Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[jirskyr]

Buzz reporting that bill Walters is gone

Buzz also hammering our recruitment is laughable:

“Recruitment has not been a strong point at the Wests Tigers. Judging by Benji Marshall’s lively performance and leadership in the All Stars, they have made another mistake in sacking the veteran five-eighth. He will be a handy pick up for the Rabbitohs.”

I hate Slothfield but why is that comment wrong?

I do think Benji time is up but considering how he played last year & the experience we have lost from an outside view in many judges would say the same.

Slothfield is wrong because he is equating a one-off specialty match with a full season of regular football.

Yes; any individual match, especially a unique match, is an opportunity for Benji Marshall to put on a great show. Often - the lower the expectations, the better he plays. Often - the lower the stakes the better he plays.

However Benji 2021, in my opinion, can no longer be relied upon to steer a team to the finals as a primary playmaker. He hasn't been able to do this in quite some time. In the past decade, Benji has only steered a team to finals twice - Tigers 2011 and Dragons 2015. In the same period he's only had a positive win ratio 3/10 seasons - the two finals seasons and Tigers 2018.

He'll have the odd great game, but his overall output will be average. That's no sleight against Benji - he's aged and he's done enough in his career to be a legend of the game.

Benji may well have a positive impact at Souths, but unlike Tigers, Souths have already entrenched themselves in the finals for several consecutive years. Benji will probably only play a bit part in the whole operation.

 

[supercoach]

I expect Benji to play a part in a very good year for the Rabbits. That part will be injury and state of origin coverage. Maybe the odd no 14 role and he should do that okay, especially being surrounded by a heap of class.

If he was with us he would be starting 13 week in and week out and he is just not up to that role, especially in a building side.

 

[earl]

If he was with us he would be starting 13 week in and week out and he is just not up to that role, especially in a building side.

Would you pick him above AD ? I wouldn't.

 

[2041]

he would be starting 13 week in and week out

Yeah there's no way he's up to playing lock in the NRL at this stage.

 

[2041]

Buzz reporting that bill Walters is gone

Buzz also hammering our recruitment is laughable:

“Recruitment has not been a strong point at the Wests Tigers. Judging by Benji Marshall’s lively performance and leadership in the All Stars, they have made another mistake in sacking the veteran five-eighth. He will be a handy pick up for the Rabbitohs.”

I hate Slothfield but why is that comment wrong?

I do think Benji time is up but considering how he played last year & the experience we have lost from an outside view in many judges would say the same.

Slothfield is wrong because he is equating a one-off specialty match with a full season of regular football.

Yes; any individual match, especially a unique match, is an opportunity for Benji Marshall to put on a great show. Often - the lower the expectations, the better he plays. Often - the lower the stakes the better he plays.

However Benji 2021, in my opinion, can no longer be relied upon to steer a team to the finals as a primary playmaker. He hasn't been able to do this in quite some time. In the past decade, Benji has only steered a team to finals twice - Tigers 2011 and Dragons 2015. In the same period he's only had a positive win ratio 3/10 seasons - the two finals seasons and Tigers 2018.

He'll have the odd great game, but his overall output will be average. That's no sleight against Benji - he's aged and he's done enough in his career to be a legend of the game.

Benji may well have a positive impact at Souths, but unlike Tigers, Souths have already entrenched themselves in the finals for several consecutive years. Benji will probably only play a bit part in the whole operation.

Exactly this. There's a chance Marshall could be the best backup half in the comp. If you told me I had to have someone available for a spot start for injury or origin duty he's exactly the sort of player I'd be looking for - he certainly offers more than the type of fringe first grader who normally fills this role, your Drinkwater type.

On the other hand, if you're assuming he's going to play more than half a dozen games or so (plus maybe a bit of bench work) I'd say he's pretty clearly not physically up to it any more.

Souths have the luxury of being able to tell Marshall he is, at best, third choice in the halves and won't start there unless Reynolds or Walker aren't available. The Tigers don't have the same established combination.

 

[Cairnstigers]

Buzz reporting that bill Walters is gone

Buzz also hammering our recruitment is laughable:

“Recruitment has not been a strong point at the Wests Tigers. Judging by Benji Marshall’s lively performance and leadership in the All Stars, they have made another mistake in sacking the veteran five-eighth. He will be a handy pick up for the Rabbitohs.”

I hate Slothfield but why is that comment wrong?

I do think Benji time is up but considering how he played last year & the experience we have lost from an outside view in many judges would say the same.

Slothfield is wrong because he is equating a one-off specialty match with a full season of regular football.

Yes; any individual match, especially a unique match, is an opportunity for Benji Marshall to put on a great show. Often - the lower the expectations, the better he plays. Often - the lower the stakes the better he plays.

However Benji 2021, in my opinion, can no longer be relied upon to steer a team to the finals as a primary playmaker. He hasn't been able to do this in quite some time. In the past decade, Benji has only steered a team to finals twice - Tigers 2011 and Dragons 2015. In the same period he's only had a positive win ratio 3/10 seasons - the two finals seasons and Tigers 2018.

He'll have the odd great game, but his overall output will be average. That's no sleight against Benji - he's aged and he's done enough in his career to be a legend of the game.

Benji may well have a positive impact at Souths, but unlike Tigers, Souths have already entrenched themselves in the finals for several consecutive years. Benji will probably only play a bit part in the whole operation.

Exactly this. There's a chance Marshall could be the best backup half in the comp. If you told me I had to have someone available for a spot start for injury or origin duty he's exactly the sort of player I'd be looking for - he certainly offers more than the type of fringe first grader who normally fills this role, your Drinkwater type.

On the other hand, if you're assuming he's going to play more than half a dozen games or so (plus maybe a bit of bench work) I'd say he's pretty clearly not physically up to it any more.

Souths have the luxury of being able to tell Marshall he is, at best, third choice in the halves and won't start there unless Reynolds or Walker aren't available. The Tigers don't have the same established combination.

If the Tigers were capable of scoring 40 points a game then Benji on minimum wage and 3rd string back up might be OK

With Benji on the field we would be leaking to many points and scoring 30 is not enough
We all saw that last year
He simply just does not have the defence anymore
And what is it they always say about football games
Defence wins matches
I don't know why people continue to carry on about letting Benji go
We aren't a charity club anymore
We need to be a little ruthless on who we re sign
Otherwise our club will never improve

 

[rihannafan1]

Yeah, Rothfield's comments highlight exactly why we had to let Marshall go. Even if Marshall chose not to make it about himself during the season, the media would make it about him and it's seriously not his team anymore. The club gains nothing and at the end of the day, they are bigger than any player.

He's not even the best backup half in the comp. He's the most legendary, yes. I will gladly place a wager if you want to back him to have a better year than any other replacement half, over let's say, six games or more. Takers?

 

[jirskyr]

Souths have the luxury of being able to tell Marshall he is, at best, third choice in the halves and won’t start there unless Reynolds or Walker aren’t available.

I have this really strong suspicion that one of the Souths halves is going to go down early and Benji is going to get a lot of game time in 2021. I can't say why, it just seems to happen with Benji, at all 3 clubs post 2013 (including Tigers 2nd stint), that he joins as a backup and by some mechanism his competitors break down and clear a path for him.

 

[Telltails]

Bennett didn't buy Benji for sentimental reasons. It's his last season with South's he will want to make it winning one. I expect there must be concern about Walker/Reynolds in regard to injury and the demands of the season - I expect Benji to play more of a part than making up the numbers too.

 

[balmain boy]

Bennett didn't buy Benji for sentimental reasons. It's his last season with South's he will want to make it winning one. I expect there must be concern about Walker/Reynolds in regard to injury and the demands of the season - I expect Benji to play more of a part than making up the numbers too.

Nothing to do with sentiment.

He wanted an experienced half for backup and for 150k you won't get a more experienced backup

 

[clontarfkid]

Maybe because of his legacy at WTs,but Benji has had a sense of self entitlement and hubris at the Tigers in recent years regardless of who is coaching us,whereas Uncle Wayne keeps him humble, focussed and on strategy ..and importantly a team player
Usually Bennett picks him up when all his other options are exhausted ,which plays some role...

 

[Kiama Tiger]

Benji was and still is my favourite player. However when he rejoined us it was as a backup half and he seemed content with that. But because Reynolds was a failure he found himself as first choice and I think the ego started to kick in. When he put that kick in last year when there was an overlap I had to stop myself from destroying the tv. It probably cost us the game. My favourite player yes but it was time to go. He will be more humble at South’s and will probably have a good year but we need to move on.

 

[TigerWest]

How many development players (contracts) can a club have?

I was all for Fitzgibbon, but his trial game wasn’t a “sign me up” game, still think he is worth keeping, but may need a bit longer imo?

 

[Geo]

How many development players (contracts) can a club have?

I was all for Fitzgibbon, but his trial game wasn’t a “sign me up” game, still think he is worth keeping, but may need a bit longer imo?

4 Development..

 

[TigerWest]

How many development players (contracts) can a club have?

I was all for Fitzgibbon, but his trial game wasn’t a “sign me up” game, still think he is worth keeping, but may need a bit longer imo?

4 Development..

Cheers, we have 3 currently, is that correct?

 

[AdelaideTiger]

How many development players (contracts) can a club have?

I was all for Fitzgibbon, but his trial game wasn’t a “sign me up” game, still think he is worth keeping, but may need a bit longer imo?

4 Development..

Cheers, we have 3 currently, is that correct?

Yep, Hoffman, Kei and Tuilagi

 

[Harvey]

How many development players (contracts) can a club have?

I was all for Fitzgibbon, but his trial game wasn’t a “sign me up” game, still think he is worth keeping, but may need a bit longer imo?

4 Development..

Cheers, we have 3 currently, is that correct?

Yep, Hoffman, Kei and Tuilagi

A couple of them may find themselves upgraded shortly.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

How many development players (contracts) can a club have?

I was all for Fitzgibbon, but his trial game wasn’t a “sign me up” game, still think he is worth keeping, but may need a bit longer imo?

That play to score a try was clever as he used his pace to run further around to put the ball near the posts. Pace and the nous to catch the defence off guard highlights how important it is to have a raw JAC type in our squad. It will be the players like him that make all the difference The uncut diamond. Get him in the 30 and develop him as the Storm would do.

 

[AdelaideTiger]

How many development players (contracts) can a club have?

I was all for Fitzgibbon, but his trial game wasn’t a “sign me up” game, still think he is worth keeping, but may need a bit longer imo?

4 Development..

Cheers, we have 3 currently, is that correct?

Yep, Hoffman, Kei and Tuilagi

A couple of them may find themselves upgraded shortly.

My guess would be Hoffman and Tuilagi

 

[jrtiger]

How many development players (contracts) can a club have?

I was all for Fitzgibbon, but his trial game wasn’t a “sign me up” game, still think he is worth keeping, but may need a bit longer imo?

I agree. if there's any T&T player who deserves a development contract it's Kiah Cooper.