Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Mighty_Tiger]

The Wests Tigers are poised to land the signing of Cronulla’s Royce Hunt as they move to fill the void of prop Stefano Utoikamanu.
Hunt has met with Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall and the club is growing increasingly confident that the Sharks power forward will be on their roster next season.

Hunt is believed to be weighing up a three-year offer as Benji Marshall continues his rebuild of the club.

Hunt is on-contract at the Sharks for 2025 and has been given permission to look for another club for 2026 and beyond.

The Tigers deal would require Hunt securing an early release from Cronulla for 2025, which is expected to be ratified as negotiations intensify this week.

For 400-450k cap hold I’m ok especially if next year as a starter filler & 26 beyond as a rotational prop sure.

If he is high cost & puts us out of the market for some of the options coming onto the market in November for 26 I’m nervous.

 

[851]

And why would NRL be scared of uncle Nick does he have photos/videos of the nrl bosses or something???

He must, they allow the Roosters to do things no other team does, they got SBW on ridiculously low cap dollars, they allowed Tedesco and Cronk to sign in the same offseason, 2 million dollar a year players. Then after winning the premiership, they somehow fitted Crighton into their cap, Souths offered him $800k a season to stay, nothing to see here. Penrith win a premiership and lose 2 or 3 good players, they don't add another star to the roster. They had 14 rep players in their 17 last week, and a few didn't play, they should win the comp every year, Robinson is no master coach, he has the best roster every year. Tallis is constantly taking pot shots at the quality of their roster, and how they are all under the cap.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Looking forward to the Royce deal to become official.

Thoughts? Is he a starter or a bench prop?
Personally think he'll be used like we use Stef.
Opening 20 and closing 20.... no doubt, with more impact.

His skill set is impact focus so hopefully rotational wise we use him that way.

We need more in the front row than him though which hopefully comes in 26 unless a magic release happens.

 

[Tom Shines]

another opportunistic signing similar to Skelton, but the biggest question is whether he's able to evolve his game from being an impact type to a starting calibre enforcer. there can be no question about his ability, but it's the added responsibility which makes me wonder.

Interesting to see how much “evolving” a 29 yr old still has left …

 

[Vicious]

Hi everyone talking about bird gagai we should be looking at Paul alamoti he's young runs hard good defensive players and off contract and would cost a mint

I’m sure I heard he extended with the Panthers earlier in the season, despite it not being recorded on Zero Tackle or other prominent Off Contract Player pages.
They still have James Schiller available also, but it was reported a few months back that he had signed with the Knights for the next few seasons. He’s a right centre, so probably another reason why the Knights have realised they don’t really need Dane Gagai.

 

[Nadz4483]

Thompson & Hunt our 2 hitmen 🙏🏼

Thompson????

 

[Kaito]

Looking forward to the Royce deal to become official.

Thoughts? Is he a starter or a bench prop?
Personally think he'll be used like we use Stef.
Opening 20 and closing 20.... no doubt, with more impact.

Yeah start him with Fonua Pole. Thompson Fainu
on the bench, play Seyfarth at 13 sign Kotoni Staggs
to play right centre and we're rocking & rolling. maybe
Herheington at 13 but either or I'd be genuinely happy

 

[Fish88]

Not sold on Royce Hunt at all. I’d rather we go for a different, more mobile, hard working prop. He can definately fill a role as impact prop but still think we need more leg speed and high intensity attitude in the forwards, especially in defence.

Line speed and intensity should be our targets IMO.

Cant see Hunt doing much to our defensive attitude. He seems cumbersome in defence. We are currently the worst defensive team in the comp.

In saying that, I don’t totally hate the idea of him, provided we can still bring in that leg speed and line speed type forward.

 

[Tom Shines]

The thing I really want to know , is whether Hunt is in for the crocodile roll

 

[Vicious]

Yeah start him with Fonua Pole. Thompson Fainu
on the bench, play Seyfarth at 13 sign Kotoni Staggs
to play right centre and we're rocking & rolling. maybe
Herheington at 13 but either or I'd be genuinely happy

We will need a 13 million dollar cap for that roster Kaito.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Thanks for those words of wisdom AHX.

The writings of a mad man.

 

[Vicious]

The writings of a mad man.

Mad is the new normal and if you support Wests Tigers you have an excuse.

 

[Kaito]

We will need a 13 million dollar cap for that roster Kaito.

Thompson????

Not if we all chip in for 3rd parties haha
@Nadz4483 I'm talking about Leo Thompson

 

[Demps]

Yeah start him with Fonua Pole. Thompson Fainu
on the bench, play Seyfarth at 13 sign Kotoni Staggs
to play right centre and we're rocking & rolling. maybe
Herheington at 13 but either or I'd be genuinely happy

Bruhh

🔥🔥🔥

 

[tigermate]

Anyone got the Benny Elias article from
Bulldog Ritchie

 

[Canadian Club]

Hunt is a decent signing. He doesn't need to play big minutes as Twal and Pole can play 50+ minutes a game. Sione Fainu with a big off season could also play bigger minutes given he is fairly mobile. Would prefer Hunt and Klemmer playing lower minutes for bigger impact when on the field.

 

[tigermate]

Hunt should only be a 2 yr deal

We’ll regret it like we did the extra year for klemmer , Bateman, olam , naden , packer , mbye and every other veteran who has hurt us by having an extra year…

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

probably the best front rower currently on the market and someone we had to pursue given the dearth of quality currently amongst our middles.

another opportunistic signing similar to Skelton, but the biggest question is whether he's able to evolve his game from being an impact type to a starting calibre enforcer. there can be no question about his ability, but it's the added responsibility which makes me wonder.

The Sales pitch for Hunt was on show during the Ch9 Coverage. Every time he got the ball it was "there goes mighty Royce Hunt", "Here's Hunt smashing into them" "He must be the strongest man in the Club eh Gal?" "Yeah he's strong alright" and so on - it was a Hunt Love-a-thon! It made me wonder if Player Managers pay the commentary team a commission for the number of times they call a name. Playerola? Not without a possibility methinks.

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

If and when he signs will definitely entertain your question. Right now its up in the air as Toto in the Kansas tornado.

Well actually, like Toto in Tonga at taxpayer expense. Thanks Albo!

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Anyone got the Benny Elias article from
Bulldog Ritchie

NRL 2024: Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson and captain Api Koroisau hold peace meeting with club critic Ben Elias​

NRL Hall of Famer Ben Elias has been regularly critical of the Wests Tigers over on-field and administrative failures, prompting a specially-convened peace meeting featuring club CEO Shane Richardson and captain Api Koroisau.
Dean RitchieExclusive
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@BulldogRitchie

2 min read
August 28, 2024 - 4:00PM

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03:02
Tigers stun Manly with heroic comeback


NRL: Manly blew a big lead to lose 34-26 and effectively cost themselves any chance of a top-four finish as the Tigers went a long way to avoiding a third-straight wooden spoon.

NRL​

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Wests Tigers critic Ben Elias emerged from a specially-convened two-hour peace meeting with club chief executive Shane Richardson and captain Api Koroisau to declare: “I’m now a believer.”
In a gesture of goodwill, Richardson invited Elias into the club’s high performance centre at Concord on Wednesday morning where the pair discussed all aspects of the club’s operations.
Elias, inducted into the NRL’s Hall of Fame last week, also spoke with star hooker and captain Koroisau.
This masthead understands Richardson also reached out and had coffee with another Tigers legend, Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach, on Monday.
While admitting he had become “frustrated” with the club’s performances as they battled to avoid a third straight wooden spoon, Elias has been given a new perspective on the club and has claimed “the future is extremely bright.”
Elias has regularly called out Wests Tigers for their on-field and administrative failures.
“I have been a critic of the club, of course,” Elias said. “A lot of things have frustrated me and the fans.

The Tigers held a peace meeting with NRL Hall of Famer Benny Elias. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images
“Have we butted heads? Yes, but I have always tried to offer constructive criticism and I always have the Tigers at heart.
“I never want to do anything to hurt the Tigers and offered criticism which I thought could help better my beloved club.


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“Shane rang and asked me to come in and see him. We met for more than two hours. It was really constructive and my views have certainly changed.
“You don’t get anyone higher than the CEO and I walked away full of positive belief in the organisation and the future looks extremely bright.

Tigers captain Api Koroisau was a part of the meeting with Elias. Picture: Tim Hunter.
“We discussed all the young players coming through at length. Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva will be there next year so all fans should stick tight.
“After scoping what they are doing, it’s very, very encouraging.
“I also had a chat with Api, the captain. That was also a good catch-up. The facilities there at Concord are the best in Australia.”
Richardson added: “Benny is a resource we shouldn’t ignore.”

Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images
Wests Tigers have the bye this weekend as the club fights desperately hard to dodge another wooden spoon.
Elias revealed often conversations he had with Richardson about the club’s immediate and long-term future.
“We looked at the future possibilities for this great club,” Elias said. “It’s a new chapter in a new book. Everything is extremely positive.
“We also spoke about the club’s structure and I’m very excited with what is happening.
“Fans might need to be patient just a little bit longer but good times lie ahead for Wests Tigers.
“I also spoke with some of the younger players at the club and I reckon they will develop into first-string NRL players in coming years.”