BWG Pathways Prospects into 2027

[BlackWhiteGold]

Over the next 2 or 3 weeks, I am going to post a series in this thread showcasing our top pathways prospects heading into 2027. All purely my opinion from watching every Wests Tigers, Wests Magpies & Balmain Tigers game in NRL, NSW Cup, Jersey Flegg & SG Ball this season.

I am not going to give them a ranking as it's too hard comparing 18yos to 21yos in difference competitions however I'm going to break them down into the following batches ...

• NRL Top 30 & Contracted (Dev / T&T) in '27
• Jersey Flegg ineligible in '27 (the best of those turning 22 next year)
• 21yo NSW Cup prospects in '27 (likely candidates to move into Cup next year despite being JF eligible)
• 21yo Jersey Flegg best other top agers in '27
• 20yo Jersey Flegg best bottom agers in '27
• 19yo Jersey Flegg prospects in '27
• 18yo Blue Chip prospects in '27
• 17yos to watch in '27

FYI, I am basing these contributions on the age the player turns in 2027.

All up, I have 50+ players on my list and plenty of reasons for excitement if we can develop them properly and retain them.

The first post will be an easy one ... NRL Top 30 & Contracted (Dev / T&T) in '27.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

NRL Top 30 & Contracted (Development / Train & Trial) in 2027

• Haemasi Makasini
• Jared Haywood
• Javon Andrews
• Christian Taupau-Moors
• Pheonix Godinet
• Jack Attard
• Siotame Havea Jr
• Blake Van Drie

There will be others that the Club announce on Development or T&T over the coming weeks - some speculation that Archie Duncombe & Glassie Glassie could find themselves on this list.

I'm not going into great detail on each player - just age next year, position, side preference, contract expiry, main strengths & main area/s to develop in their game imo.

Hopefully this table copies across ok!

NRL TOP 30

Haemasi Makasini - 20 - Wing/Centre - Left - 2029
-Tall, powerful & reasonably quick ball runner with strong right fend. Ideally next stage of development is left wing.
-Needs to continue to work on physical strength, aerial ability for a winger and defensive decision making.

Jared Haywood - 21 – Hooker - 2028
-Smart, deceptive & quick hooker with an excellent passing game, great vision & ability to bring forwards onto the ball. Can cover halves if required.
-Development in physical strength and 1-on-1 defensive contact.

Javon Andrews - 21 - Five-Eighth - Left - 2028
-High IQ 5/8 with superb vision and passing game in good ball, deceptive strength in running game & nice short kicking.
-Continued work on defensive decision making & tackle technique + more experience in game management long kicking.

NRL CONTRACTED (DEV / T&T)

Christian Taupau-Moors - 20 - Prop - 2028
-Tall & strong ball carrier with an offload. Strong & physical in defensive contact.
-Continued work on more explosive (than lumbering) carries.

Pheonix Godinet - 20 -2nd Row - Right - 2027
-Strong & skilful ball carrier who can break tackles & gain post contact metres. Can hit in defence.
-Physical strength in defence close to the line. Needs to work on involvement.

Jack Attard - 21 - Fullback - 2028
-Fast, agile & skilful with superb acceleration. Great support play in the middle and nice passing game to create attack.
-Physical strength and contact as last line in defence due to size.

Siotame Havea Jr - 19 - Lock/Hooker - 2027
-High IQ ball playing & ball running lock. Possesses good line speed, tackle technique & strong contact in defence. Rated for leadership qualities.
-Played predominantly at dummyhalf in '26 where he lacks deception atm. Hopefully reverts back to primarily lock in '27 & dummy half pinchhitter.

Blake Van Drie - 20 - Lock/Hooker - 2027
-High energy smaller-framed lock who can run strongly, link beautifully & ball play. Generates line speed in D & exceptional involvement rate.
-Continued development of his body - size, strength & power.

 

[Demps]

Great thread.

Siotame is an interesting prospect.
Seems a promising player but wasn't there reports recently saying he's keen to explore his options?

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Great thread.

Siotame is an interesting prospect.
Seems a promising player but wasn't there reports recently saying he's keen to explore his options?

Haven't seen those reports @Demps , hope not hey.

I feel Siotame is a prodigious talent, still eligible for SG Ball next season and I think should start next season captaining that grade.

Just my opinion but my eye test tells me he plateaued this year by being played at hooker 80% of the time.

Not sure whether the club just wanted him to develop his dummy half game so he can be a viable lock/hooker utility or whether they see it as a permanent move.

Personally I hope it's not a permanent move as he is such a good lock forward on both sides of the ball. Pundits bring up his height/size but this kid is rock solid and very powerful so don't see it as such an issue.

Anyway he moves onto a FT Development contract next season so we'll wait'n see.

 

[Vicious]

Brillliant once again @BlackWhiteGold
Imagine someone from within our club provided something like this for our members and fans?
Maybe they could give you a paid role to do it as I don’t think anyone could do it any better.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Brillliant once again @BlackWhiteGold
Imagine someone from within our club provided something like this for our members and fans?
Maybe they could give you a paid role to do it as I don’t think anyone could do it any better.

Thanks @Vicious … mate we can only hope one day the club expands its content on pathways.

Unfortunately based on a reply from Shaun Mielekamp in the CEO thread, they are cautious about it not to inform other clubs who our top rated juniors are and to put too much pressure & expectation on our young stars.

I personally think that is naive & a poor attitude from the club. All clubs know who the top rated juniors are + acknowledgment of good performance by youngsters should be promoted, not kept quiet.

It looks like it’ll be up to posters like you & I and the other dozen or so regular contributors in the pathways threads, the WT Faithful lads & NBWT on Twitter to keep the pathways content flowing.

 

[king_sirro]

Thanks @Vicious … mate we can only hope one day the club expands its content on pathways.

Unfortunately based on a reply from Shaun Mielekamp in the CEO thread, they are cautious about it not to inform other clubs who our top rated juniors are and to put too much pressure & expectation on our young stars.

I personally think that is naive & a poor attitude from the club. All clubs know who the top rated juniors are + acknowledgment of good performance by youngsters should be promoted, not kept quiet.

It looks like it’ll be up to posters like you & I and the other dozen or so regular contributors in the pathways threads, the WT Faithful lads & NBWT on Twitter to keep the pathways content flowing.

Im of the other view mate. I think its important the club doesnt over inflate the egos of youngsters trying to make it. Far too often these kids think they have made it before they have. Best to keep them grounded and media low-key. I would rather hear feedback back from guys like you who will tell ut as it is and not over hype them.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Im of the other view mate. I think its important the club doesnt over inflate the egos of youngsters trying to make it. Far too often these kids think they have made it before they have. Best to keep them grounded and media low-key. I would rather hear feedback back from guys like you who will tell ut as it is and not over hype them.

Yeah I think there can be a happy medium though King. Content that doesn’t focus on one but multiple players and steers clear of hyperbole like ‘rising star’ etc. Plus it’s good early media training for players to do club content even from SG Ball up.