Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[earl]

Problem is that those 6 that you have just mentioned that you are saying are not good enough for our top 17 are in our top 30 for next season, makes it even more difficult for us to recruit players in positions that we need some quality.

It's fine to have money to spend but available space in the top 30 is definitely a major issue for us.

I get the issue. Those forwards probably aren't good enough back-up options. I am pretty sure Kit L is on a dev contract though and I think he'll get a spot in the top 17 next season barring injuries.

 

[balmain boy]

The issue is you are supposed to replace someone leaving the top 30 roster with someone better.
Who are we replacing him with ?

Ultimately, Lauliliii. He younger, more aggressive, more skillful and powerful, and a passionate, energetic local boy and leader. He could easily surpass Seyfarth's current ability by the end of next season.
He's only a dev contract so not eligible to start the year, but Seyfarth shouldn't be in our top 17 anyway.
Matamua may also cover him at the start of the season at least.
Ideally we'd have Seyfarth staying and lose Sione Fainu from our top 30, but after getting the brothers that's not going to happen.

 

[earl]

So far our 2024 roster is worse than 2023.

I'm not so sure. Brooks is the big loss considering who we have coming into the halves however I'm hopeful the guys we have coming in will be better over the longer term and hopefully a couple of them have big years next year.

Halves:- Fainu, Sullivan, Galvin & Sezer. I'm not considering Doueihi because I don't think he has proven himself an NRL player and he is coming back from injury.

This year we had Brooks, Laurie and Wakeham.

It might be an improvement.

The forwards and backs are the same.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

If we had Kit the car - things would be different.

 

[earl]

So let's get rid of Atasi James. Biggest player in the club.

They need him on a T & T contract.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

I'm not so sure. Brooks is the big loss considering who we have coming into the halves however I'm hopeful the guys we have coming in will be better over the longer term and hopefully a couple of them have big years next year.

Halves:- Fainu, Sullivan, Galvin & Sezer. I'm not considering Doueihi because I don't think he has proven himself an NRL player and he is coming back from injury.

This year we had Brooks, Laurie and Wakeham.

It might be an improvement.

The forwards and backs are the same.

Douhei is first grade under the right coach. After 3 surgeries. Different story.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

They need him on a T & T contract.

Earl. Dont make them look bad. You are thinking outside the box.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

He is a squad depth roster player from everything including his good games show.

We haven’t seen anything to suggest he can play long minutes at nrl level.

He is dependable a Twal clone of sorts in that way but not as effective.

Brisbane Broncos game last year which we won in Brisbane. He made 50 tackles, was the last pass in one try and I believe he played the entire game (or close too) in the second row. His passing provides us with desperately needed variation. He doesn't cost a lot and would be very attractive to clubs because of it.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Like Roosters, Penrith, Brisbane, Dolphins. Good coaches Not his age.

 

[Camel2281]

My take is that Benji is after at least 1 experienced centre to add to the top 30 & possibly another experienced winger if we don't resign Staines or can move on Nofa.

Even though these are contracted, I reckon we could be a realistic chance at one of Dane Gagai, Justin Olam, Isaiah Tass or Nick Meaney (yes as a centre) given we have the $$$ and need to use our cap space.

For another winger, I can see Reimis Smith & Mawene Hiroti as realistic possibles. Maybe Xavier Savage for that speed x-factor depending on what contract $$$ he is currently on, not worth more than $250k IMO.

Harley Smith-Shields?

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Sorry not Roosters. Well yes, for property in Bondi if he remains to be a wall in defence and his new goose step

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Harley Smith-Shields?

Yes. Name sounds cool.

 

[tigertuff]

Brisbane Broncos game last year which we won in Brisbane. He made 50 tackles, was the last pass in one try and I believe he played the entire game (or close too) in the second row. His passing provides us with desperately needed variation. He doesn't cost a lot and would be very attractive to clubs because of it.

And is getting better year on year.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

And why is not playing in 2 weeks. Or signed.

 

[hank37w]

If we had Kit the car - things would be different.

Smarter than you average NRL player as well.

 

[jrtiger]

My take is that Benji is after at least 1 experienced centre to add to the top 30 & possibly another experienced winger if we don't resign Staines or can move on Nofa.

Even though these are contracted, I reckon we could be a realistic chance at one of Dane Gagai, Justin Olam, Isaiah Tass or Nick Meaney (yes as a centre) given we have the $$$ and need to use our cap space.

For another winger, I can see Reimis Smith & Mawene Hiroti as realistic possibles. Maybe Xavier Savage for that speed x-factor depending on what contract $$$ he is currently on, not worth more than $250k IMO.

all comes down to who we can move on and what we can free up in terms of roster spots. all four players you mentioned could do a job and could be attainable pending what happens in the next few weeks leading up to November 1. Reimis Smith is an interesting one, he's a brilliant defensive centre.

Hiroti I really like as he covers 1-5 pretty well and will do a job when called upon. Savage you'd think will move on rather soon given Stewart has jumped him in the pecking order in the fullback stakes and he isn't getting a crack on the wing in grade. question is whether he'd move to us to play wing. really hoping we hear a bit more about what our plans are in these next few weeks.

 

[Love_the_WestsTigers]

Seyfarth offers ball playing, a high work rate and the ability to play long minutes. He would be a good buy for most clubs looking for a good forward. He would be a better retention for WTs

Then there was ET, he was everything you described. Dog with a bone type of player. We let him go too. What makes you think we like to retain players who put in an effort ?
M Huth was another player, kept working hard in the middle.
Sometimes I feel like us fans are better at scout and talent than the actual people at the club. Hold up, no one is as bad that those lot at our club.

 

[tiger_one]

"all comes down to who we can move on and what we can free up in terms of roster spots."

Sums up everything, right there.

 

[tigerbenji]

Harley Smith-Shields?

We tried to sign him 2 years ago, maybe this time.

 

[jrtiger]

Sums up everything, right there.

Fulton, Marshall and the new DoF will have their work cut out for them. they'll need to get super creative in terms of swaps, chipping in for certain players and moving things around in the roster, i.e Doueihi being removed from the top 30 for 2024. a lot that needs to be done. thankfully after next year the deadwood tends to almost be completely cleared.