Lock and Edge Options for 2025

Seyfarth has a great attitude in that he loves the physicality and collision in the middle - but due to that combative mentality he has been prone to run straight at defenders when playing on the edge.

But the baby Moose has finally grown into his awkard frame - and if he can put more focus on running good lines into gaps off the halves he could be a genuine attacking weapon on the edge!

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Alex Seyfarth Try

Alex Seyfarth Try
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happy_tiger said:
Seyfarth .....but I prefer him off the bench.....
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Same and same.

Seyfarth is the only other player I can see playing second row for us other then Bateman/Samuela.

Ill actually rate Seyfarth > Bateman in 2024. Although Seyfarth is better coming in later when people are tired and taking a sneeky pass from Api to cross the line.
 
2nd row and lock are tricky ones. To be a competitive team we need solid NRL standard players in every position, then depth. Richo and Benji have done well changing the roster to where it’s currently at. But need to save $ to lock our current top players away.

We need a genuine 2nd rower to partner Samuela Fainu. But it is going to be hard to balance the cap and top 30 spots by going to the market. Unless we can pick up a seasoned NRL 2nd rower for 300-400K from a team that is 2nd rower heavy.

Failing that we have to turn a middle into an edge or unearth a junior 2nd rower that is over the preseason proves they are ready to debut at NRL.

On the other hand we have about 8 middles forwards all capable of playing NRL at varying standards - T May, Hunt, Pole, Klemmer, Twal, Seyfarth, Sione Fainu and Johannssen.

A lot rides on Bateman coming back or being released
 
Tigerwould said:
2nd row and lock are tricky ones. To be a competitive team we need solid NRL standard players in every position, then depth. Richo and Benji have done well changing the roster to where it’s currently at. But need to save $ to lock our current top players away.

We need a genuine 2nd rower to partner Samuela Fainu. But it is going to be hard to balance the cap and top 30 spots by going to the market. Unless we can pick up a seasoned NRL 2nd rower for 300-400K from a team that is 2nd rower heavy.

Failing that we have to turn a middle into an edge or unearth a junior 2nd rower that is over the preseason proves they are ready to debut at NRL.

On the other hand we have about 8 middles forwards all capable of playing NRL at varying standards - T May, Hunt, Pole, Klemmer, Twal, Seyfarth, Sione Fainu and Johannssen.

A lot rides on Bateman coming back or being released
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This is why it makes no sense to pay Bateman to play elsewhere at the moment. I think Sione F, Seyfarth and potentially Johannssen will be our edge depth/rotation. If we lose Bateman one of those three will become a starter - that is a weakness. Bird starting at 13 with Pole as a backup if he goes down I think is workable with Matamua as depth in Cup.
 
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Jolls said:
This is why it makes no sense to pay Bateman to play elsewhere at the moment. I think Sione F, Seyfarth and potentially Johannssen will be our edge depth/rotation. If we lose Bateman one of those three will become a starter - that is a waekness. Bird starting at 13 with Pole as a backup if he goes down I think is workable with Matamua as depth in Cup.
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Gut feel is Bateman wont be here in 2025. I hope we don’t pay half his salary to play elsewhere but I think this will also happen. Which will add more pressure on the coaching staff to get a NSW cup player or junior developed to NRL standard. As a dont think we’ll have much $ leave to get someone good from the market.
 
Flack jacket on not trolling from under a bridge. If we are flushed with half-baked centers n wingers,2nd grade backrowers not quite ready yet, why not slot Skelton into the second row, Anyone else thrown up so far within the club has issues as Skelton does in A n D .Imo he has the speed to match the frame and a steely resolve i dont see in the others yet
 
Merlot said:
Flack jacket on not trolling from under a bridge. If we are flushed with half-baked centers n wingers,2nd grade backrowers not quite ready yet, why not slot Skelton into the second row, Anyone else thrown up so far within the club has issues as Skelton does in A n D .Imo he has the speed to match the frame and a steely resolve i dont see in the others yet
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He is still young and raw. I don’t mind the idea but not at this stage of his career. I think for 2025 we need his yardage for the wing. IMO We need Turuva and Skeleton to get us downfield.
 
Merlot said:
Flack jacket on not trolling from under a bridge. If we are flushed with half-baked centers n wingers,2nd grade backrowers not quite ready yet, why not slot Skelton into the second row, Anyone else thrown up so far within the club has issues as Skelton does in A n D .Imo he has the speed to match the frame and a steely resolve i dont see in the others yet
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That’s what I would do if we managed to jag To’o.

He’s still learning the sport, why not try to turn him into an edge forward? He’s got the physical attributes just depends on his ticker.
 
BAGNF05 said:
That’s what I would do if we managed to jag To’o.

He’s still learning the sport, why not try to turn him into an edge forward? He’s got the physical attributes just depends on his ticker.
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I think Richo will go thru this club like a dose of salts.There is 1/2 a decent reserve grade side we can trade on quick smart.Just 1 extra splash of colour in the back line ,centre,n Team is firing
 
Merlot said:
I think Richo will go thru this club like a dose of salts.There is 1/2 a decent reserve grade side we can trade on quick smart.Just 1 extra splash of colour in the back line ,centre,n Team is firing
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With Heamasi Makasini signed on a three year deal for decent $ , I don’t think we can afford go to market for a centre until we clear a lot more spots in the top 30. Probably gotta play T’oa or someone until Makasini is ready to debut.
 
Tigerwould said:
With Heamasi Makasini signed on a three year deal for decent $ , I don’t think we can afford go to market for a centre until we clear a lot more spots in the top 30. Probably gotta play T’oa or someone until Makasini is ready to debut.
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I'm a T'oa fan ,its time he stepped up or moved on
 
orange&black said:
In 2026 we probably wont have AD, Toa, Feledy, Naden or Faataape. We will need centres - especially if Olam still struggles. Makasini might be one option but Staggs would be my target.
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I don’t think that all of them will be gone. I’d guess the club will keep 2 but that’s only speculation on my behalf
Which 2 🤷
 
I got some doubts about Bird as the starting 13 … I would prefer him off the bench ….my concerns are around his size ( 6ft 0 and 94kg) and his expected work rate .. he has been in the backs a while now I believe …Im looking for more physical guys to start the game and try to get some dominance early …Pole is my preferred at this stage .. although it would be nice if Matamua could fill that role as the season progresses and Pole can be in the prop rotation.,,

I don’t really have much idea what the plan at edge is to replace Bateman … there isn’t really a true replacement I can see to be ready Round 1 … probably leaning Seyfarth at this stage
 
Tom Shines said:
I got some doubts about Bird as the starting 13 … I would prefer him off the bench ….my concerns are around his size ( 6ft 0 and 94kg) and his expected work rate .. he has been in the backs a while now I believe …Im looking for more physical guys to start the game and try to get some dominance early …Pole is my preferred at this stage .. although it would be nice if Matamua could fill that role as the season progresses and Pole can be in the prop rotation.,,

I don’t really have much idea what the plan at edge is to replace Bateman … there isn’t really a true replacement I can see to be ready Round 1 … probably leaning Seyfarth at this stage
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Bird could also play on an edge, he already has the defensive skills have played at centre and would know what lines to run. Just based on what we are hearing I expect him to have a crack at 13, but that will all depend on how he handles the workload and what role Benji is expecting him to play. He is not built for bash and barge so expect that Benji's game plan will require a ball playing lock.

Birds ball playing ability will give us a third playmaking option in the middle potnetially playing as a link between the forwards and backs. I see his role as enabling second phase play and spreading the defence.

In defence we may be best served with him defending on an edge; but at 90 plus kg and 6ft he won't be turnstyle in the middle and his lateral defence should be pretty good. Maybe a better defensive option than both Pole and Matamua.

What I'm relaly looking forward to see is what leaderhip he will bring at 13, especially during high pressure situations where Galvin is still learning. While I expect his playmaking is the feature we are looking to exploit his running game shouldn't be overlooked. He has a knack for running effective lines, challenging the defensive line, and creating momentum. If he can bring that to us in the middle it could really unlock us - I can see opportunity to develop a great Api/Bird/Bula threat working off the ruck and second phase play off May and Hunt.

The final thing he brings as lock that may be less useful on an edge is his kicking game. This will add another layer to our attacking options and take pressure off Luai and Galvin.

I definitely understand the reluctance and hesitance to run Bird at lock - but if we get it right there is some significant upside.
 
Jolls said:
Bird could also play on an edge, he already has the defensive skills have played at centre and would know what lines to run. Just based on what we are hearing I expect him to have a crack at 13, but that will all depend on how he handles the workload and what role Benji is expecting him to play. He is not built for bash and barge so expect that Benji's game plan will require a ball playing lock.

Birds ball playing ability will give us a third playmaking option in the middle potnetially playing as a link between the forwards and backs. I see his role as enabling second phase play and spreading the defence.

In defence we may be best served with him defending on an edge; but at 90 plus kg and 6ft he won't be turnstyle in the middle and his lateral defence should be pretty good. Maybe a better defensive option than both Pole and Matamua.

What I'm relaly looking forward to see is what leaderhip he will bring at 13, especially during high pressure situations where Galvin is still learning. While I expect his playmaking is the feature we are looking to exploit his running game shouldn't be overlooked. He has a knack for running effective lines, challenging the defensive line, and creating momentum. If he can bring that to us in the middle it could really unlock us - I can see opportunity to develop a great Api/Bird/Bula threat working off the ruck and second phase play off May and Hunt.

The final thing he brings as lock that may be less useful on an edge is his kicking game. This will add another layer to our attacking options and take pressure off Luai and Galvin.

I definitely understand the reluctance and hesitance to run Bird at lock - but if we get it right there is some significant upside.
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Certainly some excellent points made.

I'm concerned about Bird holding up in the middle, not in terms of injury etc, but just physicality. I think he is better served on the edge. If he is to play in the forwards, I'd much rather see him in the second row.

Someone suggested a Wade Graham style player (who played Second Row) & I can see that. I also can see that in Galvin down the road. Thing is- most people see the Yeo style #13 & think that is what is needed. Wade Graham is a fairly recent example of how to add an extra playmaker while not having to play that guy as a middle.

Tigers have been pretty weak in the middle in defence. I'd be willing to sacrifice some ball playing in order to toughen up the middle. I think Twal might very well be the best option at #13, despite his lack of flair. Bird could simply inject himself in the middle as required, or run a good line (Liam Fulton anyone?) to set up his outside runners on the edge.

Unlike a lot of current NRL teams we have possibly the craftiest #9, 2 good creative runners at #6 & #7 (3, if you include Latu) & one of the silkiest runners at #1. I'm not convinced the club needs an additional ball player through the middle to succeed.
 
The Chad said:
Certainly some excellent points made.

I'm concerned about Bird holding up in the middle, not in terms of injury etc, but just physicality. I think he is better served on the edge. If he is to play in the forwards, I'd much rather see him in the second row.

Someone suggested a Wade Graham style player (who played Second Row) & I can see that. I also can see that in Galvin down the road. Thing is- most people see the Yeo style #13 & think that is what is needed. Wade Graham is a fairly recent example of how to add an extra playmaker while not having to play that guy as a middle.

Tigers have been pretty weak in the middle in defence. I'd be willing to sacrifice some ball playing in order to toughen up the middle. I think Twal might very well be the best option at #13, despite his lack of flair. Bird could simply inject himself in the middle as required, or run a good line (Liam Fulton anyone?) to set up his outside runners on the edge.

Unlike a lot of current NRL teams we have possibly the craftiest #9, 2 good creative runners at #6 & #7 (3, if you include Latu) & one of the silkiest runners at #1. I'm not convinced the club needs an additional ball player through the middle to succeed.
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You want to toughen up the middle by adding the softest tackler we have. 😂😂😂😂
Surely not
 
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