Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

TigerSJ said:
Looking at the players/positions we are currently lacking to make up a “complete” team -

Wing - we need at least 1 quality finisher, speed, size, aerial ability, strength. Two would be better.

Centre- we have a few options although none are really top notch, but we probably need some time to sort this position out within our current group. Olam, if remaining fit, obviously takes one spot.

Edge - need to bring in a big strong hard running mobile player of the level that the top teams have to complement our current pack. These guys are creating so many attacking opportunities in those teams. We are producing nothing in that area. Perhaps Sam F will develop here.

Lock- i can see us finding a solution here from within. There are a few possibilities and we need time for them to develop. In a year or two I reckon Latu will fill out even more and has the perfect skill set.

Front row- Pole, Twal, Uto, Klem. We need to bring in one more prop who is big, tough and angry. This guy would start instead of Klem.

IMO these are the glaring gaps that need filling for us to be a top 4 contender. It’s recruitment of 4-5 quality players. Not easy I realise, but we have to start somewhere. Identify one player and move on him, then as long as we keep developing as a team and showing the marketplace that we are a team building towards something big, then other quality players will see us as a viable club.
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Good analysis @TigerSJ , agree with all of that.

I think with the front row, Benji will see how this season unfolds with the likes of Sione Fainu, Chris Faagutu, Jordan Miller, even Tony Sukkar and our Jersey Flegg guys Aho & Herman. We may end up having enough from within.

No doubt we need a winger that possesses speed, strength & aerial ability. Early days but don't think either Lobb or Alaimalo are NRL standard. Hopefully 19yo Navren Willett makes it, not sure how fast he is though.

The two that I'd love us to go for are James Schiller (off-contract) from the Raiders or Sam Stonestreet from the Sharks (stuck behind Mulitalo & Katoa).
 
TigerSJ said:
Looking at the players/positions we are currently lacking to make up a “complete” team -

Wing - we need at least 1 quality finisher, speed, size, aerial ability, strength. Two would be better.

Centre- we have a few options although none are really top notch, but we probably need some time to sort this position out within our current group. Olam, if remaining fit, obviously takes one spot.

Edge - need to bring in a big strong hard running mobile player of the level that the top teams have to complement our current pack. These guys are creating so many attacking opportunities in those teams. We are producing nothing in that area. Perhaps Sam F will develop here.

Lock- i can see us finding a solution here from within. There are a few possibilities and we need time for them to develop. In a year or two I reckon Latu will fill out even more and has the perfect skill set.

Front row- Pole, Twal, Uto, Klem. We need to bring in one more prop who is big, tough and angry. This guy would start instead of Klem.

IMO these are the glaring gaps that need filling for us to be a top 4 contender. It’s recruitment of 4-5 quality players. Not easy I realise, but we have to start somewhere. Identify one player and move on him, then as long as we keep developing as a team and showing the marketplace that we are a team building towards something big, then other quality players will see us as a viable club.
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Richo has previously said they have 80% of the team they want going forward. He has also addressed we need an outside back or two. Obviously short on 2nd rowers. I would hope the 4-6 players they bring in to 'finalise' the team they want moving forward will all be upgrades.
 
teddy23 said:
Alofiana Khan-Pereria dropped this week and apparently getting on the bad side of Des.

They need some halves more than anybody in the competition….. maybe Des would listen to a Sullivan for Khan-Pereria swap with Foran extremely close to retirement and Tannah Boyd seeming to be a massive liability.

Hasn’t played that well to start the year but when you’re a winger and your forwards are getting rolled through the middle it’s hard to make an impact.

In 23 games in his rookie season he scored 20 tries……. I’d personally at least reach out.
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Great idea...how can we get this inside Benjis ear?..Sullivan is definately excess stock for 2025
 
tigermate said:
Lol

Cam murray makes like 50 tackles a game.

You think he wants or should do that with his talent? Listen to his interviews - “I want to play 6”.

He wanted to leave bc we bought too many halves ! He wasn’t thinking great I’ll move to 13.

He’s favorite player he models himself on is Munster - a 6.

We’ve basically got Munster in jack wightons body - and everyone wants to shift him lol.

Galvin is a better ball player than Sutton and yeo and Murray - and probably if we had him in the team against the dolphins we win he’s that good.

Playing in the middle of the ruck is a waste.

I get everyone wanting to fit everyone in the team but he’ll leave

Someone will offer him the chance to play 6 for $1m a year and he’ll go.

Lucky Richo and Benji aren’t as short sighted as people here
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Reminds me of "Tedesco to the left centre???:cry:" idea a few people supported when he was with the WT.
 
bbobb said:
I like Galvin at 5/8 and would keep him there. Rarely have I seen an 18 year old so composed. His footy nous and maturity are outstanding.
As an 18 year old however is still growing physically and will fill out and put more weight on especially with weights programs etc. I have noted that he is not blessed with blinding speed and that may change his position in the future but that would 3 seasons plus.
I would leave him for the moment and hopefully continue his extraordinary progress.
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I betcha by the start of next season Galvin will have put on 10+KGs in size .. and that will be basically in muscle weight.
 
weststigers said:
Seyfarth and Doueihi? Doueihi can't even defend.
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He's had some bad injuries which makes him vulnerable at centre and edges against fast outside backs because he's slower. In the middle he can focus on tackling slower middles and also act as an extra ballplayer. I think he could succeed there
 
supercoach said:
Can’t see it myself, I think knowing Moses he will want get the kid to the open market ASAP and that is when his current contract expires. Our big hope is in the meantime young Galvin develops a strong bond within the group and a strong bond with the club. Similar to what the Penrith kids developed.

Anyway I guess who knows what’s going to happen
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What Moses wants is largely irrelevant. He won't let his client be undervalued, sure, but just because an agent wants one thing doesn't mean that's where the buck stops. If the player and family want something else then Moses will do it, or they'll sack him.

Currently the kid will earn about $600k over the next 3 years, if he's still playing well with no injuries by about round 20 then we'd look to upgrade him to for the remaining time on his contract plus an extra year or two. He could then get $2-3 million over 4 years. That's an incentive to re-sign sooner rather than later
 
Just a recap of our contracted player position into next season:

ON CONTRACT - 25 players from 20 players currently in top 30 + 5 players currently on Dev or T&T deals (Faagutu, Kit Laulilii, Saukuru, Sukkar & Luke Laulilii)

OFF CONTRACT - Utoikamanu & Sezer (mutual options for 25), Tumeth (player option for 25), Kepaoa, Simpkin, Tupou, Sione Fainu, Doueihi, Alaimalo, Faataape (dev deal)

Out of those off contract, Utoikamanu, Sezer, Fainu & Faataape (upgrade), have the best chance of staying. If Sezer was to go around for another season as a back-up half, it would have to mean Bud Sullivan is let go.

That would take our stocks to 28 players.

Given the positions of the off contract players departing, upgraded dev guys and our current weaknesses in the roster, it is most likely we'd look to an:
  • Winger
  • 2nd Row/Utility
It still leaves us short in the hooker ranks with only Api & TDS as out-and-out hookers with Sezer possibly a utility option. Or we add a Bailey Hodges as a development player.

What this doesn't factor in are those on-contract players that are tapped on the shoulder & given the opportunity to explore other options. Aside from Bud, I'm thinking one of T'oa or Naden could be in the firing line (most likely T'oa as another club would snap him up & Naden does bring experience & versatility).
 
TigerSJ said:
Looking at the players/positions we are currently lacking to make up a “complete” team -

Wing - we need at least 1 quality finisher, speed, size, aerial ability, strength. Two would be better.

Centre- we have a few options although none are really top notch, but we probably need some time to sort this position out within our current group. Olam, if remaining fit, obviously takes one spot.

Edge - need to bring in a big strong hard running mobile player of the level that the top teams have to complement our current pack. These guys are creating so many attacking opportunities in those teams. We are producing nothing in that area. Perhaps Sam F will develop here.

Lock- i can see us finding a solution here from within. There are a few possibilities and we need time for them to develop. In a year or two I reckon Latu will fill out even more and has the perfect skill set.

Front row- Pole, Twal, Uto, Klem. We need to bring in one more prop who is big, tough and angry. This guy would start instead of Klem.

IMO these are the glaring gaps that need filling for us to be a top 4 contender. It’s recruitment of 4-5 quality players. Not easy I realise, but we have to start somewhere. Identify one player and move on him, then as long as we keep developing as a team and showing the marketplace that we are a team building towards something big, then other quality players will see us as a viable club.
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I think Klem will be a bit old by 2026 despite his great form recently. Hoping that we have a promising forward coming through who can help Stef. If Stef makes origin this year it would be huge for his confidence and being a forward leader once Klemmer departs
 
weststigers said:
Dude, you pasted me for saying Luai could fill 13 if we needed to fit Luai, Latu and Galvin into the same team and you come up with that?
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Soz.

I’m too busy being Tito to remember your lame idea. Obviously got under your skin though somehow.

Cool story. None of them are 7s. Fail.
 
Tito Santana said:
Soz.

I’m too busy being Tito to remember your lame idea. Obviously got under your skin though somehow.

Cool story. None of them are 7s. Fail.
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Don't give yourself so much credit to get under my skin. Just pointing out your hypocrisy.

"Lame", "Cool story", ï got under your skin", "Fail". What are you a teenage girl? Man up a little son.
 
rugbygoated said:
He's had some bad injuries which makes him vulnerable at centre and edges against fast outside backs because he's slower. In the middle he can focus on tackling slower middles and also act as an extra ballplayer. I think he could succeed there
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Let's be honest. None of us have seen him defends in the middle. The only way we know is if he gets a shot there in state cup.

I agree that in theory, his running game and size would be ideal for 13.
 
AmericanHistoryX said:
Wests Tigers i like your thinking
13. Luai, 7. Fainu 6. Galvin. Only if Luai can tackle.
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Luai will go on strike if we play him as a 13.
Out of the three Latu Fainu is the most likely to be able to play as a 13 anytime soon, but I can’t imagine him being happy about taking on that position full time.
I think the only scenario that might work is playing Fainu as a 14 and letting he and Galvin share the 6 and 13 role for parts of each game. Would be unfair on them and the team to make any 18/19 year old 5/8 to start or play full games at 13.
 
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