Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Fade.To.Black]

https://westslife.podbean.com/e/my-dealings-with-wests-tigers-management-with-adrian-tripodina/

For those who want to have an inside listen into how our club deals with signings. Adrian Tripodina is a business man who was dealing with out club during the big 4 stuff up and lifts the lid on just how poor our head of office actually is.

Honestly a fantastic listen and will leave you gobsmacked.

No thanks. What leaves me gobsmacked is that you think I would be influenced by you telling me what will leave me gobsmacked. Wasting your time there, man.

The mans just suggesting it for people who might be interested ? Why be an asshole for ?

I thought I was more polite in my response than you are to mine. Is "asshole" allowed now moderators?

Could care less what’s allowed. Just calling you out for what it is. There was no need to respond like that

You should care because a remark like that will see you take a spell for a week.

Sorry for telling the truth through colourful language

Respect the rules or you can leave the forum - your choice.


Slightly off topic but wouldn’t Elijah Taylor been a perfect 13 for us this year..passion, great leader on field by actions, strong defender and ability to link

That guy was a super talent.
He was so good for us.

Amazing.

Not having a go at you guys but time does on ocassion make things look better than they were. Most people on here were saying he was done and I thinkthey were right. In his day, a very good player but he wouldn't have changed a thing this year and would have ben a forum pinyata.

I disagree.

We have needed a proper lock all year.
ET is and was a proper lock.

A lot of people seem to have issues with strengthening our roster in areas we are clearly weak in.

Been an ET fan for years and the talent was always evident. He was great for us.

ET was great for us early on, an absolute warrior who busted his gut every game, loved his commitment and courage. But in the last year or so he was seemingly getting a lot of head knocks and concussions. He really did get out at the best time for his health IMO.

 

[Devon Head]

https://westslife.podbean.com/e/my-dealings-with-wests-tigers-management-with-adrian-tripodina/

For those who want to have an inside listen into how our club deals with signings. Adrian Tripodina is a business man who was dealing with out club during the big 4 stuff up and lifts the lid on just how poor our head of office actually is.

Honestly a fantastic listen and will leave you gobsmacked.

No thanks. What leaves me gobsmacked is that you think I would be influenced by you telling me what will leave me gobsmacked. Wasting your time there, man.

The mans just suggesting it for people who might be interested ? Why be an asshole for ?

I thought I was more polite in my response than you are to mine. Is "asshole" allowed now moderators?

Could care less what’s allowed. Just calling you out for what it is. There was no need to respond like that

You should care because a remark like that will see you take a spell for a week.

Sorry for telling the truth through colourful language

Respect the rules or you can leave the forum - your choice.


Slightly off topic but wouldn’t Elijah Taylor been a perfect 13 for us this year..passion, great leader on field by actions, strong defender and ability to link

That guy was a super talent.
He was so good for us.

Amazing.

Not having a go at you guys but time does on ocassion make things look better than they were. Most people on here were saying he was done and I thinkthey were right. In his day, a very good player but he wouldn't have changed a thing this year and would have ben a forum pinyata.

I disagree.

We have needed a proper lock all year.
ET is and was a proper lock.

A lot of people seem to have issues with strengthening our roster in areas we are clearly weak in.

Been an ET fan for years and the talent was always evident. He was great for us.

ET was great for us early on, an absolute warrior who busted his gut every game, loved his commitment and courage. But in the last year or so he was seemingly getting a lot of head knocks and concussions. He really did get out at the best time for his health IMO.

Was gutted for him seeing him get shafted by his mate/manager for hundreds of thousands of $$. Poor lad legit seems like a real hard working genuine bloke.

 

[2041]

Man I’d rather us continue to recruit young talent than the likes of Taupau and Sims, especially with the COE. Warning to the task of Ciraldo as coach and just having a really young talented side

Unfortunately the games where we got thrashed, showed that the young guys just aren’t up to it yet?

That's what a rebuild is, though. The problem the Tigers have had for most of the past decade is trying to put together the side that's going to win most games next season, but from a basis of not having any foundations to build on. It's like, how much cap room do we have, and who is available and willing to sign for us - mush all that lot together with zero plan for the future even if all it means coming 12th instead of 15th, because maybe one of these years we'll jag into 8th and all will be forgiven.

The whole point of playing youngsters is that - while they may not be ready *yet* and the short term results are likely to be worse than you might have managed with a bunch of mediocre but experienced campaigners - you are getting those young guys the experience they need to deliver better results down the track.

We have to recognise where we are right now and plan accordingly. The squad is going to be weak next season because we have missed all the free agent signings that might make a real difference. We have to prioritise role player type guys to fill the roster spots - players who can fill the biggest holes now but, critically, do so without creating further problems down the line when we're stuck with yet more useless contracts.

I'm not totally averse to Taupau or Sims, but they absolutely have to be on the right money and for no longer than two years. Look at Tamou - bad signing, but it's not going to kill us because it's cheap and he's done after 2022. What we need more than anything is not to waste the roster and cap flexibility we've spent years building for another bunch of dreadful Packer/Reynolds type signings that can never do more than taking us from bottom four to just outside the eight.

 

[Devon Head]

Man I’d rather us continue to recruit young talent than the likes of Taupau and Sims, especially with the COE. Warning to the task of Ciraldo as coach and just having a really young talented side

Unfortunately the games where we got thrashed, showed that the young guys just aren’t up to it yet?

That's what a rebuild is, though. The problem the Tigers have had for most of the past decade is trying to put together the side that's going to win most games next season, but from a basis of not having any foundations to build on. It's like, how much cap room do we have, and who is available and willing to sign for us - mush all that lot together with zero plan for the future even if all it means coming 12th instead of 15th, because maybe one of these years we'll jag into 8th and all will be forgiven.

The whole point of playing youngsters is that - while they may not be ready *yet* and the short term results are likely to be worse than you might have managed with a bunch of mediocre but experienced campaigners - you are getting those young guys the experience they need to deliver better results down the track.

We have to recognise where we are right now and plan accordingly. The squad is going to be weak next season because we have missed all the free agent signings that might make a real difference. We have to prioritise role player type guys to fill the roster spots - players who can fill the biggest holes now but, critically, do so without creating further problems down the line when we're stuck with yet more useless contracts.

I'm not totally averse to Taupau or Sims, but they absolutely have to be on the right money and for no longer than two years. Look at Tamou - bad signing, but it's not going to kill us because it's cheap and he's done after 2022. What we need more than anything is not to waste the roster and cap flexibility we've spent years building for another bunch of dreadful Packer/Reynolds type signings that can never do more than taking us from bottom four to just outside the eight.

Partly why I feel Madge deserves another yr or 2. He has spent basically 3 seasons clearing out the team getting rid of all the over inflated under performing contracts. This season blooded a lot of rookies and had guys with very minimal experience and it showed with the inconsistencies. They'll all be better for it come next season and some will really make that jump as Stef has done. Throw in a few guys like Sims and Marty and a decent centre and you have a real good mix of experience and youth.

 

[TigerWest]

Man I’d rather us continue to recruit young talent than the likes of Taupau and Sims, especially with the COE. Warning to the task of Ciraldo as coach and just having a really young talented side

Unfortunately the games where we got thrashed, showed that the young guys just aren’t up to it yet?

That's what a rebuild is, though. The problem the Tigers have had for most of the past decade is trying to put together the side that's going to win most games next season, but from a basis of not having any foundations to build on. It's like, how much cap room do we have, and who is available and willing to sign for us - mush all that lot together with zero plan for the future even if all it means coming 12th instead of 15th, because maybe one of these years we'll jag into 8th and all will be forgiven.

The whole point of playing youngsters is that - while they may not be ready *yet* and the short term results are likely to be worse than you might have managed with a bunch of mediocre but experienced campaigners - you are getting those young guys the experience they need to deliver better results down the track.

We have to recognise where we are right now and plan accordingly. The squad is going to be weak next season because we have missed all the free agent signings that might make a real difference. We have to prioritise role player type guys to fill the roster spots - players who can fill the biggest holes now but, critically, do so without creating further problems down the line when we're stuck with yet more useless contracts.

I'm not totally averse to Taupau or Sims, but they absolutely have to be on the right money and for no longer than two years. Look at Tamou - bad signing, but it's not going to kill us because it's cheap and he's done after 2022. What we need more than anything is not to waste the roster and cap flexibility we've spent years building for another bunch of dreadful Packer/Reynolds type signings that can never do more than taking us from bottom four to just outside the eight.

Partly why I feel Madge deserves another yr or 2. He has spent basically 3 seasons clearing out the team getting rid of all the over inflated under performing contracts. This season blooded a lot of rookies and had guys with very minimal experience and it showed with the inconsistencies. They'll all be better for it come next season and some will really make that jump as Stef has done. Throw in a few guys like Sims and Marty and a decent centre and you have a real good mix of experience and youth.

As long as the experienced blokes we sign, do there bit and have a go for the team, I really think the younger guys will feed of it.

I know all teams go through it, but we had most of our first pick players out in the last games and our young blokes didn’t cope at all?

 

[jirskyr]

everythingrugbyleague.com has thrown up a possible Marty Taupau back to the Tigers and Garner to Manly Scenario as well as Sims to the Tigers.

So 2 2nd rowers in the early 30s

K...

"Experienced"?

 

[jirskyr]

If only the TRADE RAGE button existed in real life Rugbeh Leegue..

I don't know why we never traded Russell Packer to keep Grant in the 1st place.

This was an option?

Anything’s possible in Forumland.

no they wanted Nofo at the time and we said "David is going nowhere" worst decision behind Packer Signing ever

David Nofoaluma 'IS' Wests Tigers was the follow up quote...
Still makes me shudder....

He is Wests Tigers

Going Backwards

Also, he's very good when there's nothing on the line, susceptible in defence and loves a bit of showboating even when the team is running bottom 4.

 

[Devon Head]

Man I’d rather us continue to recruit young talent than the likes of Taupau and Sims, especially with the COE. Warning to the task of Ciraldo as coach and just having a really young talented side

Unfortunately the games where we got thrashed, showed that the young guys just aren’t up to it yet?

That's what a rebuild is, though. The problem the Tigers have had for most of the past decade is trying to put together the side that's going to win most games next season, but from a basis of not having any foundations to build on. It's like, how much cap room do we have, and who is available and willing to sign for us - mush all that lot together with zero plan for the future even if all it means coming 12th instead of 15th, because maybe one of these years we'll jag into 8th and all will be forgiven.

The whole point of playing youngsters is that - while they may not be ready *yet* and the short term results are likely to be worse than you might have managed with a bunch of mediocre but experienced campaigners - you are getting those young guys the experience they need to deliver better results down the track.

We have to recognise where we are right now and plan accordingly. The squad is going to be weak next season because we have missed all the free agent signings that might make a real difference. We have to prioritise role player type guys to fill the roster spots - players who can fill the biggest holes now but, critically, do so without creating further problems down the line when we're stuck with yet more useless contracts.

I'm not totally averse to Taupau or Sims, but they absolutely have to be on the right money and for no longer than two years. Look at Tamou - bad signing, but it's not going to kill us because it's cheap and he's done after 2022. What we need more than anything is not to waste the roster and cap flexibility we've spent years building for another bunch of dreadful Packer/Reynolds type signings that can never do more than taking us from bottom four to just outside the eight.

Partly why I feel Madge deserves another yr or 2. He has spent basically 3 seasons clearing out the team getting rid of all the over inflated under performing contracts. This season blooded a lot of rookies and had guys with very minimal experience and it showed with the inconsistencies. They'll all be better for it come next season and some will really make that jump as Stef has done. Throw in a few guys like Sims and Marty and a decent centre and you have a real good mix of experience and youth.

As long as the experienced blokes we sign, do there bit and have a go for the team, I really think the younger guys will feed of it.

I know all teams go through it, but we had most of our first pick players out in the last games and our young blokes didn’t cope at all?

Agreed, need to bring in experienced blokes who'll buy into the process and direction the club is heading. Need blokes willing to take a few of the younger lads under their wing and guide them a little. Need blokes with strong ethic towards training and recovery.

Yeah for sure there were definitely injury issues that contributed to the downward slide last few rounds. AD, Laurie, Tamou, Garner, Mbye (last round), Seyfarth (at times), and Talau were either injured coming into last few rounds or during final few rounds. All would more than likely have been in the 17 otherwise.

Prob with the Tigers is a lot of these names are already below the standard of the better teams who when they have injuries, have guys like the names mentioned to replace them. Tigers lose them and they're left fielding a KOE team.

 

[Devon Head]

If only the TRADE RAGE button existed in real life Rugbeh Leegue..

I don't know why we never traded Russell Packer to keep Grant in the 1st place.

This was an option?

Anything’s possible in Forumland.

no they wanted Nofo at the time and we said "David is going nowhere" worst decision behind Packer Signing ever

David Nofoaluma 'IS' Wests Tigers was the follow up quote...
Still makes me shudder....

He is Wests Tigers

Going Backwards

Also, he's very good when there's nothing on the line, susceptible in defence and loves a bit of showboating even when the team is running bottom 4.

Loves celebrating a try and finding the camera even when the team is down by 30.

 

[Tiger5150]

Man I’d rather us continue to recruit young talent than the likes of Taupau and Sims, especially with the COE. Warning to the task of Ciraldo as coach and just having a really young talented side

So your saying the only reason why re didn’t perform this year was we had the wrong coach and senior players do not impact the playing group at all?

Our young guys were consistently our best but that doesn’t mean we don’t need more experience. IMO the experience we have is no good. Tamou is old and buggered, Nofo and brooks have no experience of success.

 

[Needaname]

COE

KOE?

 

[Needaname]

Man I’d rather us continue to recruit young talent than the likes of Taupau and Sims, especially with the COE. Warning to the task of Ciraldo as coach and just having a really young talented side

Unfortunately the games where we got thrashed, showed that the young guys just aren’t up to it yet?

That's what a rebuild is, though. The problem the Tigers have had for most of the past decade is trying to put together the side that's going to win most games next season, but from a basis of not having any foundations to build on. It's like, how much cap room do we have, and who is available and willing to sign for us - mush all that lot together with zero plan for the future even if all it means coming 12th instead of 15th, because maybe one of these years we'll jag into 8th and all will be forgiven.

The whole point of playing youngsters is that - while they may not be ready *yet* and the short term results are likely to be worse than you might have managed with a bunch of mediocre but experienced campaigners - you are getting those young guys the experience they need to deliver better results down the track.

We have to recognise where we are right now and plan accordingly. The squad is going to be weak next season because we have missed all the free agent signings that might make a real difference. We have to prioritise role player type guys to fill the roster spots - players who can fill the biggest holes now but, critically, do so without creating further problems down the line when we're stuck with yet more useless contracts.

I'm not totally averse to Taupau or Sims, but they absolutely have to be on the right money and for no longer than two years. Look at Tamou - bad signing, but it's not going to kill us because it's cheap and he's done after 2022. What we need more than anything is not to waste the roster and cap flexibility we've spent years building for another bunch of dreadful Packer/Reynolds type signings that can never do more than taking us from bottom four to just outside the eight.

Just like the argument in terms of the coaching staff, the playing roster needs to be built / supported from the same view. Be competitive enough through the short term without impacting the long term goals of the club.
A couple of ideal front row partners have been brought up to pair with Steph and the common trait we all agree on is we need a player with punch, lower to the ground with good leg drive whilst also having the ability to overpower in the ruck.
I’ve suggested Leota, other have Paulo and Fotiaka; these of course were suggestions for 23 but unfortunately all other than Paulo have resigned and in the case of Paulo are wanted at there current club for the following year. Unfortunately this is where we sit.
It’s wait for Paulo to come off contract (signing him for 23 might prompt a release for 22, though don’t expect Parra to kick anything in) or start negotiating with an older head such as Tapau who can provide similar punch and experience for the next two possibly three years.

 

[jirskyr]

If only the TRADE RAGE button existed in real life Rugbeh Leegue..

I don't know why we never traded Russell Packer to keep Grant in the 1st place.

This was an option?

Anything’s possible in Forumland.

no they wanted Nofo at the time and we said "David is going nowhere" worst decision behind Packer Signing ever

David Nofoaluma 'IS' Wests Tigers was the follow up quote...
Still makes me shudder....

He is Wests Tigers

Going Backwards

Also, he's very good when there's nothing on the line, susceptible in defence and loves a bit of showboating even when the team is running bottom 4.

Loves celebrating a try and finding the camera even when the team is down by 30.

A try is a try, right?

 

[Devon Head]

If only the TRADE RAGE button existed in real life Rugbeh Leegue..

I don't know why we never traded Russell Packer to keep Grant in the 1st place.

This was an option?

Anything’s possible in Forumland.

no they wanted Nofo at the time and we said "David is going nowhere" worst decision behind Packer Signing ever

David Nofoaluma 'IS' Wests Tigers was the follow up quote...
Still makes me shudder....

He is Wests Tigers

Going Backwards

Also, he's very good when there's nothing on the line, susceptible in defence and loves a bit of showboating even when the team is running bottom 4.

Loves celebrating a try and finding the camera even when the team is down by 30.

A try is a try, right?

Can do without the carry on afterwards when the team is getting pumped. It screams it's all about me and the success of the team means little as long as I have a good time.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

My take on who we should sign/release for next season ...

From those still uncontracted, release Cini & Amone (and no upgrade for Kei although I thought he was an auto upgrade into top 30 squad like Hoffman). I'm also now in the camp that if we can find a mutually beneficial transfer for Brooks, we take it.

OUT: Walters, Packer, Mbye, Cini, Amone, Brooks, Leulia, Chee Kam
IN: Hoffman (from Dev Squad), Hastings, Gildart

That leaves 5 spots open which I would target:
- Tariq Sims (backrow) - leadership, intensity, aggression, experience
- Tyrone Peachey (5/8, utility) - experience, leadership in indigenous pathways, slots in at 5/8 while Doeuhi is out with Hastings as our directional half
- Israel Ogden (centre, wing, fullback) - reward youth, x-factor, wing/FB backup
- Blake Ferguson (wing) - experience, x-factor, he & Nofa to fight out wing spot so Nofa out of comfort zone, 1 year deal only so youth can replace in 2023 ie Scolari
- Joseph Tapine (middle) - experience, xfactor, leadership, ball skills (transfer with Brooks ideally).

Big focus on experience, intensity, leadership to complement Hastings which the team desparately needs plus Sims, Peachey & Ferguson are only for 2 seasons (1 for Blake) so there is a pathway for our youth (the likes of Tumeth, Sykes, Mansfield, Dillon, Scolari, Pole etc).

And the maximum number we can put on development contracts in 2022.

I'd be very happy with the above.

 

[clontarfkid]

My take on who we should sign/release for next season ...

From those still uncontracted, release Cini & Amone (and no upgrade for Kei although I thought he was an auto upgrade into top 30 squad like Hoffman). I'm also now in the camp that if we can find a mutually beneficial transfer for Brooks, we take it.

OUT: Walters, Packer, Mbye, Cini, Amone, Brooks, Leulia, Chee Kam
IN: Hoffman (from Dev Squad), Hastings, Gildart

That leaves 5 spots open which I would target:
- Tariq Sims (backrow) - leadership, intensity, aggression, experience
- Tyrone Peachey (5/8, utility) - experience, leadership in indigenous pathways, slots in at 5/8 while Doeuhi is out with Hastings as our directional half
- Israel Ogden (centre, wing, fullback) - reward youth, x-factor, wing/FB backup
- Blake Ferguson (wing) - experience, x-factor, he & Nofa to fight out wing spot so Nofa out of comfort zone, 1 year deal only so youth can replace in 2023 ie Scolari
- Joseph Tapine (middle) - experience, xfactor, leadership, ball skills (transfer with Brooks ideally).

Big focus on experience, intensity, leadership to complement Hastings which the team desparately needs plus Sims, Peachey & Ferguson are only for 2 seasons (1 for Blake) so there is a pathway for our youth (the likes of Tumeth, Sykes, Mansfield, Dillon, Scolari, Pole etc).

And the maximum number we can put on development contracts in 2022.

I'd be very happy with the above.

Im no fan of Sims/Peachy nor Ferguson tbh
Theyre all "contract year"players who are no shows at other times,and despite getting on a bit(like us all!)none of them show any leadership qualities which we desperately need..and thats being kind !!

 

[yeahcaz]

My take on who we should sign/release for next season ...

From those still uncontracted, release Cini & Amone (and no upgrade for Kei although I thought he was an auto upgrade into top 30 squad like Hoffman). I'm also now in the camp that if we can find a mutually beneficial transfer for Brooks, we take it.

OUT: Walters, Packer, Mbye, Cini, Amone, Brooks, Leulia, Chee Kam
IN: Hoffman (from Dev Squad), Hastings, Gildart

That leaves 5 spots open which I would target:
- Tariq Sims (backrow) - leadership, intensity, aggression, experience
- Tyrone Peachey (5/8, utility) - experience, leadership in indigenous pathways, slots in at 5/8 while Doeuhi is out with Hastings as our directional half
- Israel Ogden (centre, wing, fullback) - reward youth, x-factor, wing/FB backup
- Blake Ferguson (wing) - experience, x-factor, he & Nofa to fight out wing spot so Nofa out of comfort zone, 1 year deal only so youth can replace in 2023 ie Scolari
- Joseph Tapine (middle) - experience, xfactor, leadership, ball skills (transfer with Brooks ideally).

Big focus on experience, intensity, leadership to complement Hastings which the team desparately needs plus Sims, Peachey & Ferguson are only for 2 seasons (1 for Blake) so there is a pathway for our youth (the likes of Tumeth, Sykes, Mansfield, Dillon, Scolari, Pole etc).

And the maximum number we can put on development contracts in 2022.

I'd be very happy with the above.

Would do all bar Ferguson. Tapine top target, If only we had some sort of link to the NZ team….

 

[Eyeofthetiger 0]

Man I’d rather us continue to recruit young talent than the likes of Taupau and Sims, especially with the COE. Warning to the task of Ciraldo as coach and just having a really young talented side

Unfortunately the games where we got thrashed, showed that the young guys just aren’t up to it yet?

That's what a rebuild is, though. The problem the Tigers have had for most of the past decade is trying to put together the side that's going to win most games next season, but from a basis of not having any foundations to build on. It's like, how much cap room do we have, and who is available and willing to sign for us - mush all that lot together with zero plan for the future even if all it means coming 12th instead of 15th, because maybe one of these years we'll jag into 8th and all will be forgiven.

The whole point of playing youngsters is that - while they may not be ready *yet* and the short term results are likely to be worse than you might have managed with a bunch of mediocre but experienced campaigners - you are getting those young guys the experience they need to deliver better results down the track.

We have to recognise where we are right now and plan accordingly. The squad is going to be weak next season because we have missed all the free agent signings that might make a real difference. We have to prioritise role player type guys to fill the roster spots - players who can fill the biggest holes now but, critically, do so without creating further problems down the line when we're stuck with yet more useless contracts.

I'm not totally averse to Taupau or Sims, but they absolutely have to be on the right money and for no longer than two years. Look at Tamou - bad signing, but it's not going to kill us because it's cheap and he's done after 2022. What we need more than anything is not to waste the roster and cap flexibility we've spent years building for another bunch of dreadful Packer/Reynolds type signings that can never do more than taking us from bottom four to just outside the eight.

Just like the argument in terms of the coaching staff, the playing roster needs to be built / supported from the same view. Be competitive enough through the short term without impacting the long term goals of the club.
A couple of ideal front row partners have been brought up to pair with Steph and the common trait we all agree on is we need a player with punch, lower to the ground with good leg drive whilst also having the ability to overpower in the ruck.
I’ve suggested Leota, other have Paulo and Fotiaka; these of course were suggestions for 23 but unfortunately all other than Paulo have resigned and in the case of Paulo are wanted at there current club for the following year. Unfortunately this is where we sit.
It’s wait for Paulo to come off contract (signing him for 23 might prompt a release for 22, though don’t expect Parra to kick anything in) or start negotiating with an older head such as Tapau who can provide similar punch and experience for the next two possibly three years.

I’m all for senior players to complement the young guys. But I
Don’t want average senior players, I want players like b Smith
To complement the young guys

 

[Aceshigh]

Tariq Sims ,Adam Elliott would both be huge additions for our mediocre pack of forwards .We may have trouble signing quality players , so if we got the opportunity to grab players of that caliber then we should .

 

[Roar_Power]

Sims, Peachey, Scott - come on down.