2025 Recruits and Team Depth: Expectations, Predictions & Key Positions.

I agree wholeheartedly that we could do with bolstering in the forwards and I have no doubt that work is being done to try and move players on the free up top 30 positions. However, it doesn't matter if we free up roster positions or not as we will still be making do with 90% of the pack we currently have.

While our pack didn't perform well in 2024 you can't lay the entire problem at their feet. The ability of our back five to get us moving forward combined with our inability to have the opposition starting sets on their line meant we were on the back foot most of the time in most games.

While many on here have been focussed on complaining about how poor our pack has been those with the reigns have been focussed on bolstering our backs. Why is that?

My expectation is that we already have 90% of the ingredients we need to get to where we want to be in 2026. 2025 will be focussed on building on the foundational work, and correcting the glaring issues of 2024. Stef, Bateman and Klemmer were definitely underperforming for the cap they were was sucking in. I'm glad we didn't waste cap space and effort in trying to keep The Pillow. I think Bateman is already on the out and in my opinion Klemmer is servicable - but needs to put some beef back on.

ICE is definitely a loss; I doub't we buy a replacement of his calibre in so it has to be developed from within.

Putting aside potential player payouts/partial payouts there are individual and collective improvement that could have us bottom third to mid table with a focussed off season.

Without supplementation our forward pack won't be a force in 2025; but it could be well on the way to becoming one with the right development. I expect that the coaching staff tried to simplify our style of play and develop a more mobile pack for 2024. As a result we weren't able to win the collision or the ruck. This, combined with youth (lack of strength) and inexperience (poor execution/inability to go the distance) went hand in hand with the lack of yardage out of the back of the field to cruel us.

Our performance and coaching staff missed the mark last off season. Starting our defensive sets in the middle third of the field, as opposed to having teams work their way out from their red zone, was probably 60% of our problem, the other 40 was our defence (inexperience, size, skill and attitude). Our back three (five) need to punch us out of our half to enable the halves to have the opposition starting their defensive sets out of a corner.

If the backs can achieve that what should our pack be focussed on?

Klemmer - while overpaid for his current output his defence is crucial to our 2025 season. This off season he needs to get some bulk back so that he can win the collision more often. He isn't Yeo, so he needs to stop trying to ball play and get back to off loading post contact. Ball playing before the line isn't his strength. Get him back to basics and winning the contact and he will be serviceable for 2025.

Twal - he is a half price Klemmer. He has added some movement at the line over the last year or so. If he can stay injury free he is another key component in the defensive makeup of the team. He is worth keeping despite being a plodder. His defence will be an essential element to a successful 25. It would be great to see him develop some mongrel and leg drive - don't think it is in his nature though.

Hunt - he wasn't turning in big minutes for Cronulla - if we can build him up to do 15-20 before and after the break I think he may provide the go forward we need. I expect him to provide more than the Pillow did in the latter half of this season. That means we need to start and finish with Pole.

Pole - he needs to develop some mongrel to take his attack to the next level. He also needs to work on his defence in general to become a better (all round) middle. Pole has potential and should develop further this off season - his focus has to be on defence. I trust that we can extend Pole before 1 Nov.

The alternate option is get into the grind using Twal and Klemmer- my concern with this approach is the defensive lapses if we had Hunt and Pole in the middle at the same time. If Pole can pick up his lateral movement in defence over the off season we may get away with it.

Johannssen is my smokey. I think we should keep him on a T&T contract at the moment though, and keep him hungry. He came from no-where and was probably our best forward in a poor cup side. With a full off season and being around the FG squad week in week out we could have him in the run on side by the end of the season and a starter in 26. I would love to know what the club's plans are for him. The good thing is that he will be pushing for a permanant contract/FG spot - and will provide great depth. Has to be good for us.

Miller - not there yet in my book; however, if he can turn a bit of his puppy fat into lean muscle over the off season he will provide depth. He can learn his craft in cup and be ready for grade in 26/27. He has a lot of potential. If he knuckles down he could be the nucleus of our pack going forward. Big if - but worth putting the effort into. Needs to develp some mongrel as well as muscle!

Seyfarth really improved this season but is way too light for his frame size. If he can add a few kegs over the off season without losing too much mobility 2025 could be a break out year for him. His discipline also needs to improve - but if our kicking game picks up and we have more effort from some of the support players in defence he should be less frustrated. Him on the edge with Galvin could become a great combination. He is an effort player - if he can put on some beef and start to win the collision he could develop nicely. While not in the same class as Laim Martin he has the potential to be a similar style player; running lines that can be hit or kicked to behind the line and able to belt oppositon recievers or get up over them with his height. Seyfarth has potential if he can focus on the job at hand. He is a bit of a risk still - but a worthwhile experiment for 2025. I hope he becomes mates with Hunt in the gym over the off season.

Sam F. was voted our best for a reason. A full off season working on his strength/fitness and developing a combination with Luai could really unlock him. He is a keeper who needs to keep on doing what he is doing. He is already NRL quality and will improve. I trust that brotherly rivalry drives both him and Sione to greater heights this off season. He could also move into the middle rotation - but to do so we need to recruit a quality edge - I think I prefer him on the edge at the moment though.

Sione F. He is my priority to lock into a contract. He has really come along this season with the arrival of his siblings. Could simply be he is developing later, as most middles do. If he works hard on his strength and conditioning I could see him as a starter pushing Klemmer to Cup. He has a bit of work to do to get there but by seasons end that is where I want to see him. He has as much potential as Sam F if he works hard.

I'm going to lump Bateman, Matamua, Sukkar, Faagutu, Tumeth and Laulilii into a bunch that are low hanging fruit to be moved on. I don't expect Bateman to come back, making way for Sione F. If he does come back one of the juniors must go - Sukkar or Tumeth would be my pick. I have no doubts that Richo has a prioritised list of contracts to pay out should the right players fall from the tree over the off season. I think we can also keep Porter on a T&T deal - he may still make it with another NRL pre season under his belt.

On paper, and current form, our currently contracted pack will not get us to any great heights; but I think our off/pre season will have a different focus. We were too lean this year and we started our sets in the wrong part of the field 90% of the time. If our backs can get us out of our end and our halves can turn the ball over to the opposition in the red zone with our edges breathing down their necks, and we start to win the collision and controlling the ruck by focussing on strength and wrestling technique we will start winning the close games. Recruit some real mongrel in 26 and we will give the place a shake.

I can see why Richo and Benji are keeping quiet; the pickings are pretty slim. I'm sure that if something falls from a tree we will be ready to pounce and I have no doubts that come 1 November we will be active in the player market. We have enough toilers that will hold their own - time to buy some mongrel.
 
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I agree wholeheartedly that we could do with bolstering in the forwards and I have no doubt that work is being done to try and move players on the free up top 30 positions. However, it doesn't matter if we free up roster positions or not as we will still be making do with 90% of the pack we currently have.

While our pack didn't perform well in 2024 you can't lay the entire problem at their feet. The ability of our back five to get us moving forward combined with our inability to have the opposition starting sets on their line meant we were on the back foot most of the time in most games.

While many on here have been focussed on complaining about how poor our pack has been those with the reigns have been focussed on bolstering our backs. Why is that?

My expectation is that we already have 90% of the ingredients we need to get to where we want to be in 2026. 2025 will be focussed on building on the foundational work, and correcting the glaring issues of 2024. Stef, Bateman and Klemmer were definitely underperforming for the cap they were was sucking in. I'm glad we didn't waste cap space and effort in trying to keep The Pillow. I think Bateman is already on the out and in my opinion Klemmer is servicable - but needs to put some beef back on.

ICE is definitely a loss; I doub't we buy a replacement of his calibre in so it has to be developed from within.

Putting aside potential player payouts/partial payouts there are individual and collective improvement that could have us bottom third to mid table with a focussed off season.

Without supplementation our forward pack won't be a force in 2025; but it could be well on the way to becoming one with the right development. I expect that the coaching staff tried to simplify our style of play and develop a more mobile pack for 2024. As a result we weren't able to win the collision or the ruck. This, combined with youth (lack of strength) and inexperience (poor execution/inability to go the distance) went hand in hand with the lack of yardage out of the back of the field to cruel us.

Our performance and coaching staff missed the mark last off season. Starting our defensive sets in the middle third of the field, as opposed to having teams work their way out from their red zone, was probably 60% of our problem, the other 40 was our defence (inexperience, size, skill and attitude). Our back three (five) need to punch us out of our half to enable the halves to have the opposition starting their defensive sets out of a corner.

If the backs can achieve that what should our pack be focussed on?

Klemmer - while overpaid for his current output his defence is crucial to our 2025 season. This off season he needs to get some bulk back so that he can win the collision more often. He isn't Yeo, so he needs to stop trying to ball play and get back to off loading post contact. Ball playing before the line isn't his strength. Get him back to basics and winning the contact and he will be serviceable for 2025.

Twal - he is a half price Klemmer. He has added some movement at the line over the last year or so. If he can stay injury free he is another key component in the defensive makeup of the team. He is worth keeping despite being a plodder. His defence will be an essential element to a successful 25. It would be great to see him develop some mongrel and leg drive - don't think it is in his nature though.

Hunt - he wasn't turning in big minutes for Cronulla - if we can build him up to do 15-20 before and after the break I think he may provide the go forward we need. I expect him to provide more than the Pillow did in the latter half of this season. That means we need to start and finish with Pole.

Pole - he needs to develop some mongrel to take his attack to the next level. He also needs to work on his defence in general to become a better (all round) middle. Pole has potential and should develop further this off season - his focus has to be on defence. I trust that we can extend Pole before 1 Nov.

The alternate option is get into the grind using Twal and Klemmer- my concern with this approach is the defensive lapses if we had Hunt and Pole in the middle at the same time. If Pole can pick up his lateral movement in defence over the off season we may get away with it.

Johannssen is my smokey. I think we should keep him on a T&T contract at the moment though, and keep him hungry. He came from no-where and was probably our best forward in a poor cup side. With a full off season and being around the FG squad week in week out we could have him in the run on side by the end of the season and a starter in 26. I would love to know what the club's plans are for him. The good thing is that he will be pushing for a permanant contract/FG spot - and will provide great depth. Has to be good for us.

Miller - not there yet in my book; however, if he can turn a bit of his puppy fat into lean muscle over the off season he will provide depth. He can learn his craft in cup and be ready for grade in 26/27. He has a lot of potential. If he knuckles down he could be the nucleus of our pack going forward. Big if - but worth putting the effort into. Needs to develp some mongrel as well as muscle!

Seyfarth really improved this season but is way too light for his frame size. If he can add a few kegs over the off season without losing too much mobility 2025 could be a break out year for him. His discipline also needs to improve - but if our kicking game picks up and we have more effort from some of the support players in defence he should be less frustrated. Him on the edge with Galvin could become a great combination. He is an effort player - if he can put on some beef and start to win the collision he could develop nicely. While not in the same class as Laim Martin he has the potential to be a similar style player; running lines that can be hit or kicked to behind the line and able to belt oppositon recievers or get up over them with his height. Seyfarth has potential if he can focus on the job at hand. He is a bit of a risk still - but a worthwhile experiment for 2025. I hope he becomes mates with Hunt in the gym over the off season.

Sam F. was voted our best for a reason. A full off season working on his strength/fitness and developing a combination with Luai could really unlock him. He is a keeper who needs to keep on doing what he is doing. He is already NRL quality and will improve. I trust that brotherly rivalry drives both him and Sione to greater heights this off season. He could also move into the middle rotation - but to do so we need to recruit a quality edge - I think I prefer him on the edge at the moment though.

Sione F. He is my priority to lock into a contract. He has really come along this season with the arrival of his siblings. Could simply be he is developing later, as most middles do. If he works hard on his strength and conditioning I could see him as a starter pushing Klemmer to Cup. He has a bit of work to do to get there but by seasons end that is where I want to see him. He has as much potential as Sam F if he works hard.

I'm going to lump Bateman, Matamua, Sukkar, Faagutu, Tumeth and Laulilii into a bunch that are low hanging fruit to be moved on. I don't expect Bateman to come back, making way for Sione F. If he does come back one of the juniors must go - Sukkar or Tumeth would be my pick. I have no doubts that Richo has a prioritised list of contracts to pay out should the right players fall from the tree over the off season. I think we can also keep Porter on a T&T deal - he may still make it with another NRL pre season under his belt.

On paper, and current form, our currently contracted pack will not get us to any great heights; but I think our off/pre season will have a different focus. We were too lean this year and we started our sets in the wrong part of the field 90% of the time. If our backs can get us out of our end and our halves can turn the ball over to the opposition in the red zone with our edges breathing down their necks, and we start to win the collision and controlling the ruck by focussing on strength and wrestling technique we will start winning the close games. Recruit some real mongrel in 26 and we will give the place a shake.

I can see why Richo and Benji are keeping quiet; the pickings are pretty slim. I'm sure that if something falls from a tree we will be ready to pounce and I have no doubts that come 1 November we will be active in the player market. We have enough toilers that will hold their own - time to buy some mongrel.
A couple of Titans backrow players are still available- Haas & Alick-Weinke.

If the club actually contemplated Sam Fainu in the middle, either or both of these guys on the edge could be an upgrade overall on the pack.

I think the key to developing the 'low hanging fruit' as you put it is to have genuine competition from NRL hardened vets in the KOE. Joe Stimson isn't a sexy pick-up, but he would bring the right mentality to have the likes of Fa'agutu, Lualili'i & Matamua fight for gametime, instead of handing it to them.

Twal at #13 might give the club the opportunity to play Pole alongside Klemmer & have Hunt & Sione Fainu on the bench- limiting the time Hunt & Pole are on the field together.
 
A couple of Titans backrow players are still available- Haas & Alick-Weinke.

If the club actually contemplated Sam Fainu in the middle, either or both of these guys on the edge could be an upgrade overall on the pack.

I think the key to developing the 'low hanging fruit' as you put it is to have genuine competition from NRL hardened vets in the KOE. Joe Stimson isn't a sexy pick-up, but he would bring the right mentality to have the likes of Fa'agutu, Lualili'i & Matamua fight for gametime, instead of handing it to them.

Twal at #13 might give the club the opportunity to play Pole alongside Klemmer & have Hunt & Sione Fainu on the bench- limiting the time Hunt & Pole are on the field together.
They are some good options, and the Sione Hunt/Pole Klemmer options are definitely workable. I would prefer that we pick up a ball playing 13 over the off season than use Twal - but he is a workable option - just not dynamic. The alternate is th use Bird in that role and have Twal pushing Sione for his spot.

Sione has some great footwork for a big fella so I'm not 100% on him being a middle; partnering his brother on the opposite edge could provide real threats on either side of the park. Undecided on that or middle though - it will depend on what the off season brings.

With Bird/another 13 swinging the attack around we will do OK on that side of the ball - provided Klemmer, Pole, Hunt and hopefully a mongrel signing can hold the middle (otherwise Sione/Twal). If Johannssen and Miller can have a big offseason and push hard in Cup we could have a real fight for positions in the middle towards the end of the season.

I think we are about a 13 and a middle with mongrel short right now. 100% on having the "low hanging fruit" fighting hard for a spot.

Add Tallyn subbing for Api so he's not playing 80 every week and I think we are well on the way to success.
 
I think it's important that the club builds enough squad strength that they do not rely on 'fringe' 1st graders to play regularly & that our KOE squad is populated with the 'fringe' guys as well as young development players.

In 2025, I'd say our genuine 1st grade players list would be:
Group A- 12 Players
Luia, Koroisau, Bula, Turuva, Olam, Bird, Pole, Hunt, Galvin, Klemmer, Bateman, Sam Fainu

Fringe on the 'positive' side: (Can be relied on- ascending players)
Group B- 7 Players (Sione Fainu maybe..)
Seyfarth, Twal, Latu Fainu, Skelton, Sione Fainu (*), Staines, Da Silva

Fringe on the 'negative' side: (Shouldn't be relied on- developing or regressing players)
Group C- 9 Players
Faataape, Doueihi, Naden, Sullivan, To'a, Luke Lualili'i, Heath Mason, Johannssen, Matamua

Developing or KOE Standard:
Group D- 14 Players (with others not named)
Kit Lualili'i, Fa'agutu, Miller, Porter, Sukkar, Tumeth, Saukuru, Makasini, Feledy, Lobb, Rahme, Tofaeono, Broederlow, Aho

What we DO NOT want is Group D to be rushed into 1st grade. These guys should be learning & developing & unless one has a break-out year, KOE & lower grades is where they should be. If they are in 1st grade next year- chances are, we are struggling.

Group C is the guys you call on in emergency. The stronger this group is, the better we are. If some of Group B was to be pushed into Group C- you start talking about a strong club. Ideally, we might see a couple of these guys through the year, either due to development or injury replacement. If ALL appear in 1st grade- we are probably having a bad year!

Groups A & B are your 1st team squad. We have 19 guys that I would consider 1st grade standard on a regular basis throughout the NRL. Ideally, that would be 21 players. If we could remove some Group C for a couple of Group A or B type players- we are probably talking about having a strong squad.

I think we are genuinely a stronger squad next season. A few of our Group D's played 1st grade last year. That is where we WERE.

If those guys can populate the KOE & lower next season & never see 1st grade- chances are- we are having a better year.
 
A couple of Titans backrow players are still available- Haas & Alick-Weinke.

If the club actually contemplated Sam Fainu in the middle, either or both of these guys on the edge could be an upgrade overall on the pack.

I think the key to developing the 'low hanging fruit' as you put it is to have genuine competition from NRL hardened vets in the KOE. Joe Stimson isn't a sexy pick-up, but he would bring the right mentality to have the likes of Fa'agutu, Lualili'i & Matamua fight for gametime, instead of handing it to them.

Twal at #13 might give the club the opportunity to play Pole alongside Klemmer & have Hunt & Sione Fainu on the bench- limiting the time Hunt & Pole are on the field together.
Thought that Haas had re-signed on the weekend .....could be wrong
 
I think it's important that the club builds enough squad strength that they do not rely on 'fringe' 1st graders to play regularly & that our KOE squad is populated with the 'fringe' guys as well as young development players.

In 2025, I'd say our genuine 1st grade players list would be:
Group A- 12 Players
Luia, Koroisau, Bula, Turuva, Olam, Bird, Pole, Hunt, Galvin, Klemmer, Bateman, Sam Fainu

Fringe on the 'positive' side: (Can be relied on- ascending players)
Group B- 7 Players (Sione Fainu maybe..)
Seyfarth, Twal, Latu Fainu, Skelton, Sione Fainu (*), Staines, Da Silva

Fringe on the 'negative' side: (Shouldn't be relied on- developing or regressing players)
Group C- 9 Players
Faataape, Doueihi, Naden, Sullivan, To'a, Luke Lualili'i, Heath Mason, Johannssen, Matamua

Developing or KOE Standard:
Group D- 14 Players (with others not named)
Kit Lualili'i, Fa'agutu, Miller, Porter, Sukkar, Tumeth, Saukuru, Makasini, Feledy, Lobb, Rahme, Tofaeono, Broederlow, Aho

What we DO NOT want is Group D to be rushed into 1st grade. These guys should be learning & developing & unless one has a break-out year, KOE & lower grades is where they should be. If they are in 1st grade next year- chances are, we are struggling.

Group C is the guys you call on in emergency. The stronger this group is, the better we are. If some of Group B was to be pushed into Group C- you start talking about a strong club. Ideally, we might see a couple of these guys through the year, either due to development or injury replacement. If ALL appear in 1st grade- we are probably having a bad year!

Groups A & B are your 1st team squad. We have 19 guys that I would consider 1st grade standard on a regular basis throughout the NRL. Ideally, that would be 21 players. If we could remove some Group C for a couple of Group A or B type players- we are probably talking about having a strong squad.

I think we are genuinely a stronger squad next season. A few of our Group D's played 1st grade last year. That is where we WERE.

If those guys can populate the KOE & lower next season & never see 1st grade- chances are- we are having a better year.
Completely agree

Your breakdown of ABCD grouping is pretty good for people to see the simplification of a squad tier. The glaring issue with the tigers has been a culture of no accountability. Play like shit...who cares, you get named next week. It has been 10-15 years of this culture ingrained throughout the entire joint at all levels. A whole generation + of players.

Your breakdown of 42 players
A-12
B-7
C-9
D-14

Shows there is still a problem but its much better than the previous decade. Richo has seen this problem and has made moves to fix the issue. Giving interviews saying our depth is an obvious problem he is trying to fix. Its no good going all out to sign a first grade team and have next to nobody with first grade ability from tier BCD to fill for inevitable injuries.

Using the same number of 42 youd really expect a top tier club to be sitting at
A-13
B-10
C-7
D-12

A and B should be ultra competitive for positions each week with the young'ens in D banging down the door.

C, all clubs have and thats the bracket that needs most focus, the smaller that salary cap wasting number of regressing/washed up Naden, Dud, Toa type players, the better the club is overall.

Tigers are on the right path, all the trust in the world in Richos plans.
 
I agree wholeheartedly that we could do with bolstering in the forwards and I have no doubt that work is being done to try and move players on the free up top 30 positions. However, it doesn't matter if we free up roster positions or not as we will still be making do with 90% of the pack we currently have.

While our pack didn't perform well in 2024 you can't lay the entire problem at their feet. The ability of our back five to get us moving forward combined with our inability to have the opposition starting sets on their line meant we were on the back foot most of the time in most games.

While many on here have been focussed on complaining about how poor our pack has been those with the reigns have been focussed on bolstering our backs. Why is that?

My expectation is that we already have 90% of the ingredients we need to get to where we want to be in 2026. 2025 will be focussed on building on the foundational work, and correcting the glaring issues of 2024. Stef, Bateman and Klemmer were definitely underperforming for the cap they were was sucking in. I'm glad we didn't waste cap space and effort in trying to keep The Pillow. I think Bateman is already on the out and in my opinion Klemmer is servicable - but needs to put some beef back on.

ICE is definitely a loss; I doub't we buy a replacement of his calibre in so it has to be developed from within.

Putting aside potential player payouts/partial payouts there are individual and collective improvement that could have us bottom third to mid table with a focussed off season.

Without supplementation our forward pack won't be a force in 2025; but it could be well on the way to becoming one with the right development. I expect that the coaching staff tried to simplify our style of play and develop a more mobile pack for 2024. As a result we weren't able to win the collision or the ruck. This, combined with youth (lack of strength) and inexperience (poor execution/inability to go the distance) went hand in hand with the lack of yardage out of the back of the field to cruel us.

Our performance and coaching staff missed the mark last off season. Starting our defensive sets in the middle third of the field, as opposed to having teams work their way out from their red zone, was probably 60% of our problem, the other 40 was our defence (inexperience, size, skill and attitude). Our back three (five) need to punch us out of our half to enable the halves to have the opposition starting their defensive sets out of a corner.

If the backs can achieve that what should our pack be focussed on?

Klemmer - while overpaid for his current output his defence is crucial to our 2025 season. This off season he needs to get some bulk back so that he can win the collision more often. He isn't Yeo, so he needs to stop trying to ball play and get back to off loading post contact. Ball playing before the line isn't his strength. Get him back to basics and winning the contact and he will be serviceable for 2025.

Twal - he is a half price Klemmer. He has added some movement at the line over the last year or so. If he can stay injury free he is another key component in the defensive makeup of the team. He is worth keeping despite being a plodder. His defence will be an essential element to a successful 25. It would be great to see him develop some mongrel and leg drive - don't think it is in his nature though.

Hunt - he wasn't turning in big minutes for Cronulla - if we can build him up to do 15-20 before and after the break I think he may provide the go forward we need. I expect him to provide more than the Pillow did in the latter half of this season. That means we need to start and finish with Pole.

Pole - he needs to develop some mongrel to take his attack to the next level. He also needs to work on his defence in general to become a better (all round) middle. Pole has potential and should develop further this off season - his focus has to be on defence. I trust that we can extend Pole before 1 Nov.

The alternate option is get into the grind using Twal and Klemmer- my concern with this approach is the defensive lapses if we had Hunt and Pole in the middle at the same time. If Pole can pick up his lateral movement in defence over the off season we may get away with it.

Johannssen is my smokey. I think we should keep him on a T&T contract at the moment though, and keep him hungry. He came from no-where and was probably our best forward in a poor cup side. With a full off season and being around the FG squad week in week out we could have him in the run on side by the end of the season and a starter in 26. I would love to know what the club's plans are for him. The good thing is that he will be pushing for a permanant contract/FG spot - and will provide great depth. Has to be good for us.

Miller - not there yet in my book; however, if he can turn a bit of his puppy fat into lean muscle over the off season he will provide depth. He can learn his craft in cup and be ready for grade in 26/27. He has a lot of potential. If he knuckles down he could be the nucleus of our pack going forward. Big if - but worth putting the effort into. Needs to develp some mongrel as well as muscle!

Seyfarth really improved this season but is way too light for his frame size. If he can add a few kegs over the off season without losing too much mobility 2025 could be a break out year for him. His discipline also needs to improve - but if our kicking game picks up and we have more effort from some of the support players in defence he should be less frustrated. Him on the edge with Galvin could become a great combination. He is an effort player - if he can put on some beef and start to win the collision he could develop nicely. While not in the same class as Laim Martin he has the potential to be a similar style player; running lines that can be hit or kicked to behind the line and able to belt oppositon recievers or get up over them with his height. Seyfarth has potential if he can focus on the job at hand. He is a bit of a risk still - but a worthwhile experiment for 2025. I hope he becomes mates with Hunt in the gym over the off season.

Sam F. was voted our best for a reason. A full off season working on his strength/fitness and developing a combination with Luai could really unlock him. He is a keeper who needs to keep on doing what he is doing. He is already NRL quality and will improve. I trust that brotherly rivalry drives both him and Sione to greater heights this off season. He could also move into the middle rotation - but to do so we need to recruit a quality edge - I think I prefer him on the edge at the moment though.

Sione F. He is my priority to lock into a contract. He has really come along this season with the arrival of his siblings. Could simply be he is developing later, as most middles do. If he works hard on his strength and conditioning I could see him as a starter pushing Klemmer to Cup. He has a bit of work to do to get there but by seasons end that is where I want to see him. He has as much potential as Sam F if he works hard.

I'm going to lump Bateman, Matamua, Sukkar, Faagutu, Tumeth and Laulilii into a bunch that are low hanging fruit to be moved on. I don't expect Bateman to come back, making way for Sione F. If he does come back one of the juniors must go - Sukkar or Tumeth would be my pick. I have no doubts that Richo has a prioritised list of contracts to pay out should the right players fall from the tree over the off season. I think we can also keep Porter on a T&T deal - he may still make it with another NRL pre season under his belt.

On paper, and current form, our currently contracted pack will not get us to any great heights; but I think our off/pre season will have a different focus. We were too lean this year and we started our sets in the wrong part of the field 90% of the time. If our backs can get us out of our end and our halves can turn the ball over to the opposition in the red zone with our edges breathing down their necks, and we start to win the collision and controlling the ruck by focussing on strength and wrestling technique we will start winning the close games. Recruit some real mongrel in 26 and we will give the place a shake.

I can see why Richo and Benji are keeping quiet; the pickings are pretty slim. I'm sure that if something falls from a tree we will be ready to pounce and I have no doubts that come 1 November we will be active in the player market. We have enough toilers that will hold their own - time to buy some mongrel.
Great write up , love it
 
A couple of Titans backrow players are still available- Haas & Alick-Weinke.

If the club actually contemplated Sam Fainu in the middle, either or both of these guys on the edge could be an upgrade overall on the pack.

I think the key to developing the 'low hanging fruit' as you put it is to have genuine competition from NRL hardened vets in the KOE. Joe Stimson isn't a sexy pick-up, but he would bring the right mentality to have the likes of Fa'agutu, Lualili'i & Matamua fight for gametime, instead of handing it to them.

Twal at #13 might give the club the opportunity to play Pole alongside Klemmer & have Hunt & Sione Fainu on the bench- limiting the time Hunt & Pole are on the field together.
STOP

Sam Fainu is going good on the edge.

What's the obsession with the middle? I get it, a middle try is nice and sneeky while an edge try is kinda normal.

We want Fainu to form a good pairing with the Wing, Center and both halves. When that happens they will know that an edge forward is around and ready to take a pass from them.

Don't go moving people around who are working. Move Twal/Hunt to 13 and use them around the center where that impact won't go missing.
 
I agree wholeheartedly that we could do with bolstering in the forwards and I have no doubt that work is being done to try and move players on the free up top 30 positions. However, it doesn't matter if we free up roster positions or not as we will still be making do with 90% of the pack we currently have.

While our pack didn't perform well in 2024 you can't lay the entire problem at their feet. The ability of our back five to get us moving forward combined with our inability to have the opposition starting sets on their line meant we were on the back foot most of the time in most games.

While many on here have been focussed on complaining about how poor our pack has been those with the reigns have been focussed on bolstering our backs. Why is that?

My expectation is that we already have 90% of the ingredients we need to get to where we want to be in 2026. 2025 will be focussed on building on the foundational work, and correcting the glaring issues of 2024. Stef, Bateman and Klemmer were definitely underperforming for the cap they were was sucking in. I'm glad we didn't waste cap space and effort in trying to keep The Pillow. I think Bateman is already on the out and in my opinion Klemmer is servicable - but needs to put some beef back on.

ICE is definitely a loss; I doub't we buy a replacement of his calibre in so it has to be developed from within.

Putting aside potential player payouts/partial payouts there are individual and collective improvement that could have us bottom third to mid table with a focussed off season.

Without supplementation our forward pack won't be a force in 2025; but it could be well on the way to becoming one with the right development. I expect that the coaching staff tried to simplify our style of play and develop a more mobile pack for 2024. As a result we weren't able to win the collision or the ruck. This, combined with youth (lack of strength) and inexperience (poor execution/inability to go the distance) went hand in hand with the lack of yardage out of the back of the field to cruel us.

Our performance and coaching staff missed the mark last off season. Starting our defensive sets in the middle third of the field, as opposed to having teams work their way out from their red zone, was probably 60% of our problem, the other 40 was our defence (inexperience, size, skill and attitude). Our back three (five) need to punch us out of our half to enable the halves to have the opposition starting their defensive sets out of a corner.

If the backs can achieve that what should our pack be focussed on?

Klemmer - while overpaid for his current output his defence is crucial to our 2025 season. This off season he needs to get some bulk back so that he can win the collision more often. He isn't Yeo, so he needs to stop trying to ball play and get back to off loading post contact. Ball playing before the line isn't his strength. Get him back to basics and winning the contact and he will be serviceable for 2025.

Twal - he is a half price Klemmer. He has added some movement at the line over the last year or so. If he can stay injury free he is another key component in the defensive makeup of the team. He is worth keeping despite being a plodder. His defence will be an essential element to a successful 25. It would be great to see him develop some mongrel and leg drive - don't think it is in his nature though.

Hunt - he wasn't turning in big minutes for Cronulla - if we can build him up to do 15-20 before and after the break I think he may provide the go forward we need. I expect him to provide more than the Pillow did in the latter half of this season. That means we need to start and finish with Pole.

Pole - he needs to develop some mongrel to take his attack to the next level. He also needs to work on his defence in general to become a better (all round) middle. Pole has potential and should develop further this off season - his focus has to be on defence. I trust that we can extend Pole before 1 Nov.

The alternate option is get into the grind using Twal and Klemmer- my concern with this approach is the defensive lapses if we had Hunt and Pole in the middle at the same time. If Pole can pick up his lateral movement in defence over the off season we may get away with it.

Johannssen is my smokey. I think we should keep him on a T&T contract at the moment though, and keep him hungry. He came from no-where and was probably our best forward in a poor cup side. With a full off season and being around the FG squad week in week out we could have him in the run on side by the end of the season and a starter in 26. I would love to know what the club's plans are for him. The good thing is that he will be pushing for a permanant contract/FG spot - and will provide great depth. Has to be good for us.

Miller - not there yet in my book; however, if he can turn a bit of his puppy fat into lean muscle over the off season he will provide depth. He can learn his craft in cup and be ready for grade in 26/27. He has a lot of potential. If he knuckles down he could be the nucleus of our pack going forward. Big if - but worth putting the effort into. Needs to develp some mongrel as well as muscle!

Seyfarth really improved this season but is way too light for his frame size. If he can add a few kegs over the off season without losing too much mobility 2025 could be a break out year for him. His discipline also needs to improve - but if our kicking game picks up and we have more effort from some of the support players in defence he should be less frustrated. Him on the edge with Galvin could become a great combination. He is an effort player - if he can put on some beef and start to win the collision he could develop nicely. While not in the same class as Laim Martin he has the potential to be a similar style player; running lines that can be hit or kicked to behind the line and able to belt oppositon recievers or get up over them with his height. Seyfarth has potential if he can focus on the job at hand. He is a bit of a risk still - but a worthwhile experiment for 2025. I hope he becomes mates with Hunt in the gym over the off season.

Sam F. was voted our best for a reason. A full off season working on his strength/fitness and developing a combination with Luai could really unlock him. He is a keeper who needs to keep on doing what he is doing. He is already NRL quality and will improve. I trust that brotherly rivalry drives both him and Sione to greater heights this off season. He could also move into the middle rotation - but to do so we need to recruit a quality edge - I think I prefer him on the edge at the moment though.

Sione F. He is my priority to lock into a contract. He has really come along this season with the arrival of his siblings. Could simply be he is developing later, as most middles do. If he works hard on his strength and conditioning I could see him as a starter pushing Klemmer to Cup. He has a bit of work to do to get there but by seasons end that is where I want to see him. He has as much potential as Sam F if he works hard.

I'm going to lump Bateman, Matamua, Sukkar, Faagutu, Tumeth and Laulilii into a bunch that are low hanging fruit to be moved on. I don't expect Bateman to come back, making way for Sione F. If he does come back one of the juniors must go - Sukkar or Tumeth would be my pick. I have no doubts that Richo has a prioritised list of contracts to pay out should the right players fall from the tree over the off season. I think we can also keep Porter on a T&T deal - he may still make it with another NRL pre season under his belt.

On paper, and current form, our currently contracted pack will not get us to any great heights; but I think our off/pre season will have a different focus. We were too lean this year and we started our sets in the wrong part of the field 90% of the time. If our backs can get us out of our end and our halves can turn the ball over to the opposition in the red zone with our edges breathing down their necks, and we start to win the collision and controlling the ruck by focussing on strength and wrestling technique we will start winning the close games. Recruit some real mongrel in 26 and we will give the place a shake.

I can see why Richo and Benji are keeping quiet; the pickings are pretty slim. I'm sure that if something falls from a tree we will be ready to pounce and I have no doubts that come 1 November we will be active in the player market. We have enough toilers that will hold their own - time to buy some mongrel.
Really hitting the nail on the head there mate.

I remember being stunned at a photo of Alex Seyfarth and how lean he looked at the start of last year, same could be said for Klemmer and Bateman (although that may be his default). I hadn't considered that it may have been intentional from a strength and conditioning perspective. When combined with our lightweight back 5 it made for a year playing out of our own end.

We are at least 2 recruits from being strong pack, but some strength and conditioning has to fill the void while we are waiting for those recruits.
 
if we have lean forwards,shy backs ,we need to throw numbers at the defence n hope our passes stick
 

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