Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Vicious]

Latu playing first receiver at lock, with Luai at second receiver then Bula potentially polishing those sets off.

Plug in the experience of Reynolds to guide us around the park - also has an exceptional goal kicking game.

I think it’s a perfect formula.

I personally just think Latu at first receiver gives us so much, he sets the tone for the play. If you don’t respect his running game and give him space he can cut right through you, however if you let him get to close he can straighten the line up and ball play perfectly to create space out wide. He’d be a defensive nightmare for forwards to read, a threat both ways.

He also has history playing at 9 for Tonga as well, so he has proven he’s more than capable handling the middle defensively.

Happy either way tbh. I wouldn’t be disappointed if got the 6 jersey as well.

I wouldn’t be unhappy if we signed Reynolds for 2026 as I’ve stated many times our kicking game is atrocious and he would certainly go a long towards fixing that along with his quality goal kicking.
However if we are looking at Latu Fainu as our 13 and first receiver I’m not sure if an ageing Reynolds is the best person to capitalise on it as I feel it’s best suited to quick and dangerous ball running halves.

 

[Modman]

😂😂

Are the circumstances he's a victim of - he's just not very good?

He's from down my way and I'd love to say the opposite, he's a goer and has done well to be playing grade but he doesn't move very fast to say the least and unfortunately he's a winger I don't think he could be considered to this first grade team which has obviously improved over past couple of seasons. He's getting paid doing what he does. Could be worse.

 

[Wiz]

I don’t think Latu (or his manager let him) will be moving to 13, a role where the current highest player (Yeo, not counting Tino who is a prop who plays some 13) gets $875k whilst nuffie halves like Brown are getting $1.3m. Also, you’ve got old halves like DCE, Reynolds, Hunt, etc running around at 35, 36, 37 years of age earning good money. You just don’t see locks playing to that age given the workload and wear on their bodies. So if Latu moves to 13 as someone who only just turned 20, he could be saying goodbye to ~$7.6m of earnings over his career compared to if he stayed in the halves. And this is at current rates, it doesn’t reflect the new TV deals over the course of his career that will push the salary cap and player salaries up.

We’ve just cleared the decks of Galvin to be able to promote Latu. If we bring someone else over the top of him now I reckon he will want out and there will be no shortage of suitors for his services.

 

[Tired Tiger]

I don’t think Latu (or his manager let him) will be moving to 13, a role where the current highest player (Yeo, not counting Tino who is a prop who plays some 13) gets $875k whilst nuffie halves like Brown are getting $1.3m. Also, you’ve got old halves like DCE, Reynolds, Hunt, etc running around at 35, 36, 37 years of age earning good money. You just don’t see locks playing to that age given the workload and wear on their bodies. So if Latu moves to 13 as someone who only just turned 20, he could be saying goodbye to ~$7.6m of earnings over his career compared to if he stayed in the halves. And this is at current rates, it doesn’t reflect the new TV deals over the course of his career that will push the salary cap and player salaries up.

We’ve just cleared the decks of Galvin to be able to promote Latu. If we bring someone else over the top of him now I reckon he will want out and there will be no shortage of suitors for his services.

100% I don't understand the obsession with moving players out of their preferred position in order to solve a problem that doesn't exist.

The extra tackling will stifle his creative flair, it's pure nonsense.

 

[Tcat]

I don’t think Latu (or his manager let him) will be moving to 13, a role where the current highest player (Yeo, not counting Tino who is a prop who plays some 13) gets $875k whilst nuffie halves like Brown are getting $1.3m. Also, you’ve got old halves like DCE, Reynolds, Hunt, etc running around at 35, 36, 37 years of age earning good money. You just don’t see locks playing to that age given the workload and wear on their bodies. So if Latu moves to 13 as someone who only just turned 20, he could be saying goodbye to ~$7.6m of earnings over his career compared to if he stayed in the halves. And this is at current rates, it doesn’t reflect the new TV deals over the course of his career that will push the salary cap and player salaries up.

We’ve just cleared the decks of Galvin to be able to promote Latu. If we bring someone else over the top of him now I reckon he will want out and there will be no shortage of suitors for his services.

Latu can barely finish a game in the halves let alone in the pack. He's nowhere near ready for that.

 

[TigerNeddyK]

Is Leniu available?

A lot of average players get talked up in this thread as stars. I mean, Tyrone May FFS.

You mean the halfback that just led a team to a challenge cup win?

 

[Modman]

I think AD can move into lock in 2-3 years . I think he needs to be an edge forward first . And that’s where I’d be saying to him to start moving his game towards . His improvements in defence , and his desire for work , as well as he can still do that ad-lib stuff / offer a 4th choice kicker, means he definitely has value .
He needs to work with a plyometrics trainer/ sprints coach to help him with his explosion off the mark and into and through contact . But that seems like he’s still having confidence issues / still coming to terms with how big and massive he is .
He’s an absolute unit , but especially in attack , seems to have forgotten it .
We need more out of the left edge centre in attack . At least 4-5 times on Sunday , and 3-4 times in most games , there’s been half chances presented to him/ 1 on 1 opportunities with his centre , and he hasn’t been able to do anything .

It's interesting reading the different opinions on AD. I personally like him cause he just seems like a real Wests tigers player and has been around all these shit years so maybe I'm just getting sentimental in my old age but on his wage I hope they find a spot somewhere for him as a backup, live to see him in the forwards just don't think he can play middle atm. I'm just hoping he doesn't think he's better than what he is and wants a fg spot.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

You mean the halfback that just led a team to a challenge cup win?

George Williams dominated in ESL. How did he go over here? It’s like glorifying players who dominate RMC. And wasn’t Jackson Hastings the Man of Steel? How’s he going?

 

[TigerNeddyK]

What’s so weird about it, you can find dozens of players who can round out NRL squads. What’s the fixation on it being this guy? I actually find that more bizarre than people who actually rate him, cos players filling the role you are talking about are a dime a dozen.

Can you not see that it’s also the bond of having brothers play together that they trust and lift even more for the man next to them .. they have a natural bond and instinct for each others game a bit like the Ella bros or the Mortimers or the Hughes boys did .. remember the McGuinness boys ?? Not saying it’s guaranteed to work this way but the Culture that Benji is trying to build makes this an absolutely natural call

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Can you not see that it’s also the bond of having brothers play together that they trust and lift even more for the man next to them .. they have a natural bond and instinct for each others game a bit like the Ella bros or the Mortimers or the Hughes boys did .. remember the McGuinness boys ?? Not saying it’s guaranteed to work this way but the Culture that Benji is trying to build makes this an absolutely natural call

As I said earlier, if the club wants to breed family culture, the May brothers aren’t the family I’d have gone with.

 

[balmain boy]

I think AD can move into lock in 2-3 years . I think he needs to be an edge forward first . And that’s where I’d be saying to him to start moving his game towards . His improvements in defence , and his desire for work , as well as he can still do that ad-lib stuff / offer a 4th choice kicker, means he definitely has value .
He needs to work with a plyometrics trainer/ sprints coach to help him with his explosion off the mark and into and through contact . But that seems like he’s still having confidence issues / still coming to terms with how big and massive he is .
He’s an absolute unit , but especially in attack , seems to have forgotten it .
We need more out of the left edge centre in attack . At least 4-5 times on Sunday , and 3-4 times in most games , there’s been half chances presented to him/ 1 on 1 opportunities with his centre , and he hasn’t been able to do anything .

He should go straight to NSW cup then. Show if he can actually perform to the required levels of involvement

 

[BAGNF05]

It's interesting reading the different opinions on AD. I personally like him cause he just seems like a real Wests tigers player and has been around all these shit years so maybe I'm just getting sentimental in my old age but on his wage I hope they find a spot somewhere for him as a backup, live to see him in the forwards just don't think he can play middle atm. I'm just hoping he doesn't think he's better than what he is and wants a fg spot.

I think everyone is ok with AD being lower down the depth chart as a utility. He doesn’t quite cut the mustard as a starting centre / goal kicker.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

It's interesting reading the different opinions on AD. I personally like him cause he just seems like a real Wests tigers player and has been around all these shit years so maybe I'm just getting sentimental in my old age but on his wage I hope they find a spot somewhere for him as a backup, live to see him in the forwards just don't think he can play middle atm. I'm just hoping he doesn't think he's better than what he is and wants a fg spot.

Nothing wrong with liking AD mate but if Taylan proves he can fit into his centre spot because he's faster and more aggressive you have to think with your head and not your heart, ask yourself what would the roosters do, enough said.

Another challenge but there's no reason he couldn't transition to a forward position in reserves as mentioned above.

 

[teddy23]

I don’t think Latu (or his manager let him) will be moving to 13, a role where the current highest player (Yeo, not counting Tino who is a prop who plays some 13) gets $875k whilst nuffie halves like Brown are getting $1.3m. Also, you’ve got old halves like DCE, Reynolds, Hunt, etc running around at 35, 36, 37 years of age earning good money. You just don’t see locks playing to that age given the workload and wear on their bodies. So if Latu moves to 13 as someone who only just turned 20, he could be saying goodbye to ~$7.6m of earnings over his career compared to if he stayed in the halves. And this is at current rates, it doesn’t reflect the new TV deals over the course of his career that will push the salary cap and player salaries up.

We’ve just cleared the decks of Galvin to be able to promote Latu. If we bring someone else over the top of him now I reckon he will want out and there will be no shortage of suitors for his services.

Not disagreeing with you, agree 100%.

However, the way I see it only up until a few moths ago the club were planning for a long term halves combination of Galvin and Luai for the next 10 years. That was the plan and we know this for a fact.

So for the last 18 months, what did the club have in mind for Latu. Where was he being trained to play long term. This is a kid we signed with a lot noise around him due to his hype and talent on big coin. It’s impossible for me we had no full plan for him and if we didn’t. Latu would have enough clubs lined up to be gone already.

It might be at lock and I can see where his game attributes really gives us a massive spark in that position. But if he was a 6, then I wouldn’t complain at all as well. The kids gonna be a gun wherever he plays.

 

[TigerNeddyK]

Further to this. Whether it’s warranted it or not, the May’s probably aren’t the family to build the family culture around. Their name is pretty much mud around the NRL. Look at poor Tyrell. One of the best props in the game this year, up there in the Dally M’s, and Daley would sooner pick Matt Groat than give May 5 minutes of his time. And he’s supposed to be the good brother. It’s just weird that if you want to establish that sort of culture, this is the family you use to do it.

Are you freaking kidding me ? Seriously you want to only be loyal and give a go to people that are “approved” by the moral majority ? It’s Un Australian mate , Terrell has done nothing but be Incredible for the club and being there for people when the chips are down or when they are being outcasted or scapegoated unfairly by others is exactly when real people and real character is shown .. you want our club to be fake fair weather friends only ? That disgusts me and I’m embarrassed to think you could actually think this way….

 

[tiger05premier]

Are you freaking kidding me ? Seriously you want to only be loyal and give a go to people that are “approved” by the moral majority ? It’s Un Australian mate , Terrell has done nothing but be Incredible for the club and being there for people when the chips are down or when they are being outcasted or scapegoated unfairly by others is exactly when real people and real character is shown .. you want our club to be fake fair weather friends only ? That disgusts me and I’m embarrassed to think you could actually think this way….

Agree mate

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Are you freaking kidding me ? Seriously you want to only be loyal and give a go to people that are “approved” by the moral majority ? It’s Un Australian mate , Terrell has done nothing but be Incredible for the club and being there for people when the chips are down or when they are being outcasted or scapegoated unfairly by others is exactly when real people and real character is shown .. you want our club to be fake fair weather friends only ? That disgusts me and I’m embarrassed to think you could actually think this way….

No need for melodramatics. Don’t shoot the messenger. They have a terrible rep, which I think is unfortunate for Terrell as he is the cleanskin of the trio. I will stand by my belief that if the club wants to breed a family culture, bringing known thugs like Taylan and Tyrone isn’t the way to go. It’s actually ridiculous. But what’s done is done.

 

[crazycat]

Some calls to be made for our off contract players

Tumeth - farewell
Matamua - farewell

Naden? Time to move on
Feledy? Eh, perhaps a cup contract?
Staines? Good back up, depth option.
Douihei? Not sure.

We need some better options tbf

Notice with Naden and Doueihi they both don't 'fit' a position..

Feledy just isn't up to first grade. But both Naden and AD have never baked themselves into a position, and I think that hurts both them and the team.

Toa has been able to find better grove at Center and staying at Center. Turuva/Skelton likewise keep them at wing.

Look I get it you used to have your beau Ryans and Danny Garcia's etc. Now it is a bit more specialised and it's what tries you let through that's more important then what tries you score. It's why Nofo hurt our team so much even though he was a massive line crosser.

TLDR: guys like Mason should try to find a position soon. Keep people who fit their position and punt Utilities unless they are a damn gun.

 

[Wiz]

Latu playing first receiver at lock, with Luai at second receiver then Bula potentially polishing those sets off.

Plug in the experience of Reynolds to guide us around the park - also has an exceptional goal kicking game.

I think it’s a perfect formula.

I personally just think Latu at first receiver gives us so much, he sets the tone for the play. If you don’t respect his running game and give him space he can cut right through you, however if you let him get to close he can straighten the line up and ball play perfectly to create space out wide. He’d be a defensive nightmare for forwards to read, a threat both ways.

He also has history playing at 9 for Tonga as well, so he has proven he’s more than capable handling the middle defensively.

Happy either way tbh. I wouldn’t be disappointed if got the 6 jersey as well.

I thought the club saw Galvin as moving to the back row in time with Latu the long term half. But Galvin didn’t want a bar of it. Presumably one of the complaints in his dossier.

 

[TigerNeddyK]

So a UK 6 is moving Latu Fainu off his chosen position ? …. I don’t agree mate . Dodd is the latest in a long line of halves who have figured out how far behind the standard of nrl super league is.
Chuck is everyone’s favourite Jackson Hastings as well . Only the knights (LOL) thought he was worth 800k . Bidded against themselves , and now he’s plonked in KOE.
I would never ever offer big money to a pommy half. Train and trial at best …

Ellery Hanley went well