Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Deleted member 3518]

TIGERS

2021 squad: Shawn Blore (2023), Luke Brooks (2023), Michael Chee-Kam (2021), Zac Cini (2021), Adam Doueihi (2023), Luke Garner (2022), Asu Kepaoa (2023), Joey Leilua (2022), Luciano Leilua (2022), Jacob Liddle (2021), Jock Madden (2021), Moses Mbye (2022), Thomas Mikaele (2021), Paul Momirovski (2022), Zane Musgrove (2024), David Nofoaluma (2021), Joe Ofahengaue (2023), Russell Packer (2021), James Roberts (2022), Jake Simpkin (2022), Tukimihia Simpkins (2023), Tommy Talau (2022), James Tamou (2022) Alex Twal (2022), Stefano Utoikamanu (2023), Billy Walters (2021), Alex Seyfarth (2021)

2021 gains: James Roberts (Rabbitohs), Stefano Utoikamanu (Eels), Paul Momirovski (loan return from Storm), James Tamou (Panthers), Joe Ofahengaue (Broncos), Tukimihia Simpkins (Cowboys), Jock Madden, Kane Bradley, Jake Simpkin, Zac Cini (all upgraded)

2021 losses: Harry Grant (loan return to Storm), Chris Lawrence (retirement), Josh Aloiai (Sea Eagles), Sam McIntyre (Titans), Matt Eisenhuth, Robert Jennings (both Panthers), Josh Reynolds (Hull FC), Kane Bradley (Cowboys), Elijah Taylor (Salford), Benji Marshall, Oliver Clark, Dylan Smith (all unsigned)

New deal: Shawn Blore (2023), Alex Seyfarth (2021), Zane Musgrove (2024)

2022 gains: Daine Laurie (Panthers)

Coach: Michael Maguire (2023)

Foxsports website.

Props @daboss and @Aj1 for picking up mistakes

Look at those gains to losses . Everyone signed is better than the person they’re replacing . Even Benji ( sorry 22 try assists whilst letting in a billion tries means I don’t rate you. I’d rather win 12-8 than lose 36-34)

 

[hobbo1]

NB: Steve…disagree with Matthew Johns as a halves coach. Wrong Johns.



I think Matthew Johns is regarded as the better halves coach... he's got a very good reputation of working with people like Cronk.

That maybe, or maybe not.

If I was Brooks I know who I would want to teach me.

Brooks is too thick to be mentored..
Waste of time ..
Even Yoda wouldn’t have the patience.

 

[avocadoontoast]

NB: Steve…disagree with Matthew Johns as a halves coach. Wrong Johns.



I think Matthew Johns is regarded as the better halves coach... he's got a very good reputation of working with people like Cronk.

That maybe, or maybe not.

If I was Brooks I know who I would want to teach me.

Matthew Johns?

Yeah! sure - you really don't like people having a different opinion - do you?

That is what a Forum is for Avo.

No need to get your panties in a twist Russ.

 

[Tiger_Steve]

The club is aware that moving him from his preferred side of the field impacted his form last year.

I don't think it just affected Garner. Brooks' attacking opportunities were diminished as well and I think it affected his form also.

At the back end of 2019 the Brooks no-look pass to Garner, running an outside in line, was the only feather we had to fly with. All teams found it hard to defend. They complemented each other and made each other look good.

Separating them was a big mistake. I hope they are re-united this season.

What would make it more interesting is if they move BJ to the left, so that Brooks has the option of the short ball to Garner or the long ball to BJ. That will create a few headaches in our opponent's defence.

Spot on and I have said it many times, Brooks best play is the short ball to 2nd rower/ long ball to fullback sweeping around the back option play. We totally stopped running that play in 2020 and the shifting of Garner was part of the reason for that. Attack also became slightly less structured with the rule changes and that had an impact as well.

I like Brooks best when he gets the ball on the advantage line and runs hard at the A defender with the ball in two hands. With options inside and outside it’s hard for a tiring forward and nearly impossible to stop. Unfortunately last year we rarely had the forward momentum to allow this style of attack.

Yeah he needs the defence to have to make a decision, that is when he is at his best and why option plays work well for him.

His speed off the mark is his greatest asset, his passing and kicking games are ok but it’s when the team is rolling that he looks elite. It’s why the Tigers can run up big scores or score quick points when they’re on. Hopefully these new forwards can help bring out his best.

Im actually of the belief that he has been told for too long that his best aspect is his running game. In 2020 his 1st option was to run, even when that wasn't the best option. He is much better when he has a defence in 2 minds and by overplaying the run in 2020 he nullified his 2 best attributes. When a defence has to make a decision his running game goes to another level but it also opens up his passing game.

I love Brooks and get sick of the garbage he cops on here but if I’m honest I think he struggles to know when to run, when to pass. He seems a confused footballer to me. I’d love him to spend some time with Matty John’s or a mentor as such

Mate we have had this conversation so many times lol. People need to get out of his head and stop telling him to run constantly. He needs to pick better times to run and work on identifying players in the defensive line who are poor at defending the run. As @BAGNF05 has been saying, hopefully with a better forward back these decisions will become easier for him as the defence will be on the back foot. On paper the 6 again rule should benefit Brooks more than any other player we have except maybe Liddle.

Agree completely he ran far too much this year and defences saw it coming, especially when we aren’t winning the forward battle. He’s got excellent short passing and kicking but barely did it at all this season for some reason was too worried about running


His short passing is crap. Always has been. He passes them too hard and too many hospital.
Nothing is going to change his game sadly. It is what it is. We are stuck with it.

I think his biggest problem is passing to players that are different height to him. That has to be difficult.

Gawd here we go. Next thing we’ll be talking body language...

I think his body language clearly says he doesn't like passing to players who are a different height. It will be ok though as in 48 hrs we will be signing a second rower who is exactly the same height as Brooks so that won't be a problem in 2022, or maybe 2023.

Who are you taking about ? Lol Brooks is fine . Everyone hforgets how well he played the 2 years before this one . Go’s we have short memories as sports fans

Just that we have too many players of differing heights and it makes passing difficult.

Lol did someone say that ? I must be out of the loop , or are you saying that ? Cause that’s ridiculous.
Our issue last year was brooks was out of form , so benji did a poor mans benji impersonation , Grant went to him , even when brooks played himself back into form , but it didn’t matter cause in that same time frame , all our good middles were hurt , and everyone forgot how to tackle .
I think that about sums it up .

In 2020 I think (without making excuses) Brooks was out of form because Grant (slow passing from DH) consistently went to Benji the majority of the time. When it did go to Brooks the slow pass plus the forwards not going forward that much put heaps of pressure on him. "Do I pass to 'x' - no, he has players up on him as well as me, so I won't give him a hospital pass, "I'll take the hit up myself and get smashed." Hard to do too much with the defence in the teams face, the only thing you can do is kick through the line but that gives possession away, pass and your catcher gets smashed, run yourself and get smashed - a hiding to nothing.

Think he will be better this year with AD at 5/8 and heaps better getting super quick ball from Liddle, hopefully quick PTB's as well plus the forwards going forward. If this happens he won't know himself - he'll have that much time.....

NB: Steve...disagree with Matthew Johns as a halves coach. Wrong Johns.

I suppose everyone will have their opinion on who is the best halves coach @Russell . I have heard though that Matt John’s is highly regarded and many coaches contact him often

 

[851]

NB: Steve…disagree with Matthew Johns as a halves coach. Wrong Johns.



I think Matthew Johns is regarded as the better halves coach... he's got a very good reputation of working with people like Cronk.

Matty was also in camp assisting at training during the 2005 final series, and that worked out very well

 

[avocadoontoast]

NB: Steve…disagree with Matthew Johns as a halves coach. Wrong Johns.



I think Matthew Johns is regarded as the better halves coach... he's got a very good reputation of working with people like Cronk.

Matty was also in camp assisting at training during the 2005 final series, and that worked out very well

That's right he was too. I remember him talking about that on the podcast.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

With the strife going on at the Knights what would people think of going after Fitzgibbons if he comes on the market? Apparently he is not happy with Pearce, who looks to be staying (has the club’s backing via Buderus statement). Pretty good 2nd rower.

Fitzgibbon' father is connected to the Knights. Pearce has paid a high price for a poor choice. Losing his future wife must rate as the hardest punishment. I would hope his team mates are supporting him because he will need it.

Problem Pearce has with some of his team mates is the bird he was sexting was in a relationship with a former Knights Jnr who is very very close mates with some of the first grade squad. Those team mates are definitely not taking his side. Also I live in Newy and have a fair few Knight's fans mates. Fitzgibbon is a defensive liability according to most said fans. A fair few Newy fans are of the opinion that if his old man wasn't CEO of NIB who are the major sponsor, and also a former club director, then Lachlan would never have been anywhere near first grade (or have been picked in all the club Jnr sides going through)

Thanks for this advice. I feel for Pearce. He made a bad choice and he has been punished by his ex. Being a one team. town makes it hard for him to not be punished again. Ironically, he was there in the first place to escape Sydney. Let's hope he and his ex can work things out because at 31 his time in the NRL is short.

Yeah I can't feel sorry for him, he's a perpetual man child. Has had many times to get it right and still making mistakes at 31. He'll never learn and he'll be one of those who will probably struggle in life after footy.

I suspect you are correct but I hope for his mother's sake he can sort himself out. I have a soft spot for all mums so Mitchell get it together.?

 

[haberfield_tiger]

Any more talk re Mcinnes from Saint George?

 

[Roar_Power]

Any more talk re Mcinnes from Saint George?

I doubt we would hear anything for a while. He gets along with Madge but I thought someone mentioned that he wanted to gauge what his relationship with Hook was going to be like before making a decision.

 

[tigger19]

So with 3 spots left to fill,one spot left open for potentially getting Laurie early,which positions would the team be targeting for the last 2 spots?

 

[cochise]

So with 3 spots left to fill,one spot left open for potentially getting Laurie early,which positions would the team be targeting for the last 2 spots?

I wouldn't expect the last 2 spot to be filled until the end of July and then probably upgrading of younger players.

 

[TigerWest]

So with 3 spots left to fill,one spot left open for potentially getting Laurie early,which positions would the team be targeting for the last 2 spots?

I think the forwards are OK, can always use a gun, but not urgent imo.
For me a 1, 6 or 7 with a good kicking game, would be our weakest positions atm.
Don’t know how we will go, but geeze it’s good to have some depth for a change, isn’t it.

 

[tigerbalm]

TIGERS

2021 squad: Shawn Blore (2023), Luke Brooks (2023), Michael Chee-Kam (2021), Zac Cini (2021), Adam Doueihi (2023), Luke Garner (2022), Asu Kepaoa (2023), Joey Leilua (2022), Luciano Leilua (2022), Jacob Liddle (2021), Jock Madden (2021), Moses Mbye (2022), Thomas Mikaele (2021), Paul Momirovski (2022), Zane Musgrove (2024), David Nofoaluma (2021), Joe Ofahengaue (2023), Russell Packer (2021), James Roberts (2022), Jake Simpkin (2022), Tukimihia Simpkins (2023), Tommy Talau (2022), James Tamou (2022) Alex Twal (2022), Stefano Utoikamanu (2023), Billy Walters (2021), Alex Seyfarth (2021)

2021 gains: James Roberts (Rabbitohs), Stefano Utoikamanu (Eels), Paul Momirovski (loan return from Storm), James Tamou (Panthers), Joe Ofahengaue (Broncos), Tukimihia Simpkins (Cowboys), Jock Madden, Kane Bradley, Jake Simpkin, Zac Cini (all upgraded)

2021 losses: Harry Grant (loan return to Storm), Chris Lawrence (retirement), Josh Aloiai (Sea Eagles), Sam McIntyre (Titans), Matt Eisenhuth, Robert Jennings (both Panthers), Josh Reynolds (Hull FC), Kane Bradley (Cowboys), Elijah Taylor (Salford), Benji Marshall, Oliver Clark, Dylan Smith (all unsigned)

New deal: Shawn Blore (2023), Alex Seyfarth (2021), Zane Musgrove (2024)

2022 gains: Daine Laurie (Panthers)

Coach: Michael Maguire (2023)

Foxsports website.

Props @daboss and @Aj1 for picking up mistakes

Look at those gains to losses . Everyone signed is better than the person they’re replacing . Even Benji ( sorry 22 try assists whilst letting in a billion tries means I don’t rate you. I’d rather win 12-8 than lose 36-34)

Agreed...although Its generally this time of the year my optimism starts creeping back in. Who knows.

 

[Vince Farrar]

I like the recruiting in the forwards so far but to me 1 to 7 is like a box of chocolates. I’ll be happy if we make the top 8 this year and if our young blokes step up I’ll be disappointed if we’re not playing semi’s for 3 or 4 years after that.

 

[bptiger]

U all can scream about r 1-7 but if the forwards don’t build a go forward platform I don’t care who u got in 1-7 . Still think we need a class backrower or two , we seem fine up front but the edge players look weak

 

[bigsiro]

So with 3 spots left to fill,one spot left open for potentially getting Laurie early,which positions would the team be targeting for the last 2 spots?

I think the forwards are OK, can always use a gun, but not urgent imo.
For me a 1, 6 or 7 with a good kicking game, would be our weakest positions atm.
Don’t know how we will go, but geeze it’s good to have some depth for a change, isn’t it.

Agree re 1,6,7.
Would also take a winger who can kick goals.

 

[TillLindemann]

I like the recruiting in the forwards so far but to me 1 to 7 is like a box of chocolates. I’ll be happy if we make the top 8 this year and if our young blokes step up I’ll be disappointed if we’re not playing semi’s for 3 or 4 years after that.

I think 1-7 is stronger than last year.

AD should be an improvement on an ageing Benji.

We probably now have the best centre depth in the NRL.

Worst case scenario on the wing is we have Mansour, who is still light years ahead of Jennings. Best case, AJ kills it there.

Fullback might be an issue, but won't be worse than last season.

 

[Shooter Mcgavin]

U all can scream about r 1-7 but if the forwards don’t build a go forward platform I don’t care who u got in 1-7 . Still think we need a class backrower or two , we seem fine up front but the edge players look weak

Very true, would love our forwards running’s hard onto the ball straight into the defensive line. Would also love some line speed in defence, for the last long while it hasn’t been up to standard. Other teams make way too easy yardage on us.

Hoping Blore can develop into that, however we also got Simpkins now and Tuilagi in development which is good for potential down the line (from all reports they are good and big - I haven’t personally seen them play). Then there’s hoping that Garner can regain form too. I understand what you mean but, we are a couple injuries from MCK who we’ve seen can be good in small stints, but he struggles with fatigue, effort areas and defensive reads when he plays too many minutes

 

[tigerballs]

U all can scream about r 1-7 but if the forwards don’t build a go forward platform I don’t care who u got in 1-7 . Still think we need a class backrower or two , we seem fine up front but the edge players look weak

By season's end, Lucy, Blore and Joffa will be amongst the best back 3's in the comp.

 

[Cairnstigers]

So with 3 spots left to fill,one spot left open for potentially getting Laurie early,which positions would the team be targeting for the last 2 spots?

I wouldn't expect the last 2 spot to be filled until the end of July and then probably upgrading of younger players.

I think we have a fair bit of money just to upgrade a couple of young guys
We would have to have close to $1'000'000 left
Or am I way out on that $ figure