Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Kelce68]

Lachlan gets a big wrap around here.... Keen to see him develop...

He's a threat with the ball and a genuine handful, but, as with many young forwards, his defence needs work. Almost across the board. He's not the best reader, first up contact is inconsistent, drops off a few tackles and is still learning how to manipulate in the wrestle.

That being said, plenty to work with. He, Godinet and Duncombe are worth keeping a big eye on. Phoenix in particular will jump out of the ground in the next 2/3 years I suspect.

I'll have to defer to the likes of @BlackWhiteGold, @jrtiger and others for more info though.

 

[Kelce68]

what’s done is done. no point lamenting.

injuries depending, the current squad is good enough to get into the cluster of teams running 7th-12th.

the development of some of our kids plus some additional signings in areas of need will put us where we need to be for 2026 and beyond.

a right edge backrower and a lock and our premiership window will open.

Yep, it's one thing to play SuperCoach with outlandish potential, but unlikely signings, but these suggestions are done and squared away.

 

[Lestronge]

what’s done is done. no point lamenting.

injuries depending, the current squad is good enough to get into the cluster of teams running 7th-12th.

the development of some of our kids plus some additional signings in areas of need will put us where we need to be for 2026 and beyond.

a right edge backrower and a lock and our premiership window will open.

When lomax signed that contract no one knew he was going kick on like he has this year . It’s the reason he was there for the taking in the first place .
I think the whole “I’ll only play centre “ rumour / bullshit / whatever , really hurt his value .
If he’d had waited 2 months he would have got himself the 800k re-up at parra .
It’s a bit of a steal for the eels in hindsight .

 

[851]

Is this one of the best recruitment drives (If not the best) by the Tigers in our history. When was the last time we signed this many top grade proven players?

The likes of Skelton, Turuva, May, Luai, Hunt and Bird has me excited.

Not bad for a bloke who supposedly couldn't sign anyone

 

[Needaname]

Lachlan Broederlow on the right, Kit Laulilii on the left

Technically it’s the other way round but depends on the perspective of the OP.

 

[happy_tiger]

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.

Plus JAC officially signed with Parra yesterday

 

[tigermate]

what’s done is done. no point lamenting.

injuries depending, the current squad is good enough to get into the cluster of teams running 7th-12th.

the development of some of our kids plus some additional signings in areas of need will put us where we need to be for 2026 and beyond.

a right edge backrower and a lock and our premiership window will open.

And a center … olam and AD are sh’t dude.

Trust me.

Defensively Olam has no lateral movement and he’s slow.

AD just doesn’t use his shoulders and can’t read the defense.

They both get burnt by quick fullbacks out the back of shape and block plays.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Probably correct unless Klemmer regains a bit of spark in 2025 and plays well enough to earn another season in 2026.
Without Klemmer we do become a very short forward pack in comparison to most other NRL teams which is a slight concern.
Edge back row depth is a major concern as it appears Benji has wiped Bateman. While I agree with Benji on this decision, if only leaves us with Samuela Fainu and possibly Alex Seyfarth and Jack Bird as possibilities to play NRL and Sukkar and Tumeth as the only other possibilities should they play well enough to be considered.
Lack of genuine speed and height in our backline is another concern.

If Klemmer was ever going to spark up it would be now, before this preseason he was the alpha by a mile. We actually have players who can go toe for toe with him in the squad + he is playing for probably his last contract.

I would be disappointed if he isn’t hungry and angry.

 

[Roar_Power]

And a center … olam and AD are sh’t dude.

Trust me.

Defensively Olam has no lateral movement and he’s slow.

AD just doesn’t use his shoulders and can’t read the defense.

They both get burnt by quick fullbacks out the back of shape and block plays.

I think you will see a different Olam in 2025. He was obviously playing injured this season and bung knees will definitely affect lateral movement. Can still hit and take a hit-up.

 

[jrtiger]

And a center … olam and AD are sh’t dude.

Trust me.

Defensively Olam has no lateral movement and he’s slow.

AD just doesn’t use his shoulders and can’t read the defense.

They both get burnt by quick fullbacks out the back of shape and block plays.

Makasini is the centre you desire. no need to go to market when the best outside back prospect since Folau sits in our wheelhouse.

 

[bigsiro]

I honestly do not get the TWAL hatred on this forum .. in a terrible team with players that had no ability to give him good call he has consistently carried the ball forward from awkward positions all on his lonesome.. he has also almost never missed a tackle , though he wish he would hit a bit harder and throw them on the ground a bit more .. still, given some good ball he can really be part of a pack that gets over the advantage line

Hatred is a bit strong.

After all these years he hasn’t developed the ability to bend the line or offload. I wish he had.
And despite his tackle efficiency being excellent, he remains the consummate plodder in attack. For someone so ineffective with the pill, it is infuriating that he so rarely passes, or even looks to pass. IMO, it is a liability having such a momentum killer.

You might say that is his role. That every team needs a Twal. I disagree.

You might say that with some revitalised ingenuity in the team he may find another dimension. I highly doubt it.

He should not be in our starting forward pack and with zero impact off the bench, I find it difficult to find a spot for him in first grade.
We can do better.

 

[weststigerman]

Not sure why people talking about Lomax and JAC. Both are signed with the Eels.

 

[BrissieTiger67]

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.

Pass, we have so many half baked and cooked players...

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

He's a threat with the ball and a genuine handful, but, as with many young forwards, his defence needs work. Almost across the board. He's not the best reader, first up contact is inconsistent, drops off a few tackles and is still learning how to manipulate in the wrestle.

That being said, plenty to work with. He, Godinet and Duncome are worth keeping a big eye on. Phoenix in particular will jump out of the ground in the next 2/3 years I suspect.

I'll have to defer to the likes of @BlackWhiteGold, @jrtiger and others for more info though.

Yeah I rate Pheonix Godinet as our most valuable pathways player not currently on a Dev or T&T contract.

Ability in spades as a backrower, looks a 17yo type who will keep growing physically & is dedicated to his training & craft. I say 'valuable' as backrow is a position that we need to find more depth in over the coming years.

In saying that, 18yo Archie Duncombe is one to watch too & rated highly by the club, 19yo Mitchell Taotua has a high ceiling & a couple of 16yos in Kye Penfold & Andrew Sio will be two to watch in Harold Matts next season in the backrow.

 

[The Chad]

This 12 minute BS on Hunt has to stop. It's bordering on hysterics.

He had 6 games of less than 20 minutes on the field

He had 13 games of 20 minutes to 40 minutes.

I'm glad he wasn't signed to be our #1 prop.

But he's going to play 10-15 minutes each half. Basically, Sione Fainu's minutes last season.

And on the subject of minutes- as much as May is a great signing, he's not an 80 minute prop. He did that once or twice. He's a 50 minute a game prop. Perfect, for injecting Hunt, Pole, Fainu etc in to give him a rest & get some impact.

 

[bptiger 0]

If Klemmer was ever going to spark up it would be now, before this preseason he was the alpha by a mile. We actually have players who can go toe for toe with him in the squad + he is playing for probably his last contract.

I would be disappointed if he isn’t hungry and angry.

Think he needs to beef up a bit and get back to offloading the ball more ,

 

[Tito Santana]

Not sure why people talking about Lomax and JAC. Both are signed with the Eels.

Smoking bongs those people for sure

 

[tigermate]

Makasini is the centre you desire. no need to go to market when the best outside back prospect since Folau sits in our wheelhouse.

💯!!!!

But we need another one

 

[tigermate]

Smoking bongs those people for sure

I said I’ll indulge myself lol to show we aren’t that many players off being a top 4 side

If I smoked a bong I’d be dead at my age I think lol

 

[The Chad]

I suggested re-signing a guy like Saukuru to a T&T Contract yesterday with a Top 30 spot & bigger dollars for helping the club out.

I guess, in the same light...could the club sign Sione Fainu to a T&T with a guarenteed Top 30 spot in 2026 & some backloaded dollars to make it worthwhile helping the club out of it's Top 30 spot issues for now?

That way, Sione gets half a season thereabouts where he can get selected in 1st grade.