Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[ATown]

I just don’t see the need for Mansour, we have Nofa, BJ, Tommy, Momo, AJ, Hoffman,Kei and at a pinch Cini.

Would you take him if it meant getting Laurie early though? Kind of like when the Sharks got Fafita for taking on Gibbs.

No. He would block the progression of one of our younger players, take up a top 30 spot and $. Laurie is on a development contract. To retain him at the Panthers, imo they would need to upgrade him to a NRL spot and contract which would place further pressure on their cap. If they cannot do that, he should be released. We have Mbye.

Totally agree.

I'm excited to have Laurie, but he is still a rookie. He is not tedesco or a proven superstar.

Would rather we are patient for the 12 months if we have to be, than take on Mansour and his terrible contract. That is why penrith are trying to bundle them. Let them struggle with their cap.

And agree, he blocks the progression of the current youngsters.

The problem is we have 3 positions to fill
And must spend 95% of our cap
Obviously there are a number of ways to do this
I am not certain of the cut off dates for signings

So we wait and hope for a superstar
Sign 3 young guys
Or cheap experienced heads
Even a combination of the above

I would hate to be a coach
The back lash they cop and pressure to succeed

I wonder who people think is the better player

Robert Jennings
Josh Mansour
Jordan Rankin
Mwz
Mahe Fonoa
Keith Lulia
Kevin Naiqama

All wingers

Actually that's a terrible list of players
No wonder people expect better

Whatever people think of us signing Mansour, to have him on that list is ridiculous. He’s somewhere between 2 and 10 times the player of all of them.

10 times ... turn it up !
He blends right in if you ask me .

10 times is being very generous to Rankin.

I’d have Rankin ahead ..
At least he could kick goals (sort of )

Jordan Rankin is a better player than Josh Mansour?

Oh wow, after such a long history on the forum, all your credibility is lost from one beyond ridiculous post.

Don’t think so ..

Mansour is just looking to top up his pension ..
He turns like the Titanic , he’s slow and has feet for hands .
He’s on $500k and wants 3 years ..lmao
We don’t need him , the majority of peeps on here don’t want him ( except you) and finally why should we help Penrith out ?

I’m glad you’re not pulling the strings at Concord ?

Umm...when were we discussing contracts or him signing here?

You seem a bit confused, perhaps you’re getting things mixed up from a separate debate with someone else.

I simply commented it’s dumb to even compare Mansour and his career to anyone on that list.

You then stated that Jordan Rankin is a better footballer than Josh Mansour. So yes I’m sorry but for anyone that knows footy in the slightest your credibility no longer exists.

I never said rankin was a better player .
I said they’re on par (Mansour blends into that list )
And with what they’d both bring to the table and what they’d cost I’d have Rankin ahead .
And as for credibility I never knew you held me in such high esteem..

You said word for word “I’d have Rankin ahead”. The conversation was never about a hypothetical of what they bring to the table and what value we’d get from their contracts. It was a black and white who is the better player.

I honestly can’t believe you’re still doubling down on this. You should have bailed on this ridiculous stance a log time ago.

And I never held you in anything, good or bad. I just recognised your name as a regular.

I actually initially thought you were joking about Rankin to make a point about how against you were about us signing Mansour. That would have made more sense then double and tripling down that Rankin is the better footballer.

Read what I posted .. I’m not doubling down on anything ..
I never used the word “better”
That was your wording not mine .
And I love how you’ve conveniently left out my last quote ..
Nice work !

What did I leave out?

 

[ATown]

I just don’t see the need for Mansour, we have Nofa, BJ, Tommy, Momo, AJ, Hoffman,Kei and at a pinch Cini.

Would you take him if it meant getting Laurie early though? Kind of like when the Sharks got Fafita for taking on Gibbs.

No. He would block the progression of one of our younger players, take up a top 30 spot and $. Laurie is on a development contract. To retain him at the Panthers, imo they would need to upgrade him to a NRL spot and contract which would place further pressure on their cap. If they cannot do that, he should be released. We have Mbye.

Totally agree.

I'm excited to have Laurie, but he is still a rookie. He is not tedesco or a proven superstar.

Would rather we are patient for the 12 months if we have to be, than take on Mansour and his terrible contract. That is why penrith are trying to bundle them. Let them struggle with their cap.

And agree, he blocks the progression of the current youngsters.

The problem is we have 3 positions to fill
And must spend 95% of our cap
Obviously there are a number of ways to do this
I am not certain of the cut off dates for signings

So we wait and hope for a superstar
Sign 3 young guys
Or cheap experienced heads
Even a combination of the above

I would hate to be a coach
The back lash they cop and pressure to succeed

I wonder who people think is the better player

Robert Jennings
Josh Mansour
Jordan Rankin
Mwz
Mahe Fonoa
Keith Lulia
Kevin Naiqama

All wingers

Actually that's a terrible list of players
No wonder people expect better

Whatever people think of us signing Mansour, to have him on that list is ridiculous. He’s somewhere between 2 and 10 times the player of all of them.

10 times ... turn it up !
He blends right in if you ask me .

10 times is being very generous to Rankin.

I’d have Rankin ahead ..
At least he could kick goals (sort of )

Jordan Rankin is a better player than Josh Mansour?

Oh wow, after such a long history on the forum, all your credibility is lost from one beyond ridiculous post.

Don’t think so ..

Mansour is just looking to top up his pension ..
He turns like the Titanic , he’s slow and has feet for hands .
He’s on $500k and wants 3 years ..lmao
We don’t need him , the majority of peeps on here don’t want him ( except you) and finally why should we help Penrith out ?

I’m glad you’re not pulling the strings at Concord ?

Umm...when were we discussing contracts or him signing here?

You seem a bit confused, perhaps you’re getting things mixed up from a separate debate with someone else.

I simply commented it’s dumb to even compare Mansour and his career to anyone on that list.

You then stated that Jordan Rankin is a better footballer than Josh Mansour. So yes I’m sorry but for anyone that knows footy in the slightest your credibility no longer exists.

I never said rankin was a better player .
I said they’re on par (Mansour blends into that list )
And with what they’d both bring to the table and what they’d cost I’d have Rankin ahead .
And as for credibility I never knew you held me in such high esteem..

You said word for word “I’d have Rankin ahead”. The conversation was never about a hypothetical of what they bring to the table and what value we’d get from their contracts. It was a black and white who is the better player.

I honestly can’t believe you’re still doubling down on this. You should have bailed on this ridiculous stance a log time ago.

And I never held you in anything, good or bad. I just recognised your name as a regular.

I actually initially thought you were joking about Rankin to make a point about how against you were about us signing Mansour. That would have made more sense then double and tripling down that Rankin is the better footballer.

Read what I posted .. I’m not doubling down on anything ..
I never used the word “better”
That was your wording not mine .
And I love how you’ve conveniently left out my last quote ..
Nice work !

Haha ok. So you didn’t say “better” but you said you would “have Rankin ahead”.....Semantics much?

 

[cochise]

I just don’t see the need for Mansour, we have Nofa, BJ, Tommy, Momo, AJ, Hoffman,Kei and at a pinch Cini.

Would you take him if it meant getting Laurie early though? Kind of like when the Sharks got Fafita for taking on Gibbs.

No. He would block the progression of one of our younger players, take up a top 30 spot and $. Laurie is on a development contract. To retain him at the Panthers, imo they would need to upgrade him to a NRL spot and contract which would place further pressure on their cap. If they cannot do that, he should be released. We have Mbye.

Totally agree.

I'm excited to have Laurie, but he is still a rookie. He is not tedesco or a proven superstar.

Would rather we are patient for the 12 months if we have to be, than take on Mansour and his terrible contract. That is why penrith are trying to bundle them. Let them struggle with their cap.

And agree, he blocks the progression of the current youngsters.

The problem is we have 3 positions to fill
And must spend 95% of our cap
Obviously there are a number of ways to do this
I am not certain of the cut off dates for signings

So we wait and hope for a superstar
Sign 3 young guys
Or cheap experienced heads
Even a combination of the above

I would hate to be a coach
The back lash they cop and pressure to succeed

I wonder who people think is the better player

Robert Jennings
Josh Mansour
Jordan Rankin
Mwz
Mahe Fonoa
Keith Lulia
Kevin Naiqama

All wingers

Actually that's a terrible list of players
No wonder people expect better

Whatever people think of us signing Mansour, to have him on that list is ridiculous. He’s somewhere between 2 and 10 times the player of all of them.

10 times ... turn it up !
He blends right in if you ask me .

10 times is being very generous to Rankin.

I’d have Rankin ahead ..
At least he could kick goals (sort of )

Jordan Rankin is a better player than Josh Mansour?

Oh wow, after such a long history on the forum, all your credibility is lost from one beyond ridiculous post.

Don’t think so ..

Mansour is just looking to top up his pension ..
He turns like the Titanic , he’s slow and has feet for hands .
He’s on $500k and wants 3 years ..lmao
We don’t need him , the majority of peeps on here don’t want him ( except you) and finally why should we help Penrith out ?

I’m glad you’re not pulling the strings at Concord ?

Umm...when were we discussing contracts or him signing here?

You seem a bit confused, perhaps you’re getting things mixed up from a separate debate with someone else.

I simply commented it’s dumb to even compare Mansour and his career to anyone on that list.

You then stated that Jordan Rankin is a better footballer than Josh Mansour. So yes I’m sorry but for anyone that knows footy in the slightest your credibility no longer exists.

I never said rankin was a better player .
I said they’re on par (Mansour blends into that list )
And with what they’d both bring to the table and what they’d cost I’d have Rankin ahead .
And as for credibility I never knew you held me in such high esteem..

Can't lose what you never had ;p

 

[hobbo1]

I just don’t see the need for Mansour, we have Nofa, BJ, Tommy, Momo, AJ, Hoffman,Kei and at a pinch Cini.

Would you take him if it meant getting Laurie early though? Kind of like when the Sharks got Fafita for taking on Gibbs.

No. He would block the progression of one of our younger players, take up a top 30 spot and $. Laurie is on a development contract. To retain him at the Panthers, imo they would need to upgrade him to a NRL spot and contract which would place further pressure on their cap. If they cannot do that, he should be released. We have Mbye.

Totally agree.

I'm excited to have Laurie, but he is still a rookie. He is not tedesco or a proven superstar.

Would rather we are patient for the 12 months if we have to be, than take on Mansour and his terrible contract. That is why penrith are trying to bundle them. Let them struggle with their cap.

And agree, he blocks the progression of the current youngsters.

The problem is we have 3 positions to fill
And must spend 95% of our cap
Obviously there are a number of ways to do this
I am not certain of the cut off dates for signings

So we wait and hope for a superstar
Sign 3 young guys
Or cheap experienced heads
Even a combination of the above

I would hate to be a coach
The back lash they cop and pressure to succeed

I wonder who people think is the better player

Robert Jennings
Josh Mansour
Jordan Rankin
Mwz
Mahe Fonoa
Keith Lulia
Kevin Naiqama

All wingers

Actually that's a terrible list of players
No wonder people expect better

Whatever people think of us signing Mansour, to have him on that list is ridiculous. He’s somewhere between 2 and 10 times the player of all of them.

10 times ... turn it up !
He blends right in if you ask me .

10 times is being very generous to Rankin.

I’d have Rankin ahead ..
At least he could kick goals (sort of )

Jordan Rankin is a better player than Josh Mansour?

Oh wow, after such a long history on the forum, all your credibility is lost from one beyond ridiculous post.

Don’t think so ..

Mansour is just looking to top up his pension ..
He turns like the Titanic , he’s slow and has feet for hands .
He’s on $500k and wants 3 years ..lmao
We don’t need him , the majority of peeps on here don’t want him ( except you) and finally why should we help Penrith out ?

I’m glad you’re not pulling the strings at Concord ?

Umm...when were we discussing contracts or him signing here?

You seem a bit confused, perhaps you’re getting things mixed up from a separate debate with someone else.

I simply commented it’s dumb to even compare Mansour and his career to anyone on that list.

You then stated that Jordan Rankin is a better footballer than Josh Mansour. So yes I’m sorry but for anyone that knows footy in the slightest your credibility no longer exists.

I never said rankin was a better player .
I said they’re on par (Mansour blends into that list )
And with what they’d both bring to the table and what they’d cost I’d have Rankin ahead .
And as for credibility I never knew you held me in such high esteem..

Can't lose what you never had ;p

Is it true you lost a game of Golf against Geo to become a Mod ?
?

 

[cochise]

I just don’t see the need for Mansour, we have Nofa, BJ, Tommy, Momo, AJ, Hoffman,Kei and at a pinch Cini.

Would you take him if it meant getting Laurie early though? Kind of like when the Sharks got Fafita for taking on Gibbs.

No. He would block the progression of one of our younger players, take up a top 30 spot and $. Laurie is on a development contract. To retain him at the Panthers, imo they would need to upgrade him to a NRL spot and contract which would place further pressure on their cap. If they cannot do that, he should be released. We have Mbye.

Totally agree.

I'm excited to have Laurie, but he is still a rookie. He is not tedesco or a proven superstar.

Would rather we are patient for the 12 months if we have to be, than take on Mansour and his terrible contract. That is why penrith are trying to bundle them. Let them struggle with their cap.

And agree, he blocks the progression of the current youngsters.

The problem is we have 3 positions to fill
And must spend 95% of our cap
Obviously there are a number of ways to do this
I am not certain of the cut off dates for signings

So we wait and hope for a superstar
Sign 3 young guys
Or cheap experienced heads
Even a combination of the above

I would hate to be a coach
The back lash they cop and pressure to succeed

I wonder who people think is the better player

Robert Jennings
Josh Mansour
Jordan Rankin
Mwz
Mahe Fonoa
Keith Lulia
Kevin Naiqama

All wingers

Actually that's a terrible list of players
No wonder people expect better

Whatever people think of us signing Mansour, to have him on that list is ridiculous. He’s somewhere between 2 and 10 times the player of all of them.

10 times ... turn it up !
He blends right in if you ask me .

10 times is being very generous to Rankin.

I’d have Rankin ahead ..
At least he could kick goals (sort of )

Jordan Rankin is a better player than Josh Mansour?

Oh wow, after such a long history on the forum, all your credibility is lost from one beyond ridiculous post.

Don’t think so ..

Mansour is just looking to top up his pension ..
He turns like the Titanic , he’s slow and has feet for hands .
He’s on $500k and wants 3 years ..lmao
We don’t need him , the majority of peeps on here don’t want him ( except you) and finally why should we help Penrith out ?

I’m glad you’re not pulling the strings at Concord ?

Umm...when were we discussing contracts or him signing here?

You seem a bit confused, perhaps you’re getting things mixed up from a separate debate with someone else.

I simply commented it’s dumb to even compare Mansour and his career to anyone on that list.

You then stated that Jordan Rankin is a better footballer than Josh Mansour. So yes I’m sorry but for anyone that knows footy in the slightest your credibility no longer exists.

I never said rankin was a better player .
I said they’re on par (Mansour blends into that list )
And with what they’d both bring to the table and what they’d cost I’d have Rankin ahead .
And as for credibility I never knew you held me in such high esteem..

Can't lose what you never had ;p

Is it true you lost a game of Golf against Geo to become a Mod ?
?

Yeah he Nick Politised me. I thought Id get a brown paper bag full of cash, instead I got the mod cap.

 

[BAGNF05]

Brandon Smith is quality. Drop him in our team and it instantly improves us. I prefer him at 13 but he still goes very well at 9.

Having the option to move him to 13 and then freshen up the ruck with Liddle or Simpkin coming on, against tired defenders would be a nice option to have. Having said that I don’t see him coming here when he will have the majority of teams to choose from.

It would be ludicrous not to sign Brandon Smith if he would come here. Forget skills and the like, he is a relentless competitor and a winner. The prototype of what Madge would be looking for. Liddle is a crafty hooker with a bit of toe yet to prove he’s a consistent NRL player. Ship him off and use Simpkin and Smith in tandem for the next 10 years.

 

[WT46]

Can someone please confirm whether we have signed Edene Gebbie or not?
I see conflicting stories about him being signed and others that he’s gone ‘missing’ ?

Yes announcement is imminent. Development deal for 2021.

 

[ATown]

Brandon Smith is quality. Drop him in our team and it instantly improves us. I prefer him at 13 but he still goes very well at 9.

Having the option to move him to 13 and then freshen up the ruck with Liddle or Simpkin coming on, against tired defenders would be a nice option to have. Having said that I don’t see him coming here when he will have the majority of teams to choose from.

It would be ludicrous not to sign Brandon Smith if he would come here. Forget skills and the like, he is a relentless competitor and a winner. The prototype of what Madge would be looking for. Liddle is a crafty hooker with a bit of toe yet to prove he’s a consistent NRL player. Ship him off and use Simpkin and Smith in tandem for the next 10 years.

It would also be crazy to sign Smith or anyone for that matter that is shopping themselves to only play a position of their choice.

When did that become a thing?

Madge is the boss and if you’re lucky enough to get an offer, you turn up, train your arse off and Madge will tell you what he expects of you.

 

[BAGNF05]

Brandon Smith is quality. Drop him in our team and it instantly improves us. I prefer him at 13 but he still goes very well at 9.

Having the option to move him to 13 and then freshen up the ruck with Liddle or Simpkin coming on, against tired defenders would be a nice option to have. Having said that I don’t see him coming here when he will have the majority of teams to choose from.

It would be ludicrous not to sign Brandon Smith if he would come here. Forget skills and the like, he is a relentless competitor and a winner. The prototype of what Madge would be looking for. Liddle is a crafty hooker with a bit of toe yet to prove he’s a consistent NRL player. Ship him off and use Simpkin and Smith in tandem for the next 10 years.

It would also be crazy to sign Smith or anyone for that matter that is shopping themselves to only play a position of their choice.

When did that become a thing?

Madge is the boss and if you’re lucky enough to get an offer, you turn up, train your arse off and Madge will tell you what he expects of you.

I can understand Smith’s situation, he believes he’s a hooker, which he is, a bit of an unconventional one, but he’s an international and one who has dominated that position at Test level before. He’s been stuck behind a bloke people are calling the GOAT. I hate Smith but it’s hard to argue too much. Smith feels it’s his time to get a run in his favoured position and I feel that WT are not in a position to dictate to any player of his quality. We simply need him in the organisation more than we need Liddle.

 

[JC99]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=DTWEB_MRE170_a_FBK&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2Fsport%2Fnrl%2Fnrl-transfer-market-wests-tigers-join-race-for-brandon-smith-david-nofoaluma-contract-daine-laurie-rejection%2Fnews-story%2F45165b43e43514f3ee96c446194fe04e&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium

Can someone post this article?

Hope someone can post this up

 

[ATown]

Brandon Smith is quality. Drop him in our team and it instantly improves us. I prefer him at 13 but he still goes very well at 9.

Having the option to move him to 13 and then freshen up the ruck with Liddle or Simpkin coming on, against tired defenders would be a nice option to have. Having said that I don’t see him coming here when he will have the majority of teams to choose from.

It would be ludicrous not to sign Brandon Smith if he would come here. Forget skills and the like, he is a relentless competitor and a winner. The prototype of what Madge would be looking for. Liddle is a crafty hooker with a bit of toe yet to prove he’s a consistent NRL player. Ship him off and use Simpkin and Smith in tandem for the next 10 years.

It would also be crazy to sign Smith or anyone for that matter that is shopping themselves to only play a position of their choice.

When did that become a thing?

Madge is the boss and if you’re lucky enough to get an offer, you turn up, train your arse off and Madge will tell you what he expects of you.

I can understand Smith’s situation, he believes he’s a hooker, which he is, a bit of an unconventional one, but he’s an international and one who has dominated that position at Test level before. He’s been stuck behind a bloke people are calling the GOAT. I hate Smith but it’s hard to argue too much. Smith feels it’s his time to get a run in his favoured position and I feel that WT are not in a position to dictate to any player of his quality. We simply need him in the organisation more than we need Liddle.

Sorry but it’s the complete opposite. No player is bigger than the club. Smith is in no position to dictate to us where he plays. What sort of precedence does that set?

Player power is already out of control, so now you’re advocating they should be able to dictate to clubs what position they’ll play before they’re signed. Surely you can see what a slippery slope that is.

 

[WT46]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=DTWEB_MRE170_a_FBK&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2Fsport%2Fnrl%2Fnrl-transfer-market-wests-tigers-join-race-for-brandon-smith-david-nofoaluma-contract-daine-laurie-rejection%2Fnews-story%2F45165b43e43514f3ee96c446194fe04e&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium

Can someone post this article?

Hope someone can post this up

It's already posted earlier today

 

[BAGNF05]

Brandon Smith is quality. Drop him in our team and it instantly improves us. I prefer him at 13 but he still goes very well at 9.

Having the option to move him to 13 and then freshen up the ruck with Liddle or Simpkin coming on, against tired defenders would be a nice option to have. Having said that I don’t see him coming here when he will have the majority of teams to choose from.

It would be ludicrous not to sign Brandon Smith if he would come here. Forget skills and the like, he is a relentless competitor and a winner. The prototype of what Madge would be looking for. Liddle is a crafty hooker with a bit of toe yet to prove he’s a consistent NRL player. Ship him off and use Simpkin and Smith in tandem for the next 10 years.

It would also be crazy to sign Smith or anyone for that matter that is shopping themselves to only play a position of their choice.

When did that become a thing?

Madge is the boss and if you’re lucky enough to get an offer, you turn up, train your arse off and Madge will tell you what he expects of you.

I can understand Smith’s situation, he believes he’s a hooker, which he is, a bit of an unconventional one, but he’s an international and one who has dominated that position at Test level before. He’s been stuck behind a bloke people are calling the GOAT. I hate Smith but it’s hard to argue too much. Smith feels it’s his time to get a run in his favoured position and I feel that WT are not in a position to dictate to any player of his quality. We simply need him in the organisation more than we need Liddle.

Sorry but it’s the complete opposite. No player is bigger than the club. Smith is in no position to dictate to us where he plays. What sort of precedence does that set?

Player power is already out of control, so now you’re advocating they should be able to dictate to clubs what position they’ll play before they’re signed. Surely you can see what a slippery slope that is.

I’m only advocating that we do whatever it takes to attract the really good ones that will dramatically change your club on the field and in the eyes of other players. The very ones we can’t quite get right now.

 

[JC99]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=DTWEB_MRE170_a_FBK&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2Fsport%2Fnrl%2Fnrl-transfer-market-wests-tigers-join-race-for-brandon-smith-david-nofoaluma-contract-daine-laurie-rejection%2Fnews-story%2F45165b43e43514f3ee96c446194fe04e&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium

Can someone post this article?

Hope someone can post this up

It's already posted earlier today

In this thread? I didn’t see it. I wanna know what they’re talking about in regards to Laurie

 

[ATown]

Brandon Smith is quality. Drop him in our team and it instantly improves us. I prefer him at 13 but he still goes very well at 9.

Having the option to move him to 13 and then freshen up the ruck with Liddle or Simpkin coming on, against tired defenders would be a nice option to have. Having said that I don’t see him coming here when he will have the majority of teams to choose from.

It would be ludicrous not to sign Brandon Smith if he would come here. Forget skills and the like, he is a relentless competitor and a winner. The prototype of what Madge would be looking for. Liddle is a crafty hooker with a bit of toe yet to prove he’s a consistent NRL player. Ship him off and use Simpkin and Smith in tandem for the next 10 years.

It would also be crazy to sign Smith or anyone for that matter that is shopping themselves to only play a position of their choice.

When did that become a thing?

Madge is the boss and if you’re lucky enough to get an offer, you turn up, train your arse off and Madge will tell you what he expects of you.

I can understand Smith’s situation, he believes he’s a hooker, which he is, a bit of an unconventional one, but he’s an international and one who has dominated that position at Test level before. He’s been stuck behind a bloke people are calling the GOAT. I hate Smith but it’s hard to argue too much. Smith feels it’s his time to get a run in his favoured position and I feel that WT are not in a position to dictate to any player of his quality. We simply need him in the organisation more than we need Liddle.

Sorry but it’s the complete opposite. No player is bigger than the club. Smith is in no position to dictate to us where he plays. What sort of precedence does that set?

Player power is already out of control, so now you’re advocating they should be able to dictate to clubs what position they’ll play before they’re signed. Surely you can see what a slippery slope that is.

I’m only advocating that we do whatever it takes to attract the really good ones that will dramatically change your club on the field and in the eyes of other players. The very ones we can’t quite get right now.

Yeah I get that and I’d love to have him here. But giving him the autonomy over Madge to pick his own position before he’s even arrived isn’t the way to go.

What happens if half way through the season Madge isn’t happy with his service and Simpkin is killing it. Madge’s hands are tied because Smith will have a meltdown if he’s not starting 9? That’s not a sustainable way to run a club.

This new way of shopping yourself as a fullback or a hooker is just a new garbage ploy of scum bag player managers to drive up their clients price. It needs to be shut down immediately.

 

[BAGNF05]

Brandon Smith is quality. Drop him in our team and it instantly improves us. I prefer him at 13 but he still goes very well at 9.

Having the option to move him to 13 and then freshen up the ruck with Liddle or Simpkin coming on, against tired defenders would be a nice option to have. Having said that I don’t see him coming here when he will have the majority of teams to choose from.

It would be ludicrous not to sign Brandon Smith if he would come here. Forget skills and the like, he is a relentless competitor and a winner. The prototype of what Madge would be looking for. Liddle is a crafty hooker with a bit of toe yet to prove he’s a consistent NRL player. Ship him off and use Simpkin and Smith in tandem for the next 10 years.

It would also be crazy to sign Smith or anyone for that matter that is shopping themselves to only play a position of their choice.

When did that become a thing?

Madge is the boss and if you’re lucky enough to get an offer, you turn up, train your arse off and Madge will tell you what he expects of you.

I can understand Smith’s situation, he believes he’s a hooker, which he is, a bit of an unconventional one, but he’s an international and one who has dominated that position at Test level before. He’s been stuck behind a bloke people are calling the GOAT. I hate Smith but it’s hard to argue too much. Smith feels it’s his time to get a run in his favoured position and I feel that WT are not in a position to dictate to any player of his quality. We simply need him in the organisation more than we need Liddle.

Sorry but it’s the complete opposite. No player is bigger than the club. Smith is in no position to dictate to us where he plays. What sort of precedence does that set?

Player power is already out of control, so now you’re advocating they should be able to dictate to clubs what position they’ll play before they’re signed. Surely you can see what a slippery slope that is.

I’m only advocating that we do whatever it takes to attract the really good ones that will dramatically change your club on the field and in the eyes of other players. The very ones we can’t quite get right now.

Yeah I get that and I’d love to have him here. But giving him the autonomy over Madge to pick his own position before he’s even arrived isn’t the way to go.

What happens if half way through the season Madge isn’t happy with his service and Simpkin is killing it. Madge’s hands are tied because Smith will have a meltdown if he’s not starting 9? That’s not a sustainable way to run a club.

This new way of shopping yourself as a fullback or a hooker is just a new garbage ploy of scum bag player managers to drive up their clients price. It needs to be shut down immediately.

Yeah I agree with you there, I’d sign him on the promise of first crack at hooker but form will always dictate long term selections. If Simpkin becomes an 80 min rep star he either goes to back row or can move on to another club. Win win

 

[Blake]

Getting B.Smith will be the difference between us being a top 4 side or being a bottom 8 side for the next 10 years.

He is a good player; enthusiastic, competitive, effective without being the most highly skilled in his position. Sounds a lot like a young Josh Reynolds.

I would happily have him at 13, but I think it would be difficult to have a balanced spine with him at 9. I much prefer Liddle's speed and passing game to B. Smiths power and effort game.

 

[Tigermars]

Michael Maguire’s New Zealand Test links with Brandon Smith could prove pivotal as Wests Tigers join the race for one of the NRL’s most coveted signatures.

Storm star Smith is seeking a release from the final year of his deal in 2022 — and his Kiwi coach Maguire has confirmed the Tigers’ interest in luring him to Leichhardt.

“He’s a very good hooker, I have a lot of time for how he plays the game,” Maguire said.

“He’s played a different role down there (in Melbourne) due to the circumstances, but in my time with the Kiwis he’s been excellent. He’s one of those players everyone loves to play with, but his craft around that space — he’s very smart.

“We’re very particular with what we’re after. We want winners, we want people who are going to go above and beyond, because that’s what it takes to win comps.”

Maguire is confident the club’s new arrivals this off-season — James Tamou, Joe Ofahengaue and former Origin centre James Roberts — can boost the Tigers’ chances of ending their finals drought.

Roberts in particular shapes as an intriguing signing — Maguire has links with the troubled speed machine dating back to their Rabbitohs days, and backed himself to get the best out of the 27-year old.

“It’s up to James (how he plays). He knows what he needs to do and he’s in a good place at the moment. When he does play his footy we know how he can play and the quality of player he is.

FROM OUR PARTNERS


“Everything he said to me makes me say that. He understands he needs to get himself right, like all our players.”


PANTHER’S SWITCH HOPES DASHED

The Wests Tigers chances of snaring Penrith’s Daine Laurie for the 2021 season have hit a serious snag. It’s understood that Laurie put in for an official release from the final year of his development deal but the Panthers have denied the request. Laurie, who has ambitions to play at fullback, has agreed to join the Tigers from season 2022 on a two-year deal.

TIGERS TO TIE DOWN STAR WINGER

Also at Concord, star winger David Nofoaluma has been offered a long-term extension at the club.

Nofoaluma is off-contract at the end of season 2021 and is being offered a new contract that will see him at the Tigers until the end of season 2024. The flyer has attracted interest from rivals but Tigers halfback Luke Brooks has urged Nofoaluma to commit to the club.

“He’s been our best player for a while, he’s a guy I love playing with, you always know what you’re going to get with Nofo. I’m sure everyone at the club wants him stay, I know I definitely want him stay so hopefully they can sort something sooner rather than later so he can just focus on playing footy,” Brooks said.
David Nofoaluma has been offered a three-year extension at Wests Tigers. Picture: Getty Images

 

[2041]

Brandon Smith is quality. Drop him in our team and it instantly improves us. I prefer him at 13 but he still goes very well at 9.

Having the option to move him to 13 and then freshen up the ruck with Liddle or Simpkin coming on, against tired defenders would be a nice option to have. Having said that I don’t see him coming here when he will have the majority of teams to choose from.

It would be ludicrous not to sign Brandon Smith if he would come here. Forget skills and the like, he is a relentless competitor and a winner. The prototype of what Madge would be looking for. Liddle is a crafty hooker with a bit of toe yet to prove he’s a consistent NRL player. Ship him off and use Simpkin and Smith in tandem for the next 10 years.

It would also be crazy to sign Smith or anyone for that matter that is shopping themselves to only play a position of their choice.

When did that become a thing?

Madge is the boss and if you’re lucky enough to get an offer, you turn up, train your arse off and Madge will tell you what he expects of you.

Step 1) Tigers make an offer on the basis of "you do what Madge tells you and be thankful".
Step 2) Bulldogs make an identical financial offer on the basis of "you're our hooker unless you play real bad".
Step 3) Smith signs for the Bulldogs.
Step 4) Tigers fans blow up moaning about how we always miss out on the good players, how badly run is this club, we're never going to be any good, boo hoo hoo.

In answer to your question: it became a thing when players decided to exercise the right to decide who they wanted to sign for.

 

[BalmainJnr]

I’m not necessarily advocating for Laurie to get out of his contract with Penrith, but how does keeping him on a development contract for next year help Penrith? He won’t be available to play before round 16, are they planning to upgrade him to a top 30 spot?