Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[jirskyr]

A common misconception is Madge got us to last.

It’s correct that we were going backwards but we didn’t spiral from 13th to last until Sheens threw Kimmorley under the bus.

This place makes everyone worse, coaches included.

Given the entire season Madge may have managed it himself.

 

[weststigerman]

100% that's the only reason the Wests Tigers exists. If we're not trying to win premierships then what's out priority.

It’s easy to see which clubs don’t place winning as the top priority.

Just look at how often each club opts to take a home game to magic round.

We even took a game to NZ to “thank” the warriors.

 

[weststigerman]

Given the entire season Madge may have managed it himself.

IMO it’s doubtful but we’ll never know.

We do know the spoons started when the Sheens/Benji shift happened.

 

[TSP]

Ok fine.
But if you are going to come on here having a crack about “doomsdayers” you better be better equiped than you were.

You’re simply not understanding that Benjis 30% win ratio is really a 70% win ratio if you take into account Richovian performative conceptual league analysis.

Everyone knows that nuncle.

It’s their truth Tucker, and if you keep going, you’re at risk of causing them severe triggering and life long emotional trauma.

 

[weststigers]

It doesn’t prove anything.
I could have said after round 10 we were a far superior team than last year.
5 & 5 this year as opposed to 2 & 7 + a bye last year.
If we still come last after round 27, then that would be an embarrassing statement wouldn’t it?

Mate she's putting the season into context for all those saying we have not improved. You don't have to battle every point someone makes. It's a fair summation and I, as you know, agree we are doing better. You think the club is a joke and you're entitled to your opinion. We hear it every day though. Let some of us get some joy out of the season.

 

[weststigers]

You’re simply not understanding that Benjis 30% win ratio is really a 70% win ratio if you take account Richovian performative conceptual league analysis.

Everyone knows that nuncle.

It’s their truth Tucker, and if you keep going, you’re at risk of causing them severe triggering and life long emotional trauma.

Do you ever have anything positive to say or is the problem solved by removing Benji and Richo?...sadly, I reckon the next bloke will probably block your emails too, so you may have a perpetual vendetta.

 

[Droppy05]

Do you ever have anything positive to say or is the problem solved by removing Benji and Richo?...sadly, I reckon the next bloke will probably block your emails too, so you may have a perpetual vendetta.

We'll never know until they are gone.

 

[TSP]

We'll never know until they are gone.

A better response than I could ever have mustered lol.

 

[weststigers]

We'll never know until they are gone.

You on that bandwagon too?

 

[Kelce68]

It’s easy to see which clubs don’t place winning as the top priority.

Just look at how often each club opts to take a home game to magic round.

We even took a game to NZ to “thank” the warriors.

I maintain all that placative nonsense is bullshit.

 

[weststigers]

It could be, need to find an insider with knoweldge. I'm not sure to what end though except to fund his own staff as he is underfunded by HBG. Possibly trying to prove a point - cold be a KPI that has been issued by HBG linked to future funding.

My personal view is that Richo and WT should be focussed on one thing, and one thing only, and that is winning premierships.

Picture for one moment that you're a CEO that gets minimal financial support from HBG. What does one do? Piss and moan about it? Or go out and turn a profit and make the club self sufficient to get the resources it needs to win those premierships.

I don't think the owners have given the CEO much choice here.

When I hear our only talent scout is Shannon Gallant on a part-time basis, it's obvious HBG put nowhere near the amount we need into the football department. Imagine where else we are lacking if that is allowed to occur in the premier football code in the country.

I see a guy who has inherited a mess. Nothing was done well at our club. Absolutely nothing. He is trying to fix it all, yet people expect overnight results. The timeframe people are willing to wait doesn't match the job that needs to be done to get us back on track.

 

[426Tlgerland]

I would hope this club and Richo move on at least 6 players from our top 30 and bring in better , that’s the job they have due to a simple fact we can’t compete in top grade nrl and are only just competitive in reserve grade , it’s not hard as other clubs seem to be getting players no issue , time for Richo and his story to start to come to a result , upgrading players don’t count , we need players who will bring a result and if Richo and Benji can’t deliver well something needs to change , I wait and see but it needs to be done urgent

 

[innsaneink]

I maintain all that placative nonsense is bullshit.

Its not BS.

Wests Tigers confirm home grounds for next three years

Wests Tigers have confirmed where the club will be playing its NRL home games over the next three years.

www.weststigers.com.au

 

[Demps]

I would hope this club and Richo move on at least 6 players from our top 30 and bring in better , that’s the job they have due to a simple fact we can’t compete in top grade nrl and are only just competitive in reserve grade , it’s not hard as other clubs seem to be getting players no issue , time for Richo and his story to start to come to a result , upgrading players don’t count , we need players who will bring a result and if Richo and Benji can’t deliver well something needs to change , I wait and see but it needs to be done urgent

Feledy [Manly]

And you'd expect
Matamua and Tumeth won't be retained.

Half way there.

 

[weststigers]

Feledy [Manly]

And you'd expect
Matamua and Tumeth won't be retained.

Half way there.

Naden and Fataape probably gone too.

 

[Tigersmurf]

Naden and Fataape probably gone too.

None of the players listed are our future, they are all holding us back as a club.

 

[weststigers]

None of the players listed are our future, they are all holding us back as a club.

Ahhh yeah. Maybe you misunderstood the full context. Everyone wants them gone and replaced with better.

 

[crazycat]

Ah Benji's 2025 win rate is 37.5%.

Madge's win rate in 2019 was 35%, in 2021 33% and in his final half-season 2022 was 25%.

So Madge's "success rate" is only superior to Benji if you include Madge's first season (45.83%) and Benji's debut season (25%). But Benji 2025 currently had Madge covered in all years but the first one.

Don't need to spell it out, but I will: we boned Madge because his win rate kept dropping every year. Benji's is currently going up, in fact we already know he can't do worse than last year.

Not so hard to fathom.

Not you Jirskyr (I swear that sounds like a Xena warrior princess reference) but please... use other terminology in regards to Madge.

We canned Madge because he was not performing. 100% the right decision, as you say and as almost everyone now would agree.

Anyone looking at a Payne Haas, Adam Reynolds Brisbane going "this guy can coach"?
Maybe

But you can't look at the AD and co Tigers thinking Madge was going to do anything different here. We would have still gotten 3 spoons.

 

[The Chad]

Roster turnover will be key to the success of the club, obviously.

I think we probably have 22 players on the books at this point for next season-
Backs-

1. Bula
2. Turuva
3. To'a
4. Skelton
5. Luke Lualili'i
6. Luai
7. Latu Fainu
8. Mason
9. Saukuru

Forwards-
10.Terrell May
11. Twal
12. Samuela Fainu
13. Sione Fainu
14. Pole
15. Koroisau
16. Seyfarth
17. Bird
18. Hunt
19. Kit Lualili'i
20. Sukkar
21. Pierce-Paul

22. Sullivan?

So who fills the remaining 6-8 spots?

23. Taylan May
24. Makasini?
25. Doueihi?
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.


How these remaining spots are filled is vital. It'll be interesting to see what the club does. I know we want extra back rowers etc- but we are light on in CONTRACTED backs right now. I expect May to sign. Do they promote Makasini early? I'm starting to think you just play your most talented players regardless- so I'd be ok with him in the mix.

Does Doueihi become an important retain? Staines? Who from outside joins NEXT SEASON to get the squad over the line?

 

[The Chad]

Just looking at players that are actually off contract & available, I think that Taylan May is an obvious re-sign for the club.

If Sullivan stays- he's the back-up #7. If the Rabbitohs decide to keep him, the club needs an option at #6/#7 as a back-up. Tom Duffy, Sean O'Sullivan or even Blake Taafe might fit.

I suspect we upgrade Makasini next season. He might start as development & move to Top 30 as the season goes on. So I expect we might look to fill just 29 spots.

That still leaves us short at least 1, maybe 2 outside backs/fullback options. Staines is in-house. As is Mapapalangi & Tu'itupou & both could be upgraded. If the club looks outside, maybe Harley Smith-Shields from the Titans? I quite like the idea of Tyrell Sloan though because he actually adds something we don't have in his pure athletic skills & speed. Doueihi is obviously in-house as well, but I'm concerned about the Isaac Moses thing. Mawene Hiroti is off contract from the Sharks too & if Doueihi moves on, he could be an option.

So with 8 spots available, I think 3 get filled by backs with 1 kept for Makasini to move into.

1. Taylan May
2. Doueihi/Hiroti
3. Staines
4- eventually Makasini

In the forwards, I've suggested Freddie Lussick from the Warriors a few times- he's played #9, #13 & now is playing as a 1st receiving front rower- extremely versatile in a very successful KOE squad.

Mason Teague is buried at Newcastle & is a workhorse #13 that has played well when given the chance. I think he could play a role. Can also fill in at #9 if required.

I expect Tristan Hope probably gets re-signed as well.

Jack Hetherington is off contract. (Insert rolling eyes) However, he is an NRL quality player, great athlete with size, he brings the attitude we lack as a club. He's not a perfect player. I get that. But he adds something we don't have. We are a very passive defensive squad, and not exactly an aggressive attacking squad either. An injection of rage could give the team a boost, particularly when losing the middle.

Another name that I think might be interesting is Mavrik Geyer. Big unit who is young & could add depth & athletic ability to our squad.

I think that adding Mason Teague, Freddie Lussick, Jack Hetherington & re-signing Hope would balance our forwards a little better. If Hope can be a KOE/development addition, then Mavrik Geyer could really fill out the back row options along with Sam Fainu, KPP, Sukkar, Seyfarth.


Again- these are just players that are off contract.