Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

jrtiger said:
The Wests Tigers have tabled a three year deal to Taylan May as they look to lock down the centre until the end of 2028.

May, one of the comeback stories of the year, has been among the Tigers best in the six games he has played for the club since returning to the NRL.

The 24-year-old had been playing on a train-and-trial deal but is set to be rewarded for his impressive return with a deal believed to be worth upwards of $1.5 million.

May spent four seasons at Penrith before taking a break from the game after parting ways with the Panthers over off-field issues.

The Tigers took a punt on him midway through this season and he has rewarded them with some outstanding form, scoring four tries and recording three try assists in his six games.

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The money sounds about right imo, average $500k per season. His ceiling is the value of a Kotoni Staggs if not more (fingers crossed).
 
Buttface said:
I reckon we need two props or id be happy enough with one and a lock, but both need to be certain NRL starters, we only have one NRL run on prop in the 30 and he needs help. The rest are bench props at best.
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Corey Jensen I wonder if he's off to the Dolphins next year or would be interested in playing for the Tigers
 
InBenjiWeTrust said:
We developed Bola, Pole, TDS, Brown, Woods, Tedesco, Moses ...
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I said last decade...

So if those you mentioned Bula and Pole are the only two possibles. But have they got better since they broke into first grade? Pole is still powerful, on his day, and average in defence. He hasn't improved, he's still the same player he was.
Is TDS any better now than he was a couple of years ago? The answer is not really. Filled out so can maybe handle good slightly better in defence.

Bula too debuted and was solid in defence and poor in attack. Not know he's solid in attack but poorer in defence. Again,as a whole he hasn't developed into a star player yet. No idea who Brown is you're referring to.

There's potential with these two, but we haven't developed that potential into proven consistent quality. And that's my point.
 
jrtiger said:
approx $600-900k, obviously more if they manage to get Bird off the books. you'd think a third party will be thrown in there as well.
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I think a lot will come down to what level Benji thinks he can reach with Pole & Hunt after a full off & pre-season.

No one knows what impacted the Hunt slide mid-season - if it was medical & can be rectified over the off-season, no reason he can't work on his tank to become the 25-minute middle we need him to be off the bench. We've heard ribs & his knee is always heavily strapped so he could be part lame atm.

And Pole slid as well when he returned from injury. He needs to really focus on his defence (particularly in contact & lateral) & concentration this pre-season if he is any chance of being a starting prop in a finals contending team.

If Benji has faith, I can just see us recruiting a hard-edge big-bodied depth middle like Lazarus Vaalepu from the Storm.

If Benji doesn't have faith in those guys for '26, I can see us going for a Tui Kamikamica type (unless Spencer Leniu falls from the tree like we're all hoping).
 
jrtiger said:
think a right centre to cover To'a is a higher priority. I'd say they'll leave spot 30 open.
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I've been bagged for suggesting Corey Allen in these quarters lol but what do you think about Albert Hopoate? Wants to return to Sydney, covers centre, wing & fullback.

I just remember the big falling out his old man had with Richo after his antics at the awards or whatever function last year so that might impact his son's choice.
 
wouldn’t put it past taylan playing on the right if star is ever injured. they’ll have to work out a way to get masi in the centres eventually anyway

if we got another decent middle like moale i think the squad is pretty balanced from there
 
Spartan117 said:
Disagree,

Penrith wouldn't let Geyer go if he was top tier.

Tony Sukkar is a very solid young forward. Good defender and will get better with more game time.
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The fact it's a one-year deal leads me to believe it might be akin to the Daine Laurie situation...no space today, however 2027 we can find you a slot. For the Panthers its a win/win...comes to the Tigers and kills it, they get him back, comes here and stinks it up...sorry Mav that spot has not opened up for you.
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
I think a lot will come down to what level Benji thinks he can reach with Pole & Hunt after a full off & pre-season.

No one knows what impacted the Hunt slide mid-season - if it was medical & can be rectified over the off-season, no reason he can't work on his tank to become the 25-minute middle we need him to be off the bench. We've heard ribs & his knee is always heavily strapped so he could be part lame atm.

And Pole slid as well when he returned from injury. He needs to really focus on his defence (particularly in contact & lateral) & concentration this pre-season if he is any chance of being a starting prop in a finals contending team.

If Benji has faith, I can just see us recruiting a hard-edge big-bodied depth middle like Lazarus Vaalepu from the Storm.

If Benji doesn't have faith in those guys for '26, I can see us going for a Tui Kamikamica type (unless Spencer Leniu falls from the tree like we're all hoping).
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both of them have certainly fallen away. not worried about Fonua, he's 23 and still learning how to play 24+ games in grade. Hunt by all reports had some serious issues with his ribs.

don't mind Vaalepu. been around a long time and done a decent apprenticeship in QCup and in a handful of games for Melbourne. 27 next year, you'd be banking on him coming into his prime.
 
jrtiger said:
both of them have certainly fallen away. not worried about Fonua, he's 23 and still learning how to play 24+ games in grade. Hunt by all reports had some serious issues with his ribs.

don't mind Vaalepu. been around a long time and done a decent apprenticeship in QCup and in a handful of games for Melbourne. 27 next year, you'd be banking on him coming into his prime.
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Vaalepu is an interesting one, has all the physical traits to be a good middle, is in what is supposed to be the best system in the NRL. What i have seen of him when he played first grade he looks very good, yet they seem to keep recruiting props to keep him out of the team....anyone watch enough QLD cup to offer an opinion?
 
Tom Shines said:
I disagree …They have got AD as an option if need be , and only 1 hooker … could you imagine what happens if Api gets a serious injury early next season? Season would be derailed
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Fair point TS. It's just the whole 'rob Peter to pay Paul' scenario. Yes AD would be the ideal depth right centre if To'a is injured but what happens if he's killing it at lock or half next season. I guess another unknown is whether Benji feels Makasini, Turuva, Bird or even Skelton are options at right centre.

Good teams have at least 2 NRL quality outside backs for each position (wing, centre, left & right) so if, touch wood it doesn't happen, say 2 of our first choice OBs are out for an extended period, we don't lose much.

Here's hoping Max Taotua & Tino Turuva take a giant leap forward next season too to throw themselves into the equation.
 
Tom Shines said:
I disagree …They have got AD as an option if need be , and only 1 hooker … could you imagine what happens if Api gets a serious injury early next season? Season would be derailed
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AD will be playing 13. with the size he'll be required to put on he's going to be more of a backrower than he is a centre. Saukuru's also converted to the edge. we're losing Feledy, Faataape, Staines and likely Naden from the 30, Olam too if you count him. Makasini and May are getting upgrades, but as you can see, we're light on.

Richardson showed his hand when TDS left. he re-signed Hope that week. they obviously think that with Hope, Murray and Haywood that there's enough there. if we can sign a Havili that'd be ideal, but I think they've done their shopping at 9 for the time being.
 
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