Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

The media is trying to paint us as having a toxic environment with lots of infighting, but if this is the case then why are players like Api and Stef committing to us? It's pretty clear that the players are buying into the culture of the club.

Really seems like we're turning a corner, but I know not to get my hopes up!
 
Vicious said:
It’s becoming quite clear there is a strong connection between Benji and the current key players within our team.
Rate him as a coach or not, Benji has an aura about him and the players will back him to the hilt.
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I'm far from convinced. A player who is on big dollars and who hasn't delivered on his potential yet complaining about leaking to the media whilst whining to the media.

It sounds to me like it's Benji's team but can he coach ? Will he make the right recruitment and retention decisions.

Sheens was put off to pasture early and surely Benji was right behind that.

Benji has also been a massive sook who likes everything his way. Can you remember when he was tapped on the shoulder and was sooking when they were trying to give him a send off.

I love Benji and I like his passion but it's time to step up and be an adult. Start behaving professionally and maybe when guys re-sign they'll state they love the club and want to stay and win games and that is all they'll say.
 
guywolf said:
The media is trying to paint us as having a toxic environment with lots of infighting, but if this is the case then why are players like Api and Stef committing to us? It's pretty clear that the players are buying into the culture of the club.

Really seems like we're turning a corner, but I know not to get my hopes up!
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There are far more positives than many want to admit to, but as they say time will tell.
 
earl said:
I'm far from convinced. A player who is on big dollars and who hasn't delivered on his potential yet complaining about leaking to the media whilst whining to the media.

It sounds to me like it's Benji's team but can he coach ? Will he make the right recruitment and retention decisions.

Sheens was put off to pasture early and surely Benji was right behind that.

Benji has also been a massive sook who likes everything his way. Can you remember when he was tapped on the shoulder and was sooking when they were trying to give him a send off.

I love Benji and I like his passion but it's time to step up and be an adult. Start behaving professionally and maybe when guys re-sign they'll state they love the club and want to stay and win games and that is all they'll say.
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Ask yourself the question is Benji’s general reputation and respect within the game of Rugby League second to none ?
Ask yourself the question is there any genuine reason why Benji won’t be a great coach ?
Ask yourself the question, do we have plenty of young players under 25 that at least show signs they can become very good NRL players ?
And that’s not to mention our young players under 21 in which we have quite a few that were in demand from other clubs but have chosen to stay with us.
The positives are endless.
 
2041 said:
Whatever else we might think of the club's prospects it's encouraging that the players we actually want to keep seem to be bought in and aren't trying to leave. Koroisau, Bula and now Utoikamanu - you could make a case that they are literally the only three players on our 2023 roster that other clubs would actually covet.
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Its terrific ay...really good news...best thing ive read on here for a while
 
Bones said:
Samoan and NSW front-rower Stefano Utoikamanu will abandon a top-eight get-out clause and pledge long-term loyalty to Wests Tigers - but has implored his embattled club to stop leaking to the media.
Utoikamanu, preparing for Saturday night’s Test match against Australia in Townsville, revealed a desire to renounce a contract clause stating he was free to leave Concord after next season if Wests Tigers failed to reach the finals.

It is a tremendous pick-me-up for the floundering club, who have commissioned a full review into another season of on-field failure.
While adamant he wanted to re-sign out of loyalty, Utoikamanu took a swipe at his club and at those divulging private club information to the media.
This masthead has been told that Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall is becoming increasingly frustrated at the constant off-field dramas and headlines, fearing it may impact on recruitment and retention.
“Keeping everything in-house and not leaking will definitely help – not putting everything out to the media,” Utoikamanu said.
Wests Tigers forward Stefano Utoikamanu pledges loyalty to the club. Picture: NRL Photos

Wests Tigers forward Stefano Utoikamanu pledges loyalty to the club. Picture: NRL Photos
“We don’t help ourselves that much. Not just players but us as a club.
“It just hard – the whole thing – there’s probably too much coming out about us and it’s obviously not good.
“I feel like our club is in the media more than it would like to be. It’s not the best.
“The media bags us a bit too much – it’s not a good feeling. As players, we haven’t helped because we haven’t been getting the results everyone wants.”
Despite the constant drama at Concord, Utoikamanu – who played a game for NSW this year – wants to re-sign.
Although he has a clause, the giant prop officially comes off contract after 2025.
“No, I’ll be at the Tigers - I’ll be at the Tigers,” Utoikamanu repeated. “I want to stay there, that’s where I want to be, yeah.
“This is the club that gave me the opportunity to play rugby league at the highest level, in the NRL.
“Back at my old club (Parramatta), I didn’t get the same opportunity.
New Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall. Picture: Izhar Khan/Getty

New Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall. Picture: Izhar Khan/Getty
“I just want to give back (repay Wests Tigers loyalty).”
Utoikamanu embedded his desire to stay by praising the appointment of Benji Marshall as head coach.
“It will be good for us next year to have a fresh start. It’s probably what we need,” he said.
“Bringing Benji in, and him having this year under ‘Sheensy’ (Tim Sheens) will help him too, to understand what it’s like to be a head coach. I’m pretty excited to go into next year with Benji as coach.”

More Coverage​

Angry fans are jeopardising Benji’s debut season
Contract status of the top 50 under-23 NRL stars
Key stakeholders continue being interviewed for the club’s review with findings expected to be handed down in December.
Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis and club CEO Justin Pascoe remain under pressure to retain their positions.
Utoikamanu is preparing for Samoa’s Test against Australia in Townsville this Saturday night.
Originally published as NRL 2023: Wests Tigers star warns club over in-house media leaks, shuts door on release clause
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Tom Shines said:
I know in respect of Lee… it’s all about the club first and he has no ego
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Respectfully disagree TS about Lee and his ego.

He showed with his Tommy Jersey presentation at Leichhardt that he is all about ego. Should have been a Wests Magpies legend to do it, not a major sponsor who assumed the role as Chairman. He does front the media but really what other chairman does it for NRL clubs?

Pascoe is the opposite where he avoids the media and just cops the criticism and negative press to our club which is poor for a CEO .

In my view that is why we are click bait because we let it happen, not to say that most of it is warranted.
 
Vicious said:
It’s becoming quite clear there is a strong connection between Benji and the current key players within our team.
Rate him as a coach or not, Benji has an aura about him and the players will back him to the hilt.
Click to expand...
Have been preaching this for a while…. say what you want about Benji but I’m hearing he’s doing an outstanding job in terms of his ability to connect with players and getting them to buy into the culture he’s trying to implement.

I’ve said for a while both Stef and Ice aren’t leaving and want to give Benji chance. Big Stef has captain aspirations here for himself and pictures ending his career a one club player. A full pre-season under Benji with all 3 of Sullivan, Seizer and Latu Fainu guiding him around he could have a breakout year.

If we can get one more strike centre heading into 2024 I’ll be happy with our chances at the 8 - but that’s just my opinion.
 
tiger_scott said:
2024 Calendar released. Our monthly men are:
January: Bateman
February: Klemmer
March: Koroisau
April: Papali'i
May: Pole
June: Naden
July: Utoikamanu
August: Matamua
September: Doueihi
October: To'a
November: Twal
December: Tupou

View attachment 7162

Wonder how many will be around? Don't think Mr September will play much NRL next season. Mr November may have moved on (unfortunately). Interestingly, no Noffa.
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How come Lee never got a start on there ??
 
supercoach said:
Most of the leaks come from player management groups who get their info from the players. The media and management groups feed off each other. The media want headlines and the management groups want their customers pushed forward.
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And leaks = readership, clicks and media "wearing big pants!"
 
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