Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Russell]

I’m ruthless.... sign Smith now and let Liddle and Simpkin battle it out for a 2022 contract as well. Smith is an upgrade and if we have the opportunity to upgrade our team we have to take it.

Yeah tough one, he would improve team straight away but I think he's almost at his ceiling talent wise (which is still high). I'm a big fan of the cheese, but he's another swiss army knife that doesn't know his best position. The kid is a perfect modern 13, but is willing to shift clubs to play 9, bit of a red flag for me.

sign smith for 2022....dangle liddle as bait for an immediate switch because as we all know storm don't just release players

No for me - rather have Liddle at DH.

 

[Red88_Tiger]

Think donkeys are the dark horse for the cheese

 

[Speed2burn]

Nothing but league on facebook saying we have signed gareth widdop for 300k. Take it as a grain of salt. 1 year. Wouldnt be bad if we did honestly. Goalkicker. We dont have a fullback yet

Honestly might be a ploy for Moses to go mbye

 

[Russell]

So confused, are people on here talking about another Liddle ? Surely can’t be talking about the one that’s barely played 10 games in the last 3 seasons. To suggest we’re ok at hooker is ludicrous when our options are glass for knees Liddle, Simpkin who’s yet to play an NRL game (do have high hopes for him) and lastly Mbye and that speaks for itself. Give the cheese what he wants

Give him a mousetrap - Don't want him at DH at the Tigers myself.

 

[SeanT]

Nothing but league on facebook saying we have signed gareth widdop for 300k. Take it as a grain of salt. 1 year. Wouldnt be bad if we did honestly. Goalkicker. We dont have a fullback yet

Honestly might be a ploy for Moses to go mbye

You could be right. Good to be controlling things for a change. Id rather get laurie early but if not if rather widdop then Mbye. Just something about mbye annoys me. He puts just enough effort in to get a pass mark but doesnt look hes trying.

 

[Chainlink]

I like the look of Edene but why haven’t other clubs swallowed him up?

He was signed to south last year I’m sure. Guess they didn’t have a need for a backup fullback after signing Latrell and having Corey Allen and Alex Johnstone as backups. He played in trials and I thought he really stood out.

 

[ElleryHanley]

Nothing but league on facebook saying we have signed gareth widdop for 300k. Take it as a grain of salt. 1 year. Wouldnt be bad if we did honestly. Goalkicker. We dont have a fullback yet

For 300 / one year, that would be a very astute deal.

No long term cap implications...can cover 1,6 and 7 until Laurie comes onboard 2022.

Elite goal kicker.

Vet experience and known as a great pro.

A lot of pluses. For 300 the risk / reward equation is good.

 

[SeanT]

Nothing but league on facebook saying we have signed gareth widdop for 300k. Take it as a grain of salt. 1 year. Wouldnt be bad if we did honestly. Goalkicker. We dont have a fullback yet


For 300 / one year, that would be a very astute deal.

No long term cap implications...can cover 1,6 and 7 until Laurie comes onboard 2022.

Elite goal kicker.

Vet experience and known as a great pro.

A lot of pluses. For 300 the risk / reward equation is good.

Its tough isnt it. He has pluses but it all depends on Laurie. Prefer youth myself but if hes not coming then widdop for a year is not the worst. Especially at that value.

 

[Snake]

Nothing but league on facebook saying we have signed gareth widdop for 300k. Take it as a grain of salt. 1 year. Wouldnt be bad if we did honestly. Goalkicker. We dont have a fullback yet


For 300 / one year, that would be a very astute deal.

No long term cap implications...can cover 1,6 and 7 until Laurie comes onboard 2022.

Elite goal kicker.

Vet experience and known as a great pro.

A lot of pluses. For 300 the risk / reward equation is good.

Its tough isnt it. He has pluses but it all depends on Laurie. Prefer youth myself but if hes not coming then widdop for a year is not the worst. Especially at that value.

The club desperately needs some onfield success Laurie is young and unproven and is already on the books , I have previously posted that if Widdop can stay fit we are definitely a top 8 proposition .The halves are a real problem one injury and it goes pear shaped can play 1 as well ... having a high percentage kicker that would be a change and will guarantee a few wins on the close calls ?for mine !

 

[frullens]

Nothing but league on facebook saying we have signed gareth widdop for 300k. Take it as a grain of salt. 1 year. Wouldnt be bad if we did honestly. Goalkicker. We dont have a fullback yet


For 300 / one year, that would be a very astute deal.

No long term cap implications...can cover 1,6 and 7 until Laurie comes onboard 2022.

Elite goal kicker.

Vet experience and known as a great pro.

A lot of pluses. For 300 the risk / reward equation is good.

If you think about it as a swap from Reynolds who only plays 5/8 and doesn't kick goals at $750+
To widdop who can cover 1 (needed) 5/8 and 7 on $2-300k (only for 1 year plus CO)

That's a good deal.
Also brings experience for the younger crew

 

[TYGA]

Widdop on a 1 year 200k deal if Laurie is not released makes some sense if keeps Mbye out of the fullback jumper and also allows Douihei to play 5/8. It would be a last resort move we should try to get a younger player that will be here for 2022 onwards. Laurie even though inexperienced has to play to improve he won’t do that at Penrith.

 

[balmain boy]

Brandon Smith is a modern day lock.
Would love him at WT

You do realise his agent specifically said he wants to join a club where he is the undisputed hooker and will play hooker for 80 mins every week?

 

[balmain boy]

Channel 9 putting 2 +2 together and coming up with Gareth Widdop to WTs

I think if the deal is OK (and I'm sure it will be) then he could be a good asset for us?

Doueihi is our 5/8.

But he isn't here for R1, if somebody, anybody kills it in the position in R11, I doubt they will be replaced next game, just because AD is back.

I like AD, he is pretty handy, they will find him a spot?

Widdop was very good years ago. We have other options for one game.

Not suggesting it would be Widdop, but think he may be handy if he came at the right deal.

WE have 3 spots to fill, got fill em with somebody?

Kei and Gebbie and possibly Tauilagi.

We have over a million bucks to spend on three spots and you want to sign three minimum wage rookies? I support our juniors as much as you but if we want to start winning games immediately then given the choice of Origin and rep players or unproven rookies we've got to opt for quality, or at the very least elite juniors like Suaalii level.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Channel 9 putting 2 +2 together and coming up with Gareth Widdop to WTs

I think if the deal is OK (and I'm sure it will be) then he could be a good asset for us?

Doueihi is our 5/8.

But he isn't here for R1, if somebody, anybody kills it in the position in R11, I doubt they will be replaced next game, just because AD is back.

I like AD, he is pretty handy, they will find him a spot?

Widdop was very good years ago. We have other options for one game.

Not suggesting it would be Widdop, but think he may be handy if he came at the right deal.

WE have 3 spots to fill, got fill em with somebody?

Kei and Gebbie and possibly Tauilagi.

We have over a million bucks to spend on three spots and you want to sign three minimum wage rookies? I support our juniors as much as you but if we want to start winning games immediately then given the choice of Origin and rep players or unproven rookies we've got to opt for quality, or at the very least elite juniors like Suaalii level.

To attract players which will make a substantial difference to our squad, we would be paying top dollar. That is contingent upon these players being available, which I am not sure they are. What players do you have in mind? Spending large amounts on average or slightly higher level players seems not to be consistent with recent reforms to contract amounts within the squad.

I would argue Kei is an elite junior certainly highly regarded within our club. Gebbie, due to Covid and his nationality, has lacked for opportunity but not talent. The raw talent he has available to him and the natural toughness of the PNG people, makes him a dynamic prospect for WTs certainly offering speed and elusiveness our squad lacks.

I would also budget upon WTs retaining $ for fending off the inevitable offers for players such as Simpkin. We may need to upgrade his existing contract if he performs.

This would mean development spots are available for other players such as Rizk, Tannous or other juniors.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

I like the look of Edene but why haven’t other clubs swallowed him up?

He was signed to south last year I’m sure. Guess they didn’t have a need for a backup fullback after signing Latrell and having Corey Allen and Alex Johnstone as backups. He played in trials and I thought he really stood out.

The more I think about it, I believe it is a case of if we can't use him, we're not going to make it easy for one of our rivals to do so.

 

[finnzo]

I think we should look at brining Aiden sezer over before we look at Gareth
Sezers last season in the nrl he brought his team to the grand final and almost won Gareth’s last season in the nrl he struggled with dragons then wanted to go home

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Josh Reynolds admits he was a dud buy for WTs on Ch9. It must have taken a lot of courage to admit it. He is looking forward to playing for Hull.

Can't fault his attitude, I honestly wish him all the best at Hull. Some other players could learn a thing or two off him about departing with grace.

I for one am disappointed for him for how it all turned out. Guy couldn't catch a break, but always tried his hardest and put the club first. He's a loss to our game regardless of how his time with us on the pitch has panned out

Doesn't it highlight just how careful you need to be when introducing a high profile player to a new squad. He fitted in well at the Bulldogs as there is a different culture at that club. Coming to WTs on overs was not a good move.

 

[mikey]

Didn't we just get rid of an injury plagued old 5/8...

We did. Once again people wanting to replace one rustbucket with another when they have the money for something with a good donk and a scratch or two.

 

[sleeve]

Good post Balmain boy.

 

[rustycage]

I think we need to pick up a 5/8th with some experience before the start of the season.

Didn't we just release one? If we needed that, why did we release him.

One not on $800k would be good.

There is a certain experienced 5/8 who won a grand final with WT looking for 300k.

I don't think we need one though, I think AD could do the job.

Give it up!!