@WeHaveCheeKam at very least it’s putting packer on notice.

@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.

@GNR4LIFE said in Watene-Zelezniak set to split with Panthers:

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.

Somewhere in all this juggling of rosters we seem to be heading towards signing a back. Looks to be either DWZ or French. Depends which way either Parra or Penrith sort their signings. Would be good if we could include a swap for one of our ‘not in coaches future plans’ players.

@WT2K said in Signing Suggestions & Rumours:

DWZ has asked for a release from Penrith - DT

The ship has already sailed (DWZ to Parra I believe) but I’d love for WT to have a crack at his signature. Maybe even his borther back as a back up replacement for Funoa / Thompson

@TigerTiger Agree 100%. The ATO has the power but I reckon there would have to be some huge stink somewhere with a player ‘telling all’ before the ATO would jump. Look how tenderfoot the NRL has been over bringing the player managers into line, the club CEO’s are still not really being punished for transgressions under their watch and the coaches and players seem to be able to get away with saying its not my problem defying credulity, but the NRL wont do a damn thing.

@Newtown sure they will… NRL admin is a joke. I know circs are different but the NRL admin have to sort out this retirement and / or jobs after retirement including offers of jobs. I still don’t understand the gravity of WT error and heavy punishment.

@Snake I think that would be very fair. Cleary is in more than enough trouble at the Panthers, I’m sure Packers ability and performance would match perfectly at the Panthers under Cleary.

@supercoach said in Ryan Papenhuyzen:

NRL 360 were giving us bit of stick about how we have let players walk out the door, like Ryan,JAC and Koro. The bottom line we had to make business decisions based on our cap and our roster. Okay the Fox was bungled and the club don’t hide from it but we don’t have money trees and a expandable cap like other clubs and we have to pay over the odds to attract players so our cap doesn’t go a far as other clubs.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing

I suppose another way to look at it, is that WT and most other clubs, are not clubs that have any attraction for players to stay waiting in reserves whilst the clubs mainstream players are on roster. Probably only Broncos, Storm and Roosters (and possibly Rabbitohs) are the clubs where they can keep their talented reserve players waiting their time- no doubt the ‘éxtra benefits’ help but there is ability of these very strong clubs to keep talent waiting in reserve.

@momo_amp_medo said in Signing Suggestions & Rumours:

@2005magic OK so we let Liddle go and we need to recruit 2 hookers for next year. Right? Yeah right … zzzzzzzzz

Where did I say we should let him go? I said make an offer…geez.