Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[happy_tiger]

I think that deep down we all want Bula to stay optimistically hoping he can back up in attack more and improve his fragile defense.

But if his D wad manager is pushing for multiple years @ 900k or higher, do we pay that.

Richo's sure to have a ceiling on the deal and there could be a stalemate happening now hence the deafening silence, oh apart from A wipe whipping up the media.

Who do you sign to replace him in the next 12 months to replace him that is an upgrade ......that is the $64000 question

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Who do you sign to replace him in the next 12 months to replace him that is an upgrade ......that is the $64000 question

Think what Richo would do is hold firm on what his assessed value offer is and if Bula doesn't accept it then trigger the club option for 1 year.

That gives him 2 years to find a worthy replacement and only has to cough up the inflated 900k for one year which in my opinion is overpriced.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...s/news-story/95f1df07df2175d2c8986c2d098b177e

Wests Tigers’ stunning improvement sees club make first profit in 10-years

The Wests Tigers jumped off the bottom of the ladder in 2025, but their dramatic improvement has been eclipsed by their performance off the field, making a profit for the first time in 10-years.

Michael Carayannis and Brent Read
less than 2 min read
November 6, 2025 - 2:00PM

The Wests Tigers’ dramatic improvement on the field has been eclipsed by a stunning turnaround off it as the club reports a profit for the first time in more than a decade on the back of surging revenues and soaring crowds.
Sport Confidential can reveal that the Tigers increased their overall revenues this season by $3 million and had a million-dollar jump in sponsorship under chief executive Shane Richardson.

The club’s playing kit also increased by 40 per cent and they reported a significant rise in corporate hospitality as they finally enjoyed some success after years of disappointment.

Throw in an increase in membership and a 45 per cent lift in crowds and the Tigers have started to turn the corner off the field.

Richardson confirmed the club had returned a profit in 2025 after losing $5.5 million in the previous two seasons – their profit margin was even greater when they factored in the club’s share of the spoils from the federal government in the wake of Papua New Guinea’s addition to the competition.

Every club in the game is due to receive $1.75 million from the NRL this year, the first of five payments totalling $4 million over the next four years.

The Tigers made huge strides on the field as well as they won nine games and kept the finals flame flickering for much of the year.

They eventually finished in 13th spot, which represented a dramatic lift in their fortunes after three successive wooden spoons.

“The club is obviously on the way up on and off the field,” Richardson said.

“We’re really looking forward to what we can do next year.”

 

[innsaneink]

Inglis has bailed.from the womens.coaching role

 

[Camel2281]

Could Josh Curran be our lock? Seems to get about and can tackle.
Tyson Smoothy for a year until a youngster develops?
Sign Keone and push Terrell to 13, lose mobility but he is a worker?
My preference would be to sign Ray Stone if he can get out of his last year at dolphins..
There are options which more savvy operators would / should be considering.
Happy to wait to see what unfolds as the glaringly obvious weaknesses in our squad have been addressed previously by BM and SR.

I'd try for Kurt Donoghue from the Dolphins before Stone. Can also cover some 9 and halves if one goes down

 

[Camel2281]

Why get rid of Staines then? Staines was a reliable back up, good defender and if he was outside better centres would have been a more potent attacker. It seems this Parra & Souths reject just can't crack it in first grade, can't see him making our top team anytime soon....unless we have a bad run with injuries.

Coz Staines was on $300k plus in the Top 30. This bloke is on $1k per week and in Cup

 

[orange&black]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...s/news-story/95f1df07df2175d2c8986c2d098b177e

Wests Tigers’ stunning improvement sees club make first profit in 10-years

The Wests Tigers jumped off the bottom of the ladder in 2025, but their dramatic improvement has been eclipsed by their performance off the field, making a profit for the first time in 10-years.

Michael Carayannis and Brent Read
less than 2 min read
November 6, 2025 - 2:00PM

The Wests Tigers’ dramatic improvement on the field has been eclipsed by a stunning turnaround off it as the club reports a profit for the first time in more than a decade on the back of surging revenues and soaring crowds.
Sport Confidential can reveal that the Tigers increased their overall revenues this season by $3 million and had a million-dollar jump in sponsorship under chief executive Shane Richardson.

The club’s playing kit also increased by 40 per cent and they reported a significant rise in corporate hospitality as they finally enjoyed some success after years of disappointment.

Throw in an increase in membership and a 45 per cent lift in crowds and the Tigers have started to turn the corner off the field.

Richardson confirmed the club had returned a profit in 2025 after losing $5.5 million in the previous two seasons – their profit margin was even greater when they factored in the club’s share of the spoils from the federal government in the wake of Papua New Guinea’s addition to the competition.

Every club in the game is due to receive $1.75 million from the NRL this year, the first of five payments totalling $4 million over the next four years.

The Tigers made huge strides on the field as well as they won nine games and kept the finals flame flickering for much of the year.

They eventually finished in 13th spot, which represented a dramatic lift in their fortunes after three successive wooden spoons.

“The club is obviously on the way up on and off the field,” Richardson said.

“We’re really looking forward to what we can do next year.”

Wow - a good news story in the media! Fans have got to be happy reading this. Hope we can all have a little patience and let Richo and Benji continue this success into our footy teams results.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

This may be a sneaky insight but it looks like the club is in the process of updating the player profiles on the website with departing players removed (i.e. Staines, Naden & co) however KMapz remains.

Teams

2022 Wests Tigers NRL Telstra Premiership squad, Wests Tigers players, NSW Cup squad.

www.weststigers.com.au

Very interesting. Only 24 players on show, no Bunty? Bula there!

 

[Demps]

He's only TRIALLING for a NSW Cup contract - along with plenty of others I'd guess across all teams. It's shouldn't even be an issue

No longer T&T

Signed [NSW cup contract]

 

[tigahhh]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...s/news-story/95f1df07df2175d2c8986c2d098b177e

Wests Tigers’ stunning improvement sees club make first profit in 10-years

The Wests Tigers jumped off the bottom of the ladder in 2025, but their dramatic improvement has been eclipsed by their performance off the field, making a profit for the first time in 10-years.

Michael Carayannis and Brent Read
less than 2 min read
November 6, 2025 - 2:00PM

The Wests Tigers’ dramatic improvement on the field has been eclipsed by a stunning turnaround off it as the club reports a profit for the first time in more than a decade on the back of surging revenues and soaring crowds.
Sport Confidential can reveal that the Tigers increased their overall revenues this season by $3 million and had a million-dollar jump in sponsorship under chief executive Shane Richardson.

The club’s playing kit also increased by 40 per cent and they reported a significant rise in corporate hospitality as they finally enjoyed some success after years of disappointment.

Throw in an increase in membership and a 45 per cent lift in crowds and the Tigers have started to turn the corner off the field.

Richardson confirmed the club had returned a profit in 2025 after losing $5.5 million in the previous two seasons – their profit margin was even greater when they factored in the club’s share of the spoils from the federal government in the wake of Papua New Guinea’s addition to the competition.

Every club in the game is due to receive $1.75 million from the NRL this year, the first of five payments totalling $4 million over the next four years.

The Tigers made huge strides on the field as well as they won nine games and kept the finals flame flickering for much of the year.

They eventually finished in 13th spot, which represented a dramatic lift in their fortunes after three successive wooden spoons.

“The club is obviously on the way up on and off the field,” Richardson said.

“We’re really looking forward to what we can do next year.”

thank you richo !!!!!!!!! 🐯🐯🐯🐯

 

[colinbh]

Inglis has bailed.from the womens.coaching role

As he should.

 

[hank37w]

Stop trying to catch up & copy what other teams do, and do your own thing well instead. Make others catch up & copy us.

They will if it works, but at the moment no one wants to replicate the 3 times spoon winners. 🤣

 

[Kelce68]

Very interesting. Only 24 players on show, no Bunty? Bula there!

They haven't added the new guys yet. It appears they've only culled the certain exits.

They will take a while to update the site. Players need to arrive, jerseys need to be released, they'll need to set aside time in their preseason for media/photos, etc.

It's late imo, but they don't normally finish updating the teams until well into January or even February.

Bula is contracted for 26 regardless. The options were for 27.

If he renegotiates, then it'll be from 2027 onwards.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

They haven't added extras yet. It appears they've only culled the certain exits.

Bula is contracted for 26 regardless. The options were for 27.

If he renegotiates, then it'll be from 2027 onwards.

What's your gut telling you about Bula's future mate.

 

[Kelce68]

What's your gut telling you about Bula's future mate.

I think it's a genuine 50/50, Steveo. Though gun to my head, I'd say 51% stay. Richo never seems in a hurry on these things.

He's currently our most influential player, at least in terms of results, so I'm hopeful they'll get a deal done.

You?

 

[TigerSkins05]

Very interesting. Only 24 players on show, no Bunty? Bula there!

Nope .. No Bula on the list .. ??

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

I think it's a genuine 50/50, Steveo. Though gun to my head, I'd say 51% stay. Richo never seems in a hurry on these things.

He's currently our most influential player, at least in terms of results, so I'm hopeful they'll get a deal done.

You?

Puzzling mate can't call it, all reports indicate how much he loves the club so if true what's the hold-up sign FFS, the longer it takes the lessor the chance you would think.

How many times has a player come out and show similar love to only turn the other cheek and leave, really do dread these important player extensions.

 

[innsaneink]

Nope .. No Bula on the list .. ??

Jahream Bula

The NRL profile of Jahream Bula including career statistics, season stats, games, tries, goals, tackles and fantasy scores.

www.weststigers.com.au

 

[cktiger]

Why get rid of Staines then? Staines was a reliable back up, good defender and if he was outside better centres would have been a more potent attacker. It seems this Parra & Souths reject just can't crack it in first grade, can't see him making our top team anytime soon....unless we have a bad run with injuries.

He’s signed to play reserves.

 

[Jolls]

The thing is last year , regardless of who he was playing with, not once did Luai stand up and take the dominant role. Whether it was Galvin, Fainu, Doueihi or anyone else he still deferred responsibility to others. That shows in his actions that he isn't a 7. And had no desire to be a 7.

He's a 5/8, and a decent one. As a half he's a long way behind the likes of Hynes.

Mate, I'm not arguing that point at all. The hand we have been dealt by Richo and Benji is what I am trying to work with. We can whinge about the combination and dominant halves etc but it isn't going to change it. So I am not trying to rail against the system but trying to figure out how to make what he have work.

Now Luai was doing fine in the Penrith system as both 6 and 7. Why, he was provided with the time and space he needed to "see" and then create. He isn't a Reynolds drive the team around the park dude. The team needs to undersand the system and execute it and allow Romey and Latu to pick apart what they are seeing in front of them.

It isn't just our halves that struggle. Cleary and Munster were hopeless last weekend against a compressed up and in defence. A smarter halves pairing would have chipped in behind the line a couple of times to a rampaging edge/centre to slow them down and then got a bit deeper and shifted early to counter the compressed defence. If they can't do it at Kangaroo leve we certainly don't have the smarts at the moment at Tiger level.

This is as much on Benji for us as it is on Walters for last weekend.

I agree that Luai as a half needs development (if he continues to play there). But he is definitely a serviceable option with the right type of forward play. At the moment we don't have it.