Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[AdelaideTiger]

Don't mind that at all. I read earlier on reddit
from a storm fan that having Trent Loeiro
inside him hampered him, add to that he
was coming off an injury and couldn't get
the wheels turning. With a 200k subsidy
this is a great signing. Also, he'll be playing
outside Papali'i who's a great defender.
I like the look of it, Blore is a good kid,
good player but hes been injured for
most of his tenure. We got Samuela Fainu,
a more than capable addition to the squad

It's a fair point, not sure that I've seen a player seem more out of their depth at the Storm then Trent Loiero, Paplii is a massive step up.
This signing also ensures that Tupou plays the on the wing for most of the year, which is where he is needed most

 

[Tom Shines]

You are correct - this could happen. Our backline is the worst in the comp by miles. We need change now. I am hoping he comes good and keen to give him the benefit of the doubt. Storm subsidising the deal brings some relief. I will back Benji and Richo on this one.

I couldnt agree more on the outside backs … they are the worst in the competition by some margin currently …but change for change sake may not be the answer ..

Im hating the three year commitment here .. but of course I’ll hope for the best ,,,

 

[Tom Shines]

it’s cap related.

Melbourne have been able to extract value out of Reimis Smith and Marion Seve at considerably less than Olam. it makes no sense to keep a bloke on that deal when you have two players performing at a consistent first grade level.

they’ve obviously chipped in a bit to get him over here and we get him closer to market value. a win for both clubs. obviously losing Blore does hurt but he was buckleys of starting in the backrow with Bateman and Papali’i here.

It’s a gamble still… the Tigers will still be paying plenty regardless of the Storm chipping in $200k a year …

In 12 months time ..we could be looking at another Nofo with a NSW Cup level player getting paid big money with 2 years to run…. You can’t honestly say that is not a possibility given the drop off in his form in 2023:

 

[jadtiger]

Carayannis reporting his going to the Tigers
this morning in a swap with Blore. Said
pending medical check (done this week)

I like your news far more than Jedi's as i believe Olam would be good for our backline even if he is below what he used to be

 

[pawsandclaws1]

On Olam, PNG nationals are incredibly tough and resilient. I knew a local who had walked the Kokoda track over 100 times each time carrying a heavy load. PNG women carry huge baskets around their heads filled with coconuts and bananas. They don't raise a sweat in high temp/humidity even on the more exhausting stretches of the track (and there are many). Olam if I recall is from the Highlands and will give it his best and bring with him that hard edge in the backline we have lacked. We all saw his impact inside of Nofoaluma.

 

[Kelce68]

it’s cap related.

Melbourne have been able to extract value out of Reimis Smith and Marion Seve at considerably less than Olam. it makes no sense to keep a bloke on that deal when you have two players performing at a consistent first grade level.

they’ve obviously chipped in a bit to get him over here and we get him closer to market value. a win for both clubs. obviously losing Blore does hurt but he was buckleys of starting in the backrow with Bateman and Papali’i here.

They also need to find space for Meaney once Paps is back, likely centre I'd say.

As you said, he's surplus to requirements given the healthy contract.

 

[Tito Santana]

Olam for CFB (Chicken Legs Blore) is a great trade.

A genuine first grader in a position we need to fill in versus a potential first grader and it seems we have back rowers sufficient.

I’m not sold on Blore. He’s like Eric Cantona. I remember him for fly kicking a guy in the crowd - spectacular action! Blore made a solid tackle on Brown - since then, nada.

 

[Kelce68]

It's a fair point, not sure that I've seen a player seem more out of their depth at the Storm then Trent Loiero, Paplii is a massive step up.
This signing also ensures that Tupou plays the on the wing for most of the year, which is where he is needed most

They love him.

.... still trying to work out why.

 

[Le Tiger]

Think Olam will only end up being here for 2 out of the 3 years. So a subsidised first 2 years could work well.

Rumour is PNG team to be announced this year for 2026 entry. Olam would be a lock to be signed as an inaugural player and I'm sure we'll be happy to release him for 2026 with 1 year left on the contract.

 

[Lestronge]

What’s our edge backrow depth look like . Ice , Bateman , AJ , Tumeth ? , who else am I missing , outside of converted middle types like Faagatu and Lualiii. Even Seyfarth at a stretch .

 

[rugbygoated]

A lot of people hesitant on Olam but he provides a good experienced head who has won a grand final and has a point to prove. If he doesn't work out, he will be good depth at least. If he can get his defence sorted out and cut errors out, he will be worth it 100%. 2023 was his first bad year in a long time. 2022 he was centre of the year. We shouldn't expect signings to change the team drastically, it is up to the culture and general playing group to change as one, not wait for a leader to do all the work then follow

 

[vlad]

Olam for CFB (Chicken Legs Blore) is a great trade.

A genuine first grader in a position we need to fill in versus a potential first grader and it seems we have back rowers sufficient.

I’m not sold on Blore. He’s like Eric Cantona. I remember him for fly kicking a guy in the crowd - spectacular action! Blore made a solid tackle on Brown - since then, nada.

Really poor analogy

Cantona won 4 EPL titles out of the 5 seasons he was at ManU.

Before he joined them they hadn’t won it in 24 seasons .

The fly kick came at the end of the 5 seasons .

Blore isn’t in the same universe .

 

[rugbygoated]

looks like Richo has managed to do what Pascoe could not and gotten Melbourne to pay considerable freight for Olam.

given our clear lack of quality and experience in the centres, this is a good signing for 2024. the next two years are the concern though, no question. time will tell!

Richo is the best signing the club has made in its history

 

[426Tlgerland]

I do hope for Wests Tigers and all us fans Richo hangs around for atleast 2 years , he would sort this place out and have us in a better position both on field and the financial side I don’t think will slide will remain or get better

 

[Chipofftheoldblock]

On Olam, PNG nationals are incredibly tough and resilient. I knew a local who had walked the Kokoda track over 100 times each time carrying a heavy load. PNG women carry huge baskets around their heads filled with coconuts and bananas. They don't raise a sweat in high temp/humidity even on the more exhausting stretches of the track (and there are many). Olam if I recall is from the Highlands and will give it his best and bring with him that hard edge in the backline we have lacked. We all saw his impact inside of Nofoaluma.

I walked backed from Paddy Markets to Parramatta once and thought I was pretty tough and resilient. I have also done the Bay Run plenty of times also - all jokes aside, respect anyone who has done the Kokoda trail.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

you get this from The Mole?

no british rugby league website saying St Helens were keen

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

What’s our edge backrow depth look like . Ice , Bateman , AJ , Tumeth ? , who else am I missing , outside of converted middle types like Faagatu and Lualiii. Even Seyfarth at a stretch .

Add Samuela Fainu and some have mentioned Faagutu may be trialed there. But we do lack experienced depth in the back row.

Me wonders whether a play we could make is a swap this year between Junior Tupou & Euan Aiken. Hear me out ...

1 - If we land Olam, then our 1st choice centres will be Olam & T'oa with Naden, Alaimalo, Feledy, AJ, AD, Solo Saukuru & Declan Casey as depth.
2 - Without Tupou, we still have Staines, Lobb, Naden, Nofa, Alaimalo. Ngutlik, Jay Kirk as wing options & depth.
3 - Aiken immediately provides experienced depth in backrow & centre.
4 - AJ not likely to be here in '25 so Aiken can be our backrow/centre utility.
5 - Reportedly wanted to return to NSW & Dolphins were exploring options.
6 - Back when Benji was at Dragons, he is quoted as saying Aiken one of the best trainers in the club & hottest talents around (yes a while ago).
7 - Helps with an age imbalance in our roster and with Olam, brings much-needed experience straight away.

 

[Tucker]

What’s our edge backrow depth look like . Ice , Bateman , AJ , Tumeth ? , who else am I missing , outside of converted middle types like Faagatu and Lualiii. Even Seyfarth at a stretch .

It’s a weakness that we are betting youth will solve in the next couple of years.
I’m a bit more concerned with front row depth. Our backups aren’t coming through fast enough for mine.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

He’s on a 2 year development deal starting this year and is on development again in 25. 2026 if he kills it we can safely promote him to top 30, unless we got rid of Nofa early than we could promote him before then.

Re Nofa, I personally think it'll be 1 of these 3 outcomes ...

1 - The Roosters or Panthers pick him up as wing depth & experience with us paying a large % of his freight for the next 2 seasons.

2 - A Super League club picks him up straight away as Nofa sees no future in NRL.

3 - We play him in NSW Cup this season (and potentially Ron Massey Cup if he spits the dummy) and then pay him out for 2025.

 

[Lestronge]

It’s a weakness that we are betting youth will solve in the next couple of years.
I’m a bit more concerned with front row depth. Our backups aren’t coming through fast enough for mine.

No one saw Asitasi james making grade last year . Even though he was very raw . I’d say if Miller makes the jump , as I’m sure everyone at the club is hoping he can , then that’s plenty of depth really . Twal, Klem, Stef, Pole , Seyfarth ( I know people don’t rate him because he can plod , but he really does a lot of clean up work , and provides energy off the bench . A perfect player 18-30 front rower. Do a job , but if he’s in your top 17 week to week , you’re in trouble) , Matamua ( Grab that 13 jersey Matamua !! Everyone in and around the club wants you too) , Lualiii, Faagatu at a pinch . That’s 8 players not including Miller , who’s top 30. So 9 really . A huge chunk of the squad allocated to the middle there . But you’re right , there’s a real drop off after the top 4 . It’s why Matamua grabbing that 13 jersey will go a huge way to Easing that angst .. Do it Matamua !!!