Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[weststigers]

I'd have Benji back easily. I don't know why there's so much dislike for him. You blame the Newcastle game on him? Give teams time and space and the halves of any defensive team will be exposed defensively, especially paired with Leiluia out wide. Benji is our most creative player and our best kicker and he's not on a big contract, what's the problem? As soon as you get someone better you can drop him, but we don't have anyone better and we SHOULD sign him again if he'd be willing. You guys need to think more pragmatically: he's a good value squad contract who also happens to be our best half, and is one of the best in the league on his day. Don't worry about the fact it's Benji, you're signing him on backup money.

You are entitled to your opinion but I disagree with everything you said, he got dropped for his issues, he came back after supposedly fixing them and he is worse than ever, we played our best footy when he was watching from the stands.
Benji has never been a backup, look at todays team as a prime example, he should have been first dropped, he is always first picked, he is cooked, and he will be 36 next year and even worse,
Madden is signed and can do the job on bugger all money as well.
We need the roster spot, are you happy missing the 8 every year, because that is what he brings, and that is what we get

The idea that we need to get rid of Benji in order to play Madden is strange, we can have both (and do right now). But the solution to play Madden is fantasy. It's a weird assertion to think that a guy who has never played first grade is who we depend on next year. How much footy have you watched? the step up to first grade is always huge and you don't really know how a player will pan out. Maybe he'd be good, maybe not. Having Benji or not wouldn't impact that.

I don't think we played good footy when he wasn't there. Reynolds isn't better than him and I think it's crazy to suggest that.

Reynolds is the contract we need to get rid of. Both he and Mbye are on way too much. They're alright players, but they are being played like superstars.

Benji is one of our best player and he's on a small contract, he's not the problem.

You guys want a scapegoat for last week and benji didn't play well but I don't think that has anything to do with whether or not we offer another reasonable contract for a quality player.

Benji's proven in the past at Brisbane and this year that he can be a very positive squad member, he doesn't demand to start. I think, at the very least, he's a useful player to have in the squad; at his best he's our best player and a match winner.

Who is our alternative?

I've said the same before and I would add Lawrence into this bucket.

People forget that the squad extends beyond 1-17...you need some depth, not just promising juniors.

Benji is on $175K
Lawrence is on $100K

Even if they sat the entire season in the 18 and 19 jerseys, it would be NRL quality depth and huge experience covering positions that are hard to cover (Halves + Centre). These guys combined are on less than McQueens total contract ($400K)!

Further, we need to get through 1 more year before some big contracts expire. Having NRL quality depth on low contracts allows us to balance our squad in other areas.

We just need to get through 1 more year with these guys...no one is saying they should be starters.

 

[Holman Barnes #1 Fan]

I'd have Benji back easily. I don't know why there's so much dislike for him. You blame the Newcastle game on him? Give teams time and space and the halves of any defensive team will be exposed defensively, especially paired with Leiluia out wide. Benji is our most creative player and our best kicker and he's not on a big contract, what's the problem? As soon as you get someone better you can drop him, but we don't have anyone better and we SHOULD sign him again if he'd be willing. You guys need to think more pragmatically: he's a good value squad contract who also happens to be our best half, and is one of the best in the league on his day. Don't worry about the fact it's Benji, you're signing him on backup money.

You are entitled to your opinion but I disagree with everything you said, he got dropped for his issues, he came back after supposedly fixing them and he is worse than ever, we played our best footy when he was watching from the stands.
Benji has never been a backup, look at todays team as a prime example, he should have been first dropped, he is always first picked, he is cooked, and he will be 36 next year and even worse,
Madden is signed and can do the job on bugger all money as well.
We need the roster spot, are you happy missing the 8 every year, because that is what he brings, and that is what we get

The idea that we need to get rid of Benji in order to play Madden is strange, we can have both (and do right now). But the solution to play Madden is fantasy. It's a weird assertion to think that a guy who has never played first grade is who we depend on next year. How much footy have you watched? the step up to first grade is always huge and you don't really know how a player will pan out. Maybe he'd be good, maybe not. Having Benji or not wouldn't impact that.

I don't think we played good footy when he wasn't there. Reynolds isn't better than him and I think it's crazy to suggest that.

Reynolds is the contract we need to get rid of. Both he and Mbye are on way too much. They're alright players, but they are being played like superstars.

Benji is one of our best player and he's on a small contract, he's not the problem.

You guys want a scapegoat for last week and benji didn't play well but I don't think that has anything to do with whether or not we offer another reasonable contract for a quality player.

Benji's proven in the past at Brisbane and this year that he can be a very positive squad member, he doesn't demand to start. I think, at the very least, he's a useful player to have in the squad; at his best he's our best player and a match winner.

Who is our alternative?

Benji is on $175K
Lawrence is on $100K

More like Benji $300K and Lawrence $140K. Benji got a decent pay rise for 2020. Still, your point stands. The only half you can get for cheaper than Benji are rookies and duds. For perspective, someone like Luai would probably cost $400-500K at this stage. Maybe more if he doesn't want to leave the Panthers. Hell, even proven dud Brodie Croft is on around $400K. Goes to show how pricey halves are.

 

[DrewPeacock]

Wests Tigers skipper Moses Mbye could become the first major casualty of the club's stuttering season, with the Gold Coast Titans expressing interest in the Queensland Origin representative for next year.

Sources with knowledge of negotiations told the Herald the Tigers would be willing to pay up to half the 26-year-old's $800,000 salary for the next two years should the Titans open formal discussions.



The move could free up money for the Tigers to have a crack at keeping hooker Harry Grant beyond this season. If Cameron Smith decides to play on at Melbourne, it would trigger a free agency clause in Grant's contract with the Storm.

The Tigers are trying to free up space in their roster, shopping Josh Reynolds to the Super League in recent weeks.

The Titans, who are trying to build something special under new coach Justin Holbrook, have secured the services of Brisbane's David Fifita, Melbourne's Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Newcastle's Herman Ese'ese from next season. Gold Coast sources confirmed Mbye has been discussed as a potential five-eighth or hooker, with Nathan Peats off contract at the end of the year.

With pressure mounting on coach Michael Maguire to end the club's nine-year finals drought, cracks are beginning to appear at the Tigers as question marks surface over his coaching methods and relationship with the players.



Maguire wants to instil a harder edge to a team he believes has become accustomed to mediocrity, and is trying to clear the decks and create salary-cap space to bring in players capable of handling his philosophy. Maguire even tried to lighten the mood at training this week after senior players told him the fun had gone out of their preparation.

The other benefit of releasing Mbye from the final two years of his deal is it provides the Tigers with money at the ready in case Brandon Smith looks to leave the Storm as a result of Harry Grant returning in the off-season.

"I don't know how it would make me feel," Smith told Inside the NRL last month when asked of the possibility of Grant returning to the Storm as their long term No.9.


"It's obviously a tough decision that I'd have to make with the Melbourne Storm. We'll have to wait for that challenge to come. Obviously it's a really tough question for me to answer but we'll have to tackle that challenge when it comes.

"I definitely want to be a No.9. It's very tough for me to answer that at the moment. I'm just trying to focus on this year and don't want to step on anyone's toes. I definitely want to play No.9. Whatever happens happens."

Maguire made Mbye captain when he joined the club in 2019, but has since added Benji Marshall as co-captain. Mbye joined the Tigers from the Bulldogs midway through 2018 and has been used in multiple positions, but hasn't managed to land a permanent spot due to his versatility.

Mbye, who has three young children, is from Queensland and still has family in Noosa, making the move even more attractive should it eventuate in the coming weeks.

 

[finnzo]

Surley titans can pay around 550 or so

 

[finnzo]

Great news but

 

[Holman Barnes #1 Fan]

$400K to play for another club? Bruh...

 

[Magpie1969]

We need Reynolds and Mbye gone even though it will cost us. I can see TPJ being another Corey Norman with issues outside the game. A big no from me

 

[Guest]

I'd be happy if we could offload Mbye.

 

[Bula]

There is a God.

 

[The_Patriot]

Would be smart play to off load Mybe. Even if we are paying 400k to do so.

We would have another 400k to play with which we could replace Mybe with a young player on say 300k leaving another 100k to throw at one of the Storm hookers.

Off load Reynolds and we now have around 800k to throw at the hookers.

 

[Geo]

The footy Gods would be forgiven for every dud bounce of the ball...

Herald sources are avid readers of the forum

 

[Cairnstigers]

Wests Tigers skipper Moses Mbye could become the first major casualty of the club's stuttering season, with the Gold Coast Titans expressing interest in the Queensland Origin representative for next year.

Sources with knowledge of negotiations told the Herald the Tigers would be willing to pay up to half the 26-year-old's $800,000 salary for the next two years should the Titans open formal discussions.



The move could free up money for the Tigers to have a crack at keeping hooker Harry Grant beyond this season. If Cameron Smith decides to play on at Melbourne, it would trigger a free agency clause in Grant's contract with the Storm.

The Tigers are trying to free up space in their roster, shopping Josh Reynolds to the Super League in recent weeks.

The Titans, who are trying to build something special under new coach Justin Holbrook, have secured the services of Brisbane's David Fifita, Melbourne's Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Newcastle's Herman Ese'ese from next season. Gold Coast sources confirmed Mbye has been discussed as a potential five-eighth or hooker, with Nathan Peats off contract at the end of the year.

With pressure mounting on coach Michael Maguire to end the club's nine-year finals drought, cracks are beginning to appear at the Tigers as question marks surface over his coaching methods and relationship with the players.



Maguire wants to instil a harder edge to a team he believes has become accustomed to mediocrity, and is trying to clear the decks and create salary-cap space to bring in players capable of handling his philosophy. Maguire even tried to lighten the mood at training this week after senior players told him the fun had gone out of their preparation.

The other benefit of releasing Mbye from the final two years of his deal is it provides the Tigers with money at the ready in case Brandon Smith looks to leave the Storm as a result of Harry Grant returning in the off-season.

"I don't know how it would make me feel," Smith told Inside the NRL last month when asked of the possibility of Grant returning to the Storm as their long term No.9.


"It's obviously a tough decision that I'd have to make with the Melbourne Storm. We'll have to wait for that challenge to come. Obviously it's a really tough question for me to answer but we'll have to tackle that challenge when it comes.

"I definitely want to be a No.9. It's very tough for me to answer that at the moment. I'm just trying to focus on this year and don't want to step on anyone's toes. I definitely want to play No.9. Whatever happens happens."

Maguire made Mbye captain when he joined the club in 2019, but has since added Benji Marshall as co-captain. Mbye joined the Tigers from the Bulldogs midway through 2018 and has been used in multiple positions, but hasn't managed to land a permanent spot due to his versatility.

Mbye, who has three young children, is from Queensland and still has family in Noosa, making the move even more attractive should it eventuate in the coming weeks.

Sold
Where do we sign
Hopefully liddle kills it over the next few weeks
Then we can concentrate on finding a decent half or fullback and move Doueihi to the halves

 

[tbones10]

Would love to see us try to sign Tevita Pangai if contract torn up by broncos.

Which TPJ are you suggesting we sign, the one who had a good game against the cowboys in March 2019.Or the overpriced man child with disciplinary issues, that plays to 40% of his potential, gives up when the games gets past him, ignores instruction about game wide protocols and has the audacity to shop himself around when his club and the general community question his value to the club based on performance.
Do you really think we wouldn't get the same.

 

[tony soprano]

Wouldn’t get too excited

 

[tbones10]

$400K to play for another club? Bruh...

As opposed to 15k per week for the next two and a halt years (2.375mil)sounds like a bargain. The only value I see him being for the club is if they dropped him from the team and got him to uber people home from home games.

 

[Furious1]

@DREW76 said in [Signing Suggestions & Rumours](/post/1202533):

Gold Coast sources confirmed Mbye has been discussed as a **potential five-eighth or hooker,** with Nathan Peats off contract at the end of the year.

Nothing like a bit of comedy to start the day.

 

[Don Kershane]

TPJ on 690k at the Broncos --would need to take a haircut to come here---oops!

 

[Aubanon]

This whole thing of paying a player to play elsewhere is obviously something we need to work towards avoiding.

However it's a much better scenario versus keeping someone on your books for the sake of it.

Saying that, we could be easily payin $1mil next yr to players playing elsewhere.

 

[WswWt]

Titans forum are frothing at the idea of Mbye at hooker 😂😂😂
😬yes he’s a good hooker, one of our best please take him.

 

[Telltails]

Wests Tigers skipper Moses Mbye could become the first major casualty of the club's stuttering season, with the Gold Coast Titans expressing interest in the Queensland Origin representative for next year.

Sources with knowledge of negotiations told the Herald the Tigers would be willing to pay up to half the 26-year-old's $800,000 salary for the next two years should the Titans open formal discussions.



The move could free up money for the Tigers to have a crack at keeping hooker Harry Grant beyond this season. If Cameron Smith decides to play on at Melbourne, it would trigger a free agency clause in Grant's contract with the Storm.

The Tigers are trying to free up space in their roster, shopping Josh Reynolds to the Super League in recent weeks.

The Titans, who are trying to build something special under new coach Justin Holbrook, have secured the services of Brisbane's David Fifita, Melbourne's Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Newcastle's Herman Ese'ese from next season. Gold Coast sources confirmed Mbye has been discussed as a potential five-eighth or hooker, with Nathan Peats off contract at the end of the year.

With pressure mounting on coach Michael Maguire to end the club's nine-year finals drought, cracks are beginning to appear at the Tigers as question marks surface over his coaching methods and relationship with the players.



Maguire wants to instil a harder edge to a team he believes has become accustomed to mediocrity, and is trying to clear the decks and create salary-cap space to bring in players capable of handling his philosophy. Maguire even tried to lighten the mood at training this week after senior players told him the fun had gone out of their preparation.

The other benefit of releasing Mbye from the final two years of his deal is it provides the Tigers with money at the ready in case Brandon Smith looks to leave the Storm as a result of Harry Grant returning in the off-season.

"I don't know how it would make me feel," Smith told Inside the NRL last month when asked of the possibility of Grant returning to the Storm as their long term No.9.


"It's obviously a tough decision that I'd have to make with the Melbourne Storm. We'll have to wait for that challenge to come. Obviously it's a really tough question for me to answer but we'll have to tackle that challenge when it comes.

"I definitely want to be a No.9. It's very tough for me to answer that at the moment. I'm just trying to focus on this year and don't want to step on anyone's toes. I definitely want to play No.9. Whatever happens happens."

Maguire made Mbye captain when he joined the club in 2019, but has since added Benji Marshall as co-captain. Mbye joined the Tigers from the Bulldogs midway through 2018 and has been used in multiple positions, but hasn't managed to land a permanent spot due to his versatility.

Mbye, who has three young children, is from Queensland and still has family in Noosa, making the move even more attractive should it eventuate in the coming weeks.

How can stories like this be good for us atm. Im no fan of Mybe but I hate reading stuff like this before a game. True or not true it cant be good for any teams headspace.
The media is systematically ruining the integrity of the game -printing stories to stir fans up speculating when their coach will be sacked and which players will possibly be wearing your colours next week and we all feed of it desperate for any information - damaging or not.
"Sources with knowledge told the Herald" - not a name of anyone insight.