What's new
The Front Row Forums

Register a free account today to become a member of the world's largest Rugby League discussion forum! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Rumours (signings, sackings & other NRL stuff)

WA Tiger

Bench
Messages
4,697
I hope you’re proven right, but I think I will be 😂. Benji was instrumental is signing Jayden Sullivan, I have nothing against Sullivan but he is proof that Benji probably shouldn’t be the one signing the talent. I don’t think Hunt is a dud by any means, I just don’t think he is our man, he is 29 years old has played the way he plays his whole career, it’s hard work teaching an old dog new tricks. I would rather have spent a few more dollars on RCG, whose style I think would suit us and he can play a few more minute than Royce.

Royce has averaged 6 runs for 63m and 13 tackles a game this year. RCG 13 runs 124m 28 tackles more tackle breaks, more line breaks & line break assists and far less errors.

Stats aren’t everything but everything Hunt offers we already have. He’s very average in a pack that is a cut above ours, he plays off the back of a pack that has pretty good go forward and still returns bog average stats. Anyways I’ll be happy to have a big serve of humble pie if he cuts the mustard.

I love Horsburgh too but I wouldn’t sign him now we have Hunt. They’re sort of the same, Horsburgh is a better player than Hunt. The next forward has to be a proper meat axe with a some ball skills - Jai Arrow, Victor Radley, Cam Murray, Angus Crichton or Liam Martin style would be great for us, or alternatively a rangy ball player like Isaiah Yeo, Sean Lane and I really think Kai Pearce- Paul has the talent to be a freak
Only in dreamland will the minted top players like RCG seek us out… We have to take other avenues like lucky timing and players that are excess to requirements coz of a gun taking their place like with Hunt.. Later they will come but not yet.. To say Benji has proven he’s not up to recruiting because of Sullivan is reaching a bit considering the other recruits he’s brought in..The good signings can’t all be attributed to Richo.. Benjis involved as well and seems to have influence
 
Last edited:

Nutz

First Grade
Messages
5,048
I'd honestly consider having Latu and TDS on the bench in first grade assuming we are at full strength.
Why? Who are they coming on for?
These days because the game is so quick you need a utility to give api a breather and also cover an injury in the backline. I'm convinced Latu can do this.
Your bench will be an impact middle - Hunt, two workhorses and a utility.
I'll see if I can find the short vid of latu playing dummy half...killed it.
I want Taylan to play 80 min a game in reserve grade and come into the NRL if Api is injured or unavailable, you could possibly have both Taylan and Latu playing in that scenario.
 

Tiger Ted

Bench
Messages
3,230
I hope you’re proven right, but I think I will be 😂. Benji was instrumental is signing Jayden Sullivan, I have nothing against Sullivan but he is proof that Benji probably shouldn’t be the one signing the talent. I don’t think Hunt is a dud by any means, I just don’t think he is our man, he is 29 years old has played the way he plays his whole career, it’s hard work teaching an old dog new tricks. I would rather have spent a few more dollars on RCG, whose style I think would suit us and he can play a few more minute than Royce.

Royce has averaged 6 runs for 63m and 13 tackles a game this year. RCG 13 runs 124m 28 tackles more tackle breaks, more line breaks & line break assists and far less errors.

Stats aren’t everything but everything Hunt offers we already have. He’s very average in a pack that is a cut above ours, he plays off the back of a pack that has pretty good go forward and still returns bog average stats. Anyways I’ll be happy to have a big serve of humble pie if he cuts the mustard.

I love Horsburgh too but I wouldn’t sign him now we have Hunt. They’re sort of the same, Horsburgh is a better player than Hunt. The next forward has to be a proper meat axe with a some ball skills - Jai Arrow, Victor Radley, Cam Murray, Angus Crichton or Liam Martin style would be great for us, or alternatively a rangy ball player like Isaiah Yeo, Sean Lane and I really think Kai Pearce- Paul has the talent to be a freak
Apparently the precious wanka RCG knocked us back.
 

Pezz70

Juniors
Messages
1,977
Only in dreamland will the minted top players like RCG seek us out… We have to take other avenues like lucky timing and players that are excess to requirements coz of a gun taking their place like with Hunt.. Later they will come but not yet.. To say Benji has proven he’s not up to recruiting because of Sullivan is reaching a bit considering the other recruits he’s brought in..The good signings can’t all be attributed to Richo.. Benjis involved as well and seems to have influence
That’s the reality of it, you either have to part with a bit more cash or take a chance on someone running around in lower grades, with similar qualities, it’s a bit of a catch 22, both scenarios have a bit of risk, but by the same token you don’t just go spend money on somebody who’s been unable to nail a permanent NRL spot despite a few years of trying, no matter the reason.

As for your Benji comments I agree but I wouldn’t let him have cart blanche over signings they need to be properly scrutinised. Don’t mind Sulllivan but I think we paid overs for him when his prospects were always limited as an NRL regular. I think Benji has done a pretty fair job this year, I’m more confident that we’re on the up than I have been in the last three or four years.
 

Tiger05

First Grade
Messages
9,600
Why? Who are they coming on for?

Api should get at least a 20 minute break per game and TDS comes on.

Latu I think comes on as a 3rd play maker in the middle.

The issue is we would be short a middle forward on the bench but my take is we can make it work.

I want Taylan to play 80 min a game in reserve grade and come into the NRL if Api is injured or unavailable, you could possibly have both Taylan and Latu playing in that scenario.

I get that but I just think those 3 players look so good and we need to push their development in first grade.
 

Nutz

First Grade
Messages
5,048
Api should get at least a 20 minute break per game and TDS comes on.

Latu I think comes on as a 3rd play maker in the middle.

The issue is we would be short a middle forward on the bench but my take is we can make it work.



I get that but I just think those 3 players look so good and we need to push their development in first grade.
We'll respectively agree to disagree mate. I'm moving on.
 

Nutz

First Grade
Messages
5,048
They can have all 3. There is a lot of talent there as well. I just don't see us having a decent year if any of those players is in the top grade at all next season. Bateman would walk into our starting team now but on a value for money basis he is a train wreck.
I can't see AD and Johnny having the right DNA for the Sharks. AD is a terrible defender...I should add that he's terrible in situations that he finds himself uncomfortable with, and Johnny is ill disciplined.
I think Bud would go OK but they don't need him with Anderson, a handy backup to their already starhalves pairing.
It's not just a matter of giving the Sharks players, they have to either be valuable or we throw in money, the latter I think. They have AFB covered so I was told, but after that they maybe tight for cash retaining their roster.
I'm not overly sure we are going to give them players. Time will tell.
 

Nutz

First Grade
Messages
5,048
The next forward has to be a proper meat axe with a some ball skills - Jai Arrow, Victor Radley, Cam Murray, Angus Crichton or Liam Martin style would be great for us, or alternatively a rangy ball player like Isaiah Yeo, Sean Lane and I really think Kai Pearce- Paul has the talent to be a freak
Gee mate our war chest won't cover those boys.
Wests Tigers chased RCG and was told "No chance" as reported on 360.
As I said before, he's getting old and he wanted 3yrs, at a higher price than Hunt. To me that's too big a gamble.
After RCG's cold shoulder there simply isn't a mongrel out there at a price that won't destroy our cap.
 
Last edited:

Pezz70

Juniors
Messages
1,977
Gee mate our war chest won't cover those boys.
Wests Tigers chased RCG and was told "No chance" as reported on 360.
As I said before, he's getting old and he wanted 3yrs, at a higher price than Hunt. To me that's too big a gamble.
After RCG's cold shoulder there simply isn't a mongrel out there at a price that won't destroy our cap.
RCG is worth twice the money of Hunt, way better player. In terms of the others mentioned you only need one, not all, but they’re definitely the ‘type’ of player we need to look at. Bateman at his best could play with these blokes but he has been very underwhelming at the Tigers. We really lack that one man in the pack with the huge motor and some reasonable ball skills. It would make a huge difference.
 

Tigerm

Coach
Messages
10,574

Retired champion Eels Brett Kenny, Ray Price, Eric Grothe Snr, Eric Grothe Jnr, Ben Smith and David Liddiard have all thrown their support behind the Make Parra Matter Again committee who are calling for signatures to force an Extraordinary General Meeting.

The committee has hatched a plan calling on eligible Parramatta Leagues club voting members to sign a petition which allows them to call for an overhaul of the current Leagues Club directors.

If the group is successful in overthrowing the current Parramatta Leagues Club board then they can push to overthrow the Eels directors on the existing Parramatta NRL board.
-------------------
Losing clubs generally suffer this reaction, it's just that we can't overthrow the owners.
 

Nutz

First Grade
Messages
5,048
RCG is worth twice the money of Hunt, way better player. In terms of the others mentioned you only need one, not all, but they’re definitely the ‘type’ of player we need to look at. Bateman at his best could play with these blokes but he has been very underwhelming at the Tigers. We really lack that one man in the pack with the huge motor and some reasonable ball skills. It would make a huge difference.
Mate alright already, you've made your point,I totally agree RCG is a Top player, a Kangaroo and i'd give my left nut to have him in our team but for the money and age I'm not sold. But forget him, he's no chance of coming, never was, never will.
It's fine to keep saying the obvious about the type of player we need but with every suggestion try to come up with a viable recommendation. A player who is available. Otherwise what's the point??? I'd love to have the Panthers skipper, is he available no, will he come to us, no.
 

Pezz70

Juniors
Messages
1,977
Mate alright already, you've made your point,I totally agree RCG is a Top player, a Kangaroo and i'd give my left nut to have him in our team but for the money and age I'm not sold. But forget him, he's no chance of coming, never was, never will.
It's fine to keep saying the obvious about the type of player we need but with every suggestion try to come up with a viable recommendation. A player who is available. Otherwise what's the point??? I'd love to have the Panthers skipper, is he available no, will he come to us, no.
It’s up to Benji to find them, not me. I think you’re lost in the semantics, I’m not hell bent on any particular bloke coming to the Tigers, rather the type of players that will improve the team. I don’t think blokes like Royce Hunt will take us forward, it’s more a status quo signing, he’s about 10kg over weight and is lucky to play half a game, the fact that the Sharks are letting him walk says plenty (6 runs and 63m a game isn’t the sort of output that will drive the Tigers forward) Look at the past we’ve signed better players than Hunt, take Tamou and Klemmer (both considered leaders) and they haven’t really gone to plan.
 

Nutz

First Grade
Messages
5,048
It’s up to Benji to find them, not me. I think you’re lost in the semantics, I’m not hell bent on any particular bloke coming to the Tigers, rather the type of players that will improve the team. I don’t think blokes like Royce Hunt will take us forward, it’s more a status quo signing, he’s about 10kg over weight and is lucky to play half a game, the fact that the Sharks are letting him walk says plenty (6 runs and 63m a game isn’t the sort of output that will drive the Tigers forward) Look at the past we’ve signed better players than Hunt, take Tamou and Klemmer (both considered leaders) and they haven’t really gone to plan.
That's because there are other fwds that they prefer over Hunt, are they available no. Is any available, that's the point. Hunt has also had his share of injuries hence his limited time in games. Is this a gamble, sure it is.
We are in desperate need of middles. We actually need one more. Without them we could possibly get 4 spoons. The more you lose the bigger the hole gets.
I dont particularly like Horsey but I don't think our pack is going backwards with both him and Hunt. I feel this is going to happen.
I seriously believe the club has been actively engaged in trying to find solutions but the well has dried up and it's a hard sell promoting a poor destination club.
This bloody review and board selection process plus rumblings from Balmain couldn't be helping things either.
It's a double edged sword. Do we grab what's available now or roll over some of our cap hoping for a mid year shuffle then pounce.
A bigger issue at play here is Benji's ongoing tenture as coach is insecure and winning is everything. Benji would be desperate to get an improved team assembled quickly so he can have a full preseason and trials with them.
I really don't know what else to explain to you. Your stating the obvious (things we've all said in the past) but offering no solutions. It's not going to help, we're not in the loop.
 

Tigerm

Coach
Messages
10,574

Nutz

First Grade
Messages
5,048

Hetherington’s manager Chris Haddad confirmed to AAP that five NRL teams have shown interest in the 25-year-old, with the Wests Tigers revealed to be one of the clubs.
——————
Interesting, 5 clubs have shown interest, but only named us?
Because we are the only club in the past to have signed a player at the end of his career that we don't really need and likely to do it again. At least that's what player managers are hoping ;)
 

Tigerm

Coach
Messages
10,574
Because we are the only club in the past to have signed a player at the end of his career that we don't really need and likely to do it again. At least that's what player managers are hoping ;)
Not sure what you mean, Hetherington is only 25.

TBH, I don't know anything about him, is he a dud?
 

Latest posts

Top