Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Personally I disagree. Luai got so frustrated at times with Doueihi at 7. Doueihi was too sideways and too overbearing. While he looked better with AD than he did with Galvin, I'd have to say he looked easily his best partnering Latu. With Latu he got the ball when he wanted and how he wanted. Latu's ability to play straight and deep into the line is unmatched at the club. In fact, there aren't many halves in the comp who can play to the line like Latu. Katoa is one. And no, im not saying he is as good as Katoa. But he could get close IMO
Wow, great post.
 
Bula would make a great 5/8.....

I'd keep Bula at fullback unless some up and commer shows they are ready to play at an NRL level.

If the young bloke Attard deserve a start I'd put him in as 5/8 with Romey at 7.

My question, if Romey does play 7 for the majority of his games in 2026 who will be then who is best to partner him in the halves?

If Bula is selected at 6 and Romey at 7 where do we put Douehi? We can't put him at centre, with the players we have better options than Adam in the 3 and 4. I like the idea of having Douehi somewhere in the 17 for his goal kicking an attacking ability. I still have some reservations about his defence, BUT boy did he lift his defence for 2025?

In season 2026 in some positions at least, Wests Tigers are going to have selection headaches..........but for good reason and a good headache to have.

So in summary, I'd shift Bula to 5/8 if our new young fullback is killing it.....now I just have a Douehi headache.😂🤣
Bula is my favourite player, but there is nothing apart from the occasional great pass (awesome flick pass to a centre at LO from memory?) that makes me think 5/8th whatsoever.

He is on the path to becoming an extremely good fullback; I'd play Twal there before moving Jahream!
 
Bula is my favourite player, but there is nothing apart from the occasional great pass (awesome flick pass to a centre at LO from memory?) that makes me think 5/8th whatsoever.

He is on the path to becoming an extremely good fullback; I'd play Twal there before moving Jahream!


Bula needs alot of work on his cover defence but hopefully another offseason and it will be better
 

“Our dream”: The Finau brothers building towards NRL futures at the Tigers.​


One of the most talented players in his age group, youngster Kingston Finau has opened up on his rugby league journey and "dream" to one day play in the NRL with the Wests Tigers alongside his brother Zephaniah.

After moving off the bottom of the ladder last season, CEO Shane Richardson and head coach Benji Marshall have been able to turn around the club's fortunes successfully, but will still need to rely on the next generation of players if they can make it back into the NRL Finals.

Heath Mason, Heamasi Makasini, Jahream Bula and Tony Sukkar are just a few of the names that have made the transition from the lower grades to the NRL.

And while this contingent of players continues to fight for a regular spot in the first-grade team, a new breed of prospects is slowly making a name for themselves in the junior representative competitions for the club's pathways teams.

Two of these players are brothers, Kingston and Zephaniah Finau.

Following a strong season in both rugby league and union, the Finau brothers will play in the upcoming Under-17s Harold Matthews Cup season once again for the Western Suburbs Magpies.

"It's very good playing for the Tigers. It's just a great community and all the boys around you are just great players as well," Kingston told Zero Tackle.

"It's a mad feeling representing the Tigers, but a lot of pressure when you run onto the field, too, but once you put that jersey on, it means a lot to us.

"It would mean a lot to play in the NRL one day, especially for my family as well. The dedication they've put into me and my brother, I wouldn't be here today without them."

Idolising the play-style of Greg Inglis, Kingston Finau has been used in a variety of different positions during his time at the Magpies, including in the centres, at hooker and also in the halves.

Once again playing in the Harold Matthews Cup competition, the Bass Hill High School student and his brother are two players to keep a close eye on and are regarded as some of the best young prospects in the Wests Tigers pathways system.

"It's a massive goal for us to play together at the Tigers. That's kind of our dream."


Crikey .. firstly we have the Fainu brothers .. now we have the Finau brothers .. can you imagine the side if they are all still here in 3 or 4 years .. lol ;-)
 

“Our dream”: The Finau brothers building towards NRL futures at the Tigers.​


One of the most talented players in his age group, youngster Kingston Finau has opened up on his rugby league journey and "dream" to one day play in the NRL with the Wests Tigers alongside his brother Zephaniah.

After moving off the bottom of the ladder last season, CEO Shane Richardson and head coach Benji Marshall have been able to turn around the club's fortunes successfully, but will still need to rely on the next generation of players if they can make it back into the NRL Finals.

Heath Mason, Heamasi Makasini, Jahream Bula and Tony Sukkar are just a few of the names that have made the transition from the lower grades to the NRL.

And while this contingent of players continues to fight for a regular spot in the first-grade team, a new breed of prospects is slowly making a name for themselves in the junior representative competitions for the club's pathways teams.

Two of these players are brothers, Kingston and Zephaniah Finau.

Following a strong season in both rugby league and union, the Finau brothers will play in the upcoming Under-17s Harold Matthews Cup season once again for the Western Suburbs Magpies.

"It's very good playing for the Tigers. It's just a great community and all the boys around you are just great players as well," Kingston told Zero Tackle.

"It's a mad feeling representing the Tigers, but a lot of pressure when you run onto the field, too, but once you put that jersey on, it means a lot to us.

"It would mean a lot to play in the NRL one day, especially for my family as well. The dedication they've put into me and my brother, I wouldn't be here today without them."

Idolising the play-style of Greg Inglis, Kingston Finau has been used in a variety of different positions during his time at the Magpies, including in the centres, at hooker and also in the halves.

Once again playing in the Harold Matthews Cup competition, the Bass Hill High School student and his brother are two players to keep a close eye on and are regarded as some of the best young prospects in the Wests Tigers pathways system.

"It's a massive goal for us to play together at the Tigers. That's kind of our dream."


Crikey .. firstly we have the Fainu brothers .. now we have the Finau brothers .. can you imagine the side if they are all still here in 3 or 4 years .. lol ;-)
Well, if nothing else, they'll probably do a good version Psycho Killer

 
Not that I want to dig up arguments from other discussions, however I find it interesting and somewhat comforting that whilst they are playing for a team called the Magpies they still identify themselves as "Tigers" as in Wests Tigers...obviously they were born after the JV so nothing nefarious in it. Maybe a lesson from these kids that the club and supporters should pay attention to.
 
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Not that I want to dig up arguments from other discussions, however I find it interesting and somewhat comforting that whilst they are playing for a team called the Magpies they still identify themselves as "Tigers" as in Wests Tigers...obviously they were born after the JV so nothing nefarious in it. Maybe a lesson from these kids that the club and supporters should pay attention to.
Yeah, noticed that too
 

“Our dream”: The Finau brothers building towards NRL futures at the Tigers.​


One of the most talented players in his age group, youngster Kingston Finau has opened up on his rugby league journey and "dream" to one day play in the NRL with the Wests Tigers alongside his brother Zephaniah.

After moving off the bottom of the ladder last season, CEO Shane Richardson and head coach Benji Marshall have been able to turn around the club's fortunes successfully, but will still need to rely on the next generation of players if they can make it back into the NRL Finals.

Heath Mason, Heamasi Makasini, Jahream Bula and Tony Sukkar are just a few of the names that have made the transition from the lower grades to the NRL.

And while this contingent of players continues to fight for a regular spot in the first-grade team, a new breed of prospects is slowly making a name for themselves in the junior representative competitions for the club's pathways teams.

Two of these players are brothers, Kingston and Zephaniah Finau.

Following a strong season in both rugby league and union, the Finau brothers will play in the upcoming Under-17s Harold Matthews Cup season once again for the Western Suburbs Magpies.

"It's very good playing for the Tigers. It's just a great community and all the boys around you are just great players as well," Kingston told Zero Tackle.

"It's a mad feeling representing the Tigers, but a lot of pressure when you run onto the field, too, but once you put that jersey on, it means a lot to us.

"It would mean a lot to play in the NRL one day, especially for my family as well. The dedication they've put into me and my brother, I wouldn't be here today without them."

Idolising the play-style of Greg Inglis, Kingston Finau has been used in a variety of different positions during his time at the Magpies, including in the centres, at hooker and also in the halves.

Once again playing in the Harold Matthews Cup competition, the Bass Hill High School student and his brother are two players to keep a close eye on and are regarded as some of the best young prospects in the Wests Tigers pathways system.

"It's a massive goal for us to play together at the Tigers. That's kind of our dream."


Crikey .. firstly we have the Fainu brothers .. now we have the Finau brothers .. can you imagine the side if they are all still here in 3 or 4 years .. lol ;-)
Imagine the commentators if they are all playing
 
View attachment 31519

This is probably the best "predicted" line up I've seen so far.

My only change would be have Sione start & Pole to the bench.
I think the team needs the strongest 13 to start and this ain’t it.
They should start the young Makasini at left back row, start Skilton on the left wing, move Samuela to lock, Sione to front row, Latu to 7 (when fit) - Doueihi, Twal, Pole to the bench.
 
I think the team needs the strongest 13 to start and this ain’t it.
They should start the young Makasini at left back row, start Skilton on the left wing, move Samuela to lock, Sione to front row, Latu to 7 (when fit) - Doueihi, Twal, Pole to the bench.
Macka love it , teach him defence .. The new generation seem to lack starch
 

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