Second row / lock to start season

[Tigerstigerstigers]

Samuela a given.

Of the other second row and lock spots, I think we need tight defenders proven to first grade standard . The rest should prove themself in the position in Reggie’s before consideration for first grade.

Player- defense
Seyfarth- yes
Bird- yes
Twal or Pole as locks - yes (pole has work to do but clearly first grade standard or better)

Others
Matamau- to be proven
Kit Luaali - to be proven
Douehi- ditto
Naden/ Sukkar/ Tumeth- ditto
Latu Feinu- I would like to see him get the spot but not proven for an early shot. Perhaps off the bench as an all rounder

 

[Merlot]

Samuela a given.

Of the other second row and lock spots, I think we need tight defenders proven to first grade standard . The rest should prove themself in the position in Reggie’s before consideration for first grade.

Player- defense
Seyfarth- yes
Bird- yes
Twal or Pole as locks - yes (pole has work to do but clearly first grade standard or better)

Others
Matamau- to be proven
Kit Luaali - to be proven
Douehi- ditto
Naden/ Sukkar/ Tumeth- ditto
Latu Feinu- I would like to see him get the spot but not proven for an early shot. Perhaps off the bench as an all rounder

Pole is a bash n barge ,nothing less or more.Latu as lock is exciting,we really are short on proven depth across the board

 

[Demps]

Hoping Matamua is working hard ready to make the #13 his... otherwise, maybe Sione Fainu.

Backrow starters Sammy and Bird.

With Timmy J pushing for a crack.

Bench;

Latu or TDS
Pole
Hunt
Seyfarth

I think that's a high impact bench however I'm sure there'll be differing opinions.

Our depth is decent so Porter and co. will probably get their chances.

 

[Merlot]

we really need this year to be a year where players suited to their best position or not,yet the only option ??? for 1st grade settle in to build combo's

 

[bptiger 0]

Samuela a given.

Of the other second row and lock spots, I think we need tight defenders proven to first grade standard . The rest should prove themself in the position in Reggie’s before consideration for first grade.

Player- defense
Seyfarth- yes
Bird- yes
Twal or Pole as locks - yes (pole has work to do but clearly first grade standard or better)

Others
Matamau- to be proven
Kit Luaali - to be proven
Douehi- ditto
Naden/ Sukkar/ Tumeth- ditto
Latu Feinu- I would like to see him get the spot but not proven for an early shot. Perhaps off the bench as an all rounder

I would love to see latu get a shot at lock in the trails

 

[GNR4LIFE]

11. Sam
12 Bird
13. Pole

 

[davey_farrell]

i would love to see justin come on as a lock, i think he really has potential, word he is fit this year, so fingers crossed, its a position we just cant seem to nail

 

[JC99]

Easily our weakest position, but I think they'll run with

11. Samuela Fainu
12. Alex Seyfarth
13. Jack Bird

Thought they found something with Seyfarth on an edge at the end of 2024 Really needs to manage his discipline but when he does he can run a good line and defend well on an edge. Not quite physical enough to be an effective middle forward

Jack Bird as 13 isn't what I'd want ideally but he's training there and I think that's what they'll go with.

Pole is much more suited as a bench middle, and I'm praying Matamua can improve himself and earn the spot as our attack looks miles better with him at 13, as very few of our middle have an effective passing game

Really likes Latu Fainu off the bench playing in the middle also, however would also love to see TDS on the bench and don't think we can carry both, so not sure what they'll do there

 

[Red88_Tiger]

Each year seyfarth seems to get better as the year goes on
I’d be betting he gets first crack at 2rf

 

[Tigerwould]

Can Matamau play any other positions other than lock?
If he could .. he would be handy coming off the bench

 

[hammertime]

12. Seyfarth > Sukkar > Johannasen > Tumeth
13. Bird > Pole > Latu

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Easily our weakest position, but I think they'll run with

11. Samuela Fainu
12. Alex Seyfarth
13. Jack Bird

Same for me but want to see if Sukkar stands up in the trials.

 

[happy_tiger]

Samuela a given.

Of the other second row and lock spots, I think we need tight defenders proven to first grade standard . The rest should prove themself in the position in Reggie’s before consideration for first grade.

Player- defense
Seyfarth- yes
Bird- yes
Twal or Pole as locks - yes (pole has work to do but clearly first grade standard or better)

Others
Matamau- to be proven
Kit Luaali - to be proven
Douehi- ditto
Naden/ Sukkar/ Tumeth- ditto
Latu Feinu- I would like to see him get the spot but not proven for an early shot. Perhaps off the bench as an all rounder

You lost me when you mentioned AD as either a lock 2nd rower .....sorry

 

[Jolls]

I did a deep dive on this prior to Christamas here https://weststigersforum.com/threads/lock-and-edge-options-for-2025.36152/

With Bateman now out of the picture we are very short of depth on the edge. Given Benji's penchant for rewarding hard work is the off season it is difficult to predict starters as it could be someone from left field. As it stands Alex Seyfarth and Samuela Fainu are the likely edge startes wtih Bird at lock. Bird could also be utilised on the edge with Matamua or Pole locking the scrum but outstide of those permutations there isn't much unless there is a bolter.

My gut feel is, Seyfarth and Sam F with Bird at the back. Bird and Sam F with Matamua is also a possibility as is the Fainu brothers and Bird/Matamua. Johannssen is at 500-1 to get a start in my read of the tea leaves - but then again I'm not the coach and have no idea how each of them are training as I'm stuck in amongst the vine leaves at Murrumbateman.

 

[palms]

I think Matamua will start at 13 in NSW Cup to prove that any intent shown in the pre-season translates into results before he is thrown in to 1st grade. Benji will want to go with the most balanced and experienced team in round 1 to get some early momentum into our season. For this reason I can't see him picking anything other than this pack;

8. May
9. TDS (Api back in after round 1)
10. Klemmer
11. Seyfarth
12. Fainu
13. Bird
14. Fainu/Mason
15. Hunt
16. Pole
17. Twal

Pole then becomes the lock rotation, giving Bird a breather or if Bird is needed to go into the backrow or centres. Fainu/Mason into hooker, or halves if needed. Hunt and Twal to sub out May and Klemmer as middle rotations.

With Api out, it shows a lack of depth in the hooker position so hopefully whoever is in NSW Cup this year can step up and fill in adequately if Api happens to get a long term injury.

Personally I don't think Fainu is the answer as the 14 as his service is terrible from dummy half but i'd say we will wear it in round 1 and see how the new reserve grade hooker performs over the opening rounds. TDS to slot into the 14 once Api is back.

The rest - Fainu / Porter / Sukkar / Johanneson / Lualilii / Tumeth pushing as first cab off the rank for injury cover.

 

[tig_prmz]

I'm not sure if it's an unpopular opinion but we will miss Papali'i next year.

I saw a couple of replays post game and was quite surprised by his involvement in attack and defence. I think he played lock a few times for us.

I have a lot of faith in Fainu but geeze we are putting a lot of faith in him to carry our backrow/lock, especially for someone's second year.

 

[batboy]

I'm not sure if it's an unpopular opinion but we will miss Papali'i next year.

I saw a couple of replays post game and was quite surprised by his involvement in attack and defence. I think he played lock a few times for us.

I have a lot of faith in Fainu but geeze we are putting a lot of faith in him to carry our backrow/lock, especially for someone's second year.

We'll miss him for sure.
He'll kill it in a well drilled system next year - As he did in the System we got him from.
We let him down a bit hitting him with 3 different coaches in his time with us.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

We'll miss him for sure.
He'll kill it in a well drilled system next year - As he did in the System we got him from.
We let him down a bit hitting him with 3 different coaches in his time with us.

I don't think he wanted to be here bat spoon after spoon just compounded it more never seen the regular form from parra my disappointment turned me off him.

 

[TigerJunior4]

Can Matamau play any other positions other than lock?
If he could .. he would be handy coming off the bench

I think he came through as an edge player but reverted to lock a few years back.

I’d say he can play any position in the forwards bar hooker.

 

[jrtiger]

I don't necessarily agree with Bird at 13, but I think Marshall will opt with the below to start the year as others have suggested.

11. Fainu
12. Seyfarth
13. Bird

by the end of the year I hope that we will have found a better fit for the 13. Matamua, Johannssen and Kit Laulili'i all have their respective strengths and weaknesses, so I guess we will see.