Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Nonotmeagain]

True. But we got to push is a massive up grade in wages and a starting 1st grade spot , they would be mad to knock that back just to run around in the nsw cup

Apparently they are.

 

[Honkylips]

I'm not looking for words of comfort from forum members but I can't recall being at a lower ebb in terms of how I feel about this football club. I've followed Wests and Wests Tigers since 1960 and have seen plenty of lows and the odd high. I recall feeling quite low just prior to the merger but getting a boost from the thought of two old clubs with great histories and similar cultures coming together to form a new club that would take the best from both clubs. The truth is WT are nothing like either the old Balmain or Wests.
Fast forward to 2023 and things have never been worse. We are headed towards the second successive spoon. We find it very difficult to sign quality players. Our administration and leadership is woeful and appears to be locked in place. Our ownership seems totally disinterested in bringing about the type of change we need to get us out of this rut.
The only plus is we have a few juniors coming through who show huge potential. But I've seen two things happen to quality juniors over the years - either they don't go on with it, which happens quite a lot, or they get poached by the bigger and stronger clubs, which we have seen happen to us so many times.
We need change and we need it now.

Coivtny you have 100% described my feelings also. I cannot see a future. I cannot see a way out. As you said, top level management are locked in it seems. Next year will be a repeat of this year.

 

[jrtiger]

What year/s do you reckon we will see them coming through to first grade?

hard to say but the club has obviously indicated that once they believe they are ready that they'll throw them in there. here's my thoughts.

Galvin we need to be patient with. yes he is immensely talented but he hasn't even played Jersey Flegg yet. a preseason with first grade will put him on the path but he needs the Leilua diet in order to bulk up, even if he plays at 6. it's likely he gets a debut next year but I think consistent first grade is a while away, especially if he is immediately transitioned into being a backrower. that said, as we've seen with Tallyn, stranger things have happened.

Kit Laulili'i is already monstering Flegg and is someone I could see debuting late 2023, along with Chris Fa'agutu. Unlike Matamua, the toughness and physicality is already there for Kit and he is a very competent ballplayer. very much a watch this space, but don't be surprised if he graduates to Cup in the next month with first grade coming afterwards. there is absolutely a spot for him to come in and make the 13 his own given Matamua's issues and the fact that it has been a revolving door for us all year.

Conti's future I'm not certain of. I only hear a few things out of the Wests side of things, whereas Balmain I have no connections. as a result I'm unsure if he's doing a preseason next year with first grade, whereas I know Heath Mason is. he is brilliantly talented but he is also tiny. if I was a betting man I'd say likely Origin period 2025 debut with regular first grade to come in the years that follow, but that depends on his physical progression.

Onitoni is likened to Suaali'i and it's easy to see the comparisons. that doesn't mean that he will be ready the moment he turns 18 though. I don't think its beyond him, but our expectations need to be tempered. he and his brother have been anointed by the club, but that doesn't mean they'll deliver a premiership when they're still in their teens. late 2025/early 2026.

 

[Honkylips]

Experts like Andrew Johns, Cronk and the like are all scratching their heads. It’s a deep hole. Hopefully enough for the management of the club to finally face up to reality.

We can only hope.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Coivtny you have 100% described my feelings also. I cannot see a future. I cannot see a way out. As you said, top level management are locked in it seems. Next year will be a repeat of this year.

Agree with you both.

We've locked ourselves in with Sheens and Benji too. We back out on that, that'll be six out of seven coaches that will have been either sacked before their tenure finished or walked out. Potter was the only one who saw his contract out and he lost out to player power. We'll never attract a decent coach again.

 

[bathursttiger1]

The really sad part of all of this is the fact that Laundy should be backing us not the dogs because he is a Tigers supporter from way back.I am not sure why this has not eventuated but i certainly have my suspicions

The rotting fish head?

 

[jadtiger]

The rotting fish head?

Yes

 

[bathursttiger1]

This boggles my mind, if I was wealthy and the Tigers never hit me up for a sponsorship I still wouldn't do bugger all for any of the other teams. How could I call myself a Wests Tigers supporter yet pump massive resources into other teams. Like Lee, he is our chair and major sponsor, but also is a minor sponsor for other clubs aswell. All that cash should be left with us not helping other teams.

Lee is not just relying on ambulances from Leichhardt he want to chase them from other suburbs as well.

 

[king_sirro]

This boggles my mind, if I was wealthy and the Tigers never hit me up for a sponsorship I still wouldn't do bugger all for any of the other teams. How could I call myself a Wests Tigers supporter yet pump massive resources into other teams. Like Lee, he is our chair and major sponsor, but also is a minor sponsor for other clubs aswell. All that cash should be left with us not helping other teams.

Totally agree. I guess some just want the notoriety of being involved in the game. Sold his soul IMO

 

[king_sirro]

hard to say but the club has obviously indicated that once they believe they are ready that they'll throw them in there. here's my thoughts.

Galvin we need to be patient with. yes he is immensely talented but he hasn't even played Jersey Flegg yet. a preseason with first grade will put him on the path but he needs the Leilua diet in order to bulk up, even if he plays at 6. it's likely he gets a debut next year but I think consistent first grade is a while, especially if he is immediately transitioned into being a backrower. that said, as we've seen with Tallyn, stranger things have happened.

Kit Laulili'i is already monstering Flegg and is someone I could see debuting late 2023, along with Chris Fa'agutu. Unlike Matamua, the toughness and physicality is already there for Kit and he is a very competent ballplayer. very much a watch this space, but don't be surprised if he graduates to Cup in the next month with first grade coming afterwards. there is absolutely a spot for him to come in and make the 13 his own given Matamua's issues and the fact that it has been a revolving door for us all year.

Conti's future I'm not certain of. I only hear a few things out of the Wests side of things, whereas Balmain I have no connections. as a result I'm unsure if he's doing a preseason next year with first grade, whereas I know Heath Mason is. he is brilliantly talented but he is also tiny. if I was a betting man I'd say likely Origin period 2025 debut with regular first grade to come in the years that follow, but that depends on his physical progression.

Onitoni is likened to Suaali'i and it's easy to see the comparisons. that doesn't mean that he will be ready the moment he turns 18 though. I don't think its beyond him, but our expectations need to be tempered. he and his brother have been anointed by the club, but that doesn't mean they'll deliver a premiership when they're still in their teens. late 2025/early 2026.

Kit has to debut this year IMO. Definitely our long term 13

 

[Lauren]

Experts like Andrew Johns, Cronk and the like are all scratching their heads. It’s a deep hole. Hopefully enough for the management of the club to finally face up to reality.

They may be greats in the game but those guys aren't experts. Yes they were part of success - Cronk two successful clubs - but no offence they wouldn't know how to run a club.
One thing I will say about Johns though is he should be able to recognise that lack of infrastructure (poor management) can contribute/influence strategy and performance or functionality.
Not saying that's our issue btw but what happened to the Knights.
They got three wooden spoons due to their poor ownership model.

Otherwise couldn't agree more, the club needs to act.

 

[king_sirro]

They may be greats in the game but those guys aren't experts. Yes they were part of success - Cronk two successful clubs - but no offence they wouldn't know how to run a club.
One thing I will say about Johns though is he should be able to recognise that lack of infrastructure (poor management) can contribute/influence strategy and performance or functionality.
The Knights got three wooden spoons due to their poor ownership model.

Otherwise couldn't agree more, the club needs to act.

Agree. I wouldn't listen to either of them, particularly Johns.

 

[Lauren]

We need superstars Lauren. They are experts.

Hate that it always feels like we take 1 step forward, 2 steps back.
It's gotta be our governance structures that is counterproductive - to supporting our objectives - no-one has that much bad luck.

 

[king_sirro]

Yeah let’s disregard a legend of the game who carried teams to victory his whole career. Sounds like a guy to disregard.

Mate I had posters of him on my wall, I loved him. But you can't be serious saying you would listen to Andrew Johns about how to fix the Tigers. Please

 

[king_sirro]

Mate you can because it’s a really bleeding obvious issue. He knows you need a team of stars to win in the NRL.

Fix the brand, fix recruitment.

Is that the advice from him?

 

[ancient_magpie]

hard to say but the club has obviously indicated that once they believe they are ready that they'll throw them in there. here's my thoughts.

Galvin we need to be patient with. yes he is immensely talented but he hasn't even played Jersey Flegg yet. a preseason with first grade will put him on the path but he needs the Leilua diet in order to bulk up, even if he plays at 6. it's likely he gets a debut next year but I think consistent first grade is a while away, especially if he is immediately transitioned into being a backrower. that said, as we've seen with Tallyn, stranger things have happened.

Kit Laulili'i is already monstering Flegg and is someone I could see debuting late 2023, along with Chris Fa'agutu. Unlike Matamua, the toughness and physicality is already there for Kit and he is a very competent ballplayer. very much a watch this space, but don't be surprised if he graduates to Cup in the next month with first grade coming afterwards. there is absolutely a spot for him to come in and make the 13 his own given Matamua's issues and the fact that it has been a revolving door for us all year.

Conti's future I'm not certain of. I only hear a few things out of the Wests side of things, whereas Balmain I have no connections. as a result I'm unsure if he's doing a preseason next year with first grade, whereas I know Heath Mason is. he is brilliantly talented but he is also tiny. if I was a betting man I'd say likely Origin period 2025 debut with regular first grade to come in the years that follow, but that depends on his physical progression.

Onitoni is likened to Suaali'i and it's easy to see the comparisons. that doesn't mean that he will be ready the moment he turns 18 though. I don't think its beyond him, but our expectations need to be tempered. he and his brother have been anointed by the club, but that doesn't mean they'll deliver a premiership when they're still in their teens. late 2025/early 2026.

Good post but the main thing is how long are they signed for.Also faagutu feledy mason miller etc you can't get any info on length of signings what's to hide if there all signed for a few years if not the vultures will be already circling

 

[king_sirro]

No.

He said he can’t see how they fix it. That was my point.

And that's my point, he doesn't know. So why listen to him?

 

[Canberratiger]

hard to say but the club has obviously indicated that once they believe they are ready that they'll throw them in there. here's my thoughts.

Galvin we need to be patient with. yes he is immensely talented but he hasn't even played Jersey Flegg yet. a preseason with first grade will put him on the path but he needs the Leilua diet in order to bulk up, even if he plays at 6. it's likely he gets a debut next year but I think consistent first grade is a while away, especially if he is immediately transitioned into being a backrower. that said, as we've seen with Tallyn, stranger things have happened.

Kit Laulili'i is already monstering Flegg and is someone I could see debuting late 2023, along with Chris Fa'agutu. Unlike Matamua, the toughness and physicality is already there for Kit and he is a very competent ballplayer. very much a watch this space, but don't be surprised if he graduates to Cup in the next month with first grade coming afterwards. there is absolutely a spot for him to come in and make the 13 his own given Matamua's issues and the fact that it has been a revolving door for us all year.

Conti's future I'm not certain of. I only hear a few things out of the Wests side of things, whereas Balmain I have no connections. as a result I'm unsure if he's doing a preseason next year with first grade, whereas I know Heath Mason is. he is brilliantly talented but he is also tiny. if I was a betting man I'd say likely Origin period 2025 debut with regular first grade to come in the years that follow, but that depends on his physical progression.

Onitoni is likened to Suaali'i and it's easy to see the comparisons. that doesn't mean that he will be ready the moment he turns 18 though. I don't think its beyond him, but our expectations need to be tempered. he and his brother have been anointed by the club, but that doesn't mean they'll deliver a premiership when they're still in their teens. late 2025/early 2026.

Thanks man! Good write up

 

[hank37w]

He probably offered but got knocked back by the club

We are dumb enough to do that

Way too busy trying to woo Harry with some shitty merchandise with hideous Brydens logos on it.