MacDougall
New member
I've heard of this so called "no d***heads policy" that the Wests Tigers have implemented as part of their recruitment policy. This policy has led to the sacking of guys like Yileen Gordon, Daine Laurie and Robert Lui and the withdrawal of negotiation with Willie Mason. One can only assume there are many other players that have come onto the market and gone without the Tigers showing interest as a result of this policy.
In certain situations I agree with it. The sackings I mentioned in particular, our hands were pretty much tied as is the case for so many other NRL clubs when players screw up.
But we're pretty much toasted in the player market these days. Everybody knows we have sub-par facilities. We're on a collision course with the wooden spoon. Many players have come onto the market that we should be moving mountains to sign but we never seem to land them. The last "great" signing we made was Adam Blair, and the fact that he's gone on to produce mainly underwhelming performances doesn't take away from the fact that he was a bit of a coup signing at the time.
We on the forum are always pointing out how we shop in the bargain bin for the unwanted players. Such is how we ended up with guys like Joel Reddy, Mitch Brown, Matt Bell, Cory Paterson, Keith Lulia, Martin Taupau and co. Fringe first graders or guys that are banged up and not re-signed. This is probably because we simply have to pay overs to get average players otherwise due to the stigma attached to signing for the Tigers. The only problem is, the best players that you could call "bargain bin" buys are the guys that are in the bargain bin for behavioral concerns and off-field incidents. Guys like Todd Carney, Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Willie Mason and now James Roberts.
I believe if we're going to be the bargain bin club, we may as well also be the redeemer club. This no douchebags policy doesn't align with our bargain bin ways. If we worked internally on creating a culture of passion, accountability and turn the place into a place where players can not only get game time but also get their life on track we can afford to throw lifelines to fallen stars. Guys like Ferguson and Roberts for all their off field troubles are match winners. If we want to play as the scrappy underdog "Mighty Ducks" we need some black sheep. Even the Ducks had the Bash Brothers. If we can create the right culture we can bring all these bargain bin guys together and turn the club around with them. Get them playing for the jersey and for their honour.
All success comes off the back of wins, and if we can't attract good players we won't be successful. We're at a point where if we string two poor seasons together it could realistically shut the doors forever. We can bring in all the champion juniors we want to try to pull off a 2005 style miracle but with no good players around them to help them transition they will be bashed out of the NRL or poached, which I fear we might be about to see happen to James Tedesco.
We should be the club that takes the falling stars and gives them a home, helps them get back on track and we should EMBRACE it. It'd be something for us to be proud of.
In certain situations I agree with it. The sackings I mentioned in particular, our hands were pretty much tied as is the case for so many other NRL clubs when players screw up.
But we're pretty much toasted in the player market these days. Everybody knows we have sub-par facilities. We're on a collision course with the wooden spoon. Many players have come onto the market that we should be moving mountains to sign but we never seem to land them. The last "great" signing we made was Adam Blair, and the fact that he's gone on to produce mainly underwhelming performances doesn't take away from the fact that he was a bit of a coup signing at the time.
We on the forum are always pointing out how we shop in the bargain bin for the unwanted players. Such is how we ended up with guys like Joel Reddy, Mitch Brown, Matt Bell, Cory Paterson, Keith Lulia, Martin Taupau and co. Fringe first graders or guys that are banged up and not re-signed. This is probably because we simply have to pay overs to get average players otherwise due to the stigma attached to signing for the Tigers. The only problem is, the best players that you could call "bargain bin" buys are the guys that are in the bargain bin for behavioral concerns and off-field incidents. Guys like Todd Carney, Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Willie Mason and now James Roberts.
I believe if we're going to be the bargain bin club, we may as well also be the redeemer club. This no douchebags policy doesn't align with our bargain bin ways. If we worked internally on creating a culture of passion, accountability and turn the place into a place where players can not only get game time but also get their life on track we can afford to throw lifelines to fallen stars. Guys like Ferguson and Roberts for all their off field troubles are match winners. If we want to play as the scrappy underdog "Mighty Ducks" we need some black sheep. Even the Ducks had the Bash Brothers. If we can create the right culture we can bring all these bargain bin guys together and turn the club around with them. Get them playing for the jersey and for their honour.
All success comes off the back of wins, and if we can't attract good players we won't be successful. We're at a point where if we string two poor seasons together it could realistically shut the doors forever. We can bring in all the champion juniors we want to try to pull off a 2005 style miracle but with no good players around them to help them transition they will be bashed out of the NRL or poached, which I fear we might be about to see happen to James Tedesco.
We should be the club that takes the falling stars and gives them a home, helps them get back on track and we should EMBRACE it. It'd be something for us to be proud of.
