Hey 2 things ;
1. With AD and how much he’s worth . I know the Lebanese tiger community is pumping his tyres up at the moment , and his performance on Sunday well deserves it , but how can we pay AD 500k , when his actual position in nrl is in jeopardy .
Jacob Andrew’s is a gun , Madden is nearing towards mid 20s and when most Aus schoolboy level talent halves start to develop at least into a serviceable nrl half . Think Blake Green , Matt Orford , even Townsend . Chuck in Latu and Luai …. I don’t see it . Especially in the dry . When we run shape with AD on the edge , the ball dies with him , and I’d love to see his strike rate on capitalising on 3v2 , 4v3 etc. i have succinct memory etched in my brain of him going full hog mode or launching 30m cutouts into row 3, rather than a flat ball , no spin , onto his wingers chest , which for those who don’t know , that’s how your taught to put someone into a hole . It looks like your chucking it as hard as you can , but , much like a changeup in cricket or baseball you take all the fire off the ball. AD still launches the ball into peoples chest. For me he’s not a half . So is he a starting centre ? Above May … lol no . Above Toa? A banged up toa , who can’t tackle… sure . Makasini ? ?? Logically you’d say yes , because he’s a grown man and Makasini is 17, but that’s a case of when not if Makasini goes past him. So he’s what 4th best centre next year ?So lock is the answer ?….: I mean maybe … hopefully , but with the Robert’s signing , I’ve watched him play , and he plays like the Butcher brothers , a prodigious talent on the edge or at lock . There’s a chance he could take that spot. Or even Jvon Andrew’s is pretty much AD in body shape , only 7 years younger , and far more silky with the ball in hand …. When you actually look at the holistic picture , like the coaches would on a whiteboard , there’s an asterisk next to AD. The next gen is coming to get him .. it’s matter of when not if . And they’re bigger , stronger , faster , more skill …. So 14 right ?
which brings me to my second point .
2. why did we sign Hope . We should have signed a liddle , Walter’s type , I believe @garry saif today ….
but what do we do with AD if he’s pushed out? He can’t play 9 right ?
what do we do with the Aus schoolboy 14 from 2 years ago , who’s being groomed to be our Conner Watson . He’s just still a baby so , no matter how much size he puts on , he simply hasn’t got his grown man/ dad strength yet . It will come .
what do we do with Hayward .. who is absolutely killing Jersey Flegg , and the main reason they went from a team who can’t win a game , to a team who can’t lose one . Next year he will be probably pushing Hope to the bench in KOE . Especially if AD is taking the 14 jersey in 1st grade . But once again he’s got a baby bod . He will need to be given time to get 2 offseasons in the gym .
with all that … what number 9 will f bench 1st grade quality is signing with us to potentially ride the bench in KOE.
think about it ;AD- if you want api to play 80.
Mason- if he can fix his defensive issues , provides spark and ruck speed and dynamism around the ruck .
4 Forwards- same as AD.
Hope - does a job for you. Should start the games that you think Api needs a rest . Easier to adapt to the conditions , and I think Hope lacks that next level , so if his instructions are to come on and do something , I think he can run himself into a corner .
5- the one who I think will go past the lot and take the 14 jersey . Hayward- won’t be given the saloon passage TDS has , but will take the jersey because he’s better than every 9 under the age of 25 in Australia. Plays like a cam smith , Buderus , Farah type , but doesn’t shirk work , and has that leadership quality .(from the games I’ve seen) .
I don’t see a space for another 9 . I genuinely don’t . Especially if Mason can work on his contact through late movement . He can smash blokes if they run at him straight out , but as soon as there’s a change of angle , he doesn’t have the strength to not fall off . He will need to work on that . Less time at fullback . More time in the middle And the defensive line IMO.
My point in all that . I think the money we offered AD is right . I also think , the only 9s we should sign are nsw cup level .
a Berrill from the sharks level player at most . As I honestly think there’s a high chance that player could spend a bunch of the year at Ron Massey .
Great post, well thought out and detailed.
FWIW I think we already have an answer to the 14 issue and resting Api issue and that is the forgotten Heath Mason. IMO he should be trained up into our Connor Watson. Im not sure that he can tolerate the physical requirements of the defensive requirements at 9 but I think Heath with the right training could literally be our Conner Watson. Could fill in 1 to 9.
I also can NOT get on board with the recommendations to move Samuela to the middle. He is literally the only effective edge forward that we haev had for many years and he is a precious jewel to hold for the future. his attack is fantastic and improving but there are two sides to the ball and his defense out wide, and cleaning up. particularly in conjunction with Luai is incredible. Without him, Crichton probably scores early last week and we quite possibly lose the game.
Do not weaken a strong position to strengthen another/
@tiger5150 I think based on the messaging out of heath , and the club , that that’s their long term plan as well . He simply hasn’t got his grown man strength yet . Won’t happen for another couple of years . No matter how good he looks in the mirror
@tiger5150 I think originally he preferred to play middle because in juniors , you can get starved of the ball playing edge forward .
my guess is , without any real knowledge in it to be fair , he’s pretty happy on the edge .
with the rumour about tino wanting out , if true , that might start a domino effect, where we could land a Willson type . .for example .
@tiger5150 I think originally he preferred to play middle because in juniors , you can get starved of the ball playing edge forward .
my guess is , without any real knowledge in it to be fair , he’s pretty happy on the edge .
with the rumour about tino wanting out , if true , that might start a domino effect, where we could land a Willson type . .for example .
I wouldnt start asking players where they prefer to play, you would need a court case to get the ball off AD.
Would love Tino but I cant see it happening. With regards Willison, its my understanding the the Tigers have had a crack at him a few times previously and its getting less likely he would come. he would be great though.
@tiger5150 also I think it’s pretty obvious now COVID has really done a number on middles and halves .
Late bloomers like Sione Fainu , so players around 24-28 , seem to have packed left the game , especially in the middles and halves .
unfortunately because these guys would have 20-22 during Covid, they didn’t play in those years which are crucial to development .
I think this has caused the huge shortage of players if real quality entering thier prime . With either older players well established to take the hits from Covid, or younger players , who hadn’t hit their formative years .
for me I’d be looking hard at Saluka Fifita , and guys who had pedigree coming through around 23/24/25 years old . As really developmentally many would be equivalent to previous generations 21-22 year olds .
Terrell May is the epitome of this .
In the forwards I think we need to target either Tino at the Titans or NAS at the storm. These players are somewhat on the market and they offer something we desperately need. Tino would be my preference and a wonderful addition to play 13 in the middle. NAS is the destructive middle we have always lacked. I also agree that Heath could be a good option for 14 but he needs to be able to play 9 successfully first as we need someone to cover Api for 20min over the next couple of years before Haywood can play 80.
we only need a couple more pieces and I don’t think AD is one of them
@tigertownsfs I tend to agree about AD .. as posted above he will struggle to hold a spot , the younger guys are coming .If he does see the future as being a back up Ok , the Dragons would of been a better fit Imo spots on offer there but I suppose more pressure as well !
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@garry Both these signings are positive as the pack certainly needs some work certainly an upside with both if they want it .
Adam Doueihi is poised to accept a revised two-year deal with Wests Tigers now trying to find the salary cap money to retain Charlie Staines, Brent Naden and Reuben Porter. Doueihi's imminent retention and the recent arrival of Mavrik Geyer from Penrith and young Ethan Roberts from the Sydney Roosters has put the squeeze on Wests Tigers' salary cap.
Daily Telegraph
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@joel I thought Richo had a safe full of cap money … whats AD going to be on?
