Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[wstigers11]

Heard an interesting throwaway from the agency side. They see the West Tigers as finally getting a strong handle on their cap to the point that, as of 2028, we may be one of the only clubs to NOT have a player over $1M per year.

That may change in the next 18 months if we use Luai's money to go for a big fish. But interesting to hear that we're on top of roster management for a change.

Especially with the salary cap about to go up with the huge broadcast deal and our core players already locked down long-term.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Especially with the salary cap about to go up with the huge broadcast deal and our core players already locked down long-term.

Just Samuela & Latu Fainu + Fonua Pole to go to lock away long-term.

Be great if the club can do this over the next few weeks and our core for 2028 is set.

 

[Bones]

Every chance Luke was desperate to play over there and Benji wasn’t going to stand in his way, I’m not sure it’s that deep

Yeah that’s probably the amount of thought the club put into it too. Meanwhile other clubs demand compensation for players and we wonder why we still can’t win regularly.

 

[Speed2burn]

Yeah that’s probably the amount of thought the club put into it too. Meanwhile other clubs demand compensation for players and we wonder why we still can’t win regularly.

We replaced his roster spot with Tupou, whether or not anyone likes it that seems the likely case

 

[tigertragic]

Just thinking about our team and playing style
I think we are trying the Penrith model.
High completion and wear down the opposition, nothing to flash.

Unfortunately we don’t have the same level of player ability or team co ordination (possibly due to injuries).

But with our first choice team on the field I think we can compete with the better teams. The challenge now is to build the depth of the squad + add maybe two more ‘quality’ forwards.

 

[mtd#2]

Lol that’s absolutely terrible. 3 haven’t even debuted, one has played 4 games in 2 seasons. Another has looked suspect at best, even if he is a rookie. And the 7 seems to have the makings of a career bench player at best under Marshall. Yeah, that’s depth alright.

Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed today champion?

KOE players are either young up and comers with potential who will not have many NRL games (if any) OR veterans who aren't good enough for the NRL. Would you prefer andrews/Latu in the system or brent naden?

 

[Tom Shines]

Just thinking about our team and playing style
I think we are trying the Penrith model.
High completion and wear down the opposition, nothing to flash.

Unfortunately we don’t have the same level of player ability or team co ordination (possibly due to injuries).

But with our first choice team on the field I think we can compete with the better teams. The challenge now is to build the depth of the squad + add maybe two more ‘quality’ forwards.

You have to be able to win more than one way … Penrith can

 

[JB9918]

Given we've put Tupou on a T&T contract for the rest of this season but guaranteed Top 30 next year, makes me think we already have the required 30 contracted players and probably reached close to our cap for this year.

Now Luke Laulilii is included in our Top 30 for this year (to NRL). Based on what we officially know, we'd still have 2 Top-30 roster spots to fill but I reckon those have been taken by Bunty Afoa & 1 of Ethan Roberts or Charlie Murray (from our Development squad).

Bird would have been 29 so 1 needed to be upgraded

 

[mtd#2]

People crying about our koe depth next year. Compare it to the penrith koe backline. We arent in a bad spot at all.
The key is making sure we actually develop them.

 

[crazycat]

I wonder if Christian Tuopoltu is worth a look. He was so dominant last year and has fallen out of favour.

The problem is he has a serious knee injury.

One of the things I have realised with the Tigers being a poor club, we don't do rehab as well as Easts or Cronulla.

I really hope he doesn't come here for our sakes and his.

 

[Vicious]

People crying about our koe depth next year. Compare it to the penrith koe backline. We arent in a bad spot at all.
The key is making sure we actually develop them.

Their 1-5 is strong and Jack Cole is not a bad back up 6 who I think could convert into a good 13 or 9 sometime soon.
Liddiiard has a similar playing style to Tavana, but he is younger, taller, faster and better,
Moi Moi is a young powerhouse who runs the ball more powerfully than any up and coming player across the entire NRL.
Edgar alo looks a very good fullback prosoect.

 

[clontarfkid]

Heard an interesting throwaway from the agency side. They see the West Tigers as finally getting a strong handle on their cap to the point that, as of 2028, we may be one of the only clubs to NOT have a player over $1M per year.

That may change in the next 18 months if we use Luai's money to go for a big fish. But interesting to hear that we're on top of roster management for a change.

Weve got a couple encroaching on $1mill...and worth nowhere near that
Theyre not even close to being in the SOO conversation..am talking about Bula and Tryrell..good players .but
And anyone half decent and who can work with Benji gets a premium...Averillo...!Makasini.!Latu!Taylon!
All have merit..and its a tough market I know..
Im not even sure if we can afford Samuela,as weve spent most of Luai's $$ already
Id really like Richo back...

 

[clontarfkid]

We replaced his roster spot with Tupou, whether or not anyone likes it that seems the likely case

Same same...both young,but with proven deficiencies which unless resolved will inhibit their progress
If Robinson and Wolfe cldnt improve Tupou,ya think Benji can..?

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

what do we think leota is worth, i think he will get 800k in his next deal

 

[Bula]

Just thinking about our team and playing style
I think we are trying the Penrith model.
High completion and wear down the opposition, nothing to flash.

Unfortunately we don’t have the same level of player ability or team co ordination (possibly due to injuries).

But with our first choice team on the field I think we can compete with the better teams. The challenge now is to build the depth of the squad + add maybe two more ‘quality’ forwards.

When we have had a full team in the first six weeks we bashed the other teams in defence and had enough big bodies to maintain intensity. We smashed the Wahs forwards. Hard to do that with the backups like Hope, Geyer etc who have no stopping power and the opposition go foward makes the dodgy backline a much bigger target. Put Twal, KP,P, Sam F back in and its a whole new world in defence. Royce's cameos were a bit underrated. From memory we were something like 68 zip during time he was on the field through the first month or so when he could be a flat track bully in a side that was on top physically.. Sukkar has the size to be a bash brother but needs to cement his spot first.

 

[tigertragic]

You have to be able to win more than one way … Penrith can

Yep agree however to achieve this
Penrith have 6 recent SOO players
Tigers have 2 recent SOO players and in general no Tigers player would displace a player from the Penrith team

 

[pawsandclaws1]

what do we think leota is worth, i think he will get 800k in his next deal

He's a good player. I hope our club is not involved in attempting to sign players who want to auction themselves by testing the market. It doesn't seem like the best way to manage our salary cap.

 

[king_sirro]

Yep agree however to achieve this
Penrith have 6 recent SOO players
Tigers have 2 recent SOO players and in general no Tigers player would displace a player from the Penrith team

No Tigers player would displace a Penrith player?

Tigers players that start for Penrith when fit
Api, Sam Fainu, Twal starts in the fron row, Luai, Taylan at his best.

Then you would have Doueihi, Terrell and KPP finding spots on the bench.

Thats 8. And also just my opinion

 

[wstigers11]

what do we think leota is worth, i think he will get 800k in his next deal

$800k sounds about right. I think he’ll be 31-32 in 2028 though so probably not for us

 

[mtd#2]

$800k sounds about right. I think he’ll be 31-32 in 2028 though so probably not for us

A few years ago we would have made him our marquee signing on a 4 year deal 😂😂