Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[ROZELLE.O.G]

Corporate space is very limited at LO. I have no doubt if the government was to fund corporate facilities to supply an extra 500 corporate seats (Corporate suites) then I think Richo would have a long term lease signed. Unfortunately we miss out on big dollars because we don’t have the capacity to host big corporate numbers. I have no doubt Richo will keep this in the media to keep the pressure on the government. Definitely something magical about the old girl. Walking in on Saturday night I was instantly pumped up. Fingers crossed we get something done there

I love going to Leichhardt the feeling was electric on Saturday night and its been pretty good for last couple years even when we weren't winning. I have got to be honest when you have young kids everything is wonderful at Leichhardt except access to toilets and food/drink. The only thing that I can see where moving to a modern ground is a positive is that it would have better transport, parking and corporate facilities.. When Souths did it and moved, they at least were training at Redfern for a over a decade while playing at Homebush, now they are permanently training out their CofE at Maroubra and only junior rep footy is at Redfern. In hindsight Leichhardt could've been the Centre of Excellence with a minimal spend. That's we Richo is paid the big bucks its a tough one.

 

[Vicious]

I believe it was
1. Galvin
6. Latu
7. Talagi

Honestly I think Talagi is just someone who doesn't really fit into our team atm. We need centres and wingers, not another potential half that we can try and shift to another position.

I agree.
We need big fast athletes, give us David Fifita, Zac Lomax, James Schiller and Trey Mooney and we would quickly become a team who opposition fears.

 

[Vicious]

The 26 signed for '25 doesn't include Tumeth or Stefano.

Roster Breakdown: 2024-2029

ROSTER BREAKDOWN First post in thread is updated when new signings, contract extensions, or releases are made. 2024 - 27/30 1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Starford To’a 4. Justin Olam 5. Junior Tupou 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau (c) 10. David...

weststigersforum.com

Based on that list we need an urgent review of the value we will get from To’a, Naden, Sullivan, Bateman, Laulilli x2, Miller, Sukkar, Feledy, Faagatu & Saukuru.

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

I agree.
We need big fast athletes, give us David Fifita, Zac Lomax, James Schiller and Trey Mooney and we would quickly become a team who opposition fears.

There is absolutely 0 chance we sign someone as disruptive as Fifita.

Richo pulled out of signing Fonua Blake because he thought we have a strong crop of young forwards that will be needing upgrades. I doubt he will re evaluate and end up spending more on Fifita than he would of with Fonua Blake.

Jayden Sua would be the one I think we should try for.

I agree with you on Lomax, I've been saying we need him for over a year at this point.
Potential rep level right centre that can kick, also adds the height we don't ever have.

 

[JB9918]

The 26 signed for '25 doesn't include Tumeth or Stefano.

Roster Breakdown: 2024-2029

ROSTER BREAKDOWN First post in thread is updated when new signings, contract extensions, or releases are made. 2024 - 27/30 1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Starford To’a 4. Justin Olam 5. Junior Tupou 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau (c) 10. David...

weststigersforum.com

Check the image.

Remove Nofa makes 29 currently & 26 for 2025

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

I agree.
We need big fast athletes, give us David Fifita, Zac Lomax, James Schiller and Trey Mooney and we would quickly become a team who opposition fears.

The other non negotiable in recruitment & retention that Richo raised in the podcast that Benji is a big on, is strength of character/leadership or however you want to put it. Apparently that's why Galvin & Heath Mason are held in very high regard, and Nofa got the boot.

 

[balmain boy]

Depends how ruthless we are for mine I would happily let go of Naden Toa staines and as much as it hurts douhei. I don't think any of them are truly modern first-graders atm. My question is what other team would they start or come off the bench for I can't one.

If you picked up dave fifita with some money chipped in surely you do it, He is exactly what we lack, a devastating ball runner who over the last year has improved his work rate as well. Shocked people wouldn't. Imagine him running off luai, wowzer that's delicious

I think Richo would be more than happy to move on all of Staines, Toa, Naden and Doueihi. They've all peaked, wont be improving. They're all depth players, when really we need our youngsters to be depth players and sign stars to the first team

 

[KingRobbie]

Check the image.

Remove Nofa makes 29 currently & 26 for 2025

Count the X's (Top 30 deals) in the 2025 column.

26, not including Tumeth, Sezer or Utoikamanu.

 

[Vicious]

There is absolutely 0 chance we sign someone as disruptive as Fifita.

Richo pulled out of signing Fonua Blake because he thought we have a strong crop of young forwards that will be needing upgrades. I doubt he will re evaluate and end up spending more on Fifita than he would of with Fonua Blake.

Jayden Sua would be the one I think we should try for.

I agree with you on Lomax, I've been saying we need him for over a year at this point.
Potential rep level right centre that can kick, also adds the height we don't ever have.

Su’a is a slug compared to Fifita, chalk and cheese.
Unless it’s a major upgrade we should be keeping the 2 back rowers we currently have.

 

[balmain boy]

The other non negotiable in recruitment & retention that Richo raised in the podcast that Benji is a big on, is strength of character/leadership or however you want to put it. Apparently that's why Galvin & Heath Mason are held in very high regard, and Nofa got the boot.

Character is fine, but not every player in the squad needs to be Captain material either. You need 1-2 hard edged tough guys, and leadership isn't usually high up on their skill sets, at least not until they get older....

 

[Vicious]

I think Richo would be more than happy to move on all of Staines, Toa, Naden and Doueihi. They've all peaked, wont be improving. They're all depth players, when really we need our youngsters to be depth players and sign stars to the first team

When including Staines keep in mind you need at least one winger who’s in the higher echelon in regards to speed. If he goes where are you finding someone else better who is just as quick ?

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Character is fine, but not every player in the squad needs to be Captain material either. You need 1-2 hard edged tough guys, and leadership isn't usually high up on their skill sets, at least not until they get older....

Probably moreso meaning dedication to succeed, self drive, team work, family morals, self discipline etc. A pre-season would expose who has these in the squad.

 

[tigerbenji]

People say get rid Stains who still has 2yrs left on his contract, Bateman still has 2yrs left after this year & Naden has another 2yrs after this year & Doueihi has this year. I think it would cost us a packet to get rid of theses players.

 

[Vicious]

People say get rid Stains who still has 2yrs left on his contract, Bateman still has 2yrs left after this year & Naden has another 2yrs after this year & Doueihi has this year. I think it would cost us a packet to get rid of theses players.

Why would it cost anything, we paid out Nofoaluma without any consequences to our Salary Cap?
If you have a chance to sign players such as David Fifita, Zac Lomax and the emerging James Schiller and Trey Mooney, you move heaven & earth to fit them in.

 

[The-moP]

We'd be nuts if we dont have a crack at Fifita we need some good back rowers by next season. I've heard we will lose a 2nd rower or two by the end of the season .. (Blore's gone .. another 1 to go maybe .. ;-)) It's tipped he'll end up at Canberra as they have offered he and his sister good contracts for next season. Yes sister plays in the NRLW comp for the Titans.

 

[JB9918]

Bud seems to be the odd man out... 4 years @ $500K... I think for a half someone will pick that up. Titans, Dogs, Dragons plus others.

Sezer is a hard one. If Bud goes I'd keep him for depth for sure. Steer & grow our younger blokes in NSW Cup in 2025.

Toa, Naden or Staines one could go.

I do like the above who said Fifita, Lomax, Schiller & Mooney.

2025

1. Bula
2. Schiller
3. Faataape/Lomax
4. Olam
5. Staines/Naden/Toa
6. Galvin
7. Luai
8. Utoiukamanu
9. Korosaui
10. Klemmer
11. Fifita
12. Bateman
13. Papali'i
14. L Fainu
15. Mooney
16. S Fainu
17. Pole
18. Twal/Seyfarth
19. Da Silva
20. Sezer

Plus a heap of promising juniors!

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

We'd be nuts if we dont have a crack at Fifita we need some good back rowers by next season. I've heard we will lose a 2nd rower or two by the end of the season .. (Blore's gone .. another 1 to go maybe .. ;-)) It's tipped he'll end up at Canberra as they have offered he and his sister good contracts for next season. Yes sister plays in the NRLW comp for the Titans.

Hopefully the 2nd backrower to go is Kepaoa who is off contract anyway.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

The 26 signed for '25 doesn't include Tumeth or Stefano.

Roster Breakdown: 2024-2029

ROSTER BREAKDOWN First post in thread is updated when new signings, contract extensions, or releases are made. 2024 - 27/30 1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Starford To’a 4. Justin Olam 5. Junior Tupou 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau (c) 10. David...

weststigersforum.com

I know some have mentioned over the past couple of months that Tumeth & Matamua might be being looked at to be moved on.

I just hope this isn't the case. They are both 21 and were elevated to top 30 maybe prematurely but during a regime a bit sensitive to losing any more local juniors.

I think both still have a lot of development in them but importantly have loads of ability for their age.

It might be the same conversation for Jordan Miller in 12 months time but forwards do take longer to develop especially physically. Miller reminds me of a young Sam Kasiano in body shape.

 

[Vicious]

Bud seems to be the odd man out... 4 years @ $500K... I think for a half someone will pick that up. Titans, Dogs, Dragons plus others.

Sezer is a hard one. If Bud goes I'd keep him for depth for sure. Steer & grow our younger blokes in NSW Cup in 2025.

Toa, Naden or Staines one could go.

I do like the above who said Fifita, Lomax, Schiller & Mooney.

2025

1. Bula
2. Schiller
3. Faataape/Lomax
4. Olam
5. Staines/Naden/Toa
6. Galvin
7. Luai
8. Utoiukamanu
9. Korosaui
10. Klemmer
11. Fifita
12. Bateman
13. Papali'i
14. L Fainu
15. Mooney
16. S Fainu
17. Pole
18. Twal/Seyfarth
19. Da Silva
20. Sezer

Plus a heap of promising juniors!

That looks like a dangerous team.

 

[Vicious]

I know some have mentioned over the past couple of months that Tumeth & Matamua might be being looked at to be moved on.

I just hope this isn't the case. They are both 21 and were elevated to top 30 maybe prematurely but during a regime a bit sensitive to losing any more local juniors.

I think both still have a lot of development in them but importantly have loads of ability for their age.

It might be the same conversation for Jordan Miller in 12 months time but forwards do take longer to develop especially physically. Miller reminds me of a young Sam Kasiano in body shape.

I agree with Matamua and Tumeth, both are still very young for forwards, both I assume would be on a minimum wage which allows us the spend more on other top 30 squad members and both have showed signs of improvement so far this season.
I’m very worried Miller won’t live up to his reputation as his lateral movement is very poor which makes him a liability when defending.