Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Find something else to do then ? It’s not rocket science ! But you just live to wallow …
LES you must be a STRONGE supporter who has no problem seeing the Tigers hanging around the bottom of the NRL table each year? Come on Les, surely you are over the club missing the finals for 14 years straight? Wingeing is now part of a Wests Tiger supporters DNA.
 
It’s only been 15 years mate. We can’t wallow.
@innsaneink copying you in too.

We all agree that it's been 15 years of hurt and pipedreams of a rebuild.

I think where a few of us are coming from is that under the current administration, it's been less than 2 years. So when we refer to a rebuild, we have to set the start date of 1 Jan 2024...

So I don't think it's fair to attach the 15 years of pain, disappointment and horrible decision making, to the work of new leadership who have had less 2 years.. yes they work for "the tigers".. but they can only work with what they've got in the time they have had ..
 

Solid! One of Richo's first appointments. Fair chance Richo is grooming Shaun to take over as CEO when he retires in a few years.
He appears to have a very high ceiling and could possibly be successor to Richo noting his excellent performance with the Mariners.
 
Best thing I heard on the btr podcast was Richo saying we are now starting to promote coaches from the lower grades up. Hopefully that will bring continuity with the coaches and players right through the club. Two decades ago the top clubs would recruit their first grade coaches from their lower grades. Great Richo is starting to try to implement it at the Tigers now.
 
Latu Fainu going for shoulder reconstruction is an obvious blow. I think with AD going back to 7 that’ll fill the void for the time being but also leaves a gap at 13.

I personally think Josh Curran would be an incredible signing for us and very gettable for 2026. He could potentially play lock and have the versatility to fit elsewhere in the squad once Latu returns.

Something I can’t unsee however and not to get my hopes up…. but does anyone else see a lot of Ethan Strange in Latu Fainu?

Ethan’s first year he was pretty quiet and had a breakout year in his second season after a full pre season. Hoping this injury doesn’t set Latu back too far cause I see that kinda trajectory for him injuries aside.

Imo Latu is our ace, if we can get him going next to Api, Luai and Bula then we’ll be a force.
 
Latu Fainu going for shoulder reconstruction is an obvious blow. I think with AD going back to 7 that’ll fill the void for the time being but also leaves a gap at 13.

I personally think Josh Curran would be an incredible signing for us and very gettable for 2026. He could potentially play lock and have the versatility to fit elsewhere in the squad once Latu returns.

Something I can’t unsee however and not to get my hopes up…. but does anyone else see a lot of Ethan Strange in Latu Fainu?

Ethan’s first year he was pretty quiet and had a breakout year in his second season after a full pre season. Hoping this injury doesn’t set Latu back too far cause I see that kinda trajectory for him injuries aside.

Imo Latu is our ace, if we can get him going next to Api, Luai and Bula then we’ll be a force.
Until Latu can prove that he can get through a season injury free, it doesn’t matter who you want to compare him to. I know he’s still young, but the amount of injuries are getting frustrating. Kind of player who would do a knee getting out of bed.
 
Its a like for ;like replacement. Lawnmowing prowess tbd!
Were not close to the 8 without forward reinforcements..I dont know what Richo is thinking
Ur 100% right no new forwards we will see us in the bottom half again , there has been good forwards that we could have got , but have gone to other clubs who have got better packs , makes no sense
 
Latu Fainu going for shoulder reconstruction is an obvious blow. I think with AD going back to 7 that’ll fill the void for the time being but also leaves a gap at 13.

I personally think Josh Curran would be an incredible signing for us and very gettable for 2026. He could potentially play lock and have the versatility to fit elsewhere in the squad once Latu returns.

Something I can’t unsee however and not to get my hopes up…. but does anyone else see a lot of Ethan Strange in Latu Fainu?

Ethan’s first year he was pretty quiet and had a breakout year in his second season after a full pre season. Hoping this injury doesn’t set Latu back too far cause I see that kinda trajectory for him injuries aside.

Imo Latu is our ace, if we can get him going next to Api, Luai and Bula then we’ll be a force.
We should have signed Josh Curran when he was available from the Warriors a couple of seasons back and I agree he would add desperately needed leg speed and mongrel to our forward pack.
 
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Until Latu can prove that he can get through a season injury free, it doesn’t matter who you want to compare him to. I know he’s still young, but the amount of injuries are getting frustrating. Kind of player who would do a knee getting out of bed.
His tackle technique is where all of his injuries have come from bar the hamstring issues.

Needs to fix that and looks like he won’t get the opportunity in the off season now.
 
Ur 100% right no new forwards we will see us in the bottom half again , there has been good forwards that we could have got , but have gone to other clubs who have got better packs , makes no sense
You know what, I thought the same..then I went through and looked at the ages of a few key players:

Samuela Fainu: 21
- When Jarome moved to 6 and Taylan jumped into the centres, he went up another gear. This guy will be playing for the blues soon - he's much better than Hudson young at the same age.

Sione Fainu: 24
- He has improved year on year. I see him kicking on in 2026

Terrell May: 26
- Benji has big expectations for him next year and you can tell Terrell respects him. We see Terrell lift to another level next year.

Fanua Pole: 23
- For anyone questioning his ability, he and Terrell were right up there with the best front row combinations at the start of this year. He had some issues after the injury, but I am confident he lifts another level next year.

Then we have some of the older lads:

Alex Twal - 29
- With some luck, he will be playing in the middle rotation this year. Keep it simple and make hit ups. Whilst he isn't a ball playing front row, we need some meat heads. Twaly leads by example in this regard.

Royce Hunt - 30
- If he digs in during the pre-season, there is a high ceiling for hunty boy. Imagine him fit playing 20 minute stints?

Admittedly, I'm high from the vibes from the mayday podcast. The talk between Benji and Terrell was genuine. I can see the vision - its a 2-3 year strategy.
 
You know what, I thought the same..then I went through and looked at the ages of a few key players:

Samuela Fainu: 21
- When Jarome moved to 6 and Taylan jumped into the centres, he went up another gear. This guy will be playing for the blues soon - he's much better than Hudson young at the same age.

Sione Fainu: 24
- He has improved year on year. I see him kicking on in 2026

Terrell May: 26
- Benji has big expectations for him next year and you can tell Terrell respects him. We see Terrell lift to another level next year.

Fanua Pole: 23
- For anyone questioning his ability, he and Terrell were right up there with the best front row combinations at the start of this year. He had some issues after the injury, but I am confident he lifts another level next year.

Then we have some of the older lads:

Alex Twal - 29
- With some luck, he will be playing in the middle rotation this year. Keep it simple and make hit ups. Whilst he isn't a ball playing front row, we need some meat heads. Twaly leads by example in this regard.

Royce Hunt - 30
- If he digs in during the pre-season, there is a high ceiling for hunty boy. Imagine him fit playing 20 minute stints?

Admittedly, I'm high from the vibes from the mayday podcast. The talk between Benji and Terrell was genuine. I can see the vision - it’s a 2-3 year strategy.
One thing , if hunt couldn’t get fit for this season , what will change for next year .
We have a pretty good base in the forwards department, we just don’t have the quality on the bench or in nsw cup to push for a 1st grade spot , get another mongrel prop and a decent lock and we would be a top 8 spot
 
One thing , if hunt couldn’t get fit for this season , what will change for next year .
We have a pretty good base in the forwards department, we just don’t have the quality on the bench or in nsw cup to push for a 1st grade spot , get another mongrel prop and a decent lock and we would be a top 8 spot
Alot has changed within the squad since last pre season and this one.. a year together.. belief... being dropped to KOE and knowing what's expected..
 
LES you must be a STRONGE supporter who has no problem seeing the Tigers hanging around the bottom of the NRL table each year? Come on Les, surely you are over the club missing the finals for 14 years straight? Wingeing is now part of a Wests Tiger supporters DNA.
Of course I hate losing ! it burns my soul . But I see no purpose in passive aggressive , underhanded , soft comments . Most games after we lose I’m like Madge , doing everything I can to not put holes in the wall. But once I’m settled mentally , I rewatch most games , and try and be fair and square and objective . I know this game . It’s not very complicated if you’ve spent much time in an open age footy team , let alone a higher level one .
I personally find it weak . It’s criticism with zero constructive element —- so bitching and whinging ! And the justification in bitching whinging , when criticised for it by others , is “you like mediocrity” … which is like doubling down on your bitching whinging , so now you’re justifying it with more bitching and whinging . For me I prefer to concentrate on what I see are areas for growth , and participate in conversations around that . Whether it be , where the improvement in the squad is coming from , or whatever.
I think Benji has done a great job .
We were being run as a vanity project for 2 imbeciles , one ex afl dickhead , and a fedora wearing ambulance chaser.
There was no attention to detail . Whether it be the members pack , or the players we recruit or whatever, even they bullshitted around members numbers . This toxic culture whilst it may have seemed similar to the “white and black is better than oranger and black” or “a feline is better than a bird” , it wasn’t similar at all , but rather we’d let ineptitude seep into the walls . Which early doors the issues was we couldn’t make any decisions without a committee and a bunch of blokes arguing . That shifted to 2 outsiders running the club into the ground IMO.
So we tried it with first with sheens , and unfortunately for him , Father Time remains undefeated , and for many reasons he didn’t have it anymore (despite what Tony Adam’s and his mates now at manly might tell everyone) , and then we had to go with Benji . Which i think will turn out the only smart decision those dipshits will have ever made … and they did it because they thought it would be a publicity stunt to kick the can down the road a few more years for themselves … .
I think I’ve explained where I’m at now mentally . And it’s a healthy place . I’m not happy clapping. But I’m also not putting all the negative energy into the universe you see from guys like gunner , and that fraud from Townsville , whenever they haven’t taken thier antidepressants or are on here stirring shit .
I’m resilient . I don’t quit easy …
 
@innsaneink copying you in too.

We all agree that it's been 15 years of hurt and pipedreams of a rebuild.

I think where a few of us are coming from is that under the current administration, it's been less than 2 years. So when we refer to a rebuild, we have to set the start date of 1 Jan 2024...

So I don't think it's fair to attach the 15 years of pain, disappointment and horrible decision making, to the work of new leadership who have had less 2 years.. yes they work for "the tigers".. but they can only work with what they've got in the time they have had ..
Thats fair enough
 
I personally think Josh Curran would be an incredible signing for us and very gettable for 2026. He could potentially play lock and have the versatility to fit elsewhere in the squad once Latu returns.

Haha … ok

Richo playing 4D chess like Gould obviously with his recent comments …
 
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