Rumours (signings, sackings & other NRL stuff)

[Tigerm]

I agree that an entirely new halves combination is what is required to get us out of this rut.
Brooks is going, Wakemam is just a backup player and there's no banking on AD who's had reoccurring major knee injuries.
When the tigers choose either of their halves they have to consider the other one.
Both halves are important. History has repeated itself over and over that the main players are 9,7,6 and 1. If there is a dud in that lot then they'll be caught out.
Our forwards are nearly set, it's only weakness is depth.
I only wished that our halves were going to be set with Brooks and AD so that we could concentrate on getting some centres but now that's on the backburner because now our halves are a problem. DOH!

Though I like our centre’s and are developing, like the whole back 5 imo.

 

[Ned Kelly]

https://www.zerotackle.com/wests-tigers-express-interest-in-sharks-halfback-158553/



I personally reckon this is a good call. Trindall has looked very much up to it when given the opportunity.

One small thing. He is signed to the sharks until the end of 2025. Still, contracts mean stuff all these days.

 

[Tigerm]

Scott Sattler and Mat Rogers want Tigers to recruit retired star

After Luke Brooks signed a four-year contract with Manly for the end of the season, there are many possibilities that the Tigers could recruit.

www.zerotackle.com

Don’t know much about him these days, but is Michael Morgan worth a talk to?

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Scott Sattler and Mat Rogers want Tigers to recruit retired star

After Luke Brooks signed a four-year contract with Manly for the end of the season, there are many possibilities that the Tigers could recruit.

www.zerotackle.com

Don’t know much about him these days, but is Michael Morgan worth a talk to?

No.

He had a great career but unfortunately sustained a catastrophic career ending injury.

He’s at least 6 months away from competing without coping with the additional physical grief via the injury.

And let’s not put his long term health ( what’s left of it) in danger. It’s not worth it.

Apart from their salaries, players cost a lot to train and keep. Not that we seem to care about money these days.

I hope he has a long and happy retirement.

I remember his “pass of the angels” in Soo no look off the ground, 99.99% contained. One of the best ever thrown.

Brought a tear to the eye, even to a New South Welshperson.

 

[Ron's_Mate]

How Brooks’ exit has put Benji in battle with mentor Bennett
By Adrian Proszenko
June 29, 2023 — 7.48pm

Benji Marshall is on a collision course with his mentor, Wayne Bennett, as he chases a signing scalp that could secure the long-term replacement for departing playmaker Luke Brooks.

Wests Tigers assistant Marshall, who is being groomed to take over from head coach Tim Sheens, met with Latu and Samuela Fainu on Wednesday night. The brothers, currently contracted to Manly, are considered to be two of rugby league’s most promising prospects.

Samuela, a 19-year-old forward, made his first-grade debut in round eight and has made four subsequent NRL appearances this year.

Latu, an 18-year-old halfback, made headlines when he signed a monster Manly deal that made him the highest-paid player still to reach NRL level. The pair are the younger brothers of former Sea Eagles hooker Manase Fainu, who is currently incarcerated after being found guilty of stabbing a man at a Mormon church dance in 2019.

Another sibling, Sione, is a 21-year-old prop who has already made the shift from Sea Eagles to the Tigers.

Manly would like to retain Latu and Samuela, but haven’t the money to do so after a signing splurge. As reported by this masthead, Josh Schuster accepted a three-year, $2.4 million deal that will keep him on the northern beaches until 2027, as well as securing Brooks for four years, Roosters winger Jaxson Paulo for three seasons, and Tigers centre Tommy Talau for two.

Marshall and Tigers recruitment manager Scott Fulton, who has a close relationship with the Fainus from his time at Manly, sat down with Latu and Samuela on Wednesday. After being impressed with the pair, the Tigers agreed to pursue both their signatures and will prepare formal contract offers.

However, the Tigers won’t have it all their own way at the negotiating table. Dolphins coach Bennett - who has coached Marshall at the Broncos, Rabbitohs and New Zealand - is also keen on the Fainu brothers. The seven-time premiership-winning coach has already pitched his vision for them at Redcliffe during a recent meeting. Several other clubs are also monitoring the situation.

It marks the first time Bennett and Marshall have gone for the same players as the former Golden Boot winner attempts to shape his roster before taking on the top job.

The Tigers are in desperate need of a halfback after Brooks’ decision to leave.

In a previous interview with this masthead, Latu said he was driven by the chance to provide for his family.

“I want to buy my mum a house,” he said last year. “To be able to do that would be a dream come true. That’s what I want to do.”

Manly, meanwhile, trumpeted Schuster’s retention.

“Josh has shown his commitment to playing his best football in a Sea Eagles jersey by signing long term for our club on less financial terms than he could of got elsewhere and for less than his current contract,” said Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold.

“I think this shows his commitment to his teammates and club. His best football is in front of him and we look forward to developing Josh into a consistent, high-performing NRL player.”

How Brooks’ exit has put Benji in battle with mentor Bennett

For the first time, Benji Marshall and mentor Wayne Bennett are going head-to-head in the transfer market as they pitch to the same players.

www.smh.com.au

 

[Nutz]

Scott Sattler and Mat Rogers want Tigers to recruit retired star

After Luke Brooks signed a four-year contract with Manly for the end of the season, there are many possibilities that the Tigers could recruit.

www.zerotackle.com

Don’t know much about him these days, but is Michael Morgan worth a talk to?

My thoughts regarding our backs and Morgan TM.
I really rate To'a as one of our centres but I've been saying since he arrived from the Knights that he needs a gun centre to join him.
I like Nado and at his best he's a good centre but not a premiership winning centre imo.
Most top 8 side have at least 1-2 gun centres.
Ramien, Talakai,
Holmes, Hiku, Staggs, Farnworth, Manu, Crichton, Graham.
These players would be awesome to join To'a and you could even throw in players like Kelly, Best, Lomax, Gagai and Olam. Some may have seen their best and of course they're not available but can you see where I'm coming from?
We are at the bottom of the table two years running and it's because we haven't enough marquee backs.
I agree with you that our backs are getting better since the inclusion of our new fullback (a revelation) but I feal we are really missing a Manu type player.
In regards to Morgan.
Who could forget that clutch flick pass in the 2016 GF, that was legendary stuff and 2017 he was awesome.

Even before he hung up the boots I felt that he was falling from grace a little. The shoulder injury was the last thraw.
Don't forget he played a lot of games at ⅝ outside Thurston which made the duo awesome. After NQ's grand final win, Morgan and the Cowboys struggled.
Morgan would partner Drinkwater, Hampton, Te Maire Martin, Clifford and I think there were others as well....maybe?
I always though he was better at ⅝ but that's probably because of Thurston.
After a lengthy spell could he come back and do the job at ½ back?
It's a big call. Has he lost pace? How's the shoulder because it would be tested for sure.
For me there's too many questions that need addressing. If he was to join a well oiled, well coached side then I'm sure he'd go ok but for the Tigers.... it's a no from me unless he comes at a bargain price.

 

[Nutz]

When Benji does his job properly he can comment on recruitment. But he should earn it.

Exactly, I bet you a lot of supporters agree with this.
As a wise old Chinese philosopher once said,
"Do not try to fight men until you have grown pubic hair"

 

[Nutz]

Well Matty John's show has finished, footy finished, so it's off to the cricket...goodnight awl

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Exactly, I bet you a lot of supporters agree with this.
As a wise old Chinese philosopher once said,
"Do not try to fight men until you have grown pubic hair"

Benjis hasn’t done very well with his halves training command and so far it seems from media reports that whenever he’s dipped his toe into recruitment that’s been an abject failure too.

And given that he’s not a qualified coach, he’s getting his teaching from Sheens who promised us a turn around in round 3 and…we are still waiting.

We don’t hear much from Pascoe, Lee and the board these days which is to be expected. That’s been a singular benefit of having a bad season, we don’t have to put up their promises, spin and other rubbIsh.

And of course, we’ve been linked to every player in the NRL except our own.

Quite a few of us were in hysterics after doogies 900k self evaluation, but sadly, that’s looking like unders these days when looking at what’s left of our ugly lot.

I am amazed that the board and top officials still trust each other. Their combined disrespect for us rank and file is breathtaking,

It’s a shame some of our players have to tolerate such poor standards of leadership.

Watching poor Joe get shipped out when he was some distance from being out worst player. I’m still not sure why. That hasn’t worked has it?

 

[Tigerm]

My thoughts regarding our backs and Morgan TM.
I really rate To'a as one of our centres but I've been saying since he arrived from the Knights that he needs a gun centre to join him.
I like Nado and at his best he's a good centre but not a premiership winning centre imo.
Most top 8 side have at least 1-2 gun centres.
Ramien, Talakai,
Holmes, Hiku, Staggs, Farnworth, Manu, Crichton, Graham.
These players would be awesome to join To'a and you could even throw in players like Kelly, Best, Lomax, Gagai and Olam. Some may have seen their best and of course they're not available but can you see where I'm coming from?
We are at the bottom of the table two years running and it's because we haven't enough marquee backs.
I agree with you that our backs are getting better since the inclusion of our new fullback (a revelation) but I feal we are really missing a Manu type player.
In regards to Morgan.
Who could forget that clutch flick pass in the 2016 GF, that was legendary stuff and 2017 he was awesome.
View attachment 76227
Even before he hung up the boots I felt that he was falling from grace a little. The shoulder injury was the last thraw.
Don't forget he played a lot of games at ⅝ outside Thurston which made the duo awesome. After NQ's grand final win, Morgan and the Cowboys struggled.
Morgan would partner Drinkwater, Hampton, Te Maire Martin, Clifford and I think there were others as well....maybe?
I always though he was better at ⅝ but that's probably because of Thurston.
After a lengthy spell could he come back and do the job at ½ back?
It's a big call. Has he lost pace? How's the shoulder because it would be tested for sure.
For me there's too many questions that need addressing. If he was to join a well oiled, well coached side then I'm sure he'd go ok but for the Tigers.... it's a no from me unless he comes at a bargain price.

“After NQ's grand final win, Morgan and the Cowboys struggled.”

A bit like us hahaha

 

[gordsy]

So the press waits for us to sign Morgan, a guy who hasn't played footy for 2 years and has to retire Injured, they then shit can us and when Morgan goes bad they hammer us again. Or we brush him and cop shit for that too. Shame we can't get Harry onto the golf course and have him play Uncle Nick style. Hey whadda ya know the boys both won units.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

So the press waits for us to sign Morgan, a guy who hasn't played footy for 2 years and has to retire Injured, they then shit can us and when Morgan goes bad they hammer us again. Or we brush him and cop shit for that too. Shame we can't get Harry onto the golf course and have him play Uncle Nick style. Hey whadda ya know the boys both won units.

I think we’ve done a good job of taking ourselves out before worrying about the press!

Morgan did everything he could to continue to play. He’d signed a whopping contract and had the world at his feet.

Thence catastrophic injuries.

There’s stories of his last months in the game being spent in perpetual physical agony and psychologically being very down for being unable to meet expectations of others.

Very lonely and dark for marquee. Reminiscent of GI.

He’s squared the league ledger, owes the game nothing.

Leave him be.

 

[Tigerm]

I think we’ve done a good job of taking ourselves out before worrying about the press!

Morgan did everything he could to continue to play. He’d signed a whopping contract and had the world at his feet.

Thence catastrophic injuries.

There’s stories of his last months in the game being spent in perpetual physical agony and psychologically being very down for being unable to meet expectations of others.

Very lonely and dark for marquee. Reminiscent of GI.

He’s squared the league ledger, owes the game nothing.

Leave him be.

But what if he wants to return to the game?

Is he worth having a chat with. We need a credible 7. Surely no harm in talking.

I doubt he would be signed by anybody without a thorough medical.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

But what if he wants to return to the game?

Is he worth having a chat with. We need a credible 7. Surely no harm in talking.

I doubt he would be signed by anybody without a thorough medical.

I hear ya…but sometimes the game needs to protect players from themselves.

He may need to be diverted into something better for him.

I think the RLPA should introduce to him to players who have custard where they used to have muscle.

 

[WA Tiger]

Illias is deadset regressing....and he was not all that to start with. He is no loss to our system.

Ilias must have been something else before he regressed to what he is now

 

[Nutz]

Any chance we can pry David Fafita from the Titans. The guy is an absolute freak of a player. He actually makes my fantasy coach team look good ha ha.

 

[Nutz]

What a mess. Daine Laurie and Bula, the only ones who retain their spots next week, sack the rest.
We need a marquee centre like I've been harping on about it for ages.....need more than just a half.

 

[Benchtiger]

Wakeham lack of pace has been targeted by the opposition for months now and the coaching staff have just ignored the problem, simply put he is not first grade and along with Simpkin, while these two are in our spine we will be lucky to compete let alone win another game.

 

[Fordy20]

What a mess. Daine Laurie and Bula, the only ones who retain their spots next week, sack the rest.
We need a marquee centre like I've been harping on about it for ages.....need more than just a half.

Lomax made your list. The Dragons have told him he's free to leave.

 

[Ned Kelly]

Biggest losing margin in NRL history, most consecutive years of not making the finals and looking like making the history books as the last team to come last in a 16 team competition and the first to come last in a 17 team competition.
The way things are going we will continue to make history like this for years to come.
Well done to everyone concerned.