Tucker
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What, when, where, why and how?
Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
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851
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Some interesting stuff in there, might if we are lucky it might quiten a few of the alarmists on here for a day or so, as this is not a tele club bashing article, it may be a little closer to the truth for a change
Wests Tigers have provided Jarome Luai a four-year, $4.5 million contract, as well a chance to fulfil an ambition that’s impossible at Penrith; the chance to wear the No.7 jersey.
The Tigers have had ongoing talks with Luai and his manager which, according to sources speaking on the condition of anonymity to ensure negotiations aren’t affected, crystallised in the form of a formal offer on Thursday.
The disparity between what Penrith can afford and what the Tigers have offered is significant. Luai has opted to test the market rather than immediately accept a $1.7 million, two-year extension from the Panthers.
If Luai’s primary motivator is money, it makes sense for him to leave the foot of the mountains. However, the Tigers’ pitch for his services goes beyond finances.
As an extra incentive for Luai to shift from the three-peat Panthers to a team that has earned the past two wooden spoons, Luai has been offered the chance to become the Tigers’ chief playmaker.
Tigers coach Benji Marshall recently made a secret pitch to Luai at the Penrith playmaker’s home. During discussions, according to informed sources, Luai expressed a desire to play at halfback. It’s an ambition the NSW playmaker won’t fulfil at the premiers given Nathan Cleary has a mortgage on the No.7 jersey.
Jarome Luai is weighing up his future.© Sydney Morning Herald / Rhett Wyman
Marshall is happy to provide that opportunity, handing Luai the keys to the team and a chance to emerge from Cleary’s shadow.
In his first season as a head coach, Marshall is keen to make a statement signing and hopes it comes in the form of Luai. The club currently has playmaking options in veteran half Aidan Sezer, newcomers Jayden Sullivan and Latu Fainu, youngster Lachlan Galvin and the injured Adam Doueihi on their books.
Marshall gave little away when asked about Luai at a press conference last week.
“All players that come onto the market, you’ve got to have a look at, especially if they’re marquee players,” Marshall said. “But we’ve signed halves. We’ve got four halves for the season going into it. We’ll prioritise that at the moment.”
The Tigers are also planning to make a play for Addin Fonua-Blake, who is likely to be granted a release from the Warriors for the 2025 season on compassionate grounds. Given he wants to return to Sydney to be closer to family, the Warriors won’t allow him to join an NRL club outside the harbour city.
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has stated Fonua-Blake is on his radar, while Canterbury general manager of football Phil Gould has stated he is a player of interest.
“Addin is a quality player,” Gould said on SEN Afternoons with Jimmy Smith. “I spent a little bit of time with the Warriors during Covid and got to see Addin first-hand, he’s a quality player.
“He’s not cheap, though. I’d imagine there’d be a lot of interest in Addin.”
The Fonua-Blake development comes at a time when there is intrigue over David Klemmer’s future.
Klemmer is contracted until the end of 2025, with a mutual option for the following season. However, the Tigers are prepared to release the former representative prop early if a rival is prepared to offer him a long-term deal. Klemmer’s departure would free up funds, but the Tigers have the salary cap space required to accommodate him and Luai regardless.
There have also been meetings this week with a view to brokering a player swap between Tigers forward Shaun Blore and Melbourne centre Justin OIam. The Storm would need to subsidise part of Olam’s proposed Tigers salary to make the deal palatable and the parties are yet to arrive at a suitable figure.
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The Tigers have had ongoing talks with Luai and his manager which, according to sources speaking on the condition of anonymity to ensure negotiations aren’t affected, crystallised in the form of a formal offer on Thursday.
The disparity between what Penrith can afford and what the Tigers have offered is significant. Luai has opted to test the market rather than immediately accept a $1.7 million, two-year extension from the Panthers.
If Luai’s primary motivator is money, it makes sense for him to leave the foot of the mountains. However, the Tigers’ pitch for his services goes beyond finances.
As an extra incentive for Luai to shift from the three-peat Panthers to a team that has earned the past two wooden spoons, Luai has been offered the chance to become the Tigers’ chief playmaker.
Tigers coach Benji Marshall recently made a secret pitch to Luai at the Penrith playmaker’s home. During discussions, according to informed sources, Luai expressed a desire to play at halfback. It’s an ambition the NSW playmaker won’t fulfil at the premiers given Nathan Cleary has a mortgage on the No.7 jersey.
Jarome Luai is weighing up his future.© Sydney Morning Herald / Rhett Wyman
Marshall is happy to provide that opportunity, handing Luai the keys to the team and a chance to emerge from Cleary’s shadow.
In his first season as a head coach, Marshall is keen to make a statement signing and hopes it comes in the form of Luai. The club currently has playmaking options in veteran half Aidan Sezer, newcomers Jayden Sullivan and Latu Fainu, youngster Lachlan Galvin and the injured Adam Doueihi on their books.
Marshall gave little away when asked about Luai at a press conference last week.
“All players that come onto the market, you’ve got to have a look at, especially if they’re marquee players,” Marshall said. “But we’ve signed halves. We’ve got four halves for the season going into it. We’ll prioritise that at the moment.”
The Tigers are also planning to make a play for Addin Fonua-Blake, who is likely to be granted a release from the Warriors for the 2025 season on compassionate grounds. Given he wants to return to Sydney to be closer to family, the Warriors won’t allow him to join an NRL club outside the harbour city.
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has stated Fonua-Blake is on his radar, while Canterbury general manager of football Phil Gould has stated he is a player of interest.
“Addin is a quality player,” Gould said on SEN Afternoons with Jimmy Smith. “I spent a little bit of time with the Warriors during Covid and got to see Addin first-hand, he’s a quality player.
“He’s not cheap, though. I’d imagine there’d be a lot of interest in Addin.”
The Fonua-Blake development comes at a time when there is intrigue over David Klemmer’s future.
Klemmer is contracted until the end of 2025, with a mutual option for the following season. However, the Tigers are prepared to release the former representative prop early if a rival is prepared to offer him a long-term deal. Klemmer’s departure would free up funds, but the Tigers have the salary cap space required to accommodate him and Luai regardless.
There have also been meetings this week with a view to brokering a player swap between Tigers forward Shaun Blore and Melbourne centre Justin OIam. The Storm would need to subsidise part of Olam’s proposed Tigers salary to make the deal palatable and the parties are yet to arrive at a suitable figure.
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Tito Santana
Well-known member
In an oversight role. Everyone know Benji loves Wayne and vice versa.
Board should be going all in on this.
Tucker
Well-known member
He had a good mentor in an oversight role and look how they treated him.
Wayne would be a lunatic to walk away from his current project to join this risky venture.
They will, I’ve seen many stories, particularly on social media about the dragons and dogs offering big money for players recently. The dragons were apparently going all out for Manu a couple of weeks ago and the dogs are always after some marquee signing or another. It’s not just about us.
Well Melbourne have been quoted as wanting to build up their middles for this season.
With Top 17 players Tariq and Eisenhuth (though edge player) leaving and only Howarth in the juniors (also an edge player) I’d say there is a spot to get on that bench at Melbourne if he can prove the best candidate.
Where as here yes he will start in the 17 but prehaps we would prefer to bring up either Faagatu or Kit.
Parramatta junior.
Was it anything like his winging articles when face to face?
SwervinMervin
Well-known member
Heard some of the pundits who are normally pretty harsh on the Tiges say that the intel is not coming from within the club. They suggested other clubs, including Pentrith, are tipping people for their own reasons.
SwervinMervin
Well-known member
The headline about Bradman best rejecting the Tiges was an absolute turd. If a player elects to stay at their current club for moderately less than what is on offer to leave it is not a rejection. Particularly a yong player who has a lot more contract oppotunities in front of him. It is only a rejection if he left Newcastle to join another club for less money than the Tigers were prepared to offier him. And to be fair, that has happened before to the Wests Tigers, but not in this case.
Keep Kepaoa... You have to be joking..Too slow for a back, missing in defence and cannot catch a high ball and even one straight on his chest.
WestsEffTheRest
Well-known member
I think you forgot to read his username Lol
Kelce68
Well-known member
He played HM for both Wests and Parramatta. He then played SG Ball for Wests.
I'd say that's pretty definitive evidence that he's at least, also, a Wests' junior.
SwervinMervin
Well-known member
I can never really understand why the size thing disqualifies someone from the halves. If the size comes at the cost of speed and agility then yes, but that doesn't always have to be the case, right? Cleary is no midget, he would be around 6'2 and 100kgs by the looks of it. Perhaps someone can enlighten me on why it is automatically assumed that if a young half is growing into a big unit that a move the forwards or into the centres is inevitable.
SwervinMervin
Well-known member
DT Thursday podcast. Reckons he has signed at Melbourne for 2025 but that ideally they want him for this year, so still a tradeable commodity for an immediate Olam swap if they can agree on an Olam salary subsidy number. Don't know where he got this from but discussed it on the pod
SwervinMervin
Well-known member
One of the fittest guys at the club apparently. Played almost every game with good stats in 2023. Klem is far from broken down. He may not be the explosive prop who skittles defenders like ten pins, but he is still a very good first grade prop forward. If you were to ask Api whether he feels better lining up next to Klem or Blore I bet he would say Klem every single time.
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