Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[weststigers]

JAC will be a good signing, but far from a game changer.

Agreed, but his status and professionalism will rub off on the young players. The young guys will watch in the dressing sheds as he prepares himself. Being a hard trainer, there will be no short cuts. This is very important for our young players.

Finally, having genuine pace hopefully on both wings will revert our playing style to the open attacking style we are known for in RL.

Who are these attacking players to create space for those speedy wingers?

Luciano creates space. Talau might slot into the left centre spot. AD is starting to look very good.

Talau too slow for centre

Talau imo is faster than Jacob Olam. He can be just as effective for us.

I’ll take your word on that. You must be talking about Justin’s older slower brother that plays prop for the mongels.
However Justin at Melbourne would be twice as fast. His not far off JAC speed I reckon.

Olam is a strong runner and good player. I'd be very surprised if he is near JAC speed. I've watched him in the clear get run down by Cleary.

You don't mean the Kumul, Edene Gebbie?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUAm6NK9KX8

No I made that bit up about ‘Jacob’ by the way Edene Gebbie is in Souths 30man squad.
Maybe they’d swap him with JAC.

As far as Justin goes. He might not have the top speed of JAC but he certainly would have the same acceleration as him. I watch a lot of games of league, (it helps offset the disappointment of watching just the tigers) and I’ve watched him closely also. The two are like twins on that left flank for Melbourne, Olam is quick. But in the case of the argument, quicker than Talau who I think is average speed for a back but would be quick for a forward.

Gebbie was released...he went back to PNG and his manager says he'll be looking for a club

**NRL 2020: PNG Test star Edene Gebbie quits South Sydney Rabbitohs
He was the guy who was going to replace GI at the Rabbitohs, next he was on the radar at the Wests Tigers. Then he was gone, and nobody knew where.**

James Phelps, The Daily Telegraph 21 August, 2020

The **Wests Tigers** have been denied a chance to sign a rugby league excitement machine after discovering their South Sydney signing target had `mysteriously disappeared.

In a rugby league vanishing act, the Tigers were forced to give up on their interest in Kumuls Test star Edene Gebbie after learning he had been given a Redfern release to return home to Papua New Guinea.

“We made some inquiries,” a Tigers official told News Corp.

“But were unable to take it any further after finding out he had left Australia.”

Touted as a potential replacement for Greg Inglis when he was signed by the Rabbitohs last year, Gebbie has shocked rugby league by quietly walking away from his dream NRL deal.

News Corp Australia has learned the flying fullback, who blitzed the Queensland Cup before being snapped up by Souths, became frustrated about being overlooked after the club signed Latrell Mitchell.

Told he would get the chance to challenge Adam Doueihi to become the Rabbitohs’ first-choice fullback, Gebbie became a rugby league outcast after Souths snared Mitchell in a last-minute signing.

The PNG Test sensation was relegated to a training only role after COVID hit in a double blow that proved too much.

Without a lower grade competition to play in during stage two coronavirus lockdown, Gebbie sought a release to return to PNG so he could play rugby league.

Few knew about the release with the Rabbitohs keeping the departure quiet.

It was in stark contrast from the way the club announced the signing last year with former boss Shane Richardson last year trumpeting Gebbie’s arrival at Redfern.

“Edene is an exciting prospect and we’re looking forward to seeing him develop his skills over the next two years under the guidance of our coaching staff,” Richardson, said.

“He has scored 19 tries in 29 games over the past two seasons with his sides winning 22 of those 29 games in which he has played. His speed and hard running are his major assets and we’re sure that he can add more strings to his bow in our system.

“He brings with him international experience and with some refinement of his game, as well surrounding him in a full-time professional environment, we’re certain he has what it takes to move towards an NRL debut.

“His signing is another example of our recruitment plan to introduce players to our squad with great pedigrees and great character. We’re all keen to see what Edene can achieve at our club.”

Gebbie’s agent, Cameron Phelps, declared his client’s NRL dream was not over with clubs already expressing interest in bringing the PNG star back to Australia next year.

“This is only temporary,” Phelps said.

“He wants to play NRL and wants to prove himself an NRL player. He really looks up to Justin Olam and is determined to follow in his footsteps. We are currently looking at his options for next year and have already a fielded interest from NRL clubs.”

 

[Needaname]

@weststigers, wow. Very interesting. I understand the desire to move back to his native home but what a sneaky move by Souths. Could of been loaned to the Warriors early on.
Suspect Melbourne may be interested?
Least Souths no longer have a leverage there.

 

[Harvey]

We might be able to get the Marsters brothers with Esan heavily subsidised.

 

[izotope]

souths clearing a cap spot, maybe for another speedster.

This stinks

 

[Magpie1969]

The forward pack looks good for 2021 with the addition of the Parramatta Bopper and a fit Musgrove. Packer is just taking the piss out of WT. Major disappointment. Happy to sign the Warriors prop we have been linked to as he is young and NRL experience.

Backs need some fresh talent with some speed. Hopefully JAC, Staines, etc are the answer.

Number one priority is a Half Back. Who I don't know as not much available. I would love a Cooper Cronk clone.
(yes huge fan and one of the best organising half back I have ever seen. 9 Grand Finals)
I like Brooks and appreciate what he has done for WT but he is not the answer.

 

[the_third]

I’m struggling to understand the BJ Leilua signing. I’ve given it time hoping he finds his feet but he doesn’t align with the coaching style of Madge - erratic and doesn’t play for the 80. One of the best things he did at the Raiders was dummy half runs and he doesn’t even do them anymore. A few more years with him just extends our pain. Super League please come calling

We literally never pass him the ball. Outside his dummy half runs yesterday, he got the ball 3-4 times and had an offload almost each time.

Pretty hard to do anything if brooks does a dud run, passes to garner or does a dud kick.

Doesn't Benji play on the right with Leilua? When did this happen? It's more likely Leilua was having a tea party.

Mate did you watch them switch around? I’ll go find some timings if you want but start with the 1st 20 of the second half.

Pretty sure benji set (edited) up the try on the left and brooks was farting (that should read running but it’s too good to edit) into the defence on the try line on the right...

They are both hopeless

 

[old_man_tiger]

I believe we would have been worse off with JAC in place of Doueihi last night. Wing or nothing if he comes but I still don't think he will.
Bunty might be realistic. He was looking good as a rookie but I don't think he kicked on. At least we can sell wigs to make more profit. Maybe we can sign some new accountants. Yay.

If Doueihi is going to 5/8 then poaching a young fullback like Staines is our best chance of adding some spark.

Blore on an edge would be interesting. He and Doueihi could totally change our defensive fortunes (hopefully for the better but who knows).

I only have 6 guys from yesterday I would bother with (was 10 2 weeks ago). Luciano, Nofo, Twal, Doueihi, Liddle and Aloiai. Would maybe give Mikaele another year but can't see improvement in many others. In other words, we shouldn't be arguing over which positions to fill - 2/3rds of the squad are rubbish.

Promised not to bag Packer after he flattened Matterson, so I'll keep my mouth shut. Ready to admit I was wrong about Joey, poor signing. Nothing else needs explaining, I'm sure we will be stuck with a few others for a while but hopefully they end up in reggies.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

I’m struggling to understand the BJ Leilua signing. I’ve given it time hoping he finds his feet but he doesn’t align with the coaching style of Madge - erratic and doesn’t play for the 80. One of the best things he did at the Raiders was dummy half runs and he doesn’t even do them anymore. A few more years with him just extends our pain. Super League please come calling

We literally never pass him the ball. Outside his dummy half runs yesterday, he got the ball 3-4 times and had an offload almost each time.

Pretty hard to do anything if brooks does a dud run, passes to garner or does a dud kick.

Doesn't Benji play on the right with Leilua? When did this happen? It's more likely Leilua was having a tea party.

Mate did you watch them switch around? I’ll go find some timings if you want but start with the 1st 20 of the second half.

Pretty sure benji set (edited) up the try on the left and brooks was farting (that should read running but it’s too good to edit) into the defence on the try line on the right...

They are both hopeless

Didn't our first try result from regaining possession from a Brooks' bomb?

While I understand disappointment over the loss, we were belted in the forwards. I would encourage you to review the performances of our forwards. That us where the game was lost.

Marshall is a WTs' great. I would never refer to a player whom has had such a positive impact on RL generally as hopeless. Perhaps things but have changed but respect goes a long way. Brooks is still a fine player,

 

[pawsandclaws1]

The forward pack looks good for 2021 with the addition of the Parramatta Bopper and a fit Musgrove. Packer is just taking the piss out of WT. Major disappointment. Happy to sign the Warriors prop we have been linked to as he is young and NRL experience.

Backs need some fresh talent with some speed. Hopefully JAC, Staines, etc are the answer.

Number one priority is a Half Back. Who I don't know as not much available. I would love a Cooper Cronk clone.
(yes huge fan and one of the best organising half back I have ever seen. 9 Grand Finals)
I like Brooks and appreciate what he has done for WT but he is not the answer.

Sorry Magpies but our issues start and end with the forwards. That's where it was lost. Whether it is an attitude or talent problem, I do not know. I suggested Jack Hetherington. To me he looks fearless and we could do with some controlled aggression.

 

[Blocker1963]

SPEED, unfortunately we have none, when your 9 is the quickest player in the Team that a worry. Need a 6 (Burton), a decent centre and mobile lock similar to Fisher Harris, that improves the Team greatly

 

[the_third]

I’m struggling to understand the BJ Leilua signing. I’ve given it time hoping he finds his feet but he doesn’t align with the coaching style of Madge - erratic and doesn’t play for the 80. One of the best things he did at the Raiders was dummy half runs and he doesn’t even do them anymore. A few more years with him just extends our pain. Super League please come calling

We literally never pass him the ball. Outside his dummy half runs yesterday, he got the ball 3-4 times and had an offload almost each time.

Pretty hard to do anything if brooks does a dud run, passes to garner or does a dud kick.

Doesn't Benji play on the right with Leilua? When did this happen? It's more likely Leilua was having a tea party.

Mate did you watch them switch around? I’ll go find some timings if you want but start with the 1st 20 of the second half.

Pretty sure benji set (edited) up the try on the left and brooks was farting (that should read running but it’s too good to edit) into the defence on the try line on the right...

They are both hopeless

Didn't our first try result from regaining possession from a Brooks' bomb?

While I understand disappointment over the loss, we were belted in the forwards. I would encourage you to review the performances of our forwards. That us where the game was lost.

Marshall is a WTs' great. I would never refer to a player whom has had such a positive impact on RL generally as hopeless. Perhaps things but have changed but respect goes a long way. Brooks is still a fine

Yes forwards beaten, but brooks has been lost for years in the attacking 20. We can all pull out one offs, but go do a tally of wrong options (not stats - actual wrong options) and you will see. Runs when should pass, passes when should run, wrong kick choices. Bombs obviously coached. He looks like he needs a change as he is way in his comfort zone here

Benji was a great player and will always be a club great. Right now - hopeless. Shirt grabbing defence let in quite a few tries. He was targeted.

If you accept those 2 as starters, you should also accept 9th as a great result. Most (not forum) had us bottom 4 at the start of the year and guess what, they could be right.

 

[the_third]

The forward pack looks good for 2021 with the addition of the Parramatta Bopper and a fit Musgrove. Packer is just taking the piss out of WT. Major disappointment. Happy to sign the Warriors prop we have been linked to as he is young and NRL experience.

Backs need some fresh talent with some speed. Hopefully JAC, Staines, etc are the answer.

Number one priority is a Half Back. Who I don't know as not much available. I would love a Cooper Cronk clone.
(yes huge fan and one of the best organising half back I have ever seen. 9 Grand Finals)
I like Brooks and appreciate what he has done for WT but he is not the answer.

Sorry Magpies but our issues start and end with the forwards. That's where it was lost. Whether it is an attitude or talent problem, I do not know. I suggested Jack Hetherington. To me he looks fearless and we could do with some controlled aggression.

I believe Madge quoted defence in the middle and edges. Not just the forwards

Hetherington played 22 games and reported 9 times. (Maybe 23/10) sight him up and let’s see how he goes for us....

 

[pawsandclaws1]

I’m struggling to understand the BJ Leilua signing. I’ve given it time hoping he finds his feet but he doesn’t align with the coaching style of Madge - erratic and doesn’t play for the 80. One of the best things he did at the Raiders was dummy half runs and he doesn’t even do them anymore. A few more years with him just extends our pain. Super League please come calling

We literally never pass him the ball. Outside his dummy half runs yesterday, he got the ball 3-4 times and had an offload almost each time.

Pretty hard to do anything if brooks does a dud run, passes to garner or does a dud kick.

Doesn't Benji play on the right with Leilua? When did this happen? It's more likely Leilua was having a tea party.

Mate did you watch them switch around? I’ll go find some timings if you want but start with the 1st 20 of the second half.

Pretty sure benji set (edited) up the try on the left and brooks was farting (that should read running but it’s too good to edit) into the defence on the try line on the right...

They are both hopeless

Didn't our first try result from regaining possession from a Brooks' bomb?

While I understand disappointment over the loss, we were belted in the forwards. I would encourage you to review the performances of our forwards. That us where the game was lost.

Marshall is a WTs' great. I would never refer to a player whom has had such a positive impact on RL generally as hopeless. Perhaps things but have changed but respect goes a long way. Brooks is still a fine

Yes forwards beaten, but brooks has been lost for years in the attacking 20. We can all pull out one offs, but go do a tally of wrong options (not stats - actual wrong options) and you will see. Runs when should pass, passes when should run, wrong kick choices. Bombs obviously coached. He looks like he needs a change as he is way in his comfort zone here

Benji was a great player and will always be a club great. Right now - hopeless. Shirt grabbing defence let in quite a few tries. He was targeted.

If you accept those 2 as starters, you should also accept 9th as a great result. Most (not forum) had us bottom 4 at the start of the year and guess what, they could be right.

I accepted at the start if the year we were not good enough. There us nothing Maguire could have done. We will be better and stronger next year.

 

[Magpie1969]

Before anybody is signed we need to announce an extension for Maguire as players who we want need to know who they are being coached by and stability. The signing of JAC will not solve all our problems but the message it would send to potential players that we can attract a current SOO and Australian test player still in his prime. These two things along with some offloads and Marshalls retirement will go a long way to put us in the right direction and give us creditability. Staines would be another target.Given lack of choices Hastings could be a consideration.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

The forward pack looks good for 2021 with the addition of the Parramatta Bopper and a fit Musgrove. Packer is just taking the piss out of WT. Major disappointment. Happy to sign the Warriors prop we have been linked to as he is young and NRL experience.

Backs need some fresh talent with some speed. Hopefully JAC, Staines, etc are the answer.

Number one priority is a Half Back. Who I don't know as not much available. I would love a Cooper Cronk clone.
(yes huge fan and one of the best organising half back I have ever seen. 9 Grand Finals)
I like Brooks and appreciate what he has done for WT but he is not the answer.

Sorry Magpies but our issues start and end with the forwards. That's where it was lost. Whether it is an attitude or talent problem, I do not know. I suggested Jack Hetherington. To me he looks fearless and we could do with some controlled aggression.

I believe Madge quoted defence in the middle and edges. Not just the forwards

Hetherington played 22 games and reported 9 times. (Maybe 23/10) sight him up and let’s see how he goes for us....

Hetherington reminds me of JWH when he was at Manly and moved to the Roosters.

 

[avocadoontoast]

Before anybody is signed we need to announce an extension for Maguire as players who we want need to know who they are being coached by and stability. The signing of JAC will not solve all our problems but the message it would send to potential players that we can attract a current SOO and Australian test player still in his prime. These two things along with some offloads and Marshalls retirement will go a long way to put us in the right direction and give us creditability. Staines would be another target.Given lack of choices Hastings could be a consideration.

I don’t think an extension is necessarily wanted. I could be wrong but I haven’t seen the positive changes many others have. Looked to be going well mid season but since then it’s all fallen apart. I know we don’t have the cattle but the attitude has changed, which is a worry.

Additionally, even if offered an extension who’s to say he’d go for it? I’m not sure he would.

 

[JC99]

Before anybody is signed we need to announce an extension for Maguire as players who we want need to know who they are being coached by and stability. The signing of JAC will not solve all our problems but the message it would send to potential players that we can attract a current SOO and Australian test player still in his prime. These two things along with some offloads and Marshalls retirement will go a long way to put us in the right direction and give us creditability. Staines would be another target.Given lack of choices Hastings could be a consideration.

I don’t think an extension is necessarily wanted. I could be wrong but I haven’t seen the positive changes many others have. Looked to be going well mid season but since then it’s all fallen apart. I know we don’t have the cattle but the attitude has changed, which is a worry.

Additionally, even if offered an extension who’s to say he’d go for it? I’m not sure he would.

Just on your second point he seems pretty keen on sticking around and turning this club around. Obviously Ivan was too and you never know but Madge seems to have an eye on the future and I reckon if you offered him one more year he would accept

 

[Magpie1969]

Before anybody is signed we need to announce an extension for Maguire as players who we want need to know who they are being coached by and stability. The signing of JAC will not solve all our problems but the message it would send to potential players that we can attract a current SOO and Australian test player still in his prime. These two things along with some offloads and Marshalls retirement will go a long way to put us in the right direction and give us creditability. Staines would be another target.Given lack of choices Hastings could be a consideration.

I don’t think an extension is necessarily wanted. I could be wrong but I haven’t seen the positive changes many others have. Looked to be going well mid season but since then it’s all fallen apart. I know we don’t have the cattle but the attitude has changed, which is a worry.

Additionally, even if offered an extension who’s to say he’d go for it? I’m not sure he would.

What message would it then send if Maguire leaves and we are onto another coach. Sick of hearing rebuild to be honest No surprise that Easts, Melbourne and Broncos Bennett era had long term coaches and sustained success. Players are attracted to these clubs.

 

[Magpie1969]

Ivan wanted to coach his son. His son never wanted to ever leave Penrith so Ivan had to move to Penrith to reunite. Ivan was aware Nathan could have solved many of WT problems and built a team around. Quality half back and goal kicker. He is gold and no surprise Penrith leading the comp.

 

[avocadoontoast]

Before anybody is signed we need to announce an extension for Maguire as players who we want need to know who they are being coached by and stability. The signing of JAC will not solve all our problems but the message it would send to potential players that we can attract a current SOO and Australian test player still in his prime. These two things along with some offloads and Marshalls retirement will go a long way to put us in the right direction and give us creditability. Staines would be another target.Given lack of choices Hastings could be a consideration.

I don’t think an extension is necessarily wanted. I could be wrong but I haven’t seen the positive changes many others have. Looked to be going well mid season but since then it’s all fallen apart. I know we don’t have the cattle but the attitude has changed, which is a worry.

Additionally, even if offered an extension who’s to say he’d go for it? I’m not sure he would.

Just on your second point he seems pretty keen on sticking around and turning this club around. Obviously Ivan was too and you never know but Madge seems to have an eye on the future and I reckon if you offered him one more year he would accept

Maybe he is, I don’t know. I‘m not going to take him at his word because every coach says the same thing.