Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[PrattenParkMagpie]

Matt Ballin is the only player in that list currently in our top 25, BalmainBoy may be confusing the salary cap and the top 25 as the same thing which they are not.

A club has to have a top 25, the top 25 paid contracted players (these are the players that can be used in the NRL without dipping into the second tier cap), no one chooses the top 25 it is simply a list of your top 25 paid players from the highest paid to the lowest paid. Should a player from the top 25 leave mid-season (Moses and Rankin) or deregistered (Simona) and are no longer contracted to the club they cease to be part of the top 25 and the next highest paid player from outside the top 25 moves into the top 25.

Farah and Sironen were not part of the top 25 when the season started, Simona, Moses and Ballin where, SImona ceased to be part of that top 25 the moment he was deregistered by the NRL, Moses ceased to be part of it the moment his Eels contract was registered by the NRL. Matt Ballin is still part of the top 25 and will remain so until the NRL determines his contract situation.
\
\
\
BalmainBoy debating Balmain Boy, was a little confusing initially.

 

[balmain boy]

If they're not at the club then they're not in the top 25\. But they are in the cap.

In any case all this crap will be behind from next season onwards. If the club decides to re-sign Lovett or Naiqama then poor squad management is firmly at the feet of those currently in charge. From next year no more retrospective excuses can be made!

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

We still paying Simona… 😕

I think we are also still paying Blair, Fifita. Heighington, Ryan and Gibbs..you left them out...

Benji as well.

 

[magpiecol]

Ok here's a fun fact .. Roosters have 0 TPAs.
Here's a second fun fact… Tigers top 25 top Tier salary cap includes:
Robbie Farah
Tim Simona
Mitchell Moses
Curtis Sironen
Matt Ballin.

Keep blaming TPAs if you want but roster mismanagement is the single most deciding factor in whether a team is successful or not.
Last year Cronulla used only 23 players to win a comp.. they spend hardly anything on second tier cap.
Wests Tigers have been losing year after year because they have been horrible at managing a roster and have had some bad luck with injury.

Here's a fun fact, Roosters have lots of TPAs and we only have a few. Broncos have more TPAs thrown at them than they do players. One city clubs like that have such a ridiculous advantage. Geography and the connections the board have are the two deciding factors for TPAs.

**You're also confusing the 25 and the salary cap. None of those players are currently in our top 2**5\. Yes parts of players contracts like Farah and Sirro are included in our total cap, as was the portion of Simona/Moses' salary up until they left the club. None of these players are in the top 25 players 'at the club' . With Ballin retiring we're apparently getting an extra spot in our 25 and 200k of cap space.

We need to have 25 players in the cap outside of those guys and then we get into the 2nd tier.

The Tigers problems come from poor recruitment retention mainly from several years ago, for which this season is the last of ridiculous over inflated contracts given to juniors and others. Grant Mayer really did almost kill this club.

no I am not… ALL of those players are in the top tier 25 .. Every.. single.. one... 100% guarantee.. 100% certain.. 100% without doubt.. All of these players contributed to the 2017 Salary Cap! that is the issue.. and that is the fundamental reason why the Tigers stink... Blame the Roosters and geography all you want.. but Tigers won't improve with that mentality and I'm sure Ivan Clearly isn't lying around kicking stones and complaining and nor should you... I want the Tigers to be professional like the Storm.. recruit and develop like the Storm.. I want the Tigers to have a culture of excellence.. not a whinging ,... complaining.. someone else's fault.. blah blah.. point is.. Tigers have been hopeless in lots of areas that have nothing to do with with other clubs.

"Professional like the Storm". Great.

Let's have some salary cap rorting to start. Then we can introduce some other good professional stuff like the chicken wing, wrestling, leg stomping etc.

:righton: :righton:

 

[Newtown]

We still paying Simona… 😕

I think we are also still paying Blair, Fifita. Heighington, Ryan and Gibbs..you left them out...

Benji as well.

Wests Tigers are a very generous club to their ex-players. Unfortunately they are not so generous to Wests Tigers supporters. The last five years is proof enough.

 

[swag_tiger]

We still paying Simona… 😕

I think we are also still paying Blair, Fifita. Heighington, Ryan and Gibbs..you left them out...

Benji as well.

Wests Tigers are a very generous club to their ex-players. Unfortunately they are not so generous to Wests Tigers supporters. The last five years is proof enough.

What comes around goes around.

 

[tigs4ever]

i think we get rid of Sausoe Sue to give room for signings.

 

[NT_Tiger]

I'd keep Sue. He'll improve with a better pack around him.

 

[Seantice]

I'd keep Sue. He'll improve with a better pack around him.

I dont get that. I hear that erm alot where theyl improve once this and that happens. Hes a front rower. He needs to run hard and tackle hard. If he cant do it now then hes not doing his job. If hes not doing his job he gets dropped.

 

[NT_Tiger]

I'd keep Sue. He'll improve with a better pack around him.

I dont get that. I hear that erm alot where theyl improve once this and that happens. Hes a front rower. He needs to run hard and tackle hard. If he cant do it now then hes not doing his job. If hes not doing his job he gets dropped.

I just see it from the perspective, as opposed to the mob we have now, if he sees the others are putting big efforts, he will lift his game.

 

[razor7]

Sue fades quickly if left on too long and lacks football smarts. Happy to keep him but not an essential player going forward

 

[swag_tiger]

Sue fades quickly if left on too long and lacks football smarts. Happy to keep him but not an essential player going forward

He weighs less then some of our backs. 😱pen_mouth:

 

[Russell]

"JAC has nothing to offer but speed…"
"Rankin looked like a superstar..."

Fair dinkum these have to be the comments of the decade. This cannot be a serious comment, the Vodka Cruisers must be going to your head.

Maybe the forum should have an award for the most delusional comment of the year, complete with a Sportsgirl gift card. You'd have it in the bag.

I am saying that I want more than a winger with JUST SPEED - I want a winger with a football brain, that can think ahead, read the game, get in and do the hard yards, defend etc. I don't think JAC has any of those things.

Someone else said he scored 7 tries and Rankin scored 6 so obviously that makes JAC a better player - don't think it quite works out like that. I am sure El Masri scored more tries than Johns as well but I wouldn't say he was a better player.

I am happy to be proven wrong over the next few years - I am sure you will let me know when he produces anything else but speed, but I doubt it.

I would say that Melbourne and other top clubs have the luxury of fielding certain one-dimensional players.

In terms of defence, high ball, return metres in early tackles I consider JAC to be average. He obviously excels in open space and finishing.

Nofo is similarly flawed, not great on defence or kick defence but top-notch in DH runs and finding the corner in traffic.

Difference being that JAC can be the icing on a Storm cake, Nofo is currently leaned on as a key ingredient in the WT cake itself. If JAC and Nofo make a mistake, I back Melbourne a much greater chance to defend that mistake than Tigers.

You're right there, jirskyr but Russell was comparing JAC to Rankin - and choosing Superstar Rankin.

I was, on the game that I saw JAC play for the Storm. I then stated that JAC's performance in that game made Rankin look like a superstar. Fail to see what the problem is.

 

[AL The Tiger]

I am saying that I want more than a winger with JUST SPEED - I want a winger with a football brain, that can think ahead, read the game, get in and do the hard yards, defend etc. I don't think JAC has any of those things.

Someone else said he scored 7 tries and Rankin scored 6 so obviously that makes JAC a better player - don't think it quite works out like that. I am sure El Masri scored more tries than Johns as well but I wouldn't say he was a better player.

I am happy to be proven wrong over the next few years - I am sure you will let me know when he produces anything else but speed, but I doubt it.

I would say that Melbourne and other top clubs have the luxury of fielding certain one-dimensional players.

In terms of defence, high ball, return metres in early tackles I consider JAC to be average. He obviously excels in open space and finishing.

Nofo is similarly flawed, not great on defence or kick defence but top-notch in DH runs and finding the corner in traffic.

Difference being that JAC can be the icing on a Storm cake, Nofo is currently leaned on as a key ingredient in the WT cake itself. If JAC and Nofo make a mistake, I back Melbourne a much greater chance to defend that mistake than Tigers.

You're right there, jirskyr but Russell was comparing JAC to Rankin - and choosing Superstar Rankin.

I was, on the game that I saw JAC play for the Storm. I then stated that JAC's performance in that game made Rankin look like a superstar. Fail to see what the problem is.

The problem is that you're wrong. Rankin is as bog average as it gets

 

[Chainlink]

From my calculations we have 24 confirmed seats on the bus with both Elijah Taylor and Tim Grant having options to stay in 2018\. So if you include Taylor and Grant we have 26 seats filled for 2018.

Four seats left to fill.

Strong rumours from all media outlets that Connor Watson is on the bus and if true leave 3 seats.

In my opinion we require one prop, one second rower and a winger to complete the bus.

Still some props on the market but second rowers appear hard to come by.

I hope we either secure Tapou or Rona for the wing spot.

How do you come to that? Who have I missed?
**SIGNED 2018**
1\. Tuimoala Lolohea
2\. David Nofoaluma
3\. Taane Milne
4\. Moses Suli
5\. Mahe Fonua
6\. Josh Reynolds
7\. Luke Brooks
8\. Ben Matulino
9\. Jacob Liddle
10\. Russell Packer
11\. Chris McQueen
12\. Chris Lawrence
13\. Jesse Sue
14\. Josh Aloiai
15\. JJ Felise
16\. Michael Chee-Kam
17\. Alex Twal
18\. Matt McIlwrick
19\. Esan Masters
20\. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak
21\. Corey Thompson
22\. Tyson Gamble

23\. Elijah Taylor (option?)
24\. Tim Grant (option?)

OFF CONTRACT
Kevin Niaqama
Matt Eisenhuth
Joel Edwards
Watson Heleta
Justin Hunt
Jack Littlejohn
Kyle Lovett
Junior Tatola
Bayley Sironen

 

[Seantice]

looks alright to me.

 

[will1999]

From my calculations we have 24 confirmed seats on the bus with both Elijah Taylor and Tim Grant having options to stay in 2018\. So if you include Taylor and Grant we have 26 seats filled for 2018.

Four seats left to fill.

Strong rumours from all media outlets that Connor Watson is on the bus and if true leave 3 seats.

In my opinion we require one prop, one second rower and a winger to complete the bus.

Still some props on the market but second rowers appear hard to come by.

I hope we either secure Tapou or Rona for the wing spot.

How do you come to that? Who have I missed?
**SIGNED 2018**
1\. Tuimoala Lolohea
2\. David Nofoaluma
3\. Taane Milne
4\. Moses Suli
5\. Mahe Fonua
6\. Josh Reynolds
7\. Luke Brooks
8\. Ben Matulino
9\. Jacob Liddle
10\. Russell Packer
11\. Chris McQueen
12\. Chris Lawrence
13\. Jesse Sue
14\. Josh Aloiai
15\. JJ Felise
16\. Michael Chee-Kam
17\. Alex Twal
18\. Matt McIlwrick
19\. Esan Masters
20\. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak
21\. Corey Thompson
22\. Tyson Gamble

23\. Elijah Taylor (option?)
24\. Tim Grant (option?)

OFF CONTRACT
Kevin Niaqama
Matt Eisenhuth
Joel Edwards
Watson Heleta
Justin Hunt
Jack Littlejohn
Kyle Lovett
Junior Tatola
Bayley Sironen

Still need alot more signings to compete with the top teams

 

[TYGA]

From my calculations we have 24 confirmed seats on the bus with both Elijah Taylor and Tim Grant having options to stay in 2018\. So if you include Taylor and Grant we have 26 seats filled for 2018.

Four seats left to fill.

Strong rumours from all media outlets that Connor Watson is on the bus and if true leave 3 seats.

In my opinion we require one prop, one second rower and a winger to complete the bus.

Still some props on the market but second rowers appear hard to come by.

I hope we either secure Tapou or Rona for the wing spot.

How do you come to that? Who have I missed?
**SIGNED 2018**
1\. Tuimoala Lolohea
2\. David Nofoaluma
3\. Taane Milne
4\. Moses Suli
5\. Mahe Fonua
6\. Josh Reynolds
7\. Luke Brooks
8\. Ben Matulino
9\. Jacob Liddle
10\. Russell Packer
11\. Chris McQueen
12\. Chris Lawrence
13\. Jesse Sue
14\. Josh Aloiai
15\. JJ Felise
16\. Michael Chee-Kam
17\. Alex Twal
18\. Matt McIlwrick
19\. Esan Masters
20\. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak
21\. Corey Thompson
22\. Tyson Gamble

23\. Elijah Taylor (option?)
24\. Tim Grant (option?)

OFF CONTRACT
Kevin Niaqama
Matt Eisenhuth
Joel Edwards
Watson Heleta
Justin Hunt
Jack Littlejohn
Kyle Lovett
Junior Tatola
Bayley Sironen

Still need alot more signings to compete with the top teams

Based on above we will have room for another 7 assuming Grant leaves and ET extends. If we land Watson & Rona we will have cap room for another 5 players.
I would look at 2 props (Vete, Ofehengaue) 2 backrowers (Boyle, B Thompson) and a centre (Roberts)

That would be a solid squad.

 

[Milky]

I'd keep Sue. He'll improve with a better pack around him.

Why does Sue need to improve around a better pack?

Why can't the rest of the pack improve around Sue?

Players like Woods improve around a better pack, not sue IMO.

 

[Chainlink]

From my calculations we have 24 confirmed seats on the bus with both Elijah Taylor and Tim Grant having options to stay in 2018\. So if you include Taylor and Grant we have 26 seats filled for 2018.

Four seats left to fill.

Strong rumours from all media outlets that Connor Watson is on the bus and if true leave 3 seats.

In my opinion we require one prop, one second rower and a winger to complete the bus.

Still some props on the market but second rowers appear hard to come by.

I hope we either secure Tapou or Rona for the wing spot.

How do you come to that? Who have I missed?
**SIGNED 2018**
1\. Tuimoala Lolohea
2\. David Nofoaluma
3\. Taane Milne
4\. Moses Suli
5\. Mahe Fonua
6\. Josh Reynolds
7\. Luke Brooks
8\. Ben Matulino
9\. Jacob Liddle
10\. Russell Packer
11\. Chris McQueen
12\. Chris Lawrence
13\. Jesse Sue
14\. Josh Aloiai
15\. JJ Felise
16\. Michael Chee-Kam
17\. Alex Twal
18\. Matt McIlwrick
19\. Esan Masters
20\. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak
21\. Corey Thompson
22\. Tyson Gamble

23\. Elijah Taylor (option?)
24\. Tim Grant (option?)

OFF CONTRACT
Kevin Niaqama
Matt Eisenhuth
Joel Edwards
Watson Heleta
Justin Hunt
Jack Littlejohn
Kyle Lovett
Junior Tatola
Bayley Sironen

Still need alot more signings to compete with the top teams

Based on above we will have room for another 7 assuming Grant leaves and ET extends. If we land Watson & Rona we will have cap room for another 5 players.
I would look at 2 props (Vete, Ofehengaue) 2 backrowers (Boyle, B Thompson) and a centre (Roberts)

That would be a solid squad.

Keep in mind that's assuming that ALL our signings are top 30\. This may not be the case and pending future signings, some of these signings might actually be second tier.