Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[ChilledChaos]

Mawene Hiroti is a genuine first grader! Why haven’t we looked at him, absolute GUN 🔥

 

[TonyTiger]

Look I totally agree, WE need forwards BAD!

Absolute Kudos to May, Hunt and Bird. My total appreciation also goes to Pole and Seyfarth who have both done way better then expected. ... In short I expected us to get flattened Now.

Unlike 2024, for these few games our pack has stood up. 2025 Tigers you make me proud.

We NEED forwards, because our guys are going to get injured. Our depth has stood up, but it's going to get injured.


Yet...

Do we miss out on TDS and Galvin to get a mediocre 2nd rower?

This is why I really did not want to lose Klemmer. One injury and he would be really handy.

Forget about Klemmer - he was an autumn leaf swinging in the breeze, scared of a gust

 

[Needaname]

At least 24 Top 30 players must be contracted by 1 November, 28 Top 30 players by the Monday prior to Round 1 and 30 Top 30 players by 30 June (or the first working day thereafter if 30 June falls on a weekend).

Cheers. So does that mean if you drop below that during that stage of the season ie the Olam retirement the club is required to get back to 28 as soon as possible? What happens if they don’t?

 

[cktiger]

Jacin Sinclair was next level. Could have been the last great Balmain Tiger if things had gone differently. Selected for Origin but pulled out due to injury. Was crazy talented.

Deservedly so.

 

[1908]

One of the most naturally gifted players from that early 90s era. Was my favourite player when he emerged into grade.

Mine too

 

[user118245]

Fair enough. Thanks mate. I thought that they were only a year or 2 away

Nah all good, I know phoenix’s story more cause his mum posts a lot of videos on TikTok about him and all his siblings. Footy mad family, Phoenix will be great for us one day

 

[Demps]

Mawene Hiroti is a genuine first grader! Why haven’t we looked at him, absolute GUN 🔥

Been around forever.
Floating around multiple clubs.

He's been suggested multiple times as well.

Sharks really let their back ups develope.

Iro
Stonestreet

These guys are kept in reserve grade and they brought on slowly.

 

[bptiger 0]

Would it cost us Duncombe and/or Godinet?

U know what , we have had wraps on so many kids coming through, yet must have been dudes , if we can pick up a proven 1st grader at a good price , I say do it , so if these kids are super good they will push themselves into 1st grader,

 

[tigerbenji]

Mawene Hiroti is a genuine first grader! Why haven’t we looked at him, absolute GUN 🔥

Couple of us said this 2 years ago and were howled down, every one has an opinion I guess.

 

[tigerbenji]

I remember him @ Souths in lower grades, he was a pretty handy Goalkicker as well.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Not why Canberra have interest. They’ve got Hudson Young, Zac Hoskins, Matty Nicholson, Simi Sasagi and young Noah Martin coming through.

You’re talking about the club who just signed Jayden Brailey when they already have Starling and Pattie.

 

[Robbie's Love Child]

Sam Walker to...?

The chances of Ponga going to the warriors is about as much as the Tigers signing Lebron James for advertising purposes.

 

[gregjm87]

Cheers. So does that mean if you drop below that during that stage of the season ie the Olam retirement the club is required to get back to 28 as soon as possible? What happens if they don’t?

There is nothing written anywhere for me to confirm but based on player movements in the past my best guess is:
You have to meet the above stipulations but don't need to immediately replace any leaving players once you have.
So where we stand is we had 28 prior to round 1. We are fine to stay at 27 or even less provided we have 30 before July. If we had 30 at the start of July and released 5 the following week we would not need to replace them at all as there is no additional target/deadline to meet.
If we don't meet this criteria it would likely be a fine from the NRL and a salary cap penalty, less cap to spend the following season.

 

[hank37w]

Yes, we were probably okay at 27 where we were, but probably no harm in going to 28 as soon as practicable when you consider previous so called salary cap infractions that we have been hit with in the past.

Maybe better safe than sorry and in any case, did we really expect to sign 3 players from outside our system before the middle of the year, possibly one or two, but 3 is highly unlikely?

As some others have previously alluded, the signing of Solomona Faataape to the top 30, and my understanding is that currently it is only to the end of the year, can be seen as a reward to a player on a development contract that has played more NRL football than a number of others that are, and have been on top 30 contracts for quite some time.

This sends a message to others that effort will be rewarded where it is warranted and additionally frees up a development spot for someone, later on in the year, who I assume would be Heamasi Makasini when he turns 18.

 

[Canadian Club]

You’re talking about the club who just signed Jayden Brailey when they already have Starling and Pattie.

Starling is off contract this season

 

[Kelce68]

The chances of Ponga going to the warriors is about as much as the Tigers signing Lebron James for advertising purposes.

I dunno...

Dylan Brown on silly money... Ponga seemingly unsettled... looking at changing allegiance to NZ... I can see Newcastle being blindsided by a release request in the next 12 months quite easily to be honest.

Though I'd have thought the Roosters would be having a sneaky look.

 

[tigertragic]

Mawene Hiroti is a genuine first grader! Why haven’t we looked at him, absolute GUN 🔥

I think has slimed down this year and is much more effective across the park

 

[Garrry]

How do the Broncos sign Ben Hunt but haven't released any players, and Mam is available in 5 weeks, have I missed someone leaving???

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

How do the Broncos sign Ben Hunt but haven't released any players, and Mam is available in 5 weeks, have I missed someone leaving???

I'd love to see a rough salary breakdown for their top 30. I wonder the same thing.

 

[The-moP]

Tigers have signed former Newcastle Knights centre Krystian Mapapalangi on a train-and-trial contract for the remainder of the 2025 season.

Former Knights centre signs with Tigers | Sporting News Australia

Former Knights centre Krystian Mapapalangi has signed a train-and-trial deal with the Wests Tigers, aiming for a fresh start after injury setbacks stalled his progress at Newcastle.

www.sportingnews.com

Former NRL duo sign train and trial deals with Sydney club​

The Wests Tigers have confirmed the signatures of two former NRL outside backs on train and trial contracts for the remainder of the 2025 NRL season.

One of six players to depart the Newcastle Knights at the end of the last season, Krystian Mapapalangi has made the move to the Wests Tigers after previously being linked with a switch to the Super League competition.

Debuting in 2022, he made four appearances in first-grade for the Knights after coming through the South Sydney Rabbitohs (Harold Matthews Cup and SG Ball Cup) and Manly Sea Eagles (SG Ball Cup) pathways system.

Only 22, Mapapalangi was once described by Knights coach Adam O'Brien and former recruiter Alex McKinnon as a superstar in the making. Unfortunately, he was continually plagued by injuries during his time at the club.

The Wests Tigers have also upgraded Izaac Tu'itupou (formerly Thompson) to a train and trial contract for this season after he played four games for the Western Suburbs Magpies in the NSW Cup to begin the year.

Debuting in 2022, Thompson managed 14 appearances and six tries for the Rabbitohs over the past three seasons, with five of those coming in the 2024 NRL season.

A member of the 2023 NSW Cup Team of the Year, he was a key back-up player during his time at the club and helped provide depth and coverage to the outside backs.