher coming??? Oh wait nah they're not.. typical..smh

They're reserve graders at present and would not have made a huge difference.

That's what we'll tell ourselves, lol
Curve the rejection.

Sound salty ??

 

[Tiger5150]

what happened to Jamayne isaako I thought we where after him early on along side pangi he can play multiple positions and has speed plus he is a very good goal kicker and he makes a few mistakes but who doesnt at the tigers I think he could do ok with a change of club

Think once Maumalo was signed all interest in Isaako dropped off.

There is a win by Tigers recruitment right there but I dont expect anyone to acknowledge it.

Whilst everyone is wetting thair pants that we "cant attract anyone" and "missed out on" marquee player X, the clubs recruitment team has added Maumalo, Laurie, Stef, Tuki, Joe O, Tuilagi, in the last 12 months to add to Douiehi, LL & Blore in the 12 months prior.

These players are the best in our squad and if we had a squad of this capability we make the 8. I am genuinely amazed that everyone here is blind to seeing that the improvement of the squad over the last 18-24 months is due to the recruitment system we have.

The squad has not improved from 18 months ago.

Ceiling has improved......

2021 Average age 23, 2019 average age 25.5

2021 Wests Tigers are the **youngest** average age in the NRL. 2019 Wests Tigers were the **oldest** in the NRL. That is a MASSIVE turnaround. There is a lot of work going on building this squad and the constant bedwetting totally misses the point.

 

[jadtiger]

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.

Thanks for the info.

It seems sad. We can't get 2nd level league players, so lets chase 2nd level union players.

Union is the top football code in NZ, in Australia it runs a distant 4th.That is a major difference

 

[TillLindemann]

In 2021 Wests Tigers are the youngest in the NRL, in 2019 we were the oldest.

Wow! really I think that says it all. Our brightest prospects are definitely our youngest, and it is why I am optimistic even if we don't land many big signings. They may not have been marquee signings, but I honestly believe Daine Laurie, Stefano Uto etc will be marquee players.

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

To add to the debunking of bad recruitment and retention (people seem to forget this bit), we have so far re-signed every player we wanted to. People were so sure we would lose Simpkin.

 

[Tiger5150]

To add to the debunking of bad recruitment and retention (people seem to forget this bit), we have so far re-signed every player we wanted to. People were so sure we would lose Simpkin.

We have also not resigned BJ, JTJ (yet, min wage anyway), MCK, Packer, Mbye and Walters pushed out early.

 

[avocadoontoast]

m not equating them but two years ago this current world beating Penrith squad missed the 8 (they came 10th behind Tigers). That team included Burton, Campbell Gillard, Nathan Cleary, Stephen Crichton, Dylan Edwards, Isaah Yeo, James Fisher Harris, Fuimaono, Kikau, Leniu, Leota, Luai, To’o. They were rubbish because they were kids but they were persisted with and kept together and developed into a great time. Our best players are still very young.

I don't think that's a fair comparison - that team was one of the favourites to win the comp in 2019. The sex tape scandal in the preseason had a huge impact on the playing group and they never recovered. The previous year they had all those players you listed above and they finished 5th.

 

[Devon Head]

what happened to Jamayne isaako I thought we where after him early on along side pangi he can play multiple positions and has speed plus he is a very good goal kicker and he makes a few mistakes but who doesnt at the tigers I think he could do ok with a change of club

Think once Maumalo was signed all interest in Isaako dropped off.

There is a win by Tigers recruitment right there but I dont expect anyone to acknowledge it.

Whilst everyone is wetting thair pants that we "cant attract anyone" and "missed out on" marquee player X, the clubs recruitment team has added Maumalo, Laurie, Stef, Tuki, Joe O, Tuilagi, in the last 12 months to add to Douiehi, LL & Blore in the 12 months prior.

These players are the best in our squad and if we had a squad of this capability we make the 8. I am genuinely amazed that everyone here is blind to seeing that the improvement of the squad over the last 18-24 months is due to the recruitment system we have.

It’s amazing that a couple wins in a row and suddenly we’re an improved squad.

Name the 6 best players in our squad and when they were recruited.....

That’s great, but it’s another year of no finals. And next year will be the same at this rate.

Easy argument to make but this thread is the "Signings" thread and Im sorry to interrupt the bed wetting, but the fact remains that probably the best 10 players in our squad are a result of the new recruitment system/policies/people at the club. They are also the younger players in our squad.

Im not equating them but two years ago this current world beating Penrith squad missed the 8 (they came 10th behind Tigers). That team included Burton, Campbell Gillard, Nathan Cleary, Stephen Crichton, Dylan Edwards, Isaah Yeo, James Fisher Harris, Fuimaono, Kikau, Leniu, Leota, Luai, To'o. They were rubbish because they were kids but they were persisted with and kept together and developed into a great time. Our best players are still very young.

Early 80's Frank Stanton built a team at Balmain known as Frank's Babes. A VERY young team that included kids like Pearce, Jack, Roach, Elias, Brooks etc which soon was a regular finals team and of course two GF's. Balmain had the same impediments to success that WT has.

None of this means that this squad is on its way to being Penrith or 80's Balmain but the stepping stones ARE in place being recently recruited players being our best, all young.

EDIT: In 2021 Wests Tigers are the **youngest** in the NRL, in 2019 we were the **oldest**.

Couldn't agree more with all your points however be very careful speaking so much common sense and logic as it'll blow a few minds here.

Looking at the Tigers roster from a couple of years ago it was absolutely full of over paid under performing nuffs. Fast forward to now and the squad is very young but very balanced $$ wise and will be even more so next season. A large number of the current squad either made their debut this season or last and are a long way from reaching their full potential however the Panthers comparison is a telling one. They were dreadful a couple of yrs ago and now look at them.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

what happened to Jamayne isaako I thought we where after him early on along side pangi he can play multiple positions and has speed plus he is a very good goal kicker and he makes a few mistakes but who doesnt at the tigers I think he could do ok with a change of club

Think once Maumalo was signed all interest in Isaako dropped off.

There is a win by Tigers recruitment right there but I dont expect anyone to acknowledge it.

Whilst everyone is wetting thair pants that we "cant attract anyone" and "missed out on" marquee player X, the clubs recruitment team has added Maumalo, Laurie, Stef, Tuki, Joe O, Tuilagi, in the last 12 months to add to Douiehi, LL & Blore in the 12 months prior.

These players are the best in our squad and if we had a squad of this capability we make the 8. I am genuinely amazed that everyone here is blind to seeing that the improvement of the squad over the last 18-24 months is due to the recruitment system we have.

The squad has not improved from 18 months ago.

Ceiling has improved......

2021 Average age 23, 2019 average age 25.5

2021 Wests Tigers are the **youngest** average age in the NRL. 2019 Wests Tigers were the **oldest** in the NRL. That is a MASSIVE turnaround. There is a lot of work going on building this squad and the constant bedwetting totally misses the point.

Moving the goalposts. First you said the squad has improved, now you’re saying it’s just cos they have more potential. I know they are the great white hope atm, but they aren’t the 05 crop that will take us to a tittle. There isn’t a Benji or Robbie amongst them. The club needs 1 or 2 Origin calibre players if they want to go to the next level.

 

[TrueTiger]

m not equating them but two years ago this current world beating Penrith squad missed the 8 (they came 10th behind Tigers). That team included Burton, Campbell Gillard, Nathan Cleary, Stephen Crichton, Dylan Edwards, Isaah Yeo, James Fisher Harris, Fuimaono, Kikau, Leniu, Leota, Luai, To’o. They were rubbish because they were kids but they were persisted with and kept together and developed into a great time. Our best players are still very young.

I don't think that's a fair comparison - that team was one of the favourites to win the comp in 2019. The sex tape scandal in the preseason had a huge impact on the playing group and they never recovered. The previous year they had all those players you listed above and they finished 5th.

Just goes to show that sex tapes definately affect your professional goal of achieving a premiership...maybe if they concentrated on what they get paid for this crap wouldnt happen,but any excuse will do...
At least Madge may have worked them hard and they had a sook,but gee a lot of our young guys are going to be great NRL players...and no misdemenours so far...

 

[pawsandclaws1]

m not equating them but two years ago this current world beating Penrith squad missed the 8 (they came 10th behind Tigers). That team included Burton, Campbell Gillard, Nathan Cleary, Stephen Crichton, Dylan Edwards, Isaah Yeo, James Fisher Harris, Fuimaono, Kikau, Leniu, Leota, Luai, To’o. They were rubbish because they were kids but they were persisted with and kept together and developed into a great time. Our best players are still very young.

I don't think that's a fair comparison - that team was one of the favourites to win the comp in 2019. The sex tape scandal in the preseason had a huge impact on the playing group and they never recovered. The previous year they had all those players you listed above and they finished 5th.

Just goes to show that sex tapes definately affect your professional goal of achieving a premiership...maybe if they concentrated on what they get paid for this crap wouldnt happen,but any excuse will do...
At least Madge may have worked them hard and they had a sook,but gee a lot of our young guys are going to be great NRL players...and no misdemenours so far...

Penrith have a very good system in which to produce good young players. Cleary is also a very good coach. We can only hope our youngsters can play as well as the young Panther players.

 

[TigerWest]

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.

Thanks for the info.

It seems sad. We can't get 2nd level league players, so lets chase 2nd level union players.


Union is the top football code in NZ, in Australia it runs a distant 4th.That is a major difference

I'm pretty sure Tuki Simpkins was a NZ union player early in his young life?