Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Vicious]

Is Haywood far better than Lanyon? Is Lanyon at NSW Cup standard only?

I’ve seen Lanyon play quite a few quality games in Jersey Flegg last season, but only about 30mins of quality in NSW Cup this season?
I hope he plays a great game for us tomorrow night, but Benji must honestly throw darts at a board to get a a few of his team selections, as they are often not performance based.

 

[weststigers]

It’s poorly made by me but it’s not a shopping list it’s a list of which clubs I reckon will/wont take him and why/why not

Tough sell for one season given he is a right hand man type player

 

[Demps]

Releasing Starford early and now the Luai news... despite how we feel about em, I think it's for the best.

Starford has been ordinary for a long time despite playing well in recent weeks and Luai, had somehow become surplus, with the other options we have and him already departing early anyways.

Good business for mine.

 

[Jimmy]

you’d have to think they have someone lined up. Sure Luai is overpaid but he’s still one of our best players. What kind of fallout does this bring? Was Benji in on this call? It doesn’t add up unless they have a genuine gun in their sights. This seems like a board hidden agenda movement. Luai not liked or was it that Richo was a fan.

 

[Betterdays22]

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If there was ever evidence time is circular it is the Wests Tigers. I'd like this ride to stop now.

 

[wstigers11]

you’d have to think they have someone lined up. Sure Luai is overpaid but he’s still one of our best players. What kind of fallout does this bring? Was Benji in on this call? It doesn’t add up unless they have a genuine gun in their sights. This seems like a board hidden agenda movement. Luai not liked or was it that Richo was a fan.

We have 2 NRL quality halves in Cup. I don’t think they want to sign anyone

 

[clontarfkid]

Good shout. Money will still be a factor though.

Walker still playing MUCH better than luai..wld be a step backwards

 

[TigerBurnsy]

We have 2 NRL quality halves in Cup. I don’t think they want to sign anyone

Maybe coach is looking to come out of retirement

 

[The Chad]

I think Luai is a great player & has been a good signing for the club.

With that caveat out of the way, I think we are seeing the limitations of our squad in terms of creativity at the moment. Bula, Luai & Doueihi are all more 'runners' of the ball, not guys that direct others around the field.

Both Latu Fainu & Javon Andrews appear more suited to directing play. The fact that Madden can come in & look decent because he has that style indicates the team might just need that type of player on the field.

Luai is leaving in 12 months regardless. At best, with no expected changes to our spine, we might improve marginally in organisation with the players that hold our starting spine positions.

Having Latu start instead might be the missing piece to the spine. And with Luai's ticket punched to leave already, he's the most logical member of the spine to move on.

Not saying I like it. But I can see how it might be a benefit.

 

[Tom Shines]

Luai didn't play last week due to "delayed concussion symptoms". That seem like a load of rubbish now!

Why ? He will be playing the rest of this year

 

[TigerBurnsy]

Panthers - Blaize hit a wall with development, Jack Cole not extended?
Wahs - doubt they take on the cap
Roosters - nope
Knights - doubt it
Dolphins - Nikorima not extended yet? Have they signed a pom tho
Sharks - Nicho on the rocks? Doubtful tho
Manly - Joey Walsh, Fog and Brooks. No way
Bunnies - could see it but doubt they’ve got the cap unless we contribute
Cows - Doubt it
Dogs - Always desperate
Storm - Highly doubt it $$$
Raiders - Sanders, Strange, Black (even Laurie). Doubtful
Eels - Bridge before Lorenzo but stupid to throw away Volkman for a rental
Titans - JC, Brimmo, Harrison, Hanson so doubt it
Broncos - Duffy, Mam and Hunt next year with Mam on the rocks? Possibility
Dragons - always desperate but doubt they will with flanno 🐐 and reed and Metcalf
Bears - Likely, they look 💩

Other big fish in the halves market:
Nikorima, Cody Walker, Nicho and Mam (potentially booted)

Smaller fish in the market:
Jack Cole, Brad Schneider

Am I the only one seeing Parra as the obvious destination, he combines well with Moses as we saw in origin and Parra like these rental contracts and they’re desperate for signings

 

[Curly_Tiger]

Panthers - Blaize hit a wall with development, Jack Cole not extended?
Wahs - doubt they take on the cap
Roosters - nope
Knights - doubt it
Dolphins - Nikorima not extended yet? Have they signed a pom tho
Sharks - Nicho on the rocks? Doubtful tho
Manly - Joey Walsh, Fog and Brooks. No way
Bunnies - could see it but doubt they’ve got the cap unless we contribute
Cows - Doubt it
Dogs - Always desperate
Storm - Highly doubt it $$$
Raiders - Sanders, Strange, Black (even Laurie). Doubtful
Eels - Bridge before Lorenzo but stupid to throw away Volkman for a rental
Titans - JC, Brimmo, Harrison, Hanson so doubt it
Broncos - Duffy, Mam and Hunt next year with Mam on the rocks? Possibility
Dragons - always desperate but doubt they will with flanno 🐐 and reed and Metcalf
Bears - Likely, they look 💩

Other big fish in the halves market:
Nikorima, Cody Walker, Nicho and Mam (potentially booted)

Smaller fish in the market:
Jack Cole, Brad Schneider

TeamFirst 😁
That aged real well

 

[The_Patriot]

I asked AI to analyse his story on Sunday and was gonna send it in here but thought I was overthinking it haha. Here’s its summary tho, unfortunately my photos never post when I go to upload them:

Burna Boy – “I Told Them”: All about proving doubters wrong (“I told them I’m a genius… I had to show them”).

Context

Luai has copped heavy flak in 2026 over his Wests Tigers form, big contract, and PNG Chiefs move. This post = defiant “I told y’all / keep watching” energy. Classic Luai: cocky, stylish, and unapologetic.

Directed at whoever made this decision hmmm ?

 

[The_Patriot]

Luai didn't play last week due to "delayed concussion symptoms". That seem like a load of rubbish now!

100%

Suspicious

 

[The_Patriot]

What's not in question is the poor form of the team last couple weeks. Almost like they were caught up in this.

Pathetic mentality.

 

[Blooey]

There’s no way we’ll start the year with a kid on debut, and another who has played only a handful of games at 7 at NRL level.

If we had any other coach than Benji I would have the same thought process...
But if you're good enough, you're old enough lol

 

[Blooey]

Is Haywood far better than Lanyon? Is Lanyon at NSW Cup standard only?

Haywood is viewed as our next star hooker, and he's the reason we let TDS go.
Lanyon is good, but I think his ceiling will be Cup/fill in for injuries long term.

 

[Bellend]

Releasing Starford early and now the Luai news... despite how we feel about em, I think it's for the best.

Starford has been ordinary for a long time despite playing well in recent weeks and Luai, had somehow become surplus, with the other options we have and him already departing early anyways.

Good business for mine.

Best news fullstop Toa and Luai should have been done earlier.

 

[Bellend]

you’d have to think they have someone lined up. Sure Luai is overpaid but he’s still one of our best players. What kind of fallout does this bring? Was Benji in on this call? It doesn’t add up unless they have a genuine gun in their sights. This seems like a board hidden agenda movement. Luai not liked or was it that Richo was a fan.

Benji balls finally dropping.

 

[Bellend]

I think Luai is a great player & has been a good signing for the club.

With that caveat out of the way, I think we are seeing the limitations of our squad in terms of creativity at the moment. Bula, Luai & Doueihi are all more 'runners' of the ball, not guys that direct others around the field.

Both Latu Fainu & Javon Andrews appear more suited to directing play. The fact that Madden can come in & look decent because he has that style indicates the team might just need that type of player on the field.

Luai is leaving in 12 months regardless. At best, with no expected changes to our spine, we might improve marginally in organisation with the players that hold our starting spine positions.

Having Latu start instead might be the missing piece to the spine. And with Luai's ticket punched to leave already, he's the most logical member of the spine to move on.

Not saying I like it. But I can see how it might be a benefit.

Luai was great for this club off the field, say this for his promoting of this club was first rate.