Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[BAGNF05]

Benji is taking a modern approach to working and life which has helped him recruit players in this generation. He is acknowledging the multiple roles in modern life and the importance of balancing those roles. I don't think it's a hot take.

At the end of the day, what Benji believes about family or puts out in the press is really just noise and will have little to no bearing on actual results, for better or worse.

Those two paragraphs are quite contradictory. I agree more with the first one.

 

[innsaneink]

1. Bula
2, Skelton
3. May
4. Makasini
5. Turuva
6. Galvin / Fainu
7. Luai
8. Klemmer
9. Api
10. Pole
11. Fainu
12. Johannssen
13. May
14. Bird
15. Hunt
16. Seyfarth
17. Sukkar
18. Fainu
19. Porter
20. Mason

Top 4. Mix up the front row to suit, Hunt to start, Pole to bench etc. The backline we've always wished for!

Top 4 🤣
Off season really does give some amnesia
Twal will be in there somewhere and unless we totally overhaul the defense it will be bottom 4

 

[jrtiger]

Tiny May wants to play with Terrell once he's cleared ( ? ). 100% wants in. Richo is the only obstacle, doesn't think he'll fit in. Big call coming....

you mean fit from a cultural perspective? or a cap perspective.

 

[Tucker]

Benji is taking a modern approach to working and life which has helped him recruit players in this generation. He is acknowledging the multiple roles in modern life and the importance of balancing those roles. I don't think it's a hot take.

I think it is a hot take currently because the fashion this philosophy has been implemented in the club’s preparation has resulted in back to back spoons.
The philosophy isn’t incorrect, but you have to conduct it properly. Let’s hope the club has evolved. If we embrace the same positions we have in 23 & 24, then Luai and co will make the same impact that Api and co did when they arrived.

 

[Jolls]

So, the big question: is 2025 a year of redemption or rebuilding?

Looking ahead to the 2025 season, there’s a mixture of outright joy, cautious optimism and lingering questions on the forum surrounding the performance of our beloved Wests Tigers. After a decade of mediocracy followed by three spoons the time is ripe for this club to prove it can rise from adversity. However, is 2025 the year of redemption or are we still rebuilding?

Key Areas:

1. Leadership & Coaching Stability:
   Probably the biggest question mark in 2025. Benji has been in and around two of our spoon efforts despite only being the head coach last year. I won’t go into detail here given I put forward an analysis of his performance last week. Suffice to say, I think he has demonstrated that he understands what is required and is heading in the right direction. 2025 presents an opportunity for us to settle under Benji. Consistency at the helm could mean that we can focus on long-term goals instead of having to address another major coaching reshuffle in the short-term. I believe that Benji’s performance, along with that of his coaching staff, will determine the outcome of our 2025 season.
2. Young Guns Ready to Fire:
   The development of our junior talent is now clearly the foundation of Wests Tigers and is the cornerstone of a prosperous future. Failure to invest in this area appropriately will adversely affect our future. Players like Galvin and Latu F. have shown glimpses of brilliance. If they can make the leap in 2025, in support of the big recruits, we could have the spark we need for 2025 to be our year of redemption.
3. Recruitment and Retention:
   The club’s 2025 recruitment drive is probably the best in the NRL, with Luai, May, Hunt, Taruva and Bird adding much-needed depth and experience in key areas. The retention of Pole, Sam F. and Sione F. (in time) are also great moves by the club. One of the unheralded elements of the rebuild plan has been the depth added to our KOE team. On paper our KOE side is much better, this should allow our juniors to develop over time in the lower grades instead of rushing their development like we did in 2024.
4. The Spine Question:
   Big call from Richo on having the best spine in the NRL. I think that call was a bit early, but we have a right to be confident in our spine going forward. Bula and Galvin certainly need to step up to another level. Bula in particular needs to address his involvement, particularly in and around the ruck. Api, Luai, Galvin and Bula have the potential to click, but can they deliver week in and week out?
5. Culture Reset:
   Family first has created considerable debate on the forum. Like it or loathe it, this part of the culture building process that Richo and Benji have instituted. Based on the types of players we have recruited it would be difficult to say that it isn’t working. Could it be less in your face? Potentially; but I can’t see at this point how it is hurting our development given the very strong performance message that Benji has sent with the fat five. You can also see that off-field, the club has been making strides to reconnect with the fanbase. Particularly in the south west. A strong start to the season would do wonders for morale—not just in the sheds, but in the stands.

Predictions and Expectations

I sit in the cautious optimism camp. I still have a couple of nagging doubts around our depth, particularly our second-row stocks. There is still some water to go under bridge before the 2025 season kicks off so Richo and Benji may still address this.

For me it’s unrealistic to expect a return to the glory days of 2005. Personally, I think 2024 was about establishing the foundation and 2025 will be the year we finally see the building blocks come together. I think 2025 will be our turning point, a finals appearance might still be a stretch based on our depth but an injury free run could have us getting there. Realistically, a consistent season with mid-table (9th-12th) finish would signal progress and indicate that the foundations are set for a tilt at the title in 2026.

What are your thoughts? Is 2025 our turning point, or is it yet another year of rebuilding? 🐯💪

 

[Roar_Power]

you mean fit from a cultural perspective? or a cap perspective.

Reading between the lines, it’s from a culture perspective

 

[tigers.]

So, the big question: is 2025 a year of redemption or rebuilding?

Looking ahead to the 2025 season, there’s a mixture of outright joy, cautious optimism and lingering questions on the forum surrounding the performance of our beloved Wests Tigers. After a decade of mediocracy followed by three spoons the time is ripe for this club to prove it can rise from adversity. However, is 2025 the year of redemption or are we still rebuilding?

Key Areas:

1. Leadership & Coaching Stability:
   Probably the biggest question mark in 2025. Benji has been in and around two of our spoon efforts despite only being the head coach last year. I won’t go into detail here given I put forward an analysis of his performance last week. Suffice to say, I think he has demonstrated that he understands what is required and is heading in the right direction. 2025 presents an opportunity for us to settle under Benji. Consistency at the helm could mean that we can focus on long-term goals instead of having to address another major coaching reshuffle in the short-term. I believe that Benji’s performance, along with that of his coaching staff, will determine the outcome of our 2025 season.
2. Young Guns Ready to Fire:
   The development of our junior talent is now clearly the foundation of Wests Tigers and is the cornerstone of a prosperous future. Failure to invest in this area appropriately will adversely affect our future. Players like Galvin and Latu F. have shown glimpses of brilliance. If they can make the leap in 2025, in support of the big recruits, we could have the spark we need for 2025 to be our year of redemption.
3. Recruitment and Retention:
   The club’s 2025 recruitment drive is probably the best in the NRL, with Luai, May, Hunt, Taruva and Bird adding much-needed depth and experience in key areas. The retention of Pole, Sam F. and Sione F. (in time) are also great moves by the club. One of the unheralded elements of the rebuild plan has been the depth added to our KOE team. On paper our KOE side is much better, this should allow our juniors to develop over time in the lower grades instead of rushing their development like we did in 2024.
4. The Spine Question:
   Big call from Richo on having the best spine in the NRL. I think that call was a bit early, but we have a right to be confident in our spine going forward. Bula and Galvin certainly need to step up to another level. Bula in particular needs to address up his involvement, particularly in and around the ruck. Api, Luai, Galvin and Bula have the potential to click, but can they deliver week in and week out?
5. Culture Reset:
   Family first has created considerable debate on the forum. Like it or loathe it, this part of the culture building process that Richo and Benji have instituted. Based on the types of players we have recruited it would be difficult to say that it isn’t working. Could it be less in your face? Potentially; but I can’t see at this point how it is hurting our development given the very strong performance message that Benji has sent with fat five. You can also see that off-field, the club has been making strides to reconnect with the fanbase. Particularly in the south west. A strong start to the season would do wonders for morale—not just in the sheds, but in the stands.

Predictions and Expectations

I sit in the cautious optimism camp. I still have a couple of nagging doubts around our depth, particularly our second-row stocks. There is still some water to go under bridge before the 2025 season kicks off so Richo and Benji may still address this.

For me it’s unrealistic to expect a return to the glory days of 2005. Personally, I think 2024 was about establishing the foundation and 2025 will be the year we finally see the building blocks come together. I think 2025 will be our turning point, a finals appearance might still be a stretch based on our depth but an injury free run could have us getting there. Realistically, a consistent season with mid-table (9th-12th) finish would signal progress and indicate that the foundations are set for a tilt at the title in 2026.

What are your thoughts? Is 2025 our turning point, or is it yet another year of rebuilding? 🐯💪

I took the years of coming 9th for granted, I'll happily take 9th 😄

 

[Buttface]

But think of the good news story when the chooks bring him back and get a leg up from nrl for bringing a rugby star cross codes

And to fit him in someone will suddenly retire for a 6 month career in the pugilistic arts.
Nothing to see there.

 

[weststigerman]

Taylan May is a left sided player isn't he? From memory he has a left arm carry too. Can he play right?

I would think we are stacked on that side with Makasini, Olam, Turuva playing predominantly left side in their careers.

Need a right centre and right edge player who can defend.

 

[Buttface]

I took the years of coming 9th for granted, I'll happily take 9th 😄

I’ve said this before and I going to stop.
You don’t spend 1.2 mil on a player and look to come 9th. We need to better, 8 should be the aim with anything under 10th a complete fail. 26 should be aiming for top 4 and a serious chance.
But, I know what you mean, coming 9 would mean we win twice as many games and that’d be nice.

 

[lathami]

I’ve said this before and I going to stop.
You don’t spend 1.2 mil on a player and look to come 9th. We need to better, 8 should be the aim with anything under 10th a complete fail. 26 should be aiming for top 4 and a serious chance.
But, I know what you mean, coming 9 would mean we win twice as many games and that’d be nice.

I don’t know about that logic. We spend the whole cap every year and still come last.
Spending more on one and less on the others doesn’t always equate to success!!

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Good post. Joey Manu is their biggest loss and the NRL's biggest loss. He has been a very good player for a long time. It is sad he will be wasted in rugby.

One of, if not my favourite player. He’ll be back though.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Top 4 🤣
Off season really does give some amnesia
Twal will be in there somewhere and unless we totally overhaul the defense it will be bottom 4

Imagine claiming top 4 the night of spoonbowl. People would have laughed their arses off. Now though, it’s 🤔🤔

Amazing what the affect the off season has,

 

[Lestronge]

yeah he did. On Sivo.

When did I say who it was on ? Go back and read .

 

[Jolls]

I’ve said this before and I going to stop.
You don’t spend 1.2 mil on a player and look to come 9th. We need to better, 8 should be the aim with anything under 10th a complete fail. 26 should be aiming for top 4 and a serious chance.
But, I know what you mean, coming 9 would mean we win twice as many games and that’d be nice.

I think you got the comment out of context. He was replying to my post about 2025 being the year of redemption or still rebuilding. What I stated was that, as it sits, with the poor depth in our second row stocks, that we could expect to finish 9th - 12th in 2025. If we address those issues, or we have an injury free run we could be playing finals footy. I think our shot at the title will not come until 26-30 unless we add a couple of fowards before we kick off in 2025. Then of course Tim J could come good or we find somone else who can switch to fill the gap. Maybe Bird will make the transition and become another Wade Graham. We live in hope.

 

[Buttface]

I don’t know about that logic. We spend the whole cap every year and still come last.
Spending more on one and less on the others doesn’t always equate to success!!

Yeah it wasn’t a blueprint for success, but JL is a hell if a player, like we haven’t had since Benji, and we need to not waste his tenure. Aim for the top.

 

[Buttface]

I think you got the comment out of context. He was replying to my post about 2025 being the year of redemption or still rebuilding. What I stated was that, as it sits, with the poor depth in our second row stocks, that we could expect to finish 9th - 12th in 2025. If we address those issues, or we have an injury free run we could be playing finals footy. I think our shot at the title will not come until 26-30 unless we add a couple of fowards before we kick off in 2025. Then of course Tim J could come good or we find somone else who can switch to fill the gap. Maybe Bird will make the transition and become another Wade Graham. We live in hope.

Yeah I was having a dig @tigers. it was as much a self reflection thing as anything. I have been saying how good would it be to finishing 9th, but with the way the team is building and JL i think we should be aiming higher.
Yes we are a NRL run on srf short, and probably a lock, and right centre short of top 4, but if we can fill those holes over the next 12 months then top 4 should be the aim in 26. I bet JL doesn’t wanna miss the finals for the first time in 25.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Finally somebody other than me who doesn't think Sukkar is crape.

I rate him highly as I did Seyfarth. I can see him growing into our team which is what we want at WTs.

I am also looking forward to watching the progression of Jaxon Rahme. Also one of our own and a former Aust Schools forward.

 

[Jolls]

Yeah I was having a dig @tigers. it was as much a self reflection thing as anything. I have been saying how good would it be to finishing 9th, but with the way the team is building and JL i think we should be aiming higher.
Yes we are a NRL run on srf short, and probably a lock, and right centre short of top 4, but if we can fill those holes over the next 12 months then top 4 should be the aim in 26. I bet JL doesn’t wanna miss the finals for the first time in 25.

What I'm looking forward to in 25 is what happens with our developing players. Where and how will Johannssen, Matamua, Seyfarth, Bird and Sione fit into the puzzle. Can they make the step up or adapt to the edge/lock postion to balance the squad. Then what development potential is there in Sukkar and Rahme? I don't think we're bereft of options, just not experienced options. Playing with better players makes better players; we are finally on the up. You could see it this season - if Benji can get them up for it we have to be pushing the 8.

 

[Roar_Power]

I rate him highly as I did Seyfarth. I can see him growing into our team which is what we want at WTs.

I am also looking forward to watching the progression of Jaxon Rahme. Also one of our own and a former Aust Schools forward.

Bunnies and Knights have let him go the last couple of years. Hopefully he doesn't become a journeyman.