If you've kept up to date recently with the drama at the Wests Tigers, you'd know that the club is in complete turmoil, tearing itself apart from within. Board members being sacked , the CEO being investigated for family contracts, possibly gone by weekends end. Good Players have been leaving, think Galvin, Papalii, Da Silva, which brings me to Luai.
The NSW rep has more get out clauses from his 5 year, 6million dollar contract. Its being reported by Fox, Code sports and Luai himself that he has get out clauses throughout his 5 year Tigers deal. Luai is being quoted by Fox as saying "that's why I have get out clauses" The obvious question raises itself is Luai someone that the Eels could target for 2027, when Pezet leaves for the Broncos.
The pairing of Luai and Moses at state level worked a treat, imagine that partnership at club level. Not sure we have that type of coin, but then again maybe we do have close to it.
What are peoples thoughts, is this something powerbrokers may look at or will Joash or another junior be the clubs answer.
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If we are interested and somehow get him, by all means would welcome him. Though i think he would want to be top dog at a club, not behind Moses in terms of commanding a team.
Perth could be very likely.
You would think everything points against us even being interested. But wow a premiership window with luai our current stars and a rep front rower would certainly push us into a premiership window wouldn't it. 2 or 3 players and you would have to rate us as genuine premiership threat.
He never said "that's why I have get out clauses". It was braith anasta speculating on the situation and saying Luai would be thinking "that's why I have get out clauses".
Your right Eel Boy. It was Anasta saying Laui was thinking that's why I have get out clauses. 👍
Good blog, Bluey.
I like Luai, and he could cover 6-7. My queries are on the fit, value and/or timing.
Would Ryles go all in for Luai, and be prepared to lose talent we're developing in our pathways? Lorenzo, Risati, or even Paps.
Why would he come? He's 29 next month. Moses is 31. Is it for a pay day? Would he be okay to be the bridesmaid to Moses for 4 years at this stage of his career? How far north of $1m, overs, would he settle for? Would he accept no POs? Is that really a value proposition for us?
It's probably worth a chat or coffee to see where his head is at, and network, even if we make it on the "media" list of players we're hot for (and don't sign). The Black List. But I'd be surprised if Ryles jumped quickly and not give the young guys a chance.
I don't see it yet, but who knows.
We went all in for Galvin, we had Fletcher and Lorenzo and still went for Galvin. So if a great player is a chance and Ryles likes them they will go for them.
It's not just that, LB. Luai will cost more than Galvin. Then, if he demands POs, it's game over. Can't see it happening. Poor value, potentially.
We gush over the big names, but do we want to look like the Titans? They have lifestyle advantages too.
Lots of unrealistic ideas are floating around (not referring to this blog). More the idea of being the Roosters, Broncos, Dogs, Souths without their sugar daddies. Nope. Refer to the Panthers. Four-peat and all...
HOE do you think the Eels believe they can do big names, or are you suggesting they release their interest in big names to perhaps attempt to keep fans / members happy to a degree, believing they are out of their depth so to speak. Or we are simply completely not interested in a big name.
It's a very interesting point. Do we , ie the club see ourselves as second class and not in the same league to attract big names.
To me I'm not so sure anymore. Listening to you and Super i am trying to understand your take on our recruitment, recruitment targets and or if we are even interested in first choice players at all.
What some of us call missed targets perhaps what I'm hearing from yourself and others is that we weren't really interested in them in the first place. I did read where our CEO said we havnt had a discussion with Nelson. This fits with your suggestion perhaps.?
You nailed it right there - the idea of being like other clubs. I think the word I'm looking for is to covet. Everyone on here wants what someone else has got and they think if we get it (a player, an administrator, a coach etc) we are instantly going to become like them. That isn't how it works for us, we can't do that. We don't have those advantages other clubs have so we have to find our own through other means.
A loyal fan base that goes back several generations, a huge junior nursery of kids who's dad's are rusted on eels fans, facilities that are world class, a clear pathway for kids to make it into the top grade as an Eel. This is our advantage, we need to use it. Not getting caught up on some "star" who is off contract (because that's worked out so well for us in the past) which completely derails the process. We are 12 months in, it's just going to take a bit of time.
Though still we went hard for Galvin despite having Fletcher and Lorenzo.
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