tony soprano
Well-known member
Nice
Nice
Tigers_Wests
Well-known member
3 year contract with us by the looks of it.
No, he is the head of football it is his goal to do this. In the lower grades though it’s Matt Betsy and Brett Kimmorley focusing on developing the programs and support systems to achieve this.
I’ve heard in the media plenty of comments regarding Penrith and how Gus had set them up since 2011 to play a particular brand and to enable all the young kids to come through and through that the suggestions to us saying that’s what the tigers need to do.
Well we started that already, from the moment we appointed, Kimmorley, Sheens and Betsy.
So it’s all ready happening, we are getting good results from our Wests Juniors.
We are building a powerhouse junior club again, it’s about 4-5 years off but all the signs are there.
Even better is no one has mentioned our West Mats boys are undefeated this year our under 18s Andrew Johns boys made the GF. There is still no talk about any of our junior teams.
Next step is to retain and grow this young talent into first grade capable talent.
This is the step we have lacked any skill of in the past.
tony soprano
Well-known member
Wouldn't they aline lower grades to first grade that's madge, that's why equally important to sort out long term future of head coach
Kaito
Well-known member
Mighty_Tiger
Well-known member
Having young prospects in the pipeline is what keeps us fans hooked, let's hope some of these can make it all the way and be quality NRL players.
balmain boy
Well-known member
Wait til he fills out, could be a real goer, a 3 year deal is long deal too so they must rate him. A bit risky as it may include nrl in the final year and for a youngster it's hard for us to project development. But could be a junior deal with dev contract in final year seeing he's so young.
balmain boy
Well-known member
It's interesting that in the last few months we've suddenly signed some youngsters who weren't part of our preseason campaign: Camroux, Bula, Fainu, and now young Femi. And they're the ones that we know of, could well be more too.
Mid season recruiting is a funny one - if we wanted these players why didn't we get them in the pre season? Were they unwanted, disillusioned, or just a little lost after 2 years out with covid? Will take them a while to get up to speed with their new team mates.
If you add Saukuru, Tumeth to this pack then there's nowhere to play all these kids - some must be planned to be promoted mid season. I would guess Pole and Fainu would be first promoted seeing they're involved in the nrl squad but current back row players in flegg include: Matamua, Guyan, O'Kane, Tumeth, Saukuru, Mansfield, Wilkins, Nicholas and Kautoga. While some can play prop for a stint, 9 into 3 doesn't go. Other players in the prop rotation include Pole, Fainu, Ma'anaamia, Lolesio, Owen and then there's the SG ball props Aho, Tuipolutu, Tofaeano as well as Femi now too.
Mid season recruiting is a funny one - if we wanted these players why didn't we get them in the pre season? Were they unwanted, disillusioned, or just a little lost after 2 years out with covid? Will take them a while to get up to speed with their new team mates.
If you add Saukuru, Tumeth to this pack then there's nowhere to play all these kids - some must be planned to be promoted mid season. I would guess Pole and Fainu would be first promoted seeing they're involved in the nrl squad but current back row players in flegg include: Matamua, Guyan, O'Kane, Tumeth, Saukuru, Mansfield, Wilkins, Nicholas and Kautoga. While some can play prop for a stint, 9 into 3 doesn't go. Other players in the prop rotation include Pole, Fainu, Ma'anaamia, Lolesio, Owen and then there's the SG ball props Aho, Tuipolutu, Tofaeano as well as Femi now too.
Last edited:
pawsandclaws1
Well-known member
He may have a few friends of the same stature interested in joining as well!
pawsandclaws1
Well-known member
O'Kane is in NSW Cup this week and they may rotate the forwards through each game to get experience in the higher grade.
I’m not so sure. In my opinion Penrith somewhat planned to tread water a bit in the first couple of years of Gus taking over to give time for there juniors to grow and build together. The only player that debuted under Ivan during his first stint is Isaiah Yeo. Everyone else came through under Griffen or later Ivan. Do you believe Penrith saw Griffen as their long term coach or an Interim coach to assist with the continued rebuild of the team?
We are not in the position, yet to put in place a long term coach. Who knows maybe he might come up from coaching the grades below.
jrtiger
Well-known member
no harm in creating competition for spots, irrespective of what grade it is. agree on Pole and Fainu, given our lack of depth in the back row in firsts I'd be very surprised if O'Kane is demoted to Flegg from here on out and Tumeth will most likely play Cup as well once he's back up to speed. a back row of Saukuru/Wilkins/Guyan with Matamua on the bench is what I'd anticipate will happen.
tony soprano
Well-known member
We will never know how Panthers would have gone with Griffin but can say Ivan has been good for them.
They did the right thing removing Gould and Griffin.
I’m not so sure. In my opinion Penrith somewhat planned to tread water a bit in the first couple of years of Gus taking over to give time for there juniors to grow and build together. The only player that debuted under Ivan during his first stint is Isaiah Yeo. Everyone else came through under Griffen or later Ivan. Do you believe Penrith saw Griffen as their long term coach or an Interim coach to assist with the continued rebuild of the team?
We are not in the position, yet to put in place a long term coach. Who knows maybe he might come up from coaching the grades below.
I noticed O’Kane in the background of the team circle at the Titans game.
Tigers_Wests
Well-known member
Forward recruitment and retention for our juniors has been excellent!
However, as you said, we have a good list there and not enough spots to fill. I would expect some to jump into NSW Cup after a few rounds of Flegg.
I feel players like Freebairn, Dias, Stapleton, Smith, Jankovic, James in the KOE side have pretty much reached their limit and won't push beyond reserve grade (meaning they could be replaced throughout the season). Some of these Flegg boys you mentioned might be a bit away from NRL, but will surely get some NSW Cup time this year.
O'Kane, Kautoga, Tumeth would be the backrowers pushing ahead I would think. Pole and Fainu will surely be in Cup permanently after another few rounds of Flegg. Then we might see some of those SG Ball boys step up!
balmain boy
Well-known member
Struggled in a poor wears side last year and couldn't get a lookin for Flegg either, so doubt it's much of a loss
