Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[wstigers11]

We already have 2 spots available, Bird would make 3.

Interesting 👀

 

[JB9918]

To the forum admins. We currently have 4000 odd guests on the forum. What's the max/regular when a Tigers story gets posted in the media?

 

[Tim Sheens]

Back in those days it was often current players doing this during the week

Olsen Filipaina was my garbo at Ryde for a while as an NZ international.

 

[user118245]

To the forum admins. We currently have 4000 odd guests on the forum. What's the max/regular when a Tigers story gets posted in the media?

27,125,861 guests

 

[HUNT 101]

27,125,861 guests

🤏 Close

 

[JB9918]

27,125,861 guests

Who says we can't draw a crowd

 

[user118245]

Who says we can't draw a crowd

Numbers just keep climbing since g*lvin left

 

[hank37w]

Who says we can't draw a crowd

Yeah, all the rubber necks slowing down on the way past to have a look at the train wreck that Holman Barnes Group created. 🤡

 

[JB9918]

Apparently we have tabled an extension offer for Sione? Anyone got anything on that?

 

[JB9918]

Apparently we have tabled an extension offer for Sione? Anyone got anything on that?

 

[wstigers11]

Apparently we have tabled an extension offer for Sione? Anyone got anything on that?

Finalllyyyyyy

 

[Betterdays22]

Two key points in the story ...

Bird missed the club’s annual army camp a couple of weeks ago, with the former premiership winner believing the deal had been struck between London and his management.

It is understood Bird is still looking for a home in the Super League, with multiple clubs in the UK competition still interested in the former representative star’s signature.

I'd say Bird's head is already in the UK now so very good chance he will be goneski. His management (whoever Tartak has representing him given he is suspended) will be working overtime to land him an ESL deal.

Thought it was a rehashed story until I read that. Sounds promising

 

[Ecto-1]

 

[jstigers]

3 year at 400k a season, good re-sign

 

[Leck]

To the forum admins. We currently have 4000 odd guests on the forum. What's the max/regular when a Tigers story gets posted in the media?

Most are bots, I would suggest that admins use Wordfence

https://www.wordfence.com/help/central/connect/

 

[Masterton]

Whatever happened to Jim Dymock? He was the next coach in waiting for awhile there but not got a first grade gig. Super player

I see him at the pub sometimes. He is big. Dave Tayloresque.

 

[JC99]

Sione at $400k a year would be a terrific deal

Perfect bench forward - has excellent footwork to attack tired defenders close to the line, good leg speed to make yardage, and can cover middle or edge

Get it done Benji/Mielekamp!

 

[Vicious]

Sione at $400k a year would be a terrific deal

Perfect bench forward - has excellent footwork to attack tired defenders close to the line, good leg speed to make yardage, and can cover middle or edge

Get it done Benji/Mielekamp!

We have done extremely well if Sione Fainu re-signs with us for 400k per season.
I think we are still doing well if we have to increase our offer to 500k per season.

 

[Aceshigh]

3 year at 400k a season, good re-sign

He is worth 500 a season

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Wests Tigers table three-year contract extension to Sione Fainu, Jack Bird shopped to Super League clubs​

The Tigers have moved to stave off a poaching threat from the Perth Bears, tabling a $1.2 million extension to one forward, while another has likely played his last game for the club.

Peter BadelExclusive
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@badel_cmail

4 min read
January 28, 2026 - 6:32PM
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...ory/fbea95979c0006a00a4c97f470e930a6#comments
The Tigers have tabled a $1.2 million extension to boom forward Sione Fainu as the strife-torn club attempts to stave off a poaching threat from Mal Meninga’s Perth Bears.

Code Sports can reveal the Tigers have tabled a three-year deal for the 24-year-old in the first step towards retaining their Polynesian Holy Trinity – Sione and his brothers Latu and Samuela.

The Tigers have been embroiled in major off-field turmoil headlined by a boardroom brouhaha and the exit of CEO Shane Richardson, but amid the political chaos the embattled joint venture club have made moves to secure the Fainu clan.

NRL expansion newcomers the Bears have lodged an expression of interest in Sione, who is off-contract at season’s end and has piqued the interest of foundation Perth coach Meninga with his explosive style.

Wests Tigers forward Sione Fainu. Picture: NRL Imagery

On a development deal in 2024, Sione was promoted to the Tigers’ full-time squad just 12 months ago – and now coach Benji Marshall has upped the ante to ensure the powerhouse remains at Concord.

It is understood Tigers bosses made a three-year offer last week worth around $400,000 a season, sweet reward for an impressive 2025 campaign in which Fainu played all 24 games.

Just two other Tigers players managed that feat last season, Penrith recruit Sunia Turuva and Roosters import Terrell May.

In another special achievement last season, the Fainu brothers made club history by scoring a try apiece in the club’s 30-28 win over the Sydney Roosters.

Mindful of the Bears’ interest, the Tigers have moved swiftly in a bid to take Sione off the open market, acutely aware the long-term retention of the eldest Fainu will almost certainly convince his siblings to stay.

Classy playmaker Latu and raw-boned forward Samuela are contracted to the Tigers until the end of 2027, making them free agents from November 1 this year.

NRL 2024 RD20 South Sydney Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers – Latu Fainu Samuela Fainu Sione Fainu, brothers. Picture: Gregg Porteous/NRL Imagery

The Tigers’ ability to retain Sione could have contractual implications for Latu and Samuela, who are determined to stick together as a family triumvirate as their fourth brother, Manase, awaits release from jail.

Manase, who was incarcerated in 2022 after being found guilty of stabbing a church youth leader, will walk free in October.

By then, the Tigers hope to have Sione contracted until the end of 2029, with Marshall aware the powerful forward has attracted interest from two NRL rivals, including the Bears.

Sione has made 36 appearances for the Tigers since his NRL debut in 2024, while 20-year-old Latu has compiled 23 matches and 49-game Samuela, 22, is on the cusp of a half-century of first-grade fixtures.

After the trio all scored against the Roosters last year, Sione outlined the brothers’ desire to spearhead a finals fightback in 2026.

“We want to give back to the club and play finals footy for the Tigers,” he said.

“We want to give back to Benji for what he has done for us.”

The Tigers are hopeful the brothers won’t test their value on the open market, with Samuela hellbent on delivering the struggling club’s first premiership since 2005.

“It’s always been our goal, first to play NRL and now that we have done that, we want to go higher and win an NRL competition,” he said.

“That will come when it comes, but we want to make the finals with the Tigers.”