Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Buttface]

Why do you think if we sign Api it means TDS can't start in the next couple of years?

Api re-signing would be coming with a clear plan for the coming years for both him and TDS.

Exactly.
Id extend Api for one more year telling him the back end of 26 and 27 you’ll be reversing roles with TDS or Haywood depending. Also $ change, I’m not paying API full freight to come off the bench. And I’d be telling TDS the same. All depending on form, injuries, managers, etc. a year is a long time in NRL.
If anyone doesn’t like it then, the club comes first not one player.
I’d be looking to keep API on somehow after footy, but obviously not have a big media spread on it or they’ll make us include it in the cap.

 

[Moh]

What would that be?
Api is still playing well enough to be the dominant of the two. He is contracted until the end of 2026.
Surely there has been some level of talk over the past year with TDS that he is the future and likely our dominant no.9 option from 27 onwards? That still gives him a year and a half to bide his time and learn from Api.
Any extension to that timeline is sure to be met with angst and restless feet. As mentioned above by others, he could start at a few clubs right now. That list will grow by the end of 26. We may find we need to pay overs to keep him.

I personally don't see him starting until 2027 - in an ideal world.

But if Api resigns, it does not mean he can't start. That's my point.

If the club believe he is ready, they'll start him ahead of Api.

I'm a big fan of his, and I see him as our long-term hooker. But for the next year or so, the best balance is Api starting and TDS coming on to do his thing off the back of that. His minutes will increase, and he'll take over. Whether Api is here or not. Api knows its #TeamFirst.

 

[Kelce68]

By 2027, he will have been doing that for 4 seasons. He would have also had 5 proper preseasons with the club.
Surely thats a good enough apprenticeship?

Yeh, it's a good apprenticeship.

He'll also only be 21 at the start of the 2027 season, hardly the age that would be ludicrous to suggest he still shares the hooking role.

If Tal was to be 24/25 years old by the time 2027 rolled around, then yeh I could understand it.

That's where the loan idea would be great; it could satisfy his thirst for immediate first grade minutes, whilst maintaining the progression plan.

It's also not like he's being asked to sit on his hands for another 3 or 4 years on top of Api's current contract. Api's extension, if it happens, will be short and likely in a diminishing capacity, to which Tallyn, if he sticks around, would be the beneficiary.

I understand his thought process, but I don't understand the impatience, this is not a Harry Grant or Pezet waiting line he's being asked to jump in.

 

[Buttface]

Guys Fox is reporting Bulldogs players are not happy about Galvin going there and the way he publicly criticised his coach…. is this why the release and signing is taking so long? Could we see a back flip?

Meh, they’ll get over it as soon as Landy flies over sprinkling wads of cash.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Oh I know. I meant more a backflip of Dogs pulling out or him going to Parra.

I can’t see a Gould backflip given how bullish he has been and how multiple players have been now told to look for another club.

 

[hsvjones]

RLPA are the bigger problem in the game IMO as I believe the NRL want a trade window, but they won't accept it.
I'm all for looking after the players but their expectations are out of this world on a lot of things.
NRL just need to make it happen and put them in their place

 

[Tcat]

Guys Fox is reporting Bulldogs players are not happy about Galvin going there and the way he publicly criticised his coach…. is this why the release and signing is taking so long? Could we see a back flip?

The dogs players and Ciraldo will do whatever Gus tells them do and play with whoever Gus chooses them to play with. That's why Ivan wanted him gone from Penrith. Gus clearly has a man crush on Galvin so Id be surprised if there was a backflip.

 

[Tiger-ferret]

Why would he. He wants to play big minutes. The club needs to get on the front foot and sought this out as well as Taylan may.

Is he better than api right now? Will he be better in 1-2 years?

 

[BUGSY MALONE]

My fear is that Richo and Benji have already wiped this season and are looking, once again, to the future. I reckon we might get some decent signings for next season or the season after, but nothing for the rest of this season. We will just have to limp along with what we have now after turds Moses, Galvin and the media have successfully destabilised the club, yet again.

Enthusiasm can only take a team so far, without the cattle we can’t expect much improvement from where we are now, imo. This recurring situation shits me no end, always waiting for next year, things will improve next season blah, blah. My only hope for this season now lost is, as I’ve mentioned before, that we don’t come last again. I’m concerned that it’s going to be a real heart thumper end to the season for us trying to avoid the spoon again.

Please don't tell me we are heading once again down " The Long and Winding Road "?

 

[Lestronge]

That statement from tartak reads to me like “my client will be 22 come 2027 , do you see him being the starter in 27 or the backup . I don’t think it’s about Api , but rather about TDS and his progression to number 1 .
To me , if I’m the club , I’m saying that’s on TDS really . In an ideal world he eventually supplants Api , and Api comes on a weaves his magic against tired defenders .But TDS needs to get his game to that point . He needs to put in the work . It won’t be just handed to him .
If that’s not a good enough answer , and he wants guarantees . I mean I think I’d have to say to him , thanks but no thanks .

 

[ezybro]

I heard last night from Braith Anasta on his podcast that Galvin is seen as a 7 and bulldogs bought him to play / develop as a 7, your crazy Gus..

 

[Tiger-ferret]

I can’t see a Gould backflip given how bullish he has been and how multiple players have been now told to look for another club.

They may literally not be able to fit him under the salary cap

 

[ezybro]

I heard last night from Braith Anasta on his podcast that Galvin is seen as a 7 and bulldogs bought him to play / develop as a 7, your crazy Gus..

Around the 20 minute mark you hear braith talk about it , good insight and even they think it’s a bit how you going.

 

[Tom Shines]

I'm a big fan of his, and I see him as our long-term hooker. But for the next year or so, the best balance is Api starting and TDS coming on to do his thing off the back of that. His minutes will increase, and he'll take over. Whether Api is here or not. Api knows its #TeamFirst.

We aren’t talking about the next year though but who is going to be the starter in 2027 … they are both playing on their last year in 2026… you would think the person not chosen will likely leave the club, as they both want to be the starter… the decision needs to be made prior to November this year given the way the dumb rules are …

 

[rihannafan1]

2025: Greg Inglis is an assistant coach with the Wests Tigers for their NRLW team.
He is also a specialist assistant coach for the NRLW team's outside backs.
He also works with the Queensland Women's State of Origin team.

@dribble1963

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

They may literally not be able to fit him under the salary cap

That won’t be an issue.
They have players who will be in demand if they had to clear things out.

 

[ezybro]

I brought this up on the weekend he will have a lot of trust to earn.
Romey and Apis mates at the dogs would know whats going on... youd have to be on mars not to...
Theyve been going pretty good at Belmore and now some upstart waltzes in...ive no doubt thered be a few sideways glances.
He had Tallyn here...whos he got there?
His old coach...lol...no one ever liked the teachers pet

He will have to earn a huge amount of respect from the playing group , can’t say it won’t be easy for him to do considering the reputation his manager has put on him.

 

[weststigers]

He has another 18 months to do that.
If the club takes your attitude, we may as well stop pretending we are a development club.

If it's good enough for the QLD origin hooker, it's good enough for me. End of 2026 he is 21. End of 2028 he is 23. Don't see what the big rush is?

Under your scenario, if Api goes and Da Silva gets injured, we have no back up whatsoever.

Anyway, it's not that he wouldn't get game time. He'd just come off the bench. He's shown no indication he can cover a full 80 mins now or in 18 months.

Once again, you are hoping he does that in 18 months....it just goes to what I was saying...we are expected to buy into the hype before we've seen the finished product. Another player trying to force our hand with threats of leaving.

You talk about it like it's the most illogical thing in the world to do - Da Silva is not the be all and end all for the club.

 

[Tom Shines]

If it's good enough for the QLD origin hooker, it's good enough for me. End of 2026 he is 21. End of 2028 he is 23. Don't see what the big rush is?

Under your scenario, if Api goes and Da Silva gets injured, we have no back up whatsoever.

Anyway, it's not that he wouldn't get game time. He'd just come off the bench. He's shown no indication he can cover a full 80 mins now or in 18 months.

Once again, you are hoping he does that in 18 months....it just goes to what I was saying...we are expected to buy into the hype before we've seen the finished product. Another player trying to force our hand with threats of leaving.

You talk about it like it's the most illogical thing in the world to do - Da Silva is not the be all and end all for the club.

As irrelevant as it is to Tallyns circumstances ( why should he care what someone else did ?) …The QLD Origin hooker was behind the goat at the position and was waiting for a spot in the best/second best team in the comp at the time …not the three time wooden spooners .,,

Tallyn will be 22 a month into the 2027 season with likely more than 50 games under his belt … he could have the potential to play 10 years ar the position …of course there is a risk , but what’s the upside of keeping Api for 27 and 28 ? He will be 34 by then ..what are your expectations for him ?

 

[Moh]

We aren’t talking about the next year though but who is going to be the starter in 2027 … they are both playing on their last year in 2026… you would think the person not chosen will likely leave the club, as they both want to be the starter… the decision needs to be made prior to November this year given the way the dumb rules are …

This is what I'm contesting.

I don't think Api staying means he wants to start. Yes, Api right now is a starter and he should be. But that will start to change, part way through 2026 or into the 2027 season. That change will see more and more minutes for TDS between now and then.

This is just my assumption of the conversations being had - and, I would hope, that's how they are going down. Otherwise, it'd be mad to be pushing TDS out, unless he's already made that decision.