Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Tom Shines]

We're not far away. Better execution in attack particularly red zone & a few correct officiating decisions and we'd be entrenched in the top 8.

To the eye, our attack is predictable & clunky. It's as much coaching (system & tactics) as it is players but am hoping we reach that tipping point soon where it all just clicks.

But yes it is an important month ahead for confidence in Richo ...

1 Api, Tallyn situation
2 Campbelltown funding
3 Extension for To'a
4 Another good external signing

I listened to the WT Faithful mob last night …, they say that the reason for the red zone woes are that there aren’t enough forward threats … guys that are going to bust a tackle and score .. Pole might be the only one … maybe Sione … but like they said .. you need all your forwards to have this ability ( see Canberra )

It’s probablly a combination of this and another center to take ADs spot that can put some fear into the opposition…

Need Toa to re-up … things seem quiet there … hoping that’s a good sign

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Yeah There’s a reason Gus wanted Latu wayyyy before Galvin lol

Proof of this?

 

[mtd#2]

Galvin (18) and Luai (28) both got 5 years 6 million offered to them to be our long term 6 and 7.

You can’t tell me the club didn’t want Latu to start for another 5-6 years at least?

He’s on pretty good coin. It’s clear we had a plan for him elsewhere for the last 18 months which seemed to be in the middle, which is where he was being played at.

We were planning to transition Galvin to a 13 role and he knew this.

His wording in his press statement referred to "development in the halves"... We had other plans for Galvin, not Latu.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

We never get someone in return. We always talk big, then fold and end up getting nothing in return, most often than not we dont even replace the player with an improvement. The Wests Tigers recycle.

Other clubs know they can walk over us. During the Galvin saga when Kent pasted us, only the most one eyed fan couldn’t acknowledge there was some truth to what he said.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

I listened to the WT Faithful mob last night …, they say that the reason for the red zone woes are that there aren’t enough forward threats … guys that are going to bust a tackle and score .. Pole might be the only one … maybe Sione … but like they said .. you need all your forwards to have this ability ( see Canberra )

It’s probablly a combination of this and another center to take ADs spot that can put some fear into the opposition…

Need Toa to re-up … things seem quiet there … hoping that’s a good sign

It makes sense having another forward or 2 who has that tackle busting ability or knack of finding the tryline rather than Twal taking a vanilla hitup.

The other aspect which I cannot believe Benji is trying to instill in the team is 2nd phase play to create some chaos in the defensive line. May, Sione & Samuela have good offloads in them & KPP is one of the best in the business.

I think Benji is trying too hard to transform us into a Storm or Panthers style rather than trying something that gives us a point-of-difference.

 

[tigahhh]

Proof of this?

He met with his brother in jail in 2023 when latu and samuela were released

 

[supercoach]

TDS to follow Galvin to the Bulldogs it seems.

I don’t care what anyone says but this is the wrong decision to let this kid walk.

I called this two months ago. He was spotted having a coffee with Gus. This was even before Galvin gate blew up. Obviously Gus has had this all planned for sometime.

Of course we will roll over once again and let him swan out the door with F all compensation. It is getting harder and harder to ride the Weststigers emotional roll a coaster

 

[GNR4LIFE]

He met with his brother in jail in 2023 when latu and samuela were released

That’s quite a long bow.

 

[SeanT]

It makes sense having another forward or 2 who has that tackle busting ability or knack of finding the tryline rather than Twal taking a vanilla hitup.

The other aspect which I cannot believe Benji is trying to instill in the team is 2nd phase play to create some chaos in the defensive line. May, Sione & Samuela have good offloads in them & KPP is one of the best in the business.

I think Benji is trying too hard to transform us into a Storm or Panthers style rather than trying something that gives us a point-of-difference.

Agreed. Always said we should have a 2 dummy half attacking system with lines and offloads around the ruck. Api and de Silva use their running game off the big forwards offloads. Our backline plays have no depth and the players are too slow to get on the outside anyway added with no one running a line back inside on the angle. It's not working.

 

[tigahhh]

That’s quite a long bow.

what do you mean

 

[liltiger]

TDS to follow Galvin to the Bulldogs it seems.

I don’t care what anyone says but this is the wrong decision to let this kid walk.

Makes no sense to me, stupid thing is Richo should step in because if next year he taps Benji on the shoulder we lose a decent young player because Benji wanted Api instead. Move Api to 14 on the bench and give Tallyn the 9. Let Api cover for him till he gets up to speed then get Api as our utility for 2 years, can cover halves, hooker and could do a job in the backrow if we're desperate.

 

[magpies forever]

Some of these guys are in their mid 20s…

I’m talking about young guys who aren’t regular first graders yet … what about Large for instance ? Left the club because he thought he couldn’t get a go behind Galvin … lol

Large bros and Galvin had one common factor- overbearing parents with excessive interference and demands on the club and coaching staff for their children. It got to the stage, no matter how accommodating the club was, it was never good enough. Hence they were allowed to go. Good riddance.

 

[Moh]

Haha if TDS to Dogs happens - someone needs to investigate Gus, cause none of it is above board.

When is the jailed Fainu out?

 

[Flippedy]

Unless we're getting someone in return, I don't understand the rationale for releasing TDS a year early. He's a much better back up than Hope and on minimum coin. At a stretch, either Haywood and Lanyon could deputise for Api in 2027, but 2026 is far too early. This club is beyond redemption.

Yeah I really like TDS and utilised properly off the bench he would be a great asset to us, but like his pal Galvin, it seems the writing is on the wall and it’s only a matter of time before he leaves as well.

If Api breaks down or just plain peters out from carrying this team for years, I don’t know who could step in. Apart from TDS there is no other hooker in our ranks near ready enough to take that step. I don’t like it, but what can ya do?

I’m kinda tired of us letting players go without someone coming in return. It would be nice to actually get a player in a position that we need in return for Da Silva leaving, but I’m not expecting it.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

We never get someone in return. We always talk big, then fold and end up getting nothing in return, most often than not we dont even replace the player with an improvement. The Wests Tigers recycle.

The US has TACO.
We have RACO. HA HA
But IMO he is doing a difficult job well in recruiting, retaining and with cap restraints, player identification and future planning. Crystal ball stuff trying to get it right every time.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Agreed. Always said we should have a 2 dummy half attacking system with lines and offloads around the ruck. Api and de Silva use their running game off the big forwards offloads. Our backline plays have no depth and the players are too slow to get on the outside anyway added with no one running a line back inside on the angle. It's not working.

That attacking system would make me so happy!

 

[Camel2281]

I wonder if Sloan could make a move into the centres?

Sloan & May on one side, To'a & Tutuva on the other....

Sloan cannot tackle though. Attacking wise he has some good qualities but he's probably the worst defender in the NRL

 

[SeanT]

Makes no sense to me, stupid thing is Richo should step in because if next year he taps Benji on the shoulder we lose a decent young player because Benji wanted Api instead. Move Api to 14 on the bench and give Tallyn the 9. Let Api cover for him till he gets up to speed then get Api as our utility for 2 years, can cover halves, hooker and could do a job in the backrow if we're desperate.

Agreed rather keep de Silva. Richardson was only spruiking to get back to a club that breeds its own. Two gone in 2 months. Api is signed until next year anyway.

What happens if they get the spoon again? Benji surely gets sacked and we lose another young gun.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

What happens if they get the spoon again? Benji surely gets sacked and we lose another young gun.

Nope. As of yesterday, Richo said Benji is safe even if we do get the spoon…Yeah.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

I listened to the WT Faithful mob last night …, they say that the reason for the red zone woes are that there aren’t enough forward threats … guys that are going to bust a tackle and score .. Pole might be the only one … maybe Sione … but like they said .. you need all your forwards to have this ability ( see Canberra )

It’s probablly a combination of this and another center to take ADs spot that can put some fear into the opposition…

Need Toa to re-up … things seem quiet there … hoping that’s a good sign

I think if Latu and Luai can hang in there together for a while, Toá will get a lot more early ball than he has in the past.
He usually gets the ball when there is no room to move, defence waiting in numbers.