Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

It is highly likely Richo and Benji are coming to the realisation we have given an early release to Ice who is now showing he would have clearly been our best 13 option moving forward. That compounded by Stef heading elsewhere and the realisation that Bateman has not been providing us with anywhere near the value of his price tag.
Then realising the only players available to replace them are high priced ageing props or players that would be high risk signings due to their erratic nature or limited time they spend on the field.
It’s a similar story in the backs.
So do we go with a conservative approach and not overpay anyone for 2025 with the emphasis on a couple of marquee signings for 2026 ?
The issue with that is we would be risking another dismal season in 2025 which could mean we lose Galvin and possibly Pole due to them not seeing any improvement in our on field results.
It’s certainly a catch 22.
 
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Vicious said:
It is highly likely Richo and Benji are coming to the realisation we have given an early release to Ice who is now showing he would have clearly been our best 13 option moving forward. That compounded by Stef heading elsewhere and the realisation that Bateman has not been providing us with anywhere near the value of his price tag.
Then realising the only players available to replace them are high priced ageing props or players that would be high risk signings due to their erratic nature or limited time they spend on the field.
It’s a similar story in the backs.
So do we go with a conservative approach and not overpay anyone for 2025 with the emphasis on a couple of marquee signings for 2026 ?
The issue with that is we would be risking another dismal season in 2025 which could mean we lose Galvin and possibly Pole due to them not seeing any improvement in our on field results.
It’s certainly a catch 22.
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I follow a lot of the guys on Instagram and Pole is one who often shares his passion for the club. I do think he'll re-commit very soon.
 
Demps said:
I'm in favour of adding Horsbra to the ranks.
He's a proper footballer with some go.

Emotional player, yes.
But definitely coming into his peak and if we can get it under control , he'd be a genuine weapon for us.
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Soo emotional, I always think of the time he starts crying on the field after twisting his ankle in a tackle then getting up and trying to fight 3 different people then going to sideline and flipping everyone the bird. Was an odd scene.
Good player, though raiders paying him far too much
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
I follow a lot of the guys on Instagram and Pole is one who often shares his passion for the club. I do think he'll re-commit very soon.
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That would be great if he does.
If we have to take a risk and overpay somebody for 2025, maybe it should be Oregon Kaufusi.
He’s young and still improving, very mobile for a big man and he has a big engine to allow him to play big minutes if required.
Obviously he’s highly rated at the Sharks as he starts every game for them and they would not want to let him go and I would say nearly every club in the NRL would like him somewhere in their 17.
Also the fact he’s is very good mates with Stef would make it unlikely he’d be keen on signing with Wests Tigers.
But as we know too class props are like finding a needle in a haystack, he’s one we could probably offer marquee money to try and persuade him as he would fit in very nicely with our other young emerging middle forwards.
 
Vicious said:
It is highly likely Richo and Benji are coming to the realisation we have given an early release to Ice who is now showing he would have clearly been our best 13 option moving forward. That compounded by Stef heading elsewhere and the realisation that Bateman has not been providing us with anywhere near the value of his price tag.
Then realising the only players available to replace them are high priced ageing props or players that would be high risk signings due to their erratic nature or limited time they spend on the field.
It’s a similar story in the backs.
So do we go with a conservative approach and not overpay anyone for 2025 with the emphasis on a couple of marquee signings for 2026 ?
The issue with that is we would be risking another dismal season in 2025 which could mean we lose Galvin and possibly Pole due to them not seeing any improvement in our on field results.
It’s certainly a catch 22.
Click to expand...
It’s also a blight on the coaching for not moving pap closer to the action sooner. Everyone could see he can play and play very well but wasn’t getting enough ball.

The moment we move him he plays good and is now signed elsewhere meaning another piece of the puzzle to replace that we didn’t need to.
 
Vicious said:
So do we go with a conservative approach and not overpay anyone for 2025 with the emphasis on a couple of marquee signings for 2026 ?
The issue with that is we would be risking another dismal season in 2025 which means we could lose Galvin and Pole
Click to expand...

I think this is where they are heading …I think it’s probably for the best compared with taking long term risks on questionable players….I expect Pole to re-sign here shortly …I doubt they will be outbid for him and from what I have heard him say…he would be happy to remain here
 
Vicious said:
That would be great if he does.
If we have to take a risk and overpay somebody for 2025, maybe it should be Oregon Kaufusi.
He’s young and still improving, very mobile for a big man and he has a big engine to allow him to play big minutes if required.
Obviously he’s highly rated at the Sharks as he starts every game for them and they would not want to let him go and I would say nearly every club in the NRL would like him somewhere in their 17.
Also the fact he’s is very good mates with Stef would make it unlikely he’d be keen on signing with Wests Tigers.
But as we know too class props are like finding a needle in a haystack, he’s one we could probably offer marquee money to try and persuade him as he would fit in very nicely with our other young emerging middle forwards.
Click to expand...
Yep Kaufusi is the one who has the profile (age, size, fitness, experience, defence, stats) we need to replace Stef.

I wonder if you have a Mutual Option for next season, can other clubs talk to you before November 1?
 
liltiger said:
Reckon it's only a matter of time before Burgess gets an N.R.L gig and he will do really well. With Luai signing on to play under Benji I can't see Benji going anywhere atm. If next year is the same then I think Richo will have the chat with him.
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I reckon if John Sutton is not in Bennett's plans, he will be at the Tigers in some capacity! Richo loves him.
 
Vicious said:
That would be great if he does.
If we have to take a risk and overpay somebody for 2025, maybe it should be Oregon Kaufusi.
He’s young and still improving, very mobile for a big man and he has a big engine to allow him to play big minutes if required.
Obviously he’s highly rated at the Sharks as he starts every game for them and they would not want to let him go and I would say nearly every club in the NRL would like him somewhere in their 17.
Also the fact he’s is very good mates with Stef would make it unlikely he’d be keen on signing with Wests Tigers.
But as we know too class props are like finding a needle in a haystack, he’s one we could probably offer marquee money to try and persuade him as he would fit in very nicely with our other young emerging middle forwards.
Click to expand...
We need 2 props and if it means finding a prop that was better than our outgoing prop and is strong , 80 minutes , runs and hits hard and is young you pay a bit extra $ 750 for one and $ 450 for the other
 
Vicious said:
It is highly likely Richo and Benji are coming to the realisation we have given an early release to Ice who is now showing he would have clearly been our best 13 option moving forward. That compounded by Stef heading elsewhere and the realisation that Bateman has not been providing us with anywhere near the value of his price tag.
Then realising the only players available to replace them are high priced ageing props or players that would be high risk signings due to their erratic nature or limited time they spend on the field.
It’s a similar story in the backs.
So do we go with a conservative approach and not overpay anyone for 2025 with the emphasis on a couple of marquee signings for 2026 ?
The issue with that is we would be risking another dismal season in 2025 which could mean we lose Galvin and possibly Pole due to them not seeing any improvement in our on field results.
It’s certainly a catch 22.
Click to expand...
I actually think the attack looks way crisper with Fainu at lock . His footwork around the ruck , and deception with the ball , create enough confusion / doubt in the defence to offer N extra yard of space once the shift happens . The issue is defence and contact . Which is the same issue across the board .
 
Lestronge said:
I actually think the attack looks way crisper with Fainu at lock . His footwork around the ruck , and deception with the ball , create enough confusion / doubt in the defence to offer N extra yard of space once the shift happens . The issue is defence and contact . Which is the same issue across the board .
Click to expand...
Personally I think Latu could evolve into a great modern-day lock.

Attack, he can bite into the line and offer an exceptional passing game (right to left), ??? on his left to right. Plus once he's got full confidence in his hamstrings, he's deceptively quick with short, fast strides that could open a team up not knowing whether he's going to pass or run.

Defence, he has great tackling technique & apparently pound-for-pound is one of our best on the wrestling mat. He often goes waist/legs height so another middle can go higher in the tackle.

Talk, he doesn't have a great voice yet on-the-field so this isn't such an issue at lock.

Someone like Latu could create massive width for us on set plays with long, fast link-passing creating space for Luai & Galvin to work their magic.
 
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