Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Vicious]

It’s highly unlikely WT will get Ben Hunt despite some rumours stating it could happen.
With Manly allowing Latu Fainu permission to talk with other clubs, surely it puts us in the box seat due to the opportunity we could provide him to play regular NRL.
I’m not sure if Sione Fainu is up to it, but he appears to be NRL contracted to us for another season, so would be worth holding onto him if means we could also get Latu and Samuela Fainu who is the prototype big tall and athletic edge back rower that we need.
So without being able to sign any halves that are already NRL stars, it would be great to sign 4-5 halves who all have the potential to turn into NRL stars.
How good would it to have Braydon Trindall and Luke Metcalfe or Blake Taafe as our first choice halves, Latu Fainu as a number 14 who can play in the halves or be an interchange 9.
I also believe Zach Herring from the Dragons would be a great addition, he can play halfback, 5/8, hooker or 13 and has the potential to be an NRL regular, so could keep plenty of pressure on the ones in front of him.

 

[Kaito]

Do we need to worry about Des and the Titans in regards to Latu Fainu?

Tight Samoan western Sydney family, no way.
His pathway is blocked somewhat as well there.
Especially if Hunt signs with them you'd think

 

[KingRobbie]

He's a weapon. At or above the quality of Tallyn Da Silva and the same age. Latu Fainu and Da Silva are the best 18 year olds in Australia

+ Oloapu

 

[king_sirro]

If we sign Latu Fainu he may not play first grade until 2025. But I think we could all live with dud halves for another year given the future plan is locked in. Ideally, Hunt to mentor him for 3 years would be ideal. Silly me, we aren’t the roosters, that would be too good to be true.

Fainu will play NRL next year easily.

 

[Tigers_Wests]

Would be a fantastic signing, but need that official confirmation before getting too excited. Tigers have been burnt too many times before when being the "frontrunner" for signings.

Please seal the deal this time!

 

[king_sirro]

We have to pay the the Fainu kid like Newcastle paid for the Ponga kid. Have to take the risk.

 

[jrtiger]

If we sign Latu Fainu he may not play first grade until 2025. But I think we could all live with dud halves for another year given the future plan is locked in. Ideally, Hunt to mentor him for 3 years would be ideal. Silly me, we aren’t the roosters, that would be too good to be true.

he will be ready to play first grade by the end of this year. he’s tearing up Cup already.

 

[Wiz]

he will be ready to play first grade by the end of this year. he’s tearing up Cup already.

Awesome. As half or five eighth?

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Has anyone watched this Latu Fainu kid play?

I haven’t

What’s the big wraps for?

Seriously this kid could be an era-changer for our club especially with the man management available to him by Sheens & Benji.

He recently played in City v Country U18s & I noticed he had a good rapport going with Da Silva, Galvin & Mason, all big parts of our future.

You would think the other thing in out favour is he & Samuela are managed by Mario Tartak who manages a lot of our star 18/19yos & has a strong relationship with Fulton.

Also I remember 2 bits of gossip news from 2-3 weeks ago - Tartak lunching with Lee & Fulton and Buzz reporting in his shoosh column we were a strong chance of making our best recruitment in over 10 years.

 

[bathursttiger1]

Has anyone watched this Latu Fainu kid play?

I don’t watch any Manly games it’s against my religion.😂

 

[bathursttiger1]

Fainu for Talau effective immediately. get it done Scott.

Can we have some volunteers to drive TT over the bridge.

 

[old_man_tiger]

18 - he can play this season. Reece Walsh is 20

 

[jrtiger]

Awesome. As half or five eighth?

personally, 5/8. lethal running and short kicking game, throws a brilliant right to left and looks better out the back of shape when players have created space for him infield. he could do a job at 7 but for mine he is naturally a 6.

 

[vlad]

This from last weekend …

Star NRL duo return as Manly’s teen prodigy stuns with defining game: Reserves Wrap

Star NRL duo return as Manly’s teen prodigy stuns with defining game: Reserves Wrap

www.foxsports.com.au

Speaking of best games, teen playmaker Latu Fainu had a career-defining game in Blacktown’s 46-10 win over the Eels. The 18-year-old made his NSW Cup debut in Round 8 and has taken a little bit of time to settle into the game but on the weekend his true potential was on show. Fainu scored a try, set up another, got three linebreaks, five tackle busts and 131 running metres. He also made 10 tackles with zero misses — his first game with no misses.

 

[Dennisspicer1]

Is Laurie a better fullback option than Weekes, Garrick and Koula?

No? Thats the end of that.

Wakeham, Te Marie Martin, Ilias. Gamble, Hastings.
Olauapu (currently, but I think Olaupu will end up better).
Amone and Sullivan (Sullivan may surpass him, not yet convinced).
Currently playing better than Townsend and Moylan but they have had better careers.
He is a very different player to O'Sullivan and Fogarty but he's at least their equal imo.

 

[Wiz]

If Fainu is a 5/8, who will play half with him next year? Sexton from the Titans if Hunt goes there?

Am I getting too far ahead of myself?

 

[Dennisspicer1]

I think Madden offers more then Wakeham, but it's a concern if he is our first choice 7.

But who is left if we dispose of Wakeham? Goal kicking,????

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

Surely Latu Fainu effective immediately. Rest of 23 & 3 years after that.

Imagine if we get Latu Fainu. Signing Sione to a top 30 contract suddenly goes from a brain dead decision to a galaxy brain one.

 

[GCfan]

We have to pay the the Fainu kid like Newcastle paid for the Ponga kid. Have to take the risk.

Is he really that good?
I’ve heard his name but not seen him.

 

[king_sirro]

Is he really that good?
I’ve heard his name but not seen him.

If we get him I hope so, if we don't I hope not. Lol

I haven't seen a lot of him, just highlights and reports. My son put me onto him a few years ago. Not many dominate playing up in age at rep level like he has. I think he even played 2 years up in reps and dominated. Could be wrong on that. The fact he is already going well in KOE cup suggests he's progressing as expected, and those expectations are huge.