Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Tom Shines]

I don’t think he will be missed that much , Sam is going Well in one back row spot we just need to grab a real goer from another club probably on way less , plus a big nasty prop and a decent centre

The problem is ..if you have not worked this out … is that the team never improves overall… we get new players but let others go…just wheel spinning and keeping our squad as the weakest in the competition

Ice was contracted here next year … he would have been playing in a better team with Luia and with the younger guys improving ( hopefully) …, he would have also been incentivised in the last year of his existing contract to play well to get his next deal (presumably elsewhere) …how Sam is going is not relevant …we need three backrowers playing well…

At last get the replacement done first and then let him go … cant just assume there are replacements just waiting to be signed … we waited all last offsason to get some wingers …ended up with a couple of reserve graders who are still struggling to break through six months later ..

 

[mikey]

I asked ChatGPT what should Benji Marshall say to the team at half time after we have typically given the opposition a 20 point lead in the early stages of our games.

ChatGPT

Benji Marshall could offer a mix of encouragement, tactical adjustments, and motivation at halftime:

1. Encouragement: "Alright, team, great effort out there in the first half. We've shown flashes of brilliance, and we're definitely in this game. Let's build on those positive moments and keep pushing forward."
2. Tactical Adjustments: "We've identified a few areas where we can tighten up defensively and exploit their weaknesses offensively. Let's focus on tightening our defense around the edges and capitalizing on opportunities when they arise."
3. Motivation: "Remember why we're here. Remember the hard work we've put in to get to this point. Let's dig deep, support each other, and leave everything out on the field in this second half. We've got the skill, the determination, and the heart to come out on top."
4. Specific Instructions: "John, I need you to lead the defensive line and communicate effectively. Sarah, keep exploiting those gaps in their defense with your speed and agility. And to the whole team, stay disciplined, stick to the game plan, and execute with precision."
5. Belief: "Above all, believe in yourselves and in each other. We're a team, and together, there's nothing we can't overcome. Let's go out there and show them what we're made of. We've got this!"

So what we really need is for Benji to be more specific as is outlined in point 4 is to put more reliance on John and Sarah, John to lead the defensive line and Sarah to become the focus of our attack.

It's very obvious now that we haven't been doing this and this is where we have gone wrong.

Get onto it Benji.

I asked it, "Why am I dumb enough to keep watching this team?"
The reply cannot be repeated adneaseum. Suffice to say it meant you poor creature of low intelligence that enjoys pain.

 

[KCTiger2]

No one here can do anything … a few people want him moved on already though

A few people in the forum or a few people at the club?

 

[Tom Shines]

A few people in the forum or a few people at the club?

On the forum

 

[liltiger]

Approaching players who aren’t off contract does breach NRL rules though … all clubs might do it … but I know who they will choose to make an example of to punish someone if they need too … also the Wests Tigers are the club News Ltd goes after … see today where there is their now annual article bashing the club about the amount of money paid to terminated players .. even though other clubs do the same

Spot on, agree 100 percent

 

[liltiger]

The problem is ..if you have not worked this out … is that the team never improves overall… we get new players but let others go…just wheel spinning and keeping our squad as the weakest in the competition

Ice was contracted here next year … he would have been playing in a better team with Luia and with the younger guys improving ( hopefully) …, he would have also been incentivised in the last year of his existing contract to play well to get his next deal (presumably elsewhere) …how Sam is going is not relevant …we need three backrowers playing well…

At last get the replacement done first and then let him go … cant just assume there are replacements just waiting to be signed … we waited all last offsason to get some wingers …ended up with a couple of reserve graders who are still struggling to break through six months later ..

I was abit surprised the release wasn't contingent on us finding a replacement first. Perhaps we did and it hasn't been announced yet, though it is abit strange.

 

[GCfan]

It amazes me how so many people say we can just sign a cheap guy with the same output from here or there as if it is like picking low hanging fruit.
If it was that simple we’d have done it years ago, as would have all clubs.
Be careful what you wish for folks.
If we lose as much experience as the journos claim I reckon we’re going to go backwards at a rate of knots and our marquee signings for next year will be nullified.
I agree we’re not getting the X factor performance we expect from these blokes but you cant put an old head on young shoulders

 

[Tito Santana]

It amazes me how so many people say we can just sign a cheap guy with the same output from here or there as if it is like picking low hanging fruit.
If it was that simple we’d have done it years ago, as would have all clubs.
Be careful what you wish for folks.
If we lose as much experience as the journos claim I reckon we’re going to go backwards at a rate of knots and our marquee signings for next year will be nullified.
I agree we’re not getting the X factor performance we expect from these blokes but you cant put an old head on young shoulders

Greatest post of all time. 100% agree.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

I asked ChatGPT what should Benji Marshall say to the team at half time after we have typically given the opposition a 20 point lead in the early stages of our games.

ChatGPT

Benji Marshall could offer a mix of encouragement, tactical adjustments, and motivation at halftime:

1. Encouragement: "Alright, team, great effort out there in the first half. We've shown flashes of brilliance, and we're definitely in this game. Let's build on those positive moments and keep pushing forward."
2. Tactical Adjustments: "We've identified a few areas where we can tighten up defensively and exploit their weaknesses offensively. Let's focus on tightening our defense around the edges and capitalizing on opportunities when they arise."
3. Motivation: "Remember why we're here. Remember the hard work we've put in to get to this point. Let's dig deep, support each other, and leave everything out on the field in this second half. We've got the skill, the determination, and the heart to come out on top."
4. Specific Instructions: "John, I need you to lead the defensive line and communicate effectively. Sarah, keep exploiting those gaps in their defense with your speed and agility. And to the whole team, stay disciplined, stick to the game plan, and execute with precision."
5. Belief: "Above all, believe in yourselves and in each other. We're a team, and together, there's nothing we can't overcome. Let's go out there and show them what we're made of. We've got this!"

So what we really need is for Benji to be more specific as is outlined in point 4 is to put more reliance on John and Sarah, John to lead the defensive line and Sarah to become the focus of our attack.

It's very obvious now that we haven't been doing this and this is where we have gone wrong.

Get onto it Benji.

Can we get a "Robot" to convey these instructions at half time as well?

 

[GCfan]

Greatest post of all time. 100% agree.

Steady on Tito! Appreciate the sentiment but of all time….🤣

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

Papalli has the same manager as Utoikamanu who wants an upgrade. Klemmer and Bateman have the same manager as Galvin who needs to be upgraded. I would guess there are many moving parts.

Sounds like the player managers are calling the shots

 

[bptiger 0]

So we’re having a clean out or cap rebalance or maybe it’s a gutting.
Which came first? The clean out or the players saying they’ve had enough?
Is our coach being proactive or reactive?

The scary part of the clean out , is we let a heap of players go and get no one in and the club tries to sell us the juniors will stand up , if this happens u can lick us in for a few more wooden spoons .

 

[ATown]

I asked ChatGPT what should Benji Marshall say to the team at half time after we have typically given the opposition a 20 point lead in the early stages of our games.

ChatGPT

Benji Marshall could offer a mix of encouragement, tactical adjustments, and motivation at halftime:

1. Encouragement: "Alright, team, great effort out there in the first half. We've shown flashes of brilliance, and we're definitely in this game. Let's build on those positive moments and keep pushing forward."
2. Tactical Adjustments: "We've identified a few areas where we can tighten up defensively and exploit their weaknesses offensively. Let's focus on tightening our defense around the edges and capitalizing on opportunities when they arise."
3. Motivation: "Remember why we're here. Remember the hard work we've put in to get to this point. Let's dig deep, support each other, and leave everything out on the field in this second half. We've got the skill, the determination, and the heart to come out on top."
4. Specific Instructions: "John, I need you to lead the defensive line and communicate effectively. Sarah, keep exploiting those gaps in their defense with your speed and agility. And to the whole team, stay disciplined, stick to the game plan, and execute with precision."
5. Belief: "Above all, believe in yourselves and in each other. We're a team, and together, there's nothing we can't overcome. Let's go out there and show them what we're made of. We've got this!"

So what we really need is for Benji to be more specific as is outlined in point 4 is to put more reliance on John and Sarah, John to lead the defensive line and Sarah to become the focus of our attack.

It's very obvious now that we haven't been doing this and this is where we have gone wrong.

Get onto it Benji.

I’ve been pushing for Sarah to get a run all year.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Jimmy Ngutlik comeback this afternoon in Sydney Shield for Ryde Eastwood Hawks.

 

[Vicious]

There is now a clear blueprint of what’s required to be an effective edge back rower, they ideally need to be a big bodied, athletic hard running tackle buster such as Kikau, Olakau’atu, Katoa, Nanai, Martin, Crichton, Fifita, Ben Turbo or the smaller but fast & aggressive players such as Radley, Young, Piakura, Nikita, Wilton etc
We are finally wising up and realising Samuela Fainu fits this description, but you need at least 2 more, one as the other starting player and one on the bench that can ideally also play in the centres should injuries occur throughout a game.
I’m sorry to say, but Bateman no longer fits this description and Papali’i although more than capable of breaking tackles, is probably a touch too slow of what we need.
The Roosters moving Radley to an edge looks to be a master stroke and Souths now realising Kalomatangi is also probably a touch slow for an edge and more suited as a middle forward is further evidence to be effective on an edge the player needs to be very fast and aggressive, or a big body that is also faster than average.

 

[crazycat]

With our side, reputation, current build position and history of performance of recruited players; it’s evident that signing a young player as a marquee ie Blair / IPap ain’t for us.
We are having much more success with signings like Samuela Fainu who we picked up for semi decent money but have been signed before they have broken into the nrl as a player of interest.
Similar to Matterson and even Leulia these mid range gambles are the go.
Doorey and Burns both show promise but are also inconsistent.
We need to pick up Dylan Lucas from the Knights or as someone mentioned in the thread Klease Hass. This is our play.

Lets take it further.
Sullivan
Latu Fainu

How have these next big things worked out for us?

They haven't. We should stop signing players "on potenial" particularly if they are not first graders. I honestly can only think of Galvin and Bula who have actually earned their potential.

Sign Solid first graders. People who would take the field!
We have far too many signigns in the "potential" zone and we have trouble developing potential.

 

[Vicious]

Lets take it further.
Sullivan
Latu Fainu

How have these next big things worked out for us?

They haven't. We should stop signing players "on potenial" particularly if they are not first graders. I honestly can only think of Galvin and Bula who have actually earned their potential.

Sign Solid first graders. People who would take the field!
We have far too many signigns in the "potential" zone and we have trouble developing potential.

Put Sullivan and Fainu in the halves for one of the top teams and they would play well.
We keep blaming halves, but they are getting next tn no playmaking assistance from our fullback, no playmaking assistance from our 13 and have next to no tackle busting ability to plants on our edges.
Noticeably when we have looked like a half decent attacking team it has been due to Olam’ hard aggressive running or the recent emergence of Samuela Fainu on our edge.
Fox the dynamic around the halves and they will get tge job done.

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

Put Sullivan and Fainu in the halves for one of the top teams and they would play well.
We keep blaming halves, but they are getting next tn no playmaking assistance from our fullback, no playmaking assistance from our 13 and have next to no tackle busting ability to plants on our edges.
Noticeably when we have looked like a half decent attacking team it has been due to Olam’ hard aggressive running or the recent emergence of Samuela Fainu on our edge.
Fox the dynamic around the halves and they will get tge job done.

I've been a big Matamua doubter but I think it was obvious our attack looked much better when he came on at 13 and we fell back out of the game when he came off. Didn't look overwhelmed this week and I hope we let him play there for a few games.

 

[ancient_magpie]

Jimmy Ngutlik comeback this afternoon in Sydney Shield for Ryde Eastwood Hawks.View attachment 12490

Your great value BWG keep it up.

 

[magpies forever]

Sounds like the player managers are calling the shots

Alas, all too often they do. They try to get a stranglehold on particular clubs and then rule.