Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[clontarfkid]

Not his fault either. Someone in our club wanted him. He agreed to come along for the ride.

..and at double the $$ he was getting at Dragons ..for next 4 years..why wouldnt you?
But a Luai comes up once every 5 years or so ..elite current SOO half entering his prime years..so youve gotta snare him
We have a responsibility to Bud to make him a better player..it starts with putting on a few kilos in off season and improving his defence.We do that,and its a win/win..he plays better for us,and is more attractive buy
And tbh..u just dont know what Galvin is going to do or how he performs when he fills out a bit...and Latu hasnt been fit for 12 months
Its not a terrible situation to be in...particularly if yr a Dragons supporter facing Flanagan and Elias as yr halves pairing next year

 

[TigerSkins05]

with unveiling of the sponsorship on the jerseys painted on the ground there .. is that what our jersey are going to look like for 2025 .. ??

 

[Canadian Club]

Based on Birds comments and some photos out of training, i anticipate that Bird will start in that 13 role with perhaps Sione or Pole covering a 20 minute stint when Bird is off, or if he is required to shift to backrow due to an injury. Assuming Bateman is gone, i would predict they would be looking at something like this.

8. May
9. Koroisau
10. Pole
11. Seyfarth
12. Samuela Fainu
13. Bird

14. TDS/Latu
15. Hunt
16. Klemmer/Twal
17. Sione Fainu

The bench is middle heavy, however maybe their thinking is that Bird can cover Seyfarth or Samuela if needed and Latu, Sione or Pole can cover that 13 role if required.

 

[Tom Shines]

Based on Birds comments and some photos out of training, i anticipate that Bird will start in that 13 role with perhaps Sione or Pole covering a 20 minute stint when Bird is off, or if he is required to shift to backrow due to an injury. Assuming Bateman is gone, i would predict they would be looking at something like this.

8. May
9. Koroisau
10. Pole
11. Seyfarth
12. Samuela Fainu
13. Bird

14. TDS/Latu
15. Hunt
16. Klemmer/Twal
17. Sione Fainu

The bench is middle heavy, however maybe their thinking is that Bird can cover Seyfarth or Samuela if needed and Latu, Sione or Pole can cover that 13 role if required.

I don’t love it .. but probably what seems to be a good chance of happening three months out.

I’m hoping one more forward (edge ) can “fall out of the tree”..

still think Bird is on the bench for our best squad

 

[Canadian Club]

I don’t love it .. but probably what seems to be a good chance of happening three months out.

I’m hoping one more forward (edge ) can “fall out of the tree”..

still think Bird is on the bench for our best squad

I agree, i personally would prefer Bird in the 14 role and Seyfarth off the bench at best.

An edge backrower to replace Bateman would be ideal and for Matamua or Kit to make a massive leap this offseason. That would be the most ideal situation.

 

[clontarfkid]

Bird is 95 kilos...neither here nor there.
Too small for a middle forward...and these days is a little slow for a centre,particularly if paired up with Olam
And thats why Dragons punted him
But hes a former SOO player with a good attitude....and well find a slot for him somewhere.
But it may not be in the first chosen 13
Handy pickup @$$were paying him

 

[teddy23]

Based on Birds comments and some photos out of training, i anticipate that Bird will start in that 13 role with perhaps Sione or Pole covering a 20 minute stint when Bird is off, or if he is required to shift to backrow due to an injury. Assuming Bateman is gone, i would predict they would be looking at something like this.

8. May
9. Koroisau
10. Pole
11. Seyfarth
12. Samuela Fainu
13. Bird

14. TDS/Latu
15. Hunt
16. Klemmer/Twal
17. Sione Fainu

The bench is middle heavy, however maybe their thinking is that Bird can cover Seyfarth or Samuela if needed and Latu, Sione or Pole can cover that 13 role if required.

Being unbiased here…. but that’s not a top 8 forward pack and could be arguably the worst pack in the comp at current stage.

Still need to bring in some reinforcements.

 

[Kaito]

"We're not like any other NRL club, and we don't want to be like any other club. We’re outlaws,” Richardson said."

“We want to be the No.1 club,
but we want to do it our way.”

Uncaged: Proof that Wests Tigers are on the rise

There is a new-found belief in the direction of Wests Tigers that is enticing players to sign, sponsors to get on board and members to join.

www.nrl.com

 

[user118245]

Based on Birds comments and some photos out of training, i anticipate that Bird will start in that 13 role with perhaps Sione or Pole covering a 20 minute stint when Bird is off, or if he is required to shift to backrow due to an injury. Assuming Bateman is gone, i would predict they would be looking at something like this.

8. May
9. Koroisau
10. Pole
11. Seyfarth
12. Samuela Fainu
13. Bird

14. TDS/Latu
15. Hunt
16. Klemmer/Twal
17. Sione Fainu

The bench is middle heavy, however maybe their thinking is that Bird can cover Seyfarth or Samuela if needed and Latu, Sione or Pole can cover that 13 role if required.

Sione apparently training @ 13, seems like that’s our most likely lineup with the only variation that 14 and 16

 

[user118245]

1 Bula
2 Luke L
3 Tito
4 Olam
5 Skelton
6 Galvin
7 Luai
8 May
9 Api (C)
10 Pole
11 Bateman* (Seyfarth)
12 Sam
13 Bird
14 TDS/Latu
15 Hunt
16 Klemmer/Twal (if Bateman stays then seyfarth)
17 Sione

 

[Lestronge]

if I was Benji , when John comes in , in the new year I’d say this . “Look we couldn’t get a deal done , you couldn’t get a deal done , so we rip in for this year . Put our shit aside for the good of the club , and iif you rip in , you will change the narrative around you , and there will be a 2 year deal come November from someone for you .
1 season we rip in . And if someone comes along earlier , then we won’t stand in your way either . But you give me your all until then, and I’m sure the rest will take care of itself “ .
And just be 💯 with him .
Because it’s in everyone’s interest now , that John rips in , changes the narrative that’s built up around him , and when a few injuries hit someone / bad form , the teams will come looking for him. But not if he’s kicking rocks , and carrying on .
It’s big boy pants time . For everyone

 

[weststigerman]

It's amazing how so many were convinced Bird will play centre even though it was pointed out numerous times Turuva signed to play right centre and Bird straight after signing on, stated he wanted to play lock. A clear indication of the discussions he had before signing. I bet even this article will go straight over some people's heads and we will see some classic "your mad if you think Bird will play in the middle", "no way Turuva plays centre" etc etc.

I swear people just take in whatever suits their opinion and block everything else out.

That is probably the plan at the moment.

However, this time last year I doubt Galvin was going to be first choice 6 and Bud started round 1 first choice 7.

 

[Canadian Club]

Being unbiased here…. but that’s not a top 8 forward pack and could be arguably the worst pack in the comp at current stage.

Still need to bring in some reinforcements.

Agreed. Although I think the prop rotation is fine. Pole, May and Hunt are all quality and are nailed on for 3 of the 4/5 spots. That leaves Klemmer (fighting for a contract), Twal and Sione to fight it out for the last spot or 2. Hopefully competition for the spot brings out the best in them.

However we really need a quality backrower to replace Bateman. Starting backrow and depth in the position is easily the biggest issue with our roster right now.

 

[Dr_Ice]

I like the idea of Pole and Hunt doing damage from the bench.

I think our biggest concern is [and has always been] who's playing 13.

I got May and Klem starting.
Need a genuine lock option, not just a third prop.

Need another Elijah Taylor.

I’m not sure I like our middle defence with Pole and Hunt both off the bench and being on the field together

 

[Lestronge]

That is probably the plan at the moment.

However, this time last year I doubt Galvin was going to be first choice 6 and Bud started round 1 first choice 7.

haha . You just proved his point in 1 post ! Nice !
We need width . That’s why bird is at 13 . Anybody who says his carry’s are weak , Joe O had weak carries as well and he’s a front rower .
The dragons are playing cook at 13 this year . The nrl is moving away from the 3rd prop . And towards a hybrid style footy player . Connor Watson was the 13 at the roosters before smith got injured . That’s where the sport is moving towards . Guys who tackle and are dynamic . Not wrecking balls like Jason Taumalolo

 

[Canadian Club]

I’m not sure I like our middle defence with Pole and Hunt both off the bench and being on the field together

That is why coaching is important and getting that rotation right. Ideally you want May (good defender) paired with Pole and Hunt coming on and paired with Twal/Klemmer (both good defenders) and ensuring that there is no overlap with Pole and Hunt ie. ensuring Pole is on with either May and Klemmer/Twal and the same with Hunt.

 

[Kaito]

if I was Benji , when John comes in , in the new year I’d say this . “Look we couldn’t get a deal done , you couldn’t get a deal done , so we rip in for this year . Put our shit aside for the good of the club , and iif you rip in , you will change the narrative around you , and there will be a 2 year deal come November from someone for you .
1 season we rip in . And if someone comes along earlier , then we won’t stand in your way either . But you give me your all until then, and I’m sure the rest will take care of itself “ .
And just be 💯 with him .
Because it’s in everyone’s interest now , that John rips in , changes the narrative that’s built up around him , and when a few injuries hit someone / bad form , the teams will come looking for him. But not if he’s kicking rocks , and carrying on .
It’s big boy pants time . For everyone

Would like this to happen to happen too, seems the
most sensible thing for both parties. If he doesn't
come back we're missing an international 2nd rower
and have to fill that spot. Everyone has their pitch
forks out lmao. I genuinely hope he comes back
ready to fire for 1 year at least, he should be conscious
of the fact that he can change everyone's perceptions

 

[BAGNF05]

I agree, i personally would prefer Bird in the 14 role and Seyfarth off the bench at best.

An edge backrower to replace Bateman would be ideal and for Matamua or Kit to make a massive leap this offseason. That would be the most ideal situation.

Back rowers hold your edge D together and one of ours while talented, is very young & showed he’s still got defensive lapses in him. Who knows who plays on the other side. Seyfarth?

If we’re flimsy on the edges I can guarantee you what opposition teams will do to us, Luai will be making forty plus tackles.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

The 13 position was Latu’s to take.

Latu rocking up to preseason unfit the season he’s being pushed to play in the middle has unfortunately derailed that and a potential spot at 13 has been opened up for Bird or even potentially Seyfarth for the short term.

The club were looking for a veteran utility style player to come in hence Bird’s arrival. A position has now opened ip in the middle and due to his versatility he now has the ability to try make it his.

If that is the case, Latu still has 2+ full months of pre-season to get himself in the shape to play #13 & impress Benji with his attitude to learn a lesson.

Jeez if Seyfarth is in the frame as well, it leaves us pretty light in the backrow. Who do you see as our leading contender to replace Bateman?

 

[AdelaideTiger]

haha . You just proved his point in 1 post ! Nice !
We need width . That’s why bird is at 13 . Anybody who says his carry’s are weak , Joe O had weak carries as well and he’s a front rower .
The dragons are playing cook at 13 this year . The nrl is moving away from the 3rd prop . And towards a hybrid style footy player . Connor Watson was the 13 at the roosters before smith got injured . That’s where the sport is moving towards . Guys who tackle and are dynamic . Not wrecking balls like Jason Taumalolo

Yep you need way more speed through the middle, I think 13 is the best option for bird at this point, do I think he'll play 20+ games there? Of course not, but until Bateman situation is resolved play bird at 13 and John at 12, if John goes then Bird to 12 and Sione Fainu to 13. Or maybe someone falls from the tree, but you know what you'll get from bird at 13. He plays above his weight, sticks a good amount of his tackles and can ball play, sounds like a pretty good lock to me, we know it's unlikely he'll stay fit, but you can't have everything, especially not at his price