pawsandclaws1
Well-known member
We'll have to wait to see what Marshall and Sheens come up with for WTs.
Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
- Start date
Eternal Tiger
Well-known member
Been a joy to watch so far.
liltiger
Well-known member
Don't see why not a sporting ceo is a sporting ceo.
If you say so.
Tom Shines
Well-known member
Well.., it’s more believable then thinking that the former AFL CEO is coming to the Wests Tigers
magpies forever
Well-known member
We need a halfback now- we need to at very least borrow one from other clubs reserves for the rest of the season and see how things go.
Todd Packer
Well-known member
Matamua, James, Saukuru all rested from KOE today.
I didn't say he would. I was agreeing he's an excellent sports administrator. All I was saying is you don't have to limit yourself to rugby league people in your search for a CEO. That's a shallow and largely unattractive pool. You wouldn't have a clue any more than I would whether administrators from other sports would consider rugby league. The NRL were in very serious talks with Gillon McLachlan to take over from David Gallop when he left but he decided to stay with the AFL because Demetriou indicated he wasn't going to hang around. So you stick with your view because I'm more than happy with mine.
Tom Shines
Well-known member
And I never said that they should limit the CEO to “rugby league people”…
I’ll believe it when it happens…the AFL types are zealots …
Good every week.
Although he’s already 27 he’s a genuine on field leader who straightens the attack ti create room outside him and has a well above average short kicking game ti go with a decent king kicking game.
He’s not a big name, but make a big improvement ti our side.
Also he would command big money, so would allow another decent halfback such as Cogger be signed to compete for the NRL 7 spot.
The Chad
Well-known member
So it's recruitment suggestions & rumours. As there are no rumours of note, I'm just going to spitball ideas based on what we have seen so far in 2023.
Fullbacks- Bula has the job as long as he's under contract. No change needed. The back-up Fullback role requires attention as I think we have 2 options, but both out of contract. To'a, at a pinch, can help here. I think FB is set.
Wingers- oh boy. Here we have trouble. Nofa simply can't defend. He has good games in him, but it's no guarantee to see them consistantly. Tupou is exactly what you hope for in a player, physically. BUT...he can't catch consistently. Given how many tries are scored through kicks, you can't catch 60-70% successfully. Either he needs practice (a lot) or....he's a centre? Charlie Staines might be the safest option we have, and along with his ability to play FB, should make him a priority re-signing. We could definitely do with 2 more wingers at the club, for depth at the minimum. Defusing kicks must become a priority.
Centre- Oh boy. Not getting better. To'a is our best, and he played really good against the Cowboys 6 weeks ago. But there's a lack of consistancy to make him anything better than pretty good. Naden is even less consistant. Talau is leaving & Kepeoua defends like Nofa. Feledy & Reilly COULD feature in our future. Tupou MIGHT be a better centre than winger. At least 2 more options are required here, and I'd just about say one at least needs to be a 'defensive' centre (Brad Parker?).
Halves- We'll just combine them here. We need everything. I assume Wakeham gets re-signed. Laurie COULD at least provide depth at 5/8 & Fullback- so he probably holds value. Doueihi...I hold hope, but most don't. 2 starters are needed- either immediately or at least within 12 months. Fainu is an obvious name. But really- kicking game, both long & short, decision making & at least a decent ability to read a defence required- I don't care if the 6 or the 7 are responsible for each task- just have them covered. Whoever is brought in, if not a rookie, faces a tonne of pressure.
Lock/Prop (Middles)- I think we are pretty good at prop. Klemmer, Stef, Pole, Twal, Fainu, James, Seyfarth. I'd look at Blore here, don't think his mobility fits out wide now. We really lack a lock forward. Matamua looks the best in-house option as far as readiness. Zac Fulton was finally linked to us. A more mobile middle that puts his head in the mixer is needed, just to add variety at least. MUST TACKLE. It would be great if he's a ball player too, but I'm happy to take a step at a time.
Backrow (2nd Rowers)- We are top heavy here- Bateman & Papali'i are 2 of our best. However....it's REALLY thin after. Sam Fainu could help immediately. There's a few youngsters in Tumeth etc that are rated high. But are they ready? We need at least 1 'starter ready' backrower. And at least 2 guys able to fight for another spot. Fulton & Matamua could be used here as well as Blore to cover depth.
Hooker- Api is our best player. He's great, no need to argue that. Simpkin is solid in defence & tries hard, but service from dummy half is noticably slower & momentum disappears with him on the field. Da Silva is clearly the future, and our best bet is for him to overtake Simpkin quickly. The more he learns from Api, the better. It would be GREAT if Rua could kick on & fill that back-up hooker/lock role. We just don't have that guy.
Fullbacks- Bula has the job as long as he's under contract. No change needed. The back-up Fullback role requires attention as I think we have 2 options, but both out of contract. To'a, at a pinch, can help here. I think FB is set.
Wingers- oh boy. Here we have trouble. Nofa simply can't defend. He has good games in him, but it's no guarantee to see them consistantly. Tupou is exactly what you hope for in a player, physically. BUT...he can't catch consistently. Given how many tries are scored through kicks, you can't catch 60-70% successfully. Either he needs practice (a lot) or....he's a centre? Charlie Staines might be the safest option we have, and along with his ability to play FB, should make him a priority re-signing. We could definitely do with 2 more wingers at the club, for depth at the minimum. Defusing kicks must become a priority.
Centre- Oh boy. Not getting better. To'a is our best, and he played really good against the Cowboys 6 weeks ago. But there's a lack of consistancy to make him anything better than pretty good. Naden is even less consistant. Talau is leaving & Kepeoua defends like Nofa. Feledy & Reilly COULD feature in our future. Tupou MIGHT be a better centre than winger. At least 2 more options are required here, and I'd just about say one at least needs to be a 'defensive' centre (Brad Parker?).
Halves- We'll just combine them here. We need everything. I assume Wakeham gets re-signed. Laurie COULD at least provide depth at 5/8 & Fullback- so he probably holds value. Doueihi...I hold hope, but most don't. 2 starters are needed- either immediately or at least within 12 months. Fainu is an obvious name. But really- kicking game, both long & short, decision making & at least a decent ability to read a defence required- I don't care if the 6 or the 7 are responsible for each task- just have them covered. Whoever is brought in, if not a rookie, faces a tonne of pressure.
Lock/Prop (Middles)- I think we are pretty good at prop. Klemmer, Stef, Pole, Twal, Fainu, James, Seyfarth. I'd look at Blore here, don't think his mobility fits out wide now. We really lack a lock forward. Matamua looks the best in-house option as far as readiness. Zac Fulton was finally linked to us. A more mobile middle that puts his head in the mixer is needed, just to add variety at least. MUST TACKLE. It would be great if he's a ball player too, but I'm happy to take a step at a time.
Backrow (2nd Rowers)- We are top heavy here- Bateman & Papali'i are 2 of our best. However....it's REALLY thin after. Sam Fainu could help immediately. There's a few youngsters in Tumeth etc that are rated high. But are they ready? We need at least 1 'starter ready' backrower. And at least 2 guys able to fight for another spot. Fulton & Matamua could be used here as well as Blore to cover depth.
Hooker- Api is our best player. He's great, no need to argue that. Simpkin is solid in defence & tries hard, but service from dummy half is noticably slower & momentum disappears with him on the field. Da Silva is clearly the future, and our best bet is for him to overtake Simpkin quickly. The more he learns from Api, the better. It would be GREAT if Rua could kick on & fill that back-up hooker/lock role. We just don't have that guy.
Todd Packer
Well-known member
If the Knights lose today I think he'll be swapping grades with Hastings
The Chad
Well-known member
Agreed. He's the sort of signing everyone would moan about. But he ticks a lot of boxes. If you have Fainu, or some other youngster, coming through- Clune is a good place holder until they are beaten out.
Harvey
Well-known member
Which of those will be playing half and 5/8 next week
Saukuru played Flegg.
The Chad
Well-known member
Rehashing history a bit- can anyone tell me why Moses Mbye was considered a fullback & not a 5/8 or Halfback while at the Tigers?
Didn't he make a name for himself at 7 with Josh Reynolds?
He had some decent kicking stats in his Bulldogs career, but it seems it was NEVER used at the Tigers.
Didn't he make a name for himself at 7 with Josh Reynolds?
He had some decent kicking stats in his Bulldogs career, but it seems it was NEVER used at the Tigers.
Coastie_Tiger
Well-known member
I dunno would anyone take him on a Wakeham style contract who can plug a gap at a minimum.
He seemed to suffer a similar fate to Brooks, he was judged on the size of his contract not matching up with his ability. You can't tell me Mbye isnt better than Wakeham, and i know Mbye isnt great but he's a decent utility.
The Chad
Well-known member
He was definately a victim of his contract. I don't even think he played that badly. Just...not $800k a year good either.
Regardless- classy guy & calm. And you're right- compared to Wakeham...
Tom Shines
Well-known member
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