GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
Can’t believe how impotent the Dolphins have been so far. The only real marquee left for them to sign is Ponga, who I imagine they probably will get. They aren’t going to have much else by the look of it though.
Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
- Start date
Littlebittipsy
Well-known member
Does anyone have access to the DT article saying “Tigers eye another prize”.
rihannafan1
Well-known member
@littlebittipsy said in [Signing Suggestions & Rumours](/post/1514539) said:
Yes. It is almost all about the Api signing and briefly mentions that we are looking at Cotric but that Canberra are favourites.
Littlebittipsy
Well-known member
@rihannafan1 said in [Signing Suggestions & Rumours](/post/1514545) said:
Not according to the Cotric thread. A post stating an announcement of Cotric will happen today or tomorrow.
rihannafan1
Well-known member
@littlebittipsy said in [Signing Suggestions & Rumours](/post/1514546) said:
Just repeating the story that was asked for. You're welcome.
Littlebittipsy
Well-known member
@rihannafan1 said in [Signing Suggestions & Rumours](/post/1514548) said:
Sorry, my bad, thanks for the info. Didn’t mean to come across rude. Fingers crossed Cotric is ours.
NRL 2022: Wests Tigers chase more talent after signing Api Koroisau from Panthers
The Wests Tigers have coughed up huge money to lure Api Koroisau, but there’s enough left for one more big name recruit.
Brent Read
and
Dean Ritchie
10 min read
December 4, 2021 - 11:55AM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
Api Koroisau has become the latest Penrith premiership winner to depart the club after agreeing to a three-year deal with the Wests Tigers from 2023.
News Corp can reveal Koroisau informed his Panthers teammates of his decision on Friday afternoon, having been tempted by a lucrative offer from the Tigers believed to be worth close to $2 million.
The NSW State of Origin representative will finish the 2022 season with the Panthers before linking with the Tigers in a move that could see their incumbent No. 9 Jacob Liddle seek greener pastures.
Sport’s greatest rivalry is just around the corner and you can catch the Ashes live and ad-break free during play. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
Penrith's Apisai Koroisau will leave the club after 2022. Picture: Brett Costello
Penrith's Apisai Koroisau will leave the club after 2022. Picture: Brett Costello
In Koroisau, the Tigers have landed a representative-quality hooker in the prime of his career – he made his Origin debut for the Blues earlier this year as part of the squad that won the series.
Confirmation of his career shift continues the merry-go-round of No. 9s in the wake of Reed Mahoney’s decision to join Canterbury and Brandon Smith’s move to the Sydney Roosters.
The Tigers initially tabled only a two-year contract for Koroisau but extended their offer to a third year as they attempted to clinch the deal. It is understood the Dolphins were also monitoring the situation but never weighed in with an official offer, opting to keep their powder dry and wait for other options to emerge.
Koroisau’s signing is a coup for Tigers head of football Tim Sheens and head of recruitment Warren McDonnell, who made it their priority to find a quality No. 9 to take some heat off halfback Luke Brooks.
Koroisau is expected to take pressure off Luke Brooks. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images
Koroisau is expected to take pressure off Luke Brooks. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images
“We’re very pleased to have secured Apisai from the start of the 2023 season,” Sheens said.
“He not only adds a further level of experience in a key position of the spine, but he has shown himself to be successful alongside head coach Michael Maguire previously in his career.
“It is always a big positive to sign a player with international and State of Origin experience, and what Apisai has achieved at both club and representative level will be a great addition to what we are building here.”
Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe added. “On behalf of everyone at Wests Tigers, I’d like to share how pleased we are to have signed Koroisau from the start of 2023.
“He will join us with a wealth of experience to his name, having represented Fiji on the international stage and the Blues in State of Origin, and we look forward to him and adding plenty to our club in the coming years.”
The Tigers initially pursued Canberra and England hooker Josh Hodgson, but they were unable to strike a deal with the Raiders over how they would each contribute to his wages.
With Hodgson off the table, they turned their attentions to Koroisau, a key figure in the Penrith side that won the premiership in October.
The Tigers aren’t finished yet. Along with Canberra, they are in the race to sign Bulldogs outside back Nick Cotric (see details below).
Canberra remain the frontrunners for Cotric, who would return to the club after a one-year absence provided the Raiders can reach an agreement with his manager and the Bulldogs over his salary.
His return to the nation’s capital is likely to mean that Canberra back Bailey Simonsson moves to Parramatta, where he would help the Eels compensate for the departure of Blake Ferguson.
Meanwhile, Penrith are feeling the pinch of winning a premiership.
Koroisau’s departure comes hot on the heels of the Viliame Kikau’s decision to join the Bulldogs in 2023, shoring the premiers of two of their best players.
Fullback Dylan Edwards is also off contract at the end of 2022, although he is expected to sign a new deal with the Panthers.
NEW FAVOURITE EMERGES TO SIGN COTRIC
He was poised for an immediate return to Canberra but in a late twist, former NSW winger Nick Cotric could now be headed to Wests Tigers.
Just a week after the club signed Parramatta forward Isaiah Papali’i for 2023, Wests Tigers have positioned themselves to secure Cotric, the Bulldogs star at risk of being squeezed out of Belmore under Phil Gould’s roster overhaul.
Desperate to appease fans with a big-name signing for next season, the Tigers ramped up their interest in Cotric on Monday after holding an official meeting with his management.
Sport’s greatest rivalry is just around the corner and you can catch the Ashes live and ad-break free during play. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
It comes as Wests have more room to move in their salary cap than Canberra.
The Daily Telegraph last week revealed that Cotric was being shopped around as the Bulldogs battle a salary cap squeeze and that he looked headed back home to Canberra.
Nick Cotric has attracted interest from Wests Tigers. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Nick Cotric has attracted interest from Wests Tigers. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
While the Raiders are still hopeful, the Tigers have suddenly become favourites for Cotric.
Canterbury would prefer to offload Cotric – who earns $600,000 a season at Belmore — to Wests given the Tigers could inject more money into the swap than Canberra.
Canberra remain interested provided they can find some middle ground in a financial settlement with Canterbury.
Cotric, a former Australian winger, bought a home near Sutherland and wants to remain in Sydney. He wants to renovate his house.
His career has stalled though, winning just three games with Canterbury last year, losing his place in the NSW side and now appearing ready for a move to battling Wests Tigers.
Tigers struck a significant blow last week by signing Papali’i on a three-season deal from 2023.
New Tigers director of football Tim Sheens seems to be working some early magic at Concord. Tigers coach Michael Maguire also knows he requires a roster boost heading into next season given his tenure will again come under scrutiny with a sluggish start.
Nick Cotric could be a good fit for the Tigers. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Nick Cotric could be a good fit for the Tigers. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Signing Cotric just after Papali’i will ease some angst among Wests Tigers fans who have waited a decade for a finals appearance.
Tigers forward Luciano Leilua has signed a monster deal with North Queensland from 2023 but that move could be brought forward by a year if the player demands an early release.
Some of that Leilua money could be used for Cotric, who played in the 2019 NRL grand final.
While the move is highly unlikely, Wests Tigers have approached Storm star Brandon Smith.
There is no suggestion Parramatta will allow Papali’i to walk out for Wests Tigers a year early.
Meanwhile the Tigers have announced the signing of promising outside back Junior Tupou for the next three seasons.
The 19-year-old former Brumbies player represented the Junior Wallabies this year after switching to rugby union following a stint with the Canberra Raiders SG Ball team.
The Wests Tigers have coughed up huge money to lure Api Koroisau, but there’s enough left for one more big name recruit.
Brent Read
and
Dean Ritchie
10 min read
December 4, 2021 - 11:55AM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
Api Koroisau has become the latest Penrith premiership winner to depart the club after agreeing to a three-year deal with the Wests Tigers from 2023.
News Corp can reveal Koroisau informed his Panthers teammates of his decision on Friday afternoon, having been tempted by a lucrative offer from the Tigers believed to be worth close to $2 million.
The NSW State of Origin representative will finish the 2022 season with the Panthers before linking with the Tigers in a move that could see their incumbent No. 9 Jacob Liddle seek greener pastures.
Sport’s greatest rivalry is just around the corner and you can catch the Ashes live and ad-break free during play. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
Penrith's Apisai Koroisau will leave the club after 2022. Picture: Brett Costello
Penrith's Apisai Koroisau will leave the club after 2022. Picture: Brett Costello
In Koroisau, the Tigers have landed a representative-quality hooker in the prime of his career – he made his Origin debut for the Blues earlier this year as part of the squad that won the series.
Confirmation of his career shift continues the merry-go-round of No. 9s in the wake of Reed Mahoney’s decision to join Canterbury and Brandon Smith’s move to the Sydney Roosters.
The Tigers initially tabled only a two-year contract for Koroisau but extended their offer to a third year as they attempted to clinch the deal. It is understood the Dolphins were also monitoring the situation but never weighed in with an official offer, opting to keep their powder dry and wait for other options to emerge.
Koroisau’s signing is a coup for Tigers head of football Tim Sheens and head of recruitment Warren McDonnell, who made it their priority to find a quality No. 9 to take some heat off halfback Luke Brooks.
Koroisau is expected to take pressure off Luke Brooks. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images
Koroisau is expected to take pressure off Luke Brooks. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images
“We’re very pleased to have secured Apisai from the start of the 2023 season,” Sheens said.
“He not only adds a further level of experience in a key position of the spine, but he has shown himself to be successful alongside head coach Michael Maguire previously in his career.
“It is always a big positive to sign a player with international and State of Origin experience, and what Apisai has achieved at both club and representative level will be a great addition to what we are building here.”
Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe added. “On behalf of everyone at Wests Tigers, I’d like to share how pleased we are to have signed Koroisau from the start of 2023.
“He will join us with a wealth of experience to his name, having represented Fiji on the international stage and the Blues in State of Origin, and we look forward to him and adding plenty to our club in the coming years.”
The Tigers initially pursued Canberra and England hooker Josh Hodgson, but they were unable to strike a deal with the Raiders over how they would each contribute to his wages.
With Hodgson off the table, they turned their attentions to Koroisau, a key figure in the Penrith side that won the premiership in October.
The Tigers aren’t finished yet. Along with Canberra, they are in the race to sign Bulldogs outside back Nick Cotric (see details below).
Canberra remain the frontrunners for Cotric, who would return to the club after a one-year absence provided the Raiders can reach an agreement with his manager and the Bulldogs over his salary.
His return to the nation’s capital is likely to mean that Canberra back Bailey Simonsson moves to Parramatta, where he would help the Eels compensate for the departure of Blake Ferguson.
Meanwhile, Penrith are feeling the pinch of winning a premiership.
Koroisau’s departure comes hot on the heels of the Viliame Kikau’s decision to join the Bulldogs in 2023, shoring the premiers of two of their best players.
Fullback Dylan Edwards is also off contract at the end of 2022, although he is expected to sign a new deal with the Panthers.
NEW FAVOURITE EMERGES TO SIGN COTRIC
He was poised for an immediate return to Canberra but in a late twist, former NSW winger Nick Cotric could now be headed to Wests Tigers.
Just a week after the club signed Parramatta forward Isaiah Papali’i for 2023, Wests Tigers have positioned themselves to secure Cotric, the Bulldogs star at risk of being squeezed out of Belmore under Phil Gould’s roster overhaul.
Desperate to appease fans with a big-name signing for next season, the Tigers ramped up their interest in Cotric on Monday after holding an official meeting with his management.
Sport’s greatest rivalry is just around the corner and you can catch the Ashes live and ad-break free during play. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
It comes as Wests have more room to move in their salary cap than Canberra.
The Daily Telegraph last week revealed that Cotric was being shopped around as the Bulldogs battle a salary cap squeeze and that he looked headed back home to Canberra.
Nick Cotric has attracted interest from Wests Tigers. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Nick Cotric has attracted interest from Wests Tigers. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
While the Raiders are still hopeful, the Tigers have suddenly become favourites for Cotric.
Canterbury would prefer to offload Cotric – who earns $600,000 a season at Belmore — to Wests given the Tigers could inject more money into the swap than Canberra.
Canberra remain interested provided they can find some middle ground in a financial settlement with Canterbury.
Cotric, a former Australian winger, bought a home near Sutherland and wants to remain in Sydney. He wants to renovate his house.
His career has stalled though, winning just three games with Canterbury last year, losing his place in the NSW side and now appearing ready for a move to battling Wests Tigers.
Tigers struck a significant blow last week by signing Papali’i on a three-season deal from 2023.
New Tigers director of football Tim Sheens seems to be working some early magic at Concord. Tigers coach Michael Maguire also knows he requires a roster boost heading into next season given his tenure will again come under scrutiny with a sluggish start.
Nick Cotric could be a good fit for the Tigers. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Nick Cotric could be a good fit for the Tigers. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Signing Cotric just after Papali’i will ease some angst among Wests Tigers fans who have waited a decade for a finals appearance.
Tigers forward Luciano Leilua has signed a monster deal with North Queensland from 2023 but that move could be brought forward by a year if the player demands an early release.
Some of that Leilua money could be used for Cotric, who played in the 2019 NRL grand final.
While the move is highly unlikely, Wests Tigers have approached Storm star Brandon Smith.
There is no suggestion Parramatta will allow Papali’i to walk out for Wests Tigers a year early.
Meanwhile the Tigers have announced the signing of promising outside back Junior Tupou for the next three seasons.
The 19-year-old former Brumbies player represented the Junior Wallabies this year after switching to rugby union following a stint with the Canberra Raiders SG Ball team.
jirskyr
Well-known member
@cktiger said in [Signing Suggestions & Rumours](/post/1514494) said:
Harry is as involved as he chooses to be.
There was once a rumour that he was willing to buy the club but only if he was 100% in charge, and they declined. There's no reason for Wests to sell Tigers, they don't need the money. And nothing specifically to suggest that a rich builder would be a good club owner.
balmain boy
Well-known member
@diedpretty said in [Signing Suggestions & Rumours](/post/1514483) said:
If Storm key Smith go in 22, not only will they expect the other club to pay his full salary they expect a player of similar quality in return.
twentyforty
Well-known member
@balmain-boy said in [Signing Suggestions & Rumours](/post/1514589) said:
It’s a good way to throw a wet blanket on negotiations. We will never know if Storm could have removed Nofa’s reverse gear and helped him score 6 tries in a single game lol.
tony soprano
Well-known member
@littlebittipsy said in [Signing Suggestions & Rumours](/post/1514550) said:
Yeah media seem confident on back to Raiders.
He'd have to be taking unders to go there.
Jedi_Tiger
Well-known member
Cotric and Thompson would be nice to get but if not if it means we take a big offer to Stef its ok
tony soprano
Well-known member
@jirskyr said in [Signing Suggestions & Rumours](/post/1514578) said:
Wonder if that's true.
Tiger Tarl
Well-known member
The way I see it re. Harry T, we made the WT Foundation for donations. He's probably thrown in a sizable donation which has helped us become one of the few clubs in the black.
wet tiger coloured bird
Well-known member
jack whiten for brook?
