Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Jolls said:
So, the big question: is 2025 a year of redemption or rebuilding?

Looking ahead to the 2025 season, there’s a mixture of outright joy, cautious optimism and lingering questions on the forum surrounding the performance of our beloved Wests Tigers. After a decade of mediocracy followed by three spoons the time is ripe for this club to prove it can rise from adversity. However, is 2025 the year of redemption or are we still rebuilding?

Key Areas:

  1. Leadership & Coaching Stability:
    Probably the biggest question mark in 2025. Benji has been in and around two of our spoon efforts despite only being the head coach last year. I won’t go into detail here given I put forward an analysis of his performance last week. Suffice to say, I think he has demonstrated that he understands what is required and is heading in the right direction. 2025 presents an opportunity for us to settle under Benji. Consistency at the helm could mean that we can focus on long-term goals instead of having to address another major coaching reshuffle in the short-term. I believe that Benji’s performance, along with that of his coaching staff, will determine the outcome of our 2025 season.
  2. Young Guns Ready to Fire:
    The development of our junior talent is now clearly the foundation of Wests Tigers and is the cornerstone of a prosperous future. Failure to invest in this area appropriately will adversely affect our future. Players like Galvin and Latu F. have shown glimpses of brilliance. If they can make the leap in 2025, in support of the big recruits, we could have the spark we need for 2025 to be our year of redemption.
  3. Recruitment and Retention:
    The club’s 2025 recruitment drive is probably the best in the NRL, with Luai, May, Hunt, Taruva and Bird adding much-needed depth and experience in key areas. The retention of Pole, Sam F. and Sione F. (in time) are also great moves by the club. One of the unheralded elements of the rebuild plan has been the depth added to our KOE team. On paper our KOE side is much better, this should allow our juniors to develop over time in the lower grades instead of rushing their development like we did in 2024.
  4. The Spine Question:
    Big call from Richo on having the best spine in the NRL. I think that call was a bit early, but we have a right to be confident in our spine going forward. Bula and Galvin certainly need to step up to another level. Bula in particular needs to address up his involvement, particularly in and around the ruck. Api, Luai, Galvin and Bula have the potential to click, but can they deliver week in and week out?
  5. Culture Reset:
    Family first has created considerable debate on the forum. Like it or loathe it, this part of the culture building process that Richo and Benji have instituted. Based on the types of players we have recruited it would be difficult to say that it isn’t working. Could it be less in your face? Potentially; but I can’t see at this point how it is hurting our development given the very strong performance message that Benji has sent with fat five. You can also see that off-field, the club has been making strides to reconnect with the fanbase. Particularly in the south west. A strong start to the season would do wonders for morale—not just in the sheds, but in the stands.
Predictions and Expectations

I sit in the cautious optimism camp. I still have a couple of nagging doubts around our depth, particularly our second-row stocks. There is still some water to go under bridge before the 2025 season kicks off so Richo and Benji may still address this.

For me it’s unrealistic to expect a return to the glory days of 2005. Personally, I think 2024 was about establishing the foundation and 2025 will be the year we finally see the building blocks come together. I think 2025 will be our turning point, a finals appearance might still be a stretch based on our depth but an injury free run could have us getting there. Realistically, a consistent season with mid-table (9th-12th) finish would signal progress and indicate that the foundations are set for a tilt at the title in 2026.

What are your thoughts? Is 2025 our turning point, or is it yet another year of rebuilding? 🐯💪
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I took the years of coming 9th for granted, I'll happily take 9th 😄
 
Taylan May is a left sided player isn't he? From memory he has a left arm carry too. Can he play right?

I would think we are stacked on that side with Makasini, Olam, Turuva playing predominantly left side in their careers.

Need a right centre and right edge player who can defend.
 
tigers. said:
I took the years of coming 9th for granted, I'll happily take 9th 😄
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I’ve said this before and I going to stop.
You don’t spend 1.2 mil on a player and look to come 9th. We need to better, 8 should be the aim with anything under 10th a complete fail. 26 should be aiming for top 4 and a serious chance.
But, I know what you mean, coming 9 would mean we win twice as many games and that’d be nice.
 
Buttface said:
I’ve said this before and I going to stop.
You don’t spend 1.2 mil on a player and look to come 9th. We need to better, 8 should be the aim with anything under 10th a complete fail. 26 should be aiming for top 4 and a serious chance.
But, I know what you mean, coming 9 would mean we win twice as many games and that’d be nice.
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I don’t know about that logic. We spend the whole cap every year and still come last.
Spending more on one and less on the others doesn’t always equate to success!!
 
Buttface said:
I’ve said this before and I going to stop.
You don’t spend 1.2 mil on a player and look to come 9th. We need to better, 8 should be the aim with anything under 10th a complete fail. 26 should be aiming for top 4 and a serious chance.
But, I know what you mean, coming 9 would mean we win twice as many games and that’d be nice.
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I think you got the comment out of context. He was replying to my post about 2025 being the year of redemption or still rebuilding. What I stated was that, as it sits, with the poor depth in our second row stocks, that we could expect to finish 9th - 12th in 2025. If we address those issues, or we have an injury free run we could be playing finals footy. I think our shot at the title will not come until 26-30 unless we add a couple of fowards before we kick off in 2025. Then of course Tim J could come good or we find somone else who can switch to fill the gap. Maybe Bird will make the transition and become another Wade Graham. We live in hope.
 
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lathami said:
I don’t know about that logic. We spend the whole cap every year and still come last.
Spending more on one and less on the others doesn’t always equate to success!!
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Yeah it wasn’t a blueprint for success, but JL is a hell if a player, like we haven’t had since Benji, and we need to not waste his tenure. Aim for the top.
 
Jolls said:
I think you got the comment out of context. He was replying to my post about 2025 being the year of redemption or still rebuilding. What I stated was that, as it sits, with the poor depth in our second row stocks, that we could expect to finish 9th - 12th in 2025. If we address those issues, or we have an injury free run we could be playing finals footy. I think our shot at the title will not come until 26-30 unless we add a couple of fowards before we kick off in 2025. Then of course Tim J could come good or we find somone else who can switch to fill the gap. Maybe Bird will make the transition and become another Wade Graham. We live in hope.
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Yeah I was having a dig @tigers. it was as much a self reflection thing as anything. I have been saying how good would it be to finishing 9th, but with the way the team is building and JL i think we should be aiming higher.
Yes we are a NRL run on srf short, and probably a lock, and right centre short of top 4, but if we can fill those holes over the next 12 months then top 4 should be the aim in 26. I bet JL doesn’t wanna miss the finals for the first time in 25.
 
Buttface said:
Yeah I was having a dig @tigers. it was as much a self reflection thing as anything. I have been saying how good would it be to finishing 9th, but with the way the team is building and JL i think we should be aiming higher.
Yes we are a NRL run on srf short, and probably a lock, and right centre short of top 4, but if we can fill those holes over the next 12 months then top 4 should be the aim in 26. I bet JL doesn’t wanna miss the finals for the first time in 25.
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What I'm looking forward to in 25 is what happens with our developing players. Where and how will Johannssen, Matamua, Seyfarth, Bird and Sione fit into the puzzle. Can they make the step up or adapt to the edge/lock postion to balance the squad. Then what development potential is there in Sukkar and Rahme? I don't think we're bereft of options, just not experienced options. Playing with better players makes better players; we are finally on the up. You could see it this season - if Benji can get them up for it we have to be pushing the 8.
 
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pawsandclaws1 said:
I rate him highly as I did Seyfarth. I can see him growing into our team which is what we want at WTs.

I am also looking forward to watching the progression of Jaxon Rahme. Also one of our own and a former Aust Schools forward.
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Bunnies and Knights have let him go the last couple of years. Hopefully he doesn't become a journeyman.
 
Jolls said:
What I'm looking forward to in 25 is what happens with our developing players. Where and how will Johannssen, Matamua, Seyfarth, Bird and Sione fit into the puzzle. Can they make the step up or adapt to the edge/lock postion to balance the squad. Then what development potential is there in Sukkar and Rahme? I don't think we're bereft of options, just not expereinced options. Playing with better players mkes better players; we are finally on the uo. You could see it this season - if Benji can get them up for it we have to be pushing the 8.
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I must admit I haven’t read your entire post yet, bookmarked it for later. You often have a well thought out post, I like em but can you put how long the read is like all good mastheads. 👍🏻
 
Jolls said:
What I'm looking forward to in 25 is what happens with our developing players. Where and how will Johannssen, Matamua, Seyfarth, Bird and Sione fit into the puzzle. Can they make the step up or adapt to the edge/lock postion to balance the squad. Then what development potential is there in Sukkar and Rahme? I don't think we're bereft of options, just not experienced options. Playing with better players makes better players; we are finally on the up. You could see it this season - if Benji can get them up for it we have to be pushing the 8.
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Sorry I just realised I called you a masthead, and I have been using that as a derogatory term. It was not meant that way this time Jolls.
 
Buttface said:
I must admit I haven’t read your entire post yet, bookmarked it for later. You often have a well thought out post, I like em but can you put how long the read is like all good mastheads. 👍🏻
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Buttface said:
Sorry I just realised I called you a masthead, and I have been using that as a derogatory term. It was not meant that way this time Jolls.
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Sorry for the long posts - trying to get into the depth of our problems to figure out the second and third order problems as opposed to the here and now. I'll try to add a read time for you going forward like a "good masthead" Didn't take is poorly no worries 🤣 🤣
 
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tigermate said:
Lol

You’re missing the whole point

Which is why there are no other coaches who say what Benji is saying

It’s why Richo quickly pointed out after benjis rant that we have the best spine in the game

Bc we are a football team

Benji saying football is insignificant as a Timy thing compared to family is the wrong message a coach should say when his job is to win comps

We’ve won 3 wooden spoons

Show me where another coach has said it like Benji has

And Benji has coached 26 games and has said it like 5 times

If you want to be that guy fine

But be the welfare coach

Or life mentor

No other footy coaches say it

None

Period

And if you want to say it do it privately

To players who are struggling with family
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