Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

@ said:
@ said:
@ said:
Panthers won’t keep Cleary and Maloney. Chances are Jimmy will go and Luai play 6\. They will need extra funds to upgrade Cleary so could release a couple of forwards like CHN, Merrin or Tamou

Thats why i would be throwing a bit of money at Luai - I think he would be great with Brooks - if we don't get him it pushes his price up.

Yeah agreed. If Nathan doesn't want to come I'd be offering Luai an attractive contract. He's wasted there. He's what 21? His ripe for the picking.

That offer would turn the screws on Nathan as well.
 
@ said:
@ said:
@ said:
@ said:
Must be part of the Ivan compo package

My first thought too..

Best mates with Nathan Cleary.

So Gus is going to let Nathan & his best mate go to the Tigers how kind of him :unamused:

Spot on it’s not going to happen. Won’t be helping the Tigers his plan was to derail us to make us look like a poor destination and Penrith get Ivan Cleary back to retain his son.
 
@ said:
@ said:
@ said:
@ said:
Thanks for this post, I didn’t realised he died so young - he was a real cult hero at Balmain, being such a ferocious enforcer. Attacking players used to drop the ball frequently as they knew Grant would time his hits so that he smashed them the second they caught a pass!
We are lacking an enforcer like Grant who can put fear into the opposition attack .
- Marty Tapou is a modern day, more compliant enforcer for the modern day game which has softened somewhat, that we should be targeting.
The Roosters have Victor Radley. There’s not much of him but his hard hitting has the opposition looking up before receiving a pass.

reading the above brings back great memories, of when i 1st started watching the tigers at leichhardt oval. back then in 3rd grade we had dennis bendell and wigham and in 1st grade pringle and mcmahon, oh the memories.

Dennis Bendall was my economics teacher at school, he had a shocking accident when on a camp - he swung on a rope into the water, went too far and broke his neck!
He was famous for his grass-cutting tackles (right around the ankles which would bring them down in a hurry), formed the best centre partnership in the comp with Wayne Wigham.
**Neil Pringle was the best lock the tigers have ever fielded**, remember the famous Lockwood/Pringle flick passes? - dazzling in those days, before it’s time really, just ask Benji.
Also Alan McMahon’s towering torpedo punts which towered over the lights at Leichhardt .. many years later Pat Richards brought his kicking skills.
As a kid you lost site of the field when everyone jumped to their feet shouting “Larry’s got the ball!” followed by the deafening roars as Larry left everyone in their wake!
Ahh, great memories.
Let’s target some players with the personalities and skills to re-invigorate today’s tiger youth.

Seem to remember a half hidden number 13 we had called Wayne Pearce. Think there is a hill named after him somewhere and he may have played for Australia etc.

But who cares we had Neil Pringle. 😱pen_mouth:
 
@ said:
@ said:
@ said:
@ said:
I’m going to make a bold prediction that Reynolds will be gone either in the off season or by June 30 next year.

He has mentioned going to England earlier this year so either that or a club like the Titans that need some experience. As much as I like the bloke I can’t see what he brings to our team apart from huge heart and enthusiasm, a don’t think his skill set is something that we can build a future on.

Your kidding aren’t you? Did enough in 30mins to suggest he is going to be a valuable addition. He is the type of player that lifts a team when it is flat

Larry Corowa - just noticed your username, they were the days with Larry outsprinting everyone, scoring 4 tries a game for Balmain .. thanks for the memory jolt.
Do you remember David Grant? He played same time as Larry. Grant was an absolute machine!!! He used to line up attackers and hit them 100 miles an hour with a massive shoulder charge, cleaned up Charlie Frith big time at Redfern Oval one day … ahhh, the memories.

Dennis Bendall…...and Neil Pringle more great Tigers players from that era

Anyone for Gary Spears? Pretty intimidating second row with Spears and Grant.
 
@ said:
@ said:
@ said:
@ said:
Your kidding aren’t you? Did enough in 30mins to suggest he is going to be a valuable addition. He is the type of player that lifts a team when it is flat

Larry Corowa - just noticed your username, they were the days with Larry outsprinting everyone, scoring 4 tries a game for Balmain .. thanks for the memory jolt.
Do you remember David Grant? He played same time as Larry. Grant was an absolute machine!!! He used to line up attackers and hit them 100 miles an hour with a massive shoulder charge, cleaned up Charlie Frith big time at Redfern Oval one day … ahhh, the memories.

Dennis Bendall…...and Neil Pringle more great Tigers players from that era

Anyone for Gary Spears? Pretty intimidating second row with Spears and Grant.

What about Steve "Stopper" Lavers!!
 
@ said:
@ said:
@ said:
@ said:
Larry Corowa - just noticed your username, they were the days with Larry outsprinting everyone, scoring 4 tries a game for Balmain .. thanks for the memory jolt.
Do you remember David Grant? He played same time as Larry. Grant was an absolute machine!!! He used to line up attackers and hit them 100 miles an hour with a massive shoulder charge, cleaned up Charlie Frith big time at Redfern Oval one day … ahhh, the memories.

Dennis Bendall…...and Neil Pringle more great Tigers players from that era

Anyone for Gary Spears? Pretty intimidating second row with Spears and Grant.

What about Steve "Stopper" Lavers!!

70s were an interesting period for Balmain. Before my time, but with results familiar to Wests Tigers fans:
1969 - premiers obviously
1970 - 6th out of 12 teams (Top 4 finals)
1971 - 5th out of 12 teams (Top 4 finals) - one place outside the finals
1972 - 10th out of 12 teams (Top 4 finals)
1973 - 9th out of 12 teams (Top 5 finals)
1974 - 11th out of 12 teams (Top 5 finals)
1975 - equal 6th out of 12 teams (Top 5 finals), lost the playoffs for 5th (i.e. one place outside the finals)
1976 - 6th out of 12 teams (Top 5 finals) - one place outside the finals
1977 - 4th out of 12 teams (Top 5 finals) - finals, beat Manly Week 1, lost to Easts Week 2
1978 - 9th out of 12 teams (Top 5 finals)
1979 - 6th out of 12 teams (Top 5 finals) - one place outside the finals

That's one comp, 1 other finals (only) and finishing 1 place outside the finals for 4 of 11 seasons. Often finishing in the upper non-finals places but rarely very close to last. Very reminiscent of the Wests Tigers whichever decade of ours you choose.
 
@ said:
@ said:
@ said:
@ said:
Larry Corowa - just noticed your username, they were the days with Larry outsprinting everyone, scoring 4 tries a game for Balmain .. thanks for the memory jolt.
Do you remember David Grant? He played same time as Larry. Grant was an absolute machine!!! He used to line up attackers and hit them 100 miles an hour with a massive shoulder charge, cleaned up Charlie Frith big time at Redfern Oval one day … ahhh, the memories.

Dennis Bendall…...and Neil Pringle more great Tigers players from that era

Anyone for Gary Spears? Pretty intimidating second row with Spears and Grant.

What about Steve "Stopper" Lavers!!

Gary Jack.
BTW Pringle was better than Pearce
 
@ said:
@ said:
Corey Harawira-Naera deal apparently back on the table after failed attempt to sign him last year.

Should be an interesting off season.

Would add a lot of punch to our forward pack!
Is he injury prone though?
Could be like ships passing in the night with Ivan heading to the panthers and Corey heading to the tigers - under the cloak of darkness
 
Someone earlier mentioned Alan McMahon. Remember the huge kicking duels he used to have with Graham Eadie? They would go for 5 minutes seemingly!
 
@ said:
@ said:
@ said:
@ said:
I’m going to make a bold prediction that Reynolds will be gone either in the off season or by June 30 next year.

He has mentioned going to England earlier this year so either that or a club like the Titans that need some experience. As much as I like the bloke I can’t see what he brings to our team apart from huge heart and enthusiasm, a don’t think his skill set is something that we can build a future on.

Your kidding aren’t you? Did enough in 30mins to suggest he is going to be a valuable addition. He is the type of player that lifts a team when it is flat

Larry Corowa - just noticed your username, they were the days with Larry outsprinting everyone, scoring 4 tries a game for Balmain .. thanks for the memory jolt.
Do you remember David Grant? He played same time as Larry. Grant was an absolute machine!!! He used to line up attackers and hit them 100 miles an hour with a massive shoulder charge, cleaned up Charlie Frith big time at Redfern Oval one day … ahhh, the memories.

Dennis Bendall…...and Neil Pringle more great Tigers players from that era

Kerry Hemsley, Olsen Filipana, Percy Knight, the two Waynes Wigham and Miranda, Neil Whittaker, Steve Martin it was a pretty handy squad
 
Wow, those kicking duels were like a Mexican stand-off until one decided to run with the ball and surprise everyone.
I remember seeing Alan McMahon in reserve grade then he got his call up into 1st grade as a great attacking centre, later moving to fullback to unleash those mighty kicks to full potential.
I miss the ball going in the centre of the scrum and the associated anxiety of not knowing who would win the scrum.
I miss the clock stopping with 5 minutes to go and a close game turned into a nail biter not knowing when the siren would sound… not the standing around waiting to run down the clock like we have now.
I miss the ‘around The grounds’ announcements at each oval and the associated cheers and boo’s that followed - most games were played simultaneously on a Sunday arvo.
I miss the build-up and anticipation waiting for your first glimpse of the 1st grade team running out to start the game, not the practice warm-ups that occur on the field now before the game, then go back into the sheds and back out a few minutes later (for the cameras)
 
@ said:
@ said:
I think we really have to look to our players that the club see's as FG early next season- is Gamble a 5/8 and if so give him a go and work him in with reynolds next year. The dogs are seeing real talent coming thru with some young players and i hope that we can see the same from players that we have identified

Please not Gamble, he was horrible against Canberra. He's not worth taking Brooks or Reynolds or even Benji out of the team for.

I think Gamble has been unfairly portrayed, he was thrown to the lions against the Raiders and got no support during the game as the team fractured right across the park.
He needs a 2nd chance at some stage, remember he came here with Benji’s recommendation.
 
@ said:
@ said:
@ said:
@ said:
**David "Nana" Grant** (1956–1994) was an Australian rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 1980s. He played for a number of teams in the New South Wales Rugby Football League (NSWRFL) competition.

Originally from Dubbo New South Wales Dubbo Cyms in rural New South Wales, Grant moved to Sydney and made his debut with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 1976\. The following year he moved to play for the Eastern Suburbs Roosters for one season, becoming the club's 678th capped player, before moving to spend four years with the Balmain Tigers. Upon leaving Balmain, the back-rower was named as the captain of the newly formed Canberra Raiders in its inaugural season in the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership.
\
\
x2- I wasn't aware either, however I do remember him well. What a quality competitor he was. Very sad to read that he passed so young.

In Grant's first season he was selected to play for a Sydney representative team that toured New Zealand.

Grant was just 38 when he died of a heart attack in 1994.

Thanks for this post, I didn’t realised he died so young - he was a real cult hero at Balmain, being such a ferocious enforcer. Attacking players used to drop the ball frequently as they knew Grant would time his hits so that he smashed them the second they caught a pass!
We are lacking an enforcer like Grant who can put fear into the opposition attack .
- Marty Tapou is a modern day, more compliant enforcer for the modern day game which has softened somewhat, that we should be targeting.
The Roosters have Victor Radley. There’s not much of him but his hard hitting has the opposition looking up before receiving a pass.

reading the above brings back great memories, of when i 1st started watching the tigers at leichhardt oval. back then in 3rd grade we had dennis bendell and wigham and in 1st grade pringle and mcmahon, oh the memories.

Pringle was a hard nut and my favourite.
 
@ said:
Wow, those kicking duels were like a Mexican stand-off until one decided to run with the ball and surprise everyone.
I remember seeing Alan McMahon in reserve grade then he got his call up into 1st grade as a great attacking centre, later moving to fullback to unleash those mighty kicks to full potential.
I miss the ball going in the centre of the scrum and the associated anxiety of not knowing who would win the scrum.
I miss the clock stopping with 5 minutes to go and a close game turned into a nail biter not knowing when the siren would sound… not the standing around waiting to run down the clock like we have now.
I miss the ‘around The grounds’ announcements at each oval and the associated cheers and boo’s that followed - most games were played simultaneously on a Sunday arvo.
I miss the build-up and anticipation waiting for your first glimpse of the 1st grade team running out to start the game, not the practice warm-ups that occur on the field now before the game, then go back into the sheds and back out a few minutes later (for the cameras)

We need to share a slab and reminisce
 

Latest posts

Members online

Back
Top