Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Rock Hopper Steve]

I’m 50/50 on the possibility of us signing Sebastian Kris.
He can be a bit underwhelming at times, but he is a very strong and good ball runner, has a fair bit of speed and decent under attacking and defensive high balls when his mind is on the job.
I know Patrick Herbert has had some good games for us, but Sebastian Kris is a Ferrari in comparison to him.
For the right price I think Sebastian Kris would be a great addition to our team, he is equally at home playing centre or wing, has also played a bit of fullback at NRL level and has scored 50 NRL tries, he is no dud and is only 27y.o so is far from over the hill, he should actually be in his prime if he gets himself in the right frame of mind.

Some good points V but think we should turn to adding some more depth in the forwards next, you seen what happened when we lost our good 2nd rowers, we had to shuffle the deck chairs, how did that work out for us.

I know it's a big ask but hopefully some hybrid middle/edge would be ideal, can't just pluck it out of thin air though.

 

[Milky]

2 players that at this point of time would seem tj be a good passport us signing if we are keen being Ronald Volkman and Sebastian Kris I believe would contribute to making us a much more formidable attacking lineup.
Both are far from rock solid defensively, but first and foremost we need backs who can help us core points and these 2 would certainly do that.
IF we had these 2, I would play Volkman at 5/8 alongside Latu Fainu at halfback and o would have Sebastian Kris sonewoon our right alongside Jake Averillo and I don’t think it would matter too much which one of them played right centre and which one of them played right wing.

Volk is playing alright but I don't think he is what we need. We need a halfback with some experience to help develop Latu/Javon

I would be looking into whether Manly would be interested in letting Fogarty go early. They have an abundance of halves; Fogarty, Brooks, Large, Faulalo, Walsh

I would also consider picking up Sandon Smith's contract from Knights given they have Brown and Sharpe, although they have him on a bargain.

Te Maire Martin is another one, although with Wahs losing Jet and Metcalfe, I don't know whether they would entertain that.

 

[Flippedy]

So we gonna make a play for Volkman or what? Hopefully we haven’t blown our wad re-signing all of our current crop. We are in desperate need of another 6 or 7 next year and he fits the bill perfectly.

God I hope so, somehow can’t see it happening though. We are so slow off the mark sometimes and Kade7 hasn’t mentioned any interest being shown.

 

[Vicious]

Some good points V but think we should turn to adding some more depth in the forwards next, you seen what happened when we lost our good 2nd rowers, we had to shuffle the deck chairs, how did that work out for us.

I know it's a big ask but hopefully some hybrid middle/edge would be ideal, can't just pluck it out of thin air though.

Absolutely nobody available.
I reckon we should have jumped on Kelma Tuilagi when we had the chance, but he signed with Melbourne a week or two back.
I will say I am becoming much more confident with our edge back row depth providing we keep Tony Sukkar.
The way I see it is that neither Sukkar or Ethan Roberts were ready to be decent quality starting NRL edge back rowers at the start of this season, so it did leave us in a hole once both Samuela Fainu and Kai Pearce-Paul got injured.
But I think the valuable NRL experience gained by both Sukkar and Roberts now has them in a good place to be much more reliable backs ups in 2027 and beyond.
In small glimpses I actually think they have been 2 shining lights in our season and are now ready to be applying serious pressure for positions on our bench when at full strength.
As for middle forwards, we seem ok for props when they all decide tj have a go and run hard, much will depend on whether we keep Royce Hunt who makes a big positive difference for us when he is on the field and Bunty Afoa who I think has done his job for us over the past month or so. He is no frills, is ageing and doesn’t offer much in way of line speed when defending, but when he decides tj run the ball hard he definitely serves a purpose.
I see the experienced Toby Rudolf is currently available for next season and he is someone who could provide good value for us for a season or 2 if he comes with the right attitude, but not sure if his asking price falls within our budget?
Who plays lock is still a major issue for us, we need to manufacture or develop someone as there are none available and our attack suffers when playing a prop at 13 for anywhere close to 80mins.
Anyone who has been watching Kit Laulilli play since returning from injury late this season would surely agree he is looking fitter and stronger than ever and is now playing with the aggression and intensity we all hoped and expected he would be playing like as a 19-20y.o
Watching him rip and tear has me shaking my head thinking why are we letting him go when he coukd be the perfect Erin Clark style of 13 we are looking for.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

I’d prefer Luke, but I rate him higher than most.
In saying that I don’t mind Junior Tupou as a player, I liked him before he left us as well.
You would assume Makasini takes our left wing spot for the start of next season, but it should be a very good battle between the 2 of them to get the spot,

I wouldn't assume Makasini anywhere in the NRL side.
He has regressed and needs to show he has mentally matured to match his size. And when I say matured, I am referring to being able to read the play and defend accordingly.
IMO a year away unless injuries prevail.
Tupou is way ahead of him in the pecking order as a winger or a centre!

 

[achilles]

An improving 21y.o Da Silva scoring tries nearly every game he plays or an ageing and solid g Korisau.
No contest, Da Silva will be far the superior player in 2027 and beyond.
I do think Haywood is potentially better than Da Silva, but that is no guarantee and it would have been nice to have both of them playing in tandem for a couple of years

Tough one guess Haywood progression will be deciding factor

 

[Bellend]

I wouldn't assume Makasini anywhere in the NRL side.
He has regressed and needs to show he has mentally matured to match his size. And when I say matured, I am referring to being able to read the play and defend accordingly.
IMO a year away unless injuries prevail.
Tupou is way ahead of him in the pecking order as a winger or a centre!

Makasini was rushed this year and should not have been in First Grade

 

[Vicious]

I wouldn't assume Makasini anywhere in the NRL side.
He has regressed and needs to show he has mentally matured to match his size. And when I say matured, I am referring to being able to read the play and defend accordingly.
IMO a year away unless injuries prevail.
Tupou is way ahead of him in the pecking order as a winger or a centre!

Agree with you on current form.
But I still think there is a very high ceiling to Makasini as soon as the penny drops.

 

[Betterdays22]

Absolutely nobody available.
I reckon we should have jumped on Kelma Tuilagi when we had the chance, but he signed with Melbourne a week or two back.
I will say I am becoming much more confident with our edge back row depth providing we keep Tony Sukkar.
The way I see it is that neither Sukkar or Ethan Roberts were ready to be decent quality starting NRL edge back rowers at the start of this season, so it did leave us in a hole once both Samuela Fainu and Kai Pearce-Paul got injured.
But I think the valuable NRL experience gained by both Sukkar and Roberts now has them in a good place to be much more reliable backs ups in 2027 and beyond.
In small glimpses I actually think they have been 2 shining lights in our season and are now ready to be applying serious pressure for positions on our bench when at full strength.
As for middle forwards, we seem ok for props when they all decide tj have a go and run hard, much will depend on whether we keep Royce Hunt who makes a big positive difference for us when he is on the field and Bunty Afoa who I think has done his job for us over the past month or so. He is no frills, is ageing and doesn’t offer much in way of line speed when defending, but when he decides tj run the ball hard he definitely serves a purpose.
I see the experienced Toby Rudolf is currently available for next season and he is someone who could provide good value for us for a season or 2 if he comes with the right attitude, but not sure if his asking price falls within our budget?
Who plays lock is still a major issue for us, we need to manufacture or develop someone as there are none available and our attack suffers when playing a prop at 13 for anywhere close to 80mins.
Anyone who has been watching Kit Laulilli play since returning from injury late this season would surely agree he is looking fitter and stronger than ever and is now playing with the aggression and intensity we all hoped and expected he would be playing like as a 19-20y.o
Watching him rip and tear has me shaking my head thinking why are we letting him go when he coukd be the perfect Erin Clark style of 13 we are looking for.

Pole's backend of the season has been another positive along with Sukkar and Roberts and might have saved the need to recruit to much more in the front row, assuming we can resign him. Still think we are a prop short, unless there is an eye to getting a different kind of 13 (Kurt Mann style) then shifting Twal back to the front row.

 

[Vicious]

Pole's backend of the season has been another positive along with Sukkar and Roberts and might have saved the need to recruit to much more in the front row, assuming we can resign him. Still think we are a prop short, unless there is an eye to getting a different kind of 13 (Kurt Mann style) then shifting Twal back to the front row.

The Kurt Mann of a season or 2 back would have been absolutely perfect, not sure if he will be capable of playing anywhere near his best due to his age in 2027.
I think most Wests Tigers supporters agree we ideally need Twal back playing prop and need to find a good 13.

 

[bptiger 0]

God I hope so, somehow can’t see it happening though. We are so slow off the mark sometimes and Kade7 hasn’t mentioned any interest being shown.

Anyone had to be better than madden