Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[GNR4LIFE]

Papi wasn’t at the same level this year as in previous years. Given how fragile he is, probably a good idea to get a payday that will set up for life after footy.

 

[Halbrowne61]

Papi wasn’t at the same level this year as in previous years. Given how fragile he is, probably a good idea to get a payday that will set up for life after footy.

Or does he make a belated comeback to the Tigers when/if Bula leaves ?

 

[Juice]

Or does he make a belated comeback to the Tigers when/if Bula leaves ?

I still rate him despite having a poor year with errors. IMO he played like he wanted out majority of the year. It was a concern to see him not back his speed in the grand final though

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Or does he make a belated comeback to the Tigers when/if Bula leaves ?

You’d have to be under the assumption that Bula is 100% gone immediately, which seems extremely unlikely.

 

[weststigerman]

So according to WT Will Craig is in our top 30 and
Bunty is a development player.

Very strange.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Who knows...

It's very unusual.

There was no announcement on Craig. But clear announcements on Goodinet & Tapua-Moors...

The only benefit is we are at 28 still.

From what we thought. Craig in Top 30. Afoa as a Development. Clarity on the 6 total development deals. But as said nothing on Goodinet or Tapua-Moors...

I was taken aback by this roster list from what we believed to be happening.

Firstly, Will Craig. I wish nothing but the best for the kid and hope he can prove me wrong but a top 30 contract, really??? This will bring an end to the Tim Sheens regime contracts.

And Godinet & Taupau-Moors. On some quick research, it looks like the club never announced either on development contracts for next year (that I can source), only that they are secured at the club.

Taupau-Moors - https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2025/02/14/wests-tigers-lock-in-pathways-talent/
Godinet - https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2025/03/07/pathways-prospect-extends-til-2027/

It seems it may be Zero Tackle speculating via unnamed sources ...

Godinet - https://www.zerotackle.com/wests-tigers-lock-in-teenage-sensation-until-2027-219512/
Taupau-Moors - https://www.zerotackle.com/exclusiv...ers-forward-lands-maiden-nrl-contract-218972/

So not sure what sort of contracts they are on for 2026, maybe T&T or just pathways contracts leading to Dev deals in '27.

Hopefully the club can clarify all very soon.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

So according to WT Will Craig is in our top 30 and
Bunty is a development player.

Very strange.

Yes why would Bunty move to Australia and the much higher cost of living in Sydney for an $80k dev deal? Doesn't make sense.

 

[magpies forever]

Yes why would Bunty move to Australia and the much higher cost of living in Sydney for an $80k dev deal? Doesn't make sense.

Id say there is a promise that there will be further movement in the Top 30 list and he will be shifted there once thigs clarify, if not, it sure doesnt make huge sense.

 

[innsaneink]

Bunty is on a Dev deal?

I thought these were for juniors and a minimum wage

 

[innsaneink]

So according to WT Will Craig is in our top 30 and
Bunty is a development player.

Very strange.

I called it.
Richos gone...Dennis has taken over

 

[tigahhh]

near impossible to grow and achieve success when our top 30 has a number of players playing ron Massey cup 🤦🏻‍♀️

thanks sheens

 

[Jux]

Or does he make a belated comeback to the Tigers when/if Bula leaves ?

I’d say if he was on a million( or thereabouts) at the Storm, the only place he’ll be getting more would be at R360.

 

[Needaname]

I was taken aback by this roster list from what we believed to be happening.

Firstly, Will Craig. I wish nothing but the best for the kid and hope he can prove me wrong but a top 30 contract, really??? This will bring an end to the Tim Sheens regime contracts.

And Godinet & Taupau-Moors. On some quick research, it looks like the club never announced either on development contracts for next year (that I can source), only that they are secured at the club.

Taupau-Moors - https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2025/02/14/wests-tigers-lock-in-pathways-talent/
Godinet - https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2025/03/07/pathways-prospect-extends-til-2027/

It seems it may be Zero Tackle speculating via unnamed sources ...

Godinet - https://www.zerotackle.com/wests-tigers-lock-in-teenage-sensation-until-2027-219512/
Taupau-Moors - https://www.zerotackle.com/exclusiv...ers-forward-lands-maiden-nrl-contract-218972/

So not sure what sort of contracts they are on for 2026, maybe T&T or just pathways contracts leading to Dev deals in '27.

Hopefully the club can clarify all very soon.

Can only imagine the two juniors are on T&T deal for the pre season / into NSWcup contracts.
Hah Will Craig. It was confirmed by his management but no one believed him. Myself included.
Using a local to replace the useless Josh Feledy?

 

[Moh]

Wise decision from Papenhuyzen, his body probably can't handle much more NRL, or at least it'd be very risky. Good time for him to chase more $$$.

 

[Tom Shines]

How long before someone on the forum “hears “ that Bula to Storm to replace Paps?

By 5pm I think

 

[Charred]

A little rumour going around is that Papenhuyzen wants to come back to Sydney and has even expressed a desire to return to Wests Tigers. Won't be until 2026 earliest if at all.

With Bula in the no.1 jersey do we have a place for him? Could Bula go to centre and Paps take fullback?

Just a bit of a throwback here. Could Tiger Tarl have been right all along????

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Can only imagine the two juniors are on T&T deal for the pre season / into NSWcup contracts.
Hah Will Craig. It was confirmed by his management but no one believed him. Myself included.
Using a local to replace the useless Josh Feledy?

Ultimately the Will Craig top 30 deal is the poor contract we're shackled to due to the previous Sheens/Pascoe/Lee regime.

Godinet & Taupau-Moors on T&T onto dev deal in '27 is a step in the right direction for the club giving contracts to unproven 18yos.

Getting Bunty on a dev deal is tremendous value but probably with some sort of guarantee or KPIs to meet to be elevated.

Interested who our full compliment of T&Ts are now. I'd say Peter Taateo is one of them after forgoing a NRL contract with Raiders in '26 to join us mid-season last year.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

How long before someone on the forum “hears “ that Bula to Storm to replace Paps?

By 5pm I think

Except Tripp is quoted as saying Papz has been released to have a break from professional sport. Unless he sees our club as unprofessional lol

 

[balmain boy]

Wests Tigers NRL Signings Tracker

Updated signing news and squad info for our NRL squad.

www.weststigers.com.au

We did upgrade Will Craig after all

That would be an absolute disaster for the club. Huge. It's unfathomable.
And is Bunty really on development contract meaning he can't play until halfway through the season or is the club just an amateur mess?

 

[tigahhh]

That would be an absolute disaster for the club. Huge. It's unfathomable.
And is Bunty really on development contract meaning he can't play until halfway through the season or is the club just an amateur mess?

craig upgrade is an old sheens deal mate. disasterous stuff surely there’s a way to move him on