If you believe everything you read, apparently the Wests Tigers have a “war chest”.

Perhaps they intend on invading Parramatta or engaging in conflict with the Bulldogs?

The biggest battle Michael Maguire’s “cashed-up” team face – as we brush tired cliches aside – is in the transfer market.

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Round 19

The Tigers say they mean business and have money to spend.

They say they won’t pay “overs”.

They say they will wait for the right fit.

“Having cap space at this time of year allows us the opportunity to be strategic and leverage of other clubs who might have challenges with their cap space,” CEO Justin Pascoe told the Sydney Morning Herald.

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“This is a position we haven’t been in for four years and it’s taken us a long time to get here. We just have to be patient.’’

Despite the lure of working with a premiership-winning coach and the appointment of new recruitment boss Adam Hartigan, the Tigers have so far been unable to deliver.

AJ Brimson and Phillip Sami opted to stay on the Gold Coast.

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Jai Arrow turned their advances down to head to Redfern, with Latrell Mitchell following him there on Monday.

“I knew if I would’ve jumped straight into that Tigers deal I probably would’ve regretted it,” said Mitchell, whose potential signing was likened to Ellery Hanley.

Source: Getty Images

Ellery Hanley of the Balmain Tigers in action during the 1997 season

If we are led to believe reports that they offered him $1 million a year, Mitchell’s decision to sign for almost half that money at the Rabbitohs must have felt like a kick in the teeth.

On top of missing out on Mitchell and the Gold Coast trio, Maguire has also said goodbye to back-rower Ryan Matterson after a drawn-out saga along with promising Kiwis centre Esan Marsters.

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While their rivals have all brought in high-profile names, the Tigers’ only recruits with first grade experience have been Luciano Leilua and Billy Walters. There are promising kids like Jake Simpkin, Reece Hoffman and Tommy Talau, but it is a brave coach who puts his faith in so many youngsters.

It leaves the Tigers in an unenviable position going into the 2020 season.

Will players who blossom there continue to use them as a stepping stone?

Jake Simpkin in action during the Under 18 Queensland V NSW State of Origin game Source: News Corp Australia

James Tedesco of the Tigers poses with Aaron Woods Source: Getty Images

Mitchell Moses comes back to haunt the Tigers Source: Getty Images

The likes of James Tedesco, Aaron Woods, Andrew Fifita, and Mitchell Moses have all headed on and shone for other clubs.

Josh Addo-Carr and Marika Koroibete, too.

And even Pascoe admits that the Tigers are used as leverage against other teams in the NRL.

“Every player who comes on to the market is linked with us,” he said.

Nevertheless, each time the Tigers seem to find themselves in this position and go to market with intentions of spending big, they tend to back the wrong horse.

Adam Blair failed to hit the heights at the Tigers Source: News Corp Australia

Ben Matulino struggled with injury. Russell Packer fell out of favour with Maguire and Josh Reynolds has failed to bring the form to Leichhardt Oval and Campbelltown which made him a NSW halfback. Lest we forget Adam Blair.

With reports estimating they have to $1 million to spend, the Tigers must ensure they do not waste their money.

History shows us that when they have a “war chest”, they usually end up on the losing side.