Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[user118245]

Everyone’s seen announcement today, but still no Sione meaning 1 of 3 things

1. He’s gone
2. He’s retained but will be announcement with his brothers or just one of then
3. He’s retained but we have to wait for a top 30 spot to open before announcing.

Also would be curious, can we sign him for 2026/27 and however longer, but not 2025 and either let him play elsewhere for the year like a loan but not really, or not?

 

[Glenji95]

Everyone’s seen announcement today, but still no Sione meaning 1 of 3 things

1. He’s gone
2. He’s retained but will be announcement with his brothers or just one of then
3. He’s retained but we have to wait for a top 30 spot to open before announcing.

Also would be curious, can we sign him for 2026/27 and however longer, but not 2025 and either let him play elsewhere for the year like a loan but not really, or not?

I would say 3 is the most likely reason, with our 30 full we can’t announce him until we let go of someone else in our 30. The signings today are development contract signings not top 30 ones. We technically could announce him for 26 but it would look extremely odd for us to announce him for 26 given he’s got no contract for 25.

 

[weststigerman]

New deals for Faataape and Porter

Wests Tigers is pleased to confirm contract extensions for Reuben Porter and Solomona Faataape.

www.weststigers.com.au

As long as it doesn't make them top 30 players in 2026, this is good news.

 

[user118245]

I would say 3 is the most likely reason, with our 30 full we can’t announce him until we let go of someone else in our 30. The signings today are development contract signings not top 30 ones. We technically could announce him for 26 but it would look extremely odd for us to announce him for 26 given he’s got no contract for 25.

That’s kinda my thinking tho with the 2026 contract, or we don’t have to announce it so clubs don’t disfavour him. Gives him an opportunity to play first grade or reggies when we don’t have roster spots in 2025, but can bring him back ASAP.

 

[Glenji95]

That’s kinda my thinking tho with the 2026 contract, or we don’t have to announce it so clubs don’t disfavour him. Gives him an opportunity to play first grade or reggies when we don’t have roster spots in 2025, but can bring him back ASAP.

I imagine with his brothers here he wouldn’t want to leave it’ll help us keep them in the future especially if we can turn the tide. The stuff about Bateman is firing up more so I won’t be surprised if as soon as we let him go we announce Sione staying next year onwards.

 

[Tigers_Wests]

Just some notes on our Development contracts for Mason, Craig, Lobb, Faataape, Porter & Makasini:

- I understand Development contracts are $80,000 base + $3k for each NRL game (cap of $650k).
- 5 backline players & 1 forward.
- All 6 development players only contracted to dev squad for 2025. Makasini promoted to top 30 in 2026. So 6 whole development spots up for grabs in 2026.
- Development players can play NRL from Round 1 whereas T&T only from Round 11.
- Still in limbo (too old for Flegg, not announced as T&T yet) are Bailey Hodges, Cayne Nicholas & Herman Tofaeono.

Out of the players in limbo, Herman is the main one I hope we can retain. I was thinking he would have landed Will Craig's development spot (when he was rumoured to go). Not too fussed if we lose Hodges or Nicholas as we have plenty of depth at 9 and better prospects at 13.

 

[kade7]

the discussions with bateman are on going

manly want two years with tigers paying 60/40

tigers want to pay no more than 400k over the next two seasons , i wouldn’t say its dead in the water, but tigers will need to budge

 

[AdelaideTiger]

the discussions with bateman are on going

manly want two years with tigers paying 60/40

tigers want to pay no more than 400k over the next two seasons , i wouldn’t say its dead in the water, but tigers will need to budge

If having to pay 60/40, we would be better off keeping him.

 

[mtd#2]

May be difficult to pry Bullemor from Manly as he's managed by Isaac Moses

We seem to be in favour with Moses lately don't we?

 

[mtd#2]

the discussions with bateman are on going

manly want two years with tigers paying 60/40

tigers want to pay no more than 400k over the next two seasons , i wouldn’t say its dead in the water, but tigers will need to budge

I'd rather not nudge
Play him in reggies

 

[Camel2281]

If having to pay 60/40, we would be better off keeping him.

Would we though. Holds up a Top 30 spot and is a cancerous tumour that will just fester if left

 

[Coastie_Tiger]

the discussions with bateman are on going

manly want two years with tigers paying 60/40

tigers want to pay no more than 400k over the next two seasons , i wouldn’t say its dead in the water, but tigers will need to budge

Whats Bateman supposedly on? I'd pay 500k over 2 seasons to see the back of him.

Probably should have used Large as leverage in the negotiations, seems we got nothing at all out of that very weird.

 

[tigerballs]

It doesn't matter how often this is pointed out. People will still insist Bird will play centre and Turuva wing. The actual word of these players mean nothing to some, they know better.

Just like Douehi insisted he was playing 5/8.

 

[jrtiger]

If having to pay 60/40, we would be better off keeping him.

comes down to whether you deem Bateman cancerous for good culture. if he's going to be a very loud and negative influence on the group then there's no amount of money you won't pay to see the back of him.

Richardson runs a hard bargain but ultimately he's going to have to play ball with Mestrov on this one.

 

[king_sirro]

Just like Douehi insisted he was playing 5/8.

A little different in my opinion. Bird and Tiruva are new signings to a club. The role and position they will play is all part of recent discussions. If you remember when Doueihi first came to the Tigers, he was told he would play fullback then move to 5/8 when Benji retired. I believe that's what happened. He wasn't good enough to make the role his own. So if Turuva can't make centre his spot then he moves to the wing.

 

[clontarfkid]

We seem to be in favour with Moses lately don't we?

Hes nothing special...and comes with the Moses touch...not for me.
Weve been down that road several times
Im totally with Politis in dealing with Moses clients at absolutely last resort...and if so ,think again..and still say no

 

[Kelce68]

Everyone’s seen announcement today, but still no Sione meaning 1 of 3 things

1. He’s gone
2. He’s retained but will be announcement with his brothers or just one of then
3. He’s retained but we have to wait for a top 30 spot to open before announcing.

Also would be curious, can we sign him for 2026/27 and however longer, but not 2025 and either let him play elsewhere for the year like a loan but not really, or not?

It's #3.

 

[clontarfkid]

A little different in my opinion. Bird and Tiruva are new signings to a club. The role and position they will play is all part of recent discussions. If you remember when Doueihi first came to the Tigers, he was told he would play fullback then move to 5/8 when Benji retired. I believe that's what happened. He wasn't good enough to make the role his own. So if Turuva can't make centre his spot then he moves to the wing.

Think Toa /Bird get first crack at the centres...and if their bodies fall to bits as normal ,we move our proven winger to centre

 

[AdelaideTiger]

Would we though. Holds up a Top 30 spot and is a cancerous tumour that will just fester if left

Just seems like too much to pay, agree it seems we have passed the point of no return with him but he does occupy a position of need for us, and my be easier to ride out his contract than gift wrap him for a direct rival.

 

[user118245]

That’s kinda my thinking tho with the 2026 contract, or we don’t have to announce it so clubs don’t disfavour him. Gives him an opportunity to play first grade or reggies when we don’t have roster spots in 2025, but can bring him back ASAP.

Can I use this as an application to the board? 😭 🤣