then Seyfarth is arguably the best option at present.
Agreed but that makes second row a major hole in the squad.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
It’s the reason I’d love Frizell. He has a ton of experience on the edge, he’s a great professional, very fit so assume great trainer & is still playing well. For 2 years he’d be a very good signing. It’d likely be a substantial drop in money. As we will be looking at upgrades elsewhere & fitting in Sione at least then I doubt very much this would happen.Alex did play 2nd row as a teenager & was picked for NSW u19s. He also was Flegg player of year where he played 2nd row & lock so he has some background on the edge. But last 5 years he’s played about 55-60 of his 72 games in the middle.Both Alex & Samuela showed some positive signs in the edge, Samuela in particular although he did have more games in the position too. They struggled at times defensively but as both have been playing their careers in the middle it’s probably not surprising. As the club is now flush with middles & not so much edge backrowers, especially if JB goes, then Seyfarth is arguably the best option at present. And given he played the final 3 games of this year on the edge it’d seem that’s where they might see him playing. Unless JB stays or they can find another should he go then it’s probably the way to go. And Alex could improve just as we all envisage Samuela doing.
Star recruit Jack Bird has solved one of the Wests Tigers’ pre-season conundrums - where he has been earmarked to play next season.
Sport Con can reveal that Bird and coach Benji Marshall have spoken about him wearing the No.13 jersey and playing in the middle of the field as part of the revamped Tigers outfit.
“I have been training at 13 a little bit,” Bird said.
“That’s really up to Benji and the coaching staff but I think the chats I have had with Benj, he wants me to play at 13 and just try to get used to that role again.
“I played there at the Dragons a few years back but it has been a while since I played in the middle.
“That is the idea of me trying to get fit and get the lungs back to play at the capacity Benji wants me to play at.
“Obviously training and game speed are a lot different but I have been training well I think. The plan is to play at 13.”
Bird is among a slew of signings that have raised optimism at the Tigers as they prepare to end their three-year streak of wooden spoons.
The 29-year-old has returned to preseason in good shape with a point to prove after being let go by the Dragons with one year remaining on his deal.
I like the idea of having a much more stable squad this year than we have had over recent years where we have been still signing people deep into January. If you want Bird to play 13, Seyfarth to play 2RF or Hunt to play more minutes then decide that at the start of pre season and train them aerobically and skills wise to be a success come round 1. We have chopped and changed and played so many different styles intra season the last few years. I would love just to have a game plan you think will work and stick to it.
I like the idea of having a much more stable squad this year than we have had over recent years where we have been still signing people deep into January. If you want Bird to play 13, Seyfarth to play 2RF or Hunt to play more minutes then decide that at the start of pre season and train them aerobically and skills wise to be a success come round 1. We have chopped and changed and played so many different styles intra season the last few years. I would love just to have a game plan you think will work and stick to it.
Couldn't agree more
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
The comments about Seyfarth are interesting.
He’s too slow to play on the edge.
Conversely, anyone who thinks he is a middle forward needs to watch a replay of Round 2 last year vs Canberra. ‘Big Red’ got smashed on every carry and steamrolled in defence.
He’s not NRL standard. Never was, never will be.
While I’m writing, Taane Milne released from his Souths contract. I hope this frees them up to sign Bateman, Sullivan or Naden.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DC9MD1OTG28/comments/ Bateman to Souths rumour overnight
https://www.instagram.com/p/DC9MD1OTG28/comments/ Bateman to Souths rumour overnight
Got to get him off the books asap.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Such a shame about Bateman, at one stage I was thinking perhaps he and Benji should bury the hatchet and he stays, however the more I think about it the more I get the feeling most of this is on Bateman and not Benji. He was given the captaincy an vice captaincy and we were horrible from a performance and discipline perspective and he often led the way with his poor on field discipline. I would have given him a massive spray if I was his coach and the fact he threw the toys out of the cot and pissed off to the UK shows the lack of character and commitment he has for the club....thank you Tim Sheens for another shitty recruitment decision and good riddance ( i hope)John.
Standby, Johnny Bateman might be about to alight at the next stop.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
https://www.instagram.com/p/DC9MD1OTG28/comments/ Bateman to Souths rumour overnight
Would be great to Paste Screen Shots here so that discussion can continue
FORMER Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors forward John Bateman is set to sign with a new club.
Bateman’s future has been up in the air following a public fallout with Wests Tigers boss Benji Marshall earlier in the year, with the back-rower making a loan move to Warrington for the remainder of the 2024 Super League season.
That loan deal would not be made permanent, with Bateman keen on returning to Wests to fulfil the remainder of his four-year contract.
However, the Tigers have been keen to move on the 31-year-old, who still has two years left to run on his contract.
Wests, in their eagerness to get rid of Bateman, have been willing to pay over $300,000 of his $650,000 contract to move the back-rower on.
A move to the Manly Sea Eagles was previously touted, but they pulled out due to the focus on a younger squad, and now The Daily Telegraph has revealed that Bateman is set to sign with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Of course, the Rabbitohs are now coached by former England boss Wayne Bennett and the two enjoyed a good relationship following the two-year spell Bennett had with the national team.
Interesting reading other team’s forums. I had a little visit on the Souths forum to see what they thought about Bateman. Most seemed to feel he was more trouble than he’s worth.
There is the tired old cliche that “Wayne will get the best out of him” and that he’s looked poor cause he’s been playing in a bad team 🙄
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
I haven’t read any other forums but I think JB has something to offer but not at the money the Tigers are paying him. And I think that’s the real issue. For a team wanting to add depth to their backrow he could provide value if paid around average wage for an NRL player, about $400,000. I think $350,000 would be a pretty decent deal if a club was willing to pay that. The risk of him underperforming isn’t as great when paid that much. He could perform at a level that might provide value, who knows. And for 2 years it’d give you time to bring through a good, young player.Interesting reading other team’s forums. I had a little visit on the Souths forum to see what they thought about Bateman. Most seemed to feel he was more trouble than he’s worth.
There is the tired old cliche that “Wayne will get the best out of him” and that he’s looked poor cause he’s been playing in a bad team 🙄
