Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[crazycat]

Like it or not ..Brown’s deal is the new benchmark ….he is not much more than an above average player ..hardly close to elite … but he is on $1.3m from next year … Burton’s contract is old news

The salary cap is going to going to go up considerably in the next 3 years ….PVL is predicting the new TV deal to be 3 billion which is 50 percent more …the elite players salaries will increase at a similar clip …

Wait

We ranted about Luai being on 1.2 and Newcastle sign brown on 1.3!!!

But I take the point. If it's Galvin, 1.3 sets a new landmark. If it's Latu, were not going to get away paying him 500k. The market has risen.

All said and done, I would rather Burton at 5/8.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

I find it funny people bickering over if Galvin is worth $1m or not. Realistically he is going to get paid and he will get offers around that mark if not more.

We have this and next year we can bump up to make him a very very nice offer

Prefer to keep him than lose him.

 

[crazycat]

I don’t think Shane Flanagan is every players cup of tea as their coach.
As an example Flanagan has openly criticised Tuipolutu for getting in the face of his opposition after scoring a try, I don’t think Benji has a problem with Turuva doing it and nor should he, we need to be a team who back each other and celebrate all the small wins throughout each game.
Blake Lowrie seems like someone with a bit of attitude and someone who needs his ego to be fed to get the best out of him.
My intel tells me Jack Bird is very similar and so far is loving life and his time in the current Wests Tigers environment, so who knows it could also be the tonic Blake Lowrie needs to rediscover his best form.
Shane Flanagan loved Jack Bird when he was helping him win a premiership with the Sharks, but didn’t like his joker attitude when things were not going so well at the Dragons. Make of that what you will, but players generally want consistency from their coach throughout the good and the bad and are more likely to get that from Benji.

The whole Jack Bird thing has me stumped.

Flanno punts Lomax, the only talent the Dragons have had in ages. I mean punts with him taking unders at Parra.

Then Flanno punts Bird for Val Holmes. Now I trust Flanno's judgement, in him knowing which player is better... IMHO I think they are closer in ability. That said even if you don't put Bird in at Center, you could still play him as a utility. Obviously cap space matters and he may have just needed the cash for Gutho, etc. ... It still seems like a mystery to me as you had someone who was really performing...

Unless ofcourse Flanno wants the decks clear for Kyle.

 

[liltiger]

I think he will stay …but I never put much stock in answers like this to mediia questions …what is he going to say ? I can’t wait until my deal is up so I can get out of here?

True I know all players say the same thing just tow the company line, " I leave it up to my manager " blah blah blah. But unlike most he grew up a supporter so actually believe him, if someone offers him a contract that is massively over what we offer then he might go, I couldn't see him leaving if we are 100k below the best offer.

 

[liltiger]

Reports I saw was saying it was just for this year which some would say was a bit of a risk, but as you say, it looks like St.George will be utilising him in first grade so he will still be in the shop window.

Wish him luck and hope he goes okay and manages to pick up another season or 2 somewhere even if the dollar amount is coming down in comparison to what it once was.

That's why I reckon he took it, at least while he's in the shop window clubs can see that he can offer something at his age, he can't do that in reserve grade so it would have ment retirement.

 

[liltiger]

Not only that, he's got a seemingly straightforward path to the starting hooking role by the time he's 21. There is then Haywood behind him. Even if Api goes around for another year, I don't think that affects a whole lot of anything.

I'll be highly, highly surprised if he entertains going anywhere.

He seems to have a good head on his shoulders, apart from having a laugh at the spoonbowl and getting chipped for it by Richo on the night, he has openly said he is more than happy to wait behind api and learn cause he's the best hooker in the game. Not a lot of young guys do that today, like Latu telling Benji I'll play wherever the team needs me. Normally the up and coming players are trying to dictate where they play to the coach.

 

[boonboon]

Blake Lawrie, as the 5-6th middle option at the club, is a good depth option. He can come into the side, do a job & not cost you a game.

Not many starting spots available in the middle at the moment.

The thing is our current 5 and 6 prop are Kit and Vaha Ako - so Lawrie is a big upgrade on those esp given his experience. In reality he would be our number 4 prop with Sione Fainu at 5 and Kit at 6.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

The whole Jack Bird thing has me stumped.

Flanno punts Lomax, the only talent the Dragons have had in ages. I mean punts with him taking unders at Parra.

Then Flanno punts Bird for Val Holmes. Now I trust Flanno's judgement, in him knowing which player is better... IMHO I think they are closer in ability. That said even if you don't put Bird in at Center, you could still play him as a utility. Obviously cap space matters and he may have just needed the cash for Gutho, etc. ... It still seems like a mystery to me as you had someone who was really performing...

Unless ofcourse Flanno wants the decks clear for Kyle.

I think flanno is stinking it up at drags few more loses and he will morph into madge's unpopular half time aggressive head look, cracks starting to appear after he criticized Illias's game as well.
If some of his older recruits go down injured that will compound the problems there.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Of course and I don’t disagree with that but that only creates discontent personally and throughout the squad. I doubt any player would play their absolute best on 250k for a full 26 rounds when they know they can get 800k. Especially when there are managers and family in their ear.

From what was presented in the media, Richardson offered an upgraded and extended contract. Galvin is playing beside Luai, one of the NRL's best halves. There are few clubs which could offer that opportunity. His manager and family do not have to balance the club's books.

 

[Tom Shines]

Ummmm, I beg every last one of your pardons?

Cart -> Horse

^You.

Why would Latu want to stay here indefinitely behind Galvin ..and why would they want to pay him that amount to continue to play reserve grade ?

 

[Tom Shines]

Wait

We ranted about Luai being on 1.2 and Newcastle sign brown on 1.3!!!

But I take the point. If it's Galvin, 1.3 sets a new landmark. If it's Latu, were not going to get away paying him 500k. The market has risen.

All said and done, I would rather Burton at 5/8.

Who ranted about Luai ? Not me !

 

[Vicious]

Why would Latu want to stay here ..and why would they want to pay him to continue to play reserve grade ?

I agree that I believe he has a lot of talent and is too good to be playing NSW Cup much longer, BUT he’s another that hasn’t exactly blitzed it playing NSW Cup as yet and really should be if he is wanting to prove he should not be left out of our NRL squad.
I know not many agree with me, but I still think Latu has enough pace, power and ability to be an NRL starting centre.
As long as he is being paid 500k per season, I think he would be happy with that to play alongside of his brothers while he is still young.
Also ask the question, which rival NRL club would he be a definite starting 5/8 at ?

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Club injury report email to members:

Bula & Turuva (ankles from Parra game) both looking good for tomorrow; Naden (round 5 or 6), Olam (going through rehab protocols, should be an update soon), Luke Laulilii (passed HIA protocols & will be ok to play next week).

 

[Tom Shines]

Also ask the question, which rival NRL club would he be a definite starting 5/8 at ?

It still doesn’t mean he will want to stay here though … he won’t be playing in the halves ahead of Galvin and JL on 1 million plus each …. At least at another club he will have more chance…

 

[mikey]

Club injury report email to members:

Bula & Turuva (ankles from Parra game) both looking good for tomorrow; Naden (round 5 or 6), Olam (going through rehab protocols, should be an update soon), Luke Laulilii (passed HIA protocols & will be ok to play next week).

Thought Olam was looking at a backdoor option for retirement. What's happening there?

 

[rihannafan1]

Thought Olam was looking at a backdoor option for retirement. What's happening there?

He still is by all reports. I guess now and after he retires he'll need to do rehab.

 

[hank37w]

That's why I reckon he took it, at least while he's in the shop window clubs can see that he can offer something at his age, he can't do that in reserve grade so it would have ment retirement.

Looks like he's in Flanno's plans and he'll see plenty of first grade provided he stays healthy.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Thought Olam was looking at a backdoor option for retirement. What's happening there?

Just the club doctor toeing the PR line. Medical retirement is not official from the NRL yet so all he can say is what Olam is doing now and that is his rehab.

 

[Hbom]

Club injury report email to members:

Bula & Turuva (ankles from Parra game) both looking good for tomorrow; Naden (round 5 or 6), Olam (going through rehab protocols, should be an update soon), Luke Laulilii (passed HIA protocols & will be ok to play next week).

Sammy Fainu with the ankle, not Turuva right?

 

[Kaito]

Could be good info. Some of these content creators do get info from players.

In terms of takes and knowledge really don't rate 'Guru', the guy doesn't have much of an idea at all. He is the old "stay one lesson ahead of the kids" teacher analogy. I remember when Da Silva was making his debut he said on a podcast that he was a gun fullback and knew nothing about him. Same with a few other players over the years. Other than the Roosters, he really knows nothing about the lower grades. Also heard from people who have meet him that he loves talking himself up, which is strange in itself.

However. there are some other really good social media pages and creators that have god insights to the juniors like "theshortball" on Instagram and for West Tigers juniors, NBWT on Twitter/X.

NBWT the goat ✔️✔️✔️