Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[240z]

If we're going to market ourselves as a development club, we must do everything possible to retain our juniors. Few ppl on here saying that we've lost some good ones. Most fans, tho hard, will swallow the spin that comes from the club as they build for success but if we are losing these players that are our future then the club needs to be accountable


Unfortunately it is not possible to keep all our juniors at the club, just have to try keep the best available with the spots available

Agree but my point was the ones we wanted to keep and wanted to stay are leaving due to the clubs mismanagement of their situations.

Yes I agree that is a very poor piece of talent management

 

[weststigerman]

Unless Logen Dillon is on our top 30 we will still need a backup fullback - development players aren't able to play until round 10 or 11.

He's clearly talented but I think it would be a mistake to rush him into first grade next year, he's very small, got dominated in NSW cup and needs maybe two off seasons to get ready? Definitely one to invest in though

Ogden or Dillon should have a top 30 spot next year IMO. One of those should be able to cover for injury.

 

[TillLindemann]

The Hodgson vs Api situation is very interesting. I am not saying this will happen I actually think it will fall through (knowing the tigers). But looking in as a fan Hodgson is definitely the better option long term if we can get rid of Liddle. Simpkin is a class hooker and has proved this in KOE and first grade. Our problem is and has been for a while is an 80 minute hooker. For me wasting a bench spot on a hooker or utility is silly especially for a team like the tigers. It needs to be 4 big men. I think Simpkin does need to be phased into 80 minutes but Hodgson is perfect for the whole team.
Hodgson is a leader and has the British connection with Hastings, Gildart and Sheens. Which you would think would tempt him to come. Only flaw for me is that he is injury prone but that is easily fixed. IE: Hastings, Simpkin and I would like to see Dockar-clay in the top 30.

In conclusion, in the long run and for the team you would think Hodgson is the wiser choice. With Simpkin at 14 to add attacking flare. But we will see how the meat head of Pascoe sorts this us.

As it stands, Liddle is streets ahead of Simpkin…
How anyone sees it does different is beyond me.
Simpkin may have more upside in the long run, I’ll think you might find Liddle does as well.
If Liddle and Madge don’t work - that may be a separate issue…
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Liddle end up at the chooks… he has time with the ball, he’s a bit underdone - and has some work to do… but you can’t buy time…

Liddle is a Hooker who can't pass accurately and has no kicking game. He's pretty limited and one dimensional. What's worse for him is he lacks the cardiovascular capacity to play a full game

Can't believe there were 3 ppl who downvoted this. I feel you've stated complete truth.

Liddle is developing a fan base much like Brooks... except Brooks fans bailed, I believe.

People are even starting to make rubbish excuses for Liddle.... "oh he fatigues that's why he struggles" for a start he's a professional player that's played over 50 games, he shouldn't be getting tired after 20 mins as a dummy half. Different if he's a prop

Secondly he can't pass! No matter what time of the game he manages to throw a pass at Brooks ankles or over Doueihis head.

Not saying he's completely rubbish and should be punted but it's pretty clear we need a lot more direction at hooker and if you're choosing one of Liddle or Simpkin to put time into and develop, you always choose Simpkin.

There's no harm in keeping both our current hookers AND signing Hodgson either

I vote to punt Simpkin - can't play 80, stands too much with hands on hips, ball hog.....Bye!

Mate I was at both games in Redcliffe and Liddle was walking around in back play all the time with hands on hips he was completely gassed after 15 minutes, maybe go too some live games you might see it for yourself

Tops the tackle count with his hands on his hips....Plays dummy half in the back play...

Wasn't anywhere to be seen, not even within 20m of Joffa when he played the ball 1m from the tryline against Warriors with Tigers down by 2. No dummy half at all, turn over. That is inexcusable at 1st grade level. Camera pans around and he's sucking in air mid pitch from 2 plays prior.

That was a season killer right there. As was his brain snap on the tryline against Pangai Junior, without that we might have beaten Penrith twice, imagine the difference to the perception of our season and club if that had been the case.

 

[tiger_scott]

If we sign Hodson, does he perform his Canberra role: starting hooker, finish the game as lock. Meaning Peachey can train the whole off-season and play '22 as a centre? Might be okay!

 

[Guest]

Can people please stop swearing in threads @PJ you regularly have posts deleted for swearing so please refrain from it as it will just result in the post being deleted.

 

[TheDaBoss]

Go hard for manu and herbie farnworth

 

[Kelce68]

Go hard for manu and herbie farnworth

I think Farnworth may have resigned. It's a shame, I think he's quite underrated.

 

[TillLindemann]

It has been mentioned on the Luke Brooks thread, but Mitchel Pearce getting a massive offer to play for Catalans might shake up the player market...

 

[TheDaBoss]

Go hard for manu and herbie farnworth

I think Farnworth may have resigned. It's a shame, I think he's quite underrated.

I did a quick google

He last resigned for 2 years in 2022

Off contract end of 2022

 

[Camel2281]

The Hodgson vs Api situation is very interesting. I am not saying this will happen I actually think it will fall through (knowing the tigers). But looking in as a fan Hodgson is definitely the better option long term if we can get rid of Liddle. Simpkin is a class hooker and has proved this in KOE and first grade. Our problem is and has been for a while is an 80 minute hooker. For me wasting a bench spot on a hooker or utility is silly especially for a team like the tigers. It needs to be 4 big men. I think Simpkin does need to be phased into 80 minutes but Hodgson is perfect for the whole team.
Hodgson is a leader and has the British connection with Hastings, Gildart and Sheens. Which you would think would tempt him to come. Only flaw for me is that he is injury prone but that is easily fixed. IE: Hastings, Simpkin and I would like to see Dockar-clay in the top 30.

In conclusion, in the long run and for the team you would think Hodgson is the wiser choice. With Simpkin at 14 to add attacking flare. But we will see how the meat head of Pascoe sorts this us.

As it stands, Liddle is streets ahead of Simpkin…
How anyone sees it does different is beyond me.
Simpkin may have more upside in the long run, I’ll think you might find Liddle does as well.
If Liddle and Madge don’t work - that may be a separate issue…
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Liddle end up at the chooks… he has time with the ball, he’s a bit underdone - and has some work to do… but you can’t buy time…

Liddle is a Hooker who can't pass accurately and has no kicking game. He's pretty limited and one dimensional. What's worse for him is he lacks the cardiovascular capacity to play a full game


And Simpkin is worse, I don’t know where you get the idea that he is our saviour he is a couple of years away thanks to Covid

Where did I say Simpkin was? Hodgson coming in for 2 years while Simpkin hones his skills in Reggies is the ideal scenario. Liddle unfortunately doesn't have the all round game to be a regular starting NRL hooker

 

[Camel2281]

The Hodgson vs Api situation is very interesting. I am not saying this will happen I actually think it will fall through (knowing the tigers). But looking in as a fan Hodgson is definitely the better option long term if we can get rid of Liddle. Simpkin is a class hooker and has proved this in KOE and first grade. Our problem is and has been for a while is an 80 minute hooker. For me wasting a bench spot on a hooker or utility is silly especially for a team like the tigers. It needs to be 4 big men. I think Simpkin does need to be phased into 80 minutes but Hodgson is perfect for the whole team.
Hodgson is a leader and has the British connection with Hastings, Gildart and Sheens. Which you would think would tempt him to come. Only flaw for me is that he is injury prone but that is easily fixed. IE: Hastings, Simpkin and I would like to see Dockar-clay in the top 30.

In conclusion, in the long run and for the team you would think Hodgson is the wiser choice. With Simpkin at 14 to add attacking flare. But we will see how the meat head of Pascoe sorts this us.

As it stands, Liddle is streets ahead of Simpkin…
How anyone sees it does different is beyond me.
Simpkin may have more upside in the long run, I’ll think you might find Liddle does as well.
If Liddle and Madge don’t work - that may be a separate issue…
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Liddle end up at the chooks… he has time with the ball, he’s a bit underdone - and has some work to do… but you can’t buy time…

Liddle is a Hooker who can't pass accurately and has no kicking game. He's pretty limited and one dimensional. What's worse for him is he lacks the cardiovascular capacity to play a full game

Can't believe there were 3 ppl who downvoted this. I feel you've stated complete truth.

Liddle is developing a fan base much like Brooks... except Brooks fans bailed, I believe.

People are even starting to make rubbish excuses for Liddle.... "oh he fatigues that's why he struggles" for a start he's a professional player that's played over 50 games, he shouldn't be getting tired after 20 mins as a dummy half. Different if he's a prop

Secondly he can't pass! No matter what time of the game he manages to throw a pass at Brooks ankles or over Doueihis head.

Not saying he's completely rubbish and should be punted but it's pretty clear we need a lot more direction at hooker and if you're choosing one of Liddle or Simpkin to put time into and develop, you always choose Simpkin.

There's no harm in keeping both our current hookers AND signing Hodgson either

Plus he has zero kicking game which heaps more pressure on our already weak Halfback

 

[PJ_]

Can people please stop swearing in threads @PJ you regularly have posts deleted for swearing so please refrain from it as it will just result in the post being deleted.

Thought certain words were accepted now.
I won't use them in the off season any more.
Hopefully my other posts without swearing will stay up.

 

[TigerWest]

TIGERS’ WORD ON LEILUA FIASCO

Ex-Tigers centre Joey Leilua sent the rugby league world into a spin when he blasted coach Michael Maguire, while also denying reports he was only offered a train-and-trial contract by the club.

And now the Tigers have responded to the confusion over the 29-year-old’s future.

Leilua’s contract, understood to be worth around $800,000 per season, expires this year. News Corp reported that the Tigers had offered him a $1,000-per week train-and-trial deal rather than a top 30 contract extension after he had a disappointing season.


However Leilua took to Instagram to deny those reports, claiming he wasn’t offered anything, while also saying he wouldn’t want to play for Maguire anyway.

News Corp stood by the original report.

Now, Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis has come out confirming the club didn’t offer him anything.

“Absolutely, when in doubt, go to the source Joey is correct,” Hagipantelis told SEN.

**“There was no contract of any sort offered to Joey.”**

Leilua is reportedly weighing up a move to the USA to pursue rugby union.

 

[earl]

News Corp stood by the original report.

They just made the story up. I don't think anyone fell for it but it's funny.

 

[twentyforty]

I’m starting to think Hartigan was an inside agent.

Elaborate?

Well he was pretty incompetent letting so many juniors go. Like, how can you not return calls and not turn up to meetings when that is the bread and butter of your role? There was a rumour floating around a month or two ago that Pascoe was doing this. Maybe the wires were crossed and it was Hartigan.

Pretty poor performance at the job hey.
Essentially a dream job for many, myself included and he made so many mistakes...

Heard a little whisper that he even convinced a few of the players to throw the Dogs game due to his beef with Madge....


Mate, nobody joins an organisation while having bad intentions and Hartigan proved that in 2019 and 2020. It’s more likely that the club is culturally sick and did not know how to manage him or extract his skill long term. Shane Millard also left and joined Bulldogs as coach of pathways development.
WT has a history of mismanagement. It’s seen in the number of disgruntled players who leave.

Why are people downvoting this?! It’s completely true, the club has been shambles since wests and Balmain days. It’s what we have always been...underdogs. Atm it’s hard to support seeing the lack of passion in the jersey. This forum has been such a negative space recently with all the downvotes crap and fighting amongst everyone. The club and fans really to look inward and find what it means to be apart of wests tigers

It’s the reason why many can’t find success. Their emotion is over riding their clear thinking. They have difficulty analysing criticism for what it’s worth.
Certainly stand up for the club, but not at the expense of poor performance.
If Madge can get us into the 8 in 2022 the job of recruitment becomes that much easier. All we need is a settled spine to make it happen.

 

[razor7]

Since seasons end who exactly would have been responsible for the retention of the top rated Flegg players? A name please

 

[tiger_scott]

What about Jack Johns? Son of Matthew. Plays 2nd Row & 5/8. May also get his dad down to training, which would be a massive + for us. Would fancy his chance of cracking the starting team too. Off contract in a week, I believe.

 

[TillLindemann]

News Corp stood by the original report.

They just made the story up. I don't think anyone fell for it but it's funny.

Think I just realised why the 800-850k figures are getting circulated in the media when we all know it is wrong. He was signed at closer to 550-600k a year on a 3 year deal, with the 3rd obviously being a club option that wasn't taken up. These lazy journos are just taking the headline overall figure that he was signed for at the time and dividing it by 2, rather than 3. Rookie error lol.

 

[Pascoes_barber]

Can people please stop swearing in threads @PJ you regularly have posts deleted for swearing so please refrain from it as it will just result in the post being deleted.

Thought certain words were accepted now.
I won't use them in the off season any more.
Hopefully my other posts without swearing will stay up.

Can only imagine the apoplectic reactions from some of the uptight folks here at the language heard when they attend NRL games in person.

 

[Pascoes_barber]

What about Jack Johns? Son of Matthew. Plays 2nd Row & 5/8. May also get his dad down to training, which would be a massive + for us. Would fancy his chance of cracking the starting team too. Off contract in a week, I believe.

Not exactly smashing the door down for a contract from what I've seen. Cooper (Johns) looked 'OK' for Melbourne, not sure if he's in their future plans.