Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

He was already on the radar at Souths and they knicked him from their arch-rivals..

You would think this club would've learnt about what happens when you heap too much pressure on young players.

Now the experts here will be naming him in every team by the start of 2025 season. In contrast, Bellamy held out Howarth until he was 21 - when he believed he was ready.
Howarth was well paid and top 30 at Melbourne since he was 18. Its pretty much exactly the same. Our problem is that a 3rd of our roster is kids not just a select few.
 
SMH today

"One day after starring on the wing for the Australian Under-18s in their first win over New Zealand Schools since 2019, Heamasi Makasini has signed a three-year deal to remain at the Wests Tigers in a blow for Rugby Australia’s future plans."
 
The kid is only 17 and the club is shouting his signing from the rooftops. Top 30 in 2026. Nice way to lay on the pressure on him. Another thing you wouldn’t see at Melbourne, Penrith or Roosters.
I reckon the rorters do plenty of rooftop shouting especially if it’s from the wabbits.
Penrith have produced so many the PR can’t keep up and no one cares about storm.

I think it’s also to offset the Large neg press.
 
SMH today

"One day after starring on the wing for the Australian Under-18s in their first win over New Zealand Schools since 2019, Heamasi Makasini has signed a three-year deal to remain at the Wests Tigers in a blow for Rugby Australia’s future plans."
Yes I enjoyed reading that so much I read it a few times now.
 
we've got 3/5 of our long term back five in place, with Bula, Turuva and Makasini all signed til the end of 2027.

Skelton and Laulili'i have a bit to do but both could join them providing they continue on their current development trajectories. there’s a couple pathways players that may also jump off the canvas.

what we can be thankful for is that there is genuine quality and stability to build around in the next few years.
 
we've got 3/5 of our long term back five in place, with Bula, Turuva and Makasini all signed til the end of 2027.

Skelton and Laulili'i have a bit to do but both could join them providing they continue on their current development trajectories. there’s a couple pathways players that may also jump off the canvas.

what we can be thankful for is that there is genuine quality and stability to build around in the next few years.
I think Miller might surprise a few people ne t year after a tough preseason.
 
Only re-signing I care about this off-season is Galvin.
He will not re-sign unless we start to show we can at least challenge for the top 8 and that’s the same with Fonua Pole.
The playing roster for 2025 is again stuffed with far too many young, inexperienced players who have not yet shown they are ready for regular NRL, along with far too many over paid and over the hill or injury proned players that adds up to our roster being very unbalanced in way of NRL quality and genuine competition for positions in our NRL top 17.
I feel sorry for the young players contracted.to us as none of them are bad players and with the right coaching and development every one of them is a chance of becoming regular NRL players within the next few seasons, but it’s rugby league suicide having as many that are young, inexperienced and not quite ready for regular NRL as what we currently have.
It would be different is we did not also have so many over paid, over the hill and injury plagued players as what we have.
 
He’ll drag it out for sure. Probably at least wait and see half a size. Game next year so hopefully we start well.
Well put it this way:

He could earn 400k over the next 2 years, or he could earn 1.4 million. That's a pretty big incentive to sign an upgraded extension.

You can still try break a contract later on if they REALLY want to, but he's still ridiculously young. He'd become the highest paid youngster in the comp, possibly ever.
 
I think Miller might surprise a few people ne t year after a tough preseason.
Only if he’s willing to put in the hard work, be very disciplined, lose around 10kgs and start next season on the best physical condition he’s ever been in.
Our problem is the general mindset is players think or know they they can get away with taking shortcuts at Wests Tigers, where they know they cannot get away with it at high profile clubs or clubs with coaches with big reputations.
Latrell looks to be in the best shape he’s been in for a long, long time. Funny how that happens when he knows Wayne Bennett is back in charge.
Benji does not yet have that same aura to get players fully focused and fully committed.
 
Only if he’s willing to put in the hard work, be very disciplined, lose around 10kgs and start next season on the best physical condition he’s ever been in.
Our problem is the general mindset is players think or know they they can get away with taking shortcuts at Wests Tigers, where they know they cannot get away with it at high profile clubs or clubs with coaches with big reputations.
Latrell looks to be in the best shape he’s been in for a long, long time. Funny how that happens when he knows Wayne Bennett is back in charge.
Benji does not yet have that same aura to get players fully focused and fully committed.
Haven't we got a whole staff to do that sort of work
 
  • Like
Reactions: 851
Haven't we got a whole staff to do that sort of work
You would think so, but for whatever reason we regularly have players in our top 30 or next tier squads that are being prevented from playing their best due to lack of condition.
And that’s not to mention how many do not develop or perform to their best due to lack of motivation.
Players 20-40 have to be treated the same and with the same respect as the best players in the team, I’m not so sure that is happening.
 
You would want your middles taking the last tackle at most in yardage, and ensure they provide a quick play the ball so there is less pressure on the kicker. They should be recovering from working their arse off from the last defensive set, and the OBs/edge backrowers doing the tough work out of yardage.

The middles take their carries primarily in good field position, and run decoy in shape.
Penrith use Dylan Edwards to take the hitup prior to the kick chase so the team presents a full defensive line.

Edwards is then able to stay in position while the other 12 chase.

Most other teams are chasing with 11 players because the forward is left at the play the ball and the fullback has to get to position.
 

Latest posts

Staff online

Back
Top