War Chest - 2014 to 2015

[BrotherJim05]

With the departure of Marshall, Ayshford, Pettyborne, and a host of others (most likely), combined with no longer having to pay out contracts for players at other clubs, we will have a giant war chest for 2014-2015.

We have already signed a number of quality players, but I haven't seen the signing that will make the headlines. So I ask this, who should we chase?

2014 - SBW (why not at least make a run at him)

2015 - James Graham or Ryan Hoffman would be outstanding.

Thoughts?

 

[azsportza]

SBW, yer if we have the cash. But can't see him jumping from the Roosters.

As for James Graham, by 2015 he could be home sick and want to return to England. As for Hoffman, he is part of the woodwork at the Storm. Would have to be big cash for him. But I don't think he is someone we need.

We have top junior props coming through, Nathan Brown for example. We signed Martin Taupau from the Dogs, he will be prime in 2015.

If we are going to open the War Chest, it needs to be a superstar name, I don't think Graham or Hoffman fit that.

 

[Marshall_magic]

Graham would be nice, Sonny won't come to us and Hoffman is another average footballer made to look great by the Storm's structure.

 

[magpie guy]

We need a big second rower with impact and a good engine. Something in a Watmough/Gallen or Thaiday model without too many miles for 2014-16. Problem is not many names come to mind that are off contract and would come to the Tigers.

We also need to keep a bit of the warchest in reserve to upgrade contracts for juniors and as a backup plan if a key player suffers a long term injury or leaves.
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Thankfully we seem to be pretty much sorted other than that and the money can be saved or used to really strengthen our pack.

 

[sensesmaybenumbed]

Bother Jim, I agree that someone of Grahams calibre would be a great signing, but Hoffman?

No way.

First of all he's contracted to the Storm until the end of 2014.
That means he'd be 31 at the start of the 2015 season and would be in the twilight of his career. Certainly not the marquee signing you'd want to spend big on.

We'd be much better off throwing the money at another good starting prop and developing the other young forwards we have now IMO.
Farah was born just a few days before Hoffman as well - and we'd also need to start planning for the next 9 to complete the (hopefully good) spine of Brooks, Moses and Tedesco.

 

[diggo]

We need a damaging runner, not a plodder.

George Burgess please.

 

[Tiger05]

We need a damaging runner, not a plodder.

George Burgess please.

This is the only player that I think we should really be going after. It doesn't have to be him but a big damaging runner of the footy. If we had a player like that our pack would be close to one of the best if not the best in the comp assuming we keep the current players and they keep performing to the level they can.

BMM is really starting to fulfill some of his potential. Maybe Sirro will slot into the 2nd row and he is starting to look special as well. If we had Sirro on the left and George Burgess on the right side we would look great.

 

[brooksy19]

George Burgess yes. f**k souths.

 

[BrotherJim05]

I agree with majority of these comments, and yes, didn't realise how old Hoffman is so don't think he would be a good signing.

It just came to my attention that Aaron Woods will be off contract so no brainer that we resign him for a substantial contract as other clubs will no doubt be chasing him.

If Blair stays in the front row and BMM becomes an impact bench front rower then I actually don't think we need any more props. I really just can't think of any back rowers who will be available to come to tigers. Not any game changers at least.

If we could somehow snag the Burgess family....wow

 

[BrotherJim05]

unless we just keep the money predominantly for retention.

 

[Tiger05]

I really just can't think of any back rowers who will be available to come to tigers. Not any game changers at least.

The thing is there are very few players that would provide what we require. I think Siro might turn into a gun wide running ball playing 2nd rower and I think that would suit us but he might also slot into the halves. Fulton is a great player but an impact backrower on the right would really help us - then again if our pack starts going forward more regularly I think Fulton looks better because his running ability is pretty good.

 

[Matchball]

Burgesses won't leave Russell, not even for money. Forget them.
I expect Potter to have a few surprises, maybe some English imports of our own.

 

[Perth Tiger]

The only piece we are missing is a wide running impact second rower similar to Dwyer or Ellis. Problem is I can't think on many in the game at the moment who we could reasonable expect to sign.

Assuming the young halfs come on as good as everyone seems to expect, I think we have enough quality to compete for finals and GFs in the next 2-3 years

 

[TrigaTheTiger]

We are doing a great job with the juniors, and it looks like there are a stack more in the wings.

But NO club can expect to compete year in year out with just local talent. The odds of having players in EVERY position are astronomical.

Given the current structure of the club, we need a big hard running forward - prop or second row doesn't matter. And I don't think it matters how old the guy is either.

Its a well known fact that forwards mature later in their careers, so someone awesome, at say 28 will give us a good four years of service. What more do you want?

I agree with MB. I expect the majority of our signings to come from the UK in the near term.