@loganr21 The guy is Tanking simple !
I don’t actually see the gain in tanking. It will just reduce his value. Surely you want to be dominating and then go to market to maximise value. I think it’s just that psychologically he is gone - the guy obviously is a hard trainer and wants to succeed and he has spent literally his entire career getting flogged. We need to stop bringing kids into first grade as 20y olds. The game is way too professional. The dragons have an old hardened team and they absolutely dominated us. Look what the dolphins have done - the old guard sets and example and allows some success to be part of the culture before they are rolled out slowly and replaced by younger talent. 10yrs ago we had the right balance between young and old and then Pascoe et al blew it all up by going to a recruitment model but buying the off cuts for overs and destroyed the cap, then we go all in on a Harold Matt’s team and wonder why we get demolished in first grade. We don’t need the Seyfarth or twal players. A guy like Tom eisenhuth showed exactly what we lack - intelligence in the ruck to slowdown the play the ball without giving away a penalty, the constant threat of an offload to create second phase and to get the defensive team on the back foot. He would be paid less than a twal and perhaps he is less athletic but he has a brain and he uses it
Buzz reporting Stef and Galvin both want out of the club 👍
Buzz reporting Stef and Galvin both want out of the club 👍
Anyone able to post this article?
https://x.com/telegraph_sport/status/1799366514979815606?t=3Vfzx9wEZi8jvMdjP9tApA&s=19
The Wests Tigers are in crisis with revelations their two best young players want out after Friday night’s embarrassing capitulation to St George-Illawarra.
Boom utility star Lachlan Galvin and front-rower Stefano Utoikamanu are both disgruntled after nine straight losses and the likelihood of three straight wooden spoons.
Galvin was overheard in the Wests Tigers dressing room after the 56-14 loss to the Dragons saying that he wanted out, despite being under contract until the end of 2026.
Your columnist understands his manager Isaac Moses has spoken to Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson about the situation and the fact he is being asked to play each weekend with a fracture in his hand.
We have reached out to both Moses and Richardson.
Meanwhile the club’s hopes of retaining boom Utoikamanu are diminishing by the day – and money is not the issue.
It’s more about his future development as a player in the right system under the right coach.
While CEO Richardson was recently spending three weeks in the UK, up to eight rival NRL clubs were expressing interest in the former Parramatta Eels junior.
Utoikamanu becomes a free agent under a clause in his contract that makes him a free agent if he is not chosen in the NSW Blues team for the final two games.
The eight clubs have contacted Utoikamanu’s manager Daniel O’Loughlin with expressions of interest should he decide to activate the clause.
The Wests Tigers have offered him $4 million over five years to stay at Concord.
However Utoikamanu is looking for more than the cash.
He’s sat back and watched ex-teammates – the likes of Shawn Blore, Luke Garner, Luke Brooks, Tommy Talau and Billy Walters – improve and develop their games at other clubs.
Utoikamanu would have the choice of playing under a Wayne Bennett, Cameron Ciraldo, Shane Flanagan, Trent Robinson or risk staying at a club that is now facing its third straight wooden spoon.
You can understand why he might be looking to get out.
There’s an update to that article. Galvin asked for a release Thursday. Richardson has confirmed it and said the release is denied. Can’t post it as I only have it on my phone and can’t copy paste from the DT app.
we are so cooked.
I love stefano but seems to me he’s already checked out. With Galvin me thoughts are more positive as we still have 2 years to turn it around. With luai coming next year hopefully a few more wins hopefully this will enough to change his mind in 2025. Time will tell probably the biggest test for the new admin
We’re in dire straits.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Benji’s key asset was his man management and appeal to players. If he can’t retain our young guys, there’s no point persisting with him imo.We’re in dire straits.
Rothfield has updated the article now with below:
Wests Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson confirmed on Saturday night that Galvin’s manager Isaac Moses had approached the club on Thursday seeking a release.
“We have no intention of releasing him,” Richardson said, “It’s as simple as that.
“It’s disappointing that the request has been made but I’m going to have a meeting with his mum and dad next week.
“I think there’s a lot of reasons behind it.
“He’s a young kid, we’re not winning games, and he’s finding it difficult.
“All I can say we have Jarome Luai coming next year and we’ll have him, Api (Koroisau) and Jahream Bula in the spine.
“We have a contract in place with Lachlan and we intend to hold him to it.”
I'm getting so sick of this. The NRL is so corrupt. As if Isaac Moses hasn't already got him lined up somewhere.
I am really struggling to see how we are going to move up the ladder in the next few years. It is going to be the big 4 all over again.
Rothfield has updated the article now with below:
Wests Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson confirmed on Saturday night that Galvin’s manager Isaac Moses had approached the club on Thursday seeking a release.
“We have no intention of releasing him,” Richardson said, “It’s as simple as that.
“It’s disappointing that the request has been made but I’m going to have a meeting with his mum and dad next week.
“I think there’s a lot of reasons behind it.
“He’s a young kid, we’re not winning games, and he’s finding it difficult.
“All I can say we have Jarome Luai coming next year and we’ll have him, Api (Koroisau) and Jahream Bula in the spine.
“We have a contract in place with Lachlan and we intend to hold him to it.”
We all know how well forcing someone to fulfill a contract works out.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
he should be held to it and if he kicks stones off to reserve grade you go, we need to play hardball here at least until Latu gets his hammy sorted, than if he plays a few games and does well and Galvin is still being a whinger, we trade him for a couple of strong players. I would even consider dropping Galvin and playing Douehi at 6 with Sezer at 7, at least we have 2 experienced halves then...let him get his hand right in reserve grade😐 this kid has really pissed me off, especially if it's true that he said it in the change rooms after the game.Rothfield has updated the article now with below:
Wests Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson confirmed on Saturday night that Galvin’s manager Isaac Moses had approached the club on Thursday seeking a release.
“We have no intention of releasing him,” Richardson said, “It’s as simple as that.
“It’s disappointing that the request has been made but I’m going to have a meeting with his mum and dad next week.
“I think there’s a lot of reasons behind it.
“He’s a young kid, we’re not winning games, and he’s finding it difficult.
“All I can say we have Jarome Luai coming next year and we’ll have him, Api (Koroisau) and Jahream Bula in the spine.
“We have a contract in place with Lachlan and we intend to hold him to it.”
Great look for the NRL where two of the only competent and promising youngsters at the league's bottom club can waltz into a top team without them having to give up anything.
This club has been run terribly and largely deserves this mess, but the NRL is a joke of a comp in many ways.
Going by social media, Isaac Moses has Lockie Gavin at Penrith. We need to bring in Brad Arthur as an assistant and sack Farrah.
