Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Nonotmeagain]

This is the key point - we have already told Bula what he is worth to us and the offers are on the table. I expect that Moses has politely declined, without knocking them back saying he will "get back to us" while he drags this on looking for a bigger payday.

I agree that this contract is important, but probably for different reasons. If we let Moses dictate terms and bend out cap out of shape for a player that is not performing to that level we are back to the same paying overs for average talent (although Bula is potentially slightly above average). If we stick to our guns we send a clear message to Moses and the market.

We could also, in a pinch, withdraw the offers, take up the club option, and start developing Attard/Brooks/Tino as his replacement and transition them in over 2027 and "force" Bula's (and Moses') hand. I doubt this is how it will play out - but it is a hard ball option that we have at our disposal and one we could very well force action with should we choose to.

Shaun has kept the closed shop line in relation to contract negotiations and I assume that Moses is on a tight leash regarding any leaks (or the offers are off the table and we will take up the option). I expect that is was us that leaked the two contracts on the table to apply pressure to Bula and Moses and that they are banking on form to influence other offers and up the payday.

I agree with everyone that it would be great to have this put to bed; but, Bula is not worth bending the cap out of shape as there are many elements of his game that need improvement for us to be justifying big $.

https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/rugby_league/five-wests-tigers-players-who-must-improve-in-2026/ar-AA1XsQIQ

 

[HowDugWT]

https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/rugby_league/five-wests-tigers-players-who-must-improve-in-2026/ar-AA1XsQIQ

This should be
1. Luai
2. Jerome
3. Romey
4. Number 6 for tigers
5. Jerome Luai

He would be the first to say he wasn't good enough last year. He is our marquee man and he was too quiet in terms of performance (I will never discredit is input off the field and his contribution to culture). If we succeed this year it will be off the back of Luai providing and creating. Him and Doueihi in the halves excites me and I believe in them and if it clicks the skys the limit. AD played out of his skin last year outshined Luai. Luai has all the tools on that left edge to perform we just need him to step up

 

[TheEnz]

This is the key point - we have already told Bula what he is worth to us and the offers are on the table. I expect that Moses has politely declined, without knocking them back saying he will "get back to us" while he drags this on looking for a bigger payday.

I agree that this contract is important, but probably for different reasons. If we let Moses dictate terms and bend out cap out of shape for a player that is not performing to that level we are back to the same paying overs for average talent (although Bula is potentially slightly above average). If we stick to our guns we send a clear message to Moses and the market.

We could also, in a pinch, withdraw the offers, take up the club option, and start developing Attard/Brooks/Tino as his replacement and transition them in over 2027 and "force" Bula's (and Moses') hand. I doubt this is how it will play out - but it is a hard ball option that we have at our disposal and one we could very well force action with should we choose to.

Shaun has kept the closed shop line in relation to contract negotiations and I assume that Moses is on a tight leash regarding any leaks (or the offers are off the table and we will take up the option). I expect that is was us that leaked the two contracts on the table to apply pressure to Bula and Moses and that they are banking on form to influence other offers and up the payday.

I agree with everyone that it would be great to have this put to bed; but, Bula is not worth bending the cap out of shape as there are many elements of his game that need improvement for us to be justifying big $.

I would imagine the club have told Bula and his manager that the offers are on the table till the end of April and if they don't accept then they will activate activate the Club option for 2027. I would be comfortable with this scenario as it mean Moses gets didly squat and we spend this season and next developing our young guns to step in. I'm with you Jolls...not overly concerned about his signing, rather more concerned about the distraction, however I'm sure Benji has some hard lessons he has learned in this area to minimize any fallout.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Don't know the finer details. Looks like Josese Lanyon locked in for 27 & 28. I believe he was on a NSW Cup contract for this year so not sure what the 'upgrade' will take him to, maybe a T&T contract.

Great news!

 

[jrtiger]

View attachment 34853

Don't know the finer details. Looks like Josese Lanyon locked in for 27 & 28. I believe he was on a NSW Cup contract for this year so not sure what the 'upgrade' will take him to, maybe a T&T contract.

Great news!

maybe grade preseason 2027 & Development Contract 2028?

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

maybe grade preseason 2027 & Development Contract 2028?

I read it as an 'upgrade' for this year plus 2 year extension.

Club could be shuffling the deck chairs with player/s moving from Dev to Top 30, T&T to Dev and Cup to T&T contracts maybe???

 

[wstigers11]

I read it as an 'upgrade' for this year plus 2 year extension.

Club could be shuffling the deck chairs with player/s moving from Dev to Top 30, T&T to Dev and Cup to T&T contracts maybe???

You’d have to think Bunty

 

[Oldman]

I still recall one of Nofo's high flying tries that was all over the news quite a few years ago now.

To me that was the start of the era of wingers performing high flying acrobatics getting the ball down over the line.

Rule changes regarding the corner post really changed things to the point where we now regularly marvel at the acrobatic skills that some of these guys possess.

Agree
The rule change is the reason we see all these great finisher’s, there was no need to practice the acrobatic skill before that.
Most of today’s try’s in the corner wouldn’t have been “back in the day”
Just wonder how many more tries Kenny Irvine might have had if it was always the rule 🤷‍♂️

 

[Vicious]

View attachment 34853

Don't know the finer details. Looks like Josese Lanyon locked in for 27 & 28. I believe he was on a NSW Cup contract for this year so not sure what the 'upgrade' will take him to, maybe a T&T contract.

Great news!

Good signing as he’s a very under rated player and has scope for plenty of improvement.
He has definite NRL qualities about him.
As much as I love Api as a player, I cannot see his body holding up past the conclusion of the 2027 season at best.

 

[426Tlgerland]

T May a priority now
Lomax , send out the feelers to Parra see what it would take , Skelton & Toa package plus $ 200 k , Lomax for 2 years ( wing , centre , fullback we would loose nothing and gain a spot , use the young guy from Penrith ,as fullback , just put him in , bulla went to grade with bugger all experience , so it can be done , dump bulla use his money on Lomax , Lomax is way better player , kicks goals , cover multiple positions , very strong hard runner , rep player just like we need

 

[426Tlgerland]

I would imagine the club have told Bula and his manager that the offers are on the table till the end of April and if they don't accept then they will activate activate the Club option for 2027. I would be comfortable with this scenario as it mean Moses gets didly squat and we spend this season and next developing our young guns to step in. I'm with you Jolls...not overly concerned about his signing, rather more concerned about the distraction, however I'm sure Benji has some hard lessons he has learned in this area to minimize any fallout.

Then mosses destroys our season just for fun , you either sign or piss off , remove the offers , give him a deadline then move on , it should be by next Wednesday before we start our season on a high then get destroyed by mosses again

 

[weststigers]

Then mosses destroys our season just for fun , you either sign or piss off , remove the offers , give him a deadline then move on , it should be by next Wednesday before we start our season on a high then get destroyed by mosses again

Just wondering when the last time that work for us was?

 

[balmain boy]

View attachment 34853

Don't know the finer details. Looks like Josese Lanyon locked in for 27 & 28. I believe he was on a NSW Cup contract for this year so not sure what the 'upgrade' will take him to, maybe a T&T contract.

Great news!

I can see him getting a run in first grade this season. He's that perfect modern utility hooker/lock. Got good acceleration, good running game, solid defence, can make dirty hit ups, decent passing game. A great option to have at 14, but obviously no rush to push him up the grades.

 

[balmain boy]

Some of last year's NSW Cup, Flegg & Ball players that I've picked up in team lists at other clubs today.

Jaxson Rahme - Roosters NSW Cup
Kurt Falls - Penrith NSW Cup
Noah Johannssen - Bears NSW Cup
Josh Feledy - Manly NSW Cup
Cameron Kanaan - Penrith Flegg
Jordan Bunt - Raiders Flegg
Nehemiah Wuatai-Davis - Manly Flegg
Callum McMenemy - Eels Flegg

Callum is a loss, thought we may have kept Rahme too but not a huge loss

 

[supercoach]

Tigers need to take up the 2027 option and let him walk in 2028 if he wants to. Two full seasons is an eternity in the NRL. It gives you two seasons to develop or source a replacement. Iam not sure outside the two new franchises if any other clubs would be willing to commit to a contract that far away. It gives us breathing space and it gives a few kids a possible pathway to the NRL. It also means Bulla has to fire to attract big money in 2028

 

[426Tlgerland]

Just wondering when the last time that work for us was?

If I was ceo it would already have been done , we can’t keep letting managers walk all over us , 900 k buys another top player , most likely better than bulla , I would release him now if he didn’t sign so mosses can plonk him where ever he likes and we just move on , before don’t matter it’s the future that matters and he is spewing with our season , played like crap in trial , to much going on in his head

 

[Nonotmeagain]

Just wondering when the last time that work for us was?

Probably just before we spent an eternity waiting for a player ( Tedesco, Woods, Moses Galvin) to commit and leave us in the lurch when they did not. Parramatta just showed what it takes to take on the players/managers and win - make a stand and back it with some resolve.

 

[Nonotmeagain]

If I was ceo it would already have been done , we can’t keep letting managers walk all over us , 900 k buys another top player , most likely better than bulla , I would release him now if he didn’t sign so mosses can plonk him where ever he likes and we just move on , before don’t matter it’s the future that matters and he is spewing with our season , played like crap in trial , to much going on in his head

I've never been a fan and he's not a player that's worth $900k or even close.

 

[gregjm87]

Just wondering when the last time that work for us was?

Or worked for anyone else? TBF In most occasions I think they don't work because the player was leaving anyways. I also don't necessarily think that is the case for Bula.

My opinion from the start (purely because it is what I'd be advising as a manager) was he will use the opening couple months of hopefully good form to increase his value and potentially number of suitors (which could then again increase his value if he is in high demand). Then he will make a decision. I've not had a reason to think any different as of yet.

 

[weststigers]

If I was ceo it would already have been done , we can’t keep letting managers walk all over us , 900 k buys another top player , most likely better than bulla , I would release him now if he didn’t sign so mosses can plonk him where ever he likes and we just move on , before don’t matter it’s the future that matters and he is spewing with our season , played like crap in trial , to much going on in his head

If you were CEO why would the deal be done if you believe you can get a player that's better for the same money? This seems contradictory.

Also, if you release him, you'll need to pay out his contract, so we wouldn't have his money available to buy the better replacement.

All this would create a huge, self-imposed, drama.

Why can't we just activate/not activate our clause, leave the deal there until we need to make a move, then revoke the offer or deadline the deal at that point?

You sure you've thought this through?