Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Buttface said:
I’ve said this before and I going to stop.
You don’t spend 1.2 mil on a player and look to come 9th. We need to better, 8 should be the aim with anything under 10th a complete fail. 26 should be aiming for top 4 and a serious chance.
But, I know what you mean, coming 9 would mean we win twice as many games and that’d be nice.
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What would be everyone’s take if we finished equal on points for 8th but finished 9th on for & against,
Success or failure ?
 
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Oldman said:
What would be everyone’s take if we finished equal on points for 8th but finished 9th on for & against,
Success or failure ?
Click to expand...
Failure. Every year we completely ignore the importance of for and against. We even missed the playoffs one year because of it. We need to learn.
 
Oldman said:
What would be everyone’s take if we finished equal on points for 8th but finished 9th on for & against,
Success or failure ?
Click to expand...
Depends on the circumstances.
If the back half of the year is injury depleted sides fighting their guts out but just falling short, its a pass.
With a reasonably fit side who dropped some games they should have won through lazy efforts then its a fail.
 
Jolls said:
So, the big question: is 2025 a year of redemption or rebuilding?

Looking ahead to the 2025 season, there’s a mixture of outright joy, cautious optimism and lingering questions on the forum surrounding the performance of our beloved Wests Tigers. After a decade of mediocracy followed by three spoons the time is ripe for this club to prove it can rise from adversity. However, is 2025 the year of redemption or are we still rebuilding?

Key Areas:

  1. Leadership & Coaching Stability:
    Probably the biggest question mark in 2025. Benji has been in and around two of our spoon efforts despite only being the head coach last year. I won’t go into detail here given I put forward an analysis of his performance last week. Suffice to say, I think he has demonstrated that he understands what is required and is heading in the right direction. 2025 presents an opportunity for us to settle under Benji. Consistency at the helm could mean that we can focus on long-term goals instead of having to address another major coaching reshuffle in the short-term. I believe that Benji’s performance, along with that of his coaching staff, will determine the outcome of our 2025 season.
  2. Young Guns Ready to Fire:
    The development of our junior talent is now clearly the foundation of Wests Tigers and is the cornerstone of a prosperous future. Failure to invest in this area appropriately will adversely affect our future. Players like Galvin and Latu F. have shown glimpses of brilliance. If they can make the leap in 2025, in support of the big recruits, we could have the spark we need for 2025 to be our year of redemption.
  3. Recruitment and Retention:
    The club’s 2025 recruitment drive is probably the best in the NRL, with Luai, May, Hunt, Taruva and Bird adding much-needed depth and experience in key areas. The retention of Pole, Sam F. and Sione F. (in time) are also great moves by the club. One of the unheralded elements of the rebuild plan has been the depth added to our KOE team. On paper our KOE side is much better, this should allow our juniors to develop over time in the lower grades instead of rushing their development like we did in 2024.
  4. The Spine Question:
    Big call from Richo on having the best spine in the NRL. I think that call was a bit early, but we have a right to be confident in our spine going forward. Bula and Galvin certainly need to step up to another level. Bula in particular needs to address his involvement, particularly in and around the ruck. Api, Luai, Galvin and Bula have the potential to click, but can they deliver week in and week out?
  5. Culture Reset:
    Family first has created considerable debate on the forum. Like it or loathe it, this part of the culture building process that Richo and Benji have instituted. Based on the types of players we have recruited it would be difficult to say that it isn’t working. Could it be less in your face? Potentially; but I can’t see at this point how it is hurting our development given the very strong performance message that Benji has sent with the fat five. You can also see that off-field, the club has been making strides to reconnect with the fanbase. Particularly in the south west. A strong start to the season would do wonders for morale—not just in the sheds, but in the stands.
Predictions and Expectations

I sit in the cautious optimism camp. I still have a couple of nagging doubts around our depth, particularly our second-row stocks. There is still some water to go under bridge before the 2025 season kicks off so Richo and Benji may still address this.

For me it’s unrealistic to expect a return to the glory days of 2005. Personally, I think 2024 was about establishing the foundation and 2025 will be the year we finally see the building blocks come together. I think 2025 will be our turning point, a finals appearance might still be a stretch based on our depth but an injury free run could have us getting there. Realistically, a consistent season with mid-table (9th-12th) finish would signal progress and indicate that the foundations are set for a tilt at the title in 2026.

What are your thoughts? Is 2025 our turning point, or is it yet another year of rebuilding? 🐯💪
Click to expand...
 
Jolls said:
So, the big question: is 2025 a year of redemption or rebuilding?

Looking ahead to the 2025 season, there’s a mixture of outright joy, cautious optimism and lingering questions on the forum surrounding the performance of our beloved Wests Tigers. After a decade of mediocracy followed by three spoons the time is ripe for this club to prove it can rise from adversity. However, is 2025 the year of redemption or are we still rebuilding?

Key Areas:

  1. Leadership & Coaching Stability:
    Probably the biggest question mark in 2025. Benji has been in and around two of our spoon efforts despite only being the head coach last year. I won’t go into detail here given I put forward an analysis of his performance last week. Suffice to say, I think he has demonstrated that he understands what is required and is heading in the right direction. 2025 presents an opportunity for us to settle under Benji. Consistency at the helm could mean that we can focus on long-term goals instead of having to address another major coaching reshuffle in the short-term. I believe that Benji’s performance, along with that of his coaching staff, will determine the outcome of our 2025 season.
  2. Young Guns Ready to Fire:
    The development of our junior talent is now clearly the foundation of Wests Tigers and is the cornerstone of a prosperous future. Failure to invest in this area appropriately will adversely affect our future. Players like Galvin and Latu F. have shown glimpses of brilliance. If they can make the leap in 2025, in support of the big recruits, we could have the spark we need for 2025 to be our year of redemption.
  3. Recruitment and Retention:
    The club’s 2025 recruitment drive is probably the best in the NRL, with Luai, May, Hunt, Taruva and Bird adding much-needed depth and experience in key areas. The retention of Pole, Sam F. and Sione F. (in time) are also great moves by the club. One of the unheralded elements of the rebuild plan has been the depth added to our KOE team. On paper our KOE side is much better, this should allow our juniors to develop over time in the lower grades instead of rushing their development like we did in 2024.
  4. The Spine Question:
    Big call from Richo on having the best spine in the NRL. I think that call was a bit early, but we have a right to be confident in our spine going forward. Bula and Galvin certainly need to step up to another level. Bula in particular needs to address his involvement, particularly in and around the ruck. Api, Luai, Galvin and Bula have the potential to click, but can they deliver week in and week out?
  5. Culture Reset:
    Family first has created considerable debate on the forum. Like it or loathe it, this part of the culture building process that Richo and Benji have instituted. Based on the types of players we have recruited it would be difficult to say that it isn’t working. Could it be less in your face? Potentially; but I can’t see at this point how it is hurting our development given the very strong performance message that Benji has sent with the fat five. You can also see that off-field, the club has been making strides to reconnect with the fanbase. Particularly in the south west. A strong start to the season would do wonders for morale—not just in the sheds, but in the stands.
Predictions and Expectations

I sit in the cautious optimism camp. I still have a couple of nagging doubts around our depth, particularly our second-row stocks. There is still some water to go under bridge before the 2025 season kicks off so Richo and Benji may still address this.

For me it’s unrealistic to expect a return to the glory days of 2005. Personally, I think 2024 was about establishing the foundation and 2025 will be the year we finally see the building blocks come together. I think 2025 will be our turning point, a finals appearance might still be a stretch based on our depth but an injury free run could have us getting there. Realistically, a consistent season with mid-table (9th-12th) finish would signal progress and indicate that the foundations are set for a tilt at the title in 2026.

What are your thoughts? Is 2025 our turning point, or is it yet another year of rebuilding? 🐯💪
Click to expand...
Fantastic analysis !! I cant disagree with anything you said, i still believe we will improve next season but the top 8 is still a bit of a stretch at this stage
 
Demps said:
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Interesting thing about that list, whether we agree with it or not, is that some halves pairings are relatively stable in terms of what they offer and set chemistry, whereas others, like ours, could move up or down that list pretty erratically as the year plays out.

Will be interesting to see that list in Round 27.

The DCE/Brooks ranking for mine is a bit of a laugh. There also appears to be a few average pairings on there heading into next year. More than any other year in recent memory.
 
Oldman said:
What would be everyone’s take if we finished equal on points for 8th but finished 9th on for & against,
Success or failure ?
Click to expand...
I think anybody claiming they'd be stoked with that outcome in 10 months time is simply burned.

It would be extremely frustrating to bow out that way, even if it will be nice to be back in the hunt (hopefully) next year.
 
tigerballs said:
Tiny May wants to play with Terrell once he's cleared ( ? ). 100% wants in. Richo is the only obstacle, doesn't think he'll fit in. Big call coming....
Click to expand...
I think its fair for Richo to not say we'll just blindly accept a player who's been stood down pending criminal charges. Due process is very necessary.

First the player needs to be found not guilty, then they need to be interviewed and come across remorseful, professional and have put in place systems to help ensure such an incident doesn't occur again. Maybe gets further involved in the church or something.

If Richo asks him to demonstrate his maturity and he passes then i'm all for him! But he shouldn't just walk into the place because we signed his brother. Standards are important, especially in Benji's family club culture.
 
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Tucker said:
Depends on the circumstances.
If the back half of the year is injury depleted sides fighting their guts out but just falling short, its a pass.
With a reasonably fit side who dropped some games they should have won through lazy efforts then its a fail.
Click to expand...
I agree with you there,
It’s more about the effort and circumstances than the position on the Ladder.
For us at the moment making the semi finals would just be icing on the cake.
I’m of the opinion that if we asked supporters of other teams which team other than the one you support had the worst 2024 season ?
The Broncos would win hands down.
 
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