Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[teddy23]

For whoever watched the game last night.

If Isaiya Katoa wants to come back to Sydney.

I’d give him the exact same contract we offered Galvin. I think it’s fair to say Katoa right now is the better player anyways.

The kid is a weapon.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Agree 100% but we don’t look like we can get most of them , dickhead wants to come back , and if at the right price and only for the rest of the season with a club option for next season the bloke has to preform

We need to hold our nerve. WTs has attracted elite talent, we have Koroisau, Luai, Turuva, May, the Fainu brothers. Bula and Pole have come from our Pathways. Good players attract other good players, and Richardson is the leader WTs need get the signings done. The club is building and good recruitment decisions need to be made.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

I remember that must on here didn’t want hunt , as he can’t play big minutes, OR they didn’t want bird he’s to old and injury prone, sometimes u just got to take a chance and if it doesn’t cost a lot , WHY NOt

I think most wanted Hunt but didn’t view him as a starting 40-60min replacement for Stefano which at the time was the challenge.

 

[Roar_Power]

For whoever watched the game last night.

If Isaiya Katoa wants to come back to Sydney.

I’d give him the exact same contract we offered Galvin. I think it’s fair to say Katoa right now is the better player anyways.

The kid is a weapon.

What does that say to Latu?

 

[Tucker]

It doesn’t if you believe the narrative Galvin & his team are communicating to the media.

If you don’t believe the narrative in the media going to Parra does make sense.

Last year, the majority on here were peddling the same narrative that team Galvin are communicating currently. They are detailing it in a very poor fashion, exaggerating it for effect and are making themselves look foolish, however the underlying themes could still be true.

 

[old_man_tiger]

What does that say to Latu?

I think Latu has the tools to base his game on Katoa anyway. Latu needs to work on his kicking but running and passing game of Katoa yesterday actually seemed like a glimpse into Latu's future, the way he straightens up and gives himself options inside and out. Im all in on Latu personally and am probably the happiest person here about Galvin as I think we were going to have to weaken another position to fit them all.

 

[Tucker]

Overpaid Reggies player.........................but still cheaper than Sullivan!

He’ll play first grade.
Likely not in the halves though when Latu is back.

 

[Tucker]

Latu Fainu is Tongan.

But there's definitely a connection between these cultures.

Cheers for the correction. Yes Tongan.

 

[Suzie-Q]

I think Latu has the tools to base his game on Katoa anyway. Latu needs to work on his kicking but running and passing game of Katoa yesterday actually seemed like a glimpse into Latu's future, the way he straightens up and gives himself options inside and out. Im all in on Latu personally and am probably the happiest person here about Galvin as I think we were going to have to weaken another position to fit them all.

I'm with you on being happy, @old_man_tiger

 

[rihannafan1]

For whoever watched the game last night.

If Isaiya Katoa wants to come back to Sydney.

I’d give him the exact same contract we offered Galvin. I think it’s fair to say Katoa right now is the better player anyways.

The kid is a weapon.

He has said publicly a week ago he doesn't want to come back to Sydney.

 

[user118245]

I think Latu has the tools to base his game on Katoa anyway. Latu needs to work on his kicking but running and passing game of Katoa yesterday actually seemed like a glimpse into Latu's future, the way he straightens up and gives himself options inside and out. Im all in on Latu personally and am probably the happiest person here about Galvin as I think we were going to have to weaken another position to fit them all.

100%, think they’ve both got very high ceilings, but the investment in Latu brings up others around him like Samuela and Sione, potentially even Feledy who came up through manly with him

 

[Lestronge]

Which is ridiculous,, if he is on 1 million a year to play lock the team will still plat to the abilities of its players .. Galvin playing a similar role to Isaiah yeo woiild be interesting for him and the team

You’re missing the point . There’s no I in team . There is in Galvin though .

 

[Vicious]

For whoever watched the game last night.

If Isaiya Katoa wants to come back to Sydney.

I’d give him the exact same contract we offered Galvin. I think it’s fair to say Katoa right now is the better player anyways.

The kid is a weapon.

Virtually every team in the NRL will be willing to pay him up around 1.3 million per season, he won’t be short of offers.

 

[watersider]

Latu doesn't have anywhere near the kicking game or organisational skills that katoa has and I think the only similarity is their size and physicality in defense.

I rate Latu very highly but to me he seems more a sparky runner who runs at the line where katoa pushes his side around and sets it all up. Latu would improve in that area but I still would see them as different players.

If choosing between them, I'm sorry but katoa is better. It's just rare to get that classic organising half who can also be an attacking threat. There's not many of them going around.

Nonetheless, I'm very happy we have Latu, he looks a better prospect than both Moses and brooks coming into top grade and just needs to prove ability to stay fit to overtake Galvin.

 

[Lestronge]

I remember that must on here didn’t want hunt , as he can’t play big minutes, OR they didn’t want bird he’s to old and injury prone, sometimes u just got to take a chance and if it doesn’t cost a lot , WHY NOt

I did ! We needed someone to offer a point of difference . Another gain we’ve made this year , is the bench . When they comes on all 4 guys , you know they’re out there .
Hunt is wrecking dudes ! Fainu is creating indecision around the middle . TDS is causing grief with tired middles , and. It’s is creating an all playing lock , but also bringing about of mongrel .
we need to find the next hunt , some 19 year old who will destroy for 20-25 mins .
I know we’ve got some good middles in the lower grades .

 

[watersider]

Galvin would actually be a really good fit at Parramatta and I could see him really lifting them. He's the exact sort of dominant high involvement running 5/8 they'd need alongside Moses, and he can stay on his preferred left side. I don't think moving to the eels would be a bad move for him at all. He's a much better fit for them than Brown. Brown sort of has a Luke Brooks feel about him, just a bit too passive.

I don't think Galvin fits as comfortably in our system and with Latu available for us many were already calling for him to move to centre or 2nd row (when he learnt to tackle) to make him fit better.

Not saying I like the way any of this has been handled, but I can see why eels would have more appeal to Galvin if his family really loves that club and he's looking at where he can best fit with his style of footy, despite the eels' woes at the moment.

 

[Vicious]

But he’s been playing with and amongst Polynesian kids his whole life, that generation is pretty well assimilated as it should be

I suspect playing in a team of predominantly Polynesian players is not the problem, his best mate currently playing with the Bulldogs is of Polynesian descent.
All our guesses could be way off the mark, but as a few of our forum friends have pointed out, off field team video footage shown this season has never shown what you could call Lachie looking connected to our core playing group.
We may never know the real reason why Lachie is not happy playing for Wests Tigers.

 

[RonDingo]

Ok, let’s look at it:
1. The Latu/Luai dynamic - the club clearly chose Galvin and steadfastly stuck by him even when Latu was fit to play. This is despite Latu being ahead in the pecking order before season 24 began. Luai has talked Latu up and maybe this plays into the cultural thing with them both being Samoan? Luai has also talked up Galvin many times. This does not explain the attraction of Parramatta.
2. The Benji/Moses dynamic - this is rough and was used to try and get an early release and the club almost fell for it. Benji did a reasonably good job of shutting it down even though his players threw fuel on the fire. Despite how ugly this is, it doesn’t explain why he would go to Parramatta.
3. The Galvin/Moses dynamic - I’m assuming you are referring to Mitchell? Is there a dynamic? Mitch is a dominant half who is very unlikely to give the bulk of possession to a kid he doesn’t really know playing wise. Galvin craves as many touches as possible. Again, this isn’t a great partnership on paper.
4. His father loves Parra - this may hold some weight, but we are talking about a long contract possibly and that’s not a great reason to uproot and go to a club that’s struggling.
5. The club don’t see him as a long term half dynamic - This has been mentioned, but is not particular to the Tigers. I’ve heard many commentators say it as well including Joey, Freddy, Vossy, Brandy and assorted podcasters. The fact is, we have given him his start, in the halves and played him there irrespective of how he has been going. Parra may have made a promise to him. I doubt it though as anything can happen and locking yourself in to a decision like that years in advance is not good policy.
6. The Gus Gould dynamic - I’ve mentioned this more than you have. I think outside influence from powerbrokers external to his team are stirring the pot far more than is being reported. Most of the big clubs need him and finding cap space for 27 onwards wouldn’t be a stretch for most of them. As you have chosen Gus, explain how his influence equals a move to Parramatta.

So there you go, I haven’t missed or ignored any of this stuff and I am still puzzled as to why he is so hell bent to leave this club and head somewhere worse. If he winds up at the Dogs, Panthers, Chooks etc it makes more sense.

Point 1, isn't Latu Tongan ?
I would assume that dynamic to be very different.

 

[Enmore_Tiger]

Ok, let’s look at it:
1. The Latu/Luai dynamic - the club clearly chose Galvin and steadfastly stuck by him even when Latu was fit to play. This is despite Latu being ahead in the pecking order before season 24 began. Luai has talked Latu up and maybe this plays into the cultural thing with them both being Samoan? Luai has also talked up Galvin many times. This does not explain the attraction of Parramatta.
2. The Benji/Moses dynamic - this is rough and was used to try and get an early release and the club almost fell for it. Benji did a reasonably good job of shutting it down even though his players threw fuel on the fire. Despite how ugly this is, it doesn’t explain why he would go to Parramatta.
3. The Galvin/Moses dynamic - I’m assuming you are referring to Mitchell? Is there a dynamic? Mitch is a dominant half who is very unlikely to give the bulk of possession to a kid he doesn’t really know playing wise. Galvin craves as many touches as possible. Again, this isn’t a great partnership on paper.
4. His father loves Parra - this may hold some weight, but we are talking about a long contract possibly and that’s not a great reason to uproot and go to a club that’s struggling.
5. The club don’t see him as a long term half dynamic - This has been mentioned, but is not particular to the Tigers. I’ve heard many commentators say it as well including Joey, Freddy, Vossy, Brandy and assorted podcasters. The fact is, we have given him his start, in the halves and played him there irrespective of how he has been going. Parra may have made a promise to him. I doubt it though as anything can happen and locking yourself in to a decision like that years in advance is not good policy.
6. The Gus Gould dynamic - I’ve mentioned this more than you have. I think outside influence from powerbrokers external to his team are stirring the pot far more than is being reported. Most of the big clubs need him and finding cap space for 27 onwards wouldn’t be a stretch for most of them. As you have chosen Gus, explain how his influence equals a move to Parramatta.

So there you go, I haven’t missed or ignored any of this stuff and I am still puzzled as to why he is so hell bent to leave this club and head somewhere worse. If he winds up at the Dogs, Panthers, Chooks etc it makes more sense.

I think I erred in mixing issues. That the club has managed him badly and he'll sign with the Eels.

When he signs with the Bulldogs your point that Parramatta doesn't make sense will be fully vindicated.

 

[HabboTiger]

Which is ridiculous,, if he is on 1 million a year to play lock the team will still plat to the abilities of its players .. Galvin playing a similar role to Isaiah yeo woiild be interesting for him and the team

Yeo is unselfish though. Not a ball hog, realises there is more to footy than him…