Rumours (signings, sackings & other NRL stuff)

[Tigerm]

Well, it worked the other day

I see we got the emoji's back?

 

[Nutz]

Well, it worked the other day

Mine didn't

 

[Nutz]

Who would want to be in charge of keeping a club's cap under wraps.
I think we have done a wonderful job considering the ever moving goal posts.
I mean by separating the recruitment issues and deal with the cap alone....whew what a job!
The salary cap rises from $11.25m to $11.4m next year, $11.55m in 2026 and $11.7m in 2027.
It's not that much but don't forget about Supplementary cap. I wonder if it's the club's same department that runs with all the various allowances and concessions bla bla bla.
So that 300k a year can offset Luai's contract a little.
Our code is hurtling along and our cap will be enormous in say 10 years.
The more people who watch the sport the more our game is worth to fox, 9 and other sponsors.
I just read that channel 7 maybe putting in a bidding to broadcast the game and also they may be starting a RL program next year.

Just a thought, in 1990 the NSWRL introduced the cap of $800k

 

[Nutz]

Good morning Tm and everyone else on LU Forum.
How long before rd1

 

[Tigerm]

Good morning Tm and everyone else on LU Forum.
How long before rd1

Ha, too long, once again they've got me believing that this year will be different, happens every year, I guess.
There is certainly reason to be optimistic.
But it's a long wait to see if it's true. Our first game (preseason) is Sunday 16 Feb-5.30, 12 weeks.
Still plenty of time for our squad to change.

 

[Nutz]

Ha, too long, once again they've got me believing that this year will be different, happens every year, I guess.
There is certainly reason to be optimistic.
But it's a long wait to see if it's true. Our first game (preseason) is Sunday 16 Feb-5.30, 12 weeks.
Still plenty of time for our squad to change.

Wow, only 12wks to go. That will go pretty quick as, like you said, plenty of time for changes.
I really hope that we get some more good news because we're on a roll.
I'd be happy if we get news that Sione Fainu and Big Red have contacts moving fwd.
Possibly Bateman going. Sullivan too but I feel for the guy.
Apart from holding a spot up, the upside is he and Latu are great depth players if Api is on rep duties and heavens to bid another injury to anyone of our inside backs.
Same goes with AD.
AD will be in the starting side if he's still around by rd1. It's the way Wests Tigers roll.

 

[Tiger05]

AD will be in the starting side if he's still around by rd1. It's the way Wests Tigers roll.

I can't see it happening. His performances have been atrocious. Remember how he came back and played a great game ? From that point on he was terrible.

I don't know how he can be picked.

As a half or fullback he is miles behind Latu, Luai. Galvin, Sullivan, Bula, Turuva and To'a.
As a centre he is miles behind Olam, Turuva, To'a, Staines, Faatape (on a dev contract) and probably even Naden and Feledy. Hopefully Makasini comes into the team this season as well.

The only spot I can see him making it as a right edge backrower. He might be quick in that position. The problem is his defense is consistently terrible.

12 weeks to go is unreal though. I can't wait.

 

[Nutz]

I can't see it happening. His performances have been atrocious. Remember how he came back and played a great game ? From that point on he was terrible.

I don't know he can be picked.

As a half or fullback he is miles behind Latu, Luai. Galvin, Sullivan, Bula, Turuva and To'a.
As a centre he is miles behind Olam, Turuva, To'a, Staines, Faatape (on a dev contract) and probably even Naden and Feledy. Hopefully Makasini comes into the team this season as well.

The only spot I can see him making it as a right edge backrower. He might be quick in that position. The problem is his defense is consistently terrible.

12 weeks to go is unreal though. I can't wait.

I'm not saying I want it or agree with it. I'm just saying that's how WT roll.
Well before his return, after his knee was given the all clear, I said he will play and he did. Remember that long range try he scored by out pacing a speedy opponent. That may stick in their minds.
I'd rather someone like To'a who can defend as well as a more complete backs capability.
When he came back from injury, he looked really sharp, and I thought, he we go, the guys got his mojo back....then he got injured again.
Remind me of this post when AD gets picked or left out. (providing he's still here if course)
Wests Tigers have done crazier things before

 

[Tiger05]

I'm not saying I want it or agree with it. I'm just saying that's how WT roll.

We've also been crap for years on end. I really hope the coaching staff get these decisions right.

 

[Tigerm]

Didn’t we cop shit over similar with Farah and Pascoe and he was sin binned from work for many months, from memory.

 

[Tigerm]

Didn’t we cop shit over similar with Farah and Pascoe and he was sin binned from work for many months, from memory.

Unofficial: Hearing Ben Hunt will sign with the Brisbane Broncos early this week - 550k per year over 2 years.
————————-
That’s cheap, surely this needs to be reviewed.

 

[Nutz]

We've also been crap for years on end. I really hope the coaching staff get these decisions right.

It's why I said, that's how the WT role.
The only new face in the joint that can stop the irrational decision making is Richo.
We needed Richo around when Brooks was last upgraded and extended, and extended and...

 

[Tiger05]

It's why I said, that's how the WT role.
The only new face in the joint that can stop the irrational decision making is Richo.
We needed Richo around when Brooks was last upgraded and extended, and extended and...

Doueihi will be Benji's decision but my take is the club has overrated him for years since he talks it up and does have some awesome moments on the field. If you just watch the highlights he is great. The problem is the lowlights are terrible.

 

[Tiger05]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-2025-dragons-close-in-on-lachlan-ilias-as-rabbitohs-consider-signing-matt-lodge/news-story/c40f5106cbb440d068abb43f4b615edf

Unwanted Wests Tigers star John Bateman’s future in the NRL is on shaky ground after his main potential suitor is poised to terminate its interest in the back-rower.

Dean Ritchie, Brent Read and David Riccio
November 24, 2024 - 4:23PM

Manly is poised to terminate interest in backrower John Bateman but the English star is still highly unlikely to remain at Wests Tigers.

This masthead has been told two other NRL clubs have expressed preliminary interest in Bateman, who has two years remaining on his current contract at Concord. His annual salary is about $650,000.

Wests Tigers were prepared to pay Manly about $300,000 a season to take Bateman but a roster-full Sea Eagles are reluctant to move any players for the Englishman.

Manly hasn’t totally dismissed Bateman but the odds of him playing at Brookvale are lengthening.

Bateman’s fallout with Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall all but guarantees the ex-Canberra grand final forward won’t be at Concord in 2025.

There have even been suggestions Wests Tigers would be prepared to pay more than $300,000 a season for a rival club to sign Bateman.

The dispute between Marshall and Bateman is deep.

Bateman’s manager Isaac Moses has been shopping his client around to rival clubs.

Moses manages North Queensland coach Todd Payten, Newcastle mentor Adam O’Brien and Warriors coach Andrew Webster. The Dragons and Rabbitohs aren’t interested in Bateman.

Moses isn’t likely to make a final decision on Bateman until later this year.

While there is curiosity, most clubs aren’t prepared to pursue Bateman. At 31, some clubs deem him a “risky” buy.

This masthead spoke with multiple clubs on Sunday and all insisted that Bateman wouldn’t be at Wests Tigers next season.

While stellar during his stint at Canberra, Bateman’s form was modest last season at the Tigers but it is understood two NRL sides have interest.

Manly would have needed to shift two players for Bateman, a risk the club appears unlikely to take.

 

[Fordy20]

Wests Tigers were prepared to pay Manly about $300,000 a season to take Bateman but a roster-full Sea Eagles are reluctant to move any players for the Englishman.

I wonder if the issue is cap space or roster spots. If it's just cap space, perhaps they would be interested in a different player who is surplus to requirements, like Doueihi, Staines or Naden.

To be fair, they have already taken they have already taken Brooks, Talau and Simpkin. Asking them to take someone else is probably a bit much.

 

[Fordy20]

Part of my recruitment theory is to matey-proof the side.

Get enough good players to lessen the adverse impacts of poor preparation, Pinto planning, a bent bench, supine selections and a total lack of off field leadership.

I don't have reactions or likes at the moment, TSP, but I love this. If anyone can replicate Scott Prince's success, of coming into side and delivering a premiership in spite of the coaching, it's Luai. No wonder Richo pulled out all the stops to make sure we got him.

 

[Tigerm]

.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-2025-dragons-close-in-on-lachlan-ilias-as-rabbitohs-consider-signing-matt-lodge/news-story/c40f5106cbb440d068abb43f4b615edf

Unwanted Wests Tigers star John Bateman’s future in the NRL is on shaky ground after his main potential suitor is poised to terminate its interest in the back-rower.

Dean Ritchie, Brent Read and David Riccio
November 24, 2024 - 4:23PM

Manly is poised to terminate interest in backrower John Bateman but the English star is still highly unlikely to remain at Wests Tigers.

This masthead has been told two other NRL clubs have expressed preliminary interest in Bateman, who has two years remaining on his current contract at Concord. His annual salary is about $650,000.

Wests Tigers were prepared to pay Manly about $300,000 a season to take Bateman but a roster-full Sea Eagles are reluctant to move any players for the Englishman.

Manly hasn’t totally dismissed Bateman but the odds of him playing at Brookvale are lengthening.

Bateman’s fallout with Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall all but guarantees the ex-Canberra grand final forward won’t be at Concord in 2025.

There have even been suggestions Wests Tigers would be prepared to pay more than $300,000 a season for a rival club to sign Bateman.

The dispute between Marshall and Bateman is deep.

Bateman’s manager Isaac Moses has been shopping his client around to rival clubs.

Moses manages North Queensland coach Todd Payten, Newcastle mentor Adam O’Brien and Warriors coach Andrew Webster. The Dragons and Rabbitohs aren’t interested in Bateman.

Moses isn’t likely to make a final decision on Bateman until later this year.

While there is curiosity, most clubs aren’t prepared to pursue Bateman. At 31, some clubs deem him a “risky” buy.

This masthead spoke with multiple clubs on Sunday and all insisted that Bateman wouldn’t be at Wests Tigers next season.

While stellar during his stint at Canberra, Bateman’s form was modest last season at the Tigers but it is understood two NRL sides have interest.

Manly would have needed to shift two players for Bateman, a risk the club appears unlikely to take.

Will be interesting what they do with him, if they can't off load him.
Will he see 1st Grade again, unless we are desperate.
It will be expensive, but you don't want him derailing the side.
Though, I think/hope some club will want him.

 

[Tiger05]

.

Will be interesting what they do with him, if they can't off load him.
Will he see 1st Grade again, unless we are desperate.
It will be expensive, but you don't want him derailing the side.
Though, I think/hope some club will want him.

It sounds like he is gonski no matter what. I think the issue is it was such a dud contract we can't get rid of him. I think it might end up being a payout but it won't be the full amount.

I think that right edge backrow position is our worst and he is the best guy for the role but I'm fine with him going as well.

 

[Nutz]

I don't have reactions or likes at the moment, TSP, but I love this. If anyone can replicate Scott Prince's success, of coming into side and delivering a premiership in spite of the coaching, it's Luai. No wonder Richo pulled out all the stops to make sure we got him.

Spot on. Luai brings that outside winning influence that hopefully, will put some energy and excitement back into the club.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

I don't have reactions or likes at the moment, TSP, but I love this. If anyone can replicate Scott Prince's success, of coming into side and delivering a premiership in spite of the coaching, it's Luai. No wonder Richo pulled out all the stops to make sure we got him.

Thanks,I appreciate the gesture.

I think he’s our best signing for a decade.

Panther buddies such as @soc123_au had been giving us cryptic clues months in advance that the Panthers had decided to release him.

In the cut and thrust of threading the needle for multiple gf opportunities, they had to back their r&r system and they couldn’t get near his market value.

And their r&r system is weapons grade stuff. All those players released and they still smug on. No single player, however good, can disturb their process.


There’s a theory doing the rounds that the brilliance of Nate and co were actually holding him back. Optimistic and we don’t know yet.

I’ve had the time to think about Benji, I am really surprised that he himself thought he was ready to coach. I suppose he thought he’d miss out forever.

If he’d stepped aside, he could have been blessed with a much better squad in a few years.

But obviously JL is impressed with him and May turning up is great.

I wish Benji well, but he’s not in my top 5 unemployed coaches.

Thanks again.