Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[razor7]

Matamua is improving a lot in koe cup. Tumeth has been underwhelming

 

[balmain boy]

And you would think they might be looking to hang onto Faataape who seems higher up the depth chart than several other guys here ..so not a lot of room left …

We can't re-sign him. He's really just another plodder. If we release both Toa and someone like Staines or Naden then maybe he could sneak a top 30 spot. But really he's a backup, too small, too slow to ever be a starting player. But a better backup than the likes of Kepaoa

 

[Camel2281]

I’d be surprised if Da Silva doesn’t become an NRL regular, just not sure what’s going on with him at the moment.

He's still a kid

 

[Vicious]

He's still a kid

Yes but the fact that he’s only played around 10-15mins game time on each of the coast 2 games is quite strange for a highly rated young player we’re supposed to be developing.

 

[Snidest 0]

Yes but the fact that he’s only played around 10-15mins game time on each of the coast 2 games is quite strange for a highly rated young player we’re supposed to be developing.

He was getting ragdolled by attacking forwards at times in those first grade minutes he had.

Needs more physical development to consistently defend in the middle for more than a a few sets (despite his muscular physique - he's a lightweight).

Would be good to see him play some open-age in Massey Cup like the backrowers - but they obviously don't think he's physically robust enough yet.

 

[InGalvinWeTrust]

does anyone know what LSB means, i keep on seeing it pop up on stories

 

[Tiger Stripes]

I’m surprised by him saying we are done in the recruiting, we are still not a first grade team who goes well each week , we need probably 2 more , I note the panthers signing he noted centre next year so we need a big prop with strong go forward carries and a speedy big winger , prop will let Pole play back row , the other thing is our second grade team shows not much in the players who can meet first grade we need to unload half of them and get firing first graders from other clubs who are behind top class players

I just hope we snag Willison from the Bronco's.
He is the big, young prop we need for starters!
Hoping they waive enough $$$ and incentives to get him?

 

[weststigerman]

You can't expect all 18 year olds to jump in and belong at NRL or even NSW Cup level.

Galvin is something different altogether as he's doing more than even Benji did at that age. Latu is also doing well holding his own at NRL level. Da Silva is probably a year away.

Forwards like Miller, Laulilli, Faagatu will likely take a bit longer to develop. I expect it won't be until 2026 before they regularly appear in the NRL.

We have too many 18-19 year olds in the top 30, but the club chose to do that so we wouldn't lose them. IMO we need some stopgap players for the next year to help them out. Would be nice to find someone who can play 13 if the club doesn't rate Matamua.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

There was a good article this morning on MSN where Billy Slater offered his opinion that the WTS with the purchases of Luai, Turuva and the emergence of very good young talent are on the way up. Slater imo is one of the best commentators and his opinions are to a large extent free from club bias. I would like him at our club as a consultant.

 

[finnzo]

There was a good article this morning on MSN where Billy Slater offered his opinion that the WTS with the purchases of Luai, Turuva and the emergence of very good young talent are on the way up. Slater imo is one of the best commentators and his opinions are to a large extent free from club bias. I would like him at our club as a consultant.

Jareams person on field coach

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Currently we have our top 30 spots locked up for 2025 if the options for Uto, Sezer & Tumeth are exercised.

We all know that there will likely be a player or 2 currently under contract moved on which will free up some more spots.

But it got me thinking which young players do we have could be integral to the team based on their physical attributes (and what we currently lack in our top 17) ...

1 Jordan Miller - big, metre-eating prop with offloading ability.
2 Solo Saukuru - big tackle-busting centre/wing with good aerial ability.
3 Heath Mason - dynamo with quick acceleration & footwork.
4 Nav Willett - tall, strong wing/centre with with good aerial ability.
5 Herman Tofaeono - explosive prop that can bust a line, provide impact off bench.
6 Lachlan Broederlow - strong, powerful backrower in both A&D, brings effort.
7 Luke Laulilii - strong, powerful tackle-breaking wing.

 

[Tcat]

There was a good article this morning on MSN where Billy Slater offered his opinion that the WTS with the purchases of Luai, Turuva and the emergence of very good young talent are on the way up. Slater imo is one of the best commentators and his opinions are to a large extent free from club bias. I would like him at our club as a consultant.

He's way better than Cronk. Cronk comes across like a rich spoilt school kid. Thinks everyone is below him. He was lucky with the teams/systems he played in. Never did it tough and turned a struggling team around.

 

[851]

The Slater article, he thinks we are trending up.

MSN

Slater's bold call amid 'exciting' Tigers rebuild​

Billy Slater has made a bold call on the Wests Tigers, claiming the struggling club is "not far off" after landing some massive recruitment coups in recent months.

After locking in the services of three-time premiership winner Jarome Luai for 2025 and beyond, the Tigers also managed to sign Penrith teammate Sunia Turuva on a three-year deal beginning next season.


Despite the interest from St George Illawarra and a desire from the Panthers to retain the 2023 Dally M Rookie of the Year, Turuva surprised many by opting to move to Concord, where he will add plenty of spark out wide for Benji Marshall's side.


The club has also brought in Api Koroisau, John Bateman and Isaiah Papali'i over the past 18 months, bolstering the roster in the middle of the field.

And according to Slater, Marshall's team is on the cusp of something special with the likes of young stars Lachlan Galvin, Jahream Bula and Latu Fainu also coming through.

Lachlan Galvin has been a standout for the Tigers in 2024.© Getty
"They are certainly building something there," he said on Nine's Billy Slater Podcast.

"If we see some growth in Lachlan Galvin and these young guys coming through and put some experienced and classy players around them, they are not too far off.

"If you're a Tigers fan, I'd be getting pretty excited."



Galvin has been brilliant in his first handful of games in the top grade, while the excitement machine that is Bula in the No.1 jumper continues to show great potential.

And the impending arrival of Turuva, who played in last year's grand final for the Panthers, will add a vital cog in the wheel to Marshall's backline.

Sunia Turuva will head to the Tigers next year.© Getty
"He brings a whole heap to the game," Slater said.

"Now more than ever, the wingers bring so much to the game.

"They are not just tryscorers, which Sunia Turuva is wonderful at, but I believe he does his best work up the other end of the field when he brings the ball out of trouble.

"Sunia is a great pick-up. He is a wonderful player, he is only young, and to get someone like that at the Tigers [is great]."

 

[Canadian Club]

Currently we have our top 30 spots locked up for 2025 if the options for Uto, Sezer & Tumeth are exercised.

We all know that there will likely be a player or 2 currently under contract moved on which will free up some more spots.

But it got me thinking which young players do we have could be integral to the team based on their physical attributes (and what we currently lack in our top 17) ...

1 Jordan Miller - big, metre-eating prop with offloading ability.
2 Solo Saukuru - big tackle-busting centre/wing with good aerial ability.
3 Heath Mason - dynamo with quick acceleration & footwork.
4 Nav Willett - tall, strong wing/centre with with good aerial ability.
5 Herman Tofaeono - explosive prop that can bust a line, provide impact off bench.
6 Lachlan Broederlow - strong, powerful backrower in both A&D, brings effort.
7 Luke Laulilii - strong, powerful tackle-breaking wing.

I really like Luke Laulilii from what i have seen so far this season and think he may be the most underrated of the young prospects coming through. He also has a clear path to first grade given our lack of standout wingers. It seems like the club are happy with his progress given he has gone from SG Ball to Flegg to NSW Cup already this season.

He made the Aus schoolboy side last year along with Galvin and Mason albeit being one year younger (18 this year) and is still eligible for SG Ball next season.

His speed, agility, power and ball running style reminds me a of a young Val Homes who also played his juniors at fullback but came into grade as winger at the Sharks.

 

[weststigerman]

I really like Luke Laulilii from what i have seen so far this season and think he may be the most underrated of the young prospects coming through. He also has a clear path to first grade given our lack of standout wingers. It seems like the club are happy with his progress given he has gone from SG Ball to Flegg to NSW Cup already this season.

He made the Aus schoolboy side last year along with Galvin and Mason albeit being one year younger (18 this year) and is still eligible for SG Ball next season.

His speed, agility, power and ball running style reminds me a of a young Val Homes who also played his juniors at fullback but came into grade as winger at the Sharks.

I'm a fan of his too, just not sure whether his height is going to be an issue at NRL level. He's runs the ball as powerfully as forward but is a bit suspect catching bombs.

Benji seems to like stocky centres so maybe that's the plan for him.

 

[rugbygoated]

He's way better than Cronk. Cronk comes across like a rich spoilt school kid. Thinks everyone is below him. He was lucky with the teams/systems he played in. Never did it tough and turned a struggling team around.

Cronk is so obsessed with mid system players like Cogger and Hutchison. You can see he doesn't prefer the Benji's and JT's who are livewires

 

[innsaneink]

There was a good article this morning on MSN where Billy Slater offered his opinion that the WTS with the purchases of Luai, Turuva and the emergence of very good young talent are on the way up. Slater imo is one of the best commentators and his opinions are to a large extent free from club bias. I would like him at our club as a consultant.

I Wonder how Skando would feel about that

 

[jrtiger]

I'm a fan of his too, just not sure whether his height is going to be an issue at NRL level. He's runs the ball as powerfully as forward but is a bit suspect catching bombs.

Benji seems to like stocky centres so maybe that's the plan for him.

no doubt he has to work on being under the high ball and defending in the front line, but his short term future is absolutely on the wing.

he's short, but so are Brian To'o, Sunia Turuva, Taylan May and Izack Tago, and they all play in the backline of the best club side I've ever seen. there are ways to counteract bigger wingers, but we have work to do in that area.

that said, I think it wouldn't be forever. Makasini isn't far off and Navren Willett from what I've seen has every chance of becoming a regular first grader. Luke though, in my view, will start his first grade career on the wing.

 

[Demps]

no doubt he has to work on being under the high ball and defending in the front line, but his short term future is absolutely on the wing.

he's short, but so are Brian To'o, Sunia Turuva, Taylan May and Izack Tago, and they all play in the backline of the best club side I've ever seen. there are ways to counteract bigger wingers, but we have work to do in that area.

that said, I think it wouldn't be forever. Makasini isn't far off and Navren Willett from what I've seen has every chance of becoming a regular first grader. Luke though, in my view, will start his first grade career on the wing.

That'll be a serious back line if all those players really work out how we hope.

1 Bula
2 Willett
3 Turuva
4 Makasini
5 Lualiliii

Or similar... rate it

 

[Vicious]

The Slater article, he thinks we are trending up.

MSN

Slater's bold call amid 'exciting' Tigers rebuild​

Billy Slater has made a bold call on the Wests Tigers, claiming the struggling club is "not far off" after landing some massive recruitment coups in recent months.

After locking in the services of three-time premiership winner Jarome Luai for 2025 and beyond, the Tigers also managed to sign Penrith teammate Sunia Turuva on a three-year deal beginning next season.


Despite the interest from St George Illawarra and a desire from the Panthers to retain the 2023 Dally M Rookie of the Year, Turuva surprised many by opting to move to Concord, where he will add plenty of spark out wide for Benji Marshall's side.


The club has also brought in Api Koroisau, John Bateman and Isaiah Papali'i over the past 18 months, bolstering the roster in the middle of the field.

And according to Slater, Marshall's team is on the cusp of something special with the likes of young stars Lachlan Galvin, Jahream Bula and Latu Fainu also coming through.

Lachlan Galvin has been a standout for the Tigers in 2024.© Getty
"They are certainly building something there," he said on Nine's Billy Slater Podcast.

"If we see some growth in Lachlan Galvin and these young guys coming through and put some experienced and classy players around them, they are not too far off.

"If you're a Tigers fan, I'd be getting pretty excited."



Galvin has been brilliant in his first handful of games in the top grade, while the excitement machine that is Bula in the No.1 jumper continues to show great potential.

And the impending arrival of Turuva, who played in last year's grand final for the Panthers, will add a vital cog in the wheel to Marshall's backline.

Sunia Turuva will head to the Tigers next year.© Getty
"He brings a whole heap to the game," Slater said.

"Now more than ever, the wingers bring so much to the game.

"They are not just tryscorers, which Sunia Turuva is wonderful at, but I believe he does his best work up the other end of the field when he brings the ball out of trouble.

"Sunia is a great pick-up. He is a wonderful player, he is only young, and to get someone like that at the Tigers [is great]."

Billy is one of the few in the media who regularly speak positively about Wests Tigers.
As others have alluded to, getting him on board as a consultant and/or to work with our attack once per week would be a huge plus.