Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[weststigers]

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.

Sure. Just saying performance is the benchmark rather than wins. Let's see if we can back it up. The Titans performance wasn't to the standard of the Raiders performance. We looked like a totally different team last week. Best game of the past 2 seasons by far.

I'd just like to see if we now have a "brand" of football that we play each week or if it was a one off. Objectively speaking, we have only played like that against the Raiders. None of us know if it's the real deal just yet, but good signs if we want to play a high pressure, attack driven gameplan for the remainder of the season.

 

[TV Ted Ellery]

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

Unfortunately the Roosters' only significant omissions are Egan Butcher (injury) and Suaalii (suspension). They've had a very good run with injuries after a tough spell last year and they're not affected by origin to the same extent either. We'll have to be at our absolute best to even compete, let alone jag a victory. I still maintain the Roosters have the best squad in the comp but they don't perform to their level consistently.

 

[hammertime]

I happened to come across the following on rugby union social media (it just popped up on my feed, honest). I should say I have no idea who this guy is or what his mail might be, so presented without any endorsement whatsoever. From comments on an article about clubs chasing Onitoni Large:

I’m reasonably close to this situation and this is my mail. He is 100% leaving the Wests Tigers, as is his brother. The new NRL rule is that you can promote a player who is 17 years old to the top 30 but they cannot play until they are 18. Manly did this with Latu Fainu and he is a Tiger now. This means that Large could be in an NRL top 30 this year. He is not in the Tigers 30 and he is not in their development squad (5 extra players) and he played Harold Matt’s this year, not SG ball or Jersey Flegg. His younger brother Ashton who is a hooker is a gun too. The problem is the Tigers already have the best 2 young prospects in the NRL at those positions in Lachlan Galvin and Tallyn Da Silva. They have long term deals and are already IN the NRL every week. The tigers also have an origin player in both positions in their 2025 squad. This part is purely speculative: I think Onitoni really wants to play Rugby Union but that his manager will recommend he does not. His manager manages Angus Crichton (RA super annoyed with him because they thought they had him wrapped) Murray Taulagi (union star joined league) Justin Olam (signed with Tigers and is now annoyed at Tigers) Taniela Paseka (left tigers joined Manly) Tepai Moeroa (multiple time code hooper back in league) Jack Maddocks (left Waratahs & Wallabies to play in France) His only rugby players in Super rugby left are Tom Wright & Hugh Renton. So much can happen in a short time in these situations but if he remains with the same agency, he is not going to union, even though I actually think he wants to play rugby and his path in union is so much clearer than in league.

Obviously the Large stuff isn't new, but where is the Olam pissed off bit coming from? Another one we're playing while injured?

The olam thing is odd. If that's the case, he can have a good rest. Doueigh and Naden can cover.

But with the Titans game, he scored a double and had a positive pre-match interview before raiders. Doesn't make sense.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

 

[jirskyr]

Large can't negotiate with other clubs until about 2026, so I think Richo will give him the Galvin treatment.

No according to some you can negotiate with anyone you want at any time, so long as nobody is incentivising you to break contract.

 

[Vicious]

Jordan Samrani looks very similar to Jacob Kiraz in height, size and style of play.
One to keep an eye on for our outside back stocks and has also played a few games of back row.

 

[Tim Sheens]

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.

Hope springs eternal hey, but you never know when confidence starts running higher, as it is now.

 

[Vicious]

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.

Nice list BlackWhiteGold.
I really hope we hold onto Bailey Hodges and Zak Clarke, both have a bit of X factor about them and look the type of players who could have plenty of improvement left in them.
Godinet looks tough and uncompromising, a lot of similarities to a young Jayden Su’a who made his debut at the Broncos not long after he turned 18.
Tapau-Moors a very good emerging prop and Heywood looked an impressive ball running 9 with a bigger frame, similar to what Hodges is doing now he could be a hooker with the stong ball running capability to also play well at 13.

 

[Demps]

Nice list BlackWhiteGold.
I really hope we hold onto Bailey Hodges and Zak Clarke, both have a bit of X factor about them and look the type of players who could have plenty of improvement left in them.
Godinet looks tough and uncompromising, a lot of similarities to a young Jayden Su’a who made his debut at the Broncos not long after he turned 18.
Tapau-Moors a very good emerging prop and Heywood looked an impressive ball running 9 with a bigger frame, similar to what Hodges is doing now he could be a hooker with the stong ball running capability to also play well at 13.

Hodges is a bit of a diamond in the rough I think.

Bit of a all rounder, utility.
I could see him playing anywhere 1 to 7 and 9.... but possible even backrow and lock if he bulked up.

Quite an interesting player.

 

[happy_tiger]

I know this goes in the who gives a crap section ....but I see Tyrone Peachey retired ....might be old news ....not sure

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Hodges is a bit of a diamond in the rough I think.

Bit of a all rounder, utility.
I could see him playing anywhere 1 to 7 and 9.... but possible even backrow and lock if he bulked up.

Quite an interesting player.

He's got that x-factor skill too in his kit bag, a real footy player (can spot a gap from dummy-half with his acceleration, eyes-up chip & chases & good 1-on-1 defence)

 

[innsaneink]

I know this goes in the who gives a crap section ....but I see Tyrone Peachey retired ....might be old news ....not sure

Fond memories

 

[Buttface]

I know this goes in the who gives a crap section ....but I see Tyrone Peachey retired ....might be old news ....not sure

The rotten peach finally calls it. One of Madges desperation signings, when he couldn’t get anyone but reserve graders.

 

[Lestronge]

The large stuff , whilst dissapointing is inevitable. If as that snippet says TDS and Galvin are the preferred choices moving forward , along with the Fainus , then there really isnt much of a pathway here for them .
In saying that because we have long term contracts we now have power to leverage into players in positions of weakness .
Bear in mind also , Joseph Sualiii was a 6 coming through and has spent the majority of his first grade in the centre or wing .
And as good as Onitoni is I don’t think he’s anywhere near the prodigy that Joseph was a few years ago . As far as I can tell Makasini is the “throw the check book” player on that list .
We need Dynamic centres and backs /backrowers.
Just my opinion .

 

[Tiger Stripes]

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.

And Herman Tofaeono

 

[Vicious]

The large stuff , whilst dissapointing is inevitable. If as that snippet says TDS and Galvin are the preferred choices moving forward , along with the Fainus , then there really isnt much of a pathway here for them .
In saying that because we have long term contracts we now have power to leverage into players in positions of weakness .
Bear in mind also , Joseph Sualiii was a 6 coming through and has spent the majority of his first grade in the centre or wing .
And as good as Onitoni is I don’t think he’s anywhere near the prodigy that Joseph was a few years ago . As far as I can tell Makasini is the “throw the check book” player on that list .
We need Dynamic centres and backs /backrowers.
Just my opinion .

Been mentioned plenty of times, but although Onitoni Large sees himself as a 5/8, he looks much better suited as a fullback or centre as his strength is his elite speed, balanced running and ability to get outside and beyond defenders because if it.
These traits and having played all his junior rep league career as a 5/8 are very similar to Reece Walsh.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

The large stuff , whilst dissapointing is inevitable. If as that snippet says TDS and Galvin are the preferred choices moving forward , along with the Fainus , then there really isnt much of a pathway here for them .
In saying that because we have long term contracts we now have power to leverage into players in positions of weakness .
Bear in mind also , Joseph Sualiii was a 6 coming through and has spent the majority of his first grade in the centre or wing .
And as good as Onitoni is I don’t think he’s anywhere near the prodigy that Joseph was a few years ago . As far as I can tell Makasini is the “throw the check book” player on that list .
We need Dynamic centres and backs /backrowers.
Just my opinion .

Makasini is managed by Mario Tartak too (Laulilii brothers, TDS, Feledy, Saukuru, Jordan Miller amongst others).

Not knowing the ins & outs, I'd say we've got a pretty good relationship with him. Heigno, Pat Richards supported his fight night on the weekend & I think Farah was there too. Just saying, we'd have a better relationship with him than Galvin's manager that's for sure.

 

[Vicious]

And Herman Tofaeono

Herman and Jordan Miller are waiting for the rules to change and be like NFL where there are different teams to attack and defend.
Both run the ball extremely strongly, but struggle defensively.

 

[BAGNF05]

it’s funny because I was trying to pick who he reminded me of. As a 5/8, I do see some Brett Kenny about him. May be a yard slower but Bert always backed himself, took the line on, had a great dummy, nice vision and was good defensively

A taller Lockyer? Very balanced

 

[ChilledChaos]

I’d be looking to get Terrell May and Xavier Willison ASAP! 🔥 Terrell May is an 80 min front rower, with incredible workrate, great offload and skillful! That 30metre cutout try assist in Magic Rd is as good as you’ll see! The bloke should be partnering Payne Haas in the starting front row for NSW! Absolute GUN, plus dirt cheap! Willison is another that will play rep footy very soon, can play big mins and not lose impact!