Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Kelce68 said:
The irony in this forthcoming overhaul of the forward pack is that the very thing this club needs; experienced, no-nonsense workers, would be met with eye rolls and almost anger by the fanbase, who'd likely feel those types of signings would be underwhelming (sadly, myself included).

Coming from where we are, we're always after a major kill, but, it's becoming more and more apparent, clubs need mid-tier, quality workers just as much, if not more than top-tier wannabe stars.

The Warriors and Bulldogs are perfect examples.

On the surface, I don't like their approach to rebuilding, and I think it's an approach that is more likely to yield 8th place than premierships, but it's hard to argue with what the Warriors did last year and what the Dogs are doing this year. Throw the Dragons in there as well, though I think their turnaround is more down to a mentality change than anything.

Barnett, Harris, Ford and Capewell and Niukore for the Warriors are the case in point.
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I'm starting to agree on this too.

For one, we have the makings of a 1st class spine for years to come so we need to build around this with solid, no-nonsense types & finishers who won't be top dollar.

Two, we have to consider the juniors coming through & ensuring future squad space & cap for them i.e. Makasini, Large, Godinet, Taupau-Moors, Haywood, Isdale etc

If we can land a Oregon Kaufusi or Griffin Neame from Nov 1 for '26, add to our middles for '25 with a Royce Hunt or Bunty Afoa or Herman Ese Ese back from ESL plus a subsidised Tyson Frizell.

A huge get from ESL that would fit the profile for what we need is Morgan Knowles as a lock/small prop.

Plus a Sione Mata'utia as backrow/centre utility from ESL or a Jack Williams.

Remis Smith would also be a solid experienced off-contract acquisition regardless of whether many see him as a hog.

And if we have a 'war' chest still up our sleeve for Nov 1, then Kotoni Staggs or Selwyn Cobbo!!!
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
I'm starting to agree on this too.

For one, we have the makings of a 1st class spine for years to come so we need to build around this with solid, no-nonsense types & finishers who won't be top dollar.

Two, we have to consider the juniors coming through & ensuring future squad space & cap for them i.e. Makasini, Large, Godinet, Taupau-Moors, Haywood, Isdale etc

If we can land a Oregon Kaufusi or Griffin Neame from Nov 1 for '26, add to our middles for '25 with a Royce Hunt or Bunty Afoa or Herman Ese Ese back from ESL plus a subsidised Tyson Frizell.

A huge get from ESL that would fit the profile for what we need is Morgan Knowles as a lock/small prop.

Plus a Sione Mata'utia as backrow/centre utility from ESL or a Jack Williams.

Remis Smith would also be a solid experienced off-contract acquisition regardless of whether many see him as a hog.

And if we have a 'war' chest still up our sleeve for Nov 1, then Kotoni Staggs or Selwyn Cobbo!!!
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Glad you agree. We be getting somewhere now.... team will be getting stronger...
 
I’ve taken a look and playing on complete hypotheticals and everything going to plan (which almost never happens) we are pretty good stead over the next few years.

We all know that salary cap management, player contracts are all done in the idea of future management. Our cap and “plan” for the next 5 years has already been sorted out. No club just completely wings a cap year in, year out. There is a strategic plan and works over years to allow the old to pass and the young to follow.

I think a perfect example we can currently use is Justin Olam. He is currently contracted until the end of 2026 and is almost perfectly coincided with the (believed) timeline in which Heamasi Makasini will be ready to take on the role. He has “reportedly” been guaranteed a debut within the next 18 months, so it would only make sense that it’d see him the following years take over.

In 2027 is when Makasini will be taking on that role unless he brains it beforehand or completely falls of a cliff. By that time he would be around 20 years old, not the 18-19 year old we’ve been so accustomed to due to fast tracking juniors to first grade.

Another one is Onitoni Large which is already currently training with the First Grade squad every now and then. I’m not to sure where he fits in not due to unavailable spots but rather his best position. He can and has played Fullback, Centre and 5/8 but is mostly considered a half. Now obviously we have an abundance of halves already in the club so where does he fit? I’m pretty confident in Galvin not playing in the halves his whole career as he’s just to big and it’s not even something you can control, as he gets older he is naturally going to put on more mass and grow into his body so it’s hard to see him maintaining such a frame.

I know people are gonna point to Jack Wighton but Jack has the distinct ability to play literally every position on the field. He has played Fullback, Wing, Centre, 5/8 and Lock. He has also most notably been called a centre by a NRL head coach in Ricky Stuart. In which I take far more acceptance in than someone random online (with all due respect of course and of which I am too a random on the internet).

It’s gonna impossible to keep all of them happy and someone here is gonna have to give but gosh what a future sight it’d be to see
1)Bula
3)Heamasi Makasini
6)Onitoni
7)Jarome Luai
9)Tallyn
11)Lachlan Galvin
13)Latu Fainu (shoutout to whoever said Latu would make a great lock, I didn’t even think of that possibility)

People are gonna put shit on this post because it’s so out of touch of reality and having the idea that something could actually go good with this club for once is so heinous. I apologise for having hope.
 
colinbh said:
Number 11 right? Can't think of any.
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If your saying his workrate in attack was down then I agree. However he did run the ball and landed on his front for a quick play the ball every time. He was often used as a decoy at times I was hoping he would get it running the tough line. I put his lower workrate down to building up from his long lay off. His form would need to be monitored before signing him though.
 
WestsTigers4VR said:
I’ve taken a look and playing on complete hypotheticals and everything going to plan (which almost never happens) we are pretty good stead over the next few years.

We all know that salary cap management, player contracts are all done in the idea of future management. Our cap and “plan” for the next 5 years has already been sorted out. No club just completely wings a cap year in, year out. There is a strategic plan and works over years to allow the old to pass and the young to follow.

I think a perfect example we can currently use is Justin Olam. He is currently contracted until the end of 2026 and is almost perfectly coincided with the (believed) timeline in which Heamasi Makasini will be ready to take on the role. He has “reportedly” been guaranteed a debut within the next 18 months, so it would only make sense that it’d see him the following years take over.

In 2027 is when Makasini will be taking on that role unless he brains it beforehand or completely falls of a cliff. By that time he would be around 20 years old, not the 18-19 year old we’ve been so accustomed to due to fast tracking juniors to first grade.

Another one is Onitoni Large which is already currently training with the First Grade squad every now and then. I’m not to sure where he fits in not due to unavailable spots but rather his best position. He can and has played Fullback, Centre and 5/8 but is mostly considered a half. Now obviously we have an abundance of halves already in the club so where does he fit? I’m pretty confident in Galvin not playing in the halves his whole career as he’s just to big and it’s not even something you can control, as he gets older he is naturally going to put on more mass and grow into his body so it’s hard to see him maintaining such a frame.

I know people are gonna point to Jack Wighton but Jack has the distinct ability to play literally every position on the field. He has played Fullback, Wing, Centre, 5/8 and Lock. He has also most notably been called a centre by a NRL head coach in Ricky Stuart. In which I take far more acceptance in than someone random online (with all due respect of course and of which I am too a random on the internet).

It’s gonna impossible to keep all of them happy and someone here is gonna have to give but gosh what a future sight it’d be to see
1)Bula
3)Heamasi Makasini
6)Onitoni
7)Jarome Luai
9)Tallyn
11)Lachlan Galvin
13)Latu Fainu (shoutout to whoever said Latu would make a great lock, I didn’t even think of that possibility)

People are gonna put shit on this post because it’s so out of touch of reality and having the idea that something could actually go good with this club for once is so heinous. I apologise for having hope.
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That could well be the grand plan, how good!
 
WestsTigers4VR said:
I’ve taken a look and playing on complete hypotheticals and everything going to plan (which almost never happens) we are pretty good stead over the next few years.

We all know that salary cap management, player contracts are all done in the idea of future management. Our cap and “plan” for the next 5 years has already been sorted out. No club just completely wings a cap year in, year out. There is a strategic plan and works over years to allow the old to pass and the young to follow.

I think a perfect example we can currently use is Justin Olam. He is currently contracted until the end of 2026 and is almost perfectly coincided with the (believed) timeline in which Heamasi Makasini will be ready to take on the role. He has “reportedly” been guaranteed a debut within the next 18 months, so it would only make sense that it’d see him the following years take over.

In 2027 is when Makasini will be taking on that role unless he brains it beforehand or completely falls of a cliff. By that time he would be around 20 years old, not the 18-19 year old we’ve been so accustomed to due to fast tracking juniors to first grade.

Another one is Onitoni Large which is already currently training with the First Grade squad every now and then. I’m not to sure where he fits in not due to unavailable spots but rather his best position. He can and has played Fullback, Centre and 5/8 but is mostly considered a half. Now obviously we have an abundance of halves already in the club so where does he fit? I’m pretty confident in Galvin not playing in the halves his whole career as he’s just to big and it’s not even something you can control, as he gets older he is naturally going to put on more mass and grow into his body so it’s hard to see him maintaining such a frame.

I know people are gonna point to Jack Wighton but Jack has the distinct ability to play literally every position on the field. He has played Fullback, Wing, Centre, 5/8 and Lock. He has also most notably been called a centre by a NRL head coach in Ricky Stuart. In which I take far more acceptance in than someone random online (with all due respect of course and of which I am too a random on the internet).

It’s gonna impossible to keep all of them happy and someone here is gonna have to give but gosh what a future sight it’d be to see
1)Bula
3)Heamasi Makasini
6)Onitoni
7)Jarome Luai
9)Tallyn
11)Lachlan Galvin
13)Latu Fainu (shoutout to whoever said Latu would make a great lock, I didn’t even think of that possibility)

People are gonna put shit on this post because it’s so out of touch of reality and having the idea that something could actually go good with this club for once is so heinous. I apologise for having hope.
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“Put shit “ or just have a reasonable conversation that might disagree with your position?

I couldn’t really care less about fitting them all in … it would be a great problem to have if all these juniors turn into first grade quality players AND most importantly they want to remain at the club after getting their initial first grade exposure… I have some doubts about the second part…
 
1.Bula (not my choice but he’ll be there)
2.Sam Stonestreet or Jeral Skelton
3.Katoni Staggs
4.Latu Fainu/Starford To’a
5.Sunia Turuva/Charlie Staines
6.Lachie Galvin
7.Jerome Luai
13.Fonua Pole
12.Joe Chan
11.Samuela Fainu
10.Ethan Bullemor
9.Api Korisau
8.Daniel Saifiti or Oregon Kaufusi

14.Adam Doueihi/Talyn Da Silva
15.Jack Williams
16.Alex Twal/Alex Seyfarth
17.Royce Hunt/Sione Fainu

** A team like this is possible as Stonestreet is off contract at the end of 2025, but doesn’t get in the Sharks NRL side, could get an early release. If that’s not an option Jeral Skelton is a decent back up plan.
** It looks likely Kotonj Staggs could be the one to be pushed out at the Broncos due to their salary cap restraints. He would be great for us and could offer him the goal kicking also.
** Latu Fainu is a dangerous ball runner, he could slot into our starting line up as a centre alongside his brother.
** We need somebody for our back row, Joe Chan looks a decent option with his aggressive, physical style of play and from the strong Melbourne system.
** We need more workrate, intensity and line speed in our forwards, players such as Ethan Bullemor and Jack Williams offer this.
** We will need a starting prop who is no nonsense, but also has the size and mobility to get us going forward. Daniel Saifiti and Oregon Kaufusi both offer this, either one of them would do.
** We desperately need an aggressive enforcer up front. Royce Hunt who has been given permission to explore his options offers this.
 
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WestsTigers4VR said:
I’ve taken a look and playing on complete hypotheticals and everything going to plan (which almost never happens) we are pretty good stead over the next few years.

We all know that salary cap management, player contracts are all done in the idea of future management. Our cap and “plan” for the next 5 years has already been sorted out. No club just completely wings a cap year in, year out. There is a strategic plan and works over years to allow the old to pass and the young to follow.

I think a perfect example we can currently use is Justin Olam. He is currently contracted until the end of 2026 and is almost perfectly coincided with the (believed) timeline in which Heamasi Makasini will be ready to take on the role. He has “reportedly” been guaranteed a debut within the next 18 months, so it would only make sense that it’d see him the following years take over.

In 2027 is when Makasini will be taking on that role unless he brains it beforehand or completely falls of a cliff. By that time he would be around 20 years old, not the 18-19 year old we’ve been so accustomed to due to fast tracking juniors to first grade.

Another one is Onitoni Large which is already currently training with the First Grade squad every now and then. I’m not to sure where he fits in not due to unavailable spots but rather his best position. He can and has played Fullback, Centre and 5/8 but is mostly considered a half. Now obviously we have an abundance of halves already in the club so where does he fit? I’m pretty confident in Galvin not playing in the halves his whole career as he’s just to big and it’s not even something you can control, as he gets older he is naturally going to put on more mass and grow into his body so it’s hard to see him maintaining such a frame.

I know people are gonna point to Jack Wighton but Jack has the distinct ability to play literally every position on the field. He has played Fullback, Wing, Centre, 5/8 and Lock. He has also most notably been called a centre by a NRL head coach in Ricky Stuart. In which I take far more acceptance in than someone random online (with all due respect of course and of which I am too a random on the internet).

It’s gonna impossible to keep all of them happy and someone here is gonna have to give but gosh what a future sight it’d be to see
1)Bula
3)Heamasi Makasini
6)Onitoni
7)Jarome Luai
9)Tallyn
11)Lachlan Galvin
13)Latu Fainu (shoutout to whoever said Latu would make a great lock, I didn’t even think of that possibility)

People are gonna put shit on this post because it’s so out of touch of reality and having the idea that something could actually go good with this club for once is so heinous. I apologise for having hope.
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And a coach. A leader
 
Eternal Tiger said:
Richo said in an interview before the Season starts that we wouldn't be buying 18yr olds from elsewhere, we have enough talent in our juniors,looks like 17 year olds are still on the agenda 🤷‍♂️
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Every club will always sign the best players they can. Whether they're from home or a thousand miles away....

Would the club say no if the next Benji or Haas said he wanted to sign for us? Richo isn't going to say sorry mate, we only sign boys from campbelltown....
 
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