Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[mtd#2]

One thing , if hunt couldn’t get fit for this season , what will change for next year .
We have a pretty good base in the forwards department, we just don’t have the quality on the bench or in nsw cup to push for a 1st grade spot , get another mongrel prop and a decent lock and we would be a top 8 spot

Alot has changed within the squad since last pre season and this one.. a year together.. belief... being dropped to KOE and knowing what's expected..

 

[Lestronge]

LES you must be a STRONGE supporter who has no problem seeing the Tigers hanging around the bottom of the NRL table each year? Come on Les, surely you are over the club missing the finals for 14 years straight? Wingeing is now part of a Wests Tiger supporters DNA.

Of course I hate losing ! it burns my soul . But I see no purpose in passive aggressive , underhanded , soft comments . Most games after we lose I’m like Madge , doing everything I can to not put holes in the wall. But once I’m settled mentally , I rewatch most games , and try and be fair and square and objective . I know this game . It’s not very complicated if you’ve spent much time in an open age footy team , let alone a higher level one .
I personally find it weak . It’s criticism with zero constructive element —- so bitching and whinging ! And the justification in bitching whinging , when criticised for it by others , is “you like mediocrity” … which is like doubling down on your bitching whinging , so now you’re justifying it with more bitching and whinging . For me I prefer to concentrate on what I see are areas for growth , and participate in conversations around that . Whether it be , where the improvement in the squad is coming from , or whatever.
I think Benji has done a great job .
We were being run as a vanity project for 2 imbeciles , one ex afl dickhead , and a fedora wearing ambulance chaser.
There was no attention to detail . Whether it be the members pack , or the players we recruit or whatever, even they bullshitted around members numbers . This toxic culture whilst it may have seemed similar to the “white and black is better than oranger and black” or “a feline is better than a bird” , it wasn’t similar at all , but rather we’d let ineptitude seep into the walls . Which early doors the issues was we couldn’t make any decisions without a committee and a bunch of blokes arguing . That shifted to 2 outsiders running the club into the ground IMO.
So we tried it with first with sheens , and unfortunately for him , Father Time remains undefeated , and for many reasons he didn’t have it anymore (despite what Tony Adam’s and his mates now at manly might tell everyone) , and then we had to go with Benji . Which i think will turn out the only smart decision those dipshits will have ever made … and they did it because they thought it would be a publicity stunt to kick the can down the road a few more years for themselves … .
I think I’ve explained where I’m at now mentally . And it’s a healthy place . I’m not happy clapping. But I’m also not putting all the negative energy into the universe you see from guys like gunner , and that fraud from Townsville , whenever they haven’t taken thier antidepressants or are on here stirring shit .
I’m resilient . I don’t quit easy …

 

[innsaneink]

@innsaneink copying you in too.

We all agree that it's been 15 years of hurt and pipedreams of a rebuild.

I think where a few of us are coming from is that under the current administration, it's been less than 2 years. So when we refer to a rebuild, we have to set the start date of 1 Jan 2024...

So I don't think it's fair to attach the 15 years of pain, disappointment and horrible decision making, to the work of new leadership who have had less 2 years.. yes they work for "the tigers".. but they can only work with what they've got in the time they have had ..

Thats fair enough

 

[Tom Shines]

I personally think Josh Curran would be an incredible signing for us and very gettable for 2026. He could potentially play lock and have the versatility to fit elsewhere in the squad once Latu returns.

Haha … ok

Richo playing 4D chess like Gould obviously with his recent comments …

 

[Tom Shines]

Manly signing Moale for 2027 🤔

Wonder if we had any interest

 

[Needaname]

Latu Fainu going for shoulder reconstruction is an obvious blow. I think with AD going back to 7 that’ll fill the void for the time being but also leaves a gap at 13.

I personally think Josh Curran would be an incredible signing for us and very gettable for 2026. He could potentially play lock and have the versatility to fit elsewhere in the squad once Latu returns.

Something I can’t unsee however and not to get my hopes up…. but does anyone else see a lot of Ethan Strange in Latu Fainu?

Ethan’s first year he was pretty quiet and had a breakout year in his second season after a full pre season. Hoping this injury doesn’t set Latu back too far cause I see that kinda trajectory for him injuries aside.

Imo Latu is our ace, if we can get him going next to Api, Luai and Bula then we’ll be a force.

Difference is this year Canberra had a fit Fogerty next to Strange. Go back to part of last year and Strange was the organiser along with Weekes. I think next year will be interesting. Strange being a right footer will move across and Sanders will control the team from the left. In our case Latu won’t shine unless Luai becomes that organiser we were hoping for.

 

[Furious1]

Difference is this year Canberra had a fit Fogerty next to Strange. Go back to part of last year and Strange was the organiser along with Weekes. I think next year will be interesting. Strange being a right footer will move across and Sanders will control the team from the left. In our case Latu won’t shine unless Luai becomes that organiser we were hoping for.

There was a media article yesterday suggesting the Raiders are right in the hunt for Pezet. That would mean they wouldn't miss a beat with Fogarty gone.

 

[BUGSY MALONE]

Of course I hate losing ! it burns my soul . But I see no purpose in passive aggressive , underhanded , soft comments . Most games after we lose I’m like Madge , doing everything I can to not put holes in the wall. But once I’m settled mentally , I rewatch most games , and try and be fair and square and objective . I know this game . It’s not very complicated if you’ve spent much time in an open age footy team , let alone a higher level one .
I personally find it weak . It’s criticism with zero constructive element —- so bitching and whinging ! And the justification in bitching whinging , when criticised for it by others , is “you like mediocrity” … which is like doubling down on your bitching whinging , so now you’re justifying it with more bitching and whinging . For me I prefer to concentrate on what I see are areas for growth , and participate in conversations around that . Whether it be , where the improvement in the squad is coming from , or whatever.
I think Benji has done a great job .
We were being run as a vanity project for 2 imbeciles , one ex afl dickhead , and a fedora wearing ambulance chaser.
There was no attention to detail . Whether it be the members pack , or the players we recruit or whatever, even they bullshitted around members numbers . This toxic culture whilst it may have seemed similar to the “white and black is better than oranger and black” or “a feline is better than a bird” , it wasn’t similar at all , but rather we’d let ineptitude seep into the walls . Which early doors the issues was we couldn’t make any decisions without a committee and a bunch of blokes arguing . That shifted to 2 outsiders running the club into the ground IMO.
So we tried it with first with sheens , and unfortunately for him , Father Time remains undefeated , and for many reasons he didn’t have it anymore (despite what Tony Adam’s and his mates now at manly might tell everyone) , and then we had to go with Benji . Which i think will turn out the only smart decision those dipshits will have ever made … and they did it because they thought it would be a publicity stunt to kick the can down the road a few more years for themselves … .
I think I’ve explained where I’m at now mentally . And it’s a healthy place . I’m not happy clapping. But I’m also not putting all the negative energy into the universe you see from guys like gunner , and that fraud from Townsville , whenever they haven’t taken thier antidepressants or are on here stirring shit .
I’m resilient . I don’t quit easy …

Good reply LES.

 

[Buttface]

His tackle technique is where all of his injuries have come from bar the hamstring issues.

Needs to fix that and looks like he won’t get the opportunity in the off season now.

His tackle technique needs refining for sure, some refs didn’t know if it was a penalty or not. But you can’t fault his ticker, he’s getting in here.
It reminds me of training when I was a kid, we got towelled up and the next Tuesday and Thursday were spent getting low in a tackle and being yelled at with “they can’t run without legs!!!”

 

[Canadian Club]

As much as I would like another impact prop, I highly doubt we will get one this offseason. Mainly because, there are so many more other teams that are much more desperate for props than us and will pay overs. At this stage, we have 5 props that have over 50 first grade games of experience and Sione with 37. We also have Kit and Tapau-Moors coming through.

Terrell May - One of our best, should be an origin player.
Alex Twal - Not a superstar but super reliable, especially defensively. Good leader and great for culture.
Sione Fainu - One of our most consistent all year and getting better every game. Very underrated.
Fonua Pole - Really good start to the year. Struggled post injury, big offseason needed and still only 23
Royce Hunt - Poor year but showed some glimpses. Needs a big offseason
Alex Seyfarth - Had a poor year but spent most of it in the second row. KPP arrival pushes him back to the front row depth.

Sure its not the best in the comp, but in terms of overall front row depth and quality we are in a better spot than the Dragons, Souths, Manly, Parra, Knights, Cowboys, Bulldogs and Titans. All those teams will be desperately looking for props over the offseason and can see them all spending overs to get anyone that becomes available.

The focus this offseason should be to get guys like Hunt fit and motivated again and pushing the development of Pole, Kit and Sione.

 

[teddy23]

Difference is this year Canberra had a fit Fogerty next to Strange. Go back to part of last year and Strange was the organiser along with Weekes. I think next year will be interesting. Strange being a right footer will move across and Sanders will control the team from the left. In our case Latu won’t shine unless Luai becomes that organiser we were hoping for.

This take might ruffle a few feathers but I believe Latu is a clear running 6 and not a 7.

 

[Lestronge]

Good reply LES.

LES isn’t my name mate . Thats a couple generations above me . I’m not sure anyone has named thier kid Les since the 1960s. Names like Les and Kim and whatever have gone the way of the dodo .

 

[Odessa]

This take might ruffle a few feathers but I believe Latu is a clear running 6 and not a 7.

What is your opinion on the young QLD number 7 I saw some highlight video and he looks electric but all highlight videos look good

 

[Lestronge]

As much as I would like another impact prop, I highly doubt we will get one this offseason. Mainly because, there are so many more other teams that are much more desperate for props than us and will pay overs. At this stage, we have 5 props that have over 50 first grade games of experience and Sione with 37. We also have Kit and Tapau-Moors coming through.

Terrell May - One of our best, should be an origin player.
Alex Twal - Not a superstar but super reliable, especially defensively. Good leader and great for culture.
Sione Fainu - One of our most consistent all year and getting better every game. Very underrated.
Fonua Pole - Really good start to the year. Struggled post injury, big offseason needed and still only 23
Royce Hunt - Poor year but showed some glimpses. Needs a big offseason
Alex Seyfarth - Had a poor year but spent most of it in the second row. KPP arrival pushes him back to the front row depth.

Sure its not the best in the comp, but in terms of overall front row depth and quality we are in a better spot than the Dragons, Souths, Manly, Parra, Knights, Cowboys, Bulldogs and Titans. All those teams will be desperately looking for props over the offseason and can see them all spending overs to get anyone that becomes available.

The focus this offseason should be to get guys like Hunt fit and motivated again and pushing the development of Pole, Kit and Sione.

I think a guy like Hetherington is exactly where we should be thinking .a guy with a shit tonne of talent , so A1 pedigree , but can’t or hasn’t put it together yet . Because when guys like that are one , the talent is there for everyone to see . At the very least it applies serious pressure to the pack .
For right or wrong , I think May and Pole are the starters for us with Twal moving forward . Pole seems to IMO let his mistakes eat his brain and confidence . Towards the end of this season he seemed to be anticipating mistakes and leaning towards ball security so he wasn’t driving through tackles , and IMO he was creating the mistakes because he was thinking about it . The it wasn’t coming natural to him . He needs to get out of his own head . He really drops his head when he’s playing badly . When and if we get him to become a goldfish , there’s a top 10 prop in the game right there. We gotta fix his mental though!
May is may . He’s a gun . But I personally think he needs to get stronger . He doesn’t always get his legs wide and pivot so , the third man in can get his legs together too often and the 3 defenders can get him on his back .
Thats about the only hole in his game . When he’s tired. Strength training should go a long way to fixing that . And then there’s a truely elite prop right there .
I personally think it’s bad cap management to go after an elite prop . Especially when soo much of our future core is coming off contract in the next couple of years .

 

[RonDingo]

LES isn’t my name mate . Thats a couple generations above me . I’m not sure anyone has named thier kid Les since the 1960s. Names like Les and Kim and whatever have gone the way of the dodo .

Bring back Les 👍

 

[Wezt]

Sure its not the best in the comp, but in terms of overall front row depth and quality we are in a better spot than the Dragons, Souths, Manly, Parra, Knights, Cowboys, Bulldogs and Titans. All those teams will be desperately looking for props over the offseason and can see them all spending overs to get anyone that becomes available.

Bulldogs came 3rd and are adding Finau Latu & Leo Thompson next year

We are no where near them in terms of forward pack quality and depth

 

[innsaneink]

LES isn’t my name mate . Thats a couple generations above me . I’m not sure anyone has named thier kid Les since the 1960s. Names like Les and Kim and whatever have gone the way of the dodo .

Unless its spelt
Lhezzleah

 

[Oldman]

I’m telling everyone Robert’s is a gun ! He will take Sukkar /Seyfarth spot in that 17 .

I hope you’re right,
Haven’t seen him play but am very weary of judging players on form in lower grades.
Huge difference between ressies and the top grade.
Like I said 🤞you are right.

 

[Oldman]

His tackle technique needs refining for sure, some refs didn’t know if it was a penalty or not. But you can’t fault his ticker, he’s getting in here.
It reminds me of training when I was a kid, we got towelled up and the next Tuesday and Thursday were spent getting low in a tackle and being yelled at with “they can’t run without legs!!!”

I also remember front rows telling me that they can’t run without heads as well 🤪
Oh the good old days.

 

[kade7]

havent read much so apologies if this is already here

richo playing it cool, we have money, we are looking at someone to fall out of the tree like may last year

plenty to play out