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Wests Tigers boss flies to England on secret player clean-out mission
By Michael Chammas
Wests Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson has flown to England to begin cleaning out the club’s underperforming roster and is set to seek expressions of interest from Super League clubs for a number of his players.
Richardson flew out of Sydney on Tuesday night bound for the United Kingdom as part of a selling spree that could have major ramifications on the joint venture club.
The managers of those players are unaware of Richardson’s secret mission. Richardson could not be reached. Wests Tigers chairman Barry O’Farrell did not respond to calls.
Sullivan joined the club in the off-season but Richardson, who wasn’t at the club when the deal was struck, is now trying to find the halfback a new home.
Sullivan was a priority target for coach Benji Marshall, who endorsed the deal that was struck by former recruitment manager Scott Fulton. He was also given Aidan Sezer over Jack Cogger.
Richardson has since invested $1.2 million a season in Panthers star playmaker Jarome Luai for the next five years (from 2025) and has to find money to keep boom rookie Lachlan Galvin.
Other players the Tigers are willing to speak to Super League clubs about are expected to include Brent Naden (contracted until 2025 on around $300,000) and John Bateman (2026 on $600,000).
Richardson will also meet with prospective players, which is likely to be used as the reason for his trip, but multiple sources confirmed that his primary objective was to try and shed money in the salary cap and make roster spots available for next year.
The Tigers have one spot remaining on their 30-man roster for 2025 and recently offered injured utility Adam Doueihi a minimum-wage contract, which he declined.
The deal he signed to join the Tigers from Parramatta was for $650,000-a-season as the Dally M back-rower of the year. However, the deal included a 15 per cent ratchet clause that has since taken his salary to around $750,000. Papali’i isn’t interested in playing in the Super League.
The Tigers have lost seven games on the trot and take on the Cowboys this weekend
That article is great news. We do need a good clean out.
The iPap decision indicates the new culture drive from the club, about time too.
What ever players we lose I just hope we replace them with quality players that going to add to the team and take us into finals contention for years to come
talagi apparently wants to play centre, get it done Richo
talagi apparently wants to play centre, get it done Richo
What exactly have you seen in Talagi that excites you? His defence is terrible. Im not convinced about him.
could be a superstar, however right now just a shiny toy we should not get distracted by, we need to develop our own juniors and if we go to market only buy players that have at least 2 seasons of first grade experience.....and consistently delivered.talagi apparently wants to play centre, get it done Richo
What exactly have you seen in Talagi that excites you? His defence is terrible. Im not convinced about him.
talagi apparently wants to play centre, get it done Richo
What exactly have you seen in Talagi that excites you? His defence is terrible. Im not convinced about him.
playing great for parramatta, knows Galvin's game, he will be a good player and turuva and talagi in the centres would work well.
if he is heading to dragons surely we look as good a prospect with luai arriving next year.
Secondly I am not convinced we will hold on to Galvin to be honest,in 2 years time he will be the hottest property in the game
still reasonably confident we are looking hard at Tallis Duncan from souths
Papalii off to the Panthers next year. I just got the member email.
The fact that Ice is off to Panthers, with the deal sorted in the background, gives me so much confidence that Richo will have things sorted
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