Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Tom Shines]

I’m still not paying him anymore than 350 - 400k maximum.
The form of a 35y.o, turning 36y.o forward can decline very quickly, so we would be very silly to overspend.
The good win by the Knights last night probably didn’t do our chances of signing him as I doubt the Lnoghts can win the premiership this season, but the deeper they get will make them believe they are getting closer and I woukd assume he (Frizell) woukd be very keen to go around with the Knights for another season to find out.

400k is a 100k more than I was paying him 2 or 3 days ago

I heard he is leaving the Knights … they have other options apparently

 

[Vicious]

400k is a 100k more than I was paying him 2 or 3 days ago

I heard he is leaving the Knights … they have other options apparently

Maybe he gets squeezed out as they have a few genuine marquee players that we do not have.
If you do the figures, they certainly must have quite a few players that are being very underpaid based on the current player market.

 

[fainty]

I don’t mind the idea of Humphreys as a developing 13. He’s a solid build and has played in the halves. He could be similar to Kurt Donoahoe from the dolphins.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

I don’t mind the idea of Humphreys as a developing 13. He’s a solid build and has played in the halves. He could be similar to Kurt Donoahoe from the dolphins.

The query with Humphreys at lock is similar to the query on AD & Heath Mason ... do they have the aerobic capacity for the role? Yes it can be developed but some athletes are more predisposed than others. Humphreys was seen labouring a bit on chases last night so I'd say his tank is an issue.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

We need a couple of seasoned professionals, but we also need players with X factor much more.

X factor can win you matches even when you don't deserve to win. Create something out of nothing.

We have no one, absolutely no one who can do that.

What did Souths was the pace in the Knights' backline, something we sadly lack.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

What did Souths was the pace in the Knights' backline, something we sadly lack.

What stood out to me was, the Knights wingers stayed on the wing and Bradman Best chased and caught the opp. centre every time. Best was 1st class shutting down Souths backline. The wingers could rely on him. Our wingers can't rely on our centres at all.
Panic stations, no idea, not coached and too slow?

 

[hank37w]

If we signed him and got somewhere close to that version of him every week, all Wests Tigers fans would be happy.

Well, this is the problem.

The guy is playing out of skin because it's finals time and he can obviously see that this could possibly be his last chance at a title before he finishes up plus the fact that he is show casing himself for hopefully one final contract.

Plenty of motivation there to give it his all, but ask yourself if he can contribute that much on a regular weekly basis and what sort of a toll it would have on him.

Looking at the history of players that have come to the Tigers and how they have worked out, I would only take him at a much reduced rate and I doubt if he would come here anyway considering how people keep saying how well settled in he is living in Newcastle.

 

[Vicious]

What did Souths was the pace in the Knights' backline, something we sadly lack.

There are a few teams in the NRL who are relying on too much power and not enough speed and when they cone uk against teams with genuine speed and class they struggle to contain them.

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

Can I put Humphrey's into some sort of perspective

The player we let go ( Sullivan ) is thought by Bennett to be superior than Humphrey's

I'd pass on Humphrey's based on that alone

Did u watch last nights game… Bud was terrible, Humphreys did better

 

[Vicious]

Jock Madden is a much better attacking halve than Jamie Humphreys.
If we are looking at Humphreys for his utility value and potential to be a more attack minded 13, that could have some value, but he’s not exactly the type of player who strikes fear into the opposition.
Fletcher Hunt is a player that could be worth exploring.
He is still only 20 years only and it seems like the Knights can’t afford to meet the wage demand he is looking for.
Not sure exactly what type of contract value he is looking for, but I’m guessing it is someone around the 400k mark on potential alone.
There are not many players around with his height, athleticism and speed and has the potential to become a high quality player over the next few years.
I reckon if a club signs him for 2028 and beyond after November 1, the Knights would strongly consider releasing him early for the 2027 season.

 

[Tom Shines]

Maybe he gets squeezed out as they have a few genuine marquee players that we do not have.
If you do the figures, they certainly must have quite a few players that are being very underpaid based on the current player market.

Yes ..I agree ..they are paying Ponga and Brown $2.7m a year which is eye watering to me … they have some forwards like Hopwood and McEwen who are 20 and 21 respectively and probably earning $250k a year but playing like established first graders … our 21 yr olds get found as having big weaknesses when put into first grade,,.

 

[wstigers11]

Yes ..I agree ..they are paying Ponga and Brown $2.7m a year which is eye watering to me … they have some forwards like Hopwood and McEwen who are 20 and 21 respectively and probably earning $250k a year but playing like established first graders … our 21 yr olds get found as having big weaknesses when put into first grade,,.

POS has such an eye for young talent

 

[Tom Shines]

POS has such an eye for young talent

Whereas our talent spotters are just a POS…

 

[innsaneink]

Well, this is the problem.

The guy is playing out of skin because it's finals time and he can obviously see that this could possibly be his last chance at a title before he finishes up plus the fact that he is show casing himself for hopefully one final contract.

Plenty of motivation there to give it his all, but ask yourself if he can contribute that much on a regular weekly basis and what sort of a toll it would have on him.

Looking at the history of players that have come to the Tigers and how they have worked out, I would only take him at a much reduced rate and I doubt if he would come here anyway considering how people keep saying how well settled in he is living in Newcastle.

You cannot let the past dictate your future... you need to back yourself to improve be it a football club or personal growth

 

[king_sirro]

Jock Madden is a much better attacking halve than Jamie Humphreys.
If we are looking at Humphreys for his utility value and potential to be a more attack minded 13, that could have some value, but he’s not exactly the type of player who strikes fear into the opposition.
Fletcher Hunt is a player that could be worth exploring.
He is still only 20 years only and it seems like the Knights can’t afford to meet the wage demand he is looking for.
Not sure exactly what type of contract value he is looking for, but I would guess it is someone where around the 400k mark on potential alone.
There are not many players around with his height, athleticism and speed and has the potential to become a high quality player over the next few years.
I reckon if a club signs him for 2028 and beyond after November 1, the Knights would strongly consider releasing him early for the 2027 season.

Im mad keen on Fletcher Hunt and have been for a while. The guy will be a gun winger or centre

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

We need a couple of seasoned professionals, but we also need players with X factor much more.

X factor can win you matches even when you don't deserve to win. Create something out of nothing.

We have no one, absolutely no one who can do that.

But there lies the problem X factor is recognised early and locked up for a very long time or in today's environment of higher demand 1.5 million starting price.

Our only chance will be through the junior pathways, it's happened before although being a while ago, Teddy/Moses examples, we need to be ready and not stuff up this time.

Hoping @ShaunMielekamp can fix these past issues so we never feel that angst again.

 

[jstigers]

We have AD, Latu, Madden, Andrews and Averillo who can all play in the halves. We have Api, Brailey, Haywood and Lanyon who can play hooker. We don't need anymore halves or Hookers; we need depth upfront. Backs can't do anything unless we have guys punching up the middle and depth in the back row and middle and this year like most years shows we dont have the depth in the forwards again and that was the biggest letdown. Our recruitment really needs to focus up front. Not sure why they don't create a recruitment team in NZ or the islands; lots of good islanders that haven't been given a chance at other clubs could be useful, especially with Benji's Polynesian influence.

 

[bbobb]

I do like the idea of Humphrey’s as a 13. He isn’t exactly a small forward but not a lumbering prop either. His defence is sound but it’s his long kicking game and pass that we could get some benefit from. To me is a bit like Douiehi (although AD has a superior running game) but he doesn’t seem to be up for the idea. Could be a master stroke.

Frizzel does concern me a bit. Yes I think he would add professionalism and mentoring but as others have mentioned, while he played well last night, when Father Time catches up, it appears that it isn’t a gentle slide in terms of NRL quality drop off- it’s a cliff. Plenty of players have gone on one season too many - hope we avoid that.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

We have AD, Latu, Madden, Andrews and Averillo who can all play in the halves. We have Api, Brailey, Haywood and Lanyon who can play hooker. We don't need anymore halves or Hookers; we need depth upfront. Backs can't do anything unless we have guys punching up the middle and depth in the back row and middle and this year like most years shows we dont have the depth in the forwards again and that was the biggest letdown. Our recruitment really needs to focus up front. Not sure why they don't create a recruitment team in NZ or the islands; lots of good islanders that haven't been given a chance at other clubs could be useful, especially with Benji's Polynesian influence.

Think if we are looking at Humphreys it's because Doueihi is headed for the exit, that would make sense.

I'm hoping if we're looking at Frizell the club has woken up to the forward depth issue and it doesn't end with his possible signing.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Bennett was always very good at deciding if a player in his charge would be staying a season too long.