Signings Assessment
KPP
Proven athletic edge forward with Super League and NRL experience; international pedigree that should strengthens our edge defence and provide and attacking (offload/line-break) threat. His age/profile means that there is still room to improve while offering immediate physicality and line-running — addresses the impact shortfalls in Seyfarths game. This should provide us with strike and strong defence on both edges giving us better attacking balance but eh must be linked with finishers who can capitalise on his strenghts.
The risk with KPP is minimal. He is not a silver-bullet for our forward rotation though. We still need depth and middle-forward grunt along with a FG level 13. The three-year deal gives some continuity in the pack and the chance to build combinations with the halves.
Bunty Afoa
Brings experience and a high workload to the middle and will be useful as a stabiliser for our younger middle forwards. He is tough and is capable of repeat set carries and brings a wealth of NRL experience. He is not a game-changing impact prop; more of a reliable, workmanlike addition. He could form a great rotation with Royce Hunt shoudl be be able to get fit over the off season and deliver the game changing impact we need.
The risk with Bunty is that at 29 and after many NRL games under his belt his output could be on the decline. This is reflected in the short term nature of his contract. Bunty is a sensible short-term upgrade to provide depth and experience in the middle. He lowers the risk of carrying Pole as a potential long-term answer.
Jock Madden
Jock performed well in the absence of Reynolds in a premiership winning team and was singled out as being a key component of their success in 2025. He provides good cover and will press Latu for a FG halves position. He is versatile enough to play as a utility playmaker/hooler and will bolster our injury cover. He is also still young enough to develop into a consistent NRL option; he will not set the world on fire but he is reliable. His recovery from a pectoral tear is a risk as he, like Latu, appears to be injury prone. He hasn’t cemented himself as a long-term first-choice half so is likely to be our depth cover as opposed to a preferred starter; however, with Latu recovering from shoulder surgery he could be wearing the 7 come round 1.
Ethan Roberts
Ethan has youth, size and a development profile with a hig ceiling. He has representative junior credentials so is a classic “buy young athletic forward”. A low-cost, high-upside signing that can be blooded gradually if required. The downside is that he has unproven consistency as NRL level and will prossibly need some development time in NSW Cup. Benji is not afraid to give players exposure to FG early; so while he is not an instant fix he is a smart medium/long-term investment. We need to manage both expectations and minutes as he develops.
Taylan May
Taylan has demonstrated that he is a genuine strike player. He has pace and finishing ability, has shown he can score and change games when focused. We have given him an opportunity and he has performed. Football wise he is a low risk signing with potential X-factor.
Taylan's off-field history and the reputational context associated with it means the club will continue to manage community perception carefully. His long-term consistency is unproven but he has the potential to provide a high reward if he stays on the straight path and performs. With a fit Starford Toa or potentially Makasimi on the opposite edge we have strike on both sides of the field.
Mavrik (Mav) Geyer
Mav Geyer is signed on a one-year deal after limited NRL minutes since his debut with Penrith in 2024. He provides immediate edge depth and a proven NSW Cup/NRL defensive workrate. He is no world beater but is young enough to develop further while offering a short-term, low-commitment option. The oOne-year deal is short but works to the advantage of both parties. If he performs well, the club will need look at re-signing him early or risk losing him. This could create churn; however, unless he improves drastically over the off season it is not likely that he will continue to provide depth and injury cover.
Javon Andrews
Javon Andrews is a high-upside playmaker with junior representative honours bringing a potential long term creative option in the halves. His prior involvement in Tigers Pathways is a plus and the three-year deal gives the club a genuine development window to prepare him as an internal halves solution should he fulfill his potential. He could be a direct succession option for Luai.
He is still a junior and will need time in NSW Cup along with controlled NRL minutes. Javon is a strategic signing to address the creativity pipeline — exactly the kind of internal solution that offsets Galvin's departure. The club will need to manage his pathway carefully so he’s not rushed.
Losses
We have not lost any players that will leave a significant hole on our Top 30. Depth has been increased significantly across the board. WE are in a net positive position.
Weaknesses / outstanding needs
Based on us not recruiting a proven FG level 13 we appear to be hanging our hat on AD transitioning into this role. Even if he is successful in this transition we lack depth in this area. Jack Bird is a potential solution; however, his age and declining performances indicate that this is a risky strategy.
