Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

boonboon said:
Given we are losing Tupou, Alaimalo is on a 1 yr deal and we let Nofa go it's wingers where we need to either see youngsters come through or recruit for next yr. I prefer youngsters coming through as you normally don't want to spend much on wingers
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Also you can recruit wingers easily enough....

Sure height, speed are critical. ...

The best though are those wingers who can sniff a try. I used to like watching Hazem El Mazri as he was just good at knowing when the moment of the try will come. That's experience.

Defense also comes from experienced wingers, but it comes more from experienced pairs. Wingers and Centers who have played together. ...

Lastly I would love to find another Pat Richards... I have never seen a winger create stuff out of nothing like he did. He played like a 5/8 on the wing... I wonder if Sullivan or Fainu would play on the wing if they passed the speed test AND could defend. .. Richards just turned the game upsidedown, really missed what he did on the fie
 
stephen said:
Yeah but he has to contribute to our rise. I'd like him to stay & improve his game, but if he wants to leave, he can go. It's not like we'd be losing Artie Beetson.
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I think at his age he’s still on track to being a top 5 prop in the comp. Payne Haas broke the mould, usually props don’t hit their peak till 26-27.
 
Tucker said:
There are more pressing areas to fix up for mine.
Our prop rotation isn’t good enough…the drop off in intensity is very noticeable.
We have no strike centres, although I’m hopeful Olam helps this.
Our backrow depth is shallow.
Our top 17 can do a job. There is a huge gap to the next 13 behind them.
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Agreed Tucker agreed.

Toa has been great, for a Fringe-grader. We need Centers that can hold the line and establish some strike power. People that can worry the opposition and go it themselves or rattle the line enough to push their wing over.

Yet, I would love to get a second rower who can score. Yes our prop rotation is shallow and we have enough names there that I expect a massive increase in output this year. ...

Your last point I take issue with
Tucker said:
Our top 17 can do a job. There is a huge gap to the next 13 behind them.
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Our top 17 came 17. They haven't done the job in 2023, I think the changes that have happened they may have luck in 2024. By luck I mean win the first few games, then teams will figure out their attack and block them. The skill will come game 5-6, once their pattern of attack is visible, if they can break that and surprise up a try.

There should be a HUGE gap between 1-17 and 18-30. 18-30 is CAP waste space.
 
Not surprised by Matamua. I mentioned previously that he seems on the outer, hasn't quite been able to transition from junior half to big body. Given how little he played and falling down the Irving order it makes sense that another club will see him worthy of a gamble. Could see him at the drag queens or dogs.
 
kade7 said:
i would also add, stefano wants to stay, loves the club, manager will take him to market to test value, but tigers will land him
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Any word on Tumeth? Top 30 but not in either trial. Has a Player Option for 25. Would seem to me in a similar situation to Matamua. Both go frees up 2 more top 30 spots.

Definitely looking for another backrower/development internally.

Thanks for the info as always.
 
kade7 said:
hi 👋 i skipped a few pages so apologies if this information has already been shared

- leaks from club have become basically non existant under the richardson / marshall regime

- matamua could be released if he can find a new home, hasnt set the world on fire in pre season , and benji showing preference to seyfarth and kit’s development

- bevan french’s management have reached out to the club , looking to return to the nrl, parra will be favoured
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Also wanted to ask if you have heard anything on Tumeth? Heard he was close to heading off to Newcastle a few weeks ago but not heard anything since then.
 
kade7 said:
- matamua could be released if he can find a new home, hasnt set the world on fire in pre season , and benji showing preference to seyfarth and kit’s development
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It’s not just a cautionary tale, it’s outright embarrassing what the club has done to this kid’s development.
His ridiculous and unearned rise through the ranks in 2022 may cost him his career.
 
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Tucker said:
It’s not just a cautionary tale, it’s outright embarrassing what the club has done to this kid’s development.
His ridiculous and unearned rise through the ranks last year may cost him his career.
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It also could of been a last ditch effort to give him a chance though
before pulling the plug
There could be a raft of other reasons that we don’t know about
 
kade7 said:
i would also add, stefano wants to stay, loves the club, manager will take him to market to test value, but tigers will land him
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How can they take him to market he is on contract for 25 as an option. If he decides not to take on his option for next year then a new deal with us or another club could be negotiated.
Or am I miss understanding something?
 
GNR4LIFE said:
Players that are 18-30 see a lot of game time.
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Last year.
Despite some serious injuries throughout the season.
Outside of the trial matches we used 31 players
24 of those were Top 30 by seasons end.
The non top 30 and dev players played a combined total of 19 games between them.
18-25 see a lot of game time though the back 26-30 and Dev players not so much.
 
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Tucker said:
It’s not just a cautionary tale, it’s outright embarrassing what the club has done to this kid’s development.
His ridiculous and unearned rise through the ranks last year may cost him his career.
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I feel the same.
With the season collapsing the club was searching for a feel good story to drive home their pathways position.
With Fonua Pole doing so well (though recruited outside of our system and a tad older) the club wanted to push the local junior narrative and I feel used Matuma as a bit of an incentive to our younger talented brigade.
 
Red88_Tiger said:
It also could of been a last ditch effort to give him a chance though
before pulling the plug
There could be a raft of other reasons that we don’t know about
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I think they got overexcited when setting up the pathways and blew their load too early.
They continue to do so with TDS and now Galvin.
Killing it in the juniors means squat when it come to professionals. Making Australian Schoolboys is a reward for the work done in the juniors. It has no bearing on being a pro.
The club proudly boasted that our pathways were working as Matamua went from Matts to first grade in 2 and a 1/2 years or so. He clearly wasnt ready despite what Sheens and Pascoe were saying publically.
He is contracted here till the end of 25 and we are already talking about moving him on?
 
Needaname said:
I feel the same.
With the season collapsing the club was searching for a feel good story to drive home their pathways position.
With Fonua Pole doing so well (though recruited outside of our system and a tad older) the club wanted to push the local junior narrative and I feel used Matuma as a bit of an incentive to our younger talented brigade.
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100% and this is not just opinion, they outright said so on many occasions
southwestvoice.com.au

Matamua’s star rises higher after being elevated to top 30 squad

Wests Tigers contract extension to 2025
southwestvoice.com.au southwestvoice.com.au
 
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