Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[earl]

I am tied of this “never in the finals” crap, we have the cash, we need to use it effectively. Signing kids is fantastic, but we need to do something for now.

Cool. We both just want to use the cash effectively. This to me is the way forward. We cannot get marquee signings like Mbye. I reckon Mbye is a good squad player but he is miles away from a marquee talent.

I suppose I just want more of the same plus a real top tier junior talent or top tier NRL player. I can't see us getting a top tier NRL player. There are so few of them. I think we just continue trying to get top juniors and targeted signings in weak areas.

The coach seems to be getting mentioned as much as Brooksy so apologies if I responded to an incorrect point.

 

[earl]

Bulldogs offered more money for Burton plus had the player coach connection, my concerns about Madge are his team selections and failure to improve the team in the areas that need it,

* Choosing Leilua and Roberts as starting centres over Momirovski who would of been the smarter choice

* Nofoaluma re-signing (4years) who has always had defensive issues

* Team selections and use of the bench often not making sense

* Releasing Thompson who in hindsight is a better winger than any other player here

Every player you mentioned is pretty ordinary though. Switch the names around and I reckon we're still at the same place.

None of the players are game changers, Joey and Roberts at least had the potential to be and that is why they were signed. As an attempt to get an ordinary squad into the finals.

These were shortcuts in recruitment much like the shortcuts we take on the field. These guys can’t hold down a club because they’re not mentally tough. Bellamy sends young players out to work on building sites to find out their character. We should have given BJ an Oporto ‘s apron.

I don't have a problem with either signing as they were short term signings for a specific purpose.

To run 14th? I get your point but it needs to end. Need to start signing winners to teach the kids who can play (supposedly)

The winners said no, these were signings with good upside that could have made a difference if they worked out. If not there was an easy out when we will be in a position to try again with the better targets. The Roberts signing in particular was a good risk to take.

Come on mate he’s copping about 4 grand a week to do nothing. We could have a young kid learning the ropes right now. It was always doomed.

Who Talau? Roberts is on close to minimum wage, we are about $750k under the cap, with 2 spots still vacant and all reserve grade players being eligible for firsts grade. His signing held no one back.

We should have been looking for a young speedster not a washed up hack.

Nothing stopped us from both.

18 year old kid who tore us shreds on Friday has changed clubs recently. Doubt we even knew his name.

Complete nonsense

Madge literally said they knew about him 2 years ago

I've also seen the talent identification system they use, there isn't a player they don't know about.

do they use a dartboard?

I wouldn’t mind guessing they’re putting way too much influence on stats. The good teams sign guys based on character and propensity to work hard. Not many spreadsheets can capture those details.

We don't sign based on stats.

Maybe we should then, whatever we’re doing, change it.

The biggest issue is we are struggling to attract the elite senior talent, we are doing very well with the junior identification. The elite talent issue is very complex to address and I don't know if it is something that will change until we are playing better football.

If we’re going after the best junior talent we certainly missed on Burton, Walker, Walsh, Schuster, Suaalii etc. when our our young guns going to catch fire?

You are correct. We haven't signed any elite juniors, or if we've tried we've failed.

We do have a bunch of talented youngsters who are still very much project players. Tuki is a player with a lot of potential but getting in the pack and still very young he needs a bit more time in NSW cup.

We have 600k to spend this season. That could get us practically any player that's looking for a new home. Origin or anyone for half a season. Or we target the next Burton, Walker, suaalii etc and try get them ASAP.

Jake Simpkin was earmarked as the Brisbane Broncos hooker for the next decade. Tuki Simpkins was wanted by the All Blacks. Stefano Utoikamanu earmarked as the next Payne Haas. Shawn Blore was a member of the emerging blues squad in 2018 before making his debut. Daine Laurie made Jersey Flegg look like childs play. Adam Doueihi played at a national level in two codes.

We are getting them aren't we. These guys are all good players. We just need more of them because and some outside backs. The club clearly recognizes this though because they are recruiting exactly that way. JTJ and BJ are examples of targeting outside backs. Those guys you mention are targeted juniors.

I reckon the club is on the right path but it'd be great if we could develop some great outside backs. Blore turning into a gun edge backrower who can defend and play big minutes would help.

 

[earl]

We need a new 2 to 5
That is the only way to fix this mess

It's our weak point. We aren't getting a complete new 2-5 though. I reckon Nofo is there for a long time. He can play. It's just he is a poor defender who is surrounded by poor defenders. Talau may turn into a good centre. He is a good hard runner of the footy. BJ has been good the past couple of weeks and when he is on he is a weapon. He is also poor defensively at times and is expensive. JTJ may come good but again he is poor defensively.

The problem is we need at least 2 new quality outside backs. I suppose you could keep playing Doueihi in the centres. That would mean Hastings would partner Brooks in the halves.

 

[jrtiger]

Bulldogs offered more money for Burton plus had the player coach connection, my concerns about Madge are his team selections and failure to improve the team in the areas that need it,

* Choosing Leilua and Roberts as starting centres over Momirovski who would of been the smarter choice

* Nofoaluma re-signing (4years) who has always had defensive issues

* Team selections and use of the bench often not making sense

* Releasing Thompson who in hindsight is a better winger than any other player here

Every player you mentioned is pretty ordinary though. Switch the names around and I reckon we're still at the same place.

None of the players are game changers, Joey and Roberts at least had the potential to be and that is why they were signed. As an attempt to get an ordinary squad into the finals.

These were shortcuts in recruitment much like the shortcuts we take on the field. These guys can’t hold down a club because they’re not mentally tough. Bellamy sends young players out to work on building sites to find out their character. We should have given BJ an Oporto ‘s apron.

I don't have a problem with either signing as they were short term signings for a specific purpose.

To run 14th? I get your point but it needs to end. Need to start signing winners to teach the kids who can play (supposedly)

The winners said no, these were signings with good upside that could have made a difference if they worked out. If not there was an easy out when we will be in a position to try again with the better targets. The Roberts signing in particular was a good risk to take.

Come on mate he’s copping about 4 grand a week to do nothing. We could have a young kid learning the ropes right now. It was always doomed.

Who Talau? Roberts is on close to minimum wage, we are about $750k under the cap, with 2 spots still vacant and all reserve grade players being eligible for firsts grade. His signing held no one back.

We should have been looking for a young speedster not a washed up hack.

Nothing stopped us from both.

18 year old kid who tore us shreds on Friday has changed clubs recently. Doubt we even knew his name.

Complete nonsense

Madge literally said they knew about him 2 years ago

I've also seen the talent identification system they use, there isn't a player they don't know about.

do they use a dartboard?

I wouldn’t mind guessing they’re putting way too much influence on stats. The good teams sign guys based on character and propensity to work hard. Not many spreadsheets can capture those details.

We don't sign based on stats.

Maybe we should then, whatever we’re doing, change it.

The biggest issue is we are struggling to attract the elite senior talent, we are doing very well with the junior identification. The elite talent issue is very complex to address and I don't know if it is something that will change until we are playing better football.

If we’re going after the best junior talent we certainly missed on Burton, Walker, Walsh, Schuster, Suaalii etc. when our our young guns going to catch fire?

You are correct. We haven't signed any elite juniors, or if we've tried we've failed.

We do have a bunch of talented youngsters who are still very much project players. Tuki is a player with a lot of potential but getting in the pack and still very young he needs a bit more time in NSW cup.

We have 600k to spend this season. That could get us practically any player that's looking for a new home. Origin or anyone for half a season. Or we target the next Burton, Walker, suaalii etc and try get them ASAP.

Jake Simpkin was earmarked as the Brisbane Broncos hooker for the next decade. Tuki Simpkins was wanted by the All Blacks. Stefano Utoikamanu earmarked as the next Payne Haas. Shawn Blore was a member of the emerging blues squad in 2018 before making his debut. Daine Laurie made Jersey Flegg look like childs play. Adam Doueihi played at a national level in two codes.


We are getting them aren't we. These guys are all good players. We just need more of them because and some outside backs. The club clearly recognizes this though because they are recruiting exactly that way. JTJ and BJ are examples of targeting outside backs. Those guys you mention are targeted juniors.

I reckon the club is on the right path but it'd be great if we could develop some great outside backs. Blore turning into a gun edge backrower who can defend and play big minutes would help.

definitely need to rethink our outside backs. we never should've let Momirovski go. two new wingers need to be found as well. Isaako is one, an Isaac Lumelume or Semi Valemei is another. as far as centres go we have a heap of them as it is, if we can tie up Gildart then I think we're covered. I'd have Kepaoa as the other starting centre in 2022.

Blore hasn't played much footy in the past couple years. Injuries have really hurt him. Needs to build his motor and get his rhythm back. no doubt he's got the talent just needs some time. Tuilagi, Blore and Simpkins are the new breed that will whack players in defence when they make their way into firsts regularly.

 

[nuggetron]

My point in my last post (sorry about the spelling errors to some of you who took offence haha) is before anyone says we should buy this player or promote that player - think -- are these guys going to make us a top 8 or top 4 team.

The problem we have is no one wants to come here (supposedly) or we have to pay stupid overs for them... right?

But the good teams with the best coaches attract players for less than their market value (some times).

So a player like Munster (for example ) - say he is worth $900K per year.

He would probably stay at Melbourne for $800K (if he needed to)

We would have to pay him $1.2M (if we could get him)

So the difference in the cap between having a good coach (who attracts players- the Robinsons, Bennets, Bellamys ) is $400K for some players.

IF WE DO BELIEVE THAT THEORY ---

AND IF THE TIGERS ARE SUPPOSEDLY MAKING ALL THIS MONEY THANKS TO PASCOE.... "we're profitable blah blah" (the usual rhetoric from failing teams management)

Why the hell aren't we just offering Wayne Bennet or Bellamy $2M a season for two seasons?

The money that we would be paying overs for the coach would be saved on the roster as people would come here for market or less than what we currently have to offer them.

That would be the only way for us to get talent right now without stuffing up our cap for 4 years.

And before everyone says Waynes going to Brisbane or Bellamy is retiring - money talks and if its only for two years I'm sure $$ would persuade them.

Happy to see the knives on the forum come out and tear this down🙂

except you're missing the fact that munster is also playing alongside grant, smith, papi, hughes, hynes etc etc. the workload munster has with those guys around him is significantly less than what it would be at the tigers. munster goes from an off the cuff player who chimes in when he sees an opportunity to the kid in juniors who everyone gives the ball too and expects him to do something.
suddenly his skillset is diminished and his future value plummets when he tries to go to market next time.
whilst a top end coach would be nice, i don't think it's the final piece of the puzzle that's missing for the tigers. they need some sort of momentum on the field as well before a big name would jump on board and even then we still be paying overs with or without the big name coach

 

[DJG]

A lot of people think if you offer a guy 30% more than the next club the guy will sign on the dotted line.

Take a guy like Hynes, if we offered him 30% more than the Bronks would he sign, I say no. There are lots of considerations a player makes and money is just one of them. Future success, life style, location and ability to play my favourite position are all considerations. At present players from outside our club probably rate us near if not bottom of the 16 clubs.

I personally don't think that at all.

I believe that people know the Wests Tigers have a huge fan base, but are awaiting till we show signs of getting somewhere close to the top 6-8..

For an example, Jai Arrow said this of the West Tigers:

"Looking at Madge [Maguire], he's won a comp, he expects the best from you. I think they do have a quality side.

*"It's just they've sort of struggled the last couple of weeks. Not only that, they've scored some points as well - they just haven’t been able to get the job done. I have no doubt that they'll be out firing."

"No disrespect to the Tigers, but the proud history of Souths and obviously Wayne Bennett and the coaching staff here is second-to-none," the Queensland State of Origin winner said."*

I believe once we start winning more, things will change and people will want to try and take us to a premiership.

As for Addo-Carr, I thought he would have signed with us, but obviously he went to the Bulldogs for more cash.. which I am glad that we didn't provide him it.

Not sure if the Talau > Addo-Carr trade was true, but even then.. as bad as Talau has been.. I'd prefer him over Addo-Carr whom seems to be slowing down lately.

If we look at the market at the moment, there aren't many KEY players that we are after that are affordable (Forward and Winger), I wouldn't spend 700-800K on Finucane at all, I'd prefer to spend it on an aggressive forward and a fast winger.

The wingers that are currently off contract are (yes most likely not up-to-date, from Zero Tackle), the below bolded are the ones I feel like we should target.

Zac Cini, Christian Crichton, Tevita Funa, Dane Gagai, Reuben Garrick, Patrick Herbert, Dean Ieremia, Matt Ikuvalu, Tui Katoa, Edrick Lee, Isaac Lumelume, David Mead, Brett Morris, **Jayden Okunbor**, Michael Oldfield, Jonus Pearson, Jordan Pereira, Jordan Rapana, Jorge Taufua, **Daniel Tupou**, Semi Valemei.

I also believe we could get Dallin Watene-Zeleniak for cheap IF the bulldogs decide not to continue with him, also if Bulldogs are having a sale I would also take Renouf Atoni.

As for big men I class as Forwards (Prop, Lock, Second Row) , there are many to choose from the "Off Contact 2021" list. (Once again, may not be up-to-date; Source: Zero Tackle, i'd look at getting:

Kaide Ellis, Dale Finucane, Corey Jensen, Max King, James Roumanos, Chris Smith, Ray Stone, Sam Stone, Bunty Afoa, Leeson Ah Mau, Tom Ale, Tom Amone, Morgan Boyle, Jackson Frei, Wiremu Greig, Samuel Hughes, Josh King, **Isaac Liu**, Dunamis Lui, Patrick Mago, Thomas Mikaele, Dylan Napa, Ofahiki Ogden, Russell Packer, Aaron Pene, Darryn Schonig, Ava Seumanufagai, Toafofoa Sipley, Aiden Tolman, Jai Whitbread, Aaron Woods, John Asiata, **Fletcher Baker**, Dean Britt, **Egan Butcher**, **Kurt Capewell**, Bryce Cartwright, Michael Chee-Kam, Angus Crichton, Josh Curran, **Jack de Belin**, Darius Farmer, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Brock Gardner, Alex Glenn, Jack Gosiewski, Brodie Jones, Billy Magoulias, Sam McIntyre, Mark Nicholls, Keenan Palasia, Tyrone Peachey, Alex Seyfarth, Iosia Soliola, Scott Sorensen, **Jaydn Su'a**, Ben Te'o, Shane Wright.


I also have a question for people, who do you see at other clubs that look un-happy, or the coaches are un-happy with? I believe these are the people we could purchase at a low price during the transfer times or end of season.. Normally these types of people have a point to prove against their old teams.

 

[izotope]

I said it sometime last week and it resonates now even more so, forget trying to negotiate a release for Isaako and start talking to Garrick’s representatives. Has everything you want in a winger for the modern day and can absolutely kick the lights out. Manly would be mad if they haven’t started to tie him down already but still we should be on the phone week by week. Manly have cap problems, we can easily pay him what’s he worth

Garrick is playing outside some real class ball players. He runs into daylight created by DCE, Schulster and Jake and Turbo. Yes he is probably better than what we have but he would be a different player in our set up

Most my mates are Manly fans and would love Garrick gone. Think he's shining bright off the back of some others

 

[KingRobbie]

I said it sometime last week and it resonates now even more so, forget trying to negotiate a release for Isaako and start talking to Garrick’s representatives. Has everything you want in a winger for the modern day and can absolutely kick the lights out. Manly would be mad if they haven’t started to tie him down already but still we should be on the phone week by week. Manly have cap problems, we can easily pay him what’s he worth

Garrick is playing outside some real class ball players. He runs into daylight created by DCE, Schulster and Jake and Turbo. Yes he is probably better than what we have but he would be a different player in our set up

Most my mates are Manly fans and would love Garrick gone. Think he's shining bright off the back of some others

My Manly mates said the same thing last year as he had a really poor year, but have admitted that he's turned a bit of a corner this year (especially yesterday).

 

[jirskyr]

Bulldogs offered more money for Burton plus had the player coach connection, my concerns about Madge are his team selections and failure to improve the team in the areas that need it,

* Choosing Leilua and Roberts as starting centres over Momirovski who would of been the smarter choice

* Nofoaluma re-signing (4years) who has always had defensive issues

* Team selections and use of the bench often not making sense

* Releasing Thompson who in hindsight is a better winger than any other player here

Every player you mentioned is pretty ordinary though. Switch the names around and I reckon we're still at the same place.

None of the players are game changers, Joey and Roberts at least had the potential to be and that is why they were signed. As an attempt to get an ordinary squad into the finals.

These were shortcuts in recruitment much like the shortcuts we take on the field. These guys can’t hold down a club because they’re not mentally tough. Bellamy sends young players out to work on building sites to find out their character. We should have given BJ an Oporto ‘s apron.

I don't have a problem with either signing as they were short term signings for a specific purpose.

To run 14th? I get your point but it needs to end. Need to start signing winners to teach the kids who can play (supposedly)

The winners said no, these were signings with good upside that could have made a difference if they worked out. If not there was an easy out when we will be in a position to try again with the better targets. The Roberts signing in particular was a good risk to take.

Come on mate he’s copping about 4 grand a week to do nothing. We could have a young kid learning the ropes right now. It was always doomed.

Who Talau? Roberts is on close to minimum wage, we are about $750k under the cap, with 2 spots still vacant and all reserve grade players being eligible for firsts grade. His signing held no one back.

We should have been looking for a young speedster not a washed up hack.

Nothing stopped us from both.

18 year old kid who tore us shreds on Friday has changed clubs recently. Doubt we even knew his name.

Complete nonsense

Madge literally said they knew about him 2 years ago

I've also seen the talent identification system they use, there isn't a player they don't know about.

do they use a dartboard?

I wouldn’t mind guessing they’re putting way too much influence on stats. The good teams sign guys based on character and propensity to work hard. Not many spreadsheets can capture those details.

We don't sign based on stats.

Maybe we should then, whatever we’re doing, change it.

The biggest issue is we are struggling to attract the elite senior talent, we are doing very well with the junior identification. The elite talent issue is very complex to address and I don't know if it is something that will change until we are playing better football.

If we’re going after the best junior talent we certainly missed on Burton, Walker, Walsh, Schuster, Suaalii etc. when our our young guns going to catch fire?

You are correct. We haven't signed any elite juniors, or if we've tried we've failed.

We do have a bunch of talented youngsters who are still very much project players. Tuki is a player with a lot of potential but getting in the pack and still very young he needs a bit more time in NSW cup.

We have 600k to spend this season. That could get us practically any player that's looking for a new home. Origin or anyone for half a season. Or we target the next Burton, Walker, suaalii etc and try get them ASAP.

What is an elite junior? Madden, Talau, Cini etc. all schooboys. Stefano is an elite-level junior prop. Daine Laurie.

 

[teddy23]

Frankie Pele from Cronulla

Fighting to make his debut, should try make a play unsure on his contractual situation but when has that ever mattered

If we’re looking for an impact forward, here’s your guy

 

[jirskyr]

Bulldogs offered more money for Burton plus had the player coach connection, my concerns about Madge are his team selections and failure to improve the team in the areas that need it,

* Choosing Leilua and Roberts as starting centres over Momirovski who would of been the smarter choice

* Nofoaluma re-signing (4years) who has always had defensive issues

* Team selections and use of the bench often not making sense

* Releasing Thompson who in hindsight is a better winger than any other player here

Every player you mentioned is pretty ordinary though. Switch the names around and I reckon we're still at the same place.

None of the players are game changers, Joey and Roberts at least had the potential to be and that is why they were signed. As an attempt to get an ordinary squad into the finals.

These were shortcuts in recruitment much like the shortcuts we take on the field. These guys can’t hold down a club because they’re not mentally tough. Bellamy sends young players out to work on building sites to find out their character. We should have given BJ an Oporto ‘s apron.

I don't have a problem with either signing as they were short term signings for a specific purpose.

To run 14th? I get your point but it needs to end. Need to start signing winners to teach the kids who can play (supposedly)

The winners said no, these were signings with good upside that could have made a difference if they worked out. If not there was an easy out when we will be in a position to try again with the better targets. The Roberts signing in particular was a good risk to take.

Come on mate he’s copping about 4 grand a week to do nothing. We could have a young kid learning the ropes right now. It was always doomed.

Who Talau? Roberts is on close to minimum wage, we are about $750k under the cap, with 2 spots still vacant and all reserve grade players being eligible for firsts grade. His signing held no one back.

We should have been looking for a young speedster not a washed up hack.

Nothing stopped us from both.

18 year old kid who tore us shreds on Friday has changed clubs recently. Doubt we even knew his name.

Complete nonsense

Madge literally said they knew about him 2 years ago

I've also seen the talent identification system they use, there isn't a player they don't know about.

do they use a dartboard?

I wouldn’t mind guessing they’re putting way too much influence on stats. The good teams sign guys based on character and propensity to work hard. Not many spreadsheets can capture those details.

We don't sign based on stats.

Maybe we should then, whatever we’re doing, change it.

The biggest issue is we are struggling to attract the elite senior talent, we are doing very well with the junior identification. The elite talent issue is very complex to address and I don't know if it is something that will change until we are playing better football.

If we’re going after the best junior talent we certainly missed on Burton, Walker, Walsh, Schuster, Suaalii etc. when our our young guns going to catch fire?

Pretty meaningless list. Firstly: Walker left Broncos for Roosters several moons ago. Schuster hasn't left Manly for anyone and Suaalii has done jack squat in FG. If you want to have a list of the top-level juniors that Roosters took from someone else, it's a pretty long list for everyone to read.

Secondly, there are tonnes of good juniors all about the place and making up a list of them is meaningless. Penrith Panthers didn't sign a single player you just listed, neither did Melbourne Storm, isn't doing them any harm.

 

[rihannafan1]

I said it sometime last week and it resonates now even more so, forget trying to negotiate a release for Isaako and start talking to Garrick’s representatives. Has everything you want in a winger for the modern day and can absolutely kick the lights out. Manly would be mad if they haven’t started to tie him down already but still we should be on the phone week by week. Manly have cap problems, we can easily pay him what’s he worth

Garrick is playing outside some real class ball players. He runs into daylight created by DCE, Schulster and Jake and Turbo. Yes he is probably better than what we have but he would be a different player in our set up

Most my mates are Manly fans and would love Garrick gone. Think he's shining bright off the back of some others

Throw Brad Parker in there too. Both average, both are workers who lack the athleticism good NRL players have. Won't lose you or win you games.

 

[jrtiger]

Frankie Pele from Cronulla

Fighting to make his debut, should try make a play unsure on his contractual situation but when has that ever mattered

If we’re looking for an impact forward, here’s your guy

I don't think our forward pack is the issue at this point mate. plenty of good young forwards and Mikaele has gone to another level in the past month. everybody in jersey 2, 3, 4 & 5 has been horrendous with the exception of Doueihi, but even he has his moments defensively.

 

[BAGNF05]

Bulldogs offered more money for Burton plus had the player coach connection, my concerns about Madge are his team selections and failure to improve the team in the areas that need it,

* Choosing Leilua and Roberts as starting centres over Momirovski who would of been the smarter choice

* Nofoaluma re-signing (4years) who has always had defensive issues

* Team selections and use of the bench often not making sense

* Releasing Thompson who in hindsight is a better winger than any other player here

Every player you mentioned is pretty ordinary though. Switch the names around and I reckon we're still at the same place.

None of the players are game changers, Joey and Roberts at least had the potential to be and that is why they were signed. As an attempt to get an ordinary squad into the finals.

These were shortcuts in recruitment much like the shortcuts we take on the field. These guys can’t hold down a club because they’re not mentally tough. Bellamy sends young players out to work on building sites to find out their character. We should have given BJ an Oporto ‘s apron.

I don't have a problem with either signing as they were short term signings for a specific purpose.

To run 14th? I get your point but it needs to end. Need to start signing winners to teach the kids who can play (supposedly)

The winners said no, these were signings with good upside that could have made a difference if they worked out. If not there was an easy out when we will be in a position to try again with the better targets. The Roberts signing in particular was a good risk to take.

Come on mate he’s copping about 4 grand a week to do nothing. We could have a young kid learning the ropes right now. It was always doomed.

Who Talau? Roberts is on close to minimum wage, we are about $750k under the cap, with 2 spots still vacant and all reserve grade players being eligible for firsts grade. His signing held no one back.

We should have been looking for a young speedster not a washed up hack.

Nothing stopped us from both.

18 year old kid who tore us shreds on Friday has changed clubs recently. Doubt we even knew his name.

Complete nonsense

Madge literally said they knew about him 2 years ago

I've also seen the talent identification system they use, there isn't a player they don't know about.

do they use a dartboard?

I wouldn’t mind guessing they’re putting way too much influence on stats. The good teams sign guys based on character and propensity to work hard. Not many spreadsheets can capture those details.

We don't sign based on stats.

Maybe we should then, whatever we’re doing, change it.

The biggest issue is we are struggling to attract the elite senior talent, we are doing very well with the junior identification. The elite talent issue is very complex to address and I don't know if it is something that will change until we are playing better football.

If we’re going after the best junior talent we certainly missed on Burton, Walker, Walsh, Schuster, Suaalii etc. when our our young guns going to catch fire?

You are correct. We haven't signed any elite juniors, or if we've tried we've failed.

We do have a bunch of talented youngsters who are still very much project players. Tuki is a player with a lot of potential but getting in the pack and still very young he needs a bit more time in NSW cup.

We have 600k to spend this season. That could get us practically any player that's looking for a new home. Origin or anyone for half a season. Or we target the next Burton, Walker, suaalii etc and try get them ASAP.

What is an elite junior? Madden, Talau, Cini etc. all schooboys. Stefano is an elite-level junior prop. Daine Laurie.

For me it’s a guy whose that much better than his age group that you know he’ll succeed among men. It still could fail if his attitude is wrong. Suaalii/Ponga, guys who are household names before they debut. The strong clubs have a mortgage on these kids too.

 

[Demps]

I said it sometime last week and it resonates now even more so, forget trying to negotiate a release for Isaako and start talking to Garrick’s representatives. Has everything you want in a winger for the modern day and can absolutely kick the lights out. Manly would be mad if they haven’t started to tie him down already but still we should be on the phone week by week. Manly have cap problems, we can easily pay him what’s he worth

Garrick is playing outside some real class ball players. He runs into daylight created by DCE, Schulster and Jake and Turbo. Yes he is probably better than what we have but he would be a different player in our set up

Most my mates are Manly fans and would love Garrick gone. Think he's shining bright off the back of some others

Throw Brad Parker in there too. Both average, both are workers who lack the athleticism good NRL players have. Won't lose you or win you games.

Man of the match performance from Garrick yesterday imo

 

[Russell]

The tigers have the third equaly biggest pack in the comp.'
Many thought the game was moving towards smaller more mobile forwards. With the new crackdown on high tackles, this could change the scenario again. The donkeys big guys steamrolled the chickens last night.

Forum members thoughts ?

Our troubles start without the ball. Our defence has remained consistently appalling.

I thought our middle is OK, its the edge that is the problem?

Definitely the edges

Middle defence is poor but edges are close to the worst I’ve ever seen in NRL.

We need 2 hardcore back rowers .

2 new wingers who can jump and defend and have pace

2 centre’s who can hit hard with pace

And a decent hooker


And people want to blame the coach. Geez.

Show me one winger, centre, second rower or hooker he didn’t sign or re-sign?

All clubs have sign duds, they don’t do it knowingly though. It’s then a process of weeding them out when there contracts are finished.

So now he needs time to weed out the bad signings he made so he can truly get the team he wants? What a cop out.

? Not a cop out at all, some players perform to expectations, some don’t. It’s a constant process to upgrade your team. They all do it.
But you have to wait out the contracts and salary cap doesn’t allow you hide duds under the carpet.
It takes time, I would have thought we would all understand this?
Plus, you have to have the players you want, to be available, when you want them?

What would you think a new coach would do if he came in?

I think a new coach would adapt his style to the players he has in order to improve the team. Madge cannot do that and he never will. Trust me, we are never playing finals with him as coach.

Crap!

 

[avocadoontoast]

The tigers have the third equaly biggest pack in the comp.'
Many thought the game was moving towards smaller more mobile forwards. With the new crackdown on high tackles, this could change the scenario again. The donkeys big guys steamrolled the chickens last night.

Forum members thoughts ?

Our troubles start without the ball. Our defence has remained consistently appalling.

I thought our middle is OK, its the edge that is the problem?

Definitely the edges

Middle defence is poor but edges are close to the worst I’ve ever seen in NRL.

We need 2 hardcore back rowers .

2 new wingers who can jump and defend and have pace

2 centre’s who can hit hard with pace

And a decent hooker


And people want to blame the coach. Geez.

Show me one winger, centre, second rower or hooker he didn’t sign or re-sign?

All clubs have sign duds, they don’t do it knowingly though. It’s then a process of weeding them out when there contracts are finished.

So now he needs time to weed out the bad signings he made so he can truly get the team he wants? What a cop out.

? Not a cop out at all, some players perform to expectations, some don’t. It’s a constant process to upgrade your team. They all do it.
But you have to wait out the contracts and salary cap doesn’t allow you hide duds under the carpet.
It takes time, I would have thought we would all understand this?
Plus, you have to have the players you want, to be available, when you want them?

What would you think a new coach would do if he came in?

I think a new coach would adapt his style to the players he has in order to improve the team. Madge cannot do that and he never will. Trust me, we are never playing finals with him as coach.

Crap!

can you expand on that?

 

[Russell]

The tigers have the third equaly biggest pack in the comp.'
Many thought the game was moving towards smaller more mobile forwards. With the new crackdown on high tackles, this could change the scenario again. The donkeys big guys steamrolled the chickens last night.

Forum members thoughts ?

Our troubles start without the ball. Our defence has remained consistently appalling.

I thought our middle is OK, its the edge that is the problem?

Definitely the edges

Middle defence is poor but edges are close to the worst I’ve ever seen in NRL.

We need 2 hardcore back rowers .

2 new wingers who can jump and defend and have pace

2 centre’s who can hit hard with pace

And a decent hooker


And people want to blame the coach. Geez.

Show me one winger, centre, second rower or hooker he didn’t sign or re-sign?

All clubs have sign duds, they don’t do it knowingly though. It’s then a process of weeding them out when there contracts are finished.

So now he needs time to weed out the bad signings he made so he can truly get the team he wants? What a cop out.

? Not a cop out at all, some players perform to expectations, some don’t. It’s a constant process to upgrade your team. They all do it.
But you have to wait out the contracts and salary cap doesn’t allow you hide duds under the carpet.
It takes time, I would have thought we would all understand this?
Plus, you have to have the players you want, to be available, when you want them?

What would you think a new coach would do if he came in?

I think a new coach would adapt his style to the players he has in order to improve the team. Madge cannot do that and he never will. Trust me, we are never playing finals with him as coach.

Crap!

can you expand on that?

No - not getting a to and fro.

You expressed your opinion - I expressed mine. End of story.

 

[avocadoontoast]

The tigers have the third equaly biggest pack in the comp.'
Many thought the game was moving towards smaller more mobile forwards. With the new crackdown on high tackles, this could change the scenario again. The donkeys big guys steamrolled the chickens last night.

Forum members thoughts ?

Our troubles start without the ball. Our defence has remained consistently appalling.

I thought our middle is OK, its the edge that is the problem?

Definitely the edges

Middle defence is poor but edges are close to the worst I’ve ever seen in NRL.

We need 2 hardcore back rowers .

2 new wingers who can jump and defend and have pace

2 centre’s who can hit hard with pace

And a decent hooker


And people want to blame the coach. Geez.

Show me one winger, centre, second rower or hooker he didn’t sign or re-sign?

All clubs have sign duds, they don’t do it knowingly though. It’s then a process of weeding them out when there contracts are finished.

So now he needs time to weed out the bad signings he made so he can truly get the team he wants? What a cop out.

? Not a cop out at all, some players perform to expectations, some don’t. It’s a constant process to upgrade your team. They all do it.
But you have to wait out the contracts and salary cap doesn’t allow you hide duds under the carpet.
It takes time, I would have thought we would all understand this?
Plus, you have to have the players you want, to be available, when you want them?

What would you think a new coach would do if he came in?

I think a new coach would adapt his style to the players he has in order to improve the team. Madge cannot do that and he never will. Trust me, we are never playing finals with him as coach.

Crap!

can you expand on that?

No - not getting a to and fro.

You expressed your opinion - I expressed mine. End of story.

Nice to have you back.

 

[Russell]

I keep reading how our recruitment's improved.
Why didn't we throw everything we had at Burton?
Burton + the current squad = WINNING.

Maybe they thought like most of the Forum did.

"Unproven," "Can't even make their first grade team," "Plodder," "Has shown nothing"

Now the Forum "In hindsight" - think he is a "world beater."

Unfortunately it is now going to be the same with Nico Hynes.

He was a plodder on the Forum a few weeks back now in hindsight - could be anything.