Onitoni Large

The Wests Tigers are rightly celebrating the Lachlan Galvin backflip and news that the 18-year-old utility will see out the remainder of his contract.

But now they have another youngster – described as the best 16-year-old league or union player in the country – who could soon be looking to bail out.

Onitoni Large is a Scots College student, captain of the junior Wallabies and a NSW Under 16s league representative.

He is so good that former Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens signed him to a five-year contract as a 15-year-old. His younger brother Ashton, a hooker, is also signed at the Wests Tigers.

One player manager said of Onitoni, who is a halfback or five-eighth: “He’s the best 16-year-old I’ve ever seen.”

The pair are managed by Craig Baker, who admits the boys’ future is uncertain at the Wests Tigers.

“When we signed under Sheensy he said he’d be there for five years,” Baker said.

“They sold us a pathway to first grade under Tim.

“There has been a lot of significant change since then.

“They’ve made decisions to bring other halves that was not consistent with what we were told.”

The Wests Tigers have signed Aidan Sezer, Sione Fainu, Jayden Sullivan and Jarome Luai in the halves since they did the deal with Sheens. They’ve also had Galvin emerge.

Rival NRL clubs are aware of Onitoni’s rare talent.

There is a belief he will be ready to play first grade at 18, which will be late next season.

It’s why more than a dozen clubs have rung Baker with expressions of interest.
Simple reply from Richo , and he needs to get on camera or radio and simply say , we have a plan and this kid is part of it , he is going no where , other clubs looking pull your heads in he has 4 years to go , NRL. Are you awake Mr Abdo
 
The Wests Tigers are rightly celebrating the Lachlan Galvin backflip and news that the 18-year-old utility will see out the remainder of his contract.

But now they have another youngster – described as the best 16-year-old league or union player in the country – who could soon be looking to bail out.

Onitoni Large is a Scots College student, captain of the junior Wallabies and a NSW Under 16s league representative.

He is so good that former Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens signed him to a five-year contract as a 15-year-old. His younger brother Ashton, a hooker, is also signed at the Wests Tigers.

One player manager said of Onitoni, who is a halfback or five-eighth: “He’s the best 16-year-old I’ve ever seen.”

The pair are managed by Craig Baker, who admits the boys’ future is uncertain at the Wests Tigers.

“When we signed under Sheensy he said he’d be there for five years,” Baker said.

“They sold us a pathway to first grade under Tim.

“There has been a lot of significant change since then.

“They’ve made decisions to bring other halves that was not consistent with what we were told.”

The Wests Tigers have signed Aidan Sezer, Sione Fainu, Jayden Sullivan and Jarome Luai in the halves since they did the deal with Sheens. They’ve also had Galvin emerge.

Rival NRL clubs are aware of Onitoni’s rare talent.

There is a belief he will be ready to play first grade at 18, which will be late next season.

It’s why more than a dozen clubs have rung Baker with expressions of interest.

Starting this season, we had:

Galvin
L Fainu
Sezer
Sullivan

All competing for halves positions

This round, we had our preferred Hooker at 1/2

Every day is a different day in the NRL, opportunities open and you take advantage of it.

I’m sick of these kids feeling entitled to a starting jersey. Pull your head in, see our your contracts and then explore your options.
 
The Wests Tigers are rightly celebrating the Lachlan Galvin backflip and news that the 18-year-old utility will see out the remainder of his contract.

But now they have another youngster – described as the best 16-year-old league or union player in the country – who could soon be looking to bail out.

Onitoni Large is a Scots College student, captain of the junior Wallabies and a NSW Under 16s league representative.

He is so good that former Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens signed him to a five-year contract as a 15-year-old. His younger brother Ashton, a hooker, is also signed at the Wests Tigers.

One player manager said of Onitoni, who is a halfback or five-eighth: “He’s the best 16-year-old I’ve ever seen.”

The pair are managed by Craig Baker, who admits the boys’ future is uncertain at the Wests Tigers.

“When we signed under Sheensy he said he’d be there for five years,” Baker said.

“They sold us a pathway to first grade under Tim.

“There has been a lot of significant change since then.

“They’ve made decisions to bring other halves that was not consistent with what we were told.”

The Wests Tigers have signed Aidan Sezer, Sione Fainu, Jayden Sullivan and Jarome Luai in the halves since they did the deal with Sheens. They’ve also had Galvin emerge.

Rival NRL clubs are aware of Onitoni’s rare talent.

There is a belief he will be ready to play first grade at 18, which will be late next season.

It’s why more than a dozen clubs have rung Baker with expressions of interest.
Thanks for sharing!

This line is journalism at its finest: "The Wests Tigers have signed Aidan Sezer, Sione Fainu, Jayden Sullivan and Jarome Luai in the halves since they did the deal with Sheens. They’ve also had Galvin emerge."

Mentions 2 players in Sezer and Sully who are most likely short term options. Then can't even get the name of Latu Fainu correct.

As far as I am concerned...Luai has the 7 jersey locked in and the 6 is still fair game long term (despite the Galvin drama). Kids need to be happy to just play NRL and be flexible with their positions. I reckon in the majority (if not all) clubs, Large steps into a centre or wing role to begin his career, if not a decent stint in reserve grade to start his career (look at Pezet at Storm for example).
 
Thanks for sharing!

This line is journalism at its finest: "The Wests Tigers have signed Aidan Sezer, Sione Fainu, Jayden Sullivan and Jarome Luai in the halves since they did the deal with Sheens. They’ve also had Galvin emerge."

Mentions 2 players in Sezer and Sully who are most likely short term options. Then can't even get the name of Latu Fainu correct.

As far as I am concerned...Luai has the 7 jersey locked in and the 6 is still fair game long term (despite the Galvin drama). Kids need to be happy to just play NRL and be flexible with their positions. I reckon in the majority (if not all) clubs, Large steps into a centre or wing role to begin his career, if not a decent stint in reserve grade to start his career (look at Pezet at Storm for example).

Sullivan is here for 4 years and just said during the week that he isn’t going anywhere ..

Having said that … the guy’s manager is absolutely running his mouth … the kid is 16 right ? Could be 4 years away from FG …

No wonder these kids are so entitled if they have dweebs like this pumping up his tires to this degree at 16 years old
 
Thanks for sharing!

This line is journalism at its finest: "The Wests Tigers have signed Aidan Sezer, Sione Fainu, Jayden Sullivan and Jarome Luai in the halves since they did the deal with Sheens. They’ve also had Galvin emerge."

Mentions 2 players in Sezer and Sully who are most likely short term options. Then can't even get the name of Latu Fainu correct.

As far as I am concerned...Luai has the 7 jersey locked in and the 6 is still fair game long term (despite the Galvin drama). Kids need to be happy to just play NRL and be flexible with their positions. I reckon in the majority (if not all) clubs, Large steps into a centre or wing role to begin his career, if not a decent stint in reserve grade to start his career (look at Pezet at Storm for example).
I would consider playing Large at Fullback and moving Bula to centre

The few videos I have seen of Large reminded me of RTS cross Benji

The step the body the vision the pass and it's an upgrade on Bula
 
I would consider playing Large at Fullback and moving Bula to centre

The few videos I have seen of Large reminded me of RTS cross Benji

The step the body the vision the pass and it's an upgrade on Bula
There's nothing to say that he has to play in the halves. These player managers and other clubs are getting way ahead of themselves. He has a contract for starters and i dare say as per Galvin, he won't be going anywhere. Talk he may be ready by the end of next year.............thats a long, long time in NRL, anything can and often does happen in not only injuries, but player movement.
 
Seems to me there is a world of difference between a contract to play and a guarantee to play.

Clubs have a top 30, so I’d say someone misses out in every team.
 
Stick him in the deep end as far as he can go next season. He looked bored playing in his age group this year. His talent stands out but he didn't take over games the way the report makes out, and he was injured for most of the league season.
 
“It’s why more than a dozen clubs have rung Baker with expressions of interest.”

There you go Abdo. Do your job and investigate this tampering allegation.
When was the last time the NRL truely sanctioned player managers hard… slap on the wrist here with a reminder to be a good boy
 
Like many others have also mentioned, get him into our top 30 ASAP and give him game time as a fullback or centre who can potentially transition back into the halves in a few years time.
Make him understand his speed, speed off the mark and dangerous ball running will be wasted in the halves early on in his career.
 
Like many others have also mentioned, get him into our top 30 ASAP and give him game time as a fullback or centre who can potentially transition back into the halves in a few years time.
Make him understand his speed, speed off the mark and dangerous ball running will be wasted in the halves early on in his career.
Im pretty sure he’s 17 years old he’s not even eligible to play in the nrl he’s hasn’t even played sg ball yet. He’s played half a season of Mathews cup
 
“It’s why more than a dozen clubs have rung Baker with expressions of interest.”

There you go Abdo. Do your job and investigate this tampering allegation.

Too right NS. It's happening under their noses. Crock
of shit. NFL docks agents & franchises $250,000
For just picking up the phone & enquiring. The kid
is 16 with 3/4 years left on his contract. It's crazy
 
Im pretty sure he’s 17 years old he’s not even eligible to play in the nrl he’s hasn’t even played sg ball yet. He’s played half a season of Mathews cup
The Roosters got given an exemption for Joseph Sualiii to play NRL at 17 so it can be done.
As you say Onitoni Large would ideally need to start by playing NSW Cup and dominating on that grade before being considered for NRL.
My point is there is plenty of speculation we could lose, surely catapulting him into our too 30 in 2025 with the promise of playing NSW Cuo and potentially NRL if he plays well enough would help our chances of keeping of keeping him ?
 
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