Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

I wouldn't be surprised in Klemmer makes a move mid-season next year, especially if the club don't want to trigger his contract for 2026.

If it gets to June and it doesn't look like he will play the 14 games required, I could see Klemmer taking up a cheap deal mid-season with a contender like Penrith or Isaac Moses calling in favours with Manly or Flanno at the Dragons.
If talk around him does intensify, he's exactly the type of signing Flanagan would make for 2 years.

Also, interesting to see if injury plays a role in that clause...
 
Returned to training this week are Royce Hunt (3 weeks early), Seyfarth (1 week early), Api, Bird, Starford To'a, Staines & Bud Sullivan.

https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2024/112/19/gallery-pre-season-week-3/

Love these quotes from Royce:

Hunt, who reported for pre-season three weeks early, also wants to be a leader for the club’s young brigade.

“I’ve come in a bit early to get amongst the boys, which I'll be better for it,” said the Samoan international.

“We've got a lot of young forwards, so I want to try and get in early and do what I can to help them out.

“We'll build that bond early so we can hit the ground running next year."
 
Returned to training this week are Royce Hunt (3 weeks early), Seyfarth (1 week early), Api, Bird, Starford To'a, Staines & Bud Sullivan.

https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2024/112/19/gallery-pre-season-week-3/

Love these quotes from Royce:

Hunt, who reported for pre-season three weeks early, also wants to be a leader for the club’s young brigade.

“I’ve come in a bit early to get amongst the boys, which I'll be better for it,” said the Samoan international.

“We've got a lot of young forwards, so I want to try and get in early and do what I can to help them out.

“We'll build that bond early so we can hit the ground running next year."
So who's missing then apart from Luai, May, Turuva and Skelton (plus Bateman for now) who are still on holidays.

Naden, Klem, Douehi, Twal, Pole, Olam (injury).

Still a few of those guys listed above likely to be out the door i reckon
 
I like Twal, he did some good things at different points last year but to me it is really a choice between Twal and Klemmer. I think Klemmer starts the year because I get the sense Klemmer is stronger in defence - misses less tackles, stronger in contact and the wrestle (i might be wrong). Twal seemed to get put on his back alot too.
A choice between klemmer and twal? Twal for longevity and klemmer can retire
 
Doesn’t Twal have concussion history ? I suspect Porter will put himself in the picture , was good with limited opportunity, so season and has a full off-season under his belt going into next year
 
Please just let me indulge myself with wishful thinking -- that shows we are actually just 3 players off being a top 8-4 side.

And all these players were available this year to get -- and are the same as what we are paying our recruits;
Olam and Lomax - basically same coin
JAC and Skelton - same coin
Horsborough and Bateman - same coin
And yes I know
- #12 is weak but you can't have superstars in every position.
- JAC over skelton is controversial but for me for two years he would be better value

The bench isnt costing too much money.

We have a few gun juniors but lots of experience.


1. Bula
2. Turuva
3. Lomax
4. Makassini
5. JAC
6. Galvin
7. Luai
8. Klemmer
9. Api
10. May
11. Fainu
12. Bird / Porter / Seyfarth
13. Horsborough

14. Latu
15. Pole
16. Sione
17. Twal / Hunt


imagine being in the dressing room as a kid having Luai, Lomax, Api, May, Klemmer, Bird, Hunt, Turuva, Horsborough, JAC -- you'd think... man we have a team.
 
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Please just let me indulge myself with wishful thinking -- that shows we are actually just 3 players off being a top 8-4 side.

And all these players were available this year to get -- and are the same as what we are paying our recruits;
Olam and Lomax - basically same coin
JAC and Skelton - same coin

Horsborough and Bateman - same coin
And yes I know
- #12 is weak but you can't have superstars in every position.
- JAC over skelton is controversial but for me for two years he would be better value
Olam is around the $450k per season mark for us - pretty sure Lomax contract is around $650k.

Unless JAC took a massive pay cut from the Bulldogs ($500 - $550k), I would doubt Skelton is anywhere near that.
 
Olam is only on $450k a year. Lomax closer $700k

Skelton $235K JAC was on $550K unsure now at the Eels but worth $400K easily.

Bateman & Horsburgh would similar.

I get your point but yes we are 3 players away from a very good side.

Lock, Right Backrower & gun centre.

Hopefully Makasini is that centre next year.

So I firmly believe Kobe Hethrington & Teig Wilton along with retaining Sione & Pole re-signing we are done in the forwards.

Backs, I think we have enough depth just next the ones in for the crocodile roll to step up!
 
Please just let me indulge myself with wishful thinking -- that shows we are actually just 3 players off being a top 8-4 side.

And all these players were available this year to get -- and are the same as what we are paying our recruits;
Olam and Lomax - basically same coin
JAC and Skelton - same coin
Horsborough and Bateman - same coin
And yes I know
- #12 is weak but you can't have superstars in every position.
- JAC over skelton is controversial but for me for two years he would be better value

The bench isnt costing too much money.

We have a few gun juniors but lots of experience.


1. Bula
2. Turuva
3. Lomax
4. Makassini
5. JAC
6. Galvin
7. Luai
8. Klemmer
9. Api
10. May
11. Fainu
12. Bird / Porter / Seyfarth
13. Horsborough

14. Latu
15. Pole
16. Sione
17. Twal / Hunt


imagine being in the dressing room as a kid having Luai, Lomax, Api, May, Klemmer, Bird, Hunt, Turuva, Horsborough, JAC -- you'd think... man we have a team.

Not sure what your talking about Lomax and JAC are sewn up in eels...🤔
 
So who's missing then apart from Luai, May, Turuva and Skelton (plus Bateman for now) who are still on holidays.

Naden, Klem, Douehi, Twal, Pole, Olam (injury).

Still a few of those guys listed above likely to be out the door i reckon
Actually Olam returned today too which is great to see but probably just for rehabbing his knees.

The older brigade still to return in 2 weeks - Twal, Klemmer & Naden and also our other recruits. Bateman will be last to return again!

Not sure where Pole is??? He should be back this week. Maybe not in photos.
 
Is NAS still on the outer? Really think he would be perfect for us for 2 years with our young pack.

I'd be OK with our backline for next season, a couple of players with growth potential - then review whether we need to go into the market for 26 there.
 
View attachment 17574
Anyone know who's on the right of Toa in this photo?
Kit has thighs like tree trunks! Could be a wrecking ball in time.

Hopefully this pre-season sees Broederlow (on Toa's right in orange) come along in spades. His noticeable weakness to me in NSW Cup last season was his fitness. When he got gassed, his defence would lapse considerably.
 
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