Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Eternal Tiger]

We are getting carried away with a try scored by young Luke.
If we are being serious, he’s a good 2-3 years away from even being at the same standard as Staines, To’a, Naden and that’s if he gets to their standard at all.
Likewise with Miller and Kit Laulilli, they are young and we need to give them their chance to get to the required standard, but they are not even close to being genuine NRL quality at the moment.

Staines, Toa or Naden would NOT have scored the try Luke did on Sunday. Luke dropped his shoulder into Josh Papali'i to dive over. None of the other 3 would have.

 

[Tigerdazz2]

I think that's what Twal is supposed to do. Klemmer the experience, Twal the semi experienced and Stef the young gun.

I don't think we need another Klemmer. In fact I'm more inclined to say youth trumps experience these days 9 times out of 10.

Yes, we don't need another Klemmer. While not playing that badly, he certainly isn't setting the place on fire.

Not many options coming on the market and those that are available are going to be sought after by clubs doing much better than WT are ATM.

 

[kade7]

i think someone already said it
but sezer and the club have agreed to the
mutual option

Sullivan was digging in heels in thinking sezer wasnt going to be at the club, i expect he will
be gone in the offseason with us paying half his contract

 

[balmain boy]

Sport Confidential: Wests Tigers teen’s Jonah Lomu demolition, Souths silence Wayne Bennett coaching rumours​

Footage of 17-year-old Wests Tigers phenom Heamasi Makasini bulldozing fellow schoolboys like Jonah Lomu has sparked the club into action. WATCH the incredible vision.
Michael Carayannis and Brent Read

8 min read
June 28, 2024 - 6:16AM
News Sport Network
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s.../63a1f0b707da9599320b3ce615c69236#share-tools

00:14
Wests Tigers recruit Heamasi Makasini the teenage clone of All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu

Wests Tigers' new recruit Heamasi Makasini could almost be mistaken for All Blacks legend... more

The Wests Tigers have been locked in talks to tie down teenage centre Heamasi Makasini and their efforts are set to intensify after his performances for Newington College in recent weeks.

Sport Confidential has obtained footage of a rampaging Makasini toying with his high school opponents in a game against the The King’s School, highlighting why the Tigers have tabled a deal to keep him at the club beyond next season.

There are shades of All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu in the way he swats aside opponents (watch the side-by-side video above).

Makasini is still only 17 but there are some who believe he is so talented, the Tigers could seek an exemption to have him play at some point before his 18th birthday, ala Sydney Roosters star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

Heamasi Makasini goes whack

He has attracted interest from some of the biggest clubs in the NRL but the Tigers are quietly confident that they can convince the teenager that his future lies with them.
Makasini, meanwhile, is set to be a star of the Australian schoolboys carnival to be played in a fortnight at Coffs Harbour.

I thought we'd already secured him?

Why are they calling him WT new recruit if he haven't signed him up?

 

[balmain boy]

We are getting carried away with a try scored by young Luke.
If we are being serious, he’s a good 2-3 years away from even being at the same standard as Staines, To’a, Naden and that’s if he gets to their standard at all.
Likewise with Miller and Kit Laulilli, they are young and we need to give them their chance to get to the required standard, but they are not even close to being genuine NRL quality at the moment.

That's just absolute rubbish mate

 

[WestsEffTheRest]

i think someone already said it
but sezer and the club have agreed to the
mutual option

Sullivan was digging in heels in thinking sezer wasnt going to be at the club, i expect he will
be gone in the offseason with us paying half his contract

Any word on Stef mate?

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

i think someone already said it
but sezer and the club have agreed to the
mutual option

Sullivan was digging in heels in thinking sezer wasnt going to be at the club, i expect he will
be gone in the offseason with us paying half his contract

Good news. Sezer perfect back-up halfback to Luai, great mentor for our young kids & possibly pinch-hit at hooker if required.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

He would compliment our pack with Sione, Fonua
and stef like ice to water. Would be great signing

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

I thought we'd already secured him?

Why are they calling him WT new recruit if he haven't signed him up?

Shit journalism.

I’m excited about this kid. Speed, power, strong fend, aerial ability, good D.

Don’t worry about Jeral Skelton, look in our own backyard. Makasini to start on wing & then shift in when Olam’s finished.

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

i think someone already said it
but sezer and the club have agreed to the
mutual option

Sullivan was digging in heels in thinking sezer wasnt going to be at the club, i expect he will
be gone in the offseason with us paying half his contract

Thanks @kade7 …..do you have anything on what Stefano will do?

 

[Kaito]

View attachment 13236

He's got an account on here!

 

[hammertime]

i think someone already said it
but sezer and the club have agreed to the
mutual option

Sullivan was digging in heels in thinking sezer wasnt going to be at the club, i expect he will
be gone in the offseason with us paying half his contract

If that payout is on our cap, that's really going to hurt our chances.

 

[TonyTiger]

Staines, Toa or Naden would NOT have scored the try Luke did on Sunday. Luke dropped his shoulder into Josh Papali'i to dive over. None of the other 3 would have.

So true, the way Luke dived low over the line (head first) without any self preservation .. i loved the determination when he took off and powered to the line! We’ve not seen that since Taniela Tuiaki

 

[InBenjiWeTrust]

Yes, we don't need another Klemmer. While not playing that badly, he certainly isn't setting the place on fire.

Not many options coming on the market and those that are available are going to be sought after by clubs doing much better than WT are ATM.

I agree that we do not need another Klemmer, however, we need one from the following group instead: JWH, J Papalii, Spencer Leniu, Junior Paolo, Fanua Blake, or Asofa-Solomona!

 

[Tigers_Wests]

Shit journalism.

I’m excited about this kid. Speed, power, strong fend, aerial ability, good D.

Don’t worry about Jeral Skelton, look in our own backyard. Makasini to start on wing & then shift in when Olam’s finished.

Let's have both....play the power game!

 

[hammertime]

Let's have both....play the power game!

With turava, lualihi and makasini adding to our options next year, alongside doueigh and olam. Toa still there for depth. Large on the way. I don't know where skeleton fits, unless we block the path of one of our kids.

We need an edge 2nd rower as the priority in my eyes.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

No disrespect TheChad I really like the fact you are always posting ideas and potential solutions, but if Liam Knight, Alex Twal, Alex Seyfarth, Fonua Pole and Sione Fainu are all on the open market, I’m near certain Liam Knight is at the bottom of the shopping list for every NRL club.
We desperately need Oregon Kaufusi or Royce Hunt, maybe consider Emre Guler but I’m not sold on what he offers either.
It is getting very noticeable that the forwards who hit top speed quickly are the ones making the most impact, the others that just plod such as Liam Knoght are getting left behind because of it.

Watched Oregon Kaufusi last night. Very overrated, Not on my wanted list from now on.
Rare front on tackles, mostly belly flops when opposition on ground. Runs hard about twice per stint on the paddock, then hides in the background for others to do the work. LAZY comes to mind.
Hunt much better........attack and defence.

 

[Tigers_Wests]

With turava, lualihi and makasini adding to our options next year, alongside doueigh and olam. Toa still there for depth. Large on the way. I don't know where skeleton fits, unless we block the path of one of our kids.

We need an edge 2nd rower as the priority in my eyes.

Yeah I do see your point. But I still think he would be much better depth than we already have. Metres in yardage from our backs is letting us down big time this year. Makasini will be unlikely to play many NRL games next year. Laulili'i will probably have some ups and downs next year being so young. Comes down to roster spots too I guess.

I wonder if we try and turn an existing player into an edge backrower over the off season. I would think Solomone Saukuru is the best bet. Big body, destructive runner. Has played there a bit in juniors too. Otherwise, I dont know how much quality is available for edge backrowers in 2025.

 

[hammertime]

Yeah I do see your point. But I still think he would be much better depth than we already have. Metres in yardage from our backs is letting us down big time this year. Makasini will be unlikely to play many NRL games next year. Laulili'i will probably have some ups and downs next year being so young. Comes down to roster spots too I guess.

I wonder if we try and turn an existing player into an edge backrower over the off season. I would think Solomone Saukuru is the best bet. Big body, destructive runner. Has played there a bit in juniors too. Otherwise, I dont know how much quality is available for edge backrowers in 2025.

Agree mate, but the issue when you sign more depth is what we saw with Galvin. I don't think we can handle a repeat of that. RIcho has come out strong about not blocking pathways.

Yeah, potential converts there for back row. I'm not sure what they are thinking. But we need alot more depth there. Only quality we have is fainu and lesser extent, bateman

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Yeah I do see your point. But I still think he would be much better depth than we already have. Metres in yardage from our backs is letting us down big time this year. Makasini will be unlikely to play many NRL games next year. Laulili'i will probably have some ups and downs next year being so young. Comes down to roster spots too I guess.

I wonder if we try and turn an existing player into an edge backrower over the off season. I would think Solomone Saukuru is the best bet. Big body, destructive runner. Has played there a bit in juniors too. Otherwise, I dont know how much quality is available for edge backrowers in 2025.

Great option @Tigers_Wests

Saukuru could become a very destructive edge backrower. As you mentioned, played a bit there in junior reps & school. Has the size & also brings aerial ability.

Makes sense as we are better stocked for centre prospects than tackle-busting backrowers. If call from coaches was made at the end of this season, he could really focus his off & pre-season to building his tank & tackle/wrestle work. I like it!