Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[TigerSkins05]

I believe the club is heading in the right diection .. we are starting to sign young players who have been touted as stars for the future .. plus we have some of our own junior players coming through. Players like Jack Attard (fullback) .. and Javon Andrews (5/8) are outstanding players in their positions .. we already have other players such as Heamasi Makasini and Pheonix Godinet who are also outstanding junior players coming through. Our biggest issue is retaining / holding on to these players so they can make the top grade for us .. if we want to become a top 4 NRL side in the next few years to come .. we have to hold onto these players and not let them go after a few seasons with us.

Our current side and back up players.

Fullbacks:
Jahream Bula - Heath Mason - Jack Attard

Wingers:
Sunia Turuva - Jeral Skelton - Izaac Tu'itupou - Heamasi Makasini - Luke Laulilii

Centres:
Starford Toa - Tylan May - Krystian Mapalangi - Heamasi Makasini - Adam Doueihi - Sunia Turuva

5/8:
Latu Fainu - Adam Doueihi - Jarome Luai - Jock Madden - Javon Andrews

Halfs:
Jarome Luai - Latu Fainu - Jock Madden - Adam Doueihi

Back Rowers:
Samuela Fainu - Kai Pearce Paul - Jack Bird - Charlie Murray - Kit Laulilli - Alex Seyfarth - Tony Sukkar - Solomone Saukuru - Maverik Geyer - Ethan Roberts

Props:
Terrell May - Fonua Pole - Alex Twal - Royce Hunt - Sione Fainu - Bunty Afoa - Pheonix Godinet - Christian Taupau-Moors

Hooker:
Apisai Koroisua - Tristan Hope - Jared Haywood

I aslo beleive there is still to come another announcement of a big name NRL player to our squad .. ;-)

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

View attachment 29287

Did you leave out the defensive stats on purpose mate 😮.

 

[Demps]

I hope so but a reputable poster on X/Twitter Tiger Cast believes otherwise.

😂😂

I remember seeing him play, for the Magpies.

Fonua, Clark, Garner and Taylor all named for Magpies

Western Suburbs Magpies Canterbury Cup Coach Brett Hodgson has finalised his side to take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs today for their Round 11 clash at Redfern Oval.

www.weststigers.com.au

He's in the team list.
Mad throwback.

I remember thinking when seeing him play live, he was arrogant player that thought he was bigger than the team.

 

[Lestronge]

Sorry, I must of missed it. You said he's better the a couple of international hookers.

I haven't seen where you have said he is a better player then someone from the other four international packs and their reserves.

He's going to make our team better but going on his stats and performances not by too much....he may improve thought, I really hope so.

Man I don’t agree . You’re talking shit . I’ve answered this . Accept it or not . I couldn’t care less . Data and contract negotiations back what I’m saying . Nothing you’ve said is based on anything other than your opinion . Which your 💯 entitled to. But it’s not fact , and therefore I won’t treat it as such. And not should anyone with an objective brain .

 

[tigahhh]

I aslo beleive there is still come another announcement of a big name NRL player to our squad .. ;-)

any further clues to this? 👀

 

[Vicious]

I think we will see Adam start the season at 7, you don't Jolls and that's OK the whole forum is probably divided on this subject but when it comes down to it, they are all just individual opinions.

Right or wrong we won't know for sure until we get a glimpse in the trials to see Benji's plan for the next season and just hope whatever he goes with works.

With Latu supposedly not being ready for the first few rounds, you would think Venji would revert back to what worked late in the season and play Doueihi at 7 and Luai at 6 for the first few rounds of the 2026 season.
From there the success of the team will determine what happens moving forward.

 

[Kelce68]

Only if he absolutely smashes it in pre-season and the trials.

Otherwise I would like the club to let our juniors develop in Flegg until continued performance justifies a promotion. That's Attard, Andrews, Haywood, Godinet, Taupau-Moors - those who are still 19 or bottom-age Flegg. If they go beast mode in the trials, then playing Cup is warranted.

Don't disagree.

I meant to clarify that I think he will be on the bench for Cup in Round 1, with Hope to start.

 

[Vicious]

Bula had 2 try assists and a line break against Broncos in 2025

Whether anyone rates Bula highly or not, you must agree that season 2026 has to be the season where he along with the likes of Luai, Korisau and whoever plays 7 need to start doing their talking on the field and get is enough wins to make the top 8, no more excuses.
Quite obviously the focus is well and truly on these players as they play within our spine and between them take up a fair chunk of our teams salary cap.
So I am happy to say no more about it until at least a 3rd of season 2026 has been played and we have results to provide evidence as to how well these players are performing and whether or not they are earning their pay cheques.

 

[Tigerstigerstigers]

I believe the club is heading in the right diection .. we are starting to sign young players who have been touted as stars for the future .. plus we have some of our own junior players coming through. Players like Jack Attard (fullback) .. and Javon Andrews (5/8) are outstanding players in their positions .. we already have other players such as Heamasi Makasini and Pheonix Godinet who are also outstanding junior players coming through. Our biggest issue is retaining / holding on to these players so they can make the top grade for us .. if we want to become a top 4 NRL side in the next few years to come .. we have to hold onto these players and not let them go after a few seasons with us.

Our current side and back up players.

Fullbacks:
Jahream Bula - Heath Mason - Jack Attard

Wingers:
Sunia Turuva - Jeral Skelton - Izaac Tu'itupou - Heamasi Makasini - Luke Laulilii

Centres:
Starford Toa - Tylan May - Krystian Mapalangi - Heamasi Makasini - Adam Doueihi - Sunia Turuva

5/8:
Latu Fainu - Adam Doueihi - Jarome Luai - Jock Madden - Javon Andrews

Halfs:
Jarome Luai - Latu Fainu - Jock Madden - Adam Doueihi

Back Rowers:
Samuela Fainu - Kai Pearce Paul - Jack Bird - Charlie Murray - Kit Laulilli - Alex Seyfarth - Tony Sukkar - Solomone Saukuru - Maverik Geyer - Ethan Roberts

Props:
Terrell May - Fonua Pole - Alex Twal - Royce Hunt - Sione Fainu - Bunty Afoa - Pheonix Godinet - Christian Taupau-Moors

Hooker:
Apisai Koroisua - Tristan Hope - Jared Haywood

I aslo beleive there is still come another announcement of a big name NRL player to our squad .. ;-)

starting Y26 or Y27?

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

With Latu supposedly not being ready for the first few rounds, you would think Venji would revert back to what worked late in the season and play Doueihi at 7 and Luai at 6 for the first few rounds of the 2026 season.
From there the success of the team will determine what happens moving forward.

That's the way I see it V Latu will be finding his feet again when he returns so you can rule him out in the early rounds, the smokey could be Madden if he has a blinder of an off season, but that's unknown my goolies aren't made of crystal, shame it could be useful in life.

 

[Vicious]

I believe the club is heading in the right diection .. we are starting to sign young players who have been touted as stars for the future .. plus we have some of our own junior players coming through. Players like Jack Attard (fullback) .. and Javon Andrews (5/8) are outstanding players in their positions .. we already have other players such as Heamasi Makasini and Pheonix Godinet who are also outstanding junior players coming through. Our biggest issue is retaining / holding on to these players so they can make the top grade for us .. if we want to become a top 4 NRL side in the next few years to come .. we have to hold onto these players and not let them go after a few seasons with us.

Our current side and back up players.

Fullbacks:
Jahream Bula - Heath Mason - Jack Attard

Wingers:
Sunia Turuva - Jeral Skelton - Izaac Tu'itupou - Heamasi Makasini - Luke Laulilii

Centres:
Starford Toa - Tylan May - Krystian Mapalangi - Heamasi Makasini - Adam Doueihi - Sunia Turuva

5/8:
Latu Fainu - Adam Doueihi - Jarome Luai - Jock Madden - Javon Andrews

Halfs:
Jarome Luai - Latu Fainu - Jock Madden - Adam Doueihi

Back Rowers:
Samuela Fainu - Kai Pearce Paul - Jack Bird - Charlie Murray - Kit Laulilli - Alex Seyfarth - Tony Sukkar - Solomone Saukuru - Maverik Geyer - Ethan Roberts

Props:
Terrell May - Fonua Pole - Alex Twal - Royce Hunt - Sione Fainu - Bunty Afoa - Pheonix Godinet - Christian Taupau-Moors

Hooker:
Apisai Koroisua - Tristan Hope - Jared Haywood

I aslo beleive there is still come another announcement of a big name NRL player to our squad .. ;-)

Firstly that is a nice little depth chart you have put together, well done.
I would flip Seyfarth and Godinet as Seyfarth will highly likely be used exclusively as a middle moving forward and Godinet is a back rower.
As you have pointed out we have some very promising young emerging talent and if a couple of them quickly rise to prominence as above average NRL players, it makes a huge positive difference to the overall quality of the squad.
If our 1-5 play as welll as a lot of our supporters believe they can and we have good leadership, direction and kicking game from our 6,7 and 9 then we will make the top 8 in 2026 as I’m highly confident our forwards will hold their own at the very least.

 

[tigertragic]

Typical NRL to shut the barn door after the horse has bolted.

Correct, plus just pushes discussions underground and rely on a whistleblower to catch out any manager breaking the ‘rules’. Nothing is effectively changing despite the desk thumping.

 

[clontarfkid]

I know Luai was promised the 7 position; but has predominately, in recent times, been a 6.
We now have Madden who is a specialist 7 with a respected kicking game. Why make him a temporary 6?
Luai for the sake of the WT must remain as a 6.
Latu is too inexperienced to be burdened with the 6 or 7 jerseys at the moment. Needs more time in KOE to regain his confidence, experience, tackling skills; And then force his way into NRL side by form.
AD at 13 is my choice also.

Latus not ready,and neither is his body atm
Madden at 27 is a clear Koe player,and ocassional fill in ...
So its gotta be AD at 7,who was arguably our best when fit..and his defence wld be a major problem at 13
What about that Bud bloke at the rabbits????

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Can't really see how this can be policed really. How does the NRL prove what is tampering and what is just analysis as part of their jobs?

Only gets policed when it's on the back page of the newspapers; and the NRL can't hide it.
And then they get a wet lettuce leaf for punishment for lack of proof.

 

[Jolls]

I think we will see Adam start the season at 7, you don't Jolls and that's OK the whole forum is probably divided on this subject but when it comes down to it, they are all just individual opinions.

Right or wrong we won't know for sure until we get a glimpse in the trials to see Benji's plan for the next season and just hope whatever he goes with works.

I think the divide is a good thing and opens the forum up for a worthwhile discussion as it is the most significant issue heading into the 2026 season.

Put aside the arguments for someone dropping out of a tree to fix any of the real or perceived shortfalls that we have in the forward pack and the Cup and FG sides, for the most part, pick themselves. We also have some genuine depth across the park for the first time in a while.

The backline may change a little depending on how Makasini comes along. The forward pack is pretty much settled with the exception of 13. How Bunty/Royce fit in will come out in the wash but for the most part there is experience in FG, some depth and youth being developed. That is in all postions bar 13.

The spine to start the season will be Bula, Luai, Api and, yet to be determined. Depth is Taruva, Madden, and Hope with and Attard, Andrews and Heywood being developed. Latu also has to be squeezed in there when he comes back from Surgery.

So the postions that aren't clear are: 13 and 7/6 depending on where Benji decides to pay Luai.

Given we haven't recruited a 13 and the likelihood of a FG ready 13 dropping out of a tree over the off season is low - who are we going to manufacture into a 13 that provides width for our halves. We need to bite that bullet now as the preparation of a 13 is completely different to perparing to play in the halves or the front row.

So as it stands Twal/Bird are the combination. Does anyone in their right mind think this is a viable option to get us into the 8. If not AD the alternate is?

Twal is not the answer and neither is Charlie Murray.

 

[upthetigers]

Firstly that is a nice little depth chart you have put together, well done.
I would flip Seyfarth and Godinet as Seyfarth will highly likely be used exclusively as a middle moving forward and Godinet is a back rower.
As you have pointed out we have some very promising young emerging talent and if a couple of them quickly rise to prominence as above average NRL players, it makes a huge positive difference to the overall quality of the squad.
If our 1-5 play as welll as a lot of our supporters believe they can and we have good leadership, direction and kicking game from our 6,7 and 9 then we will make the top 8 in 2026 as I’m highly confident our forwards will hold their own at the very least.

100% look at Casey McLean at the panthers as an example. The players on big coin need to earn their pay packet and the young guys need to be pushing for selection.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

I think the divide is a good thing and opens the forum up for a worthwhile discussion as it is the most significant issue heading into the 2026 season.

Put aside the arguments for someone dropping out of a tree to fix any of the real or perceived shortfalls that we have in the forward pack and the Cup and FG sides, for the most part, pick themselves. We also have some genuine depth across the park for the first time in a while.

The backline may change a little depending on how Makasini comes along. The forward pack is pretty much settled with the exception of 13. How Bunty/Royce fit in will come out in the wash but for the most part there is experience in FG, some depth and youth being developed. That is in all postions bar 13.

The spine to start the season will be Bula, Luai, Api and, yet to be determined. Depth is Taruva, Madden, and Hope with and Attard, Andrews and Heywood being developed. Latu also has to be squeezed in there when he comes back from Surgery.

So the postions that aren't clear are: 13 and 7/6 depending on where Benji decides to pay Luai.

Given we haven't recruited a 13 and the likelihood of a FG ready 13 dropping out of a tree over the off season is low - who are we going to manufacture into a 13 that provides width for our halves. We need to bite that bullet now as the preparation of a 13 is completely different to perparing to play in the halves or the front row.

So as it stands Twal/Bird are the combination. Does anyone in their right mind think this is a viable option to get us into the 8. If not AD the alternate is?

Twal is not the answer and neither is Charlie Murray.

You're still angling for Adam at 13 and I don't disagree with him ending up there just can't see it in the early rounds

Other guys on here have hinted that Benji should run Sione there over the summer and see how that looks.
I think we should run Terrell there and see if he's got it, he's shown to have the stamina and willingness to offload, big, bodied lock would be great for the team if he could prove he has the smarts

 

[Jolls]

I see where you’re coming from Jollsy, but I think the assumption that Luai was recruited as a pure 7 is a bit overstated. Yes, he’s played 7 for Samoa, but international setups often make do with what they have, not necessarily what suits the player best. At club level, his strengths have always been as a running 6—creativity, unpredictability, and playing off-the-cuff. Forcing him into a dominant organising half role could blunt what makes him elite. As long as Luai is given space it does not matter what number he wears.

My preference if everyone is fit, develop internally a ball playing 13 (I think Sione could do this), have AD 7, Luai 6 and if fit Latu at 14.

My arguments for:

AD at 7, best the team looked all year
He is and experienced player/leader and respected within the group
Long high kicking game
Strong runner of the football
Massive contributor in all our wins
Defence was outstanding in 2025 and played wherever asked, wing, centre, half and lock
Combination had a good and developing combination with Romey (Madden/Laui would take time)
Would need to tally the attack points, but we were scoring more than enough points to win games of footy
Again Combination and we want to be fast out of the blocks in 2026, and a stable combination should assist
And WT did not win another game without him when he got touched up by Tauamolo

And Madden will be an adequate backup if called upon at 7. But long term and injury free Latu is the man but he needs to show it consistently.

Who knows Javon Andrews may be a good pick up long term. Its good to have options.

OK, I get your argument and for the most part agree with your assessment of AD's skill set. His kicking game certainly isn't at half standard, but it is servicable and he can be a good runner of the footy. He also has expereince in the centres and at 5/8.

I'm happy to disagree on the assessment of AD - it is all about opinion.

What it appears that we do agree on is the need for a ball playing 13 as opposed to Twal plodding up the middle stifling our attack. Your suggestion is to convert Sione from FRF to lock. Sure it could be done - but in my opinion he lacks the ball playing and running game requured for the postion and converting him over weakens our pack significantly

Not too many ball playig locks have come from inside the pack. Wade Graham, Cam McGuiness and Yeo are probably the best examples of ball playing locks - one from the centres, one from 5/8 and one from the spine - the common denominator with all of them is that the running and ball playing ability required for 13 was already in their DNA. Sione just doesn't have that pedigree.

13 is a significant weakness at the moment. I trust that Benji is working on a solution.

 

[Jolls]

You're still angling for Adam at 13 and I don't disagree with him ending up there just can't see it in the early rounds

Other guys on here have hinted that Benji should run Sione there over the summer and see how that looks.
I think we should run Terrell there and see if he's got it, he's shown to have the stamina and willingness to offload, big, bodied lock would be great for the team if he could prove he has the smarts

May would make a great 13. Doubt it is in the plan though.

 

[426Tlgerland]

I think the divide is a good thing and opens the forum up for a worthwhile discussion as it is the most significant issue heading into the 2026 season.

Put aside the arguments for someone dropping out of a tree to fix any of the real or perceived shortfalls that we have in the forward pack and the Cup and FG sides, for the most part, pick themselves. We also have some genuine depth across the park for the first time in a while.

The backline may change a little depending on how Makasini comes along. The forward pack is pretty much settled with the exception of 13. How Bunty/Royce fit in will come out in the wash but for the most part there is experience in FG, some depth and youth being developed. That is in all postions bar 13.

The spine to start the season will be Bula, Luai, Api and, yet to be determined. Depth is Taruva, Madden, and Hope with and Attard, Andrews and Heywood being developed. Latu also has to be squeezed in there when he comes back from Surgery.

So the postions that aren't clear are: 13 and 7/6 depending on where Benji decides to pay Luai.

Given we haven't recruited a 13 and the likelihood of a FG ready 13 dropping out of a tree over the off season is low - who are we going to manufacture into a 13 that provides width for our halves. We need to bite that bullet now as the preparation of a 13 is completely different to perparing to play in the halves or the front row.

So as it stands Twal/Bird are the combination. Does anyone in their right mind think this is a viable option to get us into the 8. If not AD the alternate is?

Twal is not the answer and neither is Charlie Murray.

Adam Elliot injury free would be perfect , cheap , all heart 13. Can hit hard in defence , runs hard , plays 101% I would take him and fix the issue , 1 year with 1 year option