Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Eca]

I’m not sold on JAC. He’s busted.

I rate Faataape and reckon he will continue to come on.

Staines & Fox to me are very similar classy speedy wingers. You have an attack that hums and they will pile on the tries. Solid & smart defenders. Fox of course more experienced and influential to the team. With regards to tackle busting, unfortunately they are the same too which is our issue when returning kicks. They are a little more effective returning with ball in hand threatening to pass.. if they tuck that ball early they just got smothered often backwards. We need at least one thats like To'o to replace the dolphin. Both our wingers to this stage arent really getting much chances yet, scores are more or less thru the middle. But you get that backline humming and staines will kill it. Love fox but no for me unless repacing Staines.

 

[weststigerman]

The forgotten man at the moment is TDS, he is going to need some bench time to keep him interested. So how they manage Latu,Bud and TDS is not going to be easy.

I think 60-80 minutes in Flegg or NSW cup is best for him at the moment. Whoever plays 14 is likely in for for 15-20 minutes in NRL and probably not great for development. I think he'll be needed during the origin period, no need for him to play NRL until then unless something happens to Api IMO.

Similar story for Latu IMO, needs to play minutes.

 

[tonza]

Do you really need that? So far, I haven't seen Staines' speed serve any purpose at WT.

I've seen both Tupou and Bula chase down players from breaks but not Staines yet.

IMO we need to find a way to use his speed, if we can't do that we're better off with a metre eater winger.

Maybe that's because of the quality of the men inside him?

 

[Kaito]

Keeping Galvin happy is the key. Off contract after the '26 season; others locked in long term.

The bro NBWT put up a post, he's playing with his
mates - school & rep. Living the dream..can we stop
talking about him soon, probably not haha

 

[Roar_Power]

I’m not sold on JAC. He’s busted.

I rate Faataape and reckon he will continue to come on.

Alaimalo out of favour now?

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Keeping Galvin happy is the key. Off contract after the '26 season; others locked in long term.

The others are only a year longer.

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

Alaimalo out of favour now?

Sounds like his transition is harder than anticipated

 

[tonza]

Sounds like his transition is harder than anticipated

The recent game I saw him play on Fox, he lacked aggression and enthusiasm. He was dominated by blokes half his size. There might be something there but its a long way off or I just can't see it.

 

[supercoach]

I think 60-80 minutes in Flegg or NSW cup is best for him at the moment. Whoever plays 14 is likely in for for 15-20 minutes in NRL and probably not great for development. I think he'll be needed during the origin period, no need for him to play NRL until then unless something happens to Api IMO.

Similar story for Latu IMO, needs to play minutes.

Yes agreed but will that keep him interested knowing API is around for a few more years

 

[Vicious]

Sounds like his transition is harder than anticipated

Nothing to do with a transition, all he has to do is use his size to advantage by running hard and tackling hard.
He’s 6 foot 5, has a physique like a beast and is more than quick enough, but so far he’s shown he doesn’t like the contact which comes with succeeding as an NRL player.
Not totally impossible for his mindset to change, but not looking good so far.

 

[Kaito]

Alaimalo out of favour now?

A bit to work on. My bro Jimmy Ngutlik gone MIA

 

[Tito Santana]

Alaimalo out of favour now?

I’m not giving up on him yet but he’s further off than I thought. Don’t know where his confidence is. Needs to score a few tries I think.

 

[batboy]

22yo, rangy with a bit of pace, and from the limited amount I have seen of him he just looks up for it. Looked good in the trials and scored a hattrick against the Magpies in KOE.
Could just be good against average opposition, but he is also stuck behind some very good centres at Canberra. He's worth a try, seems too good for reserve grade.

A little bit of a young Curtis Scott about him....
We have a couple blokes he'd be an upgrade on.

 

[Roar_Power]

A bit to work on. My bro Jimmy Ngutlik gone MIA

He could be great. Looks built for footy. Where is he?

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Alaimalo out of favour now?

lol he was touted by some as being the next gun centre....

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

lol he was touted by some as being the next gun centre....

29 this year and never properly cracked the top grade in his old code. I don't know why people thought he'd come over, pick up league and have an easier time of it.

 

[Tito Santana]

29 this year and never properly cracked the top grade in his old code. I don't know why people thought he'd come over, pick up league and have an easier time of it.

Dude he played super rugby for the chiefs and got player of the year.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

The forgotten man at the moment is TDS, he is going to need some bench time to keep him interested. So how they manage Latu,Bud and TDS is not going to be easy.

I disagree. He knows when Api will leave & also knows right now his pathway.

We need him to get miles and fitness into the body over next 2yrs with then occasional bench time mixed with cover for Api if he plays NSW+Injury+Rest.

This impacted Jake’s development a heap having not played during covid + being on the bench for a few years.

TDS shouldn’t get week to week 10-20min bench runs as that will impact him longer term

 

[weststigerman]

I’m not giving up on him yet but he’s further off than I thought. Don’t know where his confidence is. Needs to score a few tries I think.

He's significantly better than Tupou or O'Reilly were in their first couple of NSW Cup games, but still a long way off.

 

[weststigerman]

Maybe that's because of the quality of the men inside him?

Maybe it is, but is that improving any time soon?