Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[liltiger]

How good Makasini and Luke Laulilli can become and how quickly they get there is the million dollar question.
Makasini has the physical attributes and speed to become Israel Folau like and if that happens it will be fantastic for us should we keep him. We need to keep in mind and be prepared that If he does reach that level it will quickly elevate his contract value.
I was initially hesitant on the potential of Luke Laulilli due to his lack of height and size, but every time I watch him I get more impressed. He runs the ball fearlessly which is a slight concern due to his concussion issues, but the way he accelerates and generally wins the collision is a sign of a very good player. He is also improving and more confident under the high ball, just not sure if he will be best suited as a winger, fullback or centre at NRL level ?
The good news is it’s likely Luke’s value will not increase significantly so quickly due tj his lack of size, so that hopefully gives us time to continue using him as a fringe NRL player and not have to rush him.

Vicious from what a lot of people who have seen Makasini play are saying he's ready physically and could handle it. Though I'm hoping we give him the time he needs and don't rush him into the first grade squad.

 

[weststigers]

Just remember the phrase "get out clause activated" mate. I hope he stays but he hasn't done SFA since arriving. I'm a die-hard fan but his stats aren't great reading. If Madden is a reserve grader then I guess we are both right

Got it. I'll remember it. Sky is falling in.

 

[weststigers]

If Bula announces plans to leave, he’ll go early like Galvin. Contracts mean very little.

Yeah and we have 900k to replace him. There's so many great fullbacks in the competition.

 

[weststigers]

Richo said the same thing about Galvin’s end of 2026 contract on 350k per year.

Guess what. Moses got him out of that contract.

Ok so why aren't you worried about all 30 contracts? It stands to reason that contracts mean nothing and players can get out of them so your concern should be shared across all 30 players.

I would also note if it's true for us, it would be true for other teams too, so I guess we could just as easily pick off someone within a contract too.

 

[tigertragic]

Losing Luai would be a significant blow to the club.

How the club would then spend the $1.2m a year is vitally important.

Very few players are irreplaceable. Luai would sting though.

Losing Luai would be a very poor look for the Tigers and may impact possible signings

 

[weststigerman]

Ok so why aren't you worried about all 30 contracts? It stands to reason that contracts mean nothing and players can get out of them so your concern should be shared across all 30 players.

I would also note if it's true for us, it would be true for other teams too, so I guess we could just as easily pick off someone within a contract too.

I worry about the players that other successful clubs want ie Bula, Fainus, Mays and Makasini.

The rest aren’t targets for those clubs and if they go, they go.

 

[weststigers]

I worry about the players that other successful clubs want ie Bula, Fainus, Mays and Makasini.

The rest aren’t targets for those clubs and if they go, they go.

Ok so my point stands. Should they worry about us too if we can just extract them from their contract? Or are there other factors?

Ultimately, the player doesn't leave unless they are unhappy. At that point the manager plays games. What you are suggesting is either Bula is unhappy or Moses has a spell on players to make them unhappy and want to leave?

 

[boonboon]

Just remember the phrase "get out clause activated" mate. I hope he stays but he hasn't done SFA since arriving. I'm a die-hard fan but his stats aren't great reading. If Madden is a reserve grader then I guess we are both right

SFA - 3 yrs before he arrived we won 19% of games, with him playing we have 40% of games. He doubles our wins

 

[Tcat]

The Jahream Bula situation is setting some alarm bells in my head if I’m being completely honest.

He’s an excellent player and I really want to keep him, and maybe this is a selfish perspective from me but to see the damage that Issac Moses has done to this club and align yourself with him does worry me. Plus all the BS that is following like him attending other games with his manager, why not go with friends or family? It’s a little fishy to me, especially given who his manager is.

I’m hearing that Jayden Campbell is being shopped around and is a free agent come November 1st.

If Moses/Bula start to try manipulate the situation and try rewinding the clock. I would be lining up Jayden Campbell as a fullback as I believe that’s his best position and telling them both to kick rocks.

I feel exactly the same. As long as Benji is coaching the WTs, Isaac will try to screw us over whenever he gets the chance. I'd almost go with Politis's stance and refuse to deal with any player under Isaac. Bula definitely has potential but his management team worry me as a WTs supporter. I'm also calling it now, AD won't be a WT now he has Isaac advising him. We could throw 500K at AD and I think he will still leave.

 

[weststigers]

I feel exactly the same. As long as Benji is coaching the WTs, Isaac will try to screw us over whenever he gets the chance. I'd almost go with Politis's stance and refuse to deal with any player under Isaac. Bula definitely has potential but his management team worry me as a WTs supporter. I'm also calling it now, AD won't be a WT now he has Isaac advising him. We could throw 500K at AD and I think he will still leave.

Either way. If Moses extracts all his clients from our club, isn't it the same result as not dealing with him? We don't get the player, but on the flip side we have no Moses clients?

 

[bomberbrown]

SFA - 3 yrs before he arrived we won 19% of games, with him playing we have 40% of games. He doubles our wins

So on that theory we should be stoked that Royce Hunt is here with a winning percentage of 45% per games played

 

[tigahhh]

So on that theory we should be stoked that Royce Hunt is here with a winning percentage of 45% per games played

yes

 

[weststigers]

So on that theory we should be stoked that Royce Hunt is here with a winning percentage of 45% per games played

On the one hand you're worried he will leave. On the other hand you're saying he's done SFA.

What is your ideal outcome?

 

[bomberbrown]

On the one hand you're worried he will leave. On the other hand you're saying he's done SFA.

What is your ideal outcome?

That he stays and delivers on what he gets paid to do

 

[pawsandclaws1]

The Jahream Bula situation is setting some alarm bells in my head if I’m being completely honest.

He’s an excellent player and I really want to keep him, and maybe this is a selfish perspective from me but to see the damage that Issac Moses has done to this club and align yourself with him does worry me. Plus all the BS that is following like him attending other games with his manager, why not go with friends or family? It’s a little fishy to me, especially given who his manager is.

I’m hearing that Jayden Campbell is being shopped around and is a free agent come November 1st.

If Moses/Bula start to try manipulate the situation and try rewinding the clock. I would be lining up Jayden Campbell as a fullback as I believe that’s his best position and telling them both to kick rocks.

We have Bula until end of 27 if we want him. He is well-liked and respected in the playing group. Imo he is a team player and one of our genuine gamebreakers and playmakers. I'd suggest the club will do everything to have him contracted long term which would mean his manager would receive a substantial commission. I also believe a suggestion by another poster that the word "bullying" is relevant is way off the mark. Bula is not Galvin, quite the opposite.

 

[supercoach]

I would be very surprised if Bula wants out, even with his blood sucking parasite of a manager working overtime to get him out of our club. I think with the Polly and Fijian connection will keep him at Concord. Moses will probably make it a long drawn out negotiation but at the end of the day I think he will stay.

In saying the above, there is always a chance the club will pull the shutters on Moses and look at a non Moses option like Campbell or Kennedy

 

[Tcat]

Either way. If Moses extracts all his clients from our club, isn't it the same result as not dealing with him? We don't get the player, but on the flip side we have no Moses clients?

Just means we aren't getting bent over by him.

 

[weststigers]

Just means we aren't getting bent over by him.

You missed my point. Both scenarios end up the same, so you can be happy both ways because we end up with no Moses.

 

[weststigers]

That he stays and delivers on what he gets paid to do

If not, 1.2 mill buys a lot of replacement

 

[weststigerman]

Ok so my point stands. Should they worry about us too if we can just extract them from their contract? Or are there other factors?

Ultimately, the player doesn't leave unless they are unhappy. At that point the manager plays games. What you are suggesting is either Bula is unhappy or Moses has a spell on players to make them unhappy and want to leave?

We’ve seen him do your last sentence before with many of our players: Galvin, Woods and Mitch Moses the standouts. Tedesco was always leaving.

But as you correctly point out, we need to stop our better players wanting to leave. That’s only solved by winning.

My point was we don’t hold players to contracts and it has been that way for many years.