Watene-Zelezniak set to split with Panthers

[BearComplex]

I thought we only signed overpaid bulldogs players so unless he does a Suli I can’t see him being signed here

Times are a changin at the Tigers......We hope!

 

[851]

How did Gus over see such a balls up on the cap, if he is healthy he would be a good get for us

 

[weststigers]

DWZ would be a good pickup for us.

That means we'd have good depth at Fullback, Wing and Centre.

If the price is right of course!

 

[Geo]

Player swap part of Tigers' ploy to snare Watene-Zelezniak
By Sam Phillips and Adrian Proszenko
May 24, 2019 — 4.26pm

Wests Tigers are entertaining the prospect of a player swap in their attempt to lure Dallin Watene-Zelezniak away from the Panthers.

Watene-Zelezniak was this week granted permission by Penrith to speak to other clubs after being dropped by coach Ivan Cleary and being made unavailable for Canterbury Cup duties.



The New Zealand international may no longer be wanted at the foot of the mountains but the Eels, Tigers, Cowboys and Bulldogs have all expressed interest in the 23-year-old.

With both the Panthers and Tigers short on salary cap space, the Herald understands part of the Tigers' ploy is to include a player in any potential deal.

It's understood Russell Packer is a leading candidate to be involved in the swap despite being miffed by Cleary's controversial departure at the end of last year.

Elijah Taylor's name has also been raised as a potential trade candidate.

Both players signed long-term deals with Cleary at the helm but have fallen out of favour since coach Michael Maguire took the reins at the start of this season.

There are a handful of other players that Cleary brought to the Tigers who could also feature in a trade.

Packer has not played first grade since the club's humiliating 51-6 loss to Parramatta on opening day at Bankwest Stadium in round six.

Taylor has not featured in Maguire's best 17 since the 30-14 win over the Titans in round seven.

"The one thing about Madge (Maguire) is he is very honest. He doesn’t beat around the bush," Taylor said of his omission earlier this month.

“He has the CV with the premierships. He knows what he is doing and exactly what he wants from his forwards. He was very clear in what I needed to do."

While no deal has been done and Watene-Zelezniak's manager remains overseas, Penrith have already played their hand by declaring the Kiwi captain a free agent despite having 18 months to run on a lucrative contract.

"Earlier this week, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak’s management sought permission from Panthers to speak with other NRL clubs regarding Dallin’s immediate and future playing career," the club said in a statement on Wednesday.

"This permission was granted following discussions by the club’s retention and recruitment committee.

"Out of respect for all parties, the club will be making no further comment at this time."

After scraping past the Eels on Thursday night, recalled winger Josh Mansour weighed in on the situation.

"Dal is my mate, he's a great teammate of mine. I can't help the way he's feeling, but I can support him in any way possible," Mansour said.

"At the end of the day, if that is his decision (to leave), then that's his decision.

"It's on his shoulders and we have to accept his decision. If he's to leave to find happiness, then that's up to him."

While Watene-Zelezniak has fallen out of favour in Penrith, his sub-par form this season has not deterred Tigers and Kiwis coach Maguire.

Even if he does not find a new club before the June 30 deadline, the Herald understands Maguire will pick him for the Kiwis' Test against Tonga on June 22 in Auckland.

If the Tigers are able to get a deal done, Maguire is understood to be considering playing Watene-Zelezniak in the centres, rather than his preferred position of fullback.

The Tigers' chief competitors for Watene-Zelezniak's services, Parramatta, are understood to be eager to play the New Zealand international in the centres, too.

He was initially considered a fallback at fullback if negotiations with Clint Gutherson fell over but after he put pen to paper, a move to the centres is on the cards.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Looks like they've been reading the forum haha.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Great. Where’s he playing?

 

[AL The Tiger]

That was surely read straight off the forum.

 

[WT2K]

Looks like they've been reading the forum haha.

Reads that way 😅

 

[TIGER]

At his best he's a definite YES.
At the moment and with his injury he's a ?
But if Penrith are going to pay a chunk of his $ then he's a, YES.

I'm not sold on Mbye at 1
I'm not sold on Nofo, Momo, Jennings or Fonua on the wing or centre.

 

[TheDaBoss]

Looks like they've been reading the forum haha.

Hoepfully not the live game threads 😬😖

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

At his best he's a definite YES.
At the moment and with his injury he's a ?
But if Penrith are going to pay a chunk of his $ then he's a, YES.

I'm not sold on Mbye at 1
I'm not sold on Nofo, Momo, Jennings or Fonua on the wing or centre.

I would take him for Packer. Every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Packer seems to be on borrowed time, so we might as well get something for him. The only question I have is where do you play him. Not on the wing, that’s why he wants out of Penrith. Fullback? Where does that leave Mbye? He proved at the Dogs he’s not a half. I just don’t want to sign him just because we can. We’re better off waiting for a gun second rower or centre to come on the market and making a play then.

 

[2005magic]

Packer seems to be on borrowed time, so we might as well get something for him. The only question I have is where do you play him. Not on the wing, that’s why he wants out of Penrith. Fullback? Where does that leave Mbye? He proved at the Dogs he’s not a half. I just don’t want to sign him just because we can. We’re better off waiting for a gun second rower or centre to come on the market and making a play then.

Have to disagree there. Any signing should be on the condition you play where the coach wants you to play. If DWZ doesnt like that he is welcome to play at any ohter club that wants him under those conditions. Similar with Mbye. I'd love the conundrum DWZ signature would place us in. Variety and choice- we havent had that for a long time.

 

[TYGA]

Packer and ET for DWZ sounds smart. Gives us another roster spot and some Cap Space. Malakai is reportedly leaving for the Super League so Panthers can fit them in.

 

[swag_tiger]

Packer and ET for DWZ sounds smart. Gives us another roster spot and some Cap Space. Malakai is reportedly leaving for the Super League so Panthers can fit them in.

So it this a possibility?

 

[2005magic]

@TYGA Yeah Packer and ET sure seem to be the 'disposable' players- not meaning any disrespect there. Our forwards are holding there own now without them playing in the main 21. We can make up the final available spot / spots with upgrades from the clubs reserve grade (the 2 for 1 aspect of the deal) and still get the services of a good backline player which would be an improvement on almost any of the players we currently have in the backs.

To finalise any update of the squad before 30 June deadline, I'd still be looking at the 5/8 position, not sure whether we do try to shop Reynolds around and see what happens. If nothing turns up fine, but if there is a bite from somewhere else, we might as well explore the options that throws up- we are pretty well covered with ohter option players- Marshall, Mbye, Gamble etc.

That woud leave sorting out the hooker position for next season as a main priority for the coach and recruitment staff.

 

[TYGA]

Packer and ET for DWZ sounds smart. Gives us another roster spot and some Cap Space. Malakai is reportedly leaving for the Super League so Panthers can fit them in.

So it this a possibility?

Anything’s possible. Both signed and wanted to play for Cleary and we’re both at the Warriors. Cleary is trying to build his culture at Penrith and both Packer and ET are very good leaders off the field. Makes sense to me for both teams.
DWZ contract is bad and Penrith better off getting two forwards than paying a chunk for DWZ to go to the Eels. Madge is not playing Packer or ET so we offload two big contracts not being used.

Gives Tigers a chance to restrict DWZ contract long term. If this move is made I’d say Reynolds will be next as Mbye will go to 5/8 next year.

 

[momo_amp_medo]

@TYGA I recon from our end Packer, Taylor and/or Reynolds (if Benji extends by a year) swap seems logical.
Lots of options from their end I would consider nice and fuzzy.

 

[Masterton]

I would have thought this too crazy to be true. Our reject forwards getting a run at Penrith? Then again, Tim Grant has been one of their best.

 

[WeHaveCheeKam]

Great from our end but why would Penrith want to have Packer and ET. What on earth does this offer them? It doesn't solve any salary cap issues for them and there not exactly getting 2 good players