Latu Fainu #282

The clubs master plan is top 4 next year. If Latu doesn’t progress to regular first grader this year we won’t be running with Bud or Mason in the halves.
Hate to say it,but the master plan is totally redundant and unrealistic
From where we are..top 8 next yr is an ambitious goal
 
I disagree. It’s the most open comp in years and we actually have a lot of good players under contract. There’s some strategic holes need filling for sure, but we have cap space and spots available.
Applaud yr positivity..but we have enormous gaps in our roster,particularly back up if/when inevitable injuries arise.we have nothing in KOE
.huge challenge
 
Applaud yr positivity..but we have enormous gaps in our roster,particularly back up if/when inevitable injuries arise.we have nothing in KOE
.huge challenge
Depth is a massive concern this year but feels like if Richo can have some success in recruitment like he did this year 2026 will be better. Can only hope.
 
Agree on your Galvin observations, he will be a good footy player however his ceiling in my opinion is not very high. Most of his highlights for us came off effort plays or marginal plays, i.e. a low percentage tip-on or a grubber in traffic. I don't think he is a game manager or has the smarts to out manoeuvre the opposition. Time will tell I guess, and he may fit into the dog's system as its all based on effort, however ciraldo and his teammates will not cop the low percentage plays and I feel like Gus poached him to game manage and be that high skill half, however I can't see him in that role. Gus is blinded by the pursuit of his own Nathan Cleary (the clean-cut kid next door) at the dogs and I don't think Galvin is that.
You are describing a lock or backrower in the mould of Cam Murray, at it's peak.
 
the 3 guys that hold the keys to us improving this year just got snubbed from SOO,sure that will put a fire in their bellies
I hope so...
My concern is that it mite push them the other way,into say WA Bears,knowing that its now for the $$ only and rep honors as a Tiger are elusive with dumb arse Daley doing the selecting guided by the Roosters and Storm bosses and Mays former teamates
Cant convince me Api is not a significantly better player than Robson..ditto May vs King
It costs our guys $30k per SOO game..maybe more .. theyre missing out on financially. Plus all the intangibles
Its not helpful to our retention
 
I hope so...
My concern is that it mite push them the other way,into say WA Bears,knowing that its now for the $$ only and rep honors as a Tiger are elusive with dumb arse Daley doing the selecting guided by the Roosters and Storm bosses and Mays former teamates
Cant convince me Api is not a significantly better player than Robson..ditto May vs King
It costs our guys $30k per SOO game..maybe more .. theyre missing out on financially. Plus all the intangibles
Its not helpful to our retention
its a wicked world , be good to have a front row seat here when the merry go round is on the way up
 
Galvin reminds me of a young Terry Lamb and in about 3/4 years will be a good player just needs to grow a set I think he will become a little like Cameron Smith death by 1000 cuts no out and out absolute brilliance but will play at a high level every week when he hits around 120 NRL games
Odessa
I was lucky enough to watch Terry from when we were kids at Chester Hill then at the Magpies before Canterbury
I can tell you he was one of the tuffest players you would ever see
as a kid if the opposition had a star player Baa would make a bee line for him and smash the crap out of him even sometimes legally 😂
All us old Tigers supporters remember Ellery Hanley

Terry was Short and stocky where Galvin is Tall and skinny and I don’t see Galvin being anything like Baa was.
 
Odessa
I was lucky enough to watch Terry from when we were kids at Chester Hill then at the Magpies before Canterbury
I can tell you he was one of the tuffest players you would ever see
as a kid if the opposition had a star player Baa would make a bee line for him and smash the crap out of him even sometimes legally 😂
All us old Tigers supporters remember Ellery Hanley

Terry was Short and stocky where Galvin is Tall and skinny and I don’t see Galvin being anything like Baa was.
Not physically but Terry was everywhere had a big ticker great support player pops up all over the field did not have any flash plays but you new he was a player you had to stop had a great pass to put faster players away and great timing
 

Tigers tyro back to state his case for Galvin’s No.6 jersey​

By​

Updated June 3, 2025 — 5.56pm,first published June 2, 2025 — 2.38pm


Latu Fainu will get the chance to stake his claim as Lachlan Galvin’s long-term replacement when he returns from injury on Sunday for the Wests Tigers.

Fainu has been named on coach Benji Marshall’s bench after overcoming a thumb injury that has sidelined him since round five. He is one of three members of the Fainu family poised to take on the Panthers, alongside Samuela and Sione.

Latu recently stated his desire to become the long-term halves partner of Jarome Luai, and will get his chance after Galvin joined the Bulldogs. Galvin has been named on an extended Canterbury bench, while Heath Mason will again start at five-eighth for the Tigers.

“I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make this team better. For me, if it means getting that six role, I’m all in,” Latu said in April.

“When I first came to Wests Tigers, they brought me to play in the halves. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. That’s the position I’ve been playing my whole career, since I started playing footy. I feel most comfortable there, I feel I can add more value to the team as a half.

“Whatever the team needs, I’m all in. I love the club.”
Latu Fainu is back for the Tigers.

Latu Fainu is back for the Tigers. Credit: NRL Imagery

 
A lot to like about him. Probably has more upside than Mason, but in saying that, Mason needs to be in the side somewhere.
 
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