Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[FrodoTBaggin]

If we are moving on players on big money and signing guys like Skelton and Hassett on modest deals, surely that means the war chest is growing?

With very limited roster spots, not sure how we are going to spend 2mil+ and comply with NRL spending rules (95% of the cap must be spent) unless we sign a couple of big names.

Contracts being front loaded is how trams normally get around that.

 

[Tucker]

They need more pace in that proposed backline …

I dont see Galvin as a Center personally …

Bula is quick, Turuva is quick...where would you add pace?
I like Galvin as centre for now as he is a big body who is able to break tackles and has the skills to set his winger up. On the other side of the field you have the bash brothers and Id have Bula trail them on their adventures.

 

[bptiger 0]

In the article at the end it says "Further signings will be announced in the coming days as the club continues to strengthen its depth in key positions."

Thanks 👍

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

We've been front loading players for years, it doesn't help us, it's unprofessional. We need to spend our money on players who can help us win now, get us out of this hellhole we're in. You can only front load newly registered contracts too, so that's mainly our youngsters coming through who aren't on big money to really warrant it. Pole the standout that could get a 'bonus' this year for re-signing a year early. Galvin the other one, but seems like he's waiting to see how things change with Luai at the club before committing.

We can also only sign so many players, if we have 30 with a mil to spend still we need to front load about 4 - 500k to be compliant.

Bulldogs did it this year too btw, Gus has spoken many times on his podcast the benefits of front loading and how much he hates player options etc. Did it at Penrith too

 

[jrtiger]

At least the Tigers going hard for him as well will jack up the price he Roosters pay

I’m not sure we’ll even take a look at him given we have Turuva signed up and Makasini coming thru. I’ll be surprised put it that way.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Faagutu is a 13. A mate of mine trained him in a few rep sides here in qld, he’s a 13. Storm, cows, titans chased him pretty hard.

I agree, but they persist with Kit L.
Who I don't ever see as a starter in our future NRL side. IMHO.
There are better locks out there.

 

[Betterdays22]

With limited roster spots I think we won't be seeing any more significant signings in the backs. Turuva, Skelton and a (hopefully) fit Olam can do a job next year. Depth will be an issue next year (particularly in the centres), as it always is. I'm stoked they have gone some way to addressing the problems coming out of our own end.

Hard working, tough, established first grade forwards have to be the focus now.

 

[Tom Shines]

Bula is quick, Turuva is quick...where would you add pace?
I like Galvin as centre for now as he is a big body who is able to break tackles and has the skills to set his winger up. On the other side of the field you have the bash brothers and Id have Bula trail them on their adventures.

Bula yes … Turuva I’m not so sure ?

Galvin, Olam and Skelton are slow …

I would like the other Center to have a bit more pace …im hoping this player isn’t at the club yet …

If they decide to move on from Galvin at 6 ( I’m not sure they will BTW) then try him at 13 first … I have said repeatedly that he needs to put some weight on this offseason regardless of where they play him…

I also think there is little doubt that Luai will be the 7 next season

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Wishart is a good player, I haven’t seen enough of him to know, but what is his actual playing position?
Has he played himself into being a utility?
Which is still pretty handy.

He is 100miles an hour effort player. He is like an energizer bunny that never runs out of charge…. He isn’t a world beater but would instantly make our squad better and make an impact for us.

Can basically cover any position asked outside of Prop, if given a good off season think he could be a decent 13. Has the speed, ball playing, defensive work rate and knows when to run straight v sideways.

He would be a very astute pickup.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Hopgood is contracted next year isn't he? He's also just had lower back surgery.

I'd be keen if he was available and fit but it seems he is not.

Parra need cap space if the players they want to move get no bites then they will focus on others they haven’t extended past 25.

If they don’t extend Hopgood by October he can get offers in November. If he signed with us Parra would probably release him early to free cap space up.

 

[jrtiger]

With limited roster spots I think we won't be seeing any more significant signings in the backs. Turuva, Skelton and a (hopefully) fit Olam can do a job next year. Depth will be an issue next year (particularly in the centres), as it always is. I'm stoked they have gone some way to addressing the problems coming out of our own end.

Hard working, tough, established first grade forwards have to be the focus now.

definitely agree that right edge, 13 and at least one prop has to be the focus. the issue is there really isn’t much out there.

Jack Williams is a must sign at this point, but he’s pretty ingrained at the Sharks.

 

[dazza65]

IMHO Skelton>> Holmes in value and upside moving forward

 

[king_sirro]

Interesting to note further signings will be announced in the coming days.

Wests Tigers sign powerful winger on two-year deal

Wests Tigers are delighted to announce the signing of powerful winger, Jeral Skelton, on a two-year deal.

www.weststigers.com.au

hard not to get excited hearing that.

The following line gives less excitement though
"As the club continues to strengthen its depth".

Suggests that they may be depth players.

 

[king_sirro]

That Larry kid we just signed from NZ , his sister is with Erin Clarke. He'd be a good starting 13 or 14 [utility forward]

Hopgood is the pick of the bunch - origin calibre player.

Morris and Jensen are solid workers. Jensen has never played for a club outside QLD so that's interesting. Max King has been outstanding in recent years.

That's a fantastic list and they'd all improve our squad.

Erin Clarke has really surprised me. He is playing great in the middle and his ability to engage the line like the good locks do is outstanding.

 

[Coastie_Tiger]

With limited roster spots I think we won't be seeing any more significant signings in the backs. Turuva, Skelton and a (hopefully) fit Olam can do a job next year. Depth will be an issue next year (particularly in the centres), as it always is. I'm stoked they have gone some way to addressing the problems coming out of our own end.

Hard working, tough, established first grade forwards have to be the focus now.

Yeah i think so forwards are the thing that needs adding to, unless a Staggs or similar falls out of a tree. We need to move on some of the deadwood free up some roster spots. I hope Bateman doesnt come back or if he does we need to know with plenty of time or else we will have troubles replacing.
Couple of decent forward options moving forward with what we've added will probably see us climb off the foot of the ladder. Im not expecting a dogs type revival next season but a marked improvement and then aim higher in 26.

 

[Buttface]

He is 100miles an hour effort player. He is like an energizer bunny that never runs out of charge…. He isn’t a world beater but would instantly make our squad better and make an impact for us.

Can basically cover any position asked outside of Prop, if given a good off season think he could be a decent 13. Has the speed, ball playing, defensive work rate and knows when to run straight v sideways.

He would be a very astute pickup.

If available, between Hopgood and Wishart which one would you go for to be our 13 then?

 

[SwervinMervin]

I agree. Hopefully Turuva can handle the defensive side in the centres.

I think Staines leg speed and Skelton’s size is a good combo for yardage sets. Skelton first hit up, then Staines uses his speed.

I see a lot of comments regarding our back-line defensive deficiencies and no doubt opposing teams eyes must light up when they run plays against us. I hear from ex players how important the fullback is in organizing the defensive line and the best ones are constantly doing the numbers and barking instructions at their outside men. Kind of like an on field, real time defensive coach.
We’ve heard how shy and quietly spoken Bulla is. Great individual talent and plenty of ticker, but perhaps that part of the fullback role, strong on-field presence, is something he will need to really develop if the Tigers back line is ever going to hold up defensively.

 

[king_sirro]

I dont think Id bring anymore backs to the club for 2025.
Weve signed three good ones and we do have choices already here. One of the possible lineups could be as follows:

• 1. Bula
• 2. Turuva
• 3. Galvin
• 4. Olam
• 5. Skelton
• 6. Luai
• 7. Sezer

This list has lots of points in it. Backups include Staines, Laulilii, Fainu, To'a, Faataape, Saukuru, Doueihi, Feledy, Sullivan, Alaimalo.

Get them a specialised backs coach who will re-familiarise them with what it takes to form a cohesive unit.

Now get them some hard working pigs to join Api, Pole, Seyfarth and Sam

Galvin in the centres, Luai coming to play 2nd fiddle to an aging and average Sezer hahaha. Come on, even you are better than that. That's a ridiculous backline and will never happen.

 

[SwervinMervin]

The problem with Douiehi is he says all the right things, but rarely backs it up. It would be great for us especially on his contract value if he could somehow turn it around, but IMO there have been too many times he has shown lack of effort in certain areas, which i think is just a flaw in his character and not something he can turn around.

His positional play could be coached and improved. His attitude is defence is all on him. The bulldogs miss a lot of tackles but chase and scramble and cover for 80 minutes. How often do we see AD turn and chase really hard when he or a teammate gets beaten. Never. There are two sides of the ball in footy. AD thinks he’s only really accountable for the “in-possession” side. He could be a really good player, but he’s not really a team first guy unfortunately, despite his big talk.

 

[The Chad]

Stimson is in no way a rock in defence. Hes been just okay in reserve grade and ordinary in 1st grade. Jollife, Croker, Horsburgh, Herherington yes. Stimson no, no way.
Horsburgh I think is easily the best forward on the market but linked to everyone but us.
Mason Teague is the first bloke I'd target. Dolphins lock who has been surpassed by Plath. West Sydney kid who I'm pretty sure would have captained Turuva in lower grades at Penrith. Very good defender (much better than Stimson) and has some ball skills to go with it.
If not him than Puru from Canberra. Another panthers junior with his pathway blocked in his current system. Decent enough defensively, better than Stimson not as good as Teague but offers a little more with the ball in both running metres and ball skills.

I think you sell Stimson short.

94% tackle efficiency in 1st grade suggests he's pretty solid defensively.

But, he hasn't played more than 6 games this year- so there's that. The Titans did win 3 of those 6 though.

But then, playing lock & prop in Hostplus Cup for Ipswich- 91% tackle efficiency coupled with 180m per game on average with 3 games well over 200m in a game, while playing entire matches, so fatigue factored in....I'd say that's some pretty dominant performances.

Don't get me wrong- he's not going to suddenly be Payne Haas. But he'll hold the middle together at a price that won't stop the club retaining it's stars. When Bellamy & Hasler are his coaches- chances are, he's fit & disciplined.