Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Tiger Stripes]

Sezer was a very good goal kicker in his Dogs and Titans days but done little GK since. Sullivan has done plenty of goal kicking throughout lower grade comps and kicked when Lomax was out (and I'd suggest will be our first choice). Then as you say Api and Lobb are noted goal kickers.

Thanks for that info.

 

[TigerNeddyK]

Sezer hasn’t ran 1 yard or made 1 tackle yet … but a lot here already got him extended …not bad for someone knocking on the door of 33 who hasn't played in the NRL in 5 years …

As you said …come Mid May the same people might be thinking he is part of the problem and not the solution…

And they also may not be, a team needs 17 players, you fit the good players in somewhere, also peopl on this site are so quick to write players off and want them moved on, what about showing some loyalty, honouring contracts.. we want to build a culture that starts with keeping a group of guys together that have a common purpose and goal of winning a premiership together, of playing for each other and the jersey that they represent, that they belong to. We will never get that until we show the players we believe in them and they belong with us.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

I hope our talent scouts were watching the Murri Cup and the women's game between SEQ and the Mungindi team. The latter team's fullback Gordon is just so strong, she is difficult to pull down, has a great step and is quick. I wonder if she is related to the ex Knights's winger? The left winger is lightning quick and has come up with a couple of big plays, both centres are very good and the front rower ran 3/4 from the kick off to set up a try. A lot of talent in that side and I hope they get a chance to showcase their talent in higher grades.

 

[Tom Shines]

And they also may not be, a team needs 17 players, you fit the good players in somewhere, also peopl on this site are so quick to write players off and want them moved on, what about showing some loyalty, honouring contracts.. we want to build a culture that starts with keeping a group of guys together that have a common purpose and goal of winning a premiership together, of playing for each other and the jersey that they represent, that they belong to. We will never get that until we show the players we believe in them and they belong with us.

How about we just wait and see how he goes first before we extend him now … is my point…but even if he plays well… I think he is short odds of being here in 2025 given the young depth at the position …assuming JL is coming of course

 

[SeanT]

Look at Penriths model.

If Nathan or Luai go down model... they aren't throwing in rookies.

They've got seasoned back up, in the likes of Salmon or Cogger or even NSW cup royalty (😂) Kurt Falls.

Sezar is the guy for 2024, yes Luai is coming in 2025 and that gives us a year to get the kids some experience but to say Sezar has no value is such a poor take, in any context.

Say what you want about him as a player but Benji wanted him here for a reason & I think that's why he won't be just a one season wonder at the Tigers... he'll stick around as a mentor or a trainer or the like and provide a lot of value to this club.

His kicking game is worth the one year by itself. He wont set up many tries but he will kick us to a spot where we have a shot at scoring tries.

 

[liltiger]

That union winger the roosters just signed was ours

The winger from the wallabies. How can we let talent like that slip away, it shows if management arnt on the ball with it all it affect everything. Not only was the boardroom a joke but even our ability to sustain success through our juniors for about 7 years was non existent.

 

[BrissieTiger67]

Lobb can kick think he kicks at a high 70s Sezer hasn’t kicked since he was at the titans but kicked at 80% and api doesn’t fill me with much confidence but he kicked at like 90% last year

Can we have Wakeham in special teams brought on for goal kicking ? 😂

 

[851]

These stories that’s are in the public domain.

Do get pushed by player managers, trying ti control narratives or manipulate public perception.

History does show this, especially when players are agitating for a release, but for a release with no loss of income.

The difference here is that we don’t or won’t take any of his contract on the books if he goes. Where we have with others in the past.

He’s long odds to be here round 1. It’s been made clear to him that he is lower in the pecking order, and his manager is looking to look after his client, so planting a story here or there, to ensure tigers do everything they can to get him off the books is good managing. (Scummy game, but good if you’re the client, looking for a place that wants you without the decrease in income).

Really not too different to the tigers and olam. Melb did want us to heavily subsidise not only his contract, but also play blore to go there.

Let the tug of war play out.

Still plenty of water to go under the bridge before round 1.

For sure, we are smarter and have better people in charge now, Nofa and the Storm are dealing with completely different people, no longer push overs

 

[BAGNF05]

Can we have Wakeham in special teams brought on for goal kicking ? 😂

We have had some “special” teams under the past administration.

 

[balmain boy]

The winger from the wallabies. How can we let talent like that slip away, it shows if management arnt on the ball with it all it affect everything. Not only was the boardroom a joke but even our ability to sustain success through our juniors for about 7 years was non existent.

Jorgensen would have been great in our backline. Possibly too late to get him back now

 

[dribble1963]

Whoever got our pathways actually developing top tier talent again deserves credit. It's been a long time since I have been this confident in the young players we have coming through.

I always thought that Papenhuyzen was the last great player we developed. He signed for Melbourne in 2017, meaning it's been 6 years since we had a player with a superstar ceiling in our system. That's a long time for fans like us to have no hope for the season, no hope that there are good players coming through that we just have to wait a couple of years for them to develop.

Have a feeling we have at least one player of that quality in this next batch of kids coming through who are just starting to turn 18. Lachlan Galvin may even be one of them. The kid is 🔥. If you thought Jahream Bula was good, wait until you see what some of these other guys can do. Now imagine them all on the same team. We could have happy days ahead of us.

Yeah center is our biggest weak point also think we are a workhorse winger short also.

We can try and bank on Tupou, Staines, Feledy & Galvin but that will take a while to happen. Don’t see Naden, Toa, AD, AJ (maybe forward utility value being an exception) being in the squad for long.

Can't see Galvin sticking around whilst the club piles halves around him. Much has changed since he signed with the club.

 

[Tom Shines]

Can't see Galvin sticking around whilst the club piles halves around him. Much has changed since he signed with the club.

Well… he has signed to the end of 2026 …

 

[dribble1963]

Well… he has signed to the end of 2026 …

Not hard to get out of contracts these days. Mansfield and Reilly were contracted for 2024.

 

[Tom Shines]

Not hard to get out of contracts these days. Mansfield and Reilly were contracted for 2024.

And the club walked away from those two… with a payout…

Doubt that would happen with Galvin

 

[Tigers_Wests]

Let’s hope all four of Sullivan, Latu Fainu, Lachlan Galvin and Onitoni Large fulfill their potential while playing for Wests Tigers and stick with the cub long term.
Not sure how that happens if we sign Luai for 5 years from 2025 ?

If Luai is signed it comes down to how flexible/willing some of these guys are to play in other positions.

I would think Large could be sold on a start to 1st grade in the centres and then halves when Luai finishes up (he would still only be 22/23 by this point).

Fainu probably has the inside running for the other halves spot long term, but needs to earn it. Sullivan likewise will need to earn it otherwise would possibly be more suited to a 14 role.

Really hope Galvin fills out and plays 2nd row so we can keep him, but really sounds like he wants to play 6.

We really need to create a winning culture at the club, as this could also help encourage players to stick around.

I think there will be at least 1 casualty if Luai is signed.

 

[Tom Shines]

If Luai is signed it comes down to how flexible/willing some of these guys are to play in other positions.

I would think Large could be sold on a start to 1st grade in the centres and then halves when Luai finishes up (he would still only be 22/23 by this point).

Fainu probably has the inside running for the other halves spot long term, but needs to earn it. Sullivan likewise will need to earn it otherwise would possibly be more suited to a 14 role.

Everyone keeps saying Bud might be 14…

What is the plan for Da Silva ? he is going to need to be groomed to take over from Api right?

Doubt you carrying both on the bench,,,

 

[kiwitiger]

I think Ive heard this before 🙏

Lightening struck us on the arse once 2005.
We just hope it will again

 

[kiwitiger]

Thanks for the info. It is good to learn Richardson's thinking in terms of Fonua-Blake. I am pleased he is considering our junior talent in player acquisitions.

Wow. Dont buy one of the best in their position because we have kids in their teens coming thru?
If you have 3 very talented juniors in the same age group the chances are none make it, is higher than all 3. Obviously 1 making it is the highest.
TBH, i think he feels we need laui more

 

[Vicious]

If Luai is signed it comes down to how flexible/willing some of these guys are to play in other positions.

I would think Large could be sold on a start to 1st grade in the centres and then halves when Luai finishes up (he would still only be 22/23 by this point).

Fainu probably has the inside running for the other halves spot long term, but needs to earn it. Sullivan likewise will need to earn it otherwise would possibly be more suited to a 14 role.

Really hope Galvin fills out and plays 2nd row so we can keep him, but really sounds like he wants to play 6.

We really need to create a winning culture at the club, as this could also help encourage players to stick around.

I think there will be at least 1 casualty if Luai is signed.

That’s how I see it.
If we lived in a perfect world we could keep them all and move these young players who have their hearts set on becoming NRL halves to other positions, but reality is we will lose 2-3 of them if we sign Luai.

 

[Tiger-ferret]

That’s how I see it.
If we lived in a perfect world we could keep them all and move these young players who have their hearts set on becoming NRL halves to other positions, but reality is we will lose 2-3 of them if we sign Luai.

Even if the sky falls and that turns out to be true, It doesn’t matter if luai is still the better player.