Tallyn Da Silva #270

[Lukic]

What was the reason given for Tupou not staying? He went to the Phins to play reserve grade?
Utoikamanu wasnt interested in staying.
Papali'i, Simpkin, Bateman, Klemmer and Galvin have all gone before their contracts concluded.
TDS looks likely to join them.
Our roster management is going to mud

And if you break things down a bit, it's not like our recruitment has been great.

Luai - Made him one of the highest paid players in the game and offered more than 1.5x the money on a longer deal than the club he was at. He's a good 5/8th and not a halfback either.

Hunt - 3 year deal on big money, already in reserves.

Turuva - Solid signing.

Skelton - Don't think he's a first grader long-term but a nice low-risk, high upside signing.

Bird - Whatever. He's average and will probably be dropped by the end of the year / next year.

May - Great signing, albeit more luck than anything else because the Roosters decided to punt him.

KPP hasn't joined yet, but I think it's a decent signing based on the figures and his potential.

So really since Richo/Benji have been working together, we've had 1 great siging in May, I'd say Skelton and Turuva were good buys, Bird and Hunt aren't looking too great and I'll give the Luai deal an incomplete, but unless he drastically improves as a player, it could be Brooks 2.0 and hamstring us for a while.

 

[Lukic]

It's very easy to get worked up over losing players, particularly junior players.

Perspective is key.

Losing Galvin = bad look. Potentially generational talent etc, blah blah.

However- signed Latu Fainu from Manly. Potentially generational talent etc blah blah.

Losing Galvin who was exposed to 1st grade, Da Silva the same, guys like Large that never had a chance to show etc...

Replaced with all the Fainu's...Seyfarth...took Twal as a kid, Doueihi..To'a was undeveloped..

And with the likes of Bula, Mason, the Lualili'i's, Pole, Sukkar...and with guys like Saukuru, Godinet, Tapau-Moors, Tannous, Broederlow, Haywood...still coming through...all from our junior paths...

It is easy to focus on the ones you lose.

Don't lose track of how many get developed & become part of the club. It's not as if teams have 100% turnover in playing personnel each season. There are only so many Top 30 spots to go around- you WILL lose players..because not many spots open up every year on the roster.

I don't want to lose Da Silva.

But if we do, it's not any more a slight on Benji's coaching than it is on any coach that loses players. And EVERY coach loses players. Ivan Cleary, on that theory, is probably the worst coach in the NRL. Imagine losing Katoa & Luai & Burton. What a terrible recruitment record!

Tigers want to build something from the mess we have had. Api, regardless of age, is a huge part of that. Probably responsible for Luai & Turuva. Who are probably responsible for May & May.

What has Da Silva's development brought into the club?

The thing is Penrith is losing players and has won 4 premierships. We're losing our best juniors off the back of winning 3 spoons lol.

 

[The Chad]

The thing is Penrith is losing players and has won 4 premierships. We're losing our best juniors off the back of winning 3 spoons lol.

Would we be winning the premiership if we held on to the Large brothers, Da Silva, Galvin etc? Maybe if we kept Klemmer, Bateman, Papali'i etc as well?

 

[Tiger Stripes]

It's very easy to get worked up over losing players, particularly junior players.

Perspective is key.

Losing Galvin = bad look. Potentially generational talent etc, blah blah.

However- signed Latu Fainu from Manly. Potentially generational talent etc blah blah.

Losing Galvin who was exposed to 1st grade, Da Silva the same, guys like Large that never had a chance to show etc...

Replaced with all the Fainu's...Seyfarth...took Twal as a kid, Doueihi..To'a was undeveloped..

And with the likes of Bula, Mason, the Lualili'i's, Pole, Sukkar...and with guys like Saukuru, Godinet, Tapau-Moors, Tannous, Broederlow, Haywood...still coming through...all from our junior paths...

It is easy to focus on the ones you lose.

Don't lose track of how many get developed & become part of the club. It's not as if teams have 100% turnover in playing personnel each season. There are only so many Top 30 spots to go around- you WILL lose players..because not many spots open up every year on the roster.

I don't want to lose Da Silva.

But if we do, it's not any more a slight on Benji's coaching than it is on any coach that loses players. And EVERY coach loses players. Ivan Cleary, on that theory, is probably the worst coach in the NRL. Imagine losing Katoa & Luai & Burton. What a terrible recruitment record!

Tigers want to build something from the mess we have had. Api, regardless of age, is a huge part of that. Probably responsible for Luai & Turuva. Who are probably responsible for May & May.

What has Da Silva's development brought into the club?

Good to see some logic on display.
A step back to see the bigger picture.
A reality check. Is TDS worth $600k? Can he play 80min. A gamble; and decision time.

 

[The Chad]

And if you break things down a bit, it's not like our recruitment has been great.

Luai - Made him one of the highest paid players in the game and offered more than 1.5x the money on a longer deal than the club he was at. He's a good 5/8th and not a halfback either.

Hunt - 3 year deal on big money, already in reserves.

Turuva - Solid signing.

Skelton - Don't think he's a first grader long-term but a nice low-risk, high upside signing.

Bird - Whatever. He's average and will probably be dropped by the end of the year / next year.

May - Great signing, albeit more luck than anything else because the Roosters decided to punt him.

KPP hasn't joined yet, but I think it's a decent signing based on the figures and his potential.

So really since Richo/Benji have been working together, we've had 1 great siging in May, I'd say Skelton and Turuva were good buys, Bird and Hunt aren't looking too great and I'll give the Luai deal an incomplete, but unless he drastically improves as a player, it could be Brooks 2.0 and hamstring us for a while.

3 of 6 good buys with an 'incomplete' on a guy praised for bringing about change in culture etc. Bird hasn't exactly played below expectations- in fact, he's probably holding up better in the middle than a number of people gave him credit for.

Hunt, at this stage, looks like a miss.

I must have missed the accolades for Utoikamanu, Papali'i, Bateman, Tupou, Klemmer et el...hadn't realised that those guys had propelled their respective teams to premiership glory.

 

[TSP]

Lol it was a pathetic response.

It was completely irrelevant.

Reminded me of the hateful toxicity of third wave feminism. Ignore the point and deploy gender as a means of being unkind.

If pawsy wants a fight, he should just be a man about it!

 

[Lukic]

Would we be winning the premiership if we held on to the Large brothers, Da Silva, Galvin etc? Maybe if we kept Klemmer, Bateman, Papali'i etc as well?

Keeping good juniors would help us yes.

We've seen countless juniors leave and go on to win premierships and plays reps elsewhere while our club has languished at the bottom of the table.

Letting Paps, Bateman and Klem go were good decisions and I'm not counting them as losses because they were established players when we signed them.

 

[The Chad]

Keeping good juniors would help us yes.

We've seen countless juniors leave and go on to win premierships and plays reps elsewhere while our club has languished at the bottom of the table.

Letting Paps, Bateman and Klem go were good decisions and I'm not counting them as losses because they were established players when we signed them.

As have most clubs.

Which good juniors would have us competing for premierships right now? Liddle? Galvin? Brooks? Garner?

Or are we going back to Woods, Tedesco, Moses etc?

 

[Tucker]

It's very easy to get worked up over losing players, particularly junior players.

Perspective is key.

Losing Galvin = bad look. Potentially generational talent etc, blah blah.

However- signed Latu Fainu from Manly. Potentially generational talent etc blah blah.

Losing Galvin who was exposed to 1st grade, Da Silva the same, guys like Large that never had a chance to show etc...

Replaced with all the Fainu's...Seyfarth...took Twal as a kid, Doueihi..To'a was undeveloped..

And with the likes of Bula, Mason, the Lualili'i's, Pole, Sukkar...and with guys like Saukuru, Godinet, Tapau-Moors, Tannous, Broederlow, Haywood...still coming through...all from our junior paths...

It is easy to focus on the ones you lose.

Don't lose track of how many get developed & become part of the club. It's not as if teams have 100% turnover in playing personnel each season. There are only so many Top 30 spots to go around- you WILL lose players..because not many spots open up every year on the roster.

I don't want to lose Da Silva.

But if we do, it's not any more a slight on Benji's coaching than it is on any coach that loses players. And EVERY coach loses players. Ivan Cleary, on that theory, is probably the worst coach in the NRL. Imagine losing Katoa & Luai & Burton. What a terrible recruitment record!

Tigers want to build something from the mess we have had. Api, regardless of age, is a huge part of that. Probably responsible for Luai & Turuva. Who are probably responsible for May & May.

What has Da Silva's development brought into the club?

You seriously cannot compare us signing an unproven Latu to us losing a Galvin? Latu had donr nothing in the game. That signing was totally on potential. Yes it was a good call...it doesnt cancel out losing Lachlan.
Out of all thos pathways guys you named, only Bula is heading towards elite. Pole is good the rest either have a lot of work to do, or are completely unproven.
Also...LOL at comparing Benji's situation with Ivans. Taking your side to 5 grandfinals in a row is not the same as being a part of 2 spoons.
As for Api....Penrith didnt shed a tear when he left. He was on the decline and was a 45-50 minute player when we bought him. Penrith easily replaced him and won the next 2 GFs, he won the next 2 spoons.
The guy is all heart and gives his best but is also undersized in a world dominated by giants and doesnt have the backup hed have in teams such as Penrith. That shortens careers.
I have serious doubts he even makes it to the end of season 2026, let alone another 2 years past that.
Tallyn on the other hand is learning his trade and improving. He has been a part of all 5 wins this year and 5 losses. That is an improvement from 2024 and 2023 involvements.
Additionally, the kid has the potential to be a 300 gamer for this club, should he reach the potential that we hope for.
Are we really going to let that walk to get another 30-40 games out of Api?

 

[TYGA]

Haywood is signed until 2028 that’s a long deal for a kid. TDS reportedly wants 600k is he worth the investment? Api can give you a couple of years and is currently the better player. It’s a tough one you sign TDS and Haywood leaves in 2027.

Really comes down to who the club views as the future. Personally I prefer Api but the wise move is TDS and Haywood. We are not winning anything for a few years and by the. api will be retired.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

I'm all in for Haywood if he continues to make Galvin look like a complete goose. 🤣

IF Haywood is the heir apparent he should be taking lessons from Api NOW! Development they call it.
Replays of Api's slight of hand in the red zone etc. One on one talks with Api. What are the signs of defensive flaws emerging.

 

[NT_Tiger]

It's very easy to get worked up over losing players, particularly junior players.

Perspective is key.

Losing Galvin = bad look. Potentially generational talent etc, blah blah.

However- signed Latu Fainu from Manly. Potentially generational talent etc blah blah.

Losing Galvin who was exposed to 1st grade, Da Silva the same, guys like Large that never had a chance to show etc...

Replaced with all the Fainu's...Seyfarth...took Twal as a kid, Doueihi..To'a was undeveloped..

And with the likes of Bula, Mason, the Lualili'i's, Pole, Sukkar...and with guys like Saukuru, Godinet, Tapau-Moors, Tannous, Broederlow, Haywood...still coming through...all from our junior paths...

It is easy to focus on the ones you lose.

Don't lose track of how many get developed & become part of the club. It's not as if teams have 100% turnover in playing personnel each season. There are only so many Top 30 spots to go around- you WILL lose players..because not many spots open up every year on the roster.

I don't want to lose Da Silva.

But if we do, it's not any more a slight on Benji's coaching than it is on any coach that loses players. And EVERY coach loses players. Ivan Cleary, on that theory, is probably the worst coach in the NRL. Imagine losing Katoa & Luai & Burton. What a terrible recruitment record!

Tigers want to build something from the mess we have had. Api, regardless of age, is a huge part of that. Probably responsible for Luai & Turuva. Who are probably responsible for May & May.

What has Da Silva's development brought into the club?

I agree with what you're saying and when you add to that the context that Richo and Benji only want to keep players with 100% buy in to Benji's envisioned style of play, losing the occasional player is fully understandable. Building a team from the ground up takes time and patience and if individual players have diverging agendas so be it.

 

[The Chad]

You seriously cannot compare us signing an unproven Latu to us losing a Galvin? Latu had donr nothing in the game. That signing was totally on potential. Yes it was a good call...it doesnt cancel out losing Lachlan.
Out of all thos pathways guys you named, only Bula is heading towards elite. Pole is good the rest either have a lot of work to do, or are completely unproven.
Also...LOL at comparing Benji's situation with Ivans. Taking your side to 5 grandfinals in a row is not the same as being a part of 2 spoons.
As for Api....Penrith didnt shed a tear when he left. He was on the decline and was a 45-50 minute player when we bought him. Penrith easily replaced him and won the next 2 GFs, he won the next 2 spoons.
The guy is all heart and gives his best but is also undersized in a world dominated by giants and doesnt have the backup hed have in teams such as Penrith. That shortens careers.
I have serious doubts he even makes it to the end of season 2026, let alone another 2 years past that.
Tallyn on the other hand is learning his trade and improving. He has been a part of all 5 wins this year and 5 losses. That is an improvement from 2024 and 2023 involvements.
Additionally, the kid has the potential to be a 300 gamer for this club, should he reach the potential that we hope for.
Are we really going to let that walk to get another 30-40 games out of Api?

I get your point. I do.

"You seriously cannot compare us signing an unproven Latu to us losing a Galvin? Latu had donr nothing in the game. That signing was totally on potential. Yes it was a good call...it doesnt cancel out losing Lachlan."

I can. What has Galvin proven that Latu hasn't? What had Galvin proven that Latu hadn't at the time of his signing? You, yourself, have always said & agreed Latu is the better player & that Galvin was overhyped. Losing Galvin at this stage is a blow. But, this situation was always going to surface at some point in the future with 2 talents fighting for 1 spot.

"Out of all thos pathways guys you named, only Bula is heading towards elite. Pole is good the rest either have a lot of work to do, or are completely unproven."

And the guys we lost? How many are headed to elite & are not completely unproven?

"Also...LOL at comparing Benji's situation with Ivans. Taking your side to 5 grandfinals in a row is not the same as being a part of 2 spoons"

Talking about retention, not necessarily success. But, with that in mind, Ivan took over a club on the cusp of success with all the junior paths set up in place. Benji is in a club developing those junior paths. Not exactly the same gig. 2024 Tigers vs 2025 Tigers shows that Benji is improving, at the worst. The same cannot be said for some higher reputation coaches around the NRL.

"As for Api....Penrith didnt shed a tear when he left. He was on the decline and was a 45-50 minute player when we bought him. Penrith easily replaced him and won the next 2 GFs, he won the next 2 spoons."

Penrith were not fighting to establish some level of respect, to draw in better players based on the back of the reputation of guys like Api. The clubs are at polar opposite starting points & have very different needs.

"
I have serious doubts he even makes it to the end of season 2026, let alone another 2 years past that.

Tallyn on the other hand is learning his trade and improving. He has been a part of all 5 wins this year and 5 losses. That is an improvement from 2024 and 2023 involvements.

Additionally, the kid has the potential to be a 300 gamer for this club, should he reach the potential that we hope for
."

This is why I get your point. Everything is based on hope & speculation. None of that is concrete. Hope, improvement, doubt..... Api is proven. The Tigers know what they get from him. Everyone expects him to fall off a cliff next season but happily accepts that Cherry-Evans, Hunt, Reynolds, Cam Smith etc can play to mid 30's.

Api hasn't shown signs of slowing down significantly, and his better traits are not built off his blinding speed or superior strength. Can he be a wily ball distributor for another 2 years? I can't see why not.

In 2 years time, can you guarantee that Da Silva is a better prospect for the future than the other rated #9, Haywood?

Api gives us the better chance of winning now. And the better chance of sustained improved recruitment.

If those things were already in place, like say- winning 5 GF's in a row- you probably take the chance to switch to Da Silva & go on.

We are not in that position.

 

[Tucker]

I get your point. I do.

"You seriously cannot compare us signing an unproven Latu to us losing a Galvin? Latu had donr nothing in the game. That signing was totally on potential. Yes it was a good call...it doesnt cancel out losing Lachlan."

I can. What has Galvin proven that Latu hasn't? What had Galvin proven that Latu hadn't at the time of his signing? You, yourself, have always said & agreed Latu is the better player & that Galvin was overhyped. Losing Galvin at this stage is a blow. But, this situation was always going to surface at some point in the future with 2 talents fighting for 1 spot.

"Out of all thos pathways guys you named, only Bula is heading towards elite. Pole is good the rest either have a lot of work to do, or are completely unproven."

And the guys we lost? How many are headed to elite & are not completely unproven?

"Also...LOL at comparing Benji's situation with Ivans. Taking your side to 5 grandfinals in a row is not the same as being a part of 2 spoons"

Talking about retention, not necessarily success. But, with that in mind, Ivan took over a club on the cusp of success with all the junior paths set up in place. Benji is in a club developing those junior paths. Not exactly the same gig. 2024 Tigers vs 2025 Tigers shows that Benji is improving, at the worst. The same cannot be said for some higher reputation coaches around the NRL.

"As for Api....Penrith didnt shed a tear when he left. He was on the decline and was a 45-50 minute player when we bought him. Penrith easily replaced him and won the next 2 GFs, he won the next 2 spoons."

Penrith were not fighting to establish some level of respect, to draw in better players based on the back of the reputation of guys like Api. The clubs are at polar opposite starting points & have very different needs.

"
I have serious doubts he even makes it to the end of season 2026, let alone another 2 years past that.

Tallyn on the other hand is learning his trade and improving. He has been a part of all 5 wins this year and 5 losses. That is an improvement from 2024 and 2023 involvements.

Additionally, the kid has the potential to be a 300 gamer for this club, should he reach the potential that we hope for
."

This is why I get your point. Everything is based on hope & speculation. None of that is concrete. Hope, improvement, doubt..... Api is proven. The Tigers know what they get from him. Everyone expects him to fall off a cliff next season but happily accepts that Cherry-Evans, Hunt, Reynolds, Cam Smith etc can play to mid 30's.

Api hasn't shown signs of slowing down significantly, and his better traits are not built off his blinding speed or superior strength. Can he be a wily ball distributor for another 2 years? I can't see why not.

In 2 years time, can you guarantee that Da Silva is a better prospect for the future than the other rated #9, Haywood?

Api gives us the better chance of winning now. And the better chance of sustained improved recruitment.

If those things were already in place, like say- winning 5 GF's in a row- you probably take the chance to switch to Da Silva & go on.

We are not in that position.

People mistake my appraisals of Galvin.
Im not big on him as a NRL standard 6. I wanted Luai at 6 and Fainu at 7...but that doesnt mean I didnt want Lachy. He is a terrific footbaler and for his age, actually amazing. He will have an excellent career.
Latu was always my pick over Lachlan in the halves. however if they were both gunning for no.14, Galvin would get it for mine.
Yes, all recruitment and retention is based upon hope, guess work and speculation. Yes Api is proven. TDS was supposed to be here until the end of next year. By then, he would be able to stake his case. They are trying to extend Api now. That is falling out of the realm of proven and into specualtion as his next contract doesnt kick off for another 16 months. I also would not compare Api with Cherry, Hunt Renno or even Smith. The first three are not doing half the work in defence that he does week on week, year on year. Smith is a different case. As the true goat of their position and supported by a great squad, he was able work smarter not harder, only busting his arse when required. Api busts it all game every game. That is classic burnout territory.
As for Heywood...not even in the discussion until we see him perform consistently at the senior level.

 

[The Chad]

People mistake my appraisals of Galvin.
Im not big on him as a NRL standard 6. I wanted Luai at 6 and Fainu at 7...but that doesnt mean I didnt want Lachy. He is a terrific footbaler and for his age, actually amazing. He will have an excellent career.
Latu was always my pick over Lachlan in the halves. however if they were both gunning for no.14, Galvin would get it for mine.
Yes, all recruitment and retention is based upon hope, guess work and speculation. Yes Api is proven. TDS was supposed to be here until the end of next year. By then, he would be able to stake his case. They are trying to extend Api now. That is falling out of the realm of proven and into specualtion as his next contract doesnt kick off for another 16 months. I also would not compare Api with Cherry, Hunt Renno or even Smith. The first three are not doing half the work in defence that he does week on week, year on year. Smith is a different case. As the true goat of their position and supported by a great squad, he was able work smarter not harder, only busting his arse when required. Api busts it all game every game. That is classic burnout territory.
As for Heywood...not even in the discussion until we see him perform consistently at the senior level.

To be fair- I understood your stance on Galvin as I think we thought pretty much the same way.

 

[Chunk]

But if we do, it's not any more a slight on Benji's coaching than it is on any coach that loses players. And EVERY coach loses players. Ivan Cleary, on that theory, is probably the worst coach in the NRL. Imagine losing Katoa & Luai & Burton. What a terrible recruitment record!

The coach has an enormous say on who wants to stay and leave. And if we lose TDS after Galvin, two players of enormous potential, you have to question the coach and the club.

How can you compare Penrith to us? They are able to keep more juniors then us and imagine having the luxury of being able to sell players of the quality of Katoa, Luia and burton and still be strong. We are a million miles away from that, so we need to do things different. And wasn't it building your own base from your juniors.

So if Api's playing in 2028 or 2027 and TDS is gone, what in God's name are we thinking? Its crazy!

Tigers want to build something from the mess we have had. Api, regardless of age, is a huge part of that. Probably responsible for Luai & Turuva. Who are probably responsible for May & May.

Api was a small part, not huge, the bigger part was having to pay overs for these players and any other player of note to the club, we can't effectively recruit players so we need to keep our juniors.

 

[The Chad]

The coach has an enormous say on who wants to stay and leave. And if we lose TDS after Galvin, two players of enormous potential, you have to question the coach and the club.

How can you compare Penrith to us? They are able to keep more juniors then us and imagine having the luxury of being able to sell players of the quality of Katoa, Luia and burton and still be strong. We are a million miles away from that, so we need to do things different. And wasn't it building your own base from your juniors.

So if Api's playing in 2028 or 2027 and TDS is gone, what in God's name are we thinking? Its crazy!


Api was a small part, not huge, the bigger part was having to pay overs for these players and any other player of note to the club, we can't effectively recruit players so we need to keep our juniors.

Fair enough. I disagree.

 

[Tiger Woods]

Taylan da gone before June 30

 

[Lukic]

As have most clubs.

Which good juniors would have us competing for premierships right now? Liddle? Galvin? Brooks? Garner?

Or are we going back to Woods, Tedesco, Moses etc?

That's not my point though.

The problem is we're the worst performing team in the league choosing to prioritise older players over juniors we've developed, while the best teams in the league are choosing to prioritise our juniors over established players.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Taylan da gone before June 30

Well that was the most likely outcome. We'll wait to see who is coming our way.