Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

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.
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...

“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.
Click to expand...
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....
 
I also don't see how anyone can possibly think that Bateman going is a bad thing? It's excellent work from us. Offloading an overpaid underperforming error prone bludger. Ideally it would be permanent but if there are no takers then putting him in the shop window for UK clubs wondering if he's still good enough for that level is our best bet.

He's not needed, he's not wanted. He adds nothing to our side, only detracts. Best he finds somewhere else.
 
Demps said:
Solid, no nonsense workers.

I'd add a smokey in Alec Tuitavake from the Dragons.

Then we need some strike....
Royce Hunt types.

The pack is getting overhauled either way
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Alec Tuitavake should still be a chance on a T&T or dev he hasn’t played first grade year and is 23. Not looking likely at the Dragons so he might be willing to take a bit of a risk.
 
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