Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Tucker]

Mate Gould did talk about it , but he also referenced the fact that your genetic freaks debuting early is par for the course .
I don’t think exposing them early is that bad of thier body is up to it . I think the real issue with exposing kids early , is are they mentally capable to evolving once the inevitable regression and plateau happens . Second year syndrome can absolutely ruin young players .
2 that come to mind are Mortimer , and Taylor . Both peaked early for figured out pretty quick , and couldn’t evolve thier game to overcome other teams game planning for them .
And IMO that maturity is completely up to the individual . You could be 18 and be all over it , you could be struggling with it at 29 .
I thought Bula hit that wall the back end of his first season , which blended into last season .
But I give him credit , he started to come out of it his last 5-7 games and we saw him take a leap . It was unfortunate he got injured the back end of the season . He looked like he’d turned the corner.

Im not referring to their bodies per say, although that can be a concern.
I agree with what you said and think people need to remember that these kids - genetically freakish as they may be - have not been tested properly. They have mostly played against other kids, likely the biggest fish in the pond, and not really been pushed.
When we throw them in first grade, we throw them to the wolves. Those wolves are as freakish as they are, except they are battlehardened men, experienced in the rigours of the game, a lot faster, stronger and fitter then what they are used to and have recieved all manner of training that the kids have not.
Add that to them not being used to the discipline possessed by a professional, whilst still navigating school, relationships, new experiences as they come of age such as increased responsibilities, family, money and freedom... and now fame....its a difficult melting pot.

 

[supercoach]

Makasini is currently on a rugby scholarship at Newington, I wonder if he has a clause in his contract that allows him to fulfill his school rugby obligations. If so that would rule out any Saturday games before about mid August. Or maybe the school will let him play league

 

[jrtiger]

The problem with shifting Sullivan is his contract. The Roosters might need a half this year but there's no way they'd be thinking Sullivan would still be in their plans in 2026-27. I guess if they were absolutely convinced there was still upside there, they might think he was a chance to justify a roster spot as a backup further down the track, but there's no way in hell even the best case scenario for Sullivan is good enough for the Roosters to think he's a medium term solution as a starter.

you're on the money. Sullivan at this point is a backup half and he's shown nothing in either grade to warrant a club taking him on for three years, even at a reduced rate. Tartak is going to do exceptionally well if he can find him a club.

 

[weststigerman]

Whyte is more than twice the player Wong is. At least I assume that's what they mean when they say two Wongs don't make a Whyte.

Anyway, back on topic - the problem with shifting Sullivan is his contract. The Roosters might need a half this year but there's no way they'd be thinking Sullivan would still be in their plans in 2026-27. I guess if they were absolutely convinced there was still upside there, they might think he was a chance to justify a roster spot as a backup further down the track, but there's no way in hell even the best case scenario for Sullivan is good enough for the Roosters to think he's a medium term solution as a starter.

A loan option might be worth considering given our biggest issue is roster spots for 2025 and expect to have more roster spots open in 2026.

 

[Kaito]

Straight over your head

I should have known better....

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

you're on the money. Sullivan at this point is a backup half and he's shown nothing in either grade to warrant a club taking him on for three years, even at a reduced rate. Tartak is going to do exceptionally well if he can find him a club.

Tartak and Bud are content to stay for the next 3 years, even in KOE cup.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

I wonder if Junior Tupou is regretting his life decisions. Would have been a strong chance for a wing spot if he stayed, given how skinny we are. He’s almost certain to start in Qld Cup at the Dolphins. Dude could quickly end up as a trivia question.

 

[jrtiger]

Tartak and Bud are content to stay for the next 3 years, even in KOE cup.

bit disappointing that both player and manager are happy to let a career with a lot of potential fall by the wayside, but if that's what they want then we're powerless to changing it.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

bit disappointing that both player and manager are happy to let a career with a lot of potential fall by the wayside, but if that's what they want then we're powerless to changing it.

Unless a Christmas miracle happens, I guess the best we can hope for is that Bud absolutely kills it in NSW Cup for the Magpies next season to put himself in the shop window for 26 & 27.

 

[upthetigers]

It was interesting to hear Terrell May comments re his brother and his state of mind.

What did he say?

 

[upthetigers]

Makasini is currently on a rugby scholarship at Newington, I wonder if he has a clause in his contract that allows him to fulfill his school rugby obligations. If so that would rule out any Saturday games before about mid August. Or maybe the school will let him play league

I will try and find out for you. My nephew played rugby at Newington.

 

[jrtiger]

Unless a Christmas miracle happens, I guess the best we can hope for is that Bud absolutely kills it in NSW Cup for the Magpies next season to put himself in the shop window for 26 & 27.

if Tallyn is at 14 in grade next year, then I can see Sullivan on the bench for Cup with Doueihi and Fainu in the halves. not entirely inspiring.

 

[Tom Shines]

bit disappointing that both player and manager are happy to let a career with a lot of potential fall by the wayside, but if that's what they want then we're powerless to changing it.

His career is not necessarily over … he is only just turned 23 so he can collect his $1.6m over the next three years going around in relative anonymity in reserve grade … and then still look to move over to the ESL at 26 …

 

[vlad]

John Bateman has decided against advancing talks with the Rabbitohs – with a Queensland club emerging as a potential home for the English international.
South Sydney had been considering signing Bateman on the basis of his elite-level experience, hard-nosed mentality and likelihood that the Wests Tigers would contribute to a large portion of his salary.

However, it’s understood Bateman advised the Rabbitohs over the past 48-hours that he wouldn’t be pursuing any opportunity with the club.

Instead, it’s the Cowboys that have emerged as a possible destination for Bateman.

The 31-year-old would add a required toughness to their forward pack, while also proving a valuable mentor to the club’s talented batch of younger forwards including Heilum Luki, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai and Griffin Neame.

It’s believed initial discussions have been held between Bateman and the Cowboys.





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Better load up on the 50+ sun screen Joneh

 

[jrtiger]

His career is not necessarily over … he is only just turned 23 so he can collect his $1.6m over the next three years going around in relative anonymity in reserve grade … and then still look to move over to the ESL at 26 …

he's still wasting time. if you look at the player he was coming thru the grades he should be at the level of a Braydon Trindall or a Jake Clifford at minimum.

 

[Tom Shines]

he's still wasting time. if you look at the player he was coming thru the grades he should be at the level of a Braydon Trindall or a Jake Clifford.

“Wasting time” playing on the biggest contract he will ever get in his career ?… I mean what’s his ceiling ? He would even be a fringe player in the ESL I reckon earning half what he is getting here to play reserve grade here

 

[jrtiger]

John Bateman has decided against advancing talks with the Rabbitohs – with a Queensland club emerging as a potential home for the English international.
South Sydney had been considering signing Bateman on the basis of his elite-level experience, hard-nosed mentality and likelihood that the Wests Tigers would contribute to a large portion of his salary.

However, it’s understood Bateman advised the Rabbitohs over the past 48-hours that he wouldn’t be pursuing any opportunity with the club.

Instead, it’s the Cowboys that have emerged as a possible destination for Bateman.

The 31-year-old would add a required toughness to their forward pack, while also proving a valuable mentor to the club’s talented batch of younger forwards including Heilum Luki, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai and Griffin Neame.

It’s believed initial discussions have been held between Bateman and the Cowboys.





——

Better load up on the 50+ sun screen Joneh

bittersweet but glad that his preferred option has emerged. not a chance he gets a starting role up there, either.

 

[jrtiger]

“Wasting time” playing on the biggest contract he will ever get in his career ?… I mean what’s his ceiling ? He would even be a fringe player in the ESL I reckom earning half what he is getting here

he's assured that cash wherever he goes, no kid his age forfeits that. WT have already said they'll pay a significant portion of his deal to see the back of him.

his ceiling is a first grade five-eighth, that is more than manageable providing he is coached in the right manner. he's an NRL-level talent. that's why he's wasting time.

 

[Tom Shines]

he's assured that cash wherever he goes, no kid his age forfeits that. WT have already said they'll pay a significant portion of his deal to see the back of him.

his ceiling is a first grade five-eighth, that is more than manageable providing he is coached in the right manner. he's an NRL-level talent. that's why he's wasting time.

yes he is assured that money … I don’t think he is an NRL level player ….my point is that he can go through the motions here… get every cent of his deal and still only be 26 at the end

 

[jrtiger]

yes he is assured that money … I don’t think he is an NRL level player ….

even if it isn't his ceiling, he's not doing himself any favours by sitting in Cup happy to just collect his paycheck.