Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Jedi_Tiger]

Fox reporting Warriors going after Manu.

feel Manu would have been handy but doubt he would leave roosters

He's won two premierships, he'll probably go wherever the money is good now.

he would be great to get

 

[tony soprano]

Our signings record over the past couple of years has been abysmal. The two teams I think we're most like in terms of size, reputation, location etc are the Bulldogs and Sharks. Both teams have completely outgunned WT in the quality of their signings this year. It has become an embarrassment how we are consistently out-manoeuvred time after time for quality players. Surely at some point this will have an effect on retention of WT fans and sponsors and ultimately on retaining our own quality players. I can't imagine the likes of Stefano and Simpkin wanting to stay with a club which is a consistent non-performer. Put simply, something has to change if we are to change botrh the perception and reality of our club's performances on and off the field.
Not much point having a whinge without proposing a solution. Here's mine:
a) get rid of Hartigan. We have stuffed up too many recruitments. I'm sure he was a great recruiter at Easts. But it's not that hard to recruit players to Easts because they desperately want to go there and will go there for less money than clubs like WT. His style just doesn't work with a club like ours.
b) get rid of Maguire. The players don't respond to him and he's had more than enough time to get better results than he's getting. Nice guy but he's part of the problem and will not be part of the solution. I'd sign Flanagan in a heartbeat. He knows how to coach and will have a better chance of attracting quality players. I think the mere fact that we make the switch to Flanagan will change the dynamic for WT and will open us up for business with better quality players. I know plenty of forum members have no time for Flanagan but he's a winner and I would ensure his contract had strong behavioural clauses in it.
c) get rid of Pascoe. He's been at WT for long enough to improve the culture of the club and he just hasn't been successful. He just does not have the vibe of a COE. His position would be the easiest of the three to recruit to, there would be a good field of applicants.
d) Once those three changes have been made I'd have Sheens and Flanagan go through the playing roster and get rid of / pay out any player that doesn't fit with the culture and uncompromising playing style that the new WT represents.
Once those changes have been made I think players would be more willing to come and play with us but it could take three years to build a finals-ready roster. I'd be prepared to wait.

Get rid of long paragraphs

Mate, don't tell me how to write. Don't read it if it's not to your liking. Any comment on the substance?

Just a joke agreed we need some signings but don't agree big money big name is what we need


Hopefully we gan get more talent like your Steph and laurie and keep building.

Agree this year roster was inexcusable

 

[Kelce68]

700k as a starting point is hardly half-hearted.

No offence intended but if we're willing to pay Packer $700k, Mbye $850k, Reynolds $750k etc then $700 for cheese is way unders.

I hate the idea of paying overs but if I've ever seen a player which would be worth $1M to us it's B Smith. He could be transformational for the club.

Once more, 700k was a suggested starting price. Let's not harp on semantics for an entire thread, eh.

 

[coivtny]

Our signings record over the past couple of years has been abysmal. The two teams I think we're most like in terms of size, reputation, location etc are the Bulldogs and Sharks. Both teams have completely outgunned WT in the quality of their signings this year. It has become an embarrassment how we are consistently out-manoeuvred time after time for quality players. Surely at some point this will have an effect on retention of WT fans and sponsors and ultimately on retaining our own quality players. I can't imagine the likes of Stefano and Simpkin wanting to stay with a club which is a consistent non-performer. Put simply, something has to change if we are to change botrh the perception and reality of our club's performances on and off the field.
Not much point having a whinge without proposing a solution. Here's mine:
a) get rid of Hartigan. We have stuffed up too many recruitments. I'm sure he was a great recruiter at Easts. But it's not that hard to recruit players to Easts because they desperately want to go there and will go there for less money than clubs like WT. His style just doesn't work with a club like ours.
b) get rid of Maguire. The players don't respond to him and he's had more than enough time to get better results than he's getting. Nice guy but he's part of the problem and will not be part of the solution. I'd sign Flanagan in a heartbeat. He knows how to coach and will have a better chance of attracting quality players. I think the mere fact that we make the switch to Flanagan will change the dynamic for WT and will open us up for business with better quality players. I know plenty of forum members have no time for Flanagan but he's a winner and I would ensure his contract had strong behavioural clauses in it.
c) get rid of Pascoe. He's been at WT for long enough to improve the culture of the club and he just hasn't been successful. He just does not have the vibe of a COE. His position would be the easiest of the three to recruit to, there would be a good field of applicants.
d) Once those three changes have been made I'd have Sheens and Flanagan go through the playing roster and get rid of / pay out any player that doesn't fit with the culture and uncompromising playing style that the new WT represents.
Once those changes have been made I think players would be more willing to come and play with us but it could take three years to build a finals-ready roster. I'd be prepared to wait.

Get rid of long paragraphs

Mate, don't tell me how to write. Don't read it if it's not to your liking. Any comment on the substance?

Just a joke agreed we need some signings but don't agree big money big name is what we need


Hopefully we gan get more talent like your Steph and laurie and keep building.

Agree this year roster was inexcusable

My apologies for the over-reaction.

 

[tony soprano]

Our signings record over the past couple of years has been abysmal. The two teams I think we're most like in terms of size, reputation, location etc are the Bulldogs and Sharks. Both teams have completely outgunned WT in the quality of their signings this year. It has become an embarrassment how we are consistently out-manoeuvred time after time for quality players. Surely at some point this will have an effect on retention of WT fans and sponsors and ultimately on retaining our own quality players. I can't imagine the likes of Stefano and Simpkin wanting to stay with a club which is a consistent non-performer. Put simply, something has to change if we are to change botrh the perception and reality of our club's performances on and off the field.
Not much point having a whinge without proposing a solution. Here's mine:
a) get rid of Hartigan. We have stuffed up too many recruitments. I'm sure he was a great recruiter at Easts. But it's not that hard to recruit players to Easts because they desperately want to go there and will go there for less money than clubs like WT. His style just doesn't work with a club like ours.
b) get rid of Maguire. The players don't respond to him and he's had more than enough time to get better results than he's getting. Nice guy but he's part of the problem and will not be part of the solution. I'd sign Flanagan in a heartbeat. He knows how to coach and will have a better chance of attracting quality players. I think the mere fact that we make the switch to Flanagan will change the dynamic for WT and will open us up for business with better quality players. I know plenty of forum members have no time for Flanagan but he's a winner and I would ensure his contract had strong behavioural clauses in it.
c) get rid of Pascoe. He's been at WT for long enough to improve the culture of the club and he just hasn't been successful. He just does not have the vibe of a COE. His position would be the easiest of the three to recruit to, there would be a good field of applicants.
d) Once those three changes have been made I'd have Sheens and Flanagan go through the playing roster and get rid of / pay out any player that doesn't fit with the culture and uncompromising playing style that the new WT represents.
Once those changes have been made I think players would be more willing to come and play with us but it could take three years to build a finals-ready roster. I'd be prepared to wait.

Get rid of long paragraphs

Mate, don't tell me how to write. Don't read it if it's not to your liking. Any comment on the substance?

Just a joke agreed we need some signings but don't agree big money big name is what we need


Hopefully we gan get more talent like your Steph and laurie and keep building.

Agree this year roster was inexcusable

My apologies for the over-reaction.

No need was a bad joke

 

[voice_of_reason]

Once more, 700k was a suggested starting price. Let's not harp on semantics for an entire thread, eh.

It's not semantics, it's business.

At $700k there would be 16 clubs bidding. Probably half of them would be willing to start at $900k. The best way to stop a negotiation before it starts is to show a lack of respect.

We're not the most attractive club to join so if we 'start' at $700k his manager will stop returning calls.

There's talk Harry will be worth $1M next contract - it could be argued BS is as good, if not better. $700k won't even get us to the table, we have to start at a realistic figure to even garner their interest.

 

[bigsiro]

@coivtny
I don't see those proposed executive/management changes **all** happening in the short-term. If at all, they would be incremental. So, even though I agree that some or all those changes need to be made, the timeframes of turn-around might be a bit unrealistic.

 

[Kelce68]

Once more, 700k was a suggested starting price. Let's not harp on semantics for an entire thread, eh.

It's not semantics, it's business.

At $700k there would be 16 clubs bidding. Probably half of them would be willing to start at $900k. The best way to stop a negotiation before it starts is to show a lack of respect.

We're not the most attractive club to join so if we 'start' at $700k his manager will stop returning calls.

There's talk Harry will be worth $1M next contract - it could be argued BS is as good, if not better. $700k won't even get us to the table, we have to start at a realistic figure to even garner their interest.

The semantics was pertaining to me having to repeatedly mention that it was merely a passing suggestion about an initial offer for a contract.

No. There would not be 16 clubs bidding. But I'll infer that you were alluding to the fact that he would be extremely popular on the open market. I don't disagree. However, between cap space limitations and squad requirements, I'd say the interest would be a more realistic half a dozen teams, so let's not exaggerate for effect.

I don't disagree that it is a little low for eventual price, but I would assume that a starting offer of 700k may yield final numbers around 800-850 for a player of his quality. Considering his ability and the position/s he plays, that is where he is placed imo.

If you are suggesting that Smith being as good as Grant warrants us coming in with an offer of $1 million off the bat, then that would be indeed, as you say, bad for 'business'.

....My original point was that Brandon Smith should be a primary target and a possible Liddle exchange could be a vehicle for securing a release. The actual figure stated was arbitrary and not the point of the original post.

 

[bigsiro]

Apparently tigers are looking at maybe signing woods now that they’ve missed out on finucane and TPJ

I do not like this

Sharon's coming home

It's the feel good story of the year.

Yuck!!!
I can never forget that fox panel discussion he was on when he was here. When, as captain of the ship, he practically helped drive us into an iceberg, when he could have helped steer away.
I am not a fan at all. Don't want him anywhere near us.

 

[Leichardt61]

I agree. We need something to break the back of this. If we can do something to get B smith across the line (Harry T 3rd party)... we should do it.

We've unfortunately got 2 decent hookers, so he's not in the ideal position. He doesn't want to play lock.

Cheese is the right move, as always, the value comes in the terms of the contract.

Personally, I would begin with a 3 year deal, with a fourth year club option, at 700k, which includes a swap with Liddle to secure a release for next year.

Simpkin could play second fiddle for a year or two as Smith owns the hooking role with an in-game lock shift.

Lids is playing well, but I think his ceiling is lower than that of Simpkin, which I think should be heavily considered.

Nah screw a 700k 3 year deal, we need to unload on melbourne with a nuke of an offer, not a half hearted slap. And if signing B. Smith means Liddle has to move on, as painful as that would be with the heart and loyalty he's shown, it has to be done. Cheese starting hooker with Jake Simpkin apprenticing under him and on the interchange.


Another Liddle hater, did those peopl ever watch the WT games, or they just play computer games?

Where did I put any hate for Liddle? Love the guy, he gives his all and is getting better every game. But in the theoretical scenario where we sign B.Smith one of either Liddle or Simpkin would be offloaded. I'd rather have Simpkin learning and building his trade up under the cheese than Liddle, thats just my personal opinion.

 

[Needaname]

I think WT'S should come out all guns blazing and go all out for Brandon Smith make a ridiculous offer to put pressure on everyone Storm Dogs I can't believe they good possibly fit him in with the players they have signed we'll have cash Packer gone Mbye gone


Brandon will stay at the Storm now that they have Finucane’s cash to upgrade him.

I guess you could say Storm chose the uncertainty of keeping a rising Brandon Smith over the near certainty of keeping a peaking Dale Finucane.

Not that that has anything to do with either of the quality of the two players. Dale still has plenty to offer but just not for the same length of time that Smith does and if Melbourne do succeed in convincing Smith to play that Dene Halatal style
But it just goes to show that Melbourne is always thinking of the next as well as the now.

 

[Leichardt61]

I agree. We need something to break the back of this. If we can do something to get B smith across the line (Harry T 3rd party)... we should do it.

We've unfortunately got 2 decent hookers, so he's not in the ideal position. He doesn't want to play lock.

Cheese is the right move, as always, the value comes in the terms of the contract.

Personally, I would begin with a 3 year deal, with a fourth year club option, at 700k, which includes a swap with Liddle to secure a release for next year.

Simpkin could play second fiddle for a year or two as Smith owns the hooking role with an in-game lock shift.

Lids is playing well, but I think his ceiling is lower than that of Simpkin, which I think should be heavily considered.

Nah screw a 700k 3 year deal, we need to unload on melbourne with a nuke of an offer, not a half hearted slap. And if signing B. Smith means Liddle has to move on, as painful as that would be with the heart and loyalty he's shown, it has to be done. Cheese starting hooker with Jake Simpkin apprenticing under him and on the interchange.

700k as a starting point is hardly half-hearted.

Its no point offering 700k when you know B. Smith will stay at the storm for 600k. Besides we've had literal millions tied up in reynolds/packer/mbye. A million a year for the cheese would only be packers contract plus a little bit more. Well worth it in my opinion.

The concept of a starting point is to open up negotiations from there.

...If you come out with 1 million as a starting point, they counter with 1.2.

Or you can come out, put the 4 million dollar 4 year contract on the table, and say this figure isn't changing. Some of the terms of the contract may change (say the 4th year in cheeses favour) but this number won't. It's an exorbitant offer, that B.Smith is worth, which needs no countering.

 

[Elderslie_Tiger]

I agree. We need something to break the back of this. If we can do something to get B smith across the line (Harry T 3rd party)... we should do it.

We've unfortunately got 2 decent hookers, so he's not in the ideal position. He doesn't want to play lock.

Cheese is the right move, as always, the value comes in the terms of the contract.

Personally, I would begin with a 3 year deal, with a fourth year club option, at 700k, which includes a swap with Liddle to secure a release for next year.

Simpkin could play second fiddle for a year or two as Smith owns the hooking role with an in-game lock shift.

Lids is playing well, but I think his ceiling is lower than that of Simpkin, which I think should be heavily considered.

Nah screw a 700k 3 year deal, we need to unload on melbourne with a nuke of an offer, not a half hearted slap. And if signing B. Smith means Liddle has to move on, as painful as that would be with the heart and loyalty he's shown, it has to be done. Cheese starting hooker with Jake Simpkin apprenticing under him and on the interchange.

700k as a starting point is hardly half-hearted.

Not even through the front gate of the Ball Park

 

[jirskyr]

Not much point having a whinge without proposing a solution. Here’s mine:

Sack everyone

 

[jirskyr]

Cronulla - Finucane, Hynes, McInnes
Canterbury - Addo-Carr, Burton, Pangai Jnr
Tigers - Hastings, Gildart

WTF IS GOING ON!

Add Naden, Dufty and almost certainly Vaughan to the Dogs as well, and they beat us to signing about 4 of those

Addo Carr and Burton are good. Naden ,Dufty,pangai and Vaughn will be a nightmare for the Bulldogs together. Imagine the parties haha

Curtis Scott will sign next, mark my words.

 

[WT2K]

Apparently tigers are looking at maybe signing woods now that they’ve missed out on finucane and TPJ

I do not like this

Sharon's coming home

It's the feel good story of the year.

And people say we can't attract marquee talent

 

[jirskyr]

I agree. We need something to break the back of this. If we can do something to get B smith across the line (Harry T 3rd party)... we should do it.

We've unfortunately got 2 decent hookers, so he's not in the ideal position. He doesn't want to play lock.

Cheese is the right move, as always, the value comes in the terms of the contract.

Personally, I would begin with a 3 year deal, with a fourth year club option, at 700k, which includes a swap with Liddle to secure a release for next year.

Simpkin could play second fiddle for a year or two as Smith owns the hooking role with an in-game lock shift.

Lids is playing well, but I think his ceiling is lower than that of Simpkin, which I think should be heavily considered.

Nah screw a 700k 3 year deal, we need to unload on melbourne with a nuke of an offer, not a half hearted slap. And if signing B. Smith means Liddle has to move on, as painful as that would be with the heart and loyalty he's shown, it has to be done. Cheese starting hooker with Jake Simpkin apprenticing under him and on the interchange.


Another Liddle hater, did those peopl ever watch the WT games, or they just play computer games?
What we need ATM is:
- good tall defender on the RW;
- 2x tall good defensive centres
- 2x aggressive props; Tamou, Ophenague, may join Lailua bros somewhere else, preferably not in the WT NSW cup,
Props like: JWH, Haas, Saifiti, Junior Paulo, Papalii....
-2x aggressive 2nd rowers - One can be Tuilagi, we need another one - A Crichton, Ridley, Murray type
- aggressive lock - B Smith would be an excellent choice

Those players shall be our primary targets, if we don’t fix these holes, no JAC, Munster, Fatrell, type signings could help!

B Smith wants to play hooker he won't come here for a lock role

If Finucane's money becomes available for Storm to keep Cheese, doesn't that mean he's accepting the lock role? It's the money they were paying their lock.

As long as Storm have Harry Grant on the books, Cheese won't be playing hooker by himself.

 

[tiger_one]

Apparently tigers are looking at maybe signing woods now that they’ve missed out on finucane and TPJ

I do not like this

Sharon's coming home

Please be wrong.

 

[TheDaBoss]

Apparently tigers are looking at maybe signing woods now that they’ve missed out on finucane and TPJ

I do not like this

Sharon's coming home

It's the feel good story of the year.

And people say we can't attract marquee talent

You cant polish a turd but u can put sprinkles on it ?

 

[coivtny]

Our signings record over the past couple of years has been abysmal. The two teams I think we're most like in terms of size, reputation, location etc are the Bulldogs and Sharks. Both teams have completely outgunned WT in the quality of their signings this year. It has become an embarrassment how we are consistently out-manoeuvred time after time for quality players. Surely at some point this will have an effect on retention of WT fans and sponsors and ultimately on retaining our own quality players. I can't imagine the likes of Stefano and Simpkin wanting to stay with a club which is a consistent non-performer. Put simply, something has to change if we are to change botrh the perception and reality of our club's performances on and off the field.
Not much point having a whinge without proposing a solution. Here's mine:
a) get rid of Hartigan. We have stuffed up too many recruitments. I'm sure he was a great recruiter at Easts. But it's not that hard to recruit players to Easts because they desperately want to go there and will go there for less money than clubs like WT. His style just doesn't work with a club like ours.
b) get rid of Maguire. The players don't respond to him and he's had more than enough time to get better results than he's getting. Nice guy but he's part of the problem and will not be part of the solution. I'd sign Flanagan in a heartbeat. He knows how to coach and will have a better chance of attracting quality players. I think the mere fact that we make the switch to Flanagan will change the dynamic for WT and will open us up for business with better quality players. I know plenty of forum members have no time for Flanagan but he's a winner and I would ensure his contract had strong behavioural clauses in it.
c) get rid of Pascoe. He's been at WT for long enough to improve the culture of the club and he just hasn't been successful. He just does not have the vibe of a COE. His position would be the easiest of the three to recruit to, there would be a good field of applicants.
d) Once those three changes have been made I'd have Sheens and Flanagan go through the playing roster and get rid of / pay out any player that doesn't fit with the culture and uncompromising playing style that the new WT represents.
Once those changes have been made I think players would be more willing to come and play with us but it could take three years to build a finals-ready roster. I'd be prepared to wait.

Get rid of long paragraphs

Mate, don't tell me how to write. Don't read it if it's not to your liking. Any comment on the substance?

Just a joke agreed we need some signings but don't agree big money big name is what we need


Hopefully we gan get more talent like your Steph and laurie and keep building.

Agree this year roster was inexcusable

My apologies for the over-reaction.

No need was a bad joke

Haha, I think I do get it now. It was a play on my "get rid of" comments. Sometimes I'm a bit slow.