426Tlgerland
Well-known member
So how does Mason V Galvin go now regarding the 6 if moving Galvin to say Lock
Latu Fainu #282
- Thread starter ancient_magpie
- Start date
Bigscreentv
Well-known member
That’s all well and provided 6 isn’t the best position for him and the team.
I also don’t think it’s a great idea to sign someone under false pretences as the end up getting frustrated and their form is more likely to suffer.
Buttface
Well-known member
Yeah fair call. It’d probably annoy me but sometimes, especially at that age, you don’t know what’s best for you. Tell him what he wants to hear until you can re-educate him on where he’ll be his best. Which may well be 6 anyway. I’m not saying he’s definitely got to move, just at this stage he’s so young, with all the best positions available to him. I bet if you told Luke Lewis after his first few games on the wing he’d be one of the best Origin forwards he’d of laughed at you. Gal has a lifetime of football to go yet.
At the moment he has the 6 and it won’t be until/if Latu is belting the door down for the 6 that we’ll even have to worry about it. We need to win more games that makes everyone happy and wanna stay in any position.
Just get him signed up asap.
mtd#2
Well-known member
spot on mate well said
Bigscreentv
Well-known member
True - hopefully they all believe in he club Long-term to make some short-term sacrifices
The best teams don't have players in one position with the ball and another in defense except maybe halves defending out wide away from heavy traffic.... Or totally different positional make ups from first half to the second 40.
I don't think we are in a position of overcomplicating things when we can't even get the basics right most of the time... Especially with such a green squad
Benji too needs to still keep things simple as well.
I don't know how they'll all fit into the 13 or 17 but I do know things in future rarely pan out as yiu expect and there are many uncontrollable events out of the coaches hands that will play a part in positional figurations next season
I don't think we are in a position of overcomplicating things when we can't even get the basics right most of the time... Especially with such a green squad
Benji too needs to still keep things simple as well.
I don't know how they'll all fit into the 13 or 17 but I do know things in future rarely pan out as yiu expect and there are many uncontrollable events out of the coaches hands that will play a part in positional figurations next season
TigerNeddyK
Well-known member
Yeah mate, We should just hold grudges and totally outcast anyone that feels the need to explore anything different in their lives.. do you realise how lonely we would become as a club if we took that attitude? Jesus mate, Benji obviously is a Tiger at heart and his passion for the club is real .. that is a big thing to me. He is trying to build a culture based on belonging and family and if that can drive some success then players will want to stay and be apart of it .. Wests Tigers has the potential to be a powerhouse club, one that can provide all the off field opportunities that other clubs can provide as well as being a desired destination..
Buttface
Well-known member
Yeah you know Ink.
Just when ya think you got life planned out there’s a fork or a dead end. 😎
These young blokes probably think every decision they make is life altering and set in stone. When in reality this is their time to try anything and get away with trying different things, making some changes, or errors, bcoz they have time to rectify or change again. Hard to see that when you’re “only 19”.
That’s a little Redgum reference for the over 50’s.
Jedi_Tiger
Well-known member
idea is good but if you were Galvin and tou see yourself in the halves there will be a spot waiting at Bondi, belmore, at least
Both Latu and Galvin are top quality young halves and neither will be prepared to wait around the 5 years of Luai’s contract to become regular 80 minute NRL halves.
We can’t afford to lose Galvin as he has quickly become the face of our club and we can’t afford to lose Latu because of his playing ability and close connection to his highly talented brothers.
Many are suggesting converting one of them into a 13. I am certain neither will be happy with a permanent move to 13.
In the short term we might be able to get away with Latu as our regular 14 and playing half a game as a ball playing 13, but asking him to defend for 80 minutes in the middle while he is so young, not used to it and has a fragile body would be suicidal.
I’ve stated how I think we can fit them all in, many disagree, but I think it would definately work.
We can’t afford to lose Galvin as he has quickly become the face of our club and we can’t afford to lose Latu because of his playing ability and close connection to his highly talented brothers.
Many are suggesting converting one of them into a 13. I am certain neither will be happy with a permanent move to 13.
In the short term we might be able to get away with Latu as our regular 14 and playing half a game as a ball playing 13, but asking him to defend for 80 minutes in the middle while he is so young, not used to it and has a fragile body would be suicidal.
I’ve stated how I think we can fit them all in, many disagree, but I think it would definately work.
Last edited:
jrtiger
Well-known member
summed up beautifully. let’s enjoy having them both rip it up for us for the next few years and worry about where we fit them or who goes when the time comes.
I agree with that, I don’t think players are that concerned anymore about starting on the bench as most get 30 to 40 minutes a game.
My only concern is what does it mean for TDS as we couldn’t put both Latu & TDS on the bench together.
And I’m hoping API‘s games time next year is cut to 40 to 50 minutes each week.
We potentially could play Latu and Talyn as our 14 and 15 as Talyn could replace Api for 30-40 minutes per game to reduce his defensive workload and Latu could play 13 for 40 minutes which is effectively a middle forward replacement.
We just have to get our balance right as we don’t want our forward pack being too small, but we also don’t want a forward pack that is too big and lacks effort, ball movement and line speed because of it.
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
Exactly, Latu comes across as a very modest & respectful young man who will play anywhere required by Benji. If that is lock or 5/8, I am sure he would be delighted to play 1st team NRL. If anyone makes an issue of it, it would most of the time be the manager.
Any rumblings about a 1st or 2nd year player aged 18, 19 or 20 demanding this, that & the other, will be from A) the manager or B) the parents!
Possibly correct, but money talks and you would assume his manager is alerting him to the fact that he has the natural talent to become a million dollar per season halfback or 5/8 within the next 2-3 seasons, but that cannot happen if he’s restricted to playing only as a number 14 or lock at Wests Tigers.
As much as all Wests Tigers fans, myself included would like either of Latu or Galvin to transition to our regular 13 to fit them both in, I cannot see it being accepted by either of them due to the effect it could have and likely would have on their market value moving forward.
I realise players such as Yeo and Murray are on big money playing 13, but if we are being realistic both of Galvin and Latu are very realistic chances of progressing to becoming million dollar halves within 2-3 years.
However the attacking role of most of the NRL’s elite fullbacks ihas become very similar to that of our games elite 5/8’s. We have aces in our pack in Bula or the emerging Onitoni Large who both look to have the skill set to defend as a fullback, but potentially attack as a centre allowing a potential three pronged playmaking trio of Luai, Galvin and Latu.
Some say there is not enough pace between them as a three pronged playmaking threat,. I believe the fact that opposition teams would have no idea if either of them will run, pass or kick would well and truly overcome any lack of pace and be a nightmare for opposing defences to defend against,
Last edited:
Bigscreentv
Well-known member
Yep, that's the concern!
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
That is salivating stuff @Vicious
I understand the influence of managers & as WT fans we have been burnt a lot in recent times by players leaving (likely under the influence / direction of their manager).
One day that will change and a player will tell his manager "I am staying at the WT for unders to play with my brothers/mates & be part of this revolution"!
Maybe I'm naive or living in fantasy land but I think that will happen and I reckon it could be the Fainus leading that chorus!
This was discussed before , I think latu can be a good lock , but ur right he dan’t play for 80 minutes, so start him on the bench for 20 odd minutes , then throw him in against tiring forwards
july 2023
Australian Under 18 Schoolboys team
| 1 | Matua Brown | The Cathedral College, Rockhampton, QLD |
| 2 | Luke Laulilii | Westfields Sports High School, Fairfield, NSW |
| 3 | Logan Aoake | St Francis Xavier’s College, Hamilton, NSW |
| 4 | Wilson Decourcey | Patrician Brothers’ College, Blacktown, NSW |
| 5 | Nikora Williams | Endeavour Sports High School, Caringbah, NSW |
| 6 | Lachlan Gavin | Westfields Sports High School, Fairfield, NSW |
| 7 | Riley Pollard | St Dominic’s College, Kingswood, NSW |
| 8 | Kaiden Lahrs | Kirwan State High School, Townsville, QLD |
| 9 | Xavier Caccitotti | Erindale College, Wanniassa, ACT |
| 10 | De La Salle Va'a | Marcellin College, Randwick, NSW |
| 11 | Jezaiah Funa-iuta | Patrician Brothers’ College, Fairfield, NSW |
| 12 | Jacob Halangahu | Patrician Brothers’ College, Blacktown, NSW |
| 13 | Finau Latu | Patrician Brothers’ College, Blacktown, NSW |
| 14 | Heath Mason | St Gregory’s College, Gregory Hills, NSW |
| 15 | Cody Hopwood | All Saint’s College, Maitland, NSW |
| 16 | Loko Pasifiki-Tonga | Endeavour Sports High School, Caringbah, NSW |
| 17 | Logan Spinks | Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School, Tamworth, NSW |
| 18 | John Fineanganofo | Redcliffe State High School, Redcliffe, QLD |
