Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Vicious]

Given we are losing Tupou, Alaimalo is on a 1 yr deal and we let Nofa go it's wingers where we need to either see youngsters come through or recruit for next yr. I prefer youngsters coming through as you normally don't want to spend much on wingers

3 wingers we should be keeping an eye on;
1. Semi Valemai who is a typical big, strong & fast Fijian who at age 24 is really starting to nature as an NRL player. NQ Cowboys surely wouldn’t be able to pay him too much to stay, he’d look great in Wests Tigers colours.
2. Tony Francis a young up and coming 21y.o powerhouse winger who starred at Q Cup level last season and looked great starting for Gold Coast in their trial on the weekend. He is contracted to Gold Coast for the next couple of seasons, but there does not look to be any room for him to play NRL for them when they are full strength. He could be a like for like replacement for Junior Tupou but has more upside if we could get him out of his contract with the Titans.
3. Latia Moicedreke is another Fijian flyer who stands at almost 2 metres tall and is only just starting to fill into his big frame and make strong charges out of his teams danger zone like good wingers do. That coupled with his great aerial threat and try scoring ability would make him a great acquisition. He’s currently with the Knights, but don’t think he will get much NRL opportunity with them due the their strong depth in the outside backs.

If we are looking to bolster our back row stocks with someone who could be exceptional we should be having a close look at young 19y.o Noah Martin who was a standout for the Raiders in their trial. He’s another that will find it very hard to get in the Raiders top 17 due to their strong depth in the back row, but is a big, strong, tall and aggressive back rower who also looks to hit hard and make an impact when defending, he would be a great recruit for 2025.

 

[teddy23]

If you are talking about players off contract in 2025 then the 2 I have heard that we have at least made attempts for are Finefeuiaki and Turuva

Wonder from where.... jokes aside both players have unfortunately rejected our approach and will most likely remain at their respective clubs. Finefeuiaki has more competitive deals from both Dragons/Dolphins but Turuva has made it clear he doesn't want to leave and will most likely stay on unders.

However, I heard something very juicy over the weekend that the club is discussing plotting a deal come November 1st for Souths young gun Tallis Duncan.

Apparently Shane Richardson brought him to the Rabbits, Benji was at the club during Tallis's first season and John Morris was his assistant last season. All 3 are big fans.

Tallis is off contract at the end of next year but is expected to be heavily pursued by Rugby too. The perception around the league is this kid will be the next Cameron Murray. Can't say I disagree he looks the goods. Interesting times ahead.

 

[Vicious]

Wonder from where.... jokes aside both players have unfortunately rejected our approach and will most likely remain at their respective clubs. Finefeuiaki has more competitive deals from both Dragons/Dolphins but Turuva has made it clear he doesn't want to leave and will most likely stay on unders.

However, I heard something very juicy over the weekend that the club is discussing plotting a deal come November 1st for Souths young gun Tallis Duncan.

Apparently Shane Richardson brought him to the Rabbits, Benji was at the club during Tallis's first season and John Morris was his assistant last season. All 3 are big fans.

Tallis is off contract at the end of next year but is expected to be heavily pursued by Rugby too. The perception around the league is this kid will be the next Cameron Murray. Can't say I disagree he looks the goods. Interesting times ahead.

This I like a lot.
Tallis Duncan will be the best number 13 in the NRL within 18 months, mark my words.
I hope we move heaven & earth to make him our permanent number 13.

 

[Tucker]

Given we are losing Tupou, Alaimalo is on a 1 yr deal and we let Nofa go it's wingers where we need to either see youngsters come through or recruit for next yr. I prefer youngsters coming through as you normally don't want to spend much on wingers

Staines? Lobb? Willet? Laulii’i?
We don’t need to buy wingers. We can develop our own.

 

[Vicious]

Staines? Lobb? Willet? Laulii’i?
We don’t need to buy wingers. We can develop our own.

None of those except maybe Laulilli possess the powerhouse hit ups out of our own danger zone which every good team requires.
Two I mentioned in Semi Valemai and Tony Francis both possess powerful hit ups out of their teams danger zone, we need someone like that in my opinion.

 

[Tucker]

None of those except maybe Laulilli possess the powerhouse hit ups out of our own danger zone which every good team requires.
Two I mentioned in Semi Valemai and Tony Francis both possess powerful hit ups out of their teams danger zone, we need someone like that in my opinion.

There are more pressing areas to fix up for mine.
Our prop rotation isn’t good enough…the drop off in intensity is very noticeable.
We have no strike centres, although I’m hopeful Olam helps this.
Our backrow depth is shallow.
Our top 17 can do a job. There is a huge gap to the next 13 behind them.

 

[Vicious]

There are more pressing areas to fix up for mine.
Our prop rotation isn’t good enough…the drop off in intensity is very noticeable.
We have no strike centres, although I’m hopeful Olam helps this.
Our backrow depth is shallow.
Our top 17 can do a job. There is a huge gap to the next 13 behind them.

I agree and anticipate the onus will be on all our players to show their worth to us throughout the 2024 season.
If we happen to finish in the bottom 4 I’m anticipating a lot of current players will be shown the door, contracted to us or not.
teddy23 just mentioned Tallis Duncan could be on our radar. If that information is correct I think he could be the type of signing to help catapult us into genuine title contenders. Anyone who doubts that, watch the intent, attitude and class he plays with for the Rabbitohs this season. He will be an elite rep player before too long and will not have the opportunity to play in his favoured number 13 jersey for Souths anytime soon with Cameron Murray blocking his path.

 

[Fainu Brothers]

Only way Tallis Ducan would consider leaving Souths would be we have a decent year this year and $$$

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

None of those except maybe Laulilli possess the powerhouse hit ups out of our own danger zone which every good team requires.
Two I mentioned in Semi Valemai and Tony Francis both possess powerful hit ups out of their teams danger zone, we need someone like that in my opinion.

Good options @Vicious & many hoping Jimmy Ngutlik can return to form from his ACL this season in NSW Cup and start to realise the potential he showed at the World Cup for PNG 16 months ago.

 

[WestsTigers4VR]

I'm really excited for Navren Willett after the first trial. Usually with younger players they are quite hesitant to take that hit up for a kick return or even quite dominated in the physicality side of it. I though for a 19 yr old he held his own fantastically. A season in SG Ball then Jersey Flegg for this year and next year to NSW Cup would do him wonders. Hope we get to see him again in the second trial. What are your thoughts on him?

 

[innsaneink]

And if Richo wasn’t here, he still wouldn’t have a contract.

FYI, not saying there was anythimg untoward about his signing, but his manager took advantage of a personal connection, and if it wasn’t for that, where would he be?

It's called networking... It's why the good capable and succesful know everyone and each other... Even. If it's just to talk over the phone or even email

It ain't what you know it's who you know

 

[Vicious]

I'm really excited for Navren Willett after the first trial. Usually with younger players they are quite hesitant to take that hit up for a kick return or even quite dominated in the physicality side of it. I though for a 19 yr old he held his own fantastically. A season in SG Ball then Jersey Flegg for this year and next year to NSW Cup would do him wonders. Hope we get to see him again in the second trial. What are your thoughts on him?

I think nearly all Wests Tigers fans agree big Nav was impressive with his attitude and intent.
He looks likely to progress through the grades very quickly, definitely Flegg and highly likely some NSW Cup this season and who knows how quickly he can progress from there.

 

[Vicious]

It's called networking... It's why the good capable and succesful know everyone and each other... Even. If it's just to talk over the phone or even email

It ain't what you know it's who you know

Every NRL club had plenty of time and opportunity to sign Faatape if they wanted to.
None of them did and Wests Tigers have given him an opportunity. Based on his first game for us, he looks to be a very promising player.

 

[tiger_one]

Every NRL club had plenty of time and opportunity to sign Faatape if they wanted to.
None of them did and Wests Tigers have given him an opportunity. Based on his first game for us, he looks to be a very promising player.

He was well and truly on Brisbane's radar but better opportunities here probably won the day.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Heard a rumour not wests tigers related however
Josh Schuster to Dragons

we dodged a bullet when Fulton was chasing Schuster

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Every NRL club had plenty of time and opportunity to sign Faatape if they wanted to.
None of them did and Wests Tigers have given him an opportunity. Based on his first game for us, he looks to be a very promising player.

Yeah Buzz is just looking for any angle possible to create some controversy with the Tigers. I am sure they have an edict at News Corp to find ways of keeping Tigers in the news because our club gets clicks.

I can't wait for when Richo appears on 360 this season and hope he tears Pooper & Buzz a new one!

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

I'm really excited for Navren Willett after the first trial. Usually with younger players they are quite hesitant to take that hit up for a kick return or even quite dominated in the physicality side of it. I though for a 19 yr old he held his own fantastically. A season in SG Ball then Jersey Flegg for this year and next year to NSW Cup would do him wonders. Hope we get to see him again in the second trial. What are your thoughts on him?

Very, very promising! I look forward to seeing him in 1-on-1 defensive situations & cover tackles to see how he goes with those at this stage of his development. And how goes in the clear, how fast he is!

It was reported he signed a 4 year deal with us early last season when he was still playing with Taree whilst at school. Not sure if it was 4 years from last year or this year.

He could be a bolter for our 30th spot by July 30 if he develops faster than anticipated unless the plan is for him to move into a Development contract next season like Heath Mason.

 

[Vicious]

He was well and truly on Brisbane's radar but better opportunities here probably won the day.

I really like the look of Faatape and think he’s a definite contender for a regular NRL position with us.
But if you look at the big picture moving forward, we need to recruit and have the best possible team available to us.
Is he a better long term option than say someone like Valynce Te Whare who has trimmed down and now looks to be a genuine NRL star in the making.
Depending how all our current centres play this season, of course.

 

[Tucker]

I agree and anticipate the onus will be on all our players to show their worth to us throughout the 2024 season.
If we happen to finish in the bottom 4 I’m anticipating a lot of current players will be shown the door, contracted to us or not.
teddy23 just mentioned Tallis Duncan could be on our radar. If that information is correct I think he could be the type of signing to help catapult us into genuine title contenders. Anyone who doubts that, watch the intent, attitude and class he plays with for the Rabbitohs this season. He will be an elite rep player before too long and will not have the opportunity to play in his favoured number 13 jersey for Souths anytime soon with Cameron Murray blocking his path.

I wouldn’t be against his signature. I think you are jumping the gun a bit though. I remember that length of the field try he scored last year, then also remember him struggling for consistency. He is a work in progress.

 

[Kelce68]

This I like a lot.
Tallis Duncan will be the best number 13 in the NRL within 18 months, mark my words.
I hope we move heaven & earth to make him our permanent number 13.

That's a very bold statement to make.

He's looks alright, I wouldn't jump ahead that far personally.