Luke was the DallyM halfback of the year 3 years ago , our player of the year , the year before last , and had a down year last year . Some of you guys do my head in . So hard to live up to your asinine , and downright ridiculous expectations . Seriously watch the games last years . Sooo many times , Luke had the play set up , was screaming for the ball , Benji screams the overcall word , because every team has one ( basically it’s a spur of the moment I see something and it’s on . It’s to allow off the cuff footy) , so because of this the dummy half has to pass to benji , and most of the time nothing happens .
Go watch it . It got so bad , Grant actually stopped looking for Brooks first , which is what was supposed to happen , and just going to benji.

Happy new year guys ! Hopefully this year , this team can do something special , and help with the monotony of life . We all feel it I reckon . Don’t let the black dog get a firm grip over you . Even if it means arguing with no nothings like me on This place , just to let off some steam .

@sleeve said in Signing Suggestions & Rumours:

Hey guys, staying under the radar is good, the less the opposition knows, the more it is to our benefit. The first couple of games although hard , are winnable. The opposing side will not be able to get a read on our game, as we have around 8 new players and no game recordings for them to study,.

Michael Chammas is the only “expert” with a brain in his head , basically saying we have spent the last 2 years recruiting the best talented juniors available . Which is true .
The only reason they think our halves are unstable is because we trialed everyone there , which is what trials are . . Hot tip . AD and Brooks are our halves . Liddle and Simpkins / Mbye will share the 9 . Mbye / Laurie the one . And first drop for halves is Mbye / madden .

Also it’s ok if Simpkin spends the year destroying CC cup teams . He’s 19 !! If Mbye moves on then he comes up. We get an injury , he comes up . It’s pretty sorted IMO.

@avocadoontoast said in Signing Suggestions & Rumours:

@Russell said in Signing Suggestions & Rumours:

I give up Avo, Gal, Hobo and all the other Pascoe Haters.

Last week he forgot to put the garbage out, He signed Madge and then let him go holidays, Didn’t comb his hair for the Q & A, He signed Jennings not Madge etc.

I think he is responsible for the crown of thorns starfish, global warming and just aboeverything else that is dodgy.

You guys should start a petition - we want a CEO.

Obviously in your opinions we don’t have one.

I don’t hate Pascoe, I’ve never even met him. But I think he’s proven himself to be a poor CEO. I don’t think much of the board either.

Based on what ? He’s currently presiding over the first profitable period in west’s tigers history .
It’s been stating numerous times that his background is finance . Seems like financially we are doing alright .
He has finally gotten a COE off the ground . This has been talked about for 10 years and it’s finally here. Signed 2 top of the tree coaches , by all accounts.
Totally gutted the back room , to now have a really solid corporate roster.
Oh wait he didn’t sign your favourite footy player … YOU SUCK PASCOE … bla bla

@Cairnstigers said in Signing Suggestions & Rumours:

@clontarfkid said in Signing Suggestions & Rumours:

Wish I cld share the optimism,but the way I see it is weve lost our best player(Harry)and our best playmaker(Benji)nd have picked up a couple of prop forwards who were surplus to requirements at Penrith and Eels.Nothing or nobody else
Cant see how were a better team in 2021,and with Titans /Warriors /Dragons/Broncos/Dogs all improving with player and /or coach changes ,were a real chance at the spoon unless Madge gets em firing…
Sure hope not,but reality bites

We also lost our worst defensive player in Benji
So our defence should hold better you would hope
Harry is a loss but its time for Liddle to shine

The benji addition by subtraction, IMO , cannot be underestimated.
The defence is obvious , but seriously so many times this year we had something setup for him to over call. And I honestly think grant got a bit star struck by him at times , He went to him so much more often , even when it wasn’t on. Liddle seemed to look for Brooks first , benji second , which IMO , it was one of the reasons we were far more direct when he was on the field . As is known , Brooks looks to run first , but it’s direct and at the middles . Benji would skirt across field, and at times collapse the space for his centres , which is why at times it seemed BJ was doing nothing .

Don’t shoot me , Benji lovers , he’s still our greatest player , I just am calling it how I see it .

I said a few weeks ago , if it came down to Angus Chrichton and JAC, considering where our team is at , I pick Chrichton every time . The kid is a legit origin player , who has fallen out of favour at the only premier league type fickleness club in Aus . The backs are not where we lack . We lack speed , sure , but we lack defence and reliability more . We have proven we can score points . But defend attacking raids is our Achilles heel. If you added a Chrichton with Tamou and Stefano , and suddenly there’s some starch in the defensive line .

@clontarfkid said in Signing Suggestions & Rumours:

Wish I cld share the optimism,but the way I see it is weve lost our best player(Harry)and our best playmaker(Benji)nd have picked up a couple of prop forwards who were surplus to requirements at Penrith and Eels.Nothing or nobody else
Cant see how were a better team in 2021,and with Titans /Warriors /Dragons/Broncos/Dogs all improving with player and /or coach changes ,were a real chance at the spoon unless Madge gets em firing…
Sure hope not,but reality bites

Gotta say I disagree . When benji went off injured in the last game , for me we got a good look at what the attack will look like , which is actually better . It doesn’t have the razzmatazz, but does have strong play , and a clear game plan , especially if AD is at 6.
I also think the jack in the box play of grant , can be replaced , and liddles pass and deception around the ruck is way better than grants .
I thought grant dropped off , towards the end of the year , and whilst I think he will be a star , I don’t think his actual play at the back end was even as good as his start to the year .

Just as an aside , has anyone noticed how poorly a lot of clubs have recruited . It’s the Titans at number 1 for me , and then honestly us at number 2 , followed by the dogs and warriors , then it’s crickets to anyone else . It’s surprised me how little some clubs did to improve , especially the ones at the bottom.
I think the sharks , dragons , cowboys , are in for long years . They have definitely gone backwards . Also sneaky gone backwards … the panthers ! They’ve lost Tetevano and Tamou . Both big metre eaters for them , and they’re hoping Eiso picks up the slack apparently . I know they have stars , but that’s some holes to fill.

Katoni Staggs is a better footballer than Stephen Chrichton . He should be the one we are after IMO.

@851 said in Maguire lifts lid on player power at Tigers:

Mr egg shells caused a lot of issues, they won’t be a problem now, the club will be a far better performed club this year without him

That’s such crap aye . (The egg shells stuff not what you said ) . Benji literally twice , when facing the arse , went into promo mode . And he clearly took a couple of players with him to the circus . I bet most of those guys , if not all are on the departure list . It’s pretty much insinuated that the noise was coming from the old guys . Wow they really did think this was a retirement village . I’m so glad he got rid of them . As for the job looking stuff . Of course Madges manager looked around , he’s trying to get the best deal for his client , especially if his client has made it known to all and sundry that he wants to stay . He’s trying to create leverage and bargaining power.

@fraze23 said in Experts' view: Who'll make the top eight in 2021:

Brad Walter (NRL.com senior reporter)

1. Rabbitohs
2. Warriors
3. Panthers
4. Storm
5. Roosters
6. Raiders
7. Titans
8. Eels

Souths have a strong roster and have been knocking on the premiership door for three years, the Warriors have been the best off-season recruiters and won’t have the same disruptions as last season. It is unlikely the Panthers can be as dominant as 2020 and the Titans are on the rise.

How fried is Brad Walter? He has the Warriors running second

He probably has a pineapple on it , as I think they’re paying 28 dollars or something . They’re paying 8 dollars for top 4 .

@elleryhanley said in Experts' view: Who'll make the top eight in 2021:

@strongee said in Experts' view: Who'll make the top eight in 2021:

@elleryhanley said in Experts' view: Who'll make the top eight in 2021:

@jai_donaldson said in Experts' view: Who'll make the top eight in 2021:

If any of the Dogs, Broncos, Cows or Dragons finish in the 8 and we don’t then that’ll do me. I personally feel that’s the bottom 4 right there, not in any order. Manly won’t go close regardless of how many games Tommy misses, Sharks will struggle too given SJ out for a while and Moylan not being relevant for a number of years now. Warriors you never really know what to expect but again feel they’ll struggle. Titans, Knights and Tigers the 3 I really feel will push for spots 7 and 8 however massive question marks still for Taylor.

Bottom 8:

9. Titans
10. Warriors
11. Sharks
12. Manly
13. Cows
14. Dogs
15. Broncos
16. Dragons

Cows have a fairly thin squad…but they do have 3-4 legit world class players. If they all stay fit, they will be right up there IMO.

Do they though ? By my count it’s 1 in Jason T . The rest haven’t done anything for a long time . Maybe Feldt ? He’s an underrated winger , who I’d call close to world class , on a good day .
Morgan , hasn’t done anything since the day he signed that huge extension . Holmes is a winger being paid a million dollars . That’s gonna age well . And their pack is not good either .

JT

Morgan (when fit, he is world class)

Holmes (when fit, he was the best winger in the game)

I also rate Drnkwater highly (not world class though, obviously)

I think Toddy will really suit the skillsets they have.

Fair enough . Each to their own I guess . Morgan hasn’t played well in 3 years . The rest are hardly world class . I don’t see it .

@cairnstigers said in Signing Suggestions & Rumours:

@colinbh said in Signing Suggestions & Rumours:

@tigerskins said in Signing Suggestions & Rumours:

@russell said in Signing Suggestions & Rumours:

The trouble is Ikin thinks his thoughts and opinions are relevant,

unfortunately for him they are not and neither is that idiot Ennis.

You see, the story is that Fox keep Anasta, Hodges, Meninga etc.
to try and make Ikin and Ennis seem like they know somrthing.

However people with half a brain know that they are all dopes -
maybe with the exception of Alexander.

Ikin was a below average player at best … just because he married Wayne Bennets daughter thinks he knows everything … pffft

Ennis … a thug, a pig, a grub is all Ennis remembered for … !!

Two wannabeis is all those two will ever be … !!

Ikin has done pretty well out of footy. He is articulate and seems to know his stuff. He is not at all keen on Wayne Bennett, because of his domestic set up. As for his being a " below average footaller ". you do know he played State of Origin football?

So did Trent Hodkinson

And Jamie Soward

@magpie1969 said in Round 1 Team:

Does anyone have any insight to what teams do between last trial game and season starts. Do they have games against their State Cup teams. Do they taper off pre season training.

Also I understand both Simpkin and Tuki Simpkins are only 19 and did not play much last season however if they are good enough ain’t they old enough. East’s wetting themselves over a 17 year old???

Yea , a 17 year old playing wing . It’s a bit different to both players you mentioned who will be in the middle third potentially tackling Solomona , then the Bromwich brothers in consecutive tackles as an example. Your body doesn’t develop fully for most men until somewhere in your mid 30s at the earliest . Which is why you see. Lot of guys tread water until they can match the physicality of first grade with their skill level , sometimes mid 20s. I’m ok with letting the kid know he’s the future and we want him to be the best player he can.

@weststigerman said in Luke Brooks:

@truetiger said in Luke Brooks:

@coivtny said in Luke Brooks:

@jirskyr said in Luke Brooks:

Funny, I have no interest whatsoever in reading Luke Brooks articles. I’m not even a hater, I think he’s a good footballer, but the story NEVER changes.

Yep, it goes along the lines of “this is my year to take control of the team”.

This year I think he will control the team,no Benji to overcall him,Liddle give him quick ball,JTJ running at full speed and Brooks knows that Madge can and will bench players not performing…
This year is his year to show all he can play and lead if he has the shackles off…

Yeah I think the reason why this keeps coming up, is this was supposed to happen in 2018 when Moses left, but then we signed Benji who took control.

We’re finally at a stage where he shouldn’t be getting over called, he’s the experienced player. No more excuses.

He wasn’t in 2019 . When it was Farah and Liddle passing him the ball . When it was grant IMO … it was oOOOoOoO Benji … who it’s now come out from a few people , was playing “ I’ve still got it , look at my try assists “ card . Benji , last year was a good stats bad team , half . It was empty calories .

@elleryhanley said in Experts' view: Who'll make the top eight in 2021:

@jai_donaldson said in Experts' view: Who'll make the top eight in 2021:

If any of the Dogs, Broncos, Cows or Dragons finish in the 8 and we don’t then that’ll do me. I personally feel that’s the bottom 4 right there, not in any order. Manly won’t go close regardless of how many games Tommy misses, Sharks will struggle too given SJ out for a while and Moylan not being relevant for a number of years now. Warriors you never really know what to expect but again feel they’ll struggle. Titans, Knights and Tigers the 3 I really feel will push for spots 7 and 8 however massive question marks still for Taylor.

Bottom 8:

9. Titans
10. Warriors
11. Sharks
12. Manly
13. Cows
14. Dogs
15. Broncos
16. Dragons

Cows have a fairly thin squad…but they do have 3-4 legit world class players. If they all stay fit, they will be right up there IMO.

Do they though ? By my count it’s 1 in Jason T . The rest haven’t done anything for a long time . Maybe Feldt ? He’s an underrated winger , who I’d call close to world class , on a good day .
Morgan , hasn’t done anything since the day he signed that huge extension . Holmes is a winger being paid a million dollars . That’s gonna age well . And their pack is not good either .

@hammertime said in Experts' view: Who'll make the top eight in 2021:

Soward has the dragons in there - lol

https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/03/03/experts-view-2021-top-8-selections/

Steve Renouf has the broncos LOL . Hey NRL if your reading this , can we at least pretend you have “experts “ work for you . Because those 2 teams are by far the worst teams in the comp and it’s daylight to any other team .

@earl said in Round 1 Team:

@rowdy12 said in Round 1 Team:

@magpie1969 said in Round 1 Team:

Looks like at least 6 players will make their debuts in WT colours in Round 1.
Laurie
Jimmy the Jet
Big O
Tamou
Stefano
J Simpkin

Madden and Tuki Simpkins also in the mix.

Believe J Simpkin has missed out

Mbye 14

I suppose Madden plays 6, Laurie goes to 1 and Mbye to utility player. Interesting call if true. I suppose that means that J Simpkin comes into the top team based on injuries and or poor form.

Not really , he’s 19 . Let him grind away against men in CC cup ,he doesn’t need to be there round 1 . But the kid is dynamite . He will wear maroon sooner rather than later

@auburnon80 said in Wests Tigers Centre of Excellence:

@dallas said in Wests Tigers Centre of Excellence:

@auburnon80 said in Wests Tigers Centre of Excellence:

@hsvjones said in Wests Tigers Centre of Excellence:

Is this new “rock” Finding going to delay the building… By the sounds of it I have a feeling its going to be a big delay now due to them going to have the research the site etc… Fingers crossed this doesn’t effect the build.

Mayor of Canada Bay Council spoke on stage this morning;

• Find has resulted in a 40 day stop work while further advice is sort
• Works won’t be stopped/Delayed on the COE as the findings are at the other end of the site

A mate of mine is a project manager with the company building the COE.

He said it will be delayed 4-6 months because of the finding.

Definitely will not be ready for next off season

Just passing on what was said.

The mayor was pretty confident it wasn’t going to delay the COE. Also said that works had not stop on the COE side of the project.

Only caveat he gave for a delay was weather.

Didn’t the delay only affect half the project ie. the community side ?

@masterton said in Luke Brooks:

@strongee said in Luke Brooks:

@masterton said in Luke Brooks:

@hobbo1 said in Luke Brooks:

Threaded the needle
Lucky the jet had his afterburners on
Good grubber though !

If we had BJ on that side, the ball would have gone dead 4 secs before he got there and we’d be complaining about poor Brooks kick.

But BJ is on the left now ? The reason he kicked it was because it was the jet ,i believe it was tackle 4 as well. He wouldn’t have kicked it , if it was BJ , he would have given him early ball to run over his opposite number . Also there was a reason benji got 17 try assists last year , and fat BJ , was high up on that list . You don’t have to throw shade at one player to compliment another l

Not throwing shade at all. Pointing out there’s a thin line between a great play and a dud one.

BJ isn’t a dud mate. He’s a hot head , who sabotages his team at times , but when he gets the ball he’s devastating . They’re chalk and cheese . Benji doesn’t get 17 try assists , with Tommy Talau there , or Jennings .