@tigerwest said in [WT Player Recruitment & Retention for 2021](/post/1379227) said:@earl said in [WT Player Recruitment & Retention for 2021](/post/1379225) said:@kelce68 said in [WT Player Recruitment & Retention for 2021](/post/1379221) said:@hsvjones said in [WT Player Recruitment & Retention for 2021](/post/1379217) said:Looking at the below list from your main post it is quite impressive considering the feel around fans that we are doing an average job with recruitment.
Looking at the Losses there is not 1 player on that list that I can say oh wished we kept him.. (Momo would be the closest but happy for the swap for Daine L as it was a better long term decision).
Losses:
Benji Marshall (Off Contract)
Chris Lawrence (Retired)
Chris McQueen (Huddersfield Giants)
Dylan Smith (Penrith Panthers)
Elijah Taylor (Off Contract)
Josh Aloiai (Sulked until released, Manly Sea Eagles)
Josh Reynolds (Released, Hull FC)
Kane Bradley (Released, NQ Cowboys)
Matt Eisenhuth (Penrith Panthers)
Oliver Clark (Retired)
Paul Momirovski (Released, Penrith Panthers)
Robert Jennings (Penrith Panthers)
Sam McIntyre (Gold Coast Titans)
Looking at all the re-signed players below I think we have made the correct decisions on all except Nofo (would of like 3 years max not 4 - but its not like we paid 800k Aka Dog with Cotric)
Re-Signed:
David Nofoaluma (2025)
Jacob Liddle (2023)
Jake Simpkin (2024)
Jock Madden (2022)
Shawn Blore (2023)
Zane Musgrove (2024)
Our signings have been excellent considering we have had salary caps problems and even getting players where other clubs are paying some freight. Love the fact we are also adding Club options to contracts for players with question marks E.g Joey and JTJ. Just smart business
Signed:
Daine Laurie (2023)
James Tamou (2022)
James Roberts (2021, club option 2022)
Joe Ofahengaue (2023)
Stefano Utoikamanu (2023)
Tom Amone (2021)
Tukimihia Simpkins (2023)
So looking at this as a big picture we have done some extremely good recruitment over the last 18 months even though it doesn't show on the Ladder position but we can all see we are heading upwards. We now we have some serious cash coming available to keep the good ones and also target the top line players. I have said this all along but once we get the 1st big name player I think others will follow so don't mind paying overs to make this happen for the right player.
Players look at our club now and see a new COE been built, A lot of time and money put into junior development and recruitment of ex players, our lower grade teams are winning and the club itself is making money... we are just about to move into the reward part of this whole process and it is well overdue.
People might not like Madge and want him gone but he has been a massive part of building this club up from the ground along with Hartigan. We needed an experienced guy to come in and make the tough decisions and allow him time to complete the job and looking at all the players he has moved on I am quite happy. Madge worked under Belly in Melb and knows what's needed...
Exactly. When we lay down on paper all the changes that have taken place, we are moving forward at a rate beyond my expectation. On field results are always the last piece to move. Hopefully that's on the way. You could also include Doueihi on that list also.
I reckon Aloiai and Momo are losses but they aren't big losses and the getting Laurie early as well as not paying top dollar for Aloiai are good business decisions.
Personally I think we are doing a great job. I don't think the Tamou signing was great because Tamou is getting picked ahead of some quality junior players but the Tamou signing wasn't a bad signing. We've improved out of sight.
But I don’t think Tamou was ever signed on to be the best player, I believe he was signed to show the youngsters leadership and how to prepare and play the game?
If Mr Tamou could just get back in the defensive line..I would be happy..