Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

batboy said:
You been living under a rock?
Yeah they were - spewing to lose Sam but happy to see the back of Latus contract.
and gauging how much footy he played in his last year with them (and the 2 years since) maybe they had something better to do with a few hundred thousand every year than poke it into rehab?

Luckily for them, they found the ever accomodating Tigers.

**edit**
And - they’ve still got one of the best halves in the country…
He even plays footy most weeks.
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manly fans are still spewing that they lost the fainus , why does everyone in this forum write them off . they are generational talents and i never say that about kids give latu time . there’s a reason they lost latu , metcalf , weekes , it’s bad recruitment from them not from us. they knew what they had just didn’t have the cap space to get all 3 .
 
Not sure why people are worried about Api to the Bears when his manager has already said he wants his future sorted asap.

Don't forget the NRL will be owning and operating the Bears so expect most player and journo comments around Perth to be extremely positive as per NRL's instructions.
 
Just to go back to the Samuela debate. He did a good job
Canadian Club said:
Maybe thats why hes a Blacktown coach and not anything more. Not to mention thats when he was 18 and had different body, frame and opposition.

I will start by saying, he's 21!
He is definitely one of our best players, even at his age hes our best forward after May (not including Api).

It doesnt even take much to see that Samuelas best position is second row. Look at his frame and his running style... Hes the closest thing to Haumole in the league and we want to move away from that?

We have May and Pole who are great props. Theres to much over thinking. I can tell you now, halves HATE going up against Samuela, hes one of the toughest assignments at backrow in the league due to his body type and aggression. There isnt much more to say than that.

Just think about what you are saying for a second... You want our team to win games, as we all do. But to do that, you want someone who was our player of the year in the second row to move to a position he hasnt played in first grade.

Samuela has the potential to be a top 5 backrower in the league in 3-5 years... Why is this even a discussion?
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I am with the other poster. I think Samuela could play both 2RF or in the middle, but I think he looks far more comfortable when he comes in to take a run mid field.

He is good on the edge, and in our club, miles the best 2RF, but that also speaks volumes of our quality as we have the worst back row in the comp by a long way. I still don't think he is running great lines out there. But when he comes midfield and takes a carry he absolutely punches through and carries them with them. Many players can bounce between 2RF and prop. Have a look how much better Kolomotangi has been the last 3 weeks, in the middle taking carries compared to the edge in the first ten rounds where he really didn't do that much. If we actually had some edges coming through, he would be a terrific lock. Unfortunately, we don't so I think he will remain on the edge.
 
The Chad said:
Agreed. Which is why you add a bunch of mutual options to the contract & never assume he is your long term answer.

2 good seasons at the Broncos before he went south.

4 pretty good seasons in a poor team before going south in the 5th.

I think, if he's not the guy you rely on, he's fine. For all his poor play this year, he's on 93% tackle effeciency & averaging 100m a game....it's better than what we put on the field!
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If he comes to the Wests Tigers he goes even further South than when he went to the Gold Coast. 🤣

On a more serious note, Seyfarth is at 93.6% tackle efficiency and averaging 66 metres a game, we know he doesn't have the ability and up side that Fifita has, but he does have a crack every game, which is probably more than what you can say for David Fifita currently.

On those current stats what dollar value do you put on David Fifita, obviously you can't pay top dollar but what do you pay when you weigh up risk verses cost?
 
I agree that if we leave Samuela on an edge he would likely become an elite edge back rower within a few years time, but realistically we don’t have time to wait for that happen, we need elite, tackle busting, line breaking, offloading, try scoring edge back rowers yesterday.
As someone just mentioned mixing between the middle and edge, even potentially starting as our 13 would not hurt his development and would be very similar to how Souths have used Kalomatangi over the past few years.
Samuela is probably our hardest hitting defender and I’m sure he would love mixing it up in the middle on a more regular basis, plus he has an underrated passing game before the line, so I think he could potentially be a very good starting 13.
 
The article on Api I believe has been posted and reading what he has said, Api wants to remain a WT. Good on him for demonstrating the loyalty we often demand of players. A player of his quality and the outstanding service he has provided to the club has the right to make a decision about his future. Note - "For me it's Tigers if I can". Humble as always. Well played Api, you are a class act.

"To be fair I've never seriously thought about it, mainly because I'd love to just finish off here at the Tigers and I'm in no rush to be going anywhere or sign any contracts," he said.

"I haven't thought about it, not seriously anyway. For me it's Tigers if I can."


 
Vicious said:
I agree that if we leave Samuela on an edge he would likely become an elite edge back rower within a few years time, but realistically we don’t have time to wait for that happen, we need elite, tackle busting, line breaking, offloading, try scoring edge back rowers
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So why would we be interested in Fifita then ? Have you seen him of late ? Only possibility for me would be to take him for one year on the cheap if he signs with the Bears for 2027
 
tigahhh said:
manly fans are still spewing that they lost the fainus , why does everyone in this forum write them off . they are generational talents and i never say that about kids give latu time . there’s a reason they lost latu , metcalf , weekes , it’s bad recruitment from them not from us. they knew what they had just didn’t have the cap space to get all 3 .
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Latu turned 20 just 2 weeks ago and people talking about how little first grade he played in the previous 2 years. The expectation that all kids at 18 or 19 are ready for the step up to NRL is crazy.

Players are routinely playing into their mid 30's now. Particularly halves. He still has 15 years in front on him.

Those 3 boys were a bargain for us. All first grade quality at just a tick over a million. Can't get that value everyday in the NRL.
 
weststigers said:
Latu turned 20 just 2 weeks ago and people talking about how little first grade he played in the previous 2 years. The expectation that all kids at 18 or 19 are ready for the step up to NRL is crazy.

Players are routinely playing into their mid 30's now. Particularly halves. He still has 15 years in front on him.

Those 3 boys were a bargain for us. All first grade quality at just a tick over a million. Can't get that value everyday in the NRL.
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The younger Fainu’s are on $550k a year …that’s not cheap for young unproven guys .. it was a bit of a gamble …but Sam looks to have the goods ..,

I like Latu’s potential … but so far he can’t stay on the field …. The absolute best ability Is availability
 
JB9918 said:
So who is our left field recruitment that we don't see coming?

I assume our next target is a #13.

Hopgood is the one I'd like rather Hetherington. Seems to have fallen out at Parramatta to Walker. But with KPP now we have Twal, Seyfarth, Bird as middle rotations. Bird can be upgraded on though I feel. Hunt who knows what comes of his dropping but Sione locks down his bench spot.

Also are we gonna chase a half or go all in on Latu & Mason as options? If we land Taylan May - Doueihi also becomes 4th drop half. That's if he re-signs. I reckon Doueihi signs a 1 year extension & goes to Perth. Smart for both parties with his injury history but also allows him to cash in over there.

Personally I would be speaking to Souths to swap Gray for Sullivan then we have enjoy ball playing depth.

At fully fit. We are getting there across the park.

Will be interesting few weeks between now & June 30 plus who we re-sign that are off-contract and the obvious new signings....

Credit also for the dodged bullets of Klemmer, Papalili & Bateman.
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You’d take Hopgood every day of the week over Hetherington. Have no idea where the constant interest in Kobe comes from. It’s not quite Tyrone May level, but it’s in the ball park. Hopgood would be great, but I doubt he’s available.
 
We're still as soft as a 7/11 Slushie through the middle.

Whoever we look to recruit next, the club needs to find a way to stop teams running through soft tackles.

Note- not bad tacklers. Terrell May, Pole, Seyfarth, Twal...all ok defenders.

But they simply can't stop a strong charge. Too much standing in tackles, losing the ruck, quick play of the ball etc.

Our best contact defender is on an edge.

Finding a lightweight #13 isn't the answer to stopping & dropping the opposition middles.
 
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