Viva_Zapata
Active member
I'm going to take the train out to Campbelltown this Sunday. I've got a feeling there will be serious focus and determination to win there this week. They don't look like stumbling yet.
Heamasi Makasini #303
- Thread starter hybrid_tiger
- Start date
TheEnz
Well-known member
I fell off my chair when he called Newcastle NRL heavy weights.https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...r/news-story/7fe487e9a3bdb77727c10f5d7e36af44
Man Tigers Need: Heamasi Makasini’s secret weapon singer helping him become NRL star
Wests Tigers centre Heamasi Makasini has ditched heavy metal and hip hop, opting for a soothing voice as his secret weapon before taking the field each week.
Tyson Jackson
April 8, 2026 - 5:00AM
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...ory/7fe487e9a3bdb77727c10f5d7e36af44#comments
'It's go time': Heamasi Makasini speaks on his pre-game rituals
She’s the global sensation who has stolen the heart and ears of many NRL players, but for Heamasi Makasini – Olivia Dean is the key to unlocking his top performance.
Gone are the days of AC/DC, Metallica, and Slipknot, and instead it’s the 27-year-old British glamour who plays a pivotal role in Makasini’s warm up before taking the field.
Four games into his NRL career, and Makasini has figured out that, when running out onto the field, a calm mind is a good mind.
“It’s just her soothing voice I guess,” Makasini said on Deans’ impact on him before games.
“It just calms you down, in a good way.
“There’s a few NRL players, like Jye Gray is a massive fan of Olivia Dean as well.”
While large swathes of the younger generation are hooked on Dean’s music, Makasini said some of his teammates take a different route when it comes to their music taste.
Olivia Dean has become Heamasi Makasini’s pre-game ritual. Picture: Thomas Lisson
Centre partner Sunia Turuva chooses to listen to American rappers, with NBA YoungBoy at the top of his playlist. That doesn’t quite fly with Makasini.
“I guess I’m the only one that listens to Olivia Dean,” he said.
“I have been loving her songs.
“Probably her recent song ‘Rein Me’ in is on my list, number one.”
Music is a critical part of the 18-year-old’s game day ritual.
But it’s one he’s leaning on as the rigours of the NRL grind arriving quickly, having been forced to deal with injuries to teammates Taylan May and Starford To’a to start the season.
“Obviously coming straight from school into my first pre-season, it was a very big eye-opener on how things work as a first grader,” Makasini said.
“I’m still trying to get used to it, try and play first grade week in and week out.
“Being the young guy, I’m just trying to learn as much as I can, so it has been moving pretty quickly. But I’m handling it pretty well.”
Makasini will play his fifth straight game to start his career in Sunday’s top-four clash with Newcastle at a new-look Campbelltown Sportsground.
Over the past 12 months, the Tigers have teamed up with Campbelltown City Council to renovate their changerooms into a near-identical replica of the ones at Concord Oval.
The new-looks digs mean the Tigers have moved to the opposite end of the main grandstand - all of which has been the brainchild of interim CEO Shaun Mielekamp.
“I have been at the club for two years,” Mielekamp said.
“And straight from the get-go I saw Leichhardt we go to the right, at CommBank we go to the right, and here at Campbelltown we had to go out to the right.
“It seems like such a small thing, but the superstitions in and around that do play a part because this is the right side for us to be on.“
The youngster is a part of the resurgent Tigers team. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
The Tigers have only won two of their last 17 games at Campbelltown Sportsground, a statistic Mielekamp is desperate to change.
“We need everyone to get their heads around that this is the long-term home of the Wests Tigers,” he said.
“We’ll play more games here than in any other venue, we need to make sure we are genuinely authentic and doing the right thing for the community.
“And we’re genuinely contributing to the region.”
The Tigers play their next two games at Campbelltown against competition heavyweights Newcastle and the Broncos.
The joint venture will also play more games at the south-west Sydney venue next season while Leichhardt Oval undergoes renovations.
stevied
Well-known member
Olivia Dean? Never heard of her. If she's like any of the other insipid singers in the Taylor Swift generation, I won't be a fan but each to their own...
I was hoping someone would open the Maka thread because I wanted to comment on his recent performances. He is undoubtedly an amazing athlete of incredible potential and will, most likely become an elite centre, eventually, but has anybody else been a little disappointed in him? Besides the defensive errors, he hasn't been particularly threatening with the ball. I really noticed the lack of ability to beat a man against Parra, where, in space, he was repeadly swung to the ground by the much smaller Moses. I didn't see a step, swerve or fend and he was easily contained. Can't fault his effort and, of course he's acclimatising to first grade, but I was expecting more linebreaking efforts after that barnstorming try in the trial.
I was hoping someone would open the Maka thread because I wanted to comment on his recent performances. He is undoubtedly an amazing athlete of incredible potential and will, most likely become an elite centre, eventually, but has anybody else been a little disappointed in him? Besides the defensive errors, he hasn't been particularly threatening with the ball. I really noticed the lack of ability to beat a man against Parra, where, in space, he was repeadly swung to the ground by the much smaller Moses. I didn't see a step, swerve or fend and he was easily contained. Can't fault his effort and, of course he's acclimatising to first grade, but I was expecting more linebreaking efforts after that barnstorming try in the trial.
Other clubs will be coaching players to defend against him,nothing to worry about as he is developing.If he was in a team of outstanding aility he would be harder to contain as he would be one threat amongst many,here he does not have that luxury.
All is going well at the moment and it will take time,relax and enjoy the ride.
stevied
Well-known member
I'm relaxed and not really worried Jad just sharing my observations. Not catching the world on fire at the moment but plenty of time. He's 19!
Still 18 actually until July 😳
TheEnz
Well-known member
He is not getting any space at all on that left side in attack. He needs Luai back in there to draw defenders and also direct his run lines, at the moment both he and Samuela are getting very little joy outside of Madden as he is not a half that has a step and can take on the line, if AD was on the left they would probably get allot more action.
It’s why he should be learning on the wing.
I suppose, in his head, he just thinks he’ll just power through defenders like in schoolboy football.
Not so easy in first grade.
stevied
Well-known member
I think you're right.
stevied
Well-known member
I thought he did have space on more than one occasion and wasn't able to beat the defender. I also think we will see Madden take on the line more frequently as he gains in confidence. At the moment he is straightening the attack and providing early ball.
stevied
Well-known member
Whoops, sorry!
Better get used to Cambo everyone.
We all need to support the team wherever they play
You can have a go or sit here and moan
We all need to support the team wherever they play
You can have a go or sit here and moan
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
I’m just impressed that metal is his cup of tea. Wouldn’t have expected that.
wstigers11
Well-known member
Once we’re full strength and he’s back to the wing we’ll see it again. He’s been fast tracked to the centres while still trying to find his feet in first grade.
