Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[gregjm87]

The half back thing is just bizzare.

Not really if you consider he views himself qs a half. Aside from centre it is probably the position he has his best chance of getting back in the side with only Sezer and Sullivan as competition. Then if he can play a few half decent games there he should get a reasonable offer from another club.

I've never been a fan of his. Even in his best year 2021 when so many others were claiming he was our best I thought he was a overated selfish player in attack and lazy in defence. But if he can get back on the field and get himself a contract even as a backup half elsewhere good luck to him.

The minimum wage offer is fair enough from the club and his rejection in hopes of earning a better one is just as fair.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Armstrong has it all over Bula in attack but his defence is suspect - tackling, positional play and kick disposals. His defence, however, will improve as he bulks up and gets more experience.

He’s lazy af in defence.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Adam D deserves a chance, a solid depth player who can cover a number of positions.

I would retain him on a 1 year contract.

I'm not believing the DT details.

yeah nah no thanks

 

[hammertime]

If we could move Sullivan on, then maybe there is a chance he might add to halves depth. Otherwise, he better get practicing at centre

 

[king_sirro]

Not really if you consider he views himself qs a half. Aside from centre it is probably the position he has his best chance of getting back in the side with only Sezer and Sullivan as competition. Then if he can play a few half decent games there he should get a reasonable offer from another club.

I've never been a fan of his. Even in his best year 2021 when so many others were claiming he was our best I thought he was a overated selfish player in attack and lazy in defence. But if he can get back on the field and get himself a contract even as a backup half elsewhere good luck to him.

The minimum wage offer is fair enough from the club and his rejection in hopes of earning a better one is just as fair.

I think it is bizarre he views himself as a halfback. It shows a complete lack of self awareness.

He has some good moments in the halves because he has some skills and is generally a talented footballer. However he clearly lacks vision, probably the most important part of playing in the halves. He will throw long when he needs to throw short, he throw short when he needs to throw long etc.

If he can't see he is best as a runner of the ball first, and let some skill come in naturally off the back of that then it's bizarre he can't see that he needs to play in a position that is a run first mentality.

I also disagree it's his best chance to get into the team later this year. We are struggling in the centres and backrow, the 2 spots his skillset seem most suited to. It would also allow him the opportunity to stay here long term if he committed to play in either or those spots. As a halfback he has no chance of staying.

 

[twentyforty]

Tommy Talau did some nice things on Friday but also had a few horror moments. Costing his team tries.

Pauga played well but came up with a simple drop to kill the Roosters chances.

The guys we release to good clubs often become role players but rarely are they the game changers we are lacking to become a winning club.

An alternate view? All these teams are higher up the ladder than Tigers. I suppose that’s a coincidence?
We can all find fault in the players we’ve let go and are fitting in well at their new club, which is preferable to praising their efforts.
The one thing I’ve noticed is these players are highly motivated when they play us, much more so than when they wore a Tigers jersey.
They will score a double against us, while we struggled to get a lone try from their time here?
Disgruntled ex employees huh?

 

[king_sirro]

IMO Talau is playing very similar to how he did with us. Maybe his hands have improved slightly, but that's about it.

I don't think these fringe players who leave us get better, it's just that they are in a team with some top end talent that win games, and winning games looks good. Once we get that top end talent, I'm sure our fringe players that often frustrate us will look better because we are winning. A loss brings out all our negativity and analysis of every moment.

 

[king_sirro]

Armstrong has it all over Bula in attack but his defence is suspect - tackling, positional play and kick disposals. His defence, however, will improve as he bulks up and gets more experience.

Another youngster on a meteoric rise is Ethan Strange. If he was a Tigers we would've anointed him as the next immortal.

I feel like that is the view of a shattered Tigers supporter, and I can understand that. However if you asked 100 neutral supporters who is the better attacker, I'm willing to put money on that Bula would win the vote. I would even say most Newcastle supporters would say Bula.

 

[Needaname]

re David Armstrong..
So is that David Armstrong or Adam O'brien?

Bula is clearly a physical talent. If we are not getting the most out of him, why aren't we asking "what are the knights doing that we are not?"

Time to fix the club instead of the roster.

Not sure mate. Armstrong was in reserves all last year tearing it up. Would O’Brien had that much of an influence then? Possibly Ponga may of had a bigger influence if he started pre-season with firsts this year.

 

[Halbrowne61]

Freight is the obvious question considering we’ve already paid him a motsa to do FA.

Yes, I think Richo should add up what we’ve paid him so far, plus next years offer and divide by the number of seasons he’s been here.
Then it would be a much more realistic discussion.
Let’s say $600k( or whatever he’s on) x 3 +$150k = $1.95m/ 4 = $487,500pa average.

 

[Bula]

He’s lazy af in defence.

But he has nice teeth.

 

[tiger_one]

But he has nice teeth.

And gee, he's quick and knows the way to the try line.

 

[crazycat]

Agree. Benji has said more than once our attack wasn’t the focus in the preseason or during our season start. He knows it needs to be addressed but was intent on focusing on defensive effort.

If you look at our structures in attack and defensive wise you can see we haven’t practiced much on set plays.

Actually, why haven't we focused on set plays.
The biggest sadness in bringing Sheens back, None of his crazy set plays.

Issue is balance. I get Benji intent but if you don’t have the ability to score 3-4 tries a game you won’t win many games regardless how good the defence is.

Teams know they will win most times because we can’t score that’s half the pre game battle right up front.

I actually see it differently.

Defense is how strong the team is. It only takes one or two weak links and teams know where to target and score.
Attack, you need co-ordination between a few players and skills in the scorer and play maker. Yes when the whole team can threaten it is better, but you don't need every player involved in the attack.

You need every player involved in the defence. One or two weak links, and you will get 4 against.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Freight is the obvious question considering we’ve already paid him a motsa to do FA.

And a top 30 spot.
I think we can fill that spot with someone better than him.
And not have to live on hope he can now run faster and tackle better. Dreamers.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

IMO Talau is playing very similar to how he did with us. Maybe his hands have improved slightly, but that's about it.

I don't think these fringe players who leave us get better, it's just that they are in a team with some top end talent that win games, and winning games looks good. Once we get that top end talent, I'm sure our fringe players that often frustrate us will look better because we are winning. A loss brings out all our negativity and analysis of every moment.

Talau made plenty of metres on the end of a better team; But did not beat a man, bust a tackle or set up a try. Just didn't drop a ball, otherwise same as at Tigers.

 

[Buttface]

Tommy Talau did some nice things on Friday but also had a few horror moments. Costing his team tries.

Pauga played well but came up with a simple drop to kill the Roosters chances.

The guys we release to good clubs often become role players but rarely are they the game changers we are lacking to become a winning club.

Better sides can afford to carry reserve graders who don’t even know the rules to the game they are playing.
Pepe La Puaga still stinks.

 

[Needaname]

Actually, why haven't we focused on set plays.
The biggest sadness in bringing Sheens back, None of his crazy set plays.


I actually see it differently.

Defense is how strong the team is. It only takes one or two weak links and teams know where to target and score.
Attack, you need co-ordination between a few players and skills in the scorer and play maker. Yes when the whole team can threaten it is better, but you don't need every player involved in the attack.

You need every player involved in the defence. One or two weak links, and you will get 4 against.

Our attack sucks because we only have 1 attacking threat in Bula. Our game plan revolves around getting Bula in space and working off that. Most teams have 3 to 4 running threats. We have just 1.

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

Let's be honest, if we offered nothing, the optics would be bad for the club. It's a way to save face for club and player knowing full well what the end result will be.

Not offering a contract to someone who has had 2 season ending injuries doesn't look bad for the club at all?save face with who? Let be honest, that statement is an overreaction.

 

[TigerSJ]

On AD….
I have little faith in him even returning to the level he once played at - which was at best, inconsistent. He was a selfish player with no real grit or effort in him. His D was rubbish and his skills, for a half and playmaker were below par. Realistically if we are serious about improving our culture and our squad I can’t see a spot for him.
Offering him an opportunity to prove himself on a minimum wage contract is a good faith and sound option. The club is not in a position to take a risk on him.

 

[Odessa]

Agree. Benji has said more than once our attack wasn’t the focus in the preseason or during our season start. He knows it needs to be addressed but was intent on focusing on defensive effort.

If you look at our structures in attack and defensive wise you can see we haven’t practiced much on set plays.

Issue is balance. I get Benji intent but if you don’t have the ability to score 3-4 tries a game you won’t win many games regardless how good the defence is.

Teams know they will win most times because we can’t score that’s half the pre game battle right up front.

Score board pressure the Tiger's don't create for the opposition

Until that's fix let's lose most games games by 8-14 and finish second last instead of last