Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[BAGNF05]

Mikaele is ok but realistically he’s not a superstar. If he doesn’t re-sign with us it’s not the end of the world.


I think there is a fair bit of upside still to come with Mikaele. I think he will develop into an Aloiai style player. Right now I'd have him over Amone and Musgrove.

That’s why I’d want to give him a red hot crack by starting him and putting a rocket up him before we cut him loose. You might find he stacks up. I could kind of see him thriving in a better system.

 

[Russell]

Not sure what people expect from 22 and 23 year old props.

Props don't traditionally hit their straps until a bit later than that.

Last year a lot of Forumers were prepared to let Seyfarth go, now he is starting to come good. Tom Mikaele has had a few injuries that have set him back, he has been improving, even with an interrupted schedule. The problem is, a lot of people think we are doing the right thing signing good youth but then do not want to give them the time to improve and reach the heights that was expected of them in the first place.

I mentioned Seyfarth but there was Asu “AJ” Kepaoa (21) and Tommy Talau (21) - how many, have called for their heads?
Zac Cini (21) played 2 games, one good, one not so - Sack him was the cry!, Reece Hoffman had 1 game - not good enough, get rid of him! and so it goes on.

If we are not prepared to give them a decent go, why sign young blokes in the first place, they are not always going to be a Sam Walker but you have to give them a go to find out. Just my opinion.

 

[BAGNF05]

Not sure what people expect from 22 and 23 year old props.

Props don't traditionally hit their straps until a bit later than that.

Last year a lot of Forumers were prepared to let Seyfarth go, now he is starting to come good. Tom Mikaele has had a few injuries that have set him back, he has been improving, even with an interrupted schedule. The problem is, a lot of people think we are doing the right thing signing good youth but then do not want to give them the time to improve and reach the heights that was expected of them in the first place.

I mentioned Seyfarth but there was Asu “AJ” Kepaoa (21) and Tommy Talau (21) - how many, have called for their heads?
Zac Cini (21) played 2 games, one good, one not so - Sack him was the cry!, Reece Hoffman had 1 game - not good enough, get rid of him! and so it goes on.

If we are not prepared to give them a decent go, why sign young blokes in the first place, they are not always going to be a Sam Walker but you have to give them a go to find out. Just my opinion.

Youth policy ain’t gonna work till we improve our senior playing group. Until then the youngsters will get blooded and suffer from poor performances in losses and drift in and out of firsts. Your point Russell. The top sides bring the youth in, in a very gradual and premeditated way so they have the best chance to succeed.

 

[Deleted member 3518]

Not sure what people expect from 22 and 23 year old props.

Props don't traditionally hit their straps until a bit later than that.

Last year a lot of Forumers were prepared to let Seyfarth go, now he is starting to come good. Tom Mikaele has had a few injuries that have set him back, he has been improving, even with an interrupted schedule. The problem is, a lot of people think we are doing the right thing signing good youth but then do not want to give them the time to improve and reach the heights that was expected of them in the first place.

I mentioned Seyfarth but there was Asu “AJ” Kepaoa (21) and Tommy Talau (21) - how many, have called for their heads?
Zac Cini (21) played 2 games, one good, one not so - Sack him was the cry!, Reece Hoffman had 1 game - not good enough, get rid of him! and so it goes on.

If we are not prepared to give them a decent go, why sign young blokes in the first place, they are not always going to be a Sam Walker but you have to give them a go to find out. Just my opinion.

I think you are more just touching on the extremely fickle nature of being a sports fan And the general extreme lack of patience Wests tigers fans have in 2021 . Maybe it’s justified in a vacuum because of recent history , and the whole “fans pay for everything “ thought process .

I’m really glad Madge and the team don’t read this forum , and do thier own thing . Even when the pitch forks are being sharpened , and everybody is lighting torches .

 

[GCfan]

Not sure what people expect from 22 and 23 year old props.

Props don't traditionally hit their straps until a bit later than that.

Last year a lot of Forumers were prepared to let Seyfarth go, now he is starting to come good. Tom Mikaele has had a few injuries that have set him back, he has been improving, even with an interrupted schedule. The problem is, a lot of people think we are doing the right thing signing good youth but then do not want to give them the time to improve and reach the heights that was expected of them in the first place.

I mentioned Seyfarth but there was Asu “AJ” Kepaoa (21) and Tommy Talau (21) - how many, have called for their heads?
Zac Cini (21) played 2 games, one good, one not so - Sack him was the cry!, Reece Hoffman had 1 game - not good enough, get rid of him! and so it goes on.

If we are not prepared to give them a decent go, why sign young blokes in the first place, they are not always going to be a Sam Walker but you have to give them a go to find out. Just my opinion.

I think you are more just touching on the extremely fickle nature of being a sports fan And the general extreme lack of patience Wests tigers fans have in 2021 . Maybe it’s justified in a vacuum because of recent history , and the whole “fans pay for everything “ thought process .

I’m really glad Madge and the team don’t read this forum , and do thier own thing . Even when the pitch forks are being sharpened , and everybody is lighting torches .

We’re all a passionate bunch are we.
Very true about Madge not reading the forum. I think he usually does the opposite to what many of us call for.
I’ll put my hand up and say I thought Madge had lost his marbles when he switched Douehi and Mbye’s positions but the affect on the overall team can’t be denied so far.
Looking forward to seeing the performances continue to grow and our defence keep improving. I’m hoping for wins but I’m happier with consistent performance on both sides of the ball. Until we can deliver that any win will to me just feel like 1 isolated game where we turned up rather than a true reflection on who we are as a team.

 

[rustycage]

Kind of feel all this DWZ talk is to put pressure on the Broncos to release Isaako.

Nothing more.

I’d much rather Isaako. At times he scores tries for the broncos when there’s absolutely positively nothing on . They are a rabble .
He can’t create for others , but he can definitely create for himself and beat his man . Perfect for a winger .

I'm yet to be impressed by anything that Isaako does. I really don't get the interest in him. I'd prefer DWZ if it came to that. At least DWZ is fearless with his hit ups and we really need a good start to sets. Thats when we look best.

 

[barnzee]

Not sure what people expect from 22 and 23 year old props.

Props don't traditionally hit their straps until a bit later than that.

Last year a lot of Forumers were prepared to let Seyfarth go, now he is starting to come good. Tom Mikaele has had a few injuries that have set him back, he has been improving, even with an interrupted schedule. The problem is, a lot of people think we are doing the right thing signing good youth but then do not want to give them the time to improve and reach the heights that was expected of them in the first place.

I mentioned Seyfarth but there was Asu “AJ” Kepaoa (21) and Tommy Talau (21) - how many, have called for their heads?
Zac Cini (21) played 2 games, one good, one not so - Sack him was the cry!, Reece Hoffman had 1 game - not good enough, get rid of him! and so it goes on.

If we are not prepared to give them a decent go, why sign young blokes in the first place, they are not always going to be a Sam Walker but you have to give them a go to find out. Just my opinion.

Bit like you did with Simpkin mate

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

newcastle is not signing Lodge,
TPJ could still be a possibility

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Not sure what people expect from 22 and 23 year old props.

Props don't traditionally hit their straps until a bit later than that.

Last year a lot of Forumers were prepared to let Seyfarth go, now he is starting to come good. Tom Mikaele has had a few injuries that have set him back, he has been improving, even with an interrupted schedule. The problem is, a lot of people think we are doing the right thing signing good youth but then do not want to give them the time to improve and reach the heights that was expected of them in the first place.

I mentioned Seyfarth but there was Asu “AJ” Kepaoa (21) and Tommy Talau (21) - how many, have called for their heads?
Zac Cini (21) played 2 games, one good, one not so - Sack him was the cry!, Reece Hoffman had 1 game - not good enough, get rid of him! and so it goes on.

If we are not prepared to give them a decent go, why sign young blokes in the first place, they are not always going to be a Sam Walker but you have to give them a go to find out. Just my opinion.

Bit like you did with Simpkin mate

all except Simpkin right ...

 

[larry2005]

I would trade Mikaele if we could get a decent upgrade. We are lacking pace and a game breaker, plus speed of game will find him ouy=t

 

[Demps]

I would trade Mikaele if we could get a decent upgrade. We are lacking pace and a game breaker, plus speed of game will find him ouy=t

Who's a realistic upgrade ?

Few decent guys within our club looking for their chance.

 

[nuggetron]

hull daily mail writes that Joey Leilua has been offered to super league clubs and has already attracted interest from one unnamed club

New club based in Portugal - Oporto octopuses ?

octopi

 

[avocadoontoast]

I would trade Mikaele if we could get a decent upgrade. We are lacking pace and a game breaker, plus speed of game will find him ouy=t

Who's a realistic upgrade ?

Few decent guys within our club looking for their chance.

You thinkin what I’m thinkin?


 

[nuggetron]

Mikaele is ok but realistically he’s not a superstar. If he doesn’t re-sign with us it’s not the end of the world.

first time i agree with ya avo
for all the promise he has had, it hasn't really been shown yet

 

[TigerWest]

Mikaele is ok but realistically he’s not a superstar. If he doesn’t re-sign with us it’s not the end of the world.

first time i agree with ya avo
for all the promise he has had, it hasn't really been shown yet

He’s 23, as Russell said, you have to give them a go? Front Rowers don’t normally peak until there late 20’s. He’s going OK.

 

[jrtiger]

Mikaele is ok but realistically he’s not a superstar. If he doesn’t re-sign with us it’s not the end of the world.

first time i agree with ya avo
for all the promise he has had, it hasn't really been shown yet

he's been exceptional for us off the bench this past month. he's very important for our rotation and is certainly a factor in us winning 3 of our past four

 

[pawsandclaws1]

I would trade Mikaele if we could get a decent upgrade. We are lacking pace and a game breaker, plus speed of game will find him ouy=t

Who's a realistic upgrade ?

Few decent guys within our club looking for their chance.

Mikaele needs to stay. He has enormous potential, is young and still learning. We have a couple of young front rowers in Flegg who are really good, Tupou and Pole.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

The issue about Finucane is the Storm don't remain the Storm by paying big dollars for a player of his calibre. Sure he is tough but he's pretty one dimensional. Even at this stage, Seyfarth with his height, mobility, workrate and offloads is a better fit for WTs. Mikaele is developing. Bellamy would retain Mikaele every day of the week because he has potential and is cost effective.

 

[avocadoontoast]

Mikaele is ok but realistically he’s not a superstar. If he doesn’t re-sign with us it’s not the end of the world.

first time i agree with ya avo
for all the promise he has had, it hasn't really been shown yet

He’s 23, as Russell said, you have to give them a go? Front Rowers don’t normally peak until there late 20’s. He’s going OK.

I don’t necessary agree with that anymore. In fact I’d argue many of the best props in the game (JFH, Haas, Fonua-Blake, Saiifiti) aren’t in their late twenties

 

[TigerWest]

Mikaele is ok but realistically he’s not a superstar. If he doesn’t re-sign with us it’s not the end of the world.

first time i agree with ya avo
for all the promise he has had, it hasn't really been shown yet

He’s 23, as Russell said, you have to give them a go? Front Rowers don’t normally peak until there late 20’s. He’s going OK.

I don’t necessary agree with that anymore. In fact I’d argue many of the best props in the game (JFH, Haas, Fonua-Blake, Saiifiti) aren’t in their late twenties

Maybe they haven’t peaked then? not everyone is the same, and not everyone is going to be a superstar, he plays the game at NRL level reasonably well.