WT Player Recruitment & Retention for 2019

[Snake]

We are in a pretty good position, considering. No player on the Losses list that we should have kept. The guys off contract are mostly needing to go apart from perhaps Lawrence and Thompson, with Liddle, Aloiai, and Mikaele to prove themselves.

The one question I ask myself are any of the off contract players going to take the club to a premiership? hard choices need to be made moving forward if success is wanted.

 

[newtiger]

My predictions

You can put a pen through Marshall, Farah and Rochow for 2020.

Gamble, MCK, Fonua, Mikaele and Aloiai will depend on whether Madge sees them as his kind of players

Lawrence, Thompson and Liddle will be offered new deals.

Correct.

 

[newtiger]

Rowdy won't cost WT any cap money so he should be re-signed, plus on form would be one of the first picked in the 17.
Life member, loyal, and possible captain in '19.
A definite keeper.

 

[Tiger_Steve]

So both Lawrence and Brooks are looking like being 1 club players. In this modern world where loyalty is almost nonexistent it would be great to have a nucleus of players where the club and jersey mean something. It definitely gives a competitive advantage. Would love to see Nofa, Marsters, Liddle for example head in this direction

 

[jadtiger]

So both Lawrence and Brooks are looking like being 1 club players. In this modern world where loyalty is almost nonexistent it would be great to have a nucleus of players where the club and jersey mean something. It definitely gives a competitive advantage. Would love to see Nofa, Marsters, Liddle for example head in this direction

I have always admired 1 club players even if i dont particularly like the player or club(Gallen springs to mind).Hopefully you are right and the players mentioned stay with us.We as a club also have a part to play in that by treating them fairly

 

[Tiger_Steve]

So both Lawrence and Brooks are looking like being 1 club players. In this modern world where loyalty is almost nonexistent it would be great to have a nucleus of players where the club and jersey mean something. It definitely gives a competitive advantage. Would love to see Nofa, Marsters, Liddle for example head in this direction

I have always admired 1 club players even if i dont particularly like the player or club(Gallen springs to mind).Hopefully you are right and the players mentioned stay with us.We as a club also have a part to play in that by treating them fairly

Yep I agree. Long term loyalty from the player should result in long term loyalty from the club. There are so many examples but the way Paul Vautin and Matty Johns were treated at the end of their careers was pretty poor.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Thread updated to include Jennings and noting Musgrove may not be registered.

By my list it looks without Musgrove we'll be at 29 players.

 

[WeHaveCheeKam]

From the off contracted players:

**Release/Retire**
Benji Marshall
Mahe Fonua (Playing okay, but we need to change our style of backs we have)
Michael Chee-Kam
Robbie Farah
Robbie Rochow
Tyson Gamble

**Re-Sign**
Chris Lawrence (Only because he gets exemption so won't eat into our cap)
Thomas Mikaele
Josh Aloiai

**Unsure**
Jacob Liddle (Completely dependent on his return to play this year)
Corey Thompson (With Nofo/Jennings/Mbye already staying, we need to change the style of backs)

 

[Tim Sheens]

@WeHaveCheeKam Whilst I would be happy enough to swap Fonua for some height and/or pace, your forum namesake MCK deserves at least another season for mine and probably two.

 

[Tiger_Steve]

No way I’d be letting Thompson go. He continues to deliver

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

From the off contracted players:

**Release/Retire**
Benji Marshall
Mahe Fonua (Playing okay, but we need to change our style of backs we have)
Michael Chee-Kam
Robbie Farah
Robbie Rochow
Tyson Gamble

**Re-Sign**
Chris Lawrence (Only because he gets exemption so won't eat into our cap)
Thomas Mikaele
Josh Aloiai

**Unsure**
Jacob Liddle (Completely dependent on his return to play this year)
Corey Thompson (With Nofo/Jennings/Mbye already staying, we need to change the style of backs)

Move Thompson into the re-sign category and I'll agree.

We need to bite the bullet on Liddle. It's a very unnerving prospect knowing that we're going into next year with one injury riddled hooker.

 

[2005magic]

I think we need to get another hooker anyway since Farah retiring end of season. The question is main role or back up to Liddle? On current form I'd be looking for main role with liddle remaining back up. If L doesn't like it he can leave.

I think Gamble needs a shot. He can run and break through. I'd have said 5/8 was his position but that seems to be Reynolds. Maybe try centre before we consign him to ashes.

Certainly the current regular 21 players need a shake up both forwards, backs and halves. Nowhere immune from responsibility.

 

[newtiger]

@Tiger_Steve
Cory was to only player having a go on Monday, it's a pity we couldn't put his ticker into some of our forwards.

 

[hugh1954]

Really wish we has some speed somewhere in our attack, noted of late that teams are winning with long range try's that are so momentum changing for a team and also put a defense into two minds as to kicks for these speedsters. At the moment i don't see a player in our team who could run the length of the field for a try. We need a black flash again, Addo Carr is long gone is a player like Gela -Mosby an option. Please look for speed Madge , i need that excitement in our team again for my happiness.

 

[2005magic]

Have to think that with Reynolds now knee injury, if its more than a week or two out, maybe its time to tap him on the shoulder and advise its time to test the market elsewhere eg ESL.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Have to think that with Reynolds now knee injury, if its more than a week or two out, maybe its time to tap him on the shoulder and advise its time to test the market elsewhere eg ESL.

If we don’t want him because he’s always injured, who else will? 🤔

 

[2005magic]

@GNR4LIFE Possible, but it doesn't hurt to be in front. He has previously stated he was open to going over to ESL, no doubt WT would have to sweeten the pot.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

@GNR4LIFE Possible, but it doesn't hurt to be in front. He has previously stated he was open to going over to ESL, no doubt WT would have to sweeten the pot.

His hammys would love England.

 

[Tiger_Bond]

Player swap part of Tigers' ploy to snare Watene-Zelezniak

May 24, 2019 — 4.26pm
By Sam Phillips and Adrian Proszenko


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.

Eastbound and down: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is poised to leave Penrith and could end up at Concord.
Eastbound and down: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is poised to leave Penrith and could end up at Concord.
Photo: AAP
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.

 

[Geo]

When did happen..