Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Rusty]

Pretty sure illias is a tigers junior also, not many rate him but I think he's pretty solid personally not sure if or when he left the tigers system though

I believe, WT kicked him to the kerb after he suffered a bad ankle injury in the junior grades. Souths threw him a lifeline because of Benji...

 

[GNR4LIFE]

For those saying Sezer will only be here 12 months he will be the perfect foil for Luai. Sullivan /Fainu off the bench.

How good?!

Guess we’ll wait and see. Easy to make these sorts of predictions over the summer when optimism is sky high. Opinions will be interesting to read if/when we lose a few.

 

[Tito Santana]

Luai is in his prime and has just played in his fourth, I’ll repeat FOURTH straight NRL grand final. Comparing him to guys who have looked good playing junior rep football is somewhat delusional. If a kid is good, they will come through the grades and push for a spot in time.

Yep agreed. We’ve recruited on potential for too long.

PS. Please Tigers fire Noffa and Douhei.

 

[Tom Shines]

Champion players don’t wait around until they are 22 for a crack at NRL.
I will say there is no reason Onitoni Large cannot initially play as a centre if/when he makes his NRL debut, based on standing out as a centre and being captain of the young Waratah’s Team in that position.
Likewise Galvin could initially be very handy as a 14 due to his versatility and looks to have the attributes to potentially become a very good 13 or left edge back rower.
I cannot see Latu Fainu being all that suited to other positions other than 5/8 or possibly as a 9.
I just think we are succumbing to public and fan pressure in looking to sign the first big name that pops up, without considering what’s already in our own backyard and at least giving them an opportunity to show what they can do in their preferred position at NRL level before shu

Well… it looks like he is coming … so let’s hope they have got a plan to develop these kids anyway….

 

[Tom Shines]

Guess we’ll wait and see. Easy to make these sorts of predictions over the summer when optimism is sky high. Opinions will be interesting to read if/when we lose a few.

Sezer hasn’t ran 1 yard or made 1 tackle yet … but a lot here already got him extended …not bad for someone knocking on the door of 33 who hasn't played in the NRL in 5 years …

As you said …come Mid May the same people might be thinking he is part of the problem and not the solution…

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Sezer hasn’t ran 1 yard or made 1 tackle yet … but a lot here already got him extended …not bad for someone knocking on the door of 33 who hasn't played in the NRL in 5 years …

As you said …come Mid May the same people might be thinking he is part of the problem and not the solution…

And Im sorry to out him, cos I love @Demps, my long time forum brother from another mother. But he already has Sezar working with the club in an off field role post footy. Way too premature.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

He is on a dev, and can start round 1

Isn't Lobb a good goal kicker?
Who is going to do the goal kicking 2024?
Api got us over the line with a memorable shot from the side line but does not fill me with confidence.
Does Sezer kick goals.
I hope Lobb is good enough to get a start on the wing and kick the important two pointers.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

As you said …come Mid May the same people might be thinking he is part of the problem and not the solution…

And clamouring for Luai to hurry up and get here. I know how this forum rolls. Been here too long.

 

[KCTiger2]

Well… it looks like he is coming … so let’s hope they have got a plan to develop these kids anyway….

Richo pulled out of the AFB deal cause it would block a path for our juniors and he has talked heaps about not blocking those paths so we wouldn’t sign luai if it was gonna block the path

 

[gregjm87]

Isn't Lobb a good goal kicker?
Who is going to do the goal kicking 2024?
Api got us over the line with a memorable shot from the side line but does not fill me with confidence.
Does Sezer kick goals.
I hope Lobb is good enough to get a start on the wing and kick the important two pointers.

Sezer was a very good goal kicker in his Dogs and Titans days but done little GK since. Sullivan has done plenty of goal kicking throughout lower grade comps and kicked when Lomax was out (and I'd suggest will be our first choice). Then as you say Api and Lobb are noted goal kickers.

 

[KCTiger2]

Isn't Lobb a good goal kicker?
Who is going to do the goal kicking 2024?
Api got us over the line with a memorable shot from the side line but does not fill me with confidence.
Does Sezer kick goals.
I hope Lobb is good enough to get a start on the wing and kick the important two pointers.

Lobb can kick think he kicks at a high 70s Sezer hasn’t kicked since he was at the titans but kicked at 80% and api doesn’t fill me with much confidence but he kicked at like 90% last year

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Richo pulled out of the AFB deal cause it would block a path for our juniors and he has talked heaps about not blocking those paths so we wouldn’t sign luai if it was gonna block the path

Thanks for the info. It is good to learn Richardson's thinking in terms of Fonua-Blake. I am pleased he is considering our junior talent in player acquisitions.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Sezer was a very good goal kicker in his Dogs and Titans days but done little GK since. Sullivan has done plenty of goal kicking throughout lower grade comps and kicked when Lomax was out (and I'd suggest will be our first choice). Then as you say Api and Lobb are noted goal kickers.

Thanks for that info.

 

[TigerNeddyK]

Sezer hasn’t ran 1 yard or made 1 tackle yet … but a lot here already got him extended …not bad for someone knocking on the door of 33 who hasn't played in the NRL in 5 years …

As you said …come Mid May the same people might be thinking he is part of the problem and not the solution…

And they also may not be, a team needs 17 players, you fit the good players in somewhere, also peopl on this site are so quick to write players off and want them moved on, what about showing some loyalty, honouring contracts.. we want to build a culture that starts with keeping a group of guys together that have a common purpose and goal of winning a premiership together, of playing for each other and the jersey that they represent, that they belong to. We will never get that until we show the players we believe in them and they belong with us.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

I hope our talent scouts were watching the Murri Cup and the women's game between SEQ and the Mungindi team. The latter team's fullback Gordon is just so strong, she is difficult to pull down, has a great step and is quick. I wonder if she is related to the ex Knights's winger? The left winger is lightning quick and has come up with a couple of big plays, both centres are very good and the front rower ran 3/4 from the kick off to set up a try. A lot of talent in that side and I hope they get a chance to showcase their talent in higher grades.

 

[Tom Shines]

And they also may not be, a team needs 17 players, you fit the good players in somewhere, also peopl on this site are so quick to write players off and want them moved on, what about showing some loyalty, honouring contracts.. we want to build a culture that starts with keeping a group of guys together that have a common purpose and goal of winning a premiership together, of playing for each other and the jersey that they represent, that they belong to. We will never get that until we show the players we believe in them and they belong with us.

How about we just wait and see how he goes first before we extend him now … is my point…but even if he plays well… I think he is short odds of being here in 2025 given the young depth at the position …assuming JL is coming of course

 

[SeanT]

Look at Penriths model.

If Nathan or Luai go down model... they aren't throwing in rookies.

They've got seasoned back up, in the likes of Salmon or Cogger or even NSW cup royalty (😂) Kurt Falls.

Sezar is the guy for 2024, yes Luai is coming in 2025 and that gives us a year to get the kids some experience but to say Sezar has no value is such a poor take, in any context.

Say what you want about him as a player but Benji wanted him here for a reason & I think that's why he won't be just a one season wonder at the Tigers... he'll stick around as a mentor or a trainer or the like and provide a lot of value to this club.

His kicking game is worth the one year by itself. He wont set up many tries but he will kick us to a spot where we have a shot at scoring tries.

 

[liltiger]

That union winger the roosters just signed was ours

The winger from the wallabies. How can we let talent like that slip away, it shows if management arnt on the ball with it all it affect everything. Not only was the boardroom a joke but even our ability to sustain success through our juniors for about 7 years was non existent.

 

[BrissieTiger67]

Lobb can kick think he kicks at a high 70s Sezer hasn’t kicked since he was at the titans but kicked at 80% and api doesn’t fill me with much confidence but he kicked at like 90% last year

Can we have Wakeham in special teams brought on for goal kicking ? 😂

 

[851]

These stories that’s are in the public domain.

Do get pushed by player managers, trying ti control narratives or manipulate public perception.

History does show this, especially when players are agitating for a release, but for a release with no loss of income.

The difference here is that we don’t or won’t take any of his contract on the books if he goes. Where we have with others in the past.

He’s long odds to be here round 1. It’s been made clear to him that he is lower in the pecking order, and his manager is looking to look after his client, so planting a story here or there, to ensure tigers do everything they can to get him off the books is good managing. (Scummy game, but good if you’re the client, looking for a place that wants you without the decrease in income).

Really not too different to the tigers and olam. Melb did want us to heavily subsidise not only his contract, but also play blore to go there.

Let the tug of war play out.

Still plenty of water to go under the bridge before round 1.

For sure, we are smarter and have better people in charge now, Nofa and the Storm are dealing with completely different people, no longer push overs