WT Player Recruitment & Retention for 2020

[Goldust]

I don't think any of us are pleased with the recruitment.
On the back of 10+ years of failure we really needed to do better in the player market, especially considering the warchest.
Not to say our management didn't try their hardest.

Frankly, our roster is arguably the worst in the comp and to be honest, one the worst I've seen in 40 years I've followed Wests/Balmain.

If we finish the dreaded 9th or 10th again it will be because we had some encouraging performances (which are inevitable over the course of a season), and this may once again serve to vindicate the players, management and some fans that we have the right squad and are heading in the right direction. Obviously we all want to win games and compete, but let's not kid ourselves, every win with this roster is just another chance for us to pull the wool over our eyes and thus walk blindly in a fool's paradise.

I'd almost rather us finish 15th or 16th and in doing so recognize the need for a serious roster overhaul than go through the emotional turmoil of nearly making it, getting heartbroken again while having to justify our roster at the end of next season.

1. It's no worse than last year.

2. Recruitment hasn't finished yet.

Great points. In fact with Leilua musgrove and hopefully Stefano it is way better than last year on the additions.

The pack minus hooker is fairly strong.


I’m liking the look of our pack a lot! It’s better than Souths pack imo.

If Souths can't get Arrow early I am really interested to see how they fare next year. The game is won up front so without a quality pack I don't believe their backs will shine as well as they could.


Same here
Murray is a gun.other than that pretty shallow pack.

Brooks & Benji will have more time and space.
I’m getting excited ?


Same 🙂
Especially if they get good ball from dummy

Yes! Thats Why I’d also like to see Mbye start as dummy. Brooks creates some opportunI ties when he runs wide of the ruck. But we have lacked the pace out wide to capitalise.

If Tommy comes good that could be interesting also
Brooks’ whole NRL career has had pretty average centres on his outside
Also that combination with garner was looking sharp at the end of last season
Maybe I’m just getting excited ?

 

[twentyforty]

I don't think any of us are pleased with the recruitment.
On the back of 10+ years of failure we really needed to do better in the player market, especially considering the warchest.
Not to say our management didn't try their hardest.

Frankly, our roster is arguably the worst in the comp and to be honest, one the worst I've seen in 40 years I've followed Wests/Balmain.

If we finish the dreaded 9th or 10th again it will be because we had some encouraging performances (which are inevitable over the course of a season), and this may once again serve to vindicate the players, management and some fans that we have the right squad and are heading in the right direction. Obviously we all want to win games and compete, but let's not kid ourselves, every win with this roster is just another chance for us to pull the wool over our eyes and thus walk blindly in a fool's paradise.

I'd almost rather us finish 15th or 16th and in doing so recognize the need for a serious roster overhaul than go through the emotional turmoil of nearly making it, getting heartbroken again while having to justify our roster at the end of next season.

1. It's no worse than last year.

2. Recruitment hasn't finished yet.

Great points. In fact with Leilua musgrove and hopefully Stefano it is way better than last year on the additions.

The pack minus hooker is fairly strong.


I’m liking the look of our pack a lot! It’s better than Souths pack imo.

If Souths can't get Arrow early I am really interested to see how they fare next year. The game is won up front so without a quality pack I don't believe their backs will shine as well as they could.


Same here
Murray is a gun.other than that pretty shallow pack.

Brooks & Benji will have more time and space.
I’m getting excited ?


Same 🙂
Especially if they get good ball from dummy

Yes! Thats Why I’d also like to see Mbye start as dummy. Brooks creates some opportunI ties when he runs wide of the ruck. But we have lacked the pace out wide to capitalise.


If Tommy comes good that could be interesting also
Brooks’ whole NRL career has had pretty average centres on his outside
Also that combination with garner was looking sharp at the end of last season
Maybe I’m just getting excited ?

I’ve noticed Tommy has some pace. He looked faster and more likely along side our other backs in that game last year.
There’s a lot to like about the way Madge is building this team.

 

[tigerap]

I do think the hooker situation for this season is not good and I just don't know the answer. Surely we can't go at least half season with make do's? I had hope when there was th e rumour Maguire had recruited Parnell from ESL.

Mbye is better at 9 than Parnell.

Mbye will give good, fast service, is a good defender and can dart from DH like Cook does...he may just surprise us till Liddle makes it back...

 

[Tiger5150]

I do think the hooker situation for this season is not good and I just don't know the answer. Surely we can't go at least half season with make do's? I had hope when there was th e rumour Maguire had recruited Parnell from ESL.

Mbye is better at 9 than Parnell.

Mbye will give good, fast service, is a good defender and can dart from DH like Cook does...he may just surprise us till Liddle makes it back...

opportunity cost. Means we cant use him else where. I was surprised at Mbyes defence in the centres and his passing game. I think his best spot for this team is 4. Additionally we are desperately short of depth in the backs. Sort out 9 between Walters/Simpkins.

 

[twentyforty]

Just wondering has anyone read this piece on FoxSport?

The Wests Tigers have a $1m ‘war chest’, but history says they’ll struggle to spend it well
If you believe everything you read, apparently the Wests Tigers have a “war chest”.
Perhaps they intend on invading Parramatta or engaging in conflict with the Bulldogs?
The biggest battle Michael Maguire’s “cashed-up” team face – as we brush tired cliches aside – is in the transfer market.

The Tigers say they mean business and have money to spend.
They say they won’t pay “overs”.

 

[Tiger5150]

Just wondering has anyone read this piece on FoxSport?

The Wests Tigers have a $1m ‘war chest’, but history says they’ll struggle to spend it well
If you believe everything you read, apparently the Wests Tigers have a “war chest”.
Perhaps they intend on invading Parramatta or engaging in conflict with the Bulldogs?
The biggest battle Michael Maguire’s “cashed-up” team face – as we brush tired cliches aside – is in the transfer market.

The Tigers say they mean business and have money to spend.
They say they won’t pay “overs”.

Plenty of evidence that they wont pay overs.

 

[earl]

I don't think any of us are pleased with the recruitment.
On the back of 10+ years of failure we really needed to do better in the player market, especially considering the warchest.
Not to say our management didn't try their hardest.

Frankly, our roster is arguably the worst in the comp and to be honest, one the worst I've seen in 40 years I've followed Wests/Balmain.

If we finish the dreaded 9th or 10th again it will be because we had some encouraging performances (which are inevitable over the course of a season), and this may once again serve to vindicate the players, management and some fans that we have the right squad and are heading in the right direction. Obviously we all want to win games and compete, but let's not kid ourselves, every win with this roster is just another chance for us to pull the wool over our eyes and thus walk blindly in a fool's paradise.

I'd almost rather us finish 15th or 16th and in doing so recognize the need for a serious roster overhaul than go through the emotional turmoil of nearly making it, getting heartbroken again while having to justify our roster at the end of next season.

1. It's no worse than last year.

2. Recruitment hasn't finished yet.

Great points. In fact with Leilua musgrove and hopefully Stefano it is way better than last year on the additions.

The pack minus hooker is fairly strong.


I’m liking the look of our pack a lot! It’s better than Souths pack imo.

If Souths can't get Arrow early I am really interested to see how they fare next year. The game is won up front so without a quality pack I don't believe their backs will shine as well as they could.


Same here
Murray is a gun.other than that pretty shallow pack.

Brooks & Benji will have more time and space.
I’m getting excited ?


Same 🙂
Especially if they get good ball from dummy

Yes! Thats Why I’d also like to see Mbye start as dummy. Brooks creates some opportunI ties when he runs wide of the ruck. But we have lacked the pace out wide to capitalise.

Mbye is pretty quick as well. It'll get him involved around the middle of the ruck. Maybe the spine will look something like this:-

1 Thompson
6 Benji
7 Brooks
9 Mbye

 

[twentyforty]

Just wondering has anyone read this piece on FoxSport?

The Wests Tigers have a $1m ‘war chest’, but history says they’ll struggle to spend it well
If you believe everything you read, apparently the Wests Tigers have a “war chest”.
Perhaps they intend on invading Parramatta or engaging in conflict with the Bulldogs?
The biggest battle Michael Maguire’s “cashed-up” team face – as we brush tired cliches aside – is in the transfer market.

The Tigers say they mean business and have money to spend.
They say they won’t pay “overs”.


Plenty of evidence that they wont pay overs.

Yep we didn’t pay overs for Mitchell.

 

[twentyforty]

I don't think any of us are pleased with the recruitment.
On the back of 10+ years of failure we really needed to do better in the player market, especially considering the warchest.
Not to say our management didn't try their hardest.

Frankly, our roster is arguably the worst in the comp and to be honest, one the worst I've seen in 40 years I've followed Wests/Balmain.

If we finish the dreaded 9th or 10th again it will be because we had some encouraging performances (which are inevitable over the course of a season), and this may once again serve to vindicate the players, management and some fans that we have the right squad and are heading in the right direction. Obviously we all want to win games and compete, but let's not kid ourselves, every win with this roster is just another chance for us to pull the wool over our eyes and thus walk blindly in a fool's paradise.

I'd almost rather us finish 15th or 16th and in doing so recognize the need for a serious roster overhaul than go through the emotional turmoil of nearly making it, getting heartbroken again while having to justify our roster at the end of next season.

1. It's no worse than last year.

2. Recruitment hasn't finished yet.

Great points. In fact with Leilua musgrove and hopefully Stefano it is way better than last year on the additions.

The pack minus hooker is fairly strong.


I’m liking the look of our pack a lot! It’s better than Souths pack imo.

If Souths can't get Arrow early I am really interested to see how they fare next year. The game is won up front so without a quality pack I don't believe their backs will shine as well as they could.


Same here
Murray is a gun.other than that pretty shallow pack.

Brooks & Benji will have more time and space.
I’m getting excited ?


Same 🙂
Especially if they get good ball from dummy

Yes! Thats Why I’d also like to see Mbye start as dummy. Brooks creates some opportunI ties when he runs wide of the ruck. But we have lacked the pace out wide to capitalise.

Mbye is pretty quick as well. It'll get him involved around the middle of the ruck. Maybe the spine will look something like this:-

1 Thompson
6 Benji
7 Brooks
9 Mbye

I can’t see that changing. I would back those 4 if we have a strong no nonsense pack which can roll us forward for 80 minutes.

 

[240z]

I don't think any of us are pleased with the recruitment.
On the back of 10+ years of failure we really needed to do better in the player market, especially considering the warchest.
Not to say our management didn't try their hardest.

Frankly, our roster is arguably the worst in the comp and to be honest, one the worst I've seen in 40 years I've followed Wests/Balmain.

If we finish the dreaded 9th or 10th again it will be because we had some encouraging performances (which are inevitable over the course of a season), and this may once again serve to vindicate the players, management and some fans that we have the right squad and are heading in the right direction. Obviously we all want to win games and compete, but let's not kid ourselves, every win with this roster is just another chance for us to pull the wool over our eyes and thus walk blindly in a fool's paradise.

I'd almost rather us finish 15th or 16th and in doing so recognize the need for a serious roster overhaul than go through the emotional turmoil of nearly making it, getting heartbroken again while having to justify our roster at the end of next season.

1. It's no worse than last year.

2. Recruitment hasn't finished yet.

Great points. In fact with Leilua musgrove and hopefully Stefano it is way better than last year on the additions.

The pack minus hooker is fairly strong.


I’m liking the look of our pack a lot! It’s better than Souths pack imo.

If Souths can't get Arrow early I am really interested to see how they fare next year. The game is won up front so without a quality pack I don't believe their backs will shine as well as they could.


Same here
Murray is a gun.other than that pretty shallow pack.

Brooks & Benji will have more time and space.
I’m getting excited ?


Same 🙂
Especially if they get good ball from dummy

Yes! Thats Why I’d also like to see Mbye start as dummy. Brooks creates some opportunI ties when he runs wide of the ruck. But we have lacked the pace out wide to capitalise.

Mbye is pretty quick as well. It'll get him involved around the middle of the ruck. Maybe the spine will look something like this:-

1 Thompson
6 Benji
7 Brooks
9 Mbye

OMG that looks so ordinary

2 players playing out of position and as much as I lobe Benji he is on his last legs. Brooks is the only quality in position player.
Maybe 1 - Mbye, 2 - Thompson 6 - Marshall, 7 - Brooks and legitimate hooker in the club at 9.

 

[JD Tiger]

We have a guy whos supposed to play hooker, Liddle, but hes injured. We have a plan for the future, if Liddle doesnt work, Simpkins, hes just six or twelve mobths away. We even have a back up in Walters.

We arent going to get a quality option for six to twelve months, we just have to make do. Reynolds was probably first makeshift pick, but hes thrown himself under the bus so who knows with him now. MBye is pretty much it.

Whatever happened to Reynolds drama anyway?

 

[Tore85]

What's Dylan Smith's story?!

 

[tiga4eva]

He's a bit pedestrian from what I've seen.

 

[earl]

I can’t see that changing. I would back those 4 if we have a strong no nonsense pack which can roll us forward for 80 minutes.

I was thinking that spine looks alright if they all play to their best. They can all play. I reckon the pack is starting to come good as well.

They don't have any weapons out wide to throw the ball too though.

 

[twentyforty]

I can’t see that changing. I would back those 4 if we have a strong no nonsense pack which can roll us forward for 80 minutes.

I was thinking that spine looks alright if they all play to their best. They can all play. I reckon the pack is starting to come good as well.

They don't have any weapons out wide to throw the ball too though.

There’s nothing wrong with Thompson’s game. Leading try scorer.. many times as last line of defence has been solid. He ‘s had Taumalolo burst through our forwards, building up some steam down centre field, and stopped the big guy, who has a very good step I might add.

 

[tigerap]

I don't think any of us are pleased with the recruitment.
On the back of 10+ years of failure we really needed to do better in the player market, especially considering the warchest.
Not to say our management didn't try their hardest.

Frankly, our roster is arguably the worst in the comp and to be honest, one the worst I've seen in 40 years I've followed Wests/Balmain.

If we finish the dreaded 9th or 10th again it will be because we had some encouraging performances (which are inevitable over the course of a season), and this may once again serve to vindicate the players, management and some fans that we have the right squad and are heading in the right direction. Obviously we all want to win games and compete, but let's not kid ourselves, every win with this roster is just another chance for us to pull the wool over our eyes and thus walk blindly in a fool's paradise.

I'd almost rather us finish 15th or 16th and in doing so recognize the need for a serious roster overhaul than go through the emotional turmoil of nearly making it, getting heartbroken again while having to justify our roster at the end of next season.

1. It's no worse than last year.

2. Recruitment hasn't finished yet.

Great points. In fact with Leilua musgrove and hopefully Stefano it is way better than last year on the additions.

The pack minus hooker is fairly strong.


I’m liking the look of our pack a lot! It’s better than Souths pack imo.

If Souths can't get Arrow early I am really interested to see how they fare next year. The game is won up front so without a quality pack I don't believe their backs will shine as well as they could.


Same here
Murray is a gun.other than that pretty shallow pack.

Brooks & Benji will have more time and space.
I’m getting excited ?


Same 🙂
Especially if they get good ball from dummy

Yes! Thats Why I’d also like to see Mbye start as dummy. Brooks creates some opportunI ties when he runs wide of the ruck. But we have lacked the pace out wide to capitalise.

Mbye is pretty quick as well. It'll get him involved around the middle of the ruck. Maybe the spine will look something like this:-

1 Thompson
6 Benji
7 Brooks
9 Mbye

That will most likely be the starting spine

 

[CarltonDry]

What's Dylan Smith's story?!

Played injured at the back end of the season, well that's what Hodgo said when I asked him

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Update to reflect our two latest signings.

30th spot to be reconciled by June 30th.

 

[WestsFTW]

What I'd Do

Lose Next Year:
Elijah Taylor, Chris McQueen, Chris Lawrence, Benji Marshall, Josh Reynolds, Russell Packer, Momirovski

Get Next Year:
Bronson Xerri, David Fifita, Harry Grant, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Some Prop

Re-Sign: Matt Eisenhuth, Robert Jennings

 

[will1999]

What I'd Do

Lose Next Year:
Elijah Taylor, Chris McQueen, Chris Lawrence, Benji Marshall, Josh Reynolds, Russell Packer, Momirovski

Get Next Year:
Bronson Xerri, David Fifita, Harry Grant, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Some Prop

Re-Sign: Matt Eisenhuth, Robert Jennings

think some of your signings are a bit unrealistic Xerri off to Roosters, Fifita won't leave Broncos, Grant would be good to keep somehow, Paps just signed a contract and we signed Stefano anyway think JAC would be good though