Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Demps]

I am just pondering this side and I am not entirely sure how badly we need signings. The following players are 22 or under that have played significant first grade and are building combinations with the halves (Brooks/Douehi) and each other, learning on the fly and are about to all have an off season together.

Daine Laurie
Asu Kepaoa
Tommy Talau
Stefano Utoikamanu
Jake Simpkin
Tuikimihia Simpkins
Kelma Tuilagi
Shawn Blore
Alex Seyfarth

Each of these have shown quick development, some greater than others.

Our Jersey Flegg side was leading the comp when it ended and boasts some great talent, especially in the forwards.

I'm excited.

Totally agree, but I just think we are a hard butt forward and back away from achieving nirvana?

I remember the Storm and Parra games, where they just ran over us, we looked like kids playing against men, but the future is certainly looking bright.

Lucky for you...
We got Olly G and #13 Jacko boy coming.

Premiership threat in the making!

Are you thinking we need more Lebanese players?

Are there any left?

When you look at our Lebanese heritage boys, Twal and Douihie and throw in Robbie Farah for that matter, you know you are going to get effort and passion.

100%
Never let us down.

And Maarbani in the 9s ?

 

[Krammy]

Tactically Madge struggles I believe. I think he likes to be in control of everything. He needs a really good assistant

Hopefully sheens helps madge lift some shackles from the attack.

Absolutely. This is where I see real hope for us. My only doubt is if Madge resists working with Sheens. Hope not.

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

Hearing Luke Thompson / Zane Musgrove swap deal

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Hearing Luke Thompson / Zane Musgrove swap deal

Unless you have another source, the guy who made that claim on Twitter admitted he made it up.

 

[cktiger]

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.

Is it also unreasonable to expect your halfback to be the number 1 cog in your team?

That's the halfback who is the most marked man in the team because he poses the biggest threat to opposing teams?

You answered a question with a question and still didn’t answer my question. My point is you seem to hold the whole organisation to this amazingly high standard which you then don’t have for the halfback of our team which is the “No 1 cog” in our team.

Brooks is one of our best together with Twal. That you cannot see this is your issue.

Trent Barrett can attract JAC, Burton, TPJ, Vaughan and the Bronco's lock is now on his acquisition list. It is not an unreasonable expectation Maguire do the same for WTs. Why are you so sensitive about this? Maguire should rightly be held to account for the lack of signings to improve our roster. He is the NRL coach.

I’m happy to hold madge to account and you can see from my multiple posts I have done that. Ten years as our halfback, 3 coaches and still no finals for our number 1 cog. I admire your devotion but it is definitely clouding your judgement. Our best players are all young players that madge recruited ( Stefano, Laurie, douhei, Blore, tuilagi, mumalo)..etc…

So you hold Brooks to account for the collective failings of the club? Your argument is flawed.

That’s my point lol. You want to hold madge to account for the collective failings of the club.

He is the halfback of the team , the main man, the guy who manages the team, the game manager, the number one cog as you like to put it. So of course it’s on him. Name one other club that has persisted with a halfback that hasn’t played finals in ten years?

Of those 10 years, how many times would you say we had a squad that SHOULD have made the 8?

How many times have we come 9th?

**Usually when someone answers a question with another question it’s because they know the answer will hurt their position.**

And by the way, Luke Brooks didn’t debut till 2013.

This time it didn't.
How many times have we come 9th since 2013?

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

Thompson wants out of the dogs and Tigers and Cowboys seem the only logical choice. Benefit for us is doesn't need to shift too far from where he is. Cowboys only a casual interest with no offer on the table.

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

Hearing Luke Thompson / Zane Musgrove swap deal

Unless you have another source, the guy who made that claim on Twitter admitted he made it up.

I keep forgetting Musgrove plays for us… ?

 

[Aceshigh]

Wot a load of crap , there is no swap deal

 

[Russell]

Need a strike centre and another edge back rower.

We have some options. Move AD to the centres. Gildart/Talau/Roberts may do the job in the centres.

Hopefully Blore and Tuilagi come good.

I agree with you though that our edges are ordinary and need a massive improvement. It's just not that bad. I'd love to get a quality player like Thompson.

Centre is definitely weak for us.
The mentioned players are not in anyway strike players.

Weak? It doesn't exist mate....
This club hasn't bought a first grade centre to the club since Paul Whatuira in 2004.. (No that is NOT a joke)
It seems like we forget the position exists.

We also need another starting backrower, We have plenty of back ups - But we need a top tier back rower.

And for gods sake - BUY A 'KEN CENTRE

Tim Simona was a good centre.
But yeah, this has been a obvious concern for years.

I really hope it is addressed before season 2022 kick off.

All the talk from Madge leads me to believe he really likes Talau and he's in the plans going forward which doesn't fill me with much optimism...

Simona could have been the Games best winger... All his highlights are from Wing Play. He played OK at centre - But would be lucky to hold that position in any other club at that time. Fantastic Winger - OK at centre when needed.
To my point though, Tim came through 20's - We haven't bought a quality centre to the club since 04...
And haven't really developed any either..

Chris Lawrence says hello.

Also, Dean Collis looked absolutely amazing for one season, then he fell off the wagon for some reason.

Did you see the bit where I said "Bought a quality centre to the club"
Lawrence was developed - Played various positions (including wing and lock) before his 18 month stint at centre that fuelled the rest of his career...
Keeping in mind you could hardly consider CL a first grade centre for the last 10 years.

Tell him I said hello back....

I see where you also said "And haven't really developed any either.."

Rowdy says Hi again.

Sorry Russell the professional Negator...
- I just don't consider a guy that was below average with every excuse from "He's still young - to He Hurt his leg" for all but about 18-24 months of his 15yr Career "Developed"

I mean like real players, at real clubs - Developed over a couple years and then played to a first grade level for most of the rest of their career...

If Rowdy still has his hand up - Well, that is exactly my point.

ps: That's 1 player you've argued (Not well I might add) out of the 170 odd we've introduced to the team since.

Yes - thank god someone sees Chris Lawrence the way I did. I use it to describe some of my work colleagues.
Great people, but they’re not worth their pay packet.
I call it the Chris Lawrence Theory. That guy was so overrated. Don’t take this as he is not a nice guy. I’m sure he is. Who wouldn’t like a guy with two first names for their name. That’s instant trust right there.

Don’t get me started but as I have alluded to before, I’ve been kicked off this forum for making the same comments about Lawrence and having an opinion.

Queue the account deletion in T minus 5 minutes.

Self-induced persecution complex aside, in my opinion, Lawrence was a world class centre prior to his hip injury. Making the Australian side and NSW squad was testament to that.

So, to say he was 'so overrated' , which is a tier above simply just 'overrated', is categorically false.

But that's the beauty of opinions, eh.

Yes but after the hip injury he was busted and we were paying good money for him. And he was rubbish.
Thanks Mrs Lawrence.

Happy to be proven incorrect, but didn't Chris Lawrence restructure his deal to help the Tigers out of another salary cap fiasco? I thought he added up an extra year for virtually no money which balanced the books?

In terms of his playing value (after the hip injury and the later facial injury) I thought he was a very, very serviceable second rower who never let the side down!

Doesn't matter about that Mate, not when you have an agenda.

 

[Bones]

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.

Is it also unreasonable to expect your halfback to be the number 1 cog in your team?

That's the halfback who is the most marked man in the team because he poses the biggest threat to opposing teams?

You answered a question with a question and still didn’t answer my question. My point is you seem to hold the whole organisation to this amazingly high standard which you then don’t have for the halfback of our team which is the “No 1 cog” in our team.

Brooks is one of our best together with Twal. That you cannot see this is your issue.

Trent Barrett can attract JAC, Burton, TPJ, Vaughan and the Bronco's lock is now on his acquisition list. It is not an unreasonable expectation Maguire do the same for WTs. Why are you so sensitive about this? Maguire should rightly be held to account for the lack of signings to improve our roster. He is the NRL coach.

I’m happy to hold madge to account and you can see from my multiple posts I have done that. Ten years as our halfback, 3 coaches and still no finals for our number 1 cog. I admire your devotion but it is definitely clouding your judgement. Our best players are all young players that madge recruited ( Stefano, Laurie, douhei, Blore, tuilagi, mumalo)..etc…

So you hold Brooks to account for the collective failings of the club? Your argument is flawed.

That’s my point lol. You want to hold madge to account for the collective failings of the club.

He is the halfback of the team , the main man, the guy who manages the team, the game manager, the number one cog as you like to put it. So of course it’s on him. Name one other club that has persisted with a halfback that hasn’t played finals in ten years?

Of those 10 years, how many times would you say we had a squad that SHOULD have made the 8?

How many times have we come 9th?

**Usually when someone answers a question with another question it’s because they know the answer will hurt their position.**

And by the way, Luke Brooks didn’t debut till 2013.

This time it didn't.
How many times have we come 9th since 2013?

3. Can you answer my question now?

 

[earl]

This thread feels more and more like it was merged with the lament thread.

Let’s get it back on track.

I think we need a middle, 2 centres, a winger with pace and a good 2nd rower. Thompson and Lomax would be great signings for next year.

Luke Thompson, a dynamic second rower who can tackle , and a world class centre. Then these young guys just need to keep improving and we’re pushing the likes of Souths and Parra.

I think we’re still short a couple of top line players, but it’s probably an unrealistic expectation until we start winning games.

AD and Stef could become rep caliber. Brooks with better players around him is starting to play well. I really think we’re only about 3 short in the spots I mentioned. One of these hookers also needs to find consistency.

I think those two and Blore and Laurie could all be top players in the future. I think they need a couple of top line players around them though.

Both coming along ok. Laurie had a good season but realistically I don’t think his ceiling will get him into the top echelon of fullbacks. They’re just so good.

I think Laurie will go to another level when his combinations with our halves get more time. He’d also benefit from an improved backline

Just not sure he’s got the physical attributes of Teddy/Turbo, or the brilliance of Ponga/Paps.

If he could land in that next group of FB’s will do us.

I like him but he is never going to that level.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

This thread feels more and more like it was merged with the lament thread.

Let’s get it back on track.

I think we need a middle, 2 centres, a winger with pace and a good 2nd rower. Thompson and Lomax would be great signings for next year.

Luke Thompson, a dynamic second rower who can tackle , and a world class centre. Then these young guys just need to keep improving and we’re pushing the likes of Souths and Parra.

I think we’re still short a couple of top line players, but it’s probably an unrealistic expectation until we start winning games.

AD and Stef could become rep caliber. Brooks with better players around him is starting to play well. I really think we’re only about 3 short in the spots I mentioned. One of these hookers also needs to find consistency.

I think those two and Blore and Laurie could all be top players in the future. I think they need a couple of top line players around them though.

Both coming along ok. Laurie had a good season but realistically I don’t think his ceiling will get him into the top echelon of fullbacks. They’re just so good.

I think Laurie will go to another level when his combinations with our halves get more time. He’d also benefit from an improved backline

Just not sure he’s got the physical attributes of Teddy/Turbo, or the brilliance of Ponga/Paps.

If he could land in that next group of FB’s will do us.

I like him but he is never going to that level.

Good player, but the forum criminally overrates him.

 

[Deleted member 3518]

Thompson wants out of the dogs and Tigers and Cowboys seem the only logical choice. Benefit for us is doesn't need to shift too far from where he is. Cowboys only a casual interest with no offer on the table.

It coincides with madge saying we need a top class prop. That can’t be a coincidence .

 

[Deleted member 3518]

This thread feels more and more like it was merged with the lament thread.

Let’s get it back on track.

I think we need a middle, 2 centres, a winger with pace and a good 2nd rower. Thompson and Lomax would be great signings for next year.

Luke Thompson, a dynamic second rower who can tackle , and a world class centre. Then these young guys just need to keep improving and we’re pushing the likes of Souths and Parra.

I think we’re still short a couple of top line players, but it’s probably an unrealistic expectation until we start winning games.

AD and Stef could become rep caliber. Brooks with better players around him is starting to play well. I really think we’re only about 3 short in the spots I mentioned. One of these hookers also needs to find consistency.

I think those two and Blore and Laurie could all be top players in the future. I think they need a couple of top line players around them though.

Both coming along ok. Laurie had a good season but realistically I don’t think his ceiling will get him into the top echelon of fullbacks. They’re just so good.

I think Laurie will go to another level when his combinations with our halves get more time. He’d also benefit from an improved backline

Just not sure he’s got the physical attributes of Teddy/Turbo, or the brilliance of Ponga/Paps.

If he could land in that next group of FB’s will do us.

I like him but he is never going to that level.

Good player, but the forum criminally overrates him.

Not really , he’s a rookie , and his ability under the high ball , and ability to make a player miss for such a small man , is truely unique . Even Ponga doesn’t do that , he beats you with deception and elusiveness. Laurie has this uncanny ability to have a 120kg behemoth fall off him or get bamboozled in tight spaces .

But his defensive communication , and general laziness / lack of elite fullback fitness , needs vast improvement .
IMO, this is what mbye offers over Laurie at the back. He’s far better at organising the numbers , and perpetually moving near the line . He will make the tackle , shift out of the way , slightly walk and then jog , adjacent to the play .
This could be experience as well. Laurie will get trapped at the ruck a lot , so it’s happy days for the grubber behind the line .

But mbye kills our attack , he’s never clicked in this team , for whatever reason . Hopefully Laurie can learn when to stay in the ruck close to the line , and when to drop out and begin following the ball .

I think in summary , it’s the potential that is what everyone is getting excited about ,I don’t think anyone can say he’s the finished product yet.

By the way it’s Turbo , then daylight to any other fullback . When teddy is out the roosters win, when turbo is out manly come 14th .

The eye test says this as well for me . Lattrell should have this kind of influence as well, but he’s just not fit enough unfortunately.

 

[happy_tiger]

Thompson wants out of the dogs and Tigers and Cowboys seem the only logical choice. Benefit for us is doesn't need to shift too far from where he is. Cowboys only a casual interest with no offer on the table.

It coincides with madge saying we need a top class prop. That can’t be a coincidence .

Thompson isn't a top class prop .....barely 1st grade standard

 

[Geo]

This thread feels more and more like it was merged with the lament thread.

Let’s get it back on track.

I think we need a middle, 2 centres, a winger with pace and a good 2nd rower. Thompson and Lomax would be great signings for next year.

Luke Thompson, a dynamic second rower who can tackle , and a world class centre. Then these young guys just need to keep improving and we’re pushing the likes of Souths and Parra.

I think we’re still short a couple of top line players, but it’s probably an unrealistic expectation until we start winning games.

AD and Stef could become rep caliber. Brooks with better players around him is starting to play well. I really think we’re only about 3 short in the spots I mentioned. One of these hookers also needs to find consistency.

I think those two and Blore and Laurie could all be top players in the future. I think they need a couple of top line players around them though.

Both coming along ok. Laurie had a good season but realistically I don’t think his ceiling will get him into the top echelon of fullbacks. They’re just so good.

I think Laurie will go to another level when his combinations with our halves get more time. He’d also benefit from an improved backline

Just not sure he’s got the physical attributes of Teddy/Turbo, or the brilliance of Ponga/Paps.

If he could land in that next group of FB’s will do us.

I like him but he is never going to that level.

Laurie reminds me of a young Brett Hodgson in his early time at Wests ..a lightweight no one thought would ever go far.. However had skill and most importantly had massive HEART always punching above his weight..i feel Daine is on the same trajectory..

 

[supercoach]

Thompson wants out of the dogs and Tigers and Cowboys seem the only logical choice. Benefit for us is doesn't need to shift too far from where he is. Cowboys only a casual interest with no offer on the table.

It coincides with madge saying we need a top class prop. That can’t be a coincidence .

Thompson isn't a top class prop .....barely 1st grade standard

Before being suspended I thought he was really going good. He is got some speed for a big fella and can make yards. Playing in the Dogs pack would not be easy. Certainly would not spend mega dollars, but if the Dogs are chipping in I would sign him

 

[Snake]

Thompson wants out of the dogs and Tigers and Cowboys seem the only logical choice. Benefit for us is doesn't need to shift too far from where he is. Cowboys only a casual interest with no offer on the table.

It coincides with madge saying we need a top class prop. That can’t be a coincidence .

He did not mention Aggressive but that’s what he means .Musgrove does his best moves on a club floor do not rate this guy at all .

 

[JC99]

Thompson wants out of the dogs and Tigers and Cowboys seem the only logical choice. Benefit for us is doesn't need to shift too far from where he is. Cowboys only a casual interest with no offer on the table.

It coincides with madge saying we need a top class prop. That can’t be a coincidence .

Thompson isn't a top class prop .....barely 1st grade standard

Hard marker as always Happy! His biggest downfall is his discipline. Lots of penalties and suspension for him

 

[TigerWest]

This thread feels more and more like it was merged with the lament thread.

Let’s get it back on track.

I think we need a middle, 2 centres, a winger with pace and a good 2nd rower. Thompson and Lomax would be great signings for next year.

Luke Thompson, a dynamic second rower who can tackle , and a world class centre. Then these young guys just need to keep improving and we’re pushing the likes of Souths and Parra.

I think we’re still short a couple of top line players, but it’s probably an unrealistic expectation until we start winning games.

AD and Stef could become rep caliber. Brooks with better players around him is starting to play well. I really think we’re only about 3 short in the spots I mentioned. One of these hookers also needs to find consistency.

I think those two and Blore and Laurie could all be top players in the future. I think they need a couple of top line players around them though.

Both coming along ok. Laurie had a good season but realistically I don’t think his ceiling will get him into the top echelon of fullbacks. They’re just so good.

I think Laurie will go to another level when his combinations with our halves get more time. He’d also benefit from an improved backline

Just not sure he’s got the physical attributes of Teddy/Turbo, or the brilliance of Ponga/Paps.

If he could land in that next group of FB’s will do us.

I like him but he is never going to that level.

Good player, but the forum criminally overrates him.

Not really , he’s a rookie , and his ability under the high ball , and ability to make a player miss for such a small man , is truely unique . Even Ponga doesn’t do that , he beats you with deception and elusiveness. Laurie has this uncanny ability to have a 120kg behemoth fall off him or get bamboozled in tight spaces .

But his defensive communication , and general laziness / lack of elite fullback fitness , needs vast improvement .
IMO, this is what mbye offers over Laurie at the back. He’s far better at organising the numbers , and perpetually moving near the line . He will make the tackle , shift out of the way , slightly walk and then jog , adjacent to the play .
This could be experience as well. Laurie will get trapped at the ruck a lot , so it’s happy days for the grubber behind the line .

But mbye kills our attack , he’s never clicked in this team , for whatever reason . Hopefully Laurie can learn when to stay in the ruck close to the line , and when to drop out and begin following the ball .

I think in summary , it’s the potential that is what everyone is getting excited about ,I don’t think anyone can say he’s the finished product yet.

By the way it’s Turbo , then daylight to any other fullback . When teddy is out the roosters win, when turbo is out manly come 14th .

The eye test says this as well for me . Lattrell should have this kind of influence as well, but he’s just not fit enough unfortunately.

It’s interesting with Souths, they have a gun team, a great (supposedly) coach and yet still not in the top 2 for the last 5 yrs (though I wouldn’t mind being in there place) but some WT’s want to burn the club down, due to our lack of success.

I certainly agree, we have been an ordinary club for a long time, but that is changing and once we arrive, I think we have a management team in place to keep us there for a while.

Someone said it, we have no choice but to play the long game.