Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[sleeve]

It’s probably the first time in a long time where my confidence in the club and coach hasn’t vacillated between feelings of total uncertainty and discouragement. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still concerns about the spine and I know we’re still building but ultimately I have faith that since Madge came on-board we’ve (the club) improved, and are continuing to improve, in many areas.
Every year we go in fully knowing there are some very unattainable goals for some of our players, and therefore the team. But we now seem to have readjusted our management style and incorporated many elements in which our administration were lacking. I honestly don’t recall feeling that this club has ever developed a strategic plan (including recruitment & retention) that has realistically enhanced the team’s ability of achieving certain objectives. Baselines and benchmarks were foreign concepts to me, so seeing Madge – and Hartigan to some extent - apply targets and standards that correct or advance our team and its practices, make me understand this process more and how it all correlates. So it is somewhat exciting for me.

I’m looking forward to seeing how Liddle and Brooks go in a revamped, and more balanced, team. The only concerns about the spine for mine is how they work together, and with the team - so basically if they’re capable of having the right attitude to help the team achieve an optimal performance. Hopefully our defensive deficiencies are also being dealt with.
I’m not too sure of how I feel about McInnes tbh, but I think it’s far too soon to make any assessments on Liddle and especially whether he should be replaced.

Well stated Lauren.I expect the forward pack to hold its own next year,and we will have a better year.We have to be realistic and our back line is ordinary.I expect Kei,and a couple of the young wingers to be ready in 2022.Along with Laurie and a top class back like Crichtoh and hope Madden steps up, orTannous.Itstrue it starts with the forwards,but also you must have the fast and elusive backline.2022 must be our aim and next depending on performances who we keep and let go will be crucial.

 

[tony soprano]

Brooks has proven time after time he is not a first grade half back. It’s actually preventing marquee players from coming here, it’s make or break this year for him.


I think Liddell will have an injury free year as I’m confident with our physio s, whether he is a full time first grader
Remains to be seen.

 

[JC99]

Brooks has proven time after time he is not a first grade half back. It’s actually preventing marquee players from coming here, it’s make or break this year for him.


I think Liddell will have an injury free year as I’m confident with our physio s, weather he is a full time first grader
Remains to be seen.

I mean he was pretty good in 2018-2019. Struggled this year and wasn’t good enough, but should at least be given a chance to find his form again. If he can’t, then slot in madden and look to sign a decent half for 2022.

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

Stephen Crichton with my nephew…

Wow - your nephew must be tall cos Crichton is on tippy toes! :grinning: :grinning: :grinning:

 

[bathursttiger1]

It’s probably the first time in a long time where my confidence in the club and coach hasn’t vacillated between feelings of total uncertainty and discouragement. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still concerns about the spine and I know we’re still building but ultimately I have faith that since Madge came on-board we’ve (the club) improved, and are continuing to improve, in many areas.
Every year we go in fully knowing there are some very unattainable goals for some of our players, and therefore the team. But we now seem to have readjusted our management style and incorporated many elements in which our administration were lacking. I honestly don’t recall feeling that this club has ever developed a strategic plan (including recruitment & retention) that has realistically enhanced the team’s ability of achieving certain objectives. Baselines and benchmarks were foreign concepts to me, so seeing Madge – and Hartigan to some extent - apply targets and standards that correct or advance our team and its practices, make me understand this process more and how it all correlates. So it is somewhat exciting for me.

I’m looking forward to seeing how Liddle and Brooks go in a revamped, and more balanced, team. The only concerns about the spine for mine is how they work together, and with the team - so basically if they’re capable of having the right attitude to help the team achieve an optimal performance. Hopefully our defensive deficiencies are also being dealt with.
I’m not too sure of how I feel about McInnes tbh, but I think it’s far too soon to make any assessments on Liddle and especially whether he should be replaced.

I feel the same way about McInnes, definitely not worth anywhere the $700K/season.
Liddle's last injury was just an accident that would have finished any player for a season, so I don't think that he is injury prone.
I do think that Simpkins will be a great NRL hooker in a few years, hope we stick with him.

 

[4jtigers]

Stephen Crichton with my nephew…

Wow - your nephew must be tall cos Crichton is on tippy toes! :grinning: :grinning: :grinning:

My sons and nephews are tall... no idea where they got it from as they are way taller than me now but anyway, I had no idea they knew each other... I'll annoy my nephew now to be in Stephen's ear regarding our club... my nephew is a WT supporter too ?

My old man commented "he's a very tall kid"

 

[Tiger5150]

kind of don't want McInnes just will stop Liddle and Simpkin's development

McInnes was on the extended bench for NSW this year. Would do almost anything to block Liddle’s development tbh, I don’t rate him at all and think the bloke has had enough chances. Everyone wanted grub out when he was constantly injured, that’s the sort of gist I’m getting with Jacob. Have McInnes starting at hooker with him moving to lock mid-game to pave way for Simpkin

I disagree with this completely . Liddle is a weapon . It was clear when he returned , how direct he plays as well as his manipulation around the ruck . He puts his forwards onto the ball, and his ruck deception, creates space for his halves who are close to the ruck , especially on kicking options .
And I haven’t even mentioned the thing everyone notices , his speed and ability to get out .
Grants , passing out of the ruck was bog average in my opinion . We went from one of the teams making the most metres , to one of the teams making the least in 1 season . I think that was the transition from Robbie to grant as much as the forwards shat the bed this year.
Grant is an awesome footballer , I’m not saying he’s not, but Liddle is a better dummy half than grant . Grant is a better footballer .

??? we conceded double the amount of points mid-way through the season without Grant and having Liddle in the side. I don’t care if you think he’s good, the problem is he’ll do another ACL before the first 10 rounds. Just watch

That’s not true . Liddle played like 15 minutes a game at most . We let in most of our points around the ruck when grant and Mikalele were standing next to Garner benji and BJ.
Whether that’s because guys were burnt out , couldn’t tackle or were just old or fat , whatever . That has nothing to do with Liddle .

No mate, I’m talking about the 3 mid-season games where Liddle played 80 almost every week whilst Harry was missing. We went from conceding 17 average points per game with Harry, to 33 with Liddle

@gazlord95 showed you what you’re saying is not true . He played 2 games , 1 we beat the dogs , the other for walloped by the roosters . Like I said , it was also around the time we were playing injured middles . Reserve graders and guys like Packer . To even remotely imply it was Liddle just shows how ridiculous you’re perception is .
I’m not saying he’s an amazing defender , but he did just come back from a knee reco , and I thought he played pretty well.
Grant was not good the last 10 weeks . He just wasn’t . And that’s understandable , it’s his first year in first grade . His defence wasn’t good either . But I don’t blame him. The reality is , We went backwards every time Mikalele and who ever was his opposite for that game came on .
People point to missed tackle efficiency, but I would love to see how many tries were scored through his gap whilst he was on .

I’m sorry , I don’t think the gap between Liddle and grant is that great . What we saw last year is 1 guy on the positive side of his form guide and another on the negative .

I have faith in Liddle and I rate him . I see Damien Cook , big time in him . Even to the point he hasn’t come on until his mid twenties .

Really hard to tell Strongee ...when Liddle did play he was coming off the back of Grant on most occasions .....


Grant is the 3rd / 4th best best hooker in the comp ...how Hodgson will come back from a 2nd knee injury will be interesting


Where Liddle rates as a hooker is a real doozy ..how can you compare with so little game time and his previous injuries .....thats the big question ...at least a $63995 question

I agree! I think though of all the gambles this club has done on the past, he would be a safe one.

Even if he wasnt, we spent alot of damn money on his rehab and bringing him back in. To drop or disregard him at this point would just be an absolute waste of time and effort tbh. I'd give him a crack for 5-6 games at the start of next season.

And that the next issue Gaz ...if Liddle does have issues again ...where do we draw that line in the sand ...much the same issue we have with Brooks ...when do you write off the investment

Its a function of the type and seriousness of the injury...and most importantly how long hes contracted for...and what else is available on the market.
In liddles case rite now,with his fragile history,one big one and hes Moltzen!
Gotta know when to roll em,know when to hold em...

I think even Liddle would know that

 

[Tiger5150]

Stephen Crichton with my nephew... both went to Patrician Brothers... we were at Eastern Creek Quarter today 27 Dec 2020... Stephen was having lunch with his fam/crew


My bother sneakily did say to him "we hope you sign with the Tigers" he just gave a smile and laughed a little :grin:

I just hope he gets a fair deal and can afford some socks.

EDIT: many others mentioned it.......should read to the end

 

[Cobarcats]

I hope Liddle has a brute of an off season because after a long layoff last year his legs looked like pins, to his credit though, he did make a great effort with the little time he had on the paddock at the back end of the year. One guy who we need to run hard is Stefano. The big unit has the ability to bend the line so if he does it will give our spine something to work on, and change those boots from black to white, you'll look less like a plodder.

 

[balmain boy]

Ky rodwell and billy stempleton look like units

Had a chat with Ron Palmer today, reckons Ky Rodwell is the best trainer at the club and will definitely be in the top 17. Also said Stefano needs to learn how to train and we've got more second row candidates than anything else. Wouldn't commit on AD playing 5/8.

Shows how little Ronnie knows about footy. Only knows fitness, and that is questionable too


So you know something different?

Well I know that Rodwell currently doesn't have an NRL contract, and with only 3 roster spots left and a need for speed in the backs and a second rower, signing a fringe prop on an NRL contract seems highly unlikely. We are already very well stocked for props, unless someone like Packer leaves there's no room for Rodwell.

Perhaps a development contract or a NSW cup contract are most likely. So a trainer saying he's a sure thing to make our top 17 is not only highly improbable it's nigh on impossible.

And while Stefano I'm sure does have elements of his game and training regime to improve, like all youngsters, fitness wouldn't appear to be one at the top of his list though. May be mental toughness he's referring to though, but he seems to have a solid moral grounding and work ethic from what we've seen and heard from him publicly

 

[Speed2burn]

Brooks has proven time after time he is not a first grade half back. It’s actually preventing marquee players from coming here, it’s make or break this year for him.


I think Liddell will have an injury free year as I’m confident with our physio s, weather he is a full time first grader
Remains to be seen.

Did JAC change his mind after he saw Brooks down at WT headquarters or something?

Packer, Reynolds, Matulino and Mbye were all considered “marquee” the time of the signings. They turned out to be hot dog water all of them, but they were still marquee at the time

So what players have we missed out on because of Luke? And don’t say Latrell, he was always going to souffs once roosters punted him

 

[Russell]

Certainly there is a big difference in what different people on here classify as Marquee players.

Personally I do not consider Packer, Reynolds, Matulino, Mbye and McInnes as Marquee players.

Possibly Latrine and JAC scrap into that category.

I consider the best of the best are Marquee players i.e. Cameron Smith, Cameron Munster, James Tedesco, Jason Taumalolo, Tyson Frizell, Angus Crichton etc. etc.

That is to say "Game Changers" - I do not consider people like Packer, Reynolds, Matulino, Mbye and McInnes as game changers.

It is a much bandied around word that is being cheapened by putting good players in the list but they are not great players. Just my opinion.

 

[Speed2burn]

Certainly there is a big difference in what different people on here classify as Marquee players.

Personally I do not consider Packer, Reynolds, Matulino, Mbye and McInnes as Marquee players.

Possibly Latrine and JAC scrap into that category.

I consider the best of the best are Marquee players i.e. Cameron Smith, Cameron Munster, James Tedesco, Jason Taumalolo, Tyson Frizell, Angus Crichton etc. etc.

That is to say "Game Changers" - I do not consider people like Packer, Reynolds, Matulino, Mbye and McInnes as game changers.

It is a much bandied around word that is being cheapened by putting good players in the list but they are not great players. Just my opinion.

Good points, I only labelled them marquee status because of the $$$ contracts offered. It’s not to say we can’t attract good players, it’s the fact we literally overpaid on 4 players who the club thought at the time would change the direction we’re heading in

 

[tony soprano]

Brooks has proven time after time he is not a first grade half back. It’s actually preventing marquee players from coming here, it’s make or break this year for him.


I think Liddell will have an injury free year as I’m confident with our physio s, weather he is a full time first grader
Remains to be seen.

Brooks has proven time after time he is not a first grade half back. It’s actually preventing marquee players from coming here, it’s make or break this year for him.


I think Liddell will have an injury free year as I’m confident with our physio s, weather he is a full time first grader
Remains to be seen.

Did JAC change his mind after he saw Brooks down at WT headquarters or something?

Packer, Reynolds, Matulino and Mbye were all considered “marquee” the time of the signings. They turned out to be hot dog water all of them, but they were still marquee at the time

So what players have we missed out on because of Luke? And don’t say Latrell, he was always going to souffs once roosters punted him

Lattrell said wanted south had proven halves in Reynolds and walker then looked at our lot and saw josh Reynolds brooks and benji and thought god no don’t blame him.

 

[Speed2burn]

Brooks has proven time after time he is not a first grade half back. It’s actually preventing marquee players from coming here, it’s make or break this year for him.


I think Liddell will have an injury free year as I’m confident with our physio s, weather he is a full time first grader
Remains to be seen.

Brooks has proven time after time he is not a first grade half back. It’s actually preventing marquee players from coming here, it’s make or break this year for him.


I think Liddell will have an injury free year as I’m confident with our physio s, weather he is a full time first grader
Remains to be seen.

Did JAC change his mind after he saw Brooks down at WT headquarters or something?

Packer, Reynolds, Matulino and Mbye were all considered “marquee” the time of the signings. They turned out to be hot dog water all of them, but they were still marquee at the time

So what players have we missed out on because of Luke? And don’t say Latrell, he was always going to souffs once roosters punted him

Lattrell said wanted south had proven halves in Reynolds and walker then looked at our lot and saw josh Reynolds brooks and benji and thought god no don’t blame him.

Do you actually believe that or is it your hidden agenda talking. What about when JAC signed with the dogs with no rated halves. Or the big name signings Titans made with ash Taylor as half

I’ve finally figured out why we can’t sign billy slater, Cameron smith, Cooper Cronk, Greg Inglis. It’s because of Luke Brooks

 

[tony soprano]

Brooks has proven time after time he is not a first grade half back. It’s actually preventing marquee players from coming here, it’s make or break this year for him.


I think Liddell will have an injury free year as I’m confident with our physio s, weather he is a full time first grader
Remains to be seen.

Brooks has proven time after time he is not a first grade half back. It’s actually preventing marquee players from coming here, it’s make or break this year for him.


I think Liddell will have an injury free year as I’m confident with our physio s, weather he is a full time first grader
Remains to be seen.

Did JAC change his mind after he saw Brooks down at WT headquarters or something?

Packer, Reynolds, Matulino and Mbye were all considered “marquee” the time of the signings. They turned out to be hot dog water all of them, but they were still marquee at the time

So what players have we missed out on because of Luke? And don’t say Latrell, he was always going to souffs once roosters punted him

Lattrell said wanted south had proven halves in Reynolds and walker then looked at our lot and saw josh Reynolds brooks and benji and thought god no don’t blame him.

Do you actually believe that or is it your hidden agenda talking. What about when JAC signed with the dogs with no rated halves. Or the big name signings Titans made with ash Taylor as half

I’ve finally figured out why we can’t sign billy slater, Cameron smith, Cooper Cronk, Greg Inglis. It’s because of Luke Brooks

We offered lateral big money so yes I do believe it

 

[twentyforty]

Certainly there is a big difference in what different people on here classify as Marquee players.

Personally I do not consider Packer, Reynolds, Matulino, Mbye and McInnes as Marquee players.

Possibly Latrine and JAC scrap into that category.

I consider the best of the best are Marquee players i.e. Cameron Smith, Cameron Munster, James Tedesco, Jason Taumalolo, Tyson Frizell, Angus Crichton etc. etc.

That is to say "Game Changers" - I do not consider people like Packer, Reynolds, Matulino, Mbye and McInnes as game changers.

It is a much bandied around word that is being cheapened by putting good players in the list but they are not great players. Just my opinion.

Packer, Reynolds, Matulino, Mbye were all unwanted at their clubs. They were paid big bucks and served up as an answer to cover up poor organisational development.
“If we can only get the team winning we will make the organisation look good.”
Should be..” If we develop into a good organisation we can produce a winning team.”
The clubs which understood that have been winning.
I heard LM tell bloke in the bar that he didn’t sign with us because the rest of the spine was not settled.

 

[diedpretty]

He'll need to pull his socks up if wants to fit in with us.

Bit behind the times there Don - i'm 68 and i wear no see socks. But point taken on he will need to improve his game to fit in to our backline.

 

[tony soprano]

He'll need to pull his socks up if wants to fit in with us.


Bit behind the times there Don - i'm 68 and i wear no see socks. But point taken on he will need to improve his game to fit in to our backline.

I just wear no undies

 

[HowDugWT]

I know i'm a little late to the Mcinnes party but I reckon if we sign him he has to play lock. A ball playing lock is something special and he can tick that box. He had the most average tackles a game in the NRL last season. Also, if they put him at hooker that will make Liddle and Simpkin want to leave and we can't waste talent like that like what we have done before. With the money we have right now it could be possible but I don't think he is the man that can make tigers a top 8 side.