Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Nelson]

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

He wouldn't be a starter at Melbourne ,Penrith ,Roosters or Souths ...even Brisbane ...enough said

That is a historically bad take, even for your terrible standards.

 

[tony soprano]

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

He wouldn't be a starter at Melbourne ,Penrith ,Roosters or Souths ...even Brisbane ...enough said

I bet ya he would start at a few of those teams, he's pretty good I reckon. Definitely an upgrade for us

A plank of wood would be an upgrade in some positions for us

Lets start aiming bigger and better everyone ......

Nathan ‘Renolf’ Milone in the centre’s ?

Shall we never forget this comment

 

[tonza]

Maybe we should look to recruit Penrith's nutritionist and supplement program co ordinator.

Their players never look tired and can make metres off every run...

Did they roll out with a bench tonight with no props?

Unbelievable.

They don't look tired Demps because they are all young.

We are putting together our own "Fountain of youth"

They work together and hunt together as a pack ...makes a huge difference ...how often last night did the Panthers drive Souths backwards in defence ???

They had a lot of help with the 11 / 2 penalty count. Lucky the Panthers were never offside.

 

[Barnsta B]

Quick question
What age are the fullbacks when they generally become elite and how many games of NRL have they played?
Laurie is still young, another season or 2 and there is no reason why he can't become elite.

 

[PJ_]

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?

Never have enough

Why is that?

My old man's lebo, mum's Syrian.
Can never have enough lebs in our team mate.
Kings ????

 

[Nelson]

Quick question
What age are the fullbacks when they generally become elite and how many games of NRL have they played?
Laurie is still young, another season or 2 and there is no reason why he can't become elite.

I don't think he has the physical attributes to be on the level of Trbojevic, Tedesco or Mitchell. He doesn't seem to have the innate skill of Ponga and RTS or the speed of Papenhuyzen either. I think he can be very good but I'm not sure he'll make it to that elite level. Happy to be wrong though. I certainly think he can be at the Brimson/Nicoll-Klokstad/Gutherson level though and I rate all of them highly (as players at least, Gutherson seems like a tool of a person).

 

[Camel2281]

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.

Lomax and Thompson signed for next year and I will be dreaming all off season lol. That’s a top 8 squad then. I actually think we are okay with our current wingers. Mamoulo has finally given us height on the wing. Nofa has pace but just has got to go back to running straight. Centre is our biggest weakness I think. But if it’s going to be Hastings 7, brooks 6, douhei 4 , lomax/aj 3 that would be amazing.

Hastings and Douehi are my halves pairing for next year with Brooks moving to Hooker, defensively he is solid enough and his passing and running suits Hooker. It removes the need for Brooks to have to game manage, kick and be a playmaker which are where he's not NRL standard

 

[AdelaideTiger]

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..

The effort against the dragons to run through 4 players and save a repeat set showed more heart in one play than any of our recent big money recruits have shown in their entire tenure with the WTs, impossible not to love the way he plays.

 

[Needaname]

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?

Our only wins this year have been against undermanned teams and potential wooden spooners. This year has been a disaster and the best argument that can be mustered for Maguire's retention is fear of who is replacement may be, not that his performance warrants retention.

On the day Maguire signed with the WTs, I was told by a former Souths' man and posted it on this forum. He had no ill feeling towards Maguire. When I asked about him, his answer was Maguire was not the coach for WTs' style of football. He was spot on with that comment.

When you are comparing Brooks with other halves, take a look at the quality of players who have left WTs- Tedesco, Moses, Woods, Simona and JAC. Look at the quality of the players who replaced them. Being at the Storm, Chooks, Panthers, Broncos etc the quality of replacement is always available. It isn't a level playing field. And before you attempt to use that as a defence for Maguire (being a Maguire apologist as you are), signed up well knowing the roster.

Enlighten me, what is ‘WestsTigers style of Football?’ And why does it need to be the way it has always been perceived?

This team is still in the Top 8 of tries and points scored, even playing a style that you don’t agree with. I would argue that the current ‘Style’ is more so a foundation of which to expand from.
Tidy up our defence which only improves with time, time on field, time to condition, time to understand one another and we would be in a much better position.

 

[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 .

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

I actually agree with this . But I’m not In the majority , and whether he is that player or not , he carries the “marquee” player tag. We need to make stepping stones and I don’t think signing him , with my previous post about salary cap management , will hamper us in the future . But it could begin enough of a perception shift that enables us to buy that potential true marquee on a few years time .

 

[Needaname]

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?

Our only wins this year have been against undermanned teams and potential wooden spooners. This year has been a disaster and the best argument that can be mustered for Maguire's retention is fear of who is replacement may be, not that his performance warrants retention.

On the day Maguire signed with the WTs, I was told by a former Souths' man and posted it on this forum. He had no ill feeling towards Maguire. When I asked about him, his answer was Maguire was not the coach for WTs' style of football. He was spot on with that comment.

When you are comparing Brooks with other halves, take a look at the quality of players who have left WTs- Tedesco, Moses, Woods, Simona and JAC. Look at the quality of the players who replaced them. Being at the Storm, Chooks, Panthers, Broncos etc the quality of replacement is always available. It isn't a level playing field. And before you attempt to use that as a defence for Maguire (being a Maguire apologist as you are), signed up well knowing the roster.

What is the right type of coach for the West’s Tigers though? Is it a softie that pandas to the players every whim and pats them on the head when things aren’t going our way to tell them they’re all good guys and it’s not your fault we’re playing like rubbish?

I think your mate perhaps was eluding to the fact that the above description is who the west’s tigers are, or at least who we have been for a large part of our recent history and for that reason Madge isn’t the right fit. And I’d agree if we felt that type of club and that type of view of who we want to be is to remain as it’s been for a while. I think we need to find a hard edge and develop a win at all costs mentality and for that reason we need a coach like Madge and if not him, someone of his mould.

I was informed by a man well qualified to comment. What he meant was the WTs traditionally play an expansive style of attacking football with coaches such as Sheens and Cleary being excellent tacticians, communicators and man managers. In comparison, Maguire is a very limited coach.

Don’t you find is interesting that under Cleary, Wests tigers expansive style of play led to having the second lowest points scored in the comp for both years???

 

[Needaname]

Who is first grade standard that we can offer a deal too happy ??

Anyone in the current market really ...you just need to convince them we are a better fit than their current club .....

Or their current club will struggle to fit them in.
Moses Leota, Mo Fotuakia, Junior Pualo.

 

[getagrip]

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?

Never have enough

Why is that?

My old man's lebo, mum's Syrian.
Can never have enough lebs in our team mate.
Kings ????

I don't care where they come from as long as they can play. I don't want them if they can't mate.

 

[Ultimate Warrior]

Who is first grade standard that we can offer a deal too happy ??

Anyone in the current market really ...you just need to convince them we are a better fit than their current club .....

Or their current club will struggle to fit them in.
Moses Leota, Mo Fotuakia, Junior Pualo.

Leota was awesome last night

 

[PJ_]

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?

Never have enough

Why is that?

My old man's lebo, mum's Syrian.
Can never have enough lebs in our team mate.
Kings ????

I don't care where they come from as long as they can play. I don't want them if they can't mate.

Agree. Should have said never have enough lebs that can play ?

 

[crazycat]

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

He wouldn't be a starter at Melbourne ,Penrith ,Roosters or Souths ...even Brisbane ...enough said

I bet ya he would start at a few of those teams, he's pretty good I reckon. Definitely an upgrade for us

A plank of wood would be an upgrade in some positions for us

Lets start aiming bigger and better everyone ......

Luke Thompson would be great. I think he could benefit from more leadership and I reckon that was one mistake with Packer (Ill follow St George, oops now I need to lead a pack, stuff that).
I hate how the new Forum hides threads... Took me ages to work out who we are talking about.
But yes. Bulldogs are on a Rebuild and Thompson or maybe Josh Jackson (not happening, till Trent pisses him off) would be the only 2 I would target for this year.... (okay I would do a cheapie offer to Liam Flanagan and maybe poach his dad).

A plank of wood would be an upgrade in some positions for us
That being said, yes we could go for a whole Log or a 2x10. Cmon were westies were tradies, we can built the team (Literally).

 

[Demps]

What about Ronaldo Mulatalos twin brother, Lorenzo?

Worth a look?

 

[carltonleach]

Bit of luck we re-sign amone!! He ain’t a super star but he will bend the line in attack and has mongrel about him!! People go on about musgrove but I’ve seen more from amone then I have musgrove!

 

[JC99]

Yeah we could really use Luke Thompson. Please get it done

 

[pawsandclaws1]

What about Ronaldo Mulatalos twin brother, Lorenzo?

Worth a look?

Luke Metcalf please. Will Kennedy if we can speak with Bubba. Both players were stars today.