Rumours (signings, sackings & other NRL stuff)

[Nutz]

AD is a tough one. He has been great this year. The problem is I don't see him as along term option at centre unless he is also goal kicking but that means picking him for his goal kicking alone.

I reckon To'a is clearly our best centre but I don't think he is better than Bula, Turuva and Skelton.

AD actually looked like a half to me on the weekend. Would he better off at another club that is lacking a half ?

Isn't it weird how rugby league players are continually changing to suit the games evolution.
½ backs were traditionally shorter players, like Billy Smith, Tommy Raudonikis and Alfie Langer.
Now we see a gun like Humphries break thru and the Roosters this week has replaced Townsend with a 6ft ½ back, Savala.
The reason I'm saying this is because I agree with your comment about AD.
Now that it appears he's worked hard on his D, he's more than capable moving closer to the ruck.
He can kick ingoal grubbers for repeat sets but 40/20 and 5th tackle kicks I dont think so.
He's got a nice passing game but can hog the ball at times.
I've always loved his passion but that 800k contract that he was asking for is now a distant memory one thinks.
Lastly, ½ backs need to be flexible in the hips to swerve and have a side too step. AD instead jinks and changes up, which can be affective too but not as effective in confined area. That's why he's better at ⅝.
I guess thats why shorter players have been traditional playmakers.

 

[Tigerm]

Luke Laulilii is going to be a great winger for us, utility back even. I saw it in pathways and now in the NRL.
He's confident, runs with enthusiasm and can sniff out the white line.
I see him getting sporatic NRL experience this year and it will be interesting to see how it all unfolds when we have Skelton, Turuva, competing plus our backups.
I can't see our new train and trial recruit Izaac Tu'itupou (formerly Thompson) being more than depth if he's upgraded.
Centres will be interesting with To'o being our best back atm, and Heamasi Makasini. Does AD get an extension.
I'm guessing most of you would say no, but I think he's done alright.
He certainly won't get big dollars though.
If we can keep in touch with the top 8, I can see us developing nicely late in the year.. A few more losses on the trot and it will be hard to get back on the horse.

I think LL is and will be a good signing, he's here until the end of '26, but where to play him, will be the problem, I don't see him pushing either of the current two wingers out. But anything can happen and he still only a youngster.
We have Latu to consider as well.
With Doueihi, I think he's playing well compared to previous seasons and his GK has been first class, BUT is he playing for a contract? I think he will want more than we might be prepared to give. Plus we have Makasini coming probably at some stage this season.
A feast or famine.

 

[Nutz]

I think LL is and will be a good signing, he's here until the end of '26, but where to play him, will be the problem, I don't see him pushing either of the current two wingers out. But anything can happen and he still only a youngster.
We have Latu to consider as well.
With Doueihi, I think he's playing well compared to previous seasons and his GK has been first class, BUT is he playing for a contract? I think he will want more than we might be prepared to give. Plus we have Makasini coming probably at some stage this season.
A feast or famine.

It's a better problem than squabbling over crumbs hey.
Luke can play centres, wing and fullback so he's pretty handy.

 

[Tigerm]

It's a better problem than squabbling over crumbs hey.
Luke can play centres, wing and fullback so he's pretty handy.

Yeah, I don’t want to be to unkind, but a better prospect than Mason

 

[Tiger05]

I've always loved his passion but that 800k contract that he was asking for is now a distant memory one thinks

I can't see him ever getting a top tier contract again.

 

[TheDefinitionOfMadness]

AD is a back up player for mine. I can't see him in the halves as I haven't seen creativity from him and we have better options

To'a has come along much better than I thought and with the appearance of makasini later this year AD will be the odd man out.

I'd re-sign on a low wage short term contract if he's happy with that. I do think he might prosper elsewhere though.

Pity because much like Twal he gives it his all and seems a decent bloke. We just have better options now and to win you need to be ruthless

 

[Tigerm]

AD is a back up player for mine. I can't see him in the halves as I haven't seen creativity from him and we have better options

To'a has come along much better than I thought and with the appearance of makasini later this year AD will be the odd man out.

I'd re-sign on a low wage short term contract if he's happy with that. I do think he might prosper elsewhere though.

Pity because much like Twal he gives it his all and seems a decent bloke. We just have better options now and to win you need to be ruthless

Agree, he is not our future.
But we do need a reliable GK and he is, and he hasn't been terrible in the centres so far?
Our last game showed the importance of this.
Api & TDS can kick, but they already do a lot of work.
It's been a problem for us, for ages.

 

[TheDefinitionOfMadness]

No doubt he's worked hard on his goal kicking and there's a massive improvement there. Same with his defence in the centres. That what makes it so hard if we do have to low ball him or let him go. I also like the fact he backs himself and decided he doesn't need a manager.

I'm a big fan of goofy rugby league and always have a massive laugh at a falcon or a ref falling over. I used to love that show with vossy and Gus where they used to highlight these things. Here's an idea (tongue firmly in cheek) the player who scores the try has to take the conversion. Oh the hilarity!

 

[Nutz]

You have to cover injuries. So the question is who to keep, who to upgrade and who to let go.
Just like my Fantasy Coach team, if I was in charge, my budget would be blown after picking just my forwards.

 

[TheDefinitionOfMadness]

My offer would be $200 to $250k. I'd offer him 1 year at a time. Gives us flexibility if and when better players come through the juniors or on the open market. It also gives him flexibility if a better offer came along.

I know it's not what he's after but as the rolling stones said 'you can't always get what you want'

 

[Tigerm]

My offer would be $200 to $250k. I'd offer him 1 year at a time. Gives us flexibility if and when better players come through the juniors or on the open market. It also gives him flexibility if a better offer came along.

I know it's not what he's after but as the rolling stones said 'you can't always get what you want'

I think he's playing for a contract, he probably believes he is worth more than we will offer, so he'll go to market and see who has some cash.
His injury history is against him though.

 

[Benchtiger]

AD has been good and his goal kicking is a bonus, if he can stay fit it won't be the worst signing in the world as he is also versatile.

 

[Nutz]

I can't see him ever getting a top tier contract again.

Really depends on how he plays the rest of the season. He's now playing for his future. That's what we need, a bit of desperation.
Scenario.
For the rest of the year he plays solid and kicks goals. In a few games he stars, set up tries etc etc.
November 1 comes along and teams who didn't make the 8 with have their reviews and wammo, AD gets snapped up. (snapped, not a good word in this scenario)
I'm hoping he does brain it, good for us, good for him.
He does the opposite, then it's bye bye AD.

 

[Tigerm]

This would be interesting, if true.

 

[Ned Kelly]

This would be interesting, if true.

Jo Blow talked with AAron Woods and he might come out of retirement to play for the Tigers.

 

[Ron's_Mate]

Jo Blow talked with AAron Woods and he might come out of retirement to play for the Tigers.

May can play 75 minutes and Woodsy will do the extra 5.

 

[Nutz]

Jo Blow talked with AAron Woods and he might come out of retirement to play for the Tigers.

I don't want him if his latest social media clip is any indication of his values. Quacks like a duck.

 

[Nutz]

I don't want him if his latest social media clip is any indication of his values. Quacks like a duck.

Further to that his older brother has been totally exemplary with his demeanor and work ethics.
If he can work with his brother and sort out his issues and have him turn out similar to him then fair enough, lets go.

 

[Tigerm]

Further to that his older brother has been totally exemplary with his demeanor and work ethics.
If he can work with his brother and sort out his issues and have him turn out similar to him then fair enough, lets go.

TBH, he sounds like a real dipshit, but if he can add value to the team, at a low $ and kept away from SM, I'd sign him in a heartbeat.
I would have thought he'd be a bit quieter if he was wanting to come back.
I don't know him at all, but maybe he's just a loud mouth who happens to be a good footballer.
Getting us in the top 8 and above tends to soften your approach to anybody.

 

[Nutz]

TBH, he sounds like a real dipshit, but if he can add value to the team, at a low $ and kept away from SM, I'd sign him in a heartbeat.
I would have thought he'd be a bit quieter if he was wanting to come back.
I don't know him at all, but maybe he's just a loud mouth who happens to be a good footballer.
Getting us in the top 8 and above tends to soften your approach to anybody.

That's sounds good mate.
Raw talent like that is hard to ignore but Benji seems to have a family first attitude, and whilst that sounded off putting to the journos, it's actually working for him.
Several players, including Luai, have commented of how they admire Benji's values.
If players want to go into battle for their club, coach and supporters then things will improve in the joint.
How young May sits with Benji will be interesting. He may even act a bit more like a role model rather than just being his coach.
Remember a while ago I commented on a person sounding like a duck? Well it turned out that way.
Some people act a certain way in life and end up doing the same things but worse down the line.
The leadership group we have now are some of the best weve had over the years. Even Hunt who is a big lump of a lad, is out there doing pr work with the kids.