Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

About 31:00 into this podcast with Chammas & Weidler, the host mentions Mitchell Pearce telling him that the Tigers have poached the best RL schoolboys half from the Roosters in the past 10 years. No mention of names but wonder whether it's a reference to Mikey Nassar @ROZELLE.O.G or Onitoni Large or someone else.

I know my son has told me that Mikey Nasser is in the Roosters academy and has been training with Cronk and Mitchell Pearce. My son told me that Pearce was surprised how big Mikeys boot is. I know in the Harold Matts season for the tigers he had 17 restarts of his kick offs. The roosters have been using him in first grade oppose sessions the last two months to mimick key players like Reece Walsh, Burton, Ponga. I saw him play a couple of weeks ago for school footy, the kid is scary quick, he was also with Bronson Harrison in the warm ups which I am hoping is a good sign for us.
 
Have seen Willison playing this year, he is not close to how he was playing last year, I would give him big miss.
But that is just second year syndrome, next year will be third year and he will be fine. 🤣 🤣 🤣

For what it's worth I don't think he is coming but wouldn't mind him if he did.
 
Watch his manager blow up if that happens and he loses out on his cut of the money, suddenly there are compelling reasons why he should sign with Wests Tigers and create a legacy by being part of turning the club around. 🤣 🤣 🤣
I would also think in this scenario that someone like politis would make up the managers lost money on the side if it meant signing Ute
 
I know my son has told me that Mikey Nasser is in the Roosters academy and has been training with Cronk and Mitchell Pearce. My son told me that Pearce was surprised how big Mikeys boot is. I know in the Harold Matts season for the tigers he had 17 restarts of his kick offs. The roosters have been using him in first grade oppose sessions the last two months to mimick key players like Reece Walsh, Burton, Ponga. I saw him play a couple of weeks ago for school footy, the kid is scary quick, he was also with Bronson Harrison in the warm ups which I am hoping is a good sign for us.
I've only ever seen highlights of Mikey and his speed & kicking ability is extraordinary. Certainly from the limited reels I've seen of him & Onitoni Large, I think Nassar has the greater scope for NRL. Fingers crossed for Bronson! Whoever is responsible at the club for not securing him long-term 12 or so months ago should be hauled over the coals (maybe they have already departed).
 
don’t know where this mail is the Onitoni Large is leaving. He is contracted 5 years with the club starting lasting year I believe. If recent actions are anything to go by I’d say he is gonna stay here unless we get something out of it. Also the notion just because he isn’t apart of the top 30 is ridiculous. One: we are not in the same position two years ago where we had no choice and needed to fast track our juniors 2: He has been training with the top 30 squad during NRL preseason so the club clearly rates him enough already. Not to mention he was 16 yrs old when he took part of the top 30s pre season so the club thinks he’ll be ready sooner rather then later.
 
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I've only ever seen highlights of Mikey and his speed & kicking ability is extraordinary. Certainly from the limited reels I've seen of him & Onitoni Large, I think Nassar has the greater scope for NRL. Fingers crossed for Bronson! Whoever is responsible at the club for not securing him long-term 12 or so months ago should be hauled over the coals (maybe they have already departed).
We need this guy back. Could start on the wing with his size and pace and then transition to fullback if good enough.
 
2 wins and suddenly the media reporting the future is bright. I think there is still a lot of work to do to ensure our juniors live up to the expectation.

If we push the Roosters, Storm and Rabbits to the brink, then I'll believe the hype, but the reality is juniors are not as physically able to take the week to week intensity of NRL, therefore you get inconsistency. I'd love to see us jag a win against one of these teams, but we should also be prepared for a few floggings.
 
2 wins and suddenly the media reporting the future is bright. I think there is still a lot of work to do to ensure our juniors live up to the expectation.

If we push the Roosters, Storm and Rabbits to the brink, then I'll believe the hype, but the reality is juniors are not as physically able to take the week to week intensity of NRL, therefore you get inconsistency. I'd love to see us jag a win against one of these teams, but we should also be prepared for a few floggings.
Nobody expects us to keep winning.
Of course they'll be inconsistent, that still won't distract from how good these young guys are looking.
 
I don’t know why but I’m always more confident going against teams who are in form. You gotta imagine at some point they have to lose and you’d imagine they would be quite confident, especially against the tigers. I think the Storm, Roosters and Sharks game would be quite winnable (I’m am seriously delusional and schizophrenic). In all honesty if we come out of this with even one win, it would be monumental and an extremely good showing for the rest of the year.
 
I don’t know why but I’m always more confident going against teams who are in form. You gotta imagine at some point they have to lose and you’d imagine they would be quite confident, especially against the tigers. I think the Storm, Roosters and Sharks game would be quite winnable (I’m am seriously delusional and schizophrenic). In all honesty if we come out of this with even one win, it would be monumental and an extremely good showing for the rest of the year.
The Roosters humiliate us regularly. I'll be happy with a bad beating.
 
In the Pathways thread.

NRL 2024: Wests Tigers production line in full swing as the next crop of talent at Concord is revealed​

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has some of the best rugby league rising talent in the country at his disposal. We take a look at the rising pathways players next in line.

Fatima Kdouh

The Wests Tigers production line is in full swing.

Coach Benji Marshall has one eye on the future and hasn’t been afraid to blood the club’s most promising rookies in 2024, handing out 10 NRL debuts so far this season, including boom five-eighth Lachlan Galvin.

The 18-year-old Galvin is at the centre of a Tigers revival, the foundation of which will be built around the club’s best pathways talent.

The Tigers’ back-to-back wins has featured teenagers Galvin, Jordan Miller, Heath Mason and Luke Laulilii – who are all local juniors.

It not only put the spotlight on the club’s pathways but has fans wondering who is the next in line?

Inside Wests Tigers’ booming junior production line.


Inside Wests Tigers’ booming junior production line.
The likes of centre Heamasi Makasini and playmaker Onitoni Large, who starred in Harold Matthews (under-17s), are rated as some of the best prospects in the country.

While others like back rower Archie Duncombe, 18, is another local junior who is considered one of the most promising forwards at the Concord club.

We take a look at the youngsters that Marshall will have at his disposal, now and into the future, as part of the club’s roster rebuild.

WESTS TIGERS' THRIVING JUNIOR NURSERY​


image1_FtYGvWntT.jpg



Heamasi Makasini​


Grade: Harold Matthews (under 17’s)
Position: Centre
Age: 16
A standout for the Magpies, Makasini was named the Harold Matthews player of the year and finished the under 17’s season as the top try scorer. Makasini is not only one of the brightest prospects at the Tigers but in the junior ranks. Physically, the damaging centre is considered ready for NRL.
1719268185764.png


image1_uTVoa1787S.jpg



Alex Isdale​


Grade: Harold Matthews
Position: Halfback
Age: 17
Described as the ‘ultimate professional’, Isdale’s work ethic is impressing coach staff at the Tigers. The club has high hopes for Isdale and is considered a genuine NRL prospect. The diminutive halfback isn’t afraid to take on the line, is a game manager and solid defensively. Like Makasini, Isdale has got a taste of the NRL program and trains with the squad one day per week.
1719268185780.png


image1_MZ2zvnF0_j.jpg



Onitoni Large​


Grade: Harold Matthews
Position: Five-eighth
Age: 16
Large is considered the best halves prospects in the country at his age level. Despite his tender age, Large was invited to train with the NRL squad during the preseason. A gifted playmaker, Large also packs plenty of speed and has built a damaging combination with Makasini in 2024. A top retention priority, the club is keen to lock down the Scots College student and junior Wallabies captain long term.
1719268185794.png


image1__-pJHIiMtb.jpg



Heith Pritchard​


Grade: SG Ball (under 19’s)
Position: Hooker
Age: 18
Still eligible for SG Ball, Pritchard was elevated into the Jersey Flegg side this year as a utility on the bench. The youngster can cover multiple roles including in the halves, hooker and even at centre.
1719268185807.png


image1_k2ZEgDVy7c.jpg



Archie Duncombe​


Grade: SG Ball
Position: Backrower
Age: 17
A St Gregory’s College product, Duncombe is a tough backrower that is always willing to do the hard yards and is a strong ball carrier. But the budding forward has the ball playing skills to match. Considered one of the best second row prospects coming through the ranks at the club. Like Pritchard, has been elevated into Jersey Flegg this year, where is starting on an edge.
1719268185818.png


image1_dJ3sMYIyMT.jpg



Kobie Wilson​


Grade: Jersey Flegg (under 21’s)
Position: Hooker
Age: 20
Wilson is a genuine No.9 who brings plenty of energy from dummy half that caught the attention of coaching staff. The skipper has crisp, clean service out of dummy half but is also willing to run the ball and probe the line. The former Cronulla Sharks junior hasn’t taken a backward step since joining the Tiger and was named skipper of the Jersey Flegg side.
1719268185830.png


image1_N351a2IO38.jpg



Lachlan Broederlow​


Grade: Jersey Flegg
Position: Second row
Age: 20
Broaderlow started his journey in the Canterbury Bulldogs pathways but joined the Tigers looking for an opportunity, one he is making the most of at Concord. A tough backrower, who gets the job done in defence and can run a good line, Broaderlow has played five games in NSW Cup this year.
1719268185841.png


image1_jmc_3w3YTk.jpg



Tony Sukkar​


Grade: NSW Cup
Position: Forward
Age: 20
Sukkar was named as 18th man, for the first time this year, against the Raiders as the forward edges closer to an NRL debut. He featured in both of the Tigers pre-season challenge matches earlier this year. A forward, who can play up front and on an edge, Sukkar Still eligible for Jersey Flegg, Sukkar has nailed a spot in the NSW Cup side in recent weeks.
1719268185852.png


image1_BHhTvWdF_X.jpg



Cayne Nicholas​


Grade: NSW Cup
Position: Lock
Age: 20
Nicholas started the year in Jersey Flegg at lock but was elevated to NSW Cup earlier this month, where he has played off the bench. The workhorse lock forward, who can also fill-in at hooker, is always willing to roll-up his sleeves and do a mountain of work in defense.
1719268185864.png


2024 Tigers debutants​


  • Lachlan Galvin
  • Jordan Miller
  • Heath Mason
  • Luke Laulilii
  • Latu Fainu
  • Sione Fainu
  • Solomona Faataape
  • Alex Lobb
  • Reuben Porter
  • Solomon Alaimalo
 
The Roosters humiliate us regularly. I'll be happy with a bad beating.
While you may not be wrong I’d like to point out that when we went against them in 2022 (Roosters vs Tigers: 72-6) 12 players of the 17 that were led onto the field are no longer apart of the club, while 3 of the 5 players that are still here have been out of the team majority of the season. As for more recently when we took them on in 2023 having lost it 32-8 the entire backline of that game besides fullback have been moved on, that includes the halves which were Daine Lauri and Will Smith. So a fair amount has changed since that time so you never know, maybe this Sunday is the day we go 3 in a row since 2018.
 
Chooks are missing a few through injury at the moment and have a few coming back from origin, hoping for a competitive game but they are travelling very well, will need to be by far our best game of the year to hang in the fight.
I'd have klemmer and Bateman return via the bench to provide some stability in the middle part of the game
 

NRL 2024: Wests Tigers production line in full swing as the next crop of talent at Concord is revealed​

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has some of the best rugby league rising talent in the country at his disposal. We take a look at the rising pathways players next in line.

Fatima Kdouh

The Wests Tigers production line is in full swing.

Coach Benji Marshall has one eye on the future and hasn’t been afraid to blood the club’s most promising rookies in 2024, handing out 10 NRL debuts so far this season, including boom five-eighth Lachlan Galvin.

The 18-year-old Galvin is at the centre of a Tigers revival, the foundation of which will be built around the club’s best pathways talent.

The Tigers’ back-to-back wins has featured teenagers Galvin, Jordan Miller, Heath Mason and Luke Laulilii – who are all local juniors.

It not only put the spotlight on the club’s pathways but has fans wondering who is the next in line?

Inside Wests Tigers’ booming junior production line.


Inside Wests Tigers’ booming junior production line.
The likes of centre Heamasi Makasini and playmaker Onitoni Large, who starred in Harold Matthews (under-17s), are rated as some of the best prospects in the country.

While others like back rower Archie Duncombe, 18, is another local junior who is considered one of the most promising forwards at the Concord club.

We take a look at the youngsters that Marshall will have at his disposal, now and into the future, as part of the club’s roster rebuild.

WESTS TIGERS' THRIVING JUNIOR NURSERY​


image1_FtYGvWntT.jpg



Heamasi Makasini​


Grade: Harold Matthews (under 17’s)
Position: Centre
Age: 16
A standout for the Magpies, Makasini was named the Harold Matthews player of the year and finished the under 17’s season as the top try scorer. Makasini is not only one of the brightest prospects at the Tigers but in the junior ranks. Physically, the damaging centre is considered ready for NRL.
1719268185764.png


image1_uTVoa1787S.jpg



Alex Isdale​


Grade: Harold Matthews
Position: Halfback
Age: 17
Described as the ‘ultimate professional’, Isdale’s work ethic is impressing coach staff at the Tigers. The club has high hopes for Isdale and is considered a genuine NRL prospect. The diminutive halfback isn’t afraid to take on the line, is a game manager and solid defensively. Like Makasini, Isdale has got a taste of the NRL program and trains with the squad one day per week.
1719268185780.png


image1_MZ2zvnF0_j.jpg



Onitoni Large​


Grade: Harold Matthews
Position: Five-eighth
Age: 16
Large is considered the best halves prospects in the country at his age level. Despite his tender age, Large was invited to train with the NRL squad during the preseason. A gifted playmaker, Large also packs plenty of speed and has built a damaging combination with Makasini in 2024. A top retention priority, the club is keen to lock down the Scots College student and junior Wallabies captain long term.
1719268185794.png


image1__-pJHIiMtb.jpg



Heith Pritchard​


Grade: SG Ball (under 19’s)
Position: Hooker
Age: 18
Still eligible for SG Ball, Pritchard was elevated into the Jersey Flegg side this year as a utility on the bench. The youngster can cover multiple roles including in the halves, hooker and even at centre.
1719268185807.png


image1_k2ZEgDVy7c.jpg



Archie Duncombe​


Grade: SG Ball
Position: Backrower
Age: 17
A St Gregory’s College product, Duncombe is a tough backrower that is always willing to do the hard yards and is a strong ball carrier. But the budding forward has the ball playing skills to match. Considered one of the best second row prospects coming through the ranks at the club. Like Pritchard, has been elevated into Jersey Flegg this year, where is starting on an edge.
1719268185818.png


image1_dJ3sMYIyMT.jpg



Kobie Wilson​


Grade: Jersey Flegg (under 21’s)
Position: Hooker
Age: 20
Wilson is a genuine No.9 who brings plenty of energy from dummy half that caught the attention of coaching staff. The skipper has crisp, clean service out of dummy half but is also willing to run the ball and probe the line. The former Cronulla Sharks junior hasn’t taken a backward step since joining the Tiger and was named skipper of the Jersey Flegg side.
1719268185830.png


image1_N351a2IO38.jpg



Lachlan Broederlow​


Grade: Jersey Flegg
Position: Second row
Age: 20
Broaderlow started his journey in the Canterbury Bulldogs pathways but joined the Tigers looking for an opportunity, one he is making the most of at Concord. A tough backrower, who gets the job done in defence and can run a good line, Broaderlow has played five games in NSW Cup this year.
1719268185841.png


image1_jmc_3w3YTk.jpg



Tony Sukkar​


Grade: NSW Cup
Position: Forward
Age: 20
Sukkar was named as 18th man, for the first time this year, against the Raiders as the forward edges closer to an NRL debut. He featured in both of the Tigers pre-season challenge matches earlier this year. A forward, who can play up front and on an edge, Sukkar Still eligible for Jersey Flegg, Sukkar has nailed a spot in the NSW Cup side in recent weeks.
1719268185852.png


image1_BHhTvWdF_X.jpg



Cayne Nicholas​


Grade: NSW Cup
Position: Lock
Age: 20
Nicholas started the year in Jersey Flegg at lock but was elevated to NSW Cup earlier this month, where he has played off the bench. The workhorse lock forward, who can also fill-in at hooker, is always willing to roll-up his sleeves and do a mountain of work in defense.
1719268185864.png


2024 Tigers debutants​


  • Lachlan Galvin
  • Jordan Miller
  • Heath Mason
  • Luke Laulilii
  • Latu Fainu
  • Sione Fainu
  • Solomona Faataape
  • Alex Lobb
  • Reuben Porter
  • Solomon Alaimalo
There must be a Part 2 to this story with Bailey Hodges, Solo Saukuru, Nav Willett, Zak Clarke, Pheonix Godinet, Siotame Havea Jr, Christian Taupau-Moors, Jared Haywood, Peter Ta'ai.
 
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