Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Wests Tigers roster overhaul continues as CEO confirms incoming signings​


Resigned to losing Lachlan Galvin at the end of 2026, Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson has confirmed that the club have signed players from rival teams as they begin to prepare for next season.

Since taking over from Justin Pascoe and Lee Hagipantelis, Richardson has been incredible in attempting to rebuild the club's roster after three consecutive wooden spoons in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Already bringing in Jack Bird, Jeral Skelton, Royce Hunt, Sunia Turuva and Terrell May into the club, Richardson is set to announce the club's newest signings in the coming weeks.

Speaking on James Graham's The Bye Round, the Tigers CEO confirmed that over the next two to three weeks, the club will announce new signings who are currently outside the club's roster.

At the time of publication, the club have eight spots left on their Top 30 roster for next season (Tony Sukkar has an option in his contract).

"We've got money and we've got an idea of what exactly what we need to make the team stronger," Richardson said.

"We're in the marketplace and we'll make announcements over the next two or three weeks about the players we've signed or otherwise which will be exciting for the club.” (MSN)


Wests Tigers 2026 Best 17 and Squad

1. Jahream Bula 2. Jeral Skelton 3. Heamasi Makasini 4. Starford To'a 5. Sunia Turuva 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Fonua Pole 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Terrell May 11. Alex Seyfarth 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Alex Twal

Interchange14. Tallyn Da Silva15. Sione Fainu16. Royce Hunt17. Jack Bird

Rest of squad 18. Jayden Sullivan 19. Kit Laulilii 20. Solomone Saukuru 21. Luke Laulilii 22. Latu Fainu 23. No player signed.

24. No player signed.

25. No player signed.

26. No player signed.

27. No player signed.

28. No player signed.

29. No player signed.

30. No player signed.

Roster spots open: 8

2026 development list 1. Lachlan Broederlow2. Christian Taupau-Moors3. Jared Haywood
 
Rock Hopper Steve said:
Nice post Jolls in fact your footy IQ is killing me, have nothing to add to improve.
As for Seyfarths's position I have a gut feeling one of the signings that Richo was talking about will be right side 2RF, our weakness points to that.
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No real footy IQ; just moved around a lot and played two codes of footy at the same time in a number of different systems. Also exposed to playing and coaching in the UK and US, so was exposed to some different thinking and different systems. The game itself is pretty simple but the way the game has developed and players are selected is more about size, strength and physical attributes as opposed to skill. I shake my head at times when I see guys playing FG that can't do pretty basic stuff.

I am still not off the fence on Benji's coaching ability because of our right edge issue. I'm not sure if Benji has been taking a longer term approach to his development by allowing him to play his natural game of if he is being tutored in the finer skills of being a 5/8 and can't execute it yet on the paddock. Despite what the pundits are saying about Galvin - I wouldn't be paying him on potential yet. He may develop given time; but, the limited exposure I have had to Latu with the ball I know that he already understands how to manipulate the defence with ball in hand for his support players.

The ability of a hooker and a half to influence the opposition defensive structure can't be underestimated. They are the base from where all of the attack stems. At the moment Galvin's not doing the basics and despite his energy and doing plenty of things right and has some excellent traits - I have a gut feel that a fit and firing Latu will be a better long term solution for us.
 
Wests Tigers Podcast Forum saying a rumour from Facebook reporting souths are chasing Seyfarth, he just extended, sounds like the usual Facebook rubbish make of it what you will.
 
tigerfan59 said:
Sorry if this has already been mentioned.Daily telegraph reporting the Sharks got an apology from the NRL because they should have been awarded a golden point penalty because the ref and the bunker did pick up Alex Seyfarth was not square.Nobody cares when the same stuff happens to us every week
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Terrell May wasn't square either but as said, refs almost never police this.

My opinion is actually to do away with GP, it causes more angst and trouble than it provides in entertainment. It's great for non-aligned fans and terrible for anyone with a stake in the outcome.
 
Jolls said:
No real footy IQ; just moved around a lot and played two codes of footy at the same time in a number of different systems. Also exposed to playing and coaching in the UK and US, so was exposed to some different thinking and different systems. The game itself is pretty simple but the way the game has developed and players are selected is more about size, strength and physical attributes as opposed to skill. I shake my head at times when I see guys playing FG that can't do pretty basic stuff.

I am still not off the fence on Benji's coaching ability because of our right edge issue. I'm not sure if Benji has been taking a longer term approach to his development by allowing him to play his natural game of if he is being tutored in the finer skills of being a 5/8 and can't execute it yet on the paddock. Despite what the pundits are saying about Galvin - I wouldn't be paying him on potential yet. He may develop given time; but, the limited exposure I have had to Latu with the ball I know that he already understands how to manipulate the defence with ball in hand for his support players.

The ability of a hooker and a half to influence the opposition defensive structure can't be underestimated. They are the base from where all of the attack stems. At the moment Galvin's not doing the basics and despite his energy and doing plenty of things right and has some excellent traits - I have a gut feel that a fit and firing Latu will be a better long term solution for us.
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I think Latu is the better player he's quicker and plays more direct for a start, if he could just stay on the bloody paddock for a while he could prove it.

Agree on Galvin for me let him go to Parra in 26 and try to improve his game there if they are capable of doing it, give the priority to Latu at 5/8 if for the rest of this season he can stay fit, if he can't, make Galvin see out the rest of his contract.
 
Jolls said:
While I agree that there are better players out there that we should be looking at he is what we have. The problem is that Galvin isn't using him right. If Seyfarth can't make holes you have to put him in them and that my friend is the responsibility of the playmaker.

Galvin is not an edge, but when he swings around off Luai, Luia straightens the play to engage the inside shoulder of a defender and then the pass is held up long enough for Galvin to hit the gap to try an enable a break/half break or offload. If you look at the first try agaisnt Cronulla last week it was done perfectly - the defender turns in as he straightens, Galvin gets hit as he hits the line and the ball is passed to Sam F in the clear. This doesn't happen on the other edge.

So what should be happening, to support Seyfarth to support him, is either:
  • Galvin straightens/right foot step to engage the inside shoulder of the defender and dig into the line delivering the ball flat, at the ad line; or
  • Seyfarth is deeper and given a target to run at (eg opposition 5/8) and Galvin shifts the player left; or right by fading/step and delivers an off the hip pop to put him into the gap; or
  • uses Seyfarth as decoy and fires a face ball or double pump to give Toa more time; or
  • at worst case, if there are no options, he delivers the ball early so Seyfarth can be monstered by his larger opposition (ie do what he is doing now).
This is a shared problem on that edge. Seyfarth may not be running the best lines, or have his timing quite right, but at the same time Galvin isn't doing his job of creating options for him. If Galvin wants the big $ for being a playmaker he needs to be doing the basics of his role for his edge.

I'll give him credit; he is giving his outside backs good ball but they are making the most of it mainly through their strength and skill not though Galvin's cunning. He is also all over the park - but I would prefer more quality from him than quantity. He still has a lot to learn before he is worth anywhere near $1M a season. He will only get the money based on potential - not output.
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Seyfarth knows how to run the lines as we have seen, it is the halves issue to draw in the defender and put them through. I look forward to when Latu is back and we can see him do more of the below.

Yes he did wrong foot Brooks for those who want to keep laying the slipper in , however Brooks was not a bad defender

1746159704770.png
 
rihannafan1 said:
He loves the Tigers though and he's starting. Unless we've signed Nanai, then I think he'd be competing with any other recruit until proven otherwise, Pearce-Paul included. I'd be surprised if Souths were offering him a lot more than what he is on either.
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Seyfarth has demonstrated that he is a loyal player. If a player has been signed, Seyfarth is the type to stay and compete for the position. That is the type of player he has demonstrated to be at WTs. Importantly, I believe Marshall and Co value him as a strong team member and would not release him.
 
Tiger_Fanatic3 said:

Wests Tigers roster overhaul continues as CEO confirms incoming signings​


Resigned to losing Lachlan Galvin at the end of 2026, Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson has confirmed that the club have signed players from rival teams as they begin to prepare for next season.

Since taking over from Justin Pascoe and Lee Hagipantelis, Richardson has been incredible in attempting to rebuild the club's roster after three consecutive wooden spoons in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Already bringing in Jack Bird, Jeral Skelton, Royce Hunt, Sunia Turuva and Terrell May into the club, Richardson is set to announce the club's newest signings in the coming weeks.

Speaking on James Graham's The Bye Round, the Tigers CEO confirmed that over the next two to three weeks, the club will announce new signings who are currently outside the club's roster.

At the time of publication, the club have eight spots left on their Top 30 roster for next season (Tony Sukkar has an option in his contract).

"We've got money and we've got an idea of what exactly what we need to make the team stronger," Richardson said.

"We're in the marketplace and we'll make announcements over the next two or three weeks about the players we've signed or otherwise which will be exciting for the club.” (MSN)


Wests Tigers 2026 Best 17 and Squad

1. Jahream Bula 2. Jeral Skelton 3. Heamasi Makasini 4. Starford To'a 5. Sunia Turuva 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Fonua Pole 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Terrell May 11. Alex Seyfarth 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Alex Twal

Interchange14. Tallyn Da Silva15. Sione Fainu16. Royce Hunt17. Jack Bird

Rest of squad 18. Jayden Sullivan 19. Kit Laulilii 20. Solomone Saukuru 21. Luke Laulilii 22. Latu Fainu 23. No player signed.

24. No player signed.

25. No player signed.

26. No player signed.

27. No player signed.

28. No player signed.

29. No player signed.

30. No player signed.

Roster spots open: 8

2026 development list 1. Lachlan Broederlow2. Christian Taupau-Moors3. Jared Haywood
Click to expand...
First time in a long time the squad looks very streamlined, could argue that Bud Sullivan and Solomone are still a bit of deadwood, but still 2 out of 30 aint bad.
You would think that Doueihi gets a new deal, Sukkar probably as well. So in reality, probably 6 spots to fill with fringe or genuine first graders from other teams.
Ideally 3 more experienced and 3 younger with more upside.
There's a heap of 2nd rowers on the market would look to jag 2 of them, a spare middle or two, a gun outside back or two, and a utility.
 
AdelaideTiger said:
First time in a long time the squad looks very streamlined, could argue that Bud Sullivan and Solomone are still a bit of deadwood, but still 2 out of 30 aint bad.
You would think that Doueihi gets a new deal, Sukkar probably as well. So in reality, probably 6 spots to fill with fringe or genuine first graders from other teams.
Ideally 3 more experienced and 3 younger with more upside.
There's a heap of 2nd rowers on the market would look to jag 2 of them, a spare middle or two, a gun outside back or two, and a utility.
Click to expand...
Makasini takes a spot
 
Rock Hopper Steve said:
I think Latu is the better player he's quicker and plays more direct for a start, if he could just stay on the bloody paddock for a while he could prove it.

Agree on Galvin for me let him go to Parra in 26 and try to improve his game there if they are capable of doing it, give the priority to Latu at 5/8 if for the rest of this season he can stay fit, if he can't, make Galvin see out the rest of his contract.
Click to expand...
Or let him go to anyone but parra. I mean why make our competitor for the top juniors stronger. Make them wait and potentially miss out , and hopefully have a dreadful 2026 season
 
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