Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

We've had ZDC before.
Played cup and never got a mention further.

He's been at half the clubs in the NRL.
Think we can do better.

Agree with all the rest though 🫡

Didn't really give him a good shake.
Think he only played a dozen games - mostly in the Halves.
He's always floated in and around the Halves - But has played better at Hooker.

Havilli is still going pretty well - He'd be my get
 
My take is we just need one elite middle forward to round out our team. Either a Haas-esque prop to partner May (I know, dreamin') OR we persist with Pole as starting no.10 and get a gun lock.

8. May
9. Api
10. Haas-type
11. KPP
12. Fainu
13. Twal/Doueihi

OR

8. May
9. Api
10. Pole
11. KPP
12. Fainu
13. Tino-type

Either of those forward packs are rock solid and would work well with our backs. I'm not content with filling our top 30 with backups and maybes. We've got those players already. At least one of our last spots should be for the cream of the crop.

Whether they're available is another thing... (The whispers I was hearing about a big name from 'up North' have died down considerably, which could mean it's dead or Richo is waiting till Nov and squashing any rumours so as not to kill the possibility)

Bench would be:

14. Latu/Haywood (backup for Api or genuine 14)
15. Twal/Pole (whoever's not starting)
16. Seyfarth/Hunt
17. Sione/Seyfarth

No Sukkar, no Murray, only genuine first-graders please (baring injuries). Let the back-ups be exactly that.
 
My take is we just need one elite middle forward to round out our team. Either a Haas-esque prop to partner May (I know, dreamin') OR we persist with Pole as starting no.10 and get a gun lock.

8. May
9. Api
10. Haas-type
11. KPP
12. Fainu
13. Twal/Doueihi

OR

8. May
9. Api
10. Pole
11. KPP
12. Fainu
13. Tino-type

Either of those forward packs are rock solid and would work well with our backs. I'm not content with filling our top 30 with backups and maybes. We've got those players already. At least one of our last spots should be for the cream of the crop.

Whether they're available is another thing... (The whispers I was hearing about a big name from 'up North' have died down considerably, which could mean it's dead or Richo is waiting till Nov and squashing any rumours so as not to kill the possibility)

Bench would be:

14. Latu/Haywood (backup for Api or genuine 14)
15. Twal/Pole (whoever's not starting)
16. Seyfarth/Hunt
17. Sione/Seyfarth

No Sukkar, no Murray, only genuine first-graders please (baring injuries). Let the back-ups be exactly that.

I dont see Tino as a gun lock, in fact I dont think he is a lock at all. He is an out and out frontrunner IMO. He has zero ball playing ability that modern day locks need.

While I would love to have Tino at the Tigers as a front rower, I wouldn't pay him more than 800k. Hugely overrated player for the output he provides for his club team. I juts dont get the crazy hype for the guy.
 
I think that worries me.
The knights are sitting 16th and were taking KPP and dogs are taking Leo Thompson.

Look, I get sides giving up in their position. But it worries me when we recruit from a team coming near last. This is also a reason why I wouldn't want Tino here, Titans should be going gangbusters, they are not.
I wouldn’t worry too much about that, we’re not signing their entire team and coaching staff.

Melbourne have done fine signing Blore and Stef from our wooden spoon team. Similarly Panthers have added Ice and Talagi from us and Parra and did fine. At one point this year the top 4 was comprised of former Titans halfbacks.
 
My take is we just need one elite middle forward to round out our team. Either a Haas-esque prop to partner May (I know, dreamin') OR we persist with Pole as starting no.10 and get a gun lock.

8. May
9. Api
10. Haas-type
11. KPP
12. Fainu
13. Twal/Doueihi

OR

8. May
9. Api
10. Pole
11. KPP
12. Fainu
13. Tino-type

Either of those forward packs are rock solid and would work well with our backs. I'm not content with filling our top 30 with backups and maybes. We've got those players already. At least one of our last spots should be for the cream of the crop.

Whether they're available is another thing... (The whispers I was hearing about a big name from 'up North' have died down considerably, which could mean it's dead or Richo is waiting till Nov and squashing any rumours so as not to kill the possibility)

Bench would be:

14. Latu/Haywood (backup for Api or genuine 14)
15. Twal/Pole (whoever's not starting)
16. Seyfarth/Hunt
17. Sione/Seyfarth

No Sukkar, no Murray, only genuine first-graders please (baring injuries). Let the back-ups be exactly that.
Seyfarth is still in your 17? Genuine first graders?
 
Trying to avoid starting a new thread, but does anyone know where I can get a Wests tigers hat for a toddler? Ideally those all black ones
New Era Caps Australia has the blackouts in stock, not sure if they fit a toddler tho? Unless kiddo has Hawaiian heritage lol
 
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Bailey Hodges is that ideal player for NSW cup

First grade though, we haven't got that player.
And all the ones we'd like outside the club are locked into contracts.
Yeah for sure I agree on Bailey Hodges @Demps @Bellend just think ZDC can play a role in 1sts imo.

On Hodges, I'm not sure who's cat he run over in the pre-season (jokes btw) but for some reason the club decided he's a lock/middle who can moonlight at dummy half and put him behind Joe Lovodua. What an absolute farcical decision that was! Last year Hodges was playing NSW Cup at 21yo and often our best player providing good service, exceptional defence & provided a running threat from dh.

I feel we've f***ed his development and he'll probably fall behind Josese Lanyon now as that lock/hooker utility. Or maybe I've got it all wrong and Hodges just wasn't showing it to the coaches in the pre-season with his effort & application.
 
Not sure we need to worry about the long term positions right now. We just fit them it where it makes sense for the club.

Learnt this from the Latu vs Galvin and Api vs TDS situations.
That’s litterally the opposite of what’s supposed to happen . Teams plan things out for up to 5 years .
It’s because of this that losing both those players is going to have a limited affect . No disrespect but that mentality is how the club got itself into this position in the first place .
TDS left because Hayward is coming . I have zero doubt in my mind .
And Galvin … well the apple doesn’t fall too far there .
 
Not much news about today so I'm going to do some speculating how I see the 'state-of-play' for our remaining four top 30 spots for next season.

This is based on no players being released from their contracts except Bud Sullivan.

POSITION 1 - a first team centre:
Taylan May
I think that one is fairly obvious!

POSITION 2 - a first team bench utility able to cover Api & provide value in other positions:
Zach Dochar-Clay
Won't be extended by the Roosters. Will be 31 next year. Good dummy half with plenty of experience who can also cover halves & lock. My other thought here was Sivila Havili but reports are he is likely to go to ESL.

POSITION 3 - a depth outside back particularly right centre:
Krystian Mapapalangi
I think the club will leave this until after the final round with priority #1 being Brent Naden re-signing on a much reduced contract and also the opportunity to watch how Mapapalangi finishes the season. If he gets a start in the NRL on Sunday or the next 2 rounds, good chance he could secure this spot.
could be a smart pickup
POSITION 4 - a powerful, experienced & 'low cost' depth prop:
Lazarus Vaalepu
This will be underwhelming to many but unless we release Royce Hunt, I cannot see us recruiting another $500K+ middle. We already have Terrell May, Fonua Pole, Royce Hunt then around the $400k mark are Alex Twal, Alex Seyfarth and hopefully soon Sione Fainu extended. With AD likely to transition to lock and the likes of Kit Laulilii, Taateo & Taupau-Moors not offering much experience, I feel we could do with another experienced, tough, determined & 'low cost' prop. Vaalepu is a beast (27 next year) who dominates most games with the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the QRL (plays 40-50 mins) and is on the periphery of the Storm extended bench most weeks. Did have a short stint in the NRL GF last year as NAS' replacement. Unlikely to be retained by the Storm is the word with youngsters to be promoted. He is strong defensively, good leg drive in contact & may be happy to come to another NRL team to play mainly NSW Cup at first but strive for NRL. If Terrell goes down injured, someone like Vaalepu could come in to play a strong man role.

Anyway that's my take (for now) lol
The Vaaleepu option could be some savvy business. Def need to rest TDM and keep the power up front
 
i like where we are heading but i do think we need a more tactical attack coach to take us to the next level, we don’t run much shape or good set plays
This is the last piece of the puzzle to fit T, if we bring in a new attacking coach or we stick to who we have and solve the problems during the off season I'm confident it will be sorted.
 
My take is we just need one elite middle forward to round out our team. Either a Haas-esque prop to partner May (I know, dreamin') OR we persist with Pole as starting no.10 and get a gun lock.

8. May
9. Api
10. Haas-type
11. KPP
12. Fainu
13. Twal/Doueihi

OR

8. May
9. Api
10. Pole
11. KPP
12. Fainu
13. Tino-type

Either of those forward packs are rock solid and would work well with our backs. I'm not content with filling our top 30 with backups and maybes. We've got those players already. At least one of our last spots should be for the cream of the crop.

Whether they're available is another thing... (The whispers I was hearing about a big name from 'up North' have died down considerably, which could mean it's dead or Richo is waiting till Nov and squashing any rumours so as not to kill the possibility)

Bench would be:

14. Latu/Haywood (backup for Api or genuine 14)
15. Twal/Pole (whoever's not starting)
16. Seyfarth/Hunt
17. Sione/Seyfarth

No Sukkar, no Murray, only genuine first-graders please (baring injuries). Let the back-ups be exactly that.
November 1, Griffith Neme please, only 24 years of age.
 

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