Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Tigers_Wests]

I’ve been reading this here for months now … it’s not inevitable that anyone with a contract for next year will actually move on … They have been trying for about 4 months now to move on Naden and Sullivan for example… and nothing

I can't see Tumeth being here next year (we would pay out his minimum wage contract if we had to). That would give Sione a spot.
Matamua is another I can see moving on and other clubs would take a punt on.

Sullivan I actually think will stay and start the season with us at least.

Few others in the ranks (Naden, To'a, Douiehi, juniors) that I wouldn't be surprised to see exit the club before round 1. There's usually still plenty of player movement from here up until mid January as clubs get their rosters sorted.

I saw they have released the NRL 2025 calendars already. There is always someone on there that you can guarantee will move on! Haha

 

[Tigers_Wests]

nothing on faatape? He’s off contract I believe

Would assume a development contract coming his way again. I am happy with that. He still hasn't had a full NRL pre-season, so would be good to see if that furthers his game at all.

 

[Kelce68]

Interesting they didn't thank Faataape & Sione. Would be happy to keep both.

Faataape over Naden & Toa as back up centres.

As much flak as To'a cops on here, he still runs rings around Faataape in defence for now.

 

[upthetigers]

Quite a few comments about them wishing they kept skelton over montoya

Not surprised dogs fans would be basing their opinion on his past dogs form and not how he is currently playing

 

[ezybro]

Leo Thompson:

Knights enforcer Leo Thompson has informed the club that he will head to November 1 and test his value on the open market.

The Daily Telegraph reported Thompson wants to explore his options after turning down an upgraded extension offer from the Knights.

Newcastle have tabled an extension offer, but the New Zealand native is keen to gauge interest from NRL rivals before making a decision on his future.

Thompson’s current deal expires at the end of 2025 and is worth a reported $350,000 which is well below his market value.

Knights recruitment boss Peter O’Sullivan only joined the club mid-season and has made re-signing Thompson one of his priorities to build a title contender in the coming seasons.

O’Sullivan has reportedly offered Thompson an upgrade for 2025 and an extension, but Thompson will wait to see what else is out there.

Thompson’s brother Tyrone joins the Knights next season from New Zealand rugby union and he still may opt to stay loyal to the club.

However, there are a number of clubs interested in Thompson’s services which could drive up his asking price if the Knights want to keep him.

The club is desperate to hold onto Thompson after letting Daniel Saifiti leave to join the Dolphins on a three-year deal to free up $800,000 on their salary cap annually.

Thompson is likely to wait until after his commitments with the New Zealand team in the Pacific Championships to make a call on his future after November 1.

Come on down to the Tiger's young fellow, we've got a starting spot for ya .. !! ;-)

Sounds to me like he just wants to use the market to upgrade his contract, his brother is coming to knights next year aswell. Would love to grab him tho if he really was keen

 

[tigerballs]

Omg ! He was a rugby player prior he doesn’t have the defensive capability to play centre, Howarth played centre and second row for Sunshine Coast prior to playing NRL.
Obviously only one of us watches league. #Imbecile

You do know that they tackle in rugby, don't you? Sualii played rugby too, he can't defend? He played SOO you dope. And if Howarth can play SR and centre you agree with me a player can play more than one position?
Go back to the Bulldogs forum.

 

[tigerballs]

I wish - too small and couldn't fight well enough. Played with, and against, a few guys that could play.

My "footy career" was at park level in Rugby League and Army level in Union as a hooker. Was fortunate enough to play until I was 42 though so I learnt a little bit along the way.

If you played until 42 you must have learned the most important skill, how to duck!
Well done!

 

[Tigerwould]

Hopefully the rumours about To’o are truE. However the forwards are a worry for 2025 with the loss of Ipap and Steph.
I’ve been enjoying the WT Faithful podcast, with their intel on the development players. Still unclear who plays 2nd row? Sam Fainu will start and should be one of the 2nd rowers. Other options Alex Seyfarth and Bird?
Sione Fainu could be an option at 13.
Pole and Klemmer or Twal to start start up front. With Johannssen and Hunt in the Prop rotation

 

[BAGNF05]

I actually don't mind faatape.... He has some skills, def can get better...

If he’s your reserve grade player who needs to play 4-5 games as injury coverage you’re going ok.

 

[user118245]

WT rumours from zerotackle

 

[weststigers]

Omg ! He was a rugby player prior he doesn’t have the defensive capability to play centre, Howarth played centre and second row for Sunshine Coast prior to playing NRL.
Obviously only one of us watches league. #Imbecile

Skelton played league in the juniors for Albany Creek Crushers in Brisbance until he went to private school and switched to union. Played mostly Sevens in the backs for Australia and had 2 games for the Rebels playing at flanker.

Given the space on the field in Sevens, you need to be a good defender, because a missed tackle quite often leads to a try.

Playing league, his defence has been good. Not sure why you think he isn't capable of playing centre defensively because he played Union. Is it just an opinion? Or have you seen something to suggest he is a terrible defender?

 

[Harvey]

I can't see Tumeth being here next year (we would pay out his minimum wage contract if we had to). That would give Sione a spot.
Matamua is another I can see moving on and other clubs would take a punt on.

Sullivan I actually think will stay and start the season with us at least.

Few others in the ranks (Naden, To'a, Douiehi, juniors) that I wouldn't be surprised to see exit the club before round 1. There's usually still plenty of player movement from here up until mid January as clubs get their rosters sorted.

I saw they have released the NRL 2025 calendars already. There is always someone on there that you can guarantee will move on! Haha

Can anyone confirm Tumeth's "minimum wage" deal?

He was a junior origin star and I think a few clubs were interested. One of those players the old regime would sign on a long term deal that goes up each year, regardless of actual development and performance

 

[Harvey]

View attachment 16451
WT rumours from zerotackle

N/A are going to have a pretty ordinary squad next year

 

[Flippedy]

View attachment 16451
WT rumours from zerotackle

Hope that second rumour comes true!

 

[finnzo]

If we could get Nelson it would be huge for us

 

[Darty the winger]

Only 6 posts in and firmly established as the forum goose. You do know that they tackle in rugby, don't you? Sualii played rugby too, he can't defend? He played SOO you dope. And if Howarth can play SR and centre you agree with me a player can play more than one position?
Go back to the Bulldogs forum.

Haha 😂 Skelton is a winger end of story !!

 

[liltiger]

What does everyone think, if the planets line up and Nathan does go to the superleague is it worth Richo asking Ivan to come back to replace benji.

 

[innsaneink]

Sounds to me like he just wants to use the market to upgrade his contract, his brother is coming to knights next year aswell. Would love to grab him tho if he really was keen

Yeah let's get him and Briton nikkra... They will do

 

[vlad]

SHOOSH III

Which player straight out refused to even entertain signing with a club who were keen on him because of an issue with a former teammate? He had no intention of linking back up with his ex-teammate.

——

Probably RCG & Luai

 

[TSP]

N/A are going to have a pretty ordinary squad next year

I wouldn’t mind a couple of their forwards.