Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[SwervinMervin]

As much as I’m a fan of TDS and I desperately wanted him to stay, not just for his talent, but to showcase our junior pathways progressing to NRL and also to strengthen our ties with our Liverpool-Campbelltown-MacArthur-Southern Highlands connection.
However if the rumoured contract he has signed with the Eels is correct, somewhere between 500-650k per season on average, I think he’s done well for himself and it’s a higher contract than I would have valued him at this stage of his career, I would have thought around 400k potentially rising to 500k in 2027 would have been more than fair.
That all being said and done losing TDS is not the end of the world for Wests Tigers at the moment, it’s which players are we bringing in for 2026 and beyond which is a major concern.

I get that Richo is a man of his word and wants to do the right thing by TDS and his family, but he could still have that on November 1

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

I hope its a two year extension at most. That'll be 26/27/28/29. Is that right?

Four more years, it would be awesome if he can see it through because if he decides to pull up stumps before that, well...............

Had Richo slipped with how much our offer to Api will be in the DT:

“The amount of money he was on – it was too much money to have as your back-up hooker in the cap. We would have had two hookers that would have cost us $1.35 million.“

So if TDS was going to be on $400K, congrats Api must be getting an increase next year to $950K (probably front loaded & decrease each season thereafter).

 

[Vicious]

There is talk that the Broadcast deal will be going up by 50 percent or even more come as early as 2027, but certainly by 2028 at the latest

This will lead to a proportionate increase in the cap…

You need to start thinking appropriately

Well can we get a genuine marquee player to spend our money on ?

 

[Tom Shines]

Well can we get a genuine marquee player to spend our money on ?

Luai gets paid like one !

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Thank you Tom. It's not the players.

 

[AnonTiger]

You know those payments have to be factored into the teams cap.

No there not

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Push me, push you.

 

[Vicious]

Had Richo slipped with how much our offer to Api will be in the DT:

“The amount of money he was on – it was too much money to have as your back-up hooker in the cap. We would have had two hookers that would have cost us $1.35 million.“

So if TDS was going to be on $400K, congrats Api must be getting an increase next year to $950K (probably front loaded & decrease each season thereafter).

Please tell us that’s not true, 950k for a 35y.o hooker would be very Wests Tigers like.

 

[Vicious]

Luai gets paid like one !

Yeah but does he play like one, that’s the question ?

 

[Vicious]

Thank you Tom. It's not the players.

Thanks AHX we all know Benji would struggle to coach a fish to swim, but he’s here to stay so we are just going to have to deal with it and move on to the next problem.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Richardson said they promised Da Silva’s family they wouldn’t hold him back if Api re-signed, and they honoured that promise.

Aren’t we a bunch of nice guys. What is that they say about where nice guys finish?

 

[Canadian Club]

Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson says choosing Api Koroisau over Tallyn Da Silva was about leadership, loyalty and giving the club the best chance to win now.

Da Silva didn’t want to sit behind Api for 2-3 more years, and the Tigers couldn’t justify spending $1.35M on two hookers.

Richardson said they promised Da Silva’s family they wouldn’t hold him back if Api re-signed, and they honoured that promise.

Absolutely shocking decision. Benji and Richo are deluded if they think we are winning the comp this year or next. The 'win now line' is a shocker. By the time the squad is ready to compete, Api will be 35+ or retired.

 

[BAGNF05]

Aren’t we a bunch of nice guys. What is that they say about where nice guys finish?

We did force an overweight young prop out of the club in the pre-season. I suggest it’s probably a horses for courses decision.

 

[crazycat]

As much as I’m a fan of TDS and I desperately wanted him to stay, not just for his talent, but to showcase our junior pathways progressing to NRL and also to strengthen our ties with our Liverpool-Campbelltown-MacArthur-Southern Highlands connection.
However if the rumoured contract he has signed with the Eels is correct, somewhere between 500-650k per season on average, I think he’s done well for himself and it’s a higher contract than I would have valued him at this stage of his career, I would have thought around 400k potentially rising to 500k in 2027 would have been more than fair.
That all being said and done losing TDS is not the end of the world for Wests Tigers at the moment, it’s which players are we bringing in for 2026 and beyond which is a major concern.

100%

I feel we need some balance on these people. Yes Galvin and TDS are "talented"...
Galvin was talked up like he was the lovechild of Freddy Fitler and Andrew Johns, Instead I really saw him as more of a "beaver" Menzies or something (minus the class, but with a lot of attitude).

TDS is in the "club hooker" league at best. Yes he has some step and movement. No he does not have the endurance or fitness.

TDS going to Parra is a good move for him because Ryles will build that endurance.

I rate Bula far higher then TDS as he has talent and can cross the line. Even then he isn't irreplaceable.

 

[crazycat]

Had Richo slipped with how much our offer to Api will be in the DT:

“The amount of money he was on – it was too much money to have as your back-up hooker in the cap. We would have had two hookers that would have cost us $1.35 million.“

So if TDS was going to be on $400K, congrats Api must be getting an increase next year to $950K (probably front loaded & decrease each season thereafter).

Can we please front load Api?

Can we please front load players??? We got the Spoon in 2022, 2023 and 2024 and did no front loading.

We got the Spoon for nothing!

Start front loading Api, Luai, May so that if we don't make the finals this year, we are cashed up for the next!

 

[tiger_one]

Are we there yet?

 

[Demps]

* Fantasy football talk *

I could see Bula becoming a serious strike centre.

Need Fonua to get Sua Faologo over the line, has that Papz clause in his contract.

That's the whack.

1. Sua Faalogo
2. Sunia Turuva
3. Starford Toa
4. Jahream Bula
5. Jeral Skelton

Depth;
Luke Lualilii [top 30]
Heamasi Makasini [top 30]
Izaac Tui'tupou [upgrade]
Krystian Mapapalangi [upgrade]
Charlie Staines [re-signed]

 

[weststigers]

I tell ya man .. it’s much more through good luck rather than good management that they aren’t stuck paying Galvin a million a year over the next 5 years or whatever the deal was…

So if people trying to find something to hold onto … there is that at least

Also Stefano on 800k would have been hideous

 

[Modman]

But they're not playing for him. They're signing because of him, then just going about their business. There is no passion on the field. No determination or spirit. Just people aimlessly wandering around

Unfortunately that's exactly how things seem
For these players that talk abt how they signed because of Benji they certainly aren't playing like it. They would know the criticism he's currently under and after 5 losses they showed no passion last weekend. I'm benjis biggest fan but unfortunately I am concerned that he just can't get the best out of the players . I agree we need a few more players but last weekend they looked like they have had little coaching that's a concern. Can we keep benji if we get another spoon. If so for how long. I don't believe anyone's job should be that secured

 

[weststigers]

* Fantasy football talk *

I could see Bula becoming a serious strike centre.

Need Fonua to get Sua Faologo over the line, has that Papz clause in his contract.

That's the whack.

1. Sua Faalogo
2. Sunia Turuva
3. Starford Toa
4. Jahream Bula
5. Jeral Skelton

Depth;
Luke Lualilii [top 30]
Heamasi Makasini [top 30]
Izaac Tui'tupou [upgrade]
Krystian Mapapalangi [upgrade]
Charlie Staines [re-signed]

Would love Faalongo