Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[boonboon]

Our team is not slow. You overstate this to the extreme.

Most of our backline players are sufficiently quick in their position.

If you're looking for Hamiso or Addo-Carr quick, then there are only a handful of those players in the NRL as they are rare.

Also noting that Bulas top speed on the field was quicker then Hamiso's in 2025

 

[tiger_one]

Turuva and Skelton are both good players individually, but as a combination they are definitely bottom 3 in regards to pace in wing combinations across the NRL.
Our centres are certainly not above average for speed either, however Taylan May regularly hits top speed very quickly and shows elite urgency to overcome it.
Add our back row that are also well below average in the speed department and we are a slow team, no ifs and buts about it.

Except, imo, these wingers are not being picked in isolation.

They are part of a team make-up where each player has a job to do, based on their strengths.
Going back to end of 2024, we had so little recovery meters when bringing the ball back from deep inside our end of the field, these strengths were especially targeted; and voila! problem solved.

Now whether other "better" strengths appear going forward with other players, this will all have to do with the overall team dynamics and needs.

 

[weststigerman]

I'll do an update soon based on May for 3 yrs & Bud gone.

Would make 3 spots given we know Andrews is development for next year

I’d go starting prop, depth centre and some sort of hooker cover.

Something like Talau, Moale and a good defensive NSW Cup hooker would be good.

 

[weststigers]

Also noting that Bulas top speed on the field was quicker then Hamiso's in 2025

Great stat...hopefully Vicious can stop the propaganda.

 

[weststigers]

Turuva and Skelton are both good players individually, but as a combination they are definitely bottom 3 in regards to pace in wing combinations across the NRL.
Our centres are certainly not above average for speed either, however Taylan May regularly hits top speed very quickly and shows elite urgency to overcome it.
Add our back row that are also well below average in the speed department and we are a slow team, no ifs and buts about it.
Compare us in the speed of players 1-17 with the current NRL top 8 and it’s scary how far behind we are.

This is subjective propaganda. I'd believe you more if you fronted up with some real stats, but you never do.

Either way, I would argue that the majority of tries are not a foot race to the line.

 

[teddy23]

Spoke to someone who’s pretty in the know and very accurate with info.

He reckons Bula is set to re-sign but the plan is to be a Wests Tigers player for life. Expecting a long extension.

Watch this space.

 

[Canadian Club]

Turuva and Skelton are both good players individually, but as a combination they are definitely bottom 3 in regards to pace in wing combinations across the NRL.
Our centres are certainly not above average for speed either, however Taylan May regularly hits top speed very quickly and shows elite urgency to overcome it.
Add our back row that are also well below average in the speed department and we are a slow team, no ifs and buts about it.
Compare us in the speed of players 1-17 with the current NRL top 8 and it’s scary how far behind we are.

It’s funny you say that because I had both a Souths fan and Roosters fan last night both tell me they had the slowest back 7 in the comp.

It’s easy to look at the squad and say we lack speed because we don’t have a ‘hammer’, but you actually need to consider what other teams have.

The Dolphins and Canberra have quick backs but when you actually think about most other teams, they’re not loaded with speed. Most teams have 1 or 2 guys with speed and the rest are not what you would call fast. There are just as many teams that have slower back lines, you just don’t realise it because you only think about the quick players.

 

[jstigers]

Talau would be a fine depth signing for us …we are talking about a guy on about $200k filling a depth position in the squad who will probably be playing 5-6 NRL games …

A waste of space.... We don't need anymore depth.... We need starters, why does everyone want to sign depth, signing KOE players isnt going to win us premierships

 

[Canadian Club]

Except, imo, these wingers are not being picked in isolation.

They are part of a team make-up where each player has a job to do, based on their strengths.
Going back to end of 2024, we had so little recovery meters when bringing the ball back from deep inside our end of the field, these strengths were especially targeted; and voila! problem solved.

Now whether other "better" strengths appear going forward with other players, this will all have to do with the overall team dynamics and needs.

One of the reasons we’ve improved this year is because we have wingers that can actually start our sets well. Turuva and Skelton have been super underrated this year in their impact to start our sets well.

We no longer get to tackle 5 and are kicking from within our own 30m.

Not to mention they’re both elite finishers. One of the first times in an over a decade where we can give our wingers the ball 10m out from the line and be confident that they’ll be able to get to the try line and not over the sideline.

 

[Vicious]

It’s funny you say that because I had both a Souths fan and Roosters fan last night both tell me they had the slowest back 7 in the comp.

It’s easy to look at the squad and say we lack speed because we don’t have a ‘hammer’, but you actually need to consider what other teams have.

The Dolphins and Canberra have quick backs but when you actually think about most other teams, they’re not loaded with speed. Most teams have 1 or 2 guys with speed and the rest are not what you would call fast. There are just as many teams that have slower back lines, you just don’t realise it because you only think about the quick players.

You are correct in saying Roosters 1-7 would be comparable to ours for speed.
Raiders are a very quick 1-7.
Storm with players such as Paps, Coates, Meaney, Anderson are all fast.
Bulldogs have 2 quick centres plus Burton being one of the quicker 5/8’s.
Broncos have Walsh, Mariner, Karapani and Mam who are all quick.
Sharks have both wingers who are very quick.
Warriors do not have an overly fast 1-7, particularly without Metcalfe, but both of their wingers are faster than average.
Panthers 1-7 are also comparable t ours for speed, with only Casey McLean as a genuine speedster.

 

[Tom Shines]

A waste of space.... We don't need anymore depth.... We need starters, why does everyone want to sign depth, signing KOE players isnt going to win us premierships

We have starters in the backline …they are playing this week ..along with Skelton who is out and will probably be starting Week 1 next season …I would love to sign Herbie Farnsworth or get Tedesco back but we probably can’t afford them ..

We also need to re-sign Taylan May and acquire a new starting middle forward

 

[Tom Shines]

Turuva and Skelton are both good players individually, but as a combination they are definitely bottom 3 in regards to pace in wing combinations across the NRL.
Our centres are certainly not above average for speed either, however Taylan May regularly hits top speed very quickly and shows elite urgency to overcome it.
Add our back row that are also well below average in the speed department and we are a slow team, no ifs and buts about it.
Compare us in the speed of players 1-17 with the current NRL top 8 and it’s scary how far behind we are.

The Titans have one of the quickest outside backlines in the comp right and they are motherless last ..

Our wingers are the best we have had in years … they punch out the metres and are both very good finishers …I’ll take that for the time being whilst bigger issues get addressed ..

 

[hsvjones]

Spoke to someone who’s pretty in the know and very accurate with info.

He reckons Bula is set to re-sign but the plan is to be a Wests Tigers player for life. Expecting a long extension.

Watch this space.

That would be outstanding news ... Please be true

 

[Ecto-1]

That would be outstanding news ... Please be true

I reckon it’s true because Moses wants his cut of the contract.

 

[rugbygoated]

I have a feeling we end the season an a bad note. The Leichhardt loss was huge. 3 in a row for the first time in ages. And now we could lose 3 in a row. Titans will be up for Dessy and Foran. They have nothing to lose. Their attack can score at any time. Our attack is very disjointed. Titans in a error-riddled game for me. The Raiders game was a loss but the boys played well. Don't think they have consistency to back it up

 

[innsaneink]

Walsh can find that extra gear when needed.
Bula cant....if he could hed have 6 to 8 more tries this year.
Would be nice to have just one player that can burn the opp with just pure speed

 

[Tom Shines]

I have a feeling we end the season an a bad note. The Leichhardt loss was huge. 3 in a row for the first time in ages. And now we could lose 3 in a row. Titans will be up for Dessy and Foran. They have nothing to lose. Their attack can score at any time. Our attack is very disjointed. Titans in a error-riddled game for me. The Raiders game was a loss but the boys played well. Don't think they have consistency to back it up

Maybe… won’t be the end of the world …as you say they have more to play for at the end of the day …

 

[GNR4LIFE]

I have a feeling we end the season an a bad note. The Leichhardt loss was huge. 3 in a row for the first time in ages. And now we could lose 3 in a row. Titans will be up for Dessy and Foran. They have nothing to lose. Their attack can score at any time. Our attack is very disjointed. Titans in an error-riddled game for me. The Raiders game was a loss but the boys played well. Don't think they have consistency to back it up

You put a lot faith in the Titans. They aren’t where they are for no reason.

 

[innsaneink]

Well he was death riding us for the spoon every week for a few months a while back, so no surprise his view this week

 

[Wiz]

Walsh can find that extra gear when needed.
Bula cant....if he could hed have 6 to 8 more tries this year.
Would be nice to have just one player that can burn the opp with just pure speed

Bula is fast over long distances. His acceleration over 5 to 10m is only average.