Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Demps]

Elie El Zakam seen training with NQ

 

[weststigers]

Elie El Zakam seen training with NQ

Never heard of him/her

 

[Oldman]

In what way does he give you Doueihi vibes?
I haven't seen anything from Latu in Tigers colours but was very impressed with his few games for Blacktown.

The only Vibes I’m getting is all the talk about his skill set and that he could be a great 14.
I remember others stating Doueihi having the same skills to cover multiple positions.
At this point IMO neither are the best player for any of our starting 13 and I don’t believe either of them should be on the bench.
Play them in ressies and they will get a chance if and when required.

 

[Demps]

Never heard of him/her

Lower grader at Parra / Roosters
Recently Castleford Tigers

Lebanon Cedar rep
Goes alright.

Saw him training with Jaxon Rahme past few weeks. Thought he may get a gig at the Magpies.... but looks like he landed at NQ, for the time being at least.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

He's a runner and a passer. Freddy, Lozza, two of the great 5/8's started in the centres, Wally started at lock, Lockyer at 1, same as Munster and Jarome Hughes. As long as he gets a run at NRL level I'm happy because he's a gun.
I think he's a better 5/8 than Galvin but who am I to judge.

Yep it's too early to tell who will be a better long-term 5/8 out of Galvin & Latu.

Galvin had a massive 1st year when he got the opportunity early by his effort & fitness in pre-season training. Latu had an injury interrupted year & never got his body fully right so has missed the jump.

IMO Latu has silkier ball skills, has better acceleration & explosiveness and better defence.

Whereas Galvin has a knack of reading defences, slightly better long kicking game, much better voice in controlling attack, and amazing fitness to roam and sweep almost like a 2nd fullback, plus brings confidence and enthusiasm which rubs off on those around him.

In my perfect world, I'd love Latu to be our long-term 5/8 with Luai at half and Galvin at lock who could re-invent the position.

 

[Kaito]

Lower grader at Parra / Roosters
Recently Castleford Tigers

Lebanon Cedar rep
Goes alright.

Saw him training with Jaxon Rahme past few weeks. Thought he may get a gig at the Magpies.... but looks like he landed at NQ, for the time being at least.

They can't beat us for lebs when it comes to it haha.
Lower grades are stacked too. We need 2 do our best
2 retain Ali Karnib he's a weapon I rate him v. highly bro

 

[Demps]

They can't beat us for lebs when it comes to it haha.
Lower grades are stacked too. We need 2 do our best
2 retain Ali Karnib he's a weapon I rate him v. highly bro

He's always in the gym

Looks like he could be a future star
Anywhere in the backline
🔥

 

[GNR4LIFE]

If Galvin stays on long term, idk where Latu fits in.

 

[happy_tiger]

Don’t get me wrong I hope Latu lives up to all the hype 🤞
I just haven’t seen anything special from him up to now.

That ball to Seyfarth v Manly was pure class

Could watch it a thousand times over

 

[Lestronge]

Yet looking at our club team page, there are only 3 people listed as 2 Row Forwards:
Bateman
Tumeth
Sukkar

Now I fully expect Samuela Fainu to play 2RF, but we need another one. Otherwise it's our biggest gap next to a dedicated Lock (but we have 3 players listed as playing Lock).

Look I don't know what our club team page actually means as far as positions. I see jack Bird at Center and I think our best Center pairing is Bird + Olam. I also see Turuva at FB and hey would like to see how that looks. .. TLDR our club team page is probably off.

We really need another impact 2rf.

For the love of all things holy , bird is not playing centre . You keep saying it , and it’s been shot down by just about everyone , most importantly bird himself ! lol
He’s playing lock , and edge backrow. If he’s in the centres we’ve had another diabolical year with injuries and are in dire straits .

 

[bbobb]

The only Vibes I’m getting is all the talk about his skill set and that he could be a great 14.
I remember others stating Doueihi having the same skills to cover multiple positions.
At this point IMO neither are the best player for any of our starting 13 and I don’t believe either of them should be on the bench.
Play them in ressies and they will get a chance if and when required.

In regards to AD. If he could learn to defend (and that’s a big if) he could be a great bench player. I hoped he could develop into a bench forward (lock, 2 RF) but also play a variety of backline roles centre, wing, fullback, halves in case of injury. Sadly, I am not sure where his future is.

 

[innsaneink]

That ball to Seyfarth v Manly was pure class

Could watch it a thousand times over

Most watched NRL tries of 2024: 39

Most watched NRL tries of 2024: 39

www.nrl.com

 

[ancient_magpie]

Yep, ive been there too a few times a long time ago....its scary.
One brief one was walking home from the pub about midnite and mustve walked for an hour before coming to and realise I was going the wrong way...that was a mild one

That's why I gave up the p^&s

 

[bptiger 0]

Latu covering Api does not in any way prepare him to be our potential full time 7. Neither does him covering halves, lock or centre. He needs focus on driving a team.
TDS will be the first choice hooker within 3 years. We will then have a 22 year old, 12+ year player who has been developed correctly.
Latu could be our first choice 7 within a shorter time frame if he is managed correctly.
It’s hard to hold these young blokes back, but they and the club will reap the benefits for years if management does it properly.
Now maybe I’m off course thinking the club want Latu to be a long term halfback. Maybe they wish to change him from a half to a hooker like Melbourne did with Cam Smith….we’ll see once they unveil their strategies at the selection table I suppose.

Latu needs to play where the team needs him most , if the 1/2 pairing stay as they are he will not play 1/2 back so glue will need to fine another spot , lock would be great for us and maybe for him

 

[upthetigers]

Latu needs to play where the team needs him most , if the 1/2 pairing stay as they are he will not play 1/2 back so glue will need to fine another spot , lock would be great for us and maybe for him

Don't you think it's too early for lock?

 

[Oldman]

How many games has Latu started in the starting side for the West Tigers in NRL?

 

[Oldman]

In regards to AD. If he could learn to defend (and that’s a big if) he could be a great bench player. I hoped he could develop into a bench forward (lock, 2 RF) but also play a variety of backline roles centre, wing, fullback, halves in case of injury. Sadly, I am not sure where his future is.

How many years has he been playing and he still needs to learn how to defend (says it all)
Effort and attitude when we don’t have the ball is terrible.

 

[bptiger 0]

Don't you think it's too early for lock?

Not full time , start as a 14 , give api a rest cover lock and centre as well , if he can cover all of the above he would be worth heaps come his next contract. Just remember it’s a team sport ,

 

[Tigerwould]

Yep it's too early to tell who will be a better long-term 5/8 out of Galvin & Latu.

Galvin had a massive 1st year when he got the opportunity early by his effort & fitness in pre-season training. Latu had an injury interrupted year & never got his body fully right so has missed the jump.

IMO Latu has silkier ball skills, has better acceleration & explosiveness and better defence.

Whereas Galvin has a knack of reading defences, slightly better long kicking game, much better voice in controlling attack, and amazing fitness to roam and sweep almost like a 2nd fullback, plus brings confidence and enthusiasm which rubs off on those around him.

In my perfect world, I'd love Latu to be our long-term 5/8 with Luai at half and Galvin at lock who could re-invent the position.

Good summary. I’d worry about Gavin’s body at lock. Given he has grown another 2cm without being able to put on more muscle. Do you think Latu could make it as a lock, with his ball skills, acceleration & defence?

Here’s a list of the Top 10 locks of 2024 from Zero tackle.
the-top-ten-locks-from-the-2024-nrl-season
Featuring players that started out as hookers, 5/8 -Like Dylan Walker, Cam McInnes.
I dont think Latu would be much smaller than Cotter, Murray, Radley, Watson ect.
Latu would have the skills (IMO) just not sure if he would have the motor.

 

[gregjm87]

The only Vibes I’m getting is all the talk about his skill set and that he could be a great 14.
I remember others stating Doueihi having the same skills to cover multiple positions.
At this point IMO neither are the best player for any of our starting 13 and I don’t believe either of them should be on the bench.
Play them in ressies and they will get a chance if and when required.

In that sense I completely agree. I don't want him used as a 14 and I'd rather he develop himself to become the best he can in one position (6 or 7). If and when he is killing it in that position only then should we consider finding a spot for him, be it starting or 14.