Season 2025 Expectations, Predictions & Key Positions.

Bula is not a lock at the back. Large offers far more in attack IF he can handle the defensive and communication side of the job.

Bula to move back to the wing/centres strengthens our backline, albeit we paid him way too much.

Da Silva also not a lock at hooker. I reckon Hayward may pip him. Healthy competition is good.
Jared Hayward is a gun and a more complete player than Da SIlva. Tall, quick and has great organisation skills he could fill any position, anywhere other than prop and second row.
 
Big call... TDS earned just as much praise as Haywood has during his junior career & has also been able to showcase his talent effectively in first grade.
Da Silva is a great player. I am just saying that Hayward is much better because of his versatility and speed. He loves the big moments, he chased down Galvin in the in goal and knocked the ball out of his hands last year in PMC and last Wednesday he kicked a field goal from 30m out in golden point of the knockout semi of schoolboys to put his school team Patties into the grand final. He is a Penrith junior that got cut in Matts because he was supposedly too small. He is now 6'1, lightning quick, great hands and kicking game and could play in the halves at a drop of a hat. The kids is very very special and still only 17 years old.

 
Da Silva is a great player. I am just saying that Hayward is much better because of his versatility and speed. He loves the big moments, he chased down Galvin in the in goal and knocked the ball out of his hands last year in PMC and last Wednesday he kicked a field goal from 30m out in golden point of the knockout semi of schoolboys to put his school team Patties into the grand final. He is a Penrith junior that got cut in Matts because he was supposedly too small. He is now 6'1, lightning quick, great hands and kicking game and could play in the halves at a drop of a hat. The kids is very very special and still only 17 years old.

he’s a classy kid. between him, Tallyn and Ashton Large we’ve got three hookers with the world at their feet.
 
It will be interesting to see how our halves play next year. Galvin loves having his hands on the ball and goes either side of the field to do so. However we didn't pay 1.2mil to have Luai play second fiddle like he has at penriff. One of them will have their nose out of joint.
 
Luai isn't going to be #2.

I'll be interested to see how Galvin fits next season.
He'll just play what he sees. He will have a lot more freedom and less pressure. I doubt many teams are worried about Aiden Seizer cutting them to shreds but Luai they will be. The Galvin interactions will hopefully be unpredictable and difficult to defend against since oppositions won't be able to overcommit resources.
 
It will be interesting to see how our halves play next year. Galvin loves having his hands on the ball and goes either side of the field to do so. However we didn't pay 1.2mil to have Luai play second fiddle like he has at penriff. One of them will have their nose out of joint.
This is what I worry about. Roosters have sam walker potentially leaving next year, and galvin would walk in with uncle nick chipping in some extra money there for him being the main man alongside Sandon Smith. Not sure if lachie truly wants to be a second fiddle to luai next year (fainu imo would suit luai better) and luai wouldn't want to play second fiddle, it's one of the reasons he joined us! He had a choice to be paid good money (850K) in a team that will continue to win premierships alongside the best player in the game, but instead he opted for an opportunity to lead a team. A big risk that could damage his reputation, but he took it
 
This is what I worry about. Roosters have sam walker potentially leaving next year, and galvin would walk in with uncle nick chipping in some extra money there for him being the main man alongside Sandon Smith. Not sure if lachie truly wants to be a second fiddle to luai next year (fainu imo would suit luai better) and luai wouldn't want to play second fiddle, it's one of the reasons he joined us! He had a choice to be paid good money (850K) in a team that will continue to win premierships alongside the best player in the game, but instead he opted for an opportunity to lead a team. A big risk that could damage his reputation, but he took it
The roosters will target top line play makers who are already performing at an high level imo. Don’t think they will target young halves with potential
They will ask Cleary first then work their way down the list. It’s why many believe Moses is their next target as he is supposedly been spoken about
 
This is what I worry about. Roosters have sam walker potentially leaving next year, and galvin would walk in with uncle nick chipping in some extra money there for him being the main man alongside Sandon Smith. Not sure if lachie truly wants to be a second fiddle to luai next year (fainu imo would suit luai better) and luai wouldn't want to play second fiddle, it's one of the reasons he joined us! He had a choice to be paid good money (850K) in a team that will continue to win premierships alongside the best player in the game, but instead he opted for an opportunity to lead a team. A big risk that could damage his reputation, but he took it
Don’t kid yourself
Luai is coming for the money,
As API, Burton,Kikau & Crichton have done to look after their families.
It’s a business you have to make money while you can.
 
I highly disagree with that.
His first instinct is run.
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say you are both right; however, it depends on what he sees in front of him. When he feels pressured he runs on instinct; I expect having had drumed into him never to pass a ball to a player under more pressure than yourself. If he doesn't feel pressured then he plays what's in front of him and we have seen him catch and pass, run and pass and lay the ball off on different occasions.

He became a little sparodic once teams worked out that he runs when pressured so this upsets our game plan. As we approached the back half of the season he has adjusted to the pace and pressure of FG and not felt the need to run as much (still a little too much for me).

Anyway, simply my observations on watching him develop over the season. I expect a good offseason he will have adapted more to the pressure and speed of the game which will allow hime to play more eyes up football, which is his bread and butter. Luai is the same type of player so having that threat on each side of the field, combined with Galvin's ability to pop up on either side of the ruck may disrupt even the better defensive sides.

Add a couple of menacing forward on the edge and for the first time in a while points may not be a big issue.
 
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Luai will be an outstanding influence on both Galvin and Fainu. The desire of Luai to be a part of the rebirth of WTs could influence Galvin greatly on his future.
Richo stated as much earlier on in the negotiation stages.
Richo knows him well and knows the traits he brings to WT.
Apparently knew him as a junior during his time at Penrith!!
 
Don’t kid yourself
Luai is coming for the money,
As API, Burton,Kikau & Crichton have done to look after their families.
It’s a business you have to make money while you can.
Yeah that's his number one priority now that he's won premierships. Don't think he'll tank it but he won't be at his peak
 
Don’t kid yourself
Luai is coming for the money,
As API, Burton,Kikau & Crichton have done to look after their families.
It’s a business you have to make money while you can.
Burton was young and wanted to play 5/8. His one is a bit different to the other 3. Wasn't getting that chance at penrith. Of course, he got paid more, but I don't think that was his primary motivation when he was 20
 
Don’t kid yourself
Luai is coming for the money,
As API, Burton,Kikau & Crichton have done to look after their families.
It’s a business you have to make money while you can.
Well if you’re trying to make the point that they are doing it for the money you could have used different examples. All 4 of those players are among their clubs best, Crichton, Burton and Kikau have taken the dogs to top 4 contenders. Weird way to make a point.

I’m sure money is a big factor in their decisions, but none of those players have dropped off in performance.
 

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