HowDugWT
Well-known member
Player of the year: Brent Naden
Best Back: Josh Feledy
Best Forward: Tim Johanssen
Player's Player: James Valevatu
Break out Star: Tim Johanssen
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
A good read on all Cup clubs …
www.foxsports.com.au
Western Suburbs Magpies
Where they finished: P13 6-18 record MISSED FINALS & WOODEN SPOON
2024 was one steep learning curve for Aaron Payne as he made his pilgrimage from the QLD Cup where he was coaching Townsville, to go coach Wests.
Payne certainly entered and suffered a baptism of fire with the Magpies’ struggles in this competition, a striking resemblance to what was on show at first-grade level. As injuries weakened the Tigers squad, that impacted the Magpies and consistently saw the squad resemble a Ryde Eastwood RMC side as opposed to a KOE NSW Cup side. As a result, the Magpies did suffer a number of struggles early in the season. As a result, they used 55 players this season, which will cause a team to unfortunately struggle as Wests did.
In that though, they were able to find a rare diamond in the rough. That came in the form of forward Tim Johannssen. The front rower came from Ryde in RMC and delivered in spades off the bench before earning a starting role and delivering on investment. Johannssen earned an NRL debut after a great performance against the Warriors where he ran 60 metres to score a solo individual try. Tony Sukkar and Tallyn Da Silva were others to shine for the Magpies in what was a trying year. Their halves were inconsistent as they were trying to fit Latu Fainu in on minute restrictions which made an overall impact on squad make-up for most outings.
There will be significant turnover at the Tigers next season, so the make-up of the squad is still a large mystery. A heavy emphasis on youth will see the Magpies have a young nucleus again next season, but if the Tigers have a good run with injuries at NRL level. The Cup side should be competitive after a year of teething problems with the young side. We see them entering a similar spot the Roosters were in after they had the wooden spoon in 2023.
NRL ROSTER WATCH: There is plenty to keep an eye on for the Tigers next season. Year two of the Benji Marshall experience and it is clear that he isn’t afraid to give chances to players that deserve it. Alex Lobb, Reuben Porter, Luke Laulilii and Johannssen among others to earn NRL debuts plucked from Wests.
It is however a make or break year for Justin Matamua, he has shown on occasions he can be an elite middle forward, but the tinkering of positions at NRL level hasn’t helped when he consistently comes to NSW Cup and delivers impressive numbers. Jordan Miller is one of those players who may have debuted too early, but despite this concern, Miller will have a good stint in NSW Cup next season, averaging just under 100 metres a game. With an NRL style off-season under his belt, his motor will improve significantly and expect a minutes increase for him next season.
Your team’s rising stars to watch in 2025... and who can take the leap to the NRL: NSW Cup Review
Your team’s rising stars to watch in 2025 ... and the NSW Cup guns to take NRL by storm
www.foxsports.com.au
Western Suburbs Magpies
Where they finished: P13 6-18 record MISSED FINALS & WOODEN SPOON
2024 was one steep learning curve for Aaron Payne as he made his pilgrimage from the QLD Cup where he was coaching Townsville, to go coach Wests.
Payne certainly entered and suffered a baptism of fire with the Magpies’ struggles in this competition, a striking resemblance to what was on show at first-grade level. As injuries weakened the Tigers squad, that impacted the Magpies and consistently saw the squad resemble a Ryde Eastwood RMC side as opposed to a KOE NSW Cup side. As a result, the Magpies did suffer a number of struggles early in the season. As a result, they used 55 players this season, which will cause a team to unfortunately struggle as Wests did.
In that though, they were able to find a rare diamond in the rough. That came in the form of forward Tim Johannssen. The front rower came from Ryde in RMC and delivered in spades off the bench before earning a starting role and delivering on investment. Johannssen earned an NRL debut after a great performance against the Warriors where he ran 60 metres to score a solo individual try. Tony Sukkar and Tallyn Da Silva were others to shine for the Magpies in what was a trying year. Their halves were inconsistent as they were trying to fit Latu Fainu in on minute restrictions which made an overall impact on squad make-up for most outings.
There will be significant turnover at the Tigers next season, so the make-up of the squad is still a large mystery. A heavy emphasis on youth will see the Magpies have a young nucleus again next season, but if the Tigers have a good run with injuries at NRL level. The Cup side should be competitive after a year of teething problems with the young side. We see them entering a similar spot the Roosters were in after they had the wooden spoon in 2023.
NRL ROSTER WATCH: There is plenty to keep an eye on for the Tigers next season. Year two of the Benji Marshall experience and it is clear that he isn’t afraid to give chances to players that deserve it. Alex Lobb, Reuben Porter, Luke Laulilii and Johannssen among others to earn NRL debuts plucked from Wests.
It is however a make or break year for Justin Matamua, he has shown on occasions he can be an elite middle forward, but the tinkering of positions at NRL level hasn’t helped when he consistently comes to NSW Cup and delivers impressive numbers. Jordan Miller is one of those players who may have debuted too early, but despite this concern, Miller will have a good stint in NSW Cup next season, averaging just under 100 metres a game. With an NRL style off-season under his belt, his motor will improve significantly and expect a minutes increase for him next season.
HowDugWT
Well-known member
This is how I believe the Magpies will line up next year. Full strength:
Looking at this side, it is pretty damm good with little sprinkles of NRL experience in there. I am extremely happy with it.
- Heath Mason
- Solomon Alaimalo
- Starford Toa
- Brent Naden
- Charlie Staines
- Latu Fainu
- Bud Sullivan
- Tim Johanssen
- Tristan Hope
- Jaxson Rahme
- Reuben Porter
- Tony Sukkar
- Justin Matamua
- Vaka Aho
- James Valevatu
- Kit Laulili
- Jordan Miller
Looking at this side, it is pretty damm good with little sprinkles of NRL experience in there. I am extremely happy with it.
Ron Brodrick's Spirit
Well-known member
That's a nightmare team.
It would mean we couldn't offload Naden and Sullivan during the off season.
It's a no from me.
user118245
Well-known member
How did charbel tasipale go? From memory, he was brought in mid season by Richo from England or somewhere near there
balmain boy
Well-known member
Next years team will be very different, still a lot of comings and goings.
Alaimalo definitely won't be there, that's for sure.
Kelce68
Well-known member
There's a very real possibility he stays on a Cup contract in my opinion.
He wasn't back to that level in rugby in NZ and won't have other teams signing him on a Top 30. So if he wants to keep playing football, he may well stick around.
balmain boy
Well-known member
Farewelled last night.
We don't need an injury prone 30 year old project winger. Even at cup level we need proven experienced players, or youngsters with potential to be stars.
He might get a good for one of the NSW cup or Qld cup (more likely to me) squads
Kelce68
Well-known member
He was, yes.
Tigers_Wests
Well-known member
No news has been given on his contract status. I think he is no longer Flegg age in 2025. We didn't list him as a train and trialist when we named those 7 depth players a couple of months ago. Hopefully it does mean he gets one of those 6 development spots. The only 2 known Development Contracts are Lobb and Mason at this point.
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
Hoping we retain Herman too after investing a lot in him last 3 years.
The other Dev contract for 25 is Will Craig. Was reports of him going to Panthers a few months ago but nothing official.
Tigers_Wests
Well-known member
Yeah I'm assuming the Will Craig to Panthers is a done deal. Will probably just see him rock up at Panthers training when training resumes.
HowDugWT
Well-known member
Massive congrats to Magpies Veteran James Valevatu who will make his international debut this weekend whilst playing along side Jordan Miller and Turuva against Reuben Porter.
True fans won't miss this game
True fans won't miss this game
Tucker
Well-known member
Sounds riveting.
Would these teams be competitive in the Ron Massey Cup ?
balmain boy
Well-known member
Hopefully Tofaeono has a similar deal to Broederlow and Johannsen - T&T this year and dev next year.
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
Hope so too especially being a progressive impact wrecking ball prop which we are short in. He could learn a lot off Hunt.
Also hopefully the other two who we haven't heard about, Cayne Nicholas & Bailey Hodges, are not lost to the club. Cayne is a real Reuben Cotter style middle who is versatile to play dummyhalf at a pinch. Hodges has a touch of class and is a very good hooker/lock (even halves) utility.
With the signing of hooker Tristan Hope on a T&T, I feel that one of Nicholas or Hodges may be surplus to requirements unfortunately.
Tigers_Wests
Well-known member
That would be ideal and would certainly be targeted at the right point of development for him.
