Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[OzLuke]

eels could be spiteful here....wouldn't put it past them......

but to see this kid in a tigers jersy....something to get amped up about

 

[GNR4LIFE]

eels could be spiteful here....wouldn't put it past them......

but to see this kid in a tigers jersy....something to get amped up about

If they want to waste a year developing a player who will be gone in 2021, let them. Cutting off their nose to spite their face.

 

[WT2K]

eels could be spiteful here....wouldn't put it past them......

but to see this kid in a tigers jersy....something to get amped up about

Buckets not playing nice at the moment

 

[OzLuke]

eels could be spiteful here....wouldn't put it past them......

but to see this kid in a tigers jersy....something to get amped up about

If they want to waste a year developing a player who will be gone in 2021, let them. Cutting off their nose to spite their face.

can you tell me that is something that the eels would do? i can see them doing it just to be jerks

 

[finnzo]

So he is 100% signed with us for 2021? There is no way we can lose him? He sounds like an absolute weapon glad our recruiting team is on the rite track

 

[OzLuke]

eels could be spiteful here....wouldn't put it past them......

but to see this kid in a tigers jersy....something to get amped up about

Buckets not playing nice at the moment

yup.....still dirty on getting the punt I reckon

 

[tiger_one]

eels could be spiteful here....wouldn't put it past them......

but to see this kid in a tigers jersy....something to get amped up about

Buckets not playing nice at the moment

yup.....still dirty on getting the punt I reckon

No reason to question the Wests Tigers admin if this article is correct.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/wests-tigers-stand-down-football-manager-mark-oneill--over-alleged-misconduct-20160918-griz7u.html

Wests Tigers stand down football manager Mark O'Neill over alleged misconduct
By Michael Chammas and Chris Barrett
Updated September 18, 2016

Wests Tigers premiership winner Mark O'Neill has been stood down indefinitely from his role as the club's football general manager pending an investigation into alleged misconduct.

Fairfax Media understands the Wests Tigers are investigating allegations of inappropriate behaviour ​involving O'Neill and a colleague and he has been asked to remain away from the club's Concord headquarters until the investigation is complete.

The Wests Tigers have informed the NRL integrity unit of allegations but the governing body believes it is a matter for the club to resolve.

Tigers chair Marina Go confirmed there was an investigation into the alleged misconduct.
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"It is acknowledged that the board has been advised of an incident involving a staff member," Go said.

"The board has instructed an independent investigation to be carried out. We will apply the proper legal process and until then I can't make further comment."

O'Neill, a former Tigers captain who rejoined the club this season to oversee its football operations, is one of the most respected figures in the game and holds a special place inside the Tigers organisation after helping the club win its only premiership back in 2005.

However the recent allegations have cast a shadow over his position at his beloved club, who only appointed O'Neill into the role in March this year.

The club is still investigating allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards the staff member, who continues to work with the club while officials delve into the matter.

O'Neill, who began his playing career for Balmain in 1994 played 102 games for the club before representing the Wests Tigers joint-venture on 121 occasions between 2000 and 2005.

The 41-year-old finished his career playing in the English Super League and worked with the NRL match review committee after hanging up the boots in 2007.

After eight years at the NRL, O'Neill took on the job as the general manager of the Tigers six months ago and had to oversee the departure of close friend Robbie Farah from the club to arch rivals South Sydney.

Fairfax Media tried to contact O'Neill on Sunday afternoon, however he declined to comment.

O'Neill was a notable no-show at the club's presentation night in Lilyfield a fortnight ago, in which Dene Halatau and Chris Lawrence were inducted into the club's hall of fame.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

eels could be spiteful here....wouldn't put it past them......

but to see this kid in a tigers jersy....something to get amped up about

If they want to waste a year developing a player who will be gone in 2021, let them. Cutting off their nose to spite their face.

can you tell me that is something that the eels would do? i can see them doing it just to be jerks

Who cares why they’d do it, they’d still be developing him in their system. Wasting a spot that could be used for someone else. He’d come to us a year ahead of where he’ll be in 2020. Less work for us to do.

 

[Guest]

eels could be spiteful here....wouldn't put it past them......

but to see this kid in a tigers jersy....something to get amped up about

Buckets not playing nice at the moment

yup.....still dirty on getting the punt I reckon


No reason to question the Wests Tigers admin if this article is correct.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/wests-tigers-stand-down-football-manager-mark-oneill--over-alleged-misconduct-20160918-griz7u.html

Wests Tigers stand down football manager Mark O'Neill over alleged misconduct
By Michael Chammas and Chris Barrett
Updated September 18, 2016

Wests Tigers premiership winner Mark O'Neill has been stood down indefinitely from his role as the club's football general manager pending an investigation into alleged misconduct.

Fairfax Media understands the Wests Tigers are investigating allegations of inappropriate behaviour ​involving O'Neill and a colleague and he has been asked to remain away from the club's Concord headquarters until the investigation is complete.

The Wests Tigers have informed the NRL integrity unit of allegations but the governing body believes it is a matter for the club to resolve.

Tigers chair Marina Go confirmed there was an investigation into the alleged misconduct.
Advertisement

"It is acknowledged that the board has been advised of an incident involving a staff member," Go said.

"The board has instructed an independent investigation to be carried out. We will apply the proper legal process and until then I can't make further comment."

O'Neill, a former Tigers captain who rejoined the club this season to oversee its football operations, is one of the most respected figures in the game and holds a special place inside the Tigers organisation after helping the club win its only premiership back in 2005.

However the recent allegations have cast a shadow over his position at his beloved club, who only appointed O'Neill into the role in March this year.

The club is still investigating allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards the staff member, who continues to work with the club while officials delve into the matter.

O'Neill, who began his playing career for Balmain in 1994 played 102 games for the club before representing the Wests Tigers joint-venture on 121 occasions between 2000 and 2005.

The 41-year-old finished his career playing in the English Super League and worked with the NRL match review committee after hanging up the boots in 2007.

After eight years at the NRL, O'Neill took on the job as the general manager of the Tigers six months ago and had to oversee the departure of close friend Robbie Farah from the club to arch rivals South Sydney.

Fairfax Media tried to contact O'Neill on Sunday afternoon, however he declined to comment.

O'Neill was a notable no-show at the club's presentation night in Lilyfield a fortnight ago, in which Dene Halatau and Chris Lawrence were inducted into the club's hall of fame.

This is old news and hardly relevant.

 

[WT2K]

So he is 100% signed with us for 2021? There is no way we can lose him? He sounds like an absolute weapon glad our recruiting team is on the rite track

Not sure... Don't think the club has announced anything about it

 

[westy81]

So he is 100% signed with us for 2021? There is no way we can lose him? He sounds like an absolute weapon glad our recruiting team is on the rite track

Who knows these days contracts aren’t worth the paper they are signed on and seems like you can get out of them if you sook hard enough

I wouldn’t be 100% convinced he is coming to us until he is in a tigers jersey

 

[Spud_Murphy]

NSWRL NEWS
20 stars for 2020 | Stefano Utoikamanu

191 centimetre and 115-kilogram prop Stefano Utoikamanu has been regarded as one the most promising young players in next year's rookie class.

Wests Tigers have secured him from 2021 on one of the biggest contracts on record for a player yet to make his NRL debut, understood to be worth around $800,000 over three years.

The Tigers were hoping to have Utoikamanu join their first grade ranks immediately but the **Eels rejected an immediate request for a release and instead, Parramatta have offered him a top 30 NRL position in 2020 – one he is yet to accept.**

The Australian Schoolboys representative played 17 games for the Wentworthville Magpies in 2019, making a massive 604.8 post-contact metres, 35 tackle busts and 455 tackles.

Last year, Utoikamanu scored the match-winning try for NSW in a man-of-the-match performance in the Under-18s Origin game.

He backed that up again this year in the Under-20s match, coming off the bench and making 149 metres from 11 hit-ups in the Blues 36-10 victory over Queensland.

NSW Under-20s coach Mark O’Meley described the 19-year-old as “A big human who’s a really good kid that’s learning to push himself through boundaries more and more. Very easy to coach.”

New Zealand born Utoikamanu has been likened to the Bronco’s Payne Haas and will be expected to be, like Haas was, a damaging ball runner when he makes his NRL debut.


Well that’s a really dopey thing to do. Develop a player who will be gone the following year, instead of developing one who will actually still be there! ?

 

[Roar_Power]

If he rejected the top 30 offer, I wonder if they would then let him go...

 

[Ponyo]

Desperation tactics by Parra. It's a wrap for them. They messed up signing Oregen Kaufusi over Stef - they tried to play it out a year & make him wait. He's gone to WT IMO

 

[851]

If he rejected the top 30 offer, I wonder if they would then let him go...

The fact we released Moses and Matterson early to them after they negotiated outside the rules seems to hold no weight, the scum deserve some real karma to give them a thanks for nothing, here is hoping

 

[pawsandclaws1]

NSWRL NEWS
20 stars for 2020 | Stefano Utoikamanu

191 centimetre and 115-kilogram prop Stefano Utoikamanu has been regarded as one the most promising young players in next year's rookie class.

Wests Tigers have secured him from 2021 on one of the biggest contracts on record for a player yet to make his NRL debut, understood to be worth around $800,000 over three years.

The Tigers were hoping to have Utoikamanu join their first grade ranks immediately but the **Eels rejected an immediate request for a release and instead, Parramatta have offered him a top 30 NRL position in 2020 – one he is yet to accept.**

The Australian Schoolboys representative played 17 games for the Wentworthville Magpies in 2019, making a massive 604.8 post-contact metres, 35 tackle busts and 455 tackles.

Last year, Utoikamanu scored the match-winning try for NSW in a man-of-the-match performance in the Under-18s Origin game.

He backed that up again this year in the Under-20s match, coming off the bench and making 149 metres from 11 hit-ups in the Blues 36-10 victory over Queensland.

NSW Under-20s coach Mark O’Meley described the 19-year-old as “A big human who’s a really good kid that’s learning to push himself through boundaries more and more. Very easy to coach.”

New Zealand born Utoikamanu has been likened to the Bronco’s Payne Haas and will be expected to be, like Haas was, a damaging ball runner when he makes his NRL debut.


Well that’s a really dopey thing to do. Develop a player who will be gone the following year, instead of developing one who will actually still be there! ?

Doesn't that in itself explain the motivation for the top 30 offer?

 

[Demps]

He’s miles ahead of our current options for hooker

Same height as Corey Thompson.
He'll get rag dolled.

 

[Ponyo]

NSWRL NEWS
20 stars for 2020 | Stefano Utoikamanu

191 centimetre and 115-kilogram prop Stefano Utoikamanu has been regarded as one the most promising young players in next year's rookie class.

Wests Tigers have secured him from 2021 on one of the biggest contracts on record for a player yet to make his NRL debut, understood to be worth around $800,000 over three years.

The Tigers were hoping to have Utoikamanu join their first grade ranks immediately but the **Eels rejected an immediate request for a release and instead, Parramatta have offered him a top 30 NRL position in 2020 – one he is yet to accept.**

The Australian Schoolboys representative played 17 games for the Wentworthville Magpies in 2019, making a massive 604.8 post-contact metres, 35 tackle busts and 455 tackles.

Last year, Utoikamanu scored the match-winning try for NSW in a man-of-the-match performance in the Under-18s Origin game.

He backed that up again this year in the Under-20s match, coming off the bench and making 149 metres from 11 hit-ups in the Blues 36-10 victory over Queensland.

NSW Under-20s coach Mark O’Meley described the 19-year-old as “A big human who’s a really good kid that’s learning to push himself through boundaries more and more. Very easy to coach.”

New Zealand born Utoikamanu has been likened to the Bronco’s Payne Haas and will be expected to be, like Haas was, a damaging ball runner when he makes his NRL debut.


Well that’s a really dopey thing to do. Develop a player who will be gone the following year, instead of developing one who will actually still be there! ?

Doesn't that in itself explain the motivation for the top 30 offer?

They can't/won't match our offer - Stef was in the area last week too before Xmas breakup.

Nothing worse than slimey eels 4 reals...

 

[Needaname]

Good on you young chap. Stick to your guns.
Be interesting to see Parra’s moves come June 30 when all 30 players are needed to fill out their squad. If his knocked them back it’s probably a case of them saying oh we’ll pay you minimum wage this year but we can guarantee you’ll play first grade, which besides the extra 10% contract pay doesn’t really do much for him, he still gets to spend all season training with the first grade team. Leaves them in a bind when they have to find someone else suitable for their final spot and for minimum wage you would assume.
The other thing is they have signed Brock Lamb on a Dev contract. Perhaps they hoped Stefano moved to a top 30 contract so they can sign another kid to a dev contract.
I believe the switch will happen in June.

 

[Tim Sheens]

Desperation tactics by Parra. It's a wrap for them. They messed up signing Oregen Kaufusi over Stef - they tried to play it out a year & make him wait. He's gone to WT IMO

I assume that Kaufusi is thought of the better of the pair and didn't he play off the bench in the top squad late in the year?