Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[bbobb]

Tolerance is different for 4 time premiership winners compared to fringe first graders.

One thing I think all us fans agree on is we lack physicality and the ability to dominate our opponents physically.
Taylan May brings a high level of physicality, we need to pray here-signs with us.
All 3 Fainu brothers generally play with plenty of physicality, however Sione was way down on what he generally brings us last night.
Royce Hunt definately offers us physicality and a point of difference when he brings the energy to allow it to happen.
For all of his critics Fonua Pole is no doubt our hardest running forward, BUT he has really struggled defensively this season. Being so young, powerfully built and very fit for a man of his size, there is no reason why he cannot make the necessary defensive improvements.
Other than that we ideally need 1 or 2 more players who bring plenty of physicality and aggression.
I’m not sure if it was just rumours and if it is true or not, but it was only about 2 or 3 weeks back when it was reported the Sharks were willing to offload Talakai and Hamlin-Uele due to salary cap constraints.
If true and they are available for 2026, surely we have do everything within our power to try and make it happen.

Insightful post V. One question though - Do you think Terrel as a player with high physicality? I am not sure. At the moment, I think it is more activity than action.

 

[Tom Shines]

It’s a definite balancing act as I do agree we need something extra in the forwards as well as the backs.
As I keep saying the 2 Sharks players in Talakai and Hamlin-Uele would make a massive positive difference to us with their powerful ball running and aggression on both sides of the ball.
My salary cap calculation says both would command a minimum of 500k on the open market which would be very hard for us to accommodate, however if we managed to offload one or two of Bird, Twal or Seyfarth it would then be manageable.
I still think Bird could potentially fill the 1st receiver ball playing 13 role, however if we managed to recruit someone as powerful and destructive as Talakai, our 13 role would them be ideally filled by a combination of he and either Doueihi or Latu, so there would be no need for Bird.
Talakai would also give us coverage in the centres or edge back row.
Hamlin-Uele would add his powerful ball running and aggressive defence, similar to Royce but with a much better work rate and bigger engine.
Surely this scenario would also mean far less minutes per game and far better impact from Terrell.
It would make us go from a powder puff forward pack to an imposing forward pack.

Twal is ok to continue at the club I think …only $380-400k and has earned his keep this year …they love him so he isn’t going anywhere

I don’t know what Seyfarth is on …less I would guess …. I doubt they move him on either to be honest ..

Bird is the man to go … looks like he is already on the outer not even playing NSW Cup

Talakai and the other bloke would be in our Top 17 ….but not sure they are real needle movers …bench players around 30 mins a game …

I’d probably take one if they were the best they could do …but would be hoping someone else shakes free

 

[weststigerman]

I think we should sign Suosifa Talakai from the sharks. Apparently he’s available for 2026. Can play middle or edge, or in the centres. Would be a lock for a bench spot because of his versatility. Brings impact off the bench. Wouldn’t cost too much.

I think Talakai is more expensive than you think. Utility with impact that has played for NSW. I think he’s at least $500k given a lot of clubs want impact players.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

After watching this season I'm putting my 10 cents worth in on how to improve the team.

Lock: Terrell has been playing like he wants to play that position so move him there.

Prop: We are missing say two hard men, so this becomes the priority.

Hooker (back up): Don't think we can afford to get one from outside so train someone from in house over the summer.

Right centre: Beginning to think we have to go to market here Toa is starting to give me the shits, could we move Taylan over he's classy enough to adapt but that would mean Makasini plays left centre it could be too soon to expect him to play all season being so young.

Do we have the cap space, who knows, have the feeling that some more players might be getting tapped on the shoulder though.

 

[jstigers]

M


Question - How do you expect them to improve this team then?

I hope it’s not an expectation of finding a NSW Cup player , signing him for minimum and then having that guy turn out to be the next Payne Haas …

They need improvement in the middle …if they don’t improve there then I do t know how you can reasonably expect better results next season

Exactly.... Stop thinking KOE players will turn this club around, we simply don't have the squad, we had good coaches here that did not much because we don't have the squad period. Look at the top 8 squads vs ours, nothing will change untill we buy genuine NRL starters!

 

[gregjm87]

That’s another problem.
Tristan Hope is not as bad of a player as some people like to make out, but similar to Api he is a smaller body who opposing teams will target with him defending in the middle and he cannot play any other position, so he offers no versatility if used on our bench.
Add the fact that we will highly likely have and need either Doueihi or Latu as our 14 and it’s just not feasible to have either of them and a smaller body such as Tristan Hope on our bench at the same time.
We need a similar type of player to Havili at the Rabbitohs who is capable of playing as a 9 as well as a power forward when required.
Havili is getting too old and lazy, so he’s not the answer and he’s heading to the UK Super League in any case.
We do have someone iwho fits this playing description in Josese Lanyon, but he’s really untested above Jersey Flegg level at this stage, so it’s far from certain he will be capable of rising to the challenge.
We certainly know how to get ourself into dilemmas regarding our playing roster.

Chan Kum Tong?

 

[Wezt]

Joey Lussick

 

[gregjm87]

One thing I think all us fans agree on is we lack physicality and the ability to dominate our opponents physically.
Taylan May brings a high level of physicality, we need to pray here-signs with us.
All 3 Fainu brothers generally play with plenty of physicality, however Sione was way down on what he generally brings us last night.
Royce Hunt definately offers us physicality and a point of difference when he brings the energy to allow it to happen.
For all of his critics Fonua Pole is no doubt our hardest running forward, BUT he has really struggled defensively this season. Being so young, powerfully built and very fit for a man of his size, there is no reason why he cannot make the necessary defensive improvements.
Other than that we ideally need 1 or 2 more players who bring plenty of physicality and aggression.
I’m not sure if it was just rumours and if it is true or not, but it was only about 2 or 3 weeks back when it was reported the Sharks were willing to offload Talakai and Hamlin-Uele due to salary cap constraints.
If true and they are available for 2026, surely we have do everything within our power to try and make it happen.

Probably not allowed to do this nowadays but I'd want to sign half a dozen recently retired front rowers to a 6 week train and trial. They then spend 6 weeks taking turns running at Pole. I assume we have a tackling/wrestling coach employed that can make minor adjustments to his technique over this 6 weeks.
Pole doesn't seem to lack a willingness to tackle, more so he just lacks execution. It has been the case since he debuted, which woud be fine except that it hasn't improved.
His physical attributes and willingness, he should be our best middle. Unfortunately outside of the odd good game he is usually one of our worst.

 

[gregjm87]

F

Joey Lussick

Freddy plays well as a running forward, never seen Joey used this way but he is probably big enough.

 

[The Chad]

F

Freddy plays well as a running forward, never seen Joey used this way but he is probably big enough.

Freddy would be an astute pick up.

Probably built for #13, can play #9 & HAS played every forward role for the dominant Warriors KOE squad. Last 2 years he had significant 1st grade exposure but this year stepped down & the KOE side is the best in it's grade.

He's that tweener type- nearly good enough to be a regular 1st grader & probably too good to be a KOE player. Squads that are building, like the Tigers, can use these types. His versatility additionally fills gaps for us.

Interesting watching him play front row- often playing as first receiver & passing before the line- almost in a Yeoh type style. Kind of almost the way Terrell May plays.

We need a guy on the bench that CAN play #9, but not ONLY #9. Having a 3 man bench + a back up dummy half restricts the rotation too much.

 

[Tom Shines]

Freddie Lussick is under contract in 2026…

Freddy would be an astute pick up.

Probably built for #13, can play #9 & HAS played every forward role for the dominant Warriors KOE squad. Last 2 years he had significant 1st grade exposure but this year stepped down & the KOE side is the best in it's grade.

 

[tigerslad]

I'd throw some decent money at Cooper Bai to play lock off the bench for us. Seems we're pretty set on AD at lock for next season but wouldn't hurt to have some depth and eventually let this kid take over because he looks the real deal.

 

[weststigerman]

I'd throw some decent money at Cooper Bai to play lock off the bench for us. Seems we're pretty set on AD at lock for next season but wouldn't hurt to have some depth and eventually let this kid take over because he looks the real deal.

Players like Bai do not go off contract this late in the season. I have no doubt he’s contracted long term at the Titans.

 

[jirskyr]

Walsh can find that extra gear when needed.
Bula cant....if he could hed have 6 to 8 more tries this year.
Would be nice to have just one player that can burn the opp with just pure speed

Agree but comparing players to Reece Walsh isn't really fair, the bloke has unearthly acceleration, like a greyhound.

 

[tigahhh]

Players like Bai do not go off contract this late in the season. I have no doubt he’s contracted long term at the Titans.

hasn’t got a contract for next year according to ZT lol

 

[weststigerman]

IMO pre season focus should be:

Ruck control/winning wrestle
Support runners in yardage sets
Right side edge defence
Reps with Bula, Luai, Latu and AD in their 2026 positions

Individuals
Latu: general play kicking short and long
AD: playing 13 and bulking up a bit
Makasini: hit the weights
To’a: get healthy and then just focus on defence
Royce and Kit: drop 3-5 kg and have fitness targets to meet
Seyfarth and Bird: find another club
KPP: drop 2-4 kg

 

[weststigerman]

hasn’t got a contract for next year according to ZT lol

I don’t think that’s accurate

 

[tigahhh]

I don’t think that’s accurate

yeah you’d think not…. He’s a huge prospect like makasini

 

[crazycat]

Turuva and Skelton are both good players individually, but as a combination they are definitely bottom 3 in regards to pace in wing combinations across the NRL.
Our centres are certainly not above average for speed either, however Taylan May regularly hits top speed very quickly and shows elite urgency to overcome it.
Add our back row that are also well below average in the speed department and we are a slow team, no ifs and buts about it.
Compare us in the speed of players 1-17 with the current NRL top 8 and it’s scary how far behind we are.

Ill go in for Turuva.
Look speed matters for wingers, What matters more is that they can apply pace when they need too. GI was rather sneeky as he acted just a little slower then he was. The defenders misread him and he pushes to the line...

I do wonder, if moving Turuva to the centers while getting say Sloan or similar for the wing (talking 2 years tops.). Plenty of teams are doing a cleanout and we can adjust the line.

Look fast wingers are a sugar hit. Having Nofo and our other speedsters in the past hid deficienies in our team. I am happy with the Wingers we got because it means we have to get our spine and line defense right to win games. Once we start winning like that we can then get a speedster knowing that their fast running is a sugar hit and we can score in the middle aswell.

 

[BBTF]

A couple of the raiders reserve grade forwards have come on today in the NRL and in 15 minutes shown more than Sukkar, Seyfarth, Twal did all season in attack