Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[WestsTigers4VR]

I’m getting a bit of bulldogs vibe from the tigers. But specifically a shift towards becoming a good club.

There’s been a clear shift in standards at the club and you’re already seeing the effects of it. The first sign of this was Nofualuma getting punted out of the joint for not bringing the set standards and a bit ago there were rumours Stefano was unhappy with the treatment that he was receiving, more so how hard he was being pushed and the accountability that was now being pushed towards the playing group. Finally we have John Bateman having a stink because Benji called him out of not being anywhere near the standard that have been set. The facts show that the majority of rookies have been showing up the senior playing group (if you can even call them that).

I also wanted to mention the lack of recruitment and noise surrounding it. I think we are finally doing the right thing in recruitment. Before Richo & Benji we were linked to every off contract player that hit the market. And if you throw a wide net don’t expect to catch a good fish, by going broad in recruitment you end up with duds like Bateman and going more for quantity then quality. We are now after players who are going to make a difference here and they are very far and few in between.


The more players you get to buy into a standard the better and I think with Jarome, Turuva, Api and all the juniors putting their heads down to play first grade we’re gonna see a successful club here. There are clear succession plans being put in place now in which we haven’t had for a while and it’s clear we are future proofing ourselves and I can’t wait for it.

 

[Vicious]

What does that have to do with Vicious suggesting Olam would sit out for a broken fingernail or my response?

Classic Tom Shines strawman

Olam himself said Melbourne expected him to play while injured.
Now ask yourself the question, would Craig Bellamy ask a player to play who was really injured ?
We can’t afford a well paid player to be sitting on the sidelines waiving the Pom Pom’s for the next 2 years can we ?

 

[twentyforty]

If he wants to win a premiership wouldn't he go to Storm or Penrith? Bulldogs could win one in the next 5 years but no guarantee

Yes, I imagine both Storm and Panthers would want him but they have cap pressure, unlike Bulldogs which has a” floating cap.” 😂

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

It wouldn't be so funny if it wasn't true.

 

[twentyforty]

Olam himself said Melbourne expected him to play while injured.
Now ask yourself the question, would Craig Bellamy ask a player to play who was really injured ?
We can’t afford a well paid player to be sitting on the sidelines waiving the Pom Pom’s for the next 2 years can we ?

It shows that we’re still desperate.

 

[Vicious]

It wouldn't be so funny if it wasn't true.

Waiving the Pom Poms ?
I don’t think Misty liked my answer.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Yes Vicoius. If thats what you are into... dont forget your safety hat though...

 

[king_sirro]

We have proven we can't outskill the opposition.

We get beaten up & bullied far too often.

Anger issues or not- the Roosters find ways to deal with JWH, Collins & Radley. I don't for a minute think that Horsburgh, Hetherington, Seyfarth or Klemmer are stud footballers at this stage of their careers. But, they won't get bullied. Should allow the likes of Pole & Sione Fainu to come on & play a bit more of that Leniu role.

I would leave Klemmer off that list. He stands up for himself by getting an angry face a yelling, never by physically standing up for himself.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

I would leave Klemmer off that list. He stands up for himself by getting an angry face a yelling, never by physically standing up for himself.

Or running like a Bull

 

[Tom Shines]

Olam himself said Melbourne expected him to play while injured.

. would love to see this quote in full context …where did you see it?

he seemed to me pretty happy there until the end

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Misty we still bought an injured player.. tough maybe but not smart.... maybe Olam has some voodoo stuff on surgery.. but what about the team... the fans.. they have to suffer along with Olam

 

[Tom Shines]

Misty we still bought an injured player.. tough maybe but not smart.... maybe Olam has some voodoo stuff on surgery.. but what about the team... the fans.. they have to suffer along with Olam

don’t strawman !

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

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.

Your suggestion of Joe Chan may be realistic now with Bateman a chance of not being here. Richo will know Chan well from his efforts for Easts Tigers (Storm feeder) last season as he did with Faataape.

I've been all over getting Royce Hunt here for a while now but saw @jrtiger mention in another thread he is managed by Isaac Moses. My hopes are fading then 🙁

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Set your hopes on something else then. Something more realistic. Close to home.

 

[magpies forever]

Misty we still bought an injured player.. tough maybe but not smart.... maybe Olam has some voodoo stuff on surgery.. but what about the team... the fans.. they have to suffer along with Olam

I think if Olam doesnt want to take the best and easiest method to try to fix his knee injury/ies for whatever reason, if true, the club should see to either medically retire him or crease his contract

 

[Tom Shines]

Set your hopes on something else then. Something more realistic. Close to home.

Been thinking Tyson Frizell might be more their style …ticks a lot of boxes of what they tend to chase in the market

 

[king_sirro]

Or running like a Bull

Bulls dont run away from contact

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Especially a lip licking one

 

[bptiger 0]

first off we have to be realistic about where we’re at. not many players are going to come across so we’re going to have to try and offer medium term security to those off contract, or to try and attain players looking for first grade opportunities.

Cronulla have more middle forwards than god. Oregon Kaufusi has a mutual option for 2025 and is therefore worth having a chat to, and Toby Rudolf has links to the Richardson family. Royce won’t come here given Moses is his manager, but Jack Williams is off contract and would be a smart acquisition.

Mat Croker’s off contract at Newcastle and is a high workrate type that I think we need. Hetherington is a huge risk and while I’d prefer to stay away, we may have no choice. Bunty Afoa brings strike off the pine and is currently well down the pecking order at the Warriors. I’d be enquiring there.

I’d be looking at giving Porter a full time deal for next year as well given he does a job and has a stack of NSW Cup experience.

Horsburgh’s a good shout, but I’m fairly sure he wants to head back to QLD.

England really doesn’t have anyone right now that fits what we need. guys like Knowles, Dupree, Lees and George Delaney all get spoken about but there are question marks around all of them, mainly because they’re quite small in stature and we already have guys like Pole, Sione and Kit in and around the squad.

quite frankly none of this is glamourous but this is the nature of the game. Richardson will push for players to sign on for 2026 come November 1 and pursue early releases, but we still need to cover for 2025. unfortunately the names I mentioned above are probably the realistic expectations we can have.

Well put together , but do u really think Richo and benji would even go down that road , I have completely lose fav in Richo after releasing papa and sending Bateman home without any replacements .
Horsburgh , kaufusi, Williams are all great picks , all hit the line and are good in defence, with the dogs signing everything that moves , I would chase Curran and one of there props , because they all can’t get a 1st grade spot , with money we save from papa , Bateman and stepho , we could sign 5 workers and maybe even squeeze in a centre

 

[teddy23]

Been thinking Tyson Frizell might be more their style …ticks a lot of boxes of what they tend to chase in the market

Teig Wilton