AmericanHistoryX
Well-known member
The field will be enclosed with a cage. Barbed wire at top. Bit like the WWE - you know.....
Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
- Start date
The field will be enclosed with a cage. Barbed wire at top. Bit like the WWE - you know.....
426Tlgerland
Well-known member
Agree this could be a concern as I don’t see many supporter say tigers supporters flying to PNG to watch us play , I could,be wrong but I think safety will be for the opposition team and officials , I hope it doesn’t happen but they are a mad bunch up there , time will tell , but if it doesn’t happen and more than a few occasions it could end there stay in the nrl
Leck
Well-known member
They’re two very different jobs, and it’s not like they overlap.
If Chammas were chief editor at Nine, then I’d say he has corpoerate leadership experience. However, he was a senior journalist.
The key factor is that he worked for Nine, just like Gould still does, and his influence over the media is key to this new franchise working.
Tito Santana
Well-known member
In São Paulo they don’t allow visiting fans anymore. I watched Santos in January and can validate that.
Exactly - a lifetime studying / scrutinising the ins and outs of the game is very different to that of one playing it you’d think
On the field - probably…
Off it, not a chance in hell.
426Tlgerland
Well-known member
Not sure how much it is to fly say Sydney / PnG return these days but if you have that cost plus entry plus maybe overnight stay in decent place , food gee it could be a fair cost for a family or 4 or 5 specially if the kids are old enough to take a seat full price
426Tlgerland
Well-known member
Sorry to be a bit dumb but where is that place you mention , what country , thanks Tito
Tigerwould
Well-known member
from Nine
The top 50 guns off contract who Tigers can target with $2.4m spending spree after Jarome Luai exit
The Wests Tigers are booming under favourite son Benji Marshall's guidance and the team is about to have a $2.4 million war chest with which to turn them into a genuine premiership powerhouse.The exit of superstar playmaker Jarome Luai following the 2027 NRL season looks like a loss on face value, but will actually allow the Concord club to strengthen its roster for 2028 and beyond.
Luai stood to pocket $1.2m in each of 2028 and 2029, and now that money can be spent elsewhere.
Marshall says he will use it to retain some existing Tigers talent but there will no doubt be interest in bringing players in from outside the club, too.
"In 2028 we get a good injection into our salary cap that gives us a good opportunity to try keep some of the players we've got," Marshall said at a press conference on Wednesday.
"We've got guys coming off contract but (other clubs) can't negotiate with them before November, so it's up to us to try keep them here before November comes around."
When told by one journalist about some big-name stars also coming off contract on November 1, the Tigers coach smirked, "Is there? I haven't looked".
We take a look at how the Tigers might use the sudden sizeable cash injection.
RETENTION AND UPGRADES
It's been widely reported the club is desperately trying to get star fullback Jahream Bula to sign a contract extension.The 24-year-old is in the sights of several rival clubs and technically comes off contract in a couple of weeks, which is the deadline for a mutual option in his current deal to be triggered.
Bula is earning about $700,000 this season and the option for next year is reportedly worth about $900,000, but he could likely command more than that elsewhere. The Dragons recently showed interest in throwing him big money but that door has closed now that fellow top tier fullback Scott Drinkwater has signed a deal with the Red V.
Only the very best No.1s in the game can ask for more than a million bucks a year but the Tigers may have to hit that mark if they want to retain his services.
"Jahream has always been high importance to us," Marshall said on Wednesday. "Is there a rush? There's still two weeks."
Another top priority for the club is gun prop Terrell May, who is said to be on $700,000 this year and next year but will no doubt ask for an upgrade and pay rise if he is to sign an extension. His brother, Taylan, is also off contract next year and is said to be on $600,000 a season after being thrown a career lifeline by the club.
Sunia Turuva, the larrikin winger who joined from Penrith last year, is in good form at the Tigers and may yet need more than the $450,000 he's earning next season to remain at Concord beyond that. Gun outside back Heamasi Makasini is also off contract next year and will be one the club tries to keep.
As for filling Luai's shoes in the halves, Marshall named young guns Javon Andrews and Latu Fainu, as well as Jock Madden as candidates who can put their hands up over the next 18 months.
Fainu is off contract next year and depending how his development tracks over the coming months, may need an upgrade to his $500,000-a-season deal.
His brother Samuela, a gun forward, is also off contract and will no doubt be seeking more than the $500,000 he's earning next year, too.
Tigers off contract on November 1: Jahream Bula, Latu Fainu, Samuela Fainu, Patrick Herbert, Royce Hunt, Jock Madden, Heamasi Makasini, Taylan May, Terrell May, Fonua Pole, Ethan Roberts, Sunia Turuva
CHASING ANOTHER MARQUEE
Jarome Luai was every bit a marquee signing when he joined the Tigers on $1.2m a year, fresh off winning a fourth straight NRL premiership with Penrith.If the Tigers want to go to market and find another superstar to fill that void, there are some options come November 1.
The obvious one is Luai's former club teammate Nathan Cleary, whose monster deal with Penrith ends in 2027.
He will only be 29 years old once that contract expires and there will be plenty of offers tabled to the superstar halfback, likely coming from all parts of the world.
Clubs from the NRL and England's Super League will be lining up, as well as a possible rugby union approach, such is his status.
A move to England, where his partner Mary Fowler plays football for Manchester City, is well and truly on the cards. The Papua New Guinea Chiefs would also be foolish not to table an offer to Cleary in a move that would put him back alongside Luai at club level.
The Tigers would likely need to fork out upwards of $1.5m a year to get Cleary to Concord, and given the club has a rocky history with his father Ivan, it may be too long a bow to draw.
The other bona fide superstar No.7 coming off contract in November is Sam Walker at the Roosters. Being a Brisbane product, it's long been speculated the Broncos will try to bring Walker home if he ever does decide to leave Bondi - although he's recently said he plans to stay at the Chooks for a long time yet.
If we're talking star power, there is arguably none bigger than Latrell Mitchell. His $1.2m-a-season deal with South Sydney expires next year and the enigmatic centre will be a free agent, and only 30 years old once 2028 rolls around.
Having said that, the Tigers needed Luai's signature in order to attract other players to the club after collecting three wooden spoons in a row.
Tigerwould
Well-known member
Now they've climbed off the NRL dung heap the club probably has less need to splash the cash on a big-name star.
Wide World of Sports has come up with a list of 50 players who could join the Tigers in 2028 and add plenty of value.
Veteran rake Api Koroisau is contracted to the Tigers until the end of 2028 but will be 35 years old once that expires. He is still playing as well as ever, but the club will no doubt be starting to look for its next No.9 to replace the diminutive star.
Leading hookers coming off contract in November include Mitch Kenny from the Panthers, Peter Mamouzelos from the Rabbitohs, Wayde Egan and Sam Healyfrom the Warriors, Blake Mozer from the Broncos, and Tom Starling from the Raiders.
Then there is utility forwards Connor Watson and Brandon Smith who have both played at No.9 sporadically over the years, and can also fill other positions in the middle of the field. The Tigers do also have young rake Jared Haywood on the books already, who is only 19 years old and has plenty of time to become Koroisau's successor.
Other stars off contract include the likes of Herbie Farnworth, Matt Burton, Bradman Best, and Brian To'o.
Halves: Nathan Cleary, Sam Walker, Matt Burton, Mitchell Woods, Onitoni Large, Jonah Glover, Blaize Talagi.
Forwards: Jeremiah Nanai, Dylan Lucas, Hudson Young, Eli Katoa, Stefano Utoikamanu, Brendan Piakura, Jordan Riki, Xavier Willison, J'maine Hopgood, Briton Nikora, Jacob Preston, Isaah Yeo, Kulikefu Finefuiaki, Connelly Lemuelu, Jackson Ford, Spencer Leniu, Tallis Duncan, Moses Leota, Liam Martin, Connor Watson, Brandon Smith.
Backs: Latrell Mitchell, Xavier Coates, Josiah Karapani, Deine Mariner, Bradman Best, Joash Papalii, Jack Howarth, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jack Bostock, Josh Addo-Carr, Selwyn Cobbo, Lehi Hopoate, Herbie Farnworth, Brian To'o, Dom Young, Campbell Graham
50 GUNS OFF CONTRACT
Even if the Tigers don't land a Cleary, Walker or Mitchell, there is a stack of talent off contract next year and able to be negotiated with come November 1.Wide World of Sports has come up with a list of 50 players who could join the Tigers in 2028 and add plenty of value.
Veteran rake Api Koroisau is contracted to the Tigers until the end of 2028 but will be 35 years old once that expires. He is still playing as well as ever, but the club will no doubt be starting to look for its next No.9 to replace the diminutive star.
Leading hookers coming off contract in November include Mitch Kenny from the Panthers, Peter Mamouzelos from the Rabbitohs, Wayde Egan and Sam Healyfrom the Warriors, Blake Mozer from the Broncos, and Tom Starling from the Raiders.
Then there is utility forwards Connor Watson and Brandon Smith who have both played at No.9 sporadically over the years, and can also fill other positions in the middle of the field. The Tigers do also have young rake Jared Haywood on the books already, who is only 19 years old and has plenty of time to become Koroisau's successor.
Other stars off contract include the likes of Herbie Farnworth, Matt Burton, Bradman Best, and Brian To'o.
Top players off contract in 2027
Hookers: Mitch Kenny, Peter Mamouzelos, Wayde Egan, Sam Healy, Blake Mozer, Tom Starling.Halves: Nathan Cleary, Sam Walker, Matt Burton, Mitchell Woods, Onitoni Large, Jonah Glover, Blaize Talagi.
Forwards: Jeremiah Nanai, Dylan Lucas, Hudson Young, Eli Katoa, Stefano Utoikamanu, Brendan Piakura, Jordan Riki, Xavier Willison, J'maine Hopgood, Briton Nikora, Jacob Preston, Isaah Yeo, Kulikefu Finefuiaki, Connelly Lemuelu, Jackson Ford, Spencer Leniu, Tallis Duncan, Moses Leota, Liam Martin, Connor Watson, Brandon Smith.
Backs: Latrell Mitchell, Xavier Coates, Josiah Karapani, Deine Mariner, Bradman Best, Joash Papalii, Jack Howarth, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jack Bostock, Josh Addo-Carr, Selwyn Cobbo, Lehi Hopoate, Herbie Farnworth, Brian To'o, Dom Young, Campbell Graham
Tom Shines
Well-known member
Telegraph puff piece .. sign them all !
Read his comments today … he is Quayle’s saying “I know Terrell understands December was crazy” … lol… so if he was freeing up space he would’ve said that
Heard that too. $1m per season for three years.
Could’ve got it done for $850k probs before Jarome lol
All that will end up happening is we will use Jerome’s money to top up all the key players bc we were too slow to do it before lol
Doubt it, once Keon went for $1m & Haas got over that. May arguably top 5 in the comp. He gets the $1m.
I have no issues, Twal, KPP, Sione all good value. Pole wouldn't break the bank. Seyfarth surely a cheapie. Hunt apparently on slight overs but doing a job.
Sam Fainu is the one we need to keep & also maybe pay a premium rate. $800k?
Tom Shines
Well-known member
sounds good mate .., let the people know who are worried tne players are walking out the door 👍
There is no confusion, Benji makes all the decisions, nobody is blocking him.
When players we want to keep do not re-sign straight away, it’s because they want more money than what we are offering them.
Benji is no idiot, he has the people he trusts assisting him to make sure we are not overspending and potentially harming our salary cap balance when determining how much is being offered to each player.
Contrary to belief , it’s not as simple as just giving in to players demands who want 100k or more extra per season in addition to what we are offering.
However with Luai’s departure you would assume it now gives us more flexibility in what our maximum offer is to each player we want to keep with us long term.
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Tiger_Yoshi
Well-known member
Remember when Shaun took over as interim CEO he said he would engage with members and supporters...Well this is how he treats a family who have been members for 12+ years!.. I emailed him a few weeks back(no reply and again yestreday) ..and got this reply today:...lol
To: Ceo
Subject: email #3 to you
Sent: Wednesday, 29 April 2026 7:04:49 am (UTC+10:00) Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
was deleted without being read on Thursday, 30 April 2026 11:22:50 am (UTC+10:00) Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney.
wstigers11
Well-known member
Is Bula going to the dogs? You wanted us to wait and prove his worth but all that’s done is give Gus time to sign him now.
Tom Shines
Well-known member
As coach .. he has limited authority to offer players money.. he can’t just unilaterally decide to pay May a million a year for example
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