@TigerTiger By developing juniors you have first crack at them. First chance to see them, assess them, use them in first grade a re-sign them. The Tigers' problem is they don't take enough advantage of this window. When they "lock up" a player it's often only for a couple of years so, like Tedesco, they can still leave in their prime. Or they wait too long so, like Addo-Carr, the player's talent is widely known and there's no chance to get a favourable deal.
People on here always complain about big signings or the lack thereof, but you don't win premierships with players on full value or overs only. It's all about value - who is delivering more than their contract pays. A couple of pages ago there were people supporting the idea of signing George Burgess. Does anyone think there is any chance that guy is going to deliver more than his next contract pays him? You'll never see a club like Melbourne signing that kind of player unless for some reason they can get him for super cheap. It's dumbarse clubs like the Titans, Parra and Tigers that keep convincing themselves that one or two expensive "big name" players will somehow make all the difference.
To be successful, a club like the Tigers needs to put it's resources into identifying talent (meaning its own juniors and those from elsewhere) getting it when it's cheap and locking it up before the bidding war starts. It won't always work and of course there's no harm at all in complementing what you build with free agents where they really will make a difference. But it's got to be more efficient to find a Twal and sign him long term than to chase a succession of Packers.
