Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[bathursttiger1]

Can’t believe the rubbish on here.

We don’t need 2 potential players (Lids and Simpkin) in a hooker role we need established players with potential putting pressure on the established players. If the potential players are good enough they will end up starting.

Lids hasn’t shown any signs of being able to last 80mins week to week for an nrl season & if we have all our eggs in that basket it’s very high risk. Hope he proves me wrong but history is very much against him.


I suppose that Harry was an established player at the start of the season.

Lol here we go.....

Lids has had many cracks at the NRL and his injuries aren’t just bad luck. His body hasn’t been able to hold up. Some players can others can’t. Hard to not be cautious about it. Can’t compare his pathway to that of Grant.

Simpkins is a while off playing 80mins, he has no one infront of him if he is good enough he will be a walk up starter for us as to his nrl quality it’s unknown especially not playing for 12mths due to COVID.

Harry had the Aussie 9 & NZ 9. He was also preferred ahead of Lids and Simpkins which says a fair bit as well. He was also playing regular footy which Lids and Simpkins hasn’t been able to do for some time.

That knee injury to Jacob last year would have knocked any player out with the force that he got hit with, totally unavoidable accident from Tommy T.
We have got to rely on Liddle and Simpkin in 2021, as McInness is under contract with St George and there is no way that they will release him for the coming season.

 

[Deleted member 3518]

Can’t believe the rubbish on here.

We don’t need 2 potential players (Lids and Simpkin) in a hooker role we need established players with potential putting pressure on the established players. If the potential players are good enough they will end up starting.

Lids hasn’t shown any signs of being able to last 80mins week to week for an nrl season & if we have all our eggs in that basket it’s very high risk. Hope he proves me wrong but history is very much against him.


I suppose that Harry was an established player at the start of the season.

Lol here we go.....

Lids has had many cracks at the NRL and his injuries aren’t just bad luck. His body hasn’t been able to hold up. Some players can others can’t. Hard to not be cautious about it. Can’t compare his pathway to that of Grant.

Simpkins is a while off playing 80mins, he has no one infront of him if he is good enough he will be a walk up starter for us as to his nrl quality it’s unknown especially not playing for 12mths due to COVID.

Harry had the Aussie 9 & NZ 9. He was also preferred ahead of Lids and Simpkins which says a fair bit as well. He was also playing regular footy which Lids and Simpkins hasn’t been able to do for some time.

Liddle was injured until like round 12 ? And you just said Simpkins is a way off playing 80 mins . ????!?? He was preferred Because we needed a dummy half . The only other choice was Reynolds or Walters. I don’t even think Simpkins was allowed to play until after covid , because they changed the rules to include development players . Do some of you guys see what your saying ??

 

[sleeve]

If we use our money wisely and not try to buy every forward that comes on the market we can buy anyone.**JAC was wise,as a winger he looked at our backline and realised it would be a tough gig'**.If we buy or manufacture a good halves combo(maybe Laurie at 5/8).Pay overs for Crichton and show future gains in the backs to him as well as Tamou,Bore,and Laurie already here. we must be a chance.If not theres a ton of talent off contract in 2022

Did JAC tell you this. My understanding was that he went for the best dollar offer he could get. I don't see Canterbury as having a better team than us either.

You have to be able to discern the difference between your fantasies and reality.

Where did you get your ;undestanding: from?Fantasies is when you have your hand on it,maybe time to change hands?

 

[sleeve]

even mentioned in the post.And how do you or anyone else knows if they were trying to recruit him?There is a recruitment team that weighs up the pros and cons,Madge is not the sole recruiter.I’m sure the club has spoken to many players and for many reasons were not deemed suitable.



Here is a scenario. If the Knights were to get rid of Pearce as the situation becomes untenable, would you be interested for 2 years? We would be the only club in a position to, unless hes willing to go to a club for next to nothing.


I thought we recently paid $630k for a 5/8 who we tried at FB while we waited for Benji to retire? Where do we move him if we take on an aging $1m half?

Another panic buy on overs.

 

[twentyforty]

Can’t believe the rubbish on here.

We don’t need 2 potential players (Lids and Simpkin) in a hooker role we need established players with potential putting pressure on the established players. If the potential players are good enough they will end up starting.

Lids hasn’t shown any signs of being able to last 80mins week to week for an nrl season & if we have all our eggs in that basket it’s very high risk. Hope he proves me wrong but history is very much against him.


I suppose that Harry was an established player at the start of the season.

0ur 9's are talented, but agree that they're both unproven.

They need a chance in 2021, and I want to see it.

43 games over 4 seasons unproven?

 

[Deleted member 3518]

even mentioned in the post.And how do you or anyone else knows if they were trying to recruit him?There is a recruitment team that weighs up the pros and cons,Madge is not the sole recruiter.I’m sure the club has spoken to many players and for many reasons were not deemed suitable.



Here is a scenario. If the Knights were to get rid of Pearce as the situation becomes untenable, would you be interested for 2 years? We would be the only club in a position to, unless hes willing to go to a club for next to nothing.


I thought we recently paid $630k for a 5/8 who we tried at FB while we waited for Benji to retire? Where do we move him if we take on an aging $1m half?

Another panic buy on overs.

What’s your opinion on the dogs paying JAC 700k, cotric 600k and burton 650k ? The Flanagan buy was like 350-400k . I think that’s a good buy personally . The others are a huge risk IMO . JAC , at least will be the most overpaid elite winger in the game , so there’s that , but cotric on 600k , with that forward pack and lack of room , can’t be good . And burton wasn’t exactly Ponga coming through where giving him 600k was a calculated risk . I don’t see what the buzz is about personally . He’s not a better than say 20th half in the comp , so they really are banking on him getting to top 10 . Which is what that money indicates . That to me is a panic buy . At least Mbye when we signed him was playing amazing football.

 

[Deleted member 3518]

even mentioned in the post.And how do you or anyone else knows if they were trying to recruit him?There is a recruitment team that weighs up the pros and cons,Madge is not the sole recruiter.I’m sure the club has spoken to many players and for many reasons were not deemed suitable.



Here is a scenario. If the Knights were to get rid of Pearce as the situation becomes untenable, would you be interested for 2 years? We would be the only club in a position to, unless hes willing to go to a club for next to nothing.


I thought we recently paid $630k for a 5/8 who we tried at FB while we waited for Benji to retire? Where do we move him if we take on an aging $1m half?

Another panic buy on overs.

What’s your opinion on the dogs paying JAC 700k, cotric 600k and burton 650k ? The Flanagan buy was like 350-400k . I think that’s a good buy personally . The others are a huge risk IMO . JAC , at least will be the most overpaid elite winger in the game , so there’s that , but cotric on 600k , with that forward pack and lack of room , can’t be good . And burton wasn’t exactly Ponga coming through where giving him 600k was a calculated risk . I don’t see what the buzz is about personally . He’s not a better than say 20th half in the comp , so they really are banking on him getting to top 10 . Which is what that money indicates . That to me is a panic buy . At least Mbye when we signed him was playing amazing football.

And it is a panic buy because the dogs have next to no decent juniors and the ones they did have , just left for other clubs ( including us).

 

[Newtown]

Pearce at a discounted price is a yes from me

The Mole: Pearce on the outer at Newcastle over sexting scandal
By The Mole
3 hours ago

Some senior figures in the Newcastle club no longer want star halfback Mitchell Pearce at the club following his sexting scandal with a female employee.

Officials are concerned at a split that has developed in the playing group in the wake of the scandal - that saw Pearce's fiancee call off their wedding this week - going public.

The staffer is a close friend of several players, most notably respected back-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon, and his relationship with Pearce is now described as 'icy'.

Officials are worried that the situation in the playing group will be untenable as a result of the scandal and are considering releasing Pearce to a rival NRL club.

A swap with another club for a playmaker is another option.

Pearce is already expected to be stripped of the Newcastle captaincy but some within the club believe harsher action is necessary to retain harmony among the playing group. The club's players and staff are on Christmas/New Year break until January 4 but officials are assessing their options.

One possibility is to bring Cowboy Jake Clifford - who has signed with the Knights for 2022 - to the club a year early.

Another is Gareth Widdop, who is contracted to English club Warrington but is desperate to come back to Australia to be closer to his children.

But all this hinges on whether another club would be willing to pick up Pearce, who has a year to run on his deal.

At 31, he remains one of the most talented halfbacks in the competition and a fresh start may be the best thing for both him and the Knights.

 

[Harvey]

With such a young roster, Pearce does not provide the sort of leadership that the club needs.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Can’t believe the rubbish on here.

We don’t need 2 potential players (Lids and Simpkin) in a hooker role we need established players with potential putting pressure on the established players. If the potential players are good enough they will end up starting.

Lids hasn’t shown any signs of being able to last 80mins week to week for an nrl season & if we have all our eggs in that basket it’s very high risk. Hope he proves me wrong but history is very much against him.


I suppose that Harry was an established player at the start of the season.

Lol here we go.....

Lids has had many cracks at the NRL and his injuries aren’t just bad luck. His body hasn’t been able to hold up. Some players can others can’t. Hard to not be cautious about it. Can’t compare his pathway to that of Grant.

Simpkins is a while off playing 80mins, he has no one infront of him if he is good enough he will be a walk up starter for us as to his nrl quality it’s unknown especially not playing for 12mths due to COVID.

Harry had the Aussie 9 & NZ 9. He was also preferred ahead of Lids and Simpkins which says a fair bit as well. He was also playing regular footy which Lids and Simpkins hasn’t been able to do for some time.

Liddle was injured until like round 12 ? And you just said Simpkins is a way off playing 80 mins . ????!?? He was preferred Because we needed a dummy half . The only other choice was Reynolds or Walters. I don’t even think Simpkins was allowed to play until after covid , because they changed the rules to include development players . Do some of you guys see what your saying ??

My comment is related to those who prefer Lids/Simpkin over Smith/McInness at hooker.

It’s a joke some even mention these guys in the same breath at the moment. Most haven’t seen Simpkins play and are just hoping he can come good. For a kid who hasn’t played for a while & just hit age to play nrl at hooker is tough - 90% of hookers these days make it in the 22-23 ages due to body impact & development.

Other see the 20min burst of Lids and say if he can get a crack we will be fine - the kid hasn’t been able to have a decent crack for 4yrs because he gets injured all the time.

Hope they nail it this year but alot of things aren’t in their favor & I’m glad if reports are true we are going after players more established that will give us direction & leadership in such a crucial position we need.

 

[sleeve]

Nobody really knows how Simkin will go,but if you peruse google and look at clips and reviews he appears to be something very special'

 

[sleeve]

even mentioned in the post.And how do you or anyone else knows if they were trying to recruit him?There is a recruitment team that weighs up the pros and cons,Madge is not the sole recruiter.I’m sure the club has spoken to many players and for many reasons were not deemed suitable.



Here is a scenario. If the Knights were to get rid of Pearce as the situation becomes untenable, would you be interested for 2 years? We would be the only club in a position to, unless hes willing to go to a club for next to nothing.


I thought we recently paid $630k for a 5/8 who we tried at FB while we waited for Benji to retire? Where do we move him if we take on an aging $1m half?

Another panic buy on overs.

What’s your opinion on the dogs paying JAC 700k, cotric 600k and burton 650k ? The Flanagan buy was like 350-400k . I think that’s a good buy personally . The others are a huge risk IMO . JAC , at least will be the most overpaid elite winger in the game , so there’s that , but cotric on 600k , with that forward pack and lack of room , can’t be good . And burton wasn’t exactly Ponga coming through where giving him 600k was a calculated risk . I don’t see what the buzz is about personally . He’s not a better than say 20th half in the comp , so they really are banking on him getting to top 10 . Which is what that money indicates . That to me is a panic buy . At least Mbye when we signed him was playing amazing football.

If Mbye was playing amazing football they would have kept him.

 

[WswWt]

Can’t believe the rubbish on here.

We don’t need 2 potential players (Lids and Simpkin) in a hooker role we need established players with potential putting pressure on the established players. If the potential players are good enough they will end up starting.

Lids hasn’t shown any signs of being able to last 80mins week to week for an nrl season & if we have all our eggs in that basket it’s very high risk. Hope he proves me wrong but history is very much against him.


I suppose that Harry was an established player at the start of the season.

0ur 9's are talented, but agree that they're both unproven.

They need a chance in 2021, and I want to see it.


43 games over 4 seasons unproven?

That sounds more like a back up

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/tigers/wests-tigers-nrl-2021-season-preview-michael-maguire-hoping-new-additions-help-end-finals-drought/news-story/9672e8b642bf6f5aaf7983fd17914e96

Sorry if it's been posted elsewhere

 

[jadtiger]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/tigers/wests-tigers-nrl-2021-season-preview-michael-maguire-hoping-new-additions-help-end-finals-drought/news-story/9672e8b642bf6f5aaf7983fd17914e96

Sorry if it's been posted elsewhere

Its behind a paywall

 

[TigerWest]

Pearce at a discounted price is a yes from me

The Mole: Pearce on the outer at Newcastle over sexting scandal
By The Mole
3 hours ago

Some senior figures in the Newcastle club no longer want star halfback Mitchell Pearce at the club following his sexting scandal with a female employee.

Officials are concerned at a split that has developed in the playing group in the wake of the scandal - that saw Pearce's fiancee call off their wedding this week - going public.

The staffer is a close friend of several players, most notably respected back-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon, and his relationship with Pearce is now described as 'icy'.

Officials are worried that the situation in the playing group will be untenable as a result of the scandal and are considering releasing Pearce to a rival NRL club.

A swap with another club for a playmaker is another option.

Pearce is already expected to be stripped of the Newcastle captaincy but some within the club believe harsher action is necessary to retain harmony among the playing group. The club's players and staff are on Christmas/New Year break until January 4 but officials are assessing their options.

One possibility is to bring Cowboy Jake Clifford - who has signed with the Knights for 2022 - to the club a year early.

Another is Gareth Widdop, who is contracted to English club Warrington but is desperate to come back to Australia to be closer to his children.

But all this hinges on whether another club would be willing to pick up Pearce, who has a year to run on his deal.

At 31, he remains one of the most talented halfbacks in the competition and a fresh start may be the best thing for both him and the Knights.

He would probably help get us final bound, if the price is right.

But what would we do with Brooks, he still has a couple of years contract left?

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/tigers/wests-tigers-nrl-2021-season-preview-michael-maguire-hoping-new-additions-help-end-finals-drought/news-story/9672e8b642bf6f5aaf7983fd17914e96

Sorry if it's been posted elsewhere



Its behind a paywall

https://t.co/I1492e5JnE?amp=1 I accessed it thru twitter this might be the link then.

 

[bleedorange]

They may have missed out on Josh Addo-Carr but the Tigers have still made some significant additions as they look to end a run of nine seasons without finals football.
James Phelps
December 30, 2020 - 3:00PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

http://DAILYTELEGRAPH.COM.AU2:17
Rising stars at NRL clubs
Get a sneak peek of the next generation of rugby league stars, who will be bursting onto the NRL scene in the not-too-distant future.
Nine seasons and counting without finals football was enough for Michael Maguire.

The coach has farewelled a swarm of players - including Benji Marshall - and - in a different approach to recent seasons - brought in four players with an interesting mix of youth, excitement and experience.

James Phelps takes a look at the key questions facing the Tigers next season.

Kayo is your ticket to the best sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Joe Ofahengaue is one of the Tigers’ new recruits for 2021.
Joe Ofahengaue is one of the Tigers’ new recruits for 2021.
2020 ladder position: 11th

Ins: James Roberts (Rabbitohs), James Tamou (Panthers), Stefano Utoikamanu (Eels), Joe Ofahengaue (Broncos)

Outs: Josh Reynolds (Hull FC), Josh Aloiai (Sea Eagles), Matthew Eisenhuth (Panthers), Harry Grant (Storm), Robert Jennings (Panthers), Chris Lawrence (Retired), Benji Marshall (released), Sam McIntyre (Titans), Chris McQueen (retired), Paul Momirovski (released), Dylan Smith (released), Elijah Taylor (released)

Players in the 2020 Rich 100: 5 — 21. Moses Mbye ($815,000), 36. Russell Packer ($750,000), 50. Joey Leilua ($700,000), 69. Adam Doueihi ($625,000), 71. Luke Brooks ($600,000)

Coach status

FROM OUR PARTNERS

Big Little Lies on Foxtel Now. Watch every episode On Demand.

Michael Maguire came under pressure during the back half of the year as the Tigers’ season stalled. Maguire is attempting to rebuild the club from the ground up and is still carrying players signed by the previous coach.

Maguire will be hoping that the key signings of James Tamou and James Roberts push the club into the top eight. His head may be on the chopping block if they do not.

What is their game plan, and how do they need to tweak

The Tigers’ edge defence is the reason the club did not play finals football this year.

Undisputedly a team that can score points, miscommunication, bad reads and some shocking one-on-one misses ruined the Tigers’ season. Maguire will spend much of the pre-season working on his edge defence.

James Roberts with Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe.
James Roberts with Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe.
How did they go in free agency

The Tigers’ dealings suffered a blow when they missed out on snaring Josh Addo-Carr after earlier appearing the front-runner for the Storm flyer’s signature. However, the club has since gone on an impressive spending spree and may have pulled off two of the signing coups of the year by snaring former Bronco Joe Ofahengaue and James Roberts on a bargain basement deal.

Released by the Rabbitohs following a troubled year, Maguire jumped at the chance to bring the flyer to Concord in an unexpected last-minute addition. While there is a genuine risk that Roberts will again come unstuck, the gamble will pay off in spades should the centre recapture top form. A genuine gamebreaker, Roberts will give Tigers the X-factor they have lacked should Maguire bring out his best.

Ofahengaue is a casualty of Brisbane’s overhaul following their wooden spoon year. But, at 25, the Queensland and Tongan representative is devastating at his best.

Having been criticised for overpaying for underperforming recruits in the past, the Tigers have taken a different approach to 2021.

Is 2021 the season when West Tigers finally break their finals hoodoo?
Yes
No
Cast your vote
Yes, they brought in veteran forward Tamou on a two-year deal at the age of 31, but the experience he brings will help the youngsters in the Tigers’ pack.

One of those players who will benefit from playing alongside Tamou is former Parramatta prop Stefano Utoikamanu. NSW coach Brad Fittler is such a fan that he declared the Eels rookie an Origin bolter at the start of 2020, before he had even made his NRL debut.

At a Concord coffee shop last November, Maguire laid out a vision for young star Utoikamanu that would lure him from Parramatta on a $1.2 million over three seasons, for a player who hadn’t played a first grade game.

The Tigers identified prop Utoikamanu and now former Penrith backrower Shawn Blore as forwards they could anchor their pack around in the next three years.

Now they get Tamou to help oversee that development for two of those years. That’s smart business.

Stefano Utoikamanu gives the Tigers plenty to dream on.
Stefano Utoikamanu gives the Tigers plenty to dream on.
Will development contract upgraded kids make an impact

Queensland’s next best young hooker will get his shot next year with Jake Simpkin set to replace Harry Grant as the Tigers’ No.9.

Recruited to the club as a potential heir to Robbie Farah’s throne, rookie Simpkin, who just turned 19, is regarded as a future star and will get his shot now Grant has returned to Melbourne.

The Tigers’ hooking role shapes as a battle between Simpkin and the talented but injury-prone Jacob Liddle. Simpkin has impressed already over the pre-season and has an exciting future, according to those at the club.

Their progression will be helped with guidance from Farah.

“I’ve been communicating with Madge about doing some work with the team on a part-time basis, some specialist stuff with the young hookers and middle forwards,” Farah said.

“There’s Jacob Liddle, who I spent some time with there when I was playing, and Jake Simpkin, who the club has high hopes for.”

Adam Doueihi is set to be moved to five-eighth.
Adam Doueihi is set to be moved to five-eighth.
What players can they reinvent

Adam Doueihi. Having played wing, fullback and centre — all by the age of 22 — Doueihi is expected to be transformed into a full-time five-eighth. It’s understood Doueihi will get first crack at replacing Benji Marshall in the No.6 jersey.

Who takes the next step

Luke Brooks. He just has to. Running out of both excuses and years, Brooks must stand up and finally live up to his potential.

Once considered one of the best prospects in the game, Brooks could find himself on the

scrap heap should he and the Tigers fail to make a finals fling.

The best 17 for 2021

1. Moses Mbye

2. David Nofoaluma

3. Joseph Leilua

4. James Roberts

5. Tommy Talau

6. Adam Doueihi

7. Luke Brooks

8. James Tamou

9. Jake Simpkin

10. Joe Ofahengaue

11. Luciano Leilua

12. Luke Garner

13. Alex Twal

14. Jacob Liddle

15. Stefano Utoikamanu

16. Shawn Blore

17. Thomas Mikaele

It’s a big season for Luke Brooks.
It’s a big season for Luke Brooks.
2021 squad

Shawn Blore, Kane Bradley, Luke Brooks, Michael Chee-Kam, Zac Cini, Adam Doueihi, Luke Garner, Asu Kepaoa, Joey Leilua, Luciano Leilua, Jacob Liddle, Jock Madden, Moses Mbye, Thomas Mikaele, Paul Momirovski, Zane Musgrove, David Nofoaluma, Joe Ofahengaue, Russell Packer, James Roberts, Jake Simpkin, Tommy Talau, James Tamou, Alex Twal, Stefano Utoikamanu, Billy Walters

Fox Sports Lab’s Aaron Wallace says

Wests Tigers missed out on finals football for a ninth successive season, the longest drought of any current team.

Consistency remains the major issue. Wests have not strung three wins together since early in 2018 and have not won four straight games since 2012.

In 2020, they won back-to-back matches just once — in rounds 6 and 7 against the Cowboys and Bulldogs. Their only win against a top-eight side came against the Sharks in round 3.

Finish the last five years

9th, 14th, 9th, 9th, 11th

 

[earl]

If we use our money wisely and not try to buy every forward that comes on the market we can buy anyone.**JAC was wise,as a winger he looked at our backline and realised it would be a tough gig'**.If we buy or manufacture a good halves combo(maybe Laurie at 5/8).Pay overs for Crichton and show future gains in the backs to him as well as Tamou,Bore,and Laurie already here. we must be a chance.If not theres a ton of talent off contract in 2022

Did JAC tell you this. My understanding was that he went for the best dollar offer he could get. I don't see Canterbury as having a better team than us either.

You have to be able to discern the difference between your fantasies and reality.

Where did you get your ;undestanding: from?Fantasies is when you have your hand on it,maybe time to change hands?

There have been numerous stories that Canterbury offered more money whereas your comments are mind reading someone which is a fantasy.

Facts matter.

 

[BalmainJnr]

They may have missed out on Josh Addo-Carr but the Tigers have still made some significant additions as they look to end a run of nine seasons without finals football.
James Phelps
December 30, 2020 - 3:00PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

http://DAILYTELEGRAPH.COM.AU2:17
Rising stars at NRL clubs
Get a sneak peek of the next generation of rugby league stars, who will be bursting onto the NRL scene in the not-too-distant future.
Nine seasons and counting without finals football was enough for Michael Maguire.

The coach has farewelled a swarm of players - including Benji Marshall - and - in a different approach to recent seasons - brought in four players with an interesting mix of youth, excitement and experience.

James Phelps takes a look at the key questions facing the Tigers next season.

Kayo is your ticket to the best sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Joe Ofahengaue is one of the Tigers’ new recruits for 2021.
Joe Ofahengaue is one of the Tigers’ new recruits for 2021.
2020 ladder position: 11th

Ins: James Roberts (Rabbitohs), James Tamou (Panthers), Stefano Utoikamanu (Eels), Joe Ofahengaue (Broncos)

Outs: Josh Reynolds (Hull FC), Josh Aloiai (Sea Eagles), Matthew Eisenhuth (Panthers), Harry Grant (Storm), Robert Jennings (Panthers), Chris Lawrence (Retired), Benji Marshall (released), Sam McIntyre (Titans), Chris McQueen (retired), Paul Momirovski (released), Dylan Smith (released), Elijah Taylor (released)

Players in the 2020 Rich 100: 5 — 21. Moses Mbye ($815,000), 36. Russell Packer ($750,000), 50. Joey Leilua ($700,000), 69. Adam Doueihi ($625,000), 71. Luke Brooks ($600,000)

Coach status

FROM OUR PARTNERS

Big Little Lies on Foxtel Now. Watch every episode On Demand.

Michael Maguire came under pressure during the back half of the year as the Tigers’ season stalled. Maguire is attempting to rebuild the club from the ground up and is still carrying players signed by the previous coach.

Maguire will be hoping that the key signings of James Tamou and James Roberts push the club into the top eight. His head may be on the chopping block if they do not.

What is their game plan, and how do they need to tweak

The Tigers’ edge defence is the reason the club did not play finals football this year.

Undisputedly a team that can score points, miscommunication, bad reads and some shocking one-on-one misses ruined the Tigers’ season. Maguire will spend much of the pre-season working on his edge defence.

James Roberts with Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe.
James Roberts with Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe.
How did they go in free agency

The Tigers’ dealings suffered a blow when they missed out on snaring Josh Addo-Carr after earlier appearing the front-runner for the Storm flyer’s signature. However, the club has since gone on an impressive spending spree and may have pulled off two of the signing coups of the year by snaring former Bronco Joe Ofahengaue and James Roberts on a bargain basement deal.

Released by the Rabbitohs following a troubled year, Maguire jumped at the chance to bring the flyer to Concord in an unexpected last-minute addition. While there is a genuine risk that Roberts will again come unstuck, the gamble will pay off in spades should the centre recapture top form. A genuine gamebreaker, Roberts will give Tigers the X-factor they have lacked should Maguire bring out his best.

Ofahengaue is a casualty of Brisbane’s overhaul following their wooden spoon year. But, at 25, the Queensland and Tongan representative is devastating at his best.

Having been criticised for overpaying for underperforming recruits in the past, the Tigers have taken a different approach to 2021.

Is 2021 the season when West Tigers finally break their finals hoodoo?
Yes
No
Cast your vote
Yes, they brought in veteran forward Tamou on a two-year deal at the age of 31, but the experience he brings will help the youngsters in the Tigers’ pack.

One of those players who will benefit from playing alongside Tamou is former Parramatta prop Stefano Utoikamanu. NSW coach Brad Fittler is such a fan that he declared the Eels rookie an Origin bolter at the start of 2020, before he had even made his NRL debut.

At a Concord coffee shop last November, Maguire laid out a vision for young star Utoikamanu that would lure him from Parramatta on a $1.2 million over three seasons, for a player who hadn’t played a first grade game.

The Tigers identified prop Utoikamanu and now former Penrith backrower Shawn Blore as forwards they could anchor their pack around in the next three years.

Now they get Tamou to help oversee that development for two of those years. That’s smart business.

Stefano Utoikamanu gives the Tigers plenty to dream on.
Stefano Utoikamanu gives the Tigers plenty to dream on.
Will development contract upgraded kids make an impact

Queensland’s next best young hooker will get his shot next year with Jake Simpkin set to replace Harry Grant as the Tigers’ No.9.

Recruited to the club as a potential heir to Robbie Farah’s throne, rookie Simpkin, who just turned 19, is regarded as a future star and will get his shot now Grant has returned to Melbourne.

The Tigers’ hooking role shapes as a battle between Simpkin and the talented but injury-prone Jacob Liddle. Simpkin has impressed already over the pre-season and has an exciting future, according to those at the club.

Their progression will be helped with guidance from Farah.

“I’ve been communicating with Madge about doing some work with the team on a part-time basis, some specialist stuff with the young hookers and middle forwards,” Farah said.

“There’s Jacob Liddle, who I spent some time with there when I was playing, and Jake Simpkin, who the club has high hopes for.”

Adam Doueihi is set to be moved to five-eighth.
Adam Doueihi is set to be moved to five-eighth.
What players can they reinvent

Adam Doueihi. Having played wing, fullback and centre — all by the age of 22 — Doueihi is expected to be transformed into a full-time five-eighth. It’s understood Doueihi will get first crack at replacing Benji Marshall in the No.6 jersey.

Who takes the next step

Luke Brooks. He just has to. Running out of both excuses and years, Brooks must stand up and finally live up to his potential.

Once considered one of the best prospects in the game, Brooks could find himself on the

scrap heap should he and the Tigers fail to make a finals fling.

The best 17 for 2021

1. Moses Mbye

2. David Nofoaluma

3. Joseph Leilua

4. James Roberts

5. Tommy Talau

6. Adam Doueihi

7. Luke Brooks

8. James Tamou

9. Jake Simpkin

10. Joe Ofahengaue

11. Luciano Leilua

12. Luke Garner

13. Alex Twal

14. Jacob Liddle

15. Stefano Utoikamanu

16. Shawn Blore

17. Thomas Mikaele

It’s a big season for Luke Brooks.
It’s a big season for Luke Brooks.
2021 squad

Shawn Blore, Kane Bradley, Luke Brooks, Michael Chee-Kam, Zac Cini, Adam Doueihi, Luke Garner, Asu Kepaoa, Joey Leilua, Luciano Leilua, Jacob Liddle, Jock Madden, Moses Mbye, Thomas Mikaele, Paul Momirovski, Zane Musgrove, David Nofoaluma, Joe Ofahengaue, Russell Packer, James Roberts, Jake Simpkin, Tommy Talau, James Tamou, Alex Twal, Stefano Utoikamanu, Billy Walters

Fox Sports Lab’s Aaron Wallace says

Wests Tigers missed out on finals football for a ninth successive season, the longest drought of any current team.

Consistency remains the major issue. Wests have not strung three wins together since early in 2018 and have not won four straight games since 2012.

In 2020, they won back-to-back matches just once — in rounds 6 and 7 against the Cowboys and Bulldogs. Their only win against a top-eight side came against the Sharks in round 3.

Finish the last five years

9th, 14th, 9th, 9th, 11th

When did we release Momirovski? 🧐
Edit: looks like we re-signed him by the end of the article.