Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Odessa]

Yes, hard to pay overs on potential. Big money usually goes to those who have done it, and can do it again.
I wouldn’t imagine Thurston was overpaid when he left the Dogs but his subsequent contracts would have taken some giant steps.
I think that’s how it will go for Galvin.

I hope Galvin understands that his manager sees him as a cash cow and he can stay leveled headed as best a 19 year old can

 

[orange&black]

The 5 players I mentioned have all played tier internationals or origin with the exception of Nofoaluma who was a former Dally M winger. 2 of those players (Nof and JOf) have won the clubs player of the year, so proven they can perform here. I can certainly understand the viewpoint that they weren't necessarily quality players during Marshall's time here, but they clearly have proven to be quality when correctly managed.

I suspect only Nofoaluma has individual issues bigger than any coach could overcome at the time he was moved on. He is also the only one that I believe fits the description of previous coaches failing to address performance. Of the other 4 JOf was our player of the year in 22 the year before Marshall (and Sheens) took over and Utoikamanu played his Origin game in 23, Marshall's (and Sheens) first year. The other 2 weren't here prior to 23 to have performance issues under other coaches.

Yes they weren't playing particularly well here but is it not on the coach to get the best out of them?
Yes, moving on these under performers may result in a better squad. The hope is that the new improved squad being 'his squad' will mean he is better placed to get the best out of them.
The major concern for me is if he couldn't get those guys to perform well why will he get the new and improved squad to perform well?

You may well be correct about Benji - but we don’t know yet and will have to wait and see.
I am not convinced that their under performance was about Benji’s capabilities as a coach - more likely their own incapabilities as players.
Nof - sure he may once have played well for the Tigers but his last few seasons were ordinary and he became toxic.
Jof - great guy, great club man but an average player who would struggle in a top 4 side.
Bateman- has a track record for this crap and we are better off without him.
Paps- never wanted to play for us and only put in once he’d signed elsewhere.
Klem- needed to step up last season but often put in weak performances and did not show the leadership that was expected.
Uto- soft as and deserved a rocket you know where.
Naden- honestly for a guy with his NRL background he plays without any semblance of thought whatsoever. I don’t blame Benji for benching him and I’m sure 90% of fans don’t either.

 

[lathami]

And he will say thanks but no thanks.....Galvin won't make any contract decision before September

If he waits till September, then he’s gone!
No doubt

 

[hammertime]

We've got a Plan B with latu. Plus, we're still carrying Sullivan - Plan C. Before otonini left, we even had a plan D!

Yes, we should try to keep Galvin. But we have a bit of luxury that we dont have to throw the chequebook at him.

 

[Tiger-ferret]

he held a grudge with tigers and Api at SOO

Why would he hold a grudge personally against api? Not picking him actually helps the tigers in theory.

 

[cktiger]

Luai was offered 700K on his third offer from Penrith and at the time a 3 time premiership winner and over 100 first grade games

That’s why he left.

 

[The Chad]

I saw a team lose Burton, Kikau, Creighton....and not even blink.

Then they lose Turuva, Luai....people still pick them as GF contenders.

Teams lose good players all the time.

It's having the pieces in place to replace players that counts.

The Tigers, remember, already HAD Galvin on the books when they went big & signed Latu Fainu from Manly, Sullivan from St George & added Luai.

I know Galvin went on to have an amazing season. But he was not supposed to be on the field over these other guys.

Tells me someone has a pretty high opinion of the guys we brought in.

And while Galvin was a member of the winning Matts team (it was Matts, not SG Ball, right?)....he played 2nd row. Heath Mason- that 5th/6th option we have under contract- was playing 5/8.

I don't think anyone wants to lose Galvin.

But if we do, the club has never been better positioned to deal with it.

 

[Jolls]

Spoon bowl? Was it in reality? Truthful or a lie? Have no issue with honesty tbh. Call a spade a spade. His mistake was he hurt some feelings of some supporters that is all and done so without any intention. Facts are facts, let’s not beat around the bush. The team we had would be lucky to stay clear of the spoon in KOE.

WC77. I agree that the roster was inexperienced and we did not have the same level of NRL talent on the park as the Eels that night. However, it was a I clear as daylight, that we did not turn up with the right mindset to win that game and pass the spoon on to Parra.

The team we fielded was less capable, and may not have won even with the right attitude, but it was also very poorly prepared in mindset for that game. Parra took it as a challenge and didn't want their name tarnished by winning the spoon. We took it as an opportunity to throw the ball around and have some fun in the last game of the year, Richo calling out benchies for laughing through the result clearly demonstrates that the attitude simply wan't there. Our players weren't invested in the game or they would have been cringing at the performance.

This is a clear example of the coaching gone astray - kids having a day at the park throwing the ball around with no conseqences for a win or a loss v men intent on making sure the Tigers were on a threepete. Pretty sure that was a huge lesson for Benji and the coaching staff.

 

[Jolls]

Calling everything I stated an opinion is an opinion itself. His press conference after spoonbowl was shameful. It was totally his fault and he looked like he didn't care. Picking AD in the team at centre is out of position.... but why should I back him in if I am very sure he will continue to be a failure?.... I haven't seen any game plans from last year that show us being a threat to even make it out of the bottom 4. All it takes is one big injury and we are getting the spoon again. And that's not pessimism, it's reality

RG,

I only called them opinion as they weren't supported by fact/evidence. I actually agreed with you about spoonbowl and his press conference post that game. It is another example that demonstrates that he and the coaching staff got the planning for that game completely wrong.

Now that you have called AD out as a player picked out of position I understand where you are coming from, although in your original post you indicated that he was constantly picking players out of position. I am of the same opinion with AD; however, it is an opinion. Many on here believe he is a capable centre.

Let's face it, at times he really does have a dig (in attack) and he is an experienced NRL player. His brain farts in defence is what kills him for me; but others, including Benji, were prepared to give him more lattitude on his return from surgery. The fact that he did not play again after the Souths game due to "soreness" tells me that Benji also grew sick of his performance. Perhaps we was underdone and we will see something different in 2025. I have my doubts, but others see something different, It is opinion based.

But back to the point - even though I wouldn't have picked him at centre, and clearly neither would you, he is an NRL centre and was not picked out of position. He was simply picked in the FG side ahead of another underperforming cente, in Naden. Naden had been rightly sat on the bench for his discipline. The alternatives: Toa, Feledy and Co were certainly not setting the world on fire either. So while you and I would not have selected, him the coaching staff thought that AD was the best bang for our buck from the poor roster that we had. Imagine the uproar if he kept selecting Naden! So for mine that is a difference of opinion (yours and mine v Benjis) as opposed to evidence that AD was selected out of position.

My question wasn't about you backing him or not, it was about providing evidence that he is a shit coach. What was not happening on the training paddock, that Benji was responsible for, that led to our poor on field performances. Is him calling out expereinced players for non performance poor coaching? Is his man management off the paddock resulting in the players not performing? Are the game plans poor or are individuals falling down in their execution? Is not being able to get out of our own end poor coaching or poor players? The evidence that I have seen (many thanks to the WTF boys for their hard work and analysis) along with my own observations (ability to execute a game plan 80% of the time for example) suggests that he is, for the most part, on the right track. Can he get the most out of the roster he has been given - that is yet to be seen.

 

[Jolls]

@Jolls
Hey mate, I didn’t mean you are some opinionated boofhead, as it may read, as it was helpfully pointed out to me.

Words suk, numbers good.

No worries at all 😉 If I'm throwing it out there it is open to be challenged.

What is great about this place is that opinions and concepts are challenged; that is a good thing. I certainly pick up plenty from the footy wisdom on this forum. I do have to dig a bit at times though.

 

[hank37w]

Galvin played just as good as Dylan Brown did last year. With 90 less games and 500k less.

The difference is that Dildo Brown is a bludger and Galvin is 100% effort, Energizer Bunny like.

Brown can play, great player on his day, he just chooses not to most of the time.

 

[Tigerwould]

He's on train and trial - Basically Zero Dollars.
Understand your prioritising,
But I'd have him in a heartbeat over at least 4 contracted players we're holding atm.

I heard on SEN this morning that Manly offered him a reduced contract which he didn't want. He went to the open market and Saints offered him a T&T deal which he hasn't signed.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

He won SOO, I think he picked the right team.

so Robson made the difference? They would have won with Api in the team too

Not a good look if you come to the tigers and not able to hold your rep jersey,
Tigers where your representative career goes to die...
hopefully Luai can hang on to his

 

[Buttface]

so Robson made the difference? They would have won with Api in the team too

Not a good look if you come to the tigers and not able to hold your rep jersey,
Tigers where your representative career goes to die...
hopefully Luai can hang on to his

Robson was average.
Blues would have won by more with Api.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Luai was offered 700K on his third offer from Penrith and at the time a 3 time premiership winner and over 100 first grade games

Mate how rude and disrespectful that offer was either the cap was under pressure or they thought they could do without him, that was before the season blinder he had wonder if they regret it now hope it comes back to bite them on the backside.

 

[jrtiger]

Robson was average.
Blues would have won by more with Api.

even as a Tigers fan you can see what Madge wanted from his 9.

first and foremost it was about defensive technique. Api could only dream of making the impact defensively Robson did. some of his contact and efforts to scramble were top shelf. Api can make a good tackle, but he can't defend the way Robson does.

in attack it was all about clean, crisp service to bring that massive back five and the pack onto the ball. again, Api's got good service, but is as good as Robson's? not a chance.

even though I think Api is the much better attacking hooker, it was the right call for the style of football they wanted to adopt. if Api's to be picked again I'd say there's a fair chance it'll be as a bench hooker.

Terrell and Samuela are our bolters for this year's side I think. will be interesting to see what Daley does if Moses, Luai and Cleary are all fit.

 

[jrtiger]

Mate how rude and disrespectful that offer was either the cap was under pressure or they thought they could do without him, that was before the season blinder he had wonder if they regret it now hope it comes back to bite them on the backside.

have to remember the context of the time, Steve.

Jarome went off in the middle of a grand final and it was Cleary and Cogger that engineered the best comeback we've ever seen. at that point he wasn't seen as a crucial cog in their wheel.

we can sit here 12 months later and look back and think how stupid Penrith were, but at the time they were playing into that narrative to try and save themselves some cap.

we can be thankful that they undervalued him in the manner that they did. everything went our way.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

And he will say thanks but no thanks.....Galvin won't make any contract decision before September

Most likely and you know the snake in the grass who would be supplying the guidance, well it is his job to do so.

 

[colinbh]

He won SOO, I think he picked the right team.

So he wouldn't have won with Api?

 

[colinbh]

By the end of 2024 Api missed 134 tackles. Robson missed 64.

If the Tigers had the same line speed discipline as say, Canterbury, and there was someone else to mop up the misses, then you could look past it. But opposition OB's and middles were able to get on a roll with quick play the balls in games and put WT on the back foot regularly.

Need Da Silva, or even Hope, to be viable top 17 candidates so Api can play the minutes where he'll be effective for the team, and not a weak link in defence.

Which minutes would that be?