Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[king_sirro]

Completely agree. But its hardly costing the NRL so why not do it.

Integrity of the game? 😂😂 I couldn't keep a straight face there saying integrity and NRL together

 

[watersider]

a lovely SMH article this morning

There’s no Sweet Caroline at the Wests Tigers, the team still looking for a home

Neil Breen

July 17, 2026 — 5:22am

Sweet Caroline is a fan favourite at sporting events around the globe.

The Neil Diamond classic from 1969 is universally known, upbeat, and easy for the crowd to sing along to. For many fans, it’s a great way to get the party started.

The Wests Tigers, though, align more with one of Diamond’s lesser-known and more introspective songs, the broody 1970 hit I Am, I Said.

What’s that song about? Well, it’s about Diamond himself. Brooklyn born-and-raised, he loved New York City with a passion. But, to grow his musical career, he moved to the showbiz capital of the world – Los Angeles – “palm trees grow, and rents are low ... and the feeling is lay back”.

That sounds ideal, but he goes on to explain: “I’m New York City born and raised and nowadays, I’m lost between two shores … LA’s fine, but it ain’t home, New York’s home, but it ain’t mine no more”.

Within those words lies the same existential crisis that engulfs the Wests Tigers.

They are a club with so many homes it doesn’t know which way is up, or which master to serve.

Take a drive down Parramatta Road beyond Five Dock and have a look at Concord Oval on the right-hand side outbound.

Once a decaying old rugby union facility is now a rugby league Taj Mahal. The lavishly named Zurich Centre is the predominantly taxpayer-funded centre of excellence for the Wests Tigers.

It has it all – a high-performance gym, which unfortunately has produced only average performances, a hot-and-cold plunge room which at least mirrors the team’s patchy form, a theatre where the mounting losses can be reviewed over and even a “sleep room” which is handy for coaches who routinely need a Bex and a good lie down.

There’s an education and wellness hub, which is basically a glorified family home “media room” where tired parents send kids to overdose on video games. There are even some plush strapping chairs because who wants to sit in an average chair when the ankles are taped.

Then we have the pool, sauna and steam room. You get the picture.

While Concord is their training base, it’s not their home, as such.

Neither is Leichhardt Oval, where anywhere between two and six home games have been played each year for decades. It’s the spiritual home of the Balmain half of the joint venture. And, of course, they’ll be away from there while that venue is upgraded during the 2027 season.

About 50km and two million or so residents away is Campbelltown Sports Stadium, the home of Wests’ half. While it’s the home, it’s not the spiritual home of Wests.

That lies 40km away back towards town at the old Lidcombe Oval, where Tommy Raudonikis and teammates slapped each other in the sheds, and Roy Masters sent his band of “fibros,” including John “Dallas” Donnelly, into battle breathing fire.

They also play home games at CommBank Stadium, better known as the home of the Eels.

The Tigers play there to service the corporates, apparently. But during home games you could fire a cannon through those areas and not hit anyone. That isn’t the case at Eels home games.

Financially, the Holman Barnes Group controls the club’s purse strings. It runs the mega-rich, poker machine and electronic roulette-laden Wests Ashfield Club, as well as Croydon Sports Club and Markets Club at Homebush.

Balmain Leagues Club in Rozelle has been closed since 2010, meaning the Balmain side has been at the financial mercy of the Wests side for far too long.

If you take out the St George Illawarra Dragons, which faced similar geographical and philosophical challenges post-merger, all other Sydney clubs have clearly defined areas, giving them a clear sense of belonging and purpose.

The Roosters in the east, Souths adjacent to them along the coast and southern city areas, the Sharks in the Shire, the Bulldogs in Canterbury-Bankstown, Manly on the northern beaches and Parramatta and Penrith in their locales.

It could be argued that in the professional sporting era, teams should be able to function anywhere, but it’s not that simple.

This game is tribal, and history shows split tribes don’t fare well.

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall did what Benji normally does on Tuesday when he blamed the media for spreading rumours about a fall-out between himself and Jarome Luai in the aftermath of the news they asked him to leave at season’s end.

Luai, signed to provide the heartbeat that would drag them up from well below mediocrity, will soon be gone just two years into a five-year deal. Yet, somehow the media were the bad guys.

Marshall would be better served to look inside the many walls of the lavish Zurich Centre instead.

News broke last Thursday the club would pay up to $500,000 of ex-saviour Luai’s salary in 2027 to have him play anywhere else, and no-one at the club addressed their own fans until Marshall spoke.

From that news until Marshall’s media conference on Tuesday was five days. That’s four and a half days too long. What did he and the club expect? Everyone to just say “oh well, they’re getting rid of the guy who was going to save us. So what?”

It doesn’t work like that. Then, when Luai’s dad liked a post from Triple M suggesting there was a fallout between his son and Marshall, was everybody supposed to ignore it?

The mismanagement of their captain and star player’s exit summed up the club and speaks of management dysfunction.

Luai was supposed to lead Tigers back to the finals. He’s leaving after 18 months. What went wrong?

New full-time CEO Shaun “I’ve never failed” Mielekamp would probably want to revisit how this was handled for future reference, unless he wants his self-proclaimed success rate as a CEO to go the way of everything else at the club. That direction is south, and fast.

They haven’t made the finals since 2011 and will miss them again this season after a promising start. Even the Titans made it to September in 2021.

If Benji wants to make a proper go of coaching after 21 wins and 38 losses so far, the club needs to work out exactly who they are and who they represent.

It has to stop being a transit lounge and find a way to instil a sense of purpose and belonging. That’s not an easy task when you are the nomads of the competition.

With governments of all levels funding redevelopments at Leichhardt and Campbelltown, they will roam the west forever.

At least taxpayers have been able to share in the misery. It’s their money which built every venue the club inhabits, despite how many people arrive on buses to play the pokies at Wests Ashfield.

Neil Breen has never written anything interesting in his life. Nice fancy little musical reference to start and then a whole bunch of rehashing and fascination with the opinion of journalists and commentators. His writing makes it seem like he hates sport. Vanilla and boring. He's identified that we're not a good club. Onya Breen, you've done it again!

 

[TheEnz]

They went into the contract aware of it. When the tigers entered a contract with luai this wasnt on the radar..

Also Luai was touted as our savior and Marquee man, so stuff like disappearing to PNG will get a lot more airplay with us than it would if he is on a gap year at Parra.

 

[Tiger Woods]

This is what Stephen ‘Teflon’ Crichton dishes out every weekend .. the NRL look at .. and sweep it under the rug .. !! Disgraceful .. !!

Hopefully his Mrs gives birth tonight
Win Win

 

[hammertime]

All those natural resources...GDP per capita of $2,700.

Most corrupt friends we have - long term.

Yep. They haven't learned from Nauru

 

[Tito Santana]

Integrity of the game? 😂😂 I couldn't keep a straight face there saying integrity and NRL together

As we are about to sign Manase Fainu no doubt. Gold!

 

[EllisFan]

I think it’s the fact that Luai is spreading himself between the tigers and PNG, while playing for the tigers. We get no benefit from him taking regular work trips to PNG.

Apart from probably the best defensive half in the comp u mean.

 

[innsaneink]

I am not a subscriber. diedpretty has now posted it.

I havent been online for a while.earlier but the links reqd to access it thru a free paywall site

 

[Tiger_claws]

a lovely SMH article this morning

There’s no Sweet Caroline at the Wests Tigers, the team still looking for a home

Neil Breen

July 17, 2026 — 5:22am

Sweet Caroline is a fan favourite at sporting events around the globe.

The Neil Diamond classic from 1969 is universally known, upbeat, and easy for the crowd to sing along to. For many fans, it’s a great way to get the party started.

The Wests Tigers, though, align more with one of Diamond’s lesser-known and more introspective songs, the broody 1970 hit I Am, I Said.

What’s that song about? Well, it’s about Diamond himself. Brooklyn born-and-raised, he loved New York City with a passion. But, to grow his musical career, he moved to the showbiz capital of the world – Los Angeles – “palm trees grow, and rents are low ... and the feeling is lay back”.

That sounds ideal, but he goes on to explain: “I’m New York City born and raised and nowadays, I’m lost between two shores … LA’s fine, but it ain’t home, New York’s home, but it ain’t mine no more”.

Within those words lies the same existential crisis that engulfs the Wests Tigers.

They are a club with so many homes it doesn’t know which way is up, or which master to serve.

Take a drive down Parramatta Road beyond Five Dock and have a look at Concord Oval on the right-hand side outbound.

Once a decaying old rugby union facility is now a rugby league Taj Mahal. The lavishly named Zurich Centre is the predominantly taxpayer-funded centre of excellence for the Wests Tigers.

It has it all – a high-performance gym, which unfortunately has produced only average performances, a hot-and-cold plunge room which at least mirrors the team’s patchy form, a theatre where the mounting losses can be reviewed over and even a “sleep room” which is handy for coaches who routinely need a Bex and a good lie down.

There’s an education and wellness hub, which is basically a glorified family home “media room” where tired parents send kids to overdose on video games. There are even some plush strapping chairs because who wants to sit in an average chair when the ankles are taped.

Then we have the pool, sauna and steam room. You get the picture.

While Concord is their training base, it’s not their home, as such.

Neither is Leichhardt Oval, where anywhere between two and six home games have been played each year for decades. It’s the spiritual home of the Balmain half of the joint venture. And, of course, they’ll be away from there while that venue is upgraded during the 2027 season.

About 50km and two million or so residents away is Campbelltown Sports Stadium, the home of Wests’ half. While it’s the home, it’s not the spiritual home of Wests.

That lies 40km away back towards town at the old Lidcombe Oval, where Tommy Raudonikis and teammates slapped each other in the sheds, and Roy Masters sent his band of “fibros,” including John “Dallas” Donnelly, into battle breathing fire.

They also play home games at CommBank Stadium, better known as the home of the Eels.

The Tigers play there to service the corporates, apparently. But during home games you could fire a cannon through those areas and not hit anyone. That isn’t the case at Eels home games.

Financially, the Holman Barnes Group controls the club’s purse strings. It runs the mega-rich, poker machine and electronic roulette-laden Wests Ashfield Club, as well as Croydon Sports Club and Markets Club at Homebush.

Balmain Leagues Club in Rozelle has been closed since 2010, meaning the Balmain side has been at the financial mercy of the Wests side for far too long.

If you take out the St George Illawarra Dragons, which faced similar geographical and philosophical challenges post-merger, all other Sydney clubs have clearly defined areas, giving them a clear sense of belonging and purpose.

The Roosters in the east, Souths adjacent to them along the coast and southern city areas, the Sharks in the Shire, the Bulldogs in Canterbury-Bankstown, Manly on the northern beaches and Parramatta and Penrith in their locales.

It could be argued that in the professional sporting era, teams should be able to function anywhere, but it’s not that simple.

This game is tribal, and history shows split tribes don’t fare well.

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall did what Benji normally does on Tuesday when he blamed the media for spreading rumours about a fall-out between himself and Jarome Luai in the aftermath of the news they asked him to leave at season’s end.

Luai, signed to provide the heartbeat that would drag them up from well below mediocrity, will soon be gone just two years into a five-year deal. Yet, somehow the media were the bad guys.

Marshall would be better served to look inside the many walls of the lavish Zurich Centre instead.

News broke last Thursday the club would pay up to $500,000 of ex-saviour Luai’s salary in 2027 to have him play anywhere else, and no-one at the club addressed their own fans until Marshall spoke.

From that news until Marshall’s media conference on Tuesday was five days. That’s four and a half days too long. What did he and the club expect? Everyone to just say “oh well, they’re getting rid of the guy who was going to save us. So what?”

It doesn’t work like that. Then, when Luai’s dad liked a post from Triple M suggesting there was a fallout between his son and Marshall, was everybody supposed to ignore it?

The mismanagement of their captain and star player’s exit summed up the club and speaks of management dysfunction.

Luai was supposed to lead Tigers back to the finals. He’s leaving after 18 months. What went wrong?

New full-time CEO Shaun “I’ve never failed” Mielekamp would probably want to revisit how this was handled for future reference, unless he wants his self-proclaimed success rate as a CEO to go the way of everything else at the club. That direction is south, and fast.

They haven’t made the finals since 2011 and will miss them again this season after a promising start. Even the Titans made it to September in 2021.

If Benji wants to make a proper go of coaching after 21 wins and 38 losses so far, the club needs to work out exactly who they are and who they represent.

It has to stop being a transit lounge and find a way to instil a sense of purpose and belonging. That’s not an easy task when you are the nomads of the competition.

With governments of all levels funding redevelopments at Leichhardt and Campbelltown, they will roam the west forever.

At least taxpayers have been able to share in the misery. It’s their money which built every venue the club inhabits, despite how many people arrive on buses to play the pokies at Wests Ashfield.

He raises some good points & plenty of us would agree. However the personal attacks is just gutter talk. It bugs me, I know it shouldn’t but it does. Every single Nrl club other than the Warriors have benefited from taxpayer dollars here in Australia. Whether that be a new Stadium, Centre of Excellence or even $17m in indigenous grants hello Broncos. To single us out is pretty ordinary. Don’t get me wrong our management have made some poor decisions and they need to called out but having a crack at our new Ceo is a shite go. Is he then having a crack that we couldn’t retain Jarome? Hmmm $3m tax free against $1.2m taxable yep what duds we are not to match that. I actually have a pretty thick skin when it comes to the Tigers but that article really peed me off. For god sake boys win some games to shut these muppets up.

 

[Canadian Club]

atty Johns: How Benji Marshall’s handling of Jarome Luai saga stopped a PNG exodus at Tigers​

There are a number of reasons why the Tigers’ Jarome Luai call was a smart one – but for Benji Marshall it solidified his integrity as a coach and his standing among the players, writes MATTY JOHNS.

Matthew Johns

4 min read
July 17, 2026 - 5:00AM
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...71524183b769b8f2b2f0ac4dae593963?amp#comments
Video-link

NRL: Jarome Luai has set the record straight regarding his current relationship with Benji Marshall and had a message when asked to reflect on his time at the Tigers.
That’s the problem with relationships, particularly ones which start hot and heavy: they most often fall apart, and most often it involves a third party.
A new acquaintance enters one’s realm, turns one’s head, and suddenly makes the current look a little less interesting, less adventurous.

That’s the way I think Dr Phil would explain the Jarome Luai-West Tigers break-up.

It was a relationship which, despite those lurking clauses, looked set for the long haul.

Earlier this season, you could see the way Jarome’s swagger and confidence were bleeding into the rest of the side.

But then that pesky new team with all that tax-free money started flirting with their No.6 and ruined everything.

You can’t blame the Chiefs. They weren’t around when the clauses were placed in Luai’s contract, and PNG are in the business of assembling a roster capable of snaring a premiership fast, Melbourne Storm style, and they have the means to do it.

Jarome Luai speaks to the media after being let go from Wests Tigers for 2027 NRL season. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
But the collapse of the Tigers’ season, and the winning of only two of their last 10 matches since Jarome’s PNG announcement, is not a coincidence. Yes, injuries have played a part, but even coach Benji Marshall conceded he’s allowed it to become a distraction.

The decision to allow Jarome out of his final year before joining PNG is a smart one. They can’t afford to lose another crop of young stars, but, boy, kicking in $500,000 to strengthen a western Sydney arrival must hurt like hell.

Jarome Luai was shocked by the Wests Tigers' decision to cut ties with the half at the end of the 2026 season, and says he won't get in the way of the young crop if that's the direction Benji Marshall wants to go in.
My information was the Tigers were only willing to go so far as $300,000, but in the end they had little choice. A backflip on a decision to let him leave was never going to happen.

Another reason why releasing Jarome is the smart move is his standing in the team, particularly among the younger members. His charisma and their admiration for him could’ve easily seen a couple follow him out the door.

It's not a coincidence the Tigers' season has collapsed after the Luai announcement. Picture: NRL Photos
But the decision is also a good one for Marshall and his integrity as a coach.

At the start of the year, Marshall warned his players, “at the Wests Tigers we f***** now stand for something and if you’re not prepared to follow what we stand for, guess what, there’s the f***ing door”.

These statements are powerful in theory, but only tested when applied to a star player.

Benji hasn’t so much shown Jarome the f***ing door, but shown him in which direction it is.

Benji’s strength and standing among his players has just grown.

The question, has Jarome’s time at the Tigers been a success? It’s a complex one to answer.

On the field, a bit like how Jarome plays his football, they’ve had bursts of form, explosions of great moments.

Benji Marshall and Jarome Luai. Picture: NRL Photos
The team looks better, but results don’t really show that, so no, it hasn’t been what they’d hoped for.

But I would say, as far as changing the perception of the club and their ability to recruit, it has worked.

And he’s helped the players improve individually. Alongside Jarome, Samuela Fainu is on his way to becoming one of the game’s premier back-rowers, and Adam Doueihi is playing the best football of his career by far, displaying some of Jarome’s confidence, swagger and unorthodox creativity.

Overall, he’s left the Tigers a better club than he found it and will be warmly welcomed back on reunion days.

Jarome Luai can walk away from the Tigers as a successful signing. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
So now to Parramatta, where the Eels bring in another playmaker on a one-year deal.

I like this move more than the Jonah Pezet experiment. Jonah was entering a young team with still a lot to learn, and he was in exactly the same position: looking to learn, not ready to teach.

Injuries have prevented Jonah from making any real impact, but I didn’t believe he was quite ready to anyway.

With Jarome, it’s completely different. His experience, talent and charisma will impact this team greatly, and he walks into a scenario which suits him perfectly.

Jarome isn’t a seven. It’s been proven, and he’s admitted to it. This is a forewarning to PNG: they need to sign an experienced, quality halfback and, if the rumours are to be believed, there’s a possibility he might be reunited with one.

At the Eels, Mitchell Moses is that centrepiece playmaker he wants and needs.

Mitchell Moses and Jarome Luai played together for NSW in 2024. Picture: NRL Imagery
He completes a formidable spine capable of seeing this young team surge up the ladder.

Isaiah Iongi is a superstar, trust me. He just needs this type of quality spine around him and a clear run without injury, while Tallyn De Silva is a young dummy-half who’s been showing glimpses of his capabilities, and next year expect consistency to complete that puzzle.

On top of that, the Eels have some young playmakers, led by Lorenzo Talataina and Lincoln Fletcher, who are showing great promise for a big future. They just need time and some quality mentoring. I’d hope Jarome will take on that role with enthusiasm.

Yes, it’s only a year, but Parramatta’s next young crop of stars can’t get too used to losing. It’s a virus which enters an athlete’s bones and has no simple cure.

Too many times in the last two years, the commentary at the end of an 80-minute Eels performance has been, “Another wholehearted effort from the young Eels, but …”

Luai can help change that.b

I'm not sure how the recent Luai saga and Benji's handling it has stopped a 'mass exodus' when nearly all our key/starting players who were off contract for 2028 had already re-signed?

The only real notable players who are off contract for 2028 still are Fainus x2 and Pole, and the Fainu's by all reports were ready to re-sign but just needed to cap space to clear.

These headlines and clickbait articles by the media are getting more and more lazy. No such thing as real journalism anymore.

 

[Tired Tiger]

You have to wonder how much more Benji Marshall can take before he starts to contemplate pulling the pin on the Wests Tigers.

Now that would be a disaster for the club.

Benji Marshall discusses the impending departure of Jarome Luai on Tuesday.Kate Geraghty
Marshall does not need the stress or the money. He is the unofficial mayor of Canada Bay. He could easily spend his days hitting the ball around Concord Golf Club, and maybe even lowering his impressive handicap of three.

Yet here he was again this week having to answer the hard questions about Jarome Luai and why the decision was made to set him free at the end of the year.

Marshall had a front-row seat to the early exit of coach Tim Sheens, the ongoing boardroom dramas, the Lachie Galvin soap opera, and the sudden departure of his good friend and confidant Shane Richardson at the end of last season – but the Luai split would have stung the most.

Why? Because Marshall knew he had finally found the long-term playmaker the club had craved since “King Benji” hung up the boots.

Wests Tigers halves pairings since the middle of July 2022​

1. Adam Doueihi and Luke Brooks;
2. Adam Doueihi and Jock Madden;
3. Brandon Wakeham and Luke Brooks;
4. Starford To’a and Brandon Wakeham;
5. Daine Laurie and Brandon Wakeham;
6. Will Smith and Brandon Wakeham;
7. Daine Laurie and Luke Brooks;
8. Daine Laurie and Apisai Koroisau;
9. Daine Laurie and Will Smith;
10. Lachlan Galvin and Jayden Sullivan;
11. Lachlan Galvin and Aidan Sezer;
12. Jayden Sullivan and Aidan Sezer;
13. Aidan Sezer and Apisai Koroisau;
14. Lachlan Galvin and Apisai Koroisau;
15. Lachlan Galvin and Latu Fainu;
16. Lachlan Galvin and Jarome Luai;
17. Jarome Luai and Adam Doueihi;
18. Heath Mason and Jarome Luai;
19. Apisai Koroisau and Latu Fainu;
20. Adam Doueihi and Latu Fainu;
21. Jarome Luai and Latu Fainu;
22. Jarome Luai and Jock Madden.

*Statistics provided by David Middleton
It is hard to believe it was this corresponding week four years ago the Tigers put out a press release confirming Sheens would return as head coach, before stepping aside for his apprentice Marshall. “It’s a great day for our club,” former chief executive Justin Pascoe said at the time.

Since then, the Tigers have used 22 different halves combinations. It is the most of any NRL club.

According to rugby league statistician David Middleton, South Sydney and Newcastle have used 20 halves pairings during that same period, followed by Penrith with 19.

It is a shame the Tigers’ greatest playmaker is being forced to search again for his heir apparent.

Jarome Luai trains with his Tigers teammates on Thursday.Steven Siewert
Luke Brooks had potential, but hung around more than a decade before realising he needed new scenery, so packed his bags (and barbecue, which was given to him as a farewell gift by the Tigers) and chased the salty air over at Manly.

Players like Will Smith, Aidan Sezer and Jayden Sullivan were all appointed before Marshall was in a position of power. The trio tried hard, but weren’t the solution.

Adam Doueihi remains the pick of the bunch, but has struggled with injuries. Another who signed a bumper deal as a teenager, Latu Fainu, has also had a bad run with injuries.

Daine Laurie had speed but was more suited to the No. 14 role off the bench, something he is proving this year at the Raiders, while Jock Madden is reliable, but his pay packet indicates he is seen as a back-up player.

Benji Marshall fronted the media this week.Kate Geraghty
Galvin could have been anything, and may well still be, but his management dropped the bottom lip when Marshall mentioned how the local junior had the potential to also pack into the back row. Months after the club signed Luai, Galvin was off to Belmore, ending months of speculation over his future.

The PNG Chiefs did not exist when the Tigers opened the chequebook for Luai. Nor did the Chiefs’ tax concessions – and certainly not their favourable third-party agreements – which in Luai’s case will reportedly soar as high as $3m, tax-free, over four years.

Luai is the closest thing the Tigers have had to Marshall. He has the swagger, the marketability, confidence in front of the camera, and an enormous appetite to win.

Which is why the Luai news will take some time for Marshall to digest.

Marshall, 41 years young, will never be able to teach a playmaker how to produce one of his wicked steps, or how to play with instinct.

But how he sees the game, and how best to expose a defensive line, is priceless, and something the Tigers’ next generation of playmakers should never take for granted.

Marshall used to love jumping into opposed sessions, and would often make the NRL halves at the club look foolish. It was not his fault. It just happened.

As the club has slowly added depth to their squad, Marshall was happy to scale back his involvement.

Another perspective​

• Opinion
• NRL 2026

There’s no Sweet Caroline at the Wests Tigers, the team still looking for a home​

• 
  
  Neil Breen
  National sports editor

If the mail is right, the next playmaker in waiting will be Queenslander Javon Andrews, a lovely mover whose career almost ended a few years ago when he cannoned head-first into an upright during a game.

Should the Tigers lose their next few games, including against Galvin’s Bulldogs on Saturday night, they will be headed for a 15th straight year without playing finals football. Expect Andrews to be given a crack if this occurs.

In an ideal world, Andrews would wear the No.7 next year, and Doueihi would play at five-eighth.

Marshall only wants to see the Tigers succeed. He is signed until the end of 2030. He is still new to coaching, and learning on the run. But he is also a family man, and can only cope with so many setbacks.

Tigers chief executive Shaun Mielekamp is backing Marshall to hang around for the long haul.

“Everything I see from Benji, how hungry he is, how humble he is, and how smart he is, it’s a true testament to the quality he brings to our club, which is why we’ve backed him for the long term,” Mielekamp said on Friday.

“We believe in him. We’re all part of the one family moving forward.”

Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.

 

[HUNT 101]

Reminds me of Benji, 09-11.
Gees he combines well with Latu.

🐯💪

Definitely Has a sniff of Benji about him, keen to see him play NRL with the big boys.Just hope we don't blood him give him 3 year contract and then he heads back the Qld .. Broncos, Dolphins or Cowboys

 

[tiger_one]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

These are trash articles.
The first by Kate Kate Geraghty has so-called statistics but NO quote from anyone, just a rambling fantasy going from Tim Sheens to his time a s player and of course, the now-mandatory rehash of Luai leaving.
Nothing new.
Clickbait only.
But nothing to boost our club - just places us up against the wall as the easy target.

Then there's Neil Breen.
Nine Newspapers - Head of Sport.
Here there's 100% agenda, and again not in any way pro-Wests Tigers.
An impartial reader would expect more.
Easy fodder, we are.
And just more click bait.

For goodness sake, I really hope our boys turn this season around, against all odds.

Only winning will shut this media crap up.

 

[EllisFan]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

These are trash articles.
The first by Kate Kate Geraghty has so-called statistics but NO quote from anyone, just a rambling fantasy going from Tim Sheens to his time a s player and of course, the now-mandatory rehash of Luai leaving.
Nothing new.
Clickbait only.
But nothing to boost our club - just places us up against the wall as the easy target.

Then there's Neil Breen.
Nine Newspapers - Head of Sport.
Here there's 100% agenda, and again not in any way pro-Wests Tigers.
An impartial reader would expect more.
Easy fodder, we are.
And just more click bait.

For goodness sake, I really hope our boys turn this season around, against all odds.

Only winning will shut this media crap up.

We punted Richo

We decided we didn’t need Luai next year.

We bring this on ourselves. As Benji said.

 

[stevied]

Its geo political and nothing to do with rugby league. The nrl is nothing but a pawn.

No, no, no. Douehi is not a half. He is a talented runner but a ball hog and you can't have a ball hog at 6 or 7. Luai is gone so it has to be Latu and Andrews at half and five eighth next year. I'd have Latu at 7 the rest of 26 as a dress rehearsal for 27 or, otherwise, as others have suggested, have Andrews and him working on combinations in Cup. We have to stop stuffing him around. He's being paid good money to play 6 or 7 and it's time the hooker or lock sub nonsense stopped. The path has been cleared. Play him.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

We punted Richo

We decided we didn’t need Luai next year.

We bring this on ourselves. As Benji said.

Who cares what the media think of Luai going, it's a good thing for us, money freed up and we have enough halves.

Even some who are against it will flip if we can add some decent forward depth, a priority for next season.

 

[EllisFan]

Who cares what the media think of Luai going, it's a good thing for us, money freed up and we have enough halves.

Even some who are against it will flip if we can add some decent forward depth, a priority for next season.

Mate, we only started improving when we signed an elite half. You can’t just fill those jerseys with untried kids and makeshift players.

In my opinion we needed him here next year to help develop those kids.

 

[Bula]

You have to wonder how much more Benji Marshall can take before he starts to contemplate pulling the pin on the Wests Tigers.

Now that would be a disaster for the club.

Benji Marshall discusses the impending departure of Jarome Luai on Tuesday.Kate Geraghty
Marshall does not need the stress or the money. He is the unofficial mayor of Canada Bay. He could easily spend his days hitting the ball around Concord Golf Club, and maybe even lowering his impressive handicap of three.

Yet here he was again this week having to answer the hard questions about Jarome Luai and why the decision was made to set him free at the end of the year.

Marshall had a front-row seat to the early exit of coach Tim Sheens, the ongoing boardroom dramas, the Lachie Galvin soap opera, and the sudden departure of his good friend and confidant Shane Richardson at the end of last season – but the Luai split would have stung the most.

Why? Because Marshall knew he had finally found the long-term playmaker the club had craved since “King Benji” hung up the boots.

Wests Tigers halves pairings since the middle of July 2022​

1. Adam Doueihi and Luke Brooks;
2. Adam Doueihi and Jock Madden;
3. Brandon Wakeham and Luke Brooks;
4. Starford To’a and Brandon Wakeham;
5. Daine Laurie and Brandon Wakeham;
6. Will Smith and Brandon Wakeham;
7. Daine Laurie and Luke Brooks;
8. Daine Laurie and Apisai Koroisau;
9. Daine Laurie and Will Smith;
10. Lachlan Galvin and Jayden Sullivan;
11. Lachlan Galvin and Aidan Sezer;
12. Jayden Sullivan and Aidan Sezer;
13. Aidan Sezer and Apisai Koroisau;
14. Lachlan Galvin and Apisai Koroisau;
15. Lachlan Galvin and Latu Fainu;
16. Lachlan Galvin and Jarome Luai;
17. Jarome Luai and Adam Doueihi;
18. Heath Mason and Jarome Luai;
19. Apisai Koroisau and Latu Fainu;
20. Adam Doueihi and Latu Fainu;
21. Jarome Luai and Latu Fainu;
22. Jarome Luai and Jock Madden.

*Statistics provided by David Middleton
It is hard to believe it was this corresponding week four years ago the Tigers put out a press release confirming Sheens would return as head coach, before stepping aside for his apprentice Marshall. “It’s a great day for our club,” former chief executive Justin Pascoe said at the time.

Since then, the Tigers have used 22 different halves combinations. It is the most of any NRL club.

According to rugby league statistician David Middleton, South Sydney and Newcastle have used 20 halves pairings during that same period, followed by Penrith with 19.

It is a shame the Tigers’ greatest playmaker is being forced to search again for his heir apparent.

Jarome Luai trains with his Tigers teammates on Thursday.Steven Siewert
Luke Brooks had potential, but hung around more than a decade before realising he needed new scenery, so packed his bags (and barbecue, which was given to him as a farewell gift by the Tigers) and chased the salty air over at Manly.

Players like Will Smith, Aidan Sezer and Jayden Sullivan were all appointed before Marshall was in a position of power. The trio tried hard, but weren’t the solution.

Adam Doueihi remains the pick of the bunch, but has struggled with injuries. Another who signed a bumper deal as a teenager, Latu Fainu, has also had a bad run with injuries.

Daine Laurie had speed but was more suited to the No. 14 role off the bench, something he is proving this year at the Raiders, while Jock Madden is reliable, but his pay packet indicates he is seen as a back-up player.

Benji Marshall fronted the media this week.Kate Geraghty
Galvin could have been anything, and may well still be, but his management dropped the bottom lip when Marshall mentioned how the local junior had the potential to also pack into the back row. Months after the club signed Luai, Galvin was off to Belmore, ending months of speculation over his future.

The PNG Chiefs did not exist when the Tigers opened the chequebook for Luai. Nor did the Chiefs’ tax concessions – and certainly not their favourable third-party agreements – which in Luai’s case will reportedly soar as high as $3m, tax-free, over four years.

Luai is the closest thing the Tigers have had to Marshall. He has the swagger, the marketability, confidence in front of the camera, and an enormous appetite to win.

Which is why the Luai news will take some time for Marshall to digest.

Marshall, 41 years young, will never be able to teach a playmaker how to produce one of his wicked steps, or how to play with instinct.

But how he sees the game, and how best to expose a defensive line, is priceless, and something the Tigers’ next generation of playmakers should never take for granted.

Marshall used to love jumping into opposed sessions, and would often make the NRL halves at the club look foolish. It was not his fault. It just happened.

As the club has slowly added depth to their squad, Marshall was happy to scale back his involvement.

Another perspective​

• Opinion
• NRL 2026

There’s no Sweet Caroline at the Wests Tigers, the team still looking for a home​

• 
  
  Neil Breen
  National sports editor

If the mail is right, the next playmaker in waiting will be Queenslander Javon Andrews, a lovely mover whose career almost ended a few years ago when he cannoned head-first into an upright during a game.

Should the Tigers lose their next few games, including against Galvin’s Bulldogs on Saturday night, they will be headed for a 15th straight year without playing finals football. Expect Andrews to be given a crack if this occurs.

In an ideal world, Andrews would wear the No.7 next year, and Doueihi would play at five-eighth.

Marshall only wants to see the Tigers succeed. He is signed until the end of 2030. He is still new to coaching, and learning on the run. But he is also a family man, and can only cope with so many setbacks.

Tigers chief executive Shaun Mielekamp is backing Marshall to hang around for the long haul.

“Everything I see from Benji, how hungry he is, how humble he is, and how smart he is, it’s a true testament to the quality he brings to our club, which is why we’ve backed him for the long term,” Mielekamp said on Friday.

“We believe in him. We’re all part of the one family moving forward.”

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If Breen was a human he would James Graham but without the class.

 

[Odessa]

No, no, no. Douehi is not a half. He is a talented runner but a ball hog and you can't have a ball hog at 6 or 7. Luai is gone so it has to be Latu and Andrews at half and five eighth next year. I'd have Latu at 7 the rest of 26 as a dress rehearsal for 27 or, otherwise, as others have suggested, have Andrews and him working on combinations in Cup. We have to stop stuffing him around. He's being paid good money to play 6 or 7 and it's time the hooker or lock sub nonsense stopped. The path has been cleared. Play him.

I think we should start 27 with Latu at 7 and Andrews at 6 AD at 13 or centre and just wear the results it can not be worse than this year and then go for top 8 in 28

And if we can pick up a prop who can make his tackles make 100 metres a game and come off the bench and someone like Jesse Arthars who can cover wing fullback and centre not a world beater but can do a job we are set for next year

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Mate, we only started improving when we signed an elite half. You can’t just fill those jerseys with untried kids and makeshift players.

In my opinion we needed him here next year to help develop those kids.

Elite half in Luai, man you can't be serious, he only played a handful of useful games for us and our best wins were when he wasn't playing start of the season.

We will miss his defense out wide he's a good defender but he has been far from elite for us, for mine one of the young fellas will fill the hole he leaves behind.