@MightyMaggy said in Signing Suggestions & Rumours:

Here we go again! Let’s give a big message to any aspiring young player, do not go to Wests Tigers, they prefer slow, old has-beens, so you up-and-comers do not get a go. The Club talks about building a culture, so why go back to the old tried and failed AGAIN.NO to Mansour!!!Let’s build a culture that gives us the reputation of giving good up-and-coming players a fair go!.

This is so true. I don’t think the club could be so stupid as to sign Mansour on any terms. I’ve lost count of the young backs we have coming through but we are certainly starting to put a fair few roadblocks up. A 3 year or even 2 year contract would have these players looking elsewhere ASAP after a few games this year after they have had a chance to play CC or JF.

They are NOT going to learn anything from Mansour being at the club. As I have posted elsewhere, most of our younger players don’t get anywhere near NRL training (mostly go to Liverpool) unless they are on a development contract or 16 or 17 showing some sort of promise. This has been going on for years and not one thing has been done about it. Ridiculously they don’t even get to meet them either during or post season events unless they win an individual award. (If it’s a cost thing, why not at least give them a chance to pay to go to a presentation evening and meet their heroes?).

Having played a number of sports many years ago, I can testify that by encouraging first graders particularly in their elite competitions to mix and share with lower/younger grades, creates massive goodwill and excellent club culture.

Clearly this strategy is not a priority at Wests Tigers.

There is plenty of talent at JF level believe me - we just need to look under the hood. Mansour is NOT an option.

@balmain-boy said in New Faces at Training:

Interesting there’s some juniors here, mostly sg ball players yet seemingly none of our flegg boys are there. At least not pictured, other than Mavoni. Rizk, Dillon, Scolari, Lui etc… Are Flegg training separately or maybe just not training with the big boys on that day? Matheson Johns still around?
Only seen him play twice and he doesn’t quite look big enough but could the unnamed player be Lui?

Rant warning - love this club to death but we need to fix a few of the little things so we can complement some of the really good stuff management has been doing recently.

Training with the NRL squad - Agree. Just ridiculous none of the Flegg are involved here with the exception of Mavoni who I rate extremely highly. JF, I understand have been training for a month now mainly out at Liverpool as far away from the NRL squad you can get it seems (this will continue now that the NRL squad has just come back as it has in prior seasons) . At no stage has it been flagged that they might have a run or two with the top squad either before or after Christmas and yet here we are bringing in every other man (boy) and his dog (despite the understandable thrill for them) but how about looking under the hood at those hopefully trying to come through in the next couple of years.

During my time witnessing Flegg since 2018, the lack of interaction with first grade is mind boggling. Unless you’re a development player, the rest can fend for themselves!

Also, I agree our website is just sloppy. Rarely updated for players, lack of photos, information etc.

How about we take the word ‘professional’ seriously if we have aspirations to win a comp over the next few years? It all starts with the little things - if you can’t get those right, it doesn’t augur well for the big stuff (and please don’t tell me that some of the other clubs are doing the same - how about differentiating ourselves?).

Rant over - let’s look forward now. There are really some great things starting to happen and without some cap dramas after 2021, there is a lot to be excited about.

Great news - 2 young gun players. Both are rated highly - Kei in particular is a beast.

Well done Warren McDonald.

https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2020/10/31/two-players-added-to-2021-development-squad/

@Russell From my JF observations this year real talent should come from a couple of the following and but there were also many others:

Forwards

• Felix Smith - a tireless worker that gives 110% and made metres every single game. Rewarded with a couple of CC games and didn’t disappoint. Worthy award winner as JF player of the year and was definitely my pick of the players this year.

• Michael Fenn - big unit and tough who came across late in the season;

• Mavoni - see below. Came off bench but is a real impact player and belted the opposition many times with hard runs which at times were scary.

Backs

• Burey (5/8) - thought he developed better as the season went along and went well in CC from the games I watched;

• Dillon - exciting player and unlucky with injury and may need some more size. Has acceleration but also needs to know when to pass after he has done all the good work.

• Lee Silver - 2nd year in JF and really improved out of sight this year being a year older and made a lot of good metres. Solid and tried his heart out every week he got a chance.

• Scolari - new to the club this year and from a rugby background but did play league at young junior level in Dubbo. Tough as nails and very quick - has no fear. Looking at some of his YouTube clips he needs to be careful with his ‘hits’ technique or could find himself on the sidelines a bit. Fred is correct in that he’s raw (positioning needs work) and I think he needs to get bigger also. Could transition to an awesome lock with his speed and mongrel and a bit more size over the off season. Got promoted to CC last game and I hear from senior players went very well.

• Wilson - worthy players’ player and tackled well on the right edge with his winger. Again size? but can make it to the top. Showed good speed and also was a leader during a difficult season but helped captain them to a run of 6 wins in a row and almost steal a semis spot which is a good sign.

• Cini - scored a lot of tries at centre and an Australian schoolboy rep so should have something. Again his first year out of school so like some of these it’s amazing what can happen from 19 - 20 over the off season as they develop and train.

There were others who came on really well as the season progressed. I do like Mavoni who is big and a basher up the middle - sadly he was injured with about a month to go.

Yes other clubs have talent also coming through but I think you’ll find that we do too with the right support and pathways.

@leftrightout I like Dillon. Great acceleration & has got it. Was worried about his defence but have to say did make a good tackle on the weekend v Panthers one on one so can do it. I think he sometimes cruels himself when he makes the break but doesn’t pass it. Lots of upside.

Wilson going v. well & getting better each week. Showing speed and liking his defence on our right edge. He will be an excellent player down the track. Also a very good leader in the making who can get us a premiership in later years. Great style of a kid who we should keep and encourage.

Scolari - shows great speed with a huge ticker especially in defence. I do think he needs to back himself more and an interesting player who has an X factor but possibly not ready yet. The highlights v Panthers show him in the clear and he looks inside to pass before beating fullback point blank at 3/4 pace before ramping up again. Would like to see him at full speed a la his YouTube clip. His defence is brutal when he gets it right. Caught my eye when he saved try after try v Bulldogs & gave his opposite hell all day - possibly a lock in the making with some size?

Cini - lots of talent but still developing. Our leading try scorer with about 12. Defence a bit frail at times but I saw huge improvement on the weekend so he can do it. Will look great in a NRL jersey soon.

Felix Smith - massive future and huge heart. Loads to like about him and would have him in my side every day of the week. Club has wraps on him and understandably so.

Mavoni - injured with knee but another with a big heart who belts it up all day. I want him on my side and not on the other!

Stevanovic - biggest improver of the lot. Set up a number of tries on weekend and kicking game getting better each week. Don’t like him jinking back on the inside when throwing it wide is on but I have to say he has come a long way from the early days when Madden first went up. Kicks goals - big bonus.

Chondre Lee Silva - 110% and an unsung hero on the wing with good metres each week. A must for any side imo who will make it in NRL with talent and desire.

Burey - also getting better each week with CC experience. Reminds me of a young Blake Green.

Others - going great at right end of the season. As I’ve said there are a lot of unsung heroes. More will be heard from them in the coming years as they develop.

Finally, the future believe it or not is bright with these kids. I think Lambkin has had to get this many weeks to get them right. Last year I saw us get flogged and win one game. So much talent here that we don’t realise. They also seem to me to be a fine group of men on and off the field which for me is very important. Proud of them as a whole representing our club.

Let’s finish the season in a great way - these kids have come so far where even I doubted them for a while.

Kudos to Chops and Dave Warwick getting them together in a difficult year at times.

@willow said in Signing Suggestions & Rumours:

@WT2K said in Signing Suggestions & Rumours:

Rather back the younger wingers in the squad over signing Mansour

Ditto. I’d like to see the likes of Rizk and Kei given a go before Mansour.

Rizk and Kei get my vote - jumping to the next NRL player who is edging closer to retirement is a massive roadblock for our youngsters. These two if not at Mansour level at the start of the season, with a few games under their belt will quickly catch up.

If you’re good enough you’re old enough as they say.

@TillLindemann said in Signing Suggestions & Rumours:

The SMH article about James Roberts also mentioned we’re after Penrith’s Matt Burton, what do we reckon about him? He did play for the mighty Dubbo CYMS so must be pretty good

I have kept an eye on this kid as a child prodigy and when I mentioned he would play for Australia within 5 years 18 months ago I got laughed at on this forum. He really is that good.

Imagine having Burton, Kei, Talau, Kepau in our backline next year. OK maybe not premiers 2021 but 2022 & 2023 we’d be looking pretty strong and with an increase space in our cap from 2022.

@WT2K I confirm that Wilson, Smith and Cini were standouts in Jersey Flegg in what I saw.

These kids will grow over the offseason so I would expect their talent will shine through even more by start of next season especially if they are solid trainers. Not sure who were the hardest trainers of the young squad coming through in JF but if they want to develop they will need to put in, in the off season to fast track their paths.

Like everything talent on its own rarely gets you there - normally it’s talent and hard work. Hopefully this is recognised by club and selectors which I’m sure it would be.

@balmain-boy There must be a fair bit of competition which is a great thing. One of the Flegg kids apparently turned up for training after getting his wisdom teeth out on the same day and tackled hard! Made me laugh - the trainer said he looked like John Sattler. Memories.

@Needaname As I’ve said Burton is the real deal and will make it. Kade Ellis good player also - they know how to produce them in Dubbo alright.

A very good win by our Jersey Flegg boys today against a lacklustre Penrith side. Lambkin seems to have them firing and I doubt whether any other Jersey Flegg team this year has strung this many wins together over the past 8 weeks.

Defence was again the key after being down 6-0 early. The forwards ran with purpose and the backs are actually starting to send the ball out with devastating results.

Very few errors in the last couple of weeks especially and less stupid penalties. Makes a huge difference.

Dillon quite pacey & talented. Needs to know when to pass and when to go himself. Stevanovic went well again. Cini asked questions of the defence and defended mostly very effectively which was great to see.

Dragons unexpectedly won v Sharks so looking like we will need to win the last 2 at least to sneak in and hope results go our way but we are a real chance for the 8 in a very unpredictable competition.

Well done to the boys & Chops who showed a lot of ticker after many might have written them off 6 weeks ago.

There are a few unsung heroes in the ranks and they are really gelling as a team and playing like it.

Well done boys and an awesome singing of the team song ringing throughout the stadium from the dressing sheds after the win.

@weststigerman said in Wests Tigers v Manly TRIAL ..*Spoilers:

Weren’t there a few people talking up Josh Rizk as a star of the future? I remember people were debating against signing Mansour or James Roberts because they might block his path to first grade.

Why is he only on the bench in the flegg squad?

Rizk is an exciting player and will have impact off the bench when the opposition starts to tire. The coach knows what he is doing.

I’m sure as the season progresses he will find his way into the starting side. He is only 19 also.

@moh said in 2021 Trials:

@cochise said in 2021 Trials:

@roar_power said in 2021 Trials:

Imagine Fitzgibbon would be very disappointed with his exclusion.

Its pretty understandable after his game last week.

I don’t know why people are so quick to write Fitzgibbon off.

It’s not understandable when Tyrone-Roberts is picked.

And it sure won’t be when he’s at another club killing it ala JAC/Koro.

Like I keep saying, he has the arrogance to be in first-grade, he’s not going to dwell on a drop ball. His game last week wasn’t even that bad, he had hardly any opportunity to show what he can do at the end of a backline movement, and the darts he took were strong.

I don’t think too many are writing him off just yet.

He has his chance in Cup to show what he has got - I’d love to see him do well that’s for sure.

There will be Flegg boys coming through in a number of positions as the season progresses so they will be looking to impress also. Players like Rizk and Stevanovic will improve with every game after a year off.

We shouldn’t forget that a number of them will most likely get a chance at Cup at some stage even though I have to admit the Cup squad looks as strong as I’ve seen it for several years. Competition at all levels is a very good thing and nobody should rest on their laurels.

@elderslie_tiger said in Jersey Flegg Trial:

@thaiger said in Jersey Flegg Trial:

@balmain-boy said in Jersey Flegg Trial:

Did anyone catch the Flegg trial v Canberra last weekend? We won 6 tries to 2. Anyone catch who played well?

I was at the game - a bit hard as no programs and we had our first side which played the first half (with a number rested for a run on for first grade) and then a completely new second side. Not saying that the 2nd side was the possibles as I would have had Riszk in the first side and he played well in the second half at fullback. Canberra looked like they did the same but my understanding was that as they don’t have an Under 21s this year, some of their players might have been older CC.

We had some big units but they dropped the ball several times not to mention getting pinged about 4 times in the first half for not playing the ball correctly. Mavoni very good and another big forward but they need to work on their hands.

Dillon looked sharp and I thought Stevanovic played well as did Felix Smith in the forwards.

On the LHS we had a centre (Number20?) who was extremely dangerous every time he touched the ball while our RHS centre went well and set up a nice try for Scolari.

I have to say the defence of our forwards and backs was very good. The final score was 24-8 (they announced the score incorrectly at half time) and Chops seemed happy with the final result but remember this was only a trial - no combinations, different players 2nd half and Canberra might have been fairly weak although their fullback was outstanding - definitely an NRL prospect.

We should get a better indication of how we are going with a proper side, minimal replacements I suspect this weekend at Leichhardt.

Don’t be surprised if they do the same thing this week after all it is still a trial

Well I think that would be pretty silly. One week out from the comp, they should have a squad pretty much picked. The mayhem of different sides and combinations, you won’t see that with the NRL on Sunday. The same should be true with Jersey Flegg.

@balmain-boy said in Jersey Flegg Trial:

Did anyone catch the Flegg trial v Canberra last weekend? We won 6 tries to 2. Anyone catch who played well?

I was at the game - a bit hard as no programs and we had our first side which played the first half (with a number rested for a run on for first grade) and then a completely new second side. Not saying that the 2nd side was the possibles as I would have had Riszk in the first side and he played well in the second half at fullback. Canberra looked like they did the same but my understanding was that as they don’t have an Under 21s this year, some of their players might have been older CC.

We had some big units but they dropped the ball several times not to mention getting pinged about 4 times in the first half for not playing the ball correctly. Mavoni very good and another big forward but they need to work on their hands.

Dillon looked sharp and I thought Stevanovic played well as did Felix Smith in the forwards.

On the LHS we had a centre (Number20?) who was extremely dangerous every time he touched the ball while our RHS centre went well and set up a nice try for Scolari.

I have to say the defence of our forwards and backs was very good. The final score was 24-8 (they announced the score incorrectly at half time) and Chops seemed happy with the final result but remember this was only a trial - no combinations, different players 2nd half and Canberra might have been fairly weak although their fullback was outstanding - definitely an NRL prospect.

We should get a better indication of how we are going with a proper side, minimal replacements I suspect this weekend at Leichhardt.

@geo said in 2021 Trials:

@carltonleach said in 2021 Trials:

@strongee said in 2021 Trials:

@sleeve said in 2021 Trials:

@fraze23 said in 2021 Trials:

NRL Squad for this weekends trial

Tyronne Roberts-Davis, Zac Cini, Reece Hoffman, Tommy Talau, Allan Fitzgibbon, Daine Laurie, Jock Madden, Alex Seyfarth, Jake Simpkin, Stefano Utoikamanu, Michael Chee Kam, Kelma Tuilagi, Tuki Simpkins, Jacob Liddle, Kiah Cooper, Tyler Field, Ky Rodwell, Zach Dockar-Clay, Edenn Rogers-Smith, Iverson Fuatimau, Joe Taipari, William Kei, Logen Dillon, Israel Ogden, Curtis Wilson, Liam Scolari, Austin Dias, Regan Hughes, Semisi Kioa, Etuale Lui, Mavoni Tuifua, Daniel Sykes, Billy Stapelton

Thanks for the list. I wonder how many will get a run, and for how long? It looks like the credits after a movie.

Apparently the first 13 players on the list , are the starting team ie. Roberts - Davis is playing fullback through to Tui Simpkins at lock .

Not a bad starting 13 IMO!! Any idea on how long each player will be on the field?

23 mins 45 seconds each

Those picked in the first 17 should give us a reasonable indication where they are at having trained together for a decent period of time. Hard to see the benefit of throwing everyone else in (effectively almost another 17), a hotchpotch of JF, some CC players & other randoms who haven’t played for 12 months.

Last year we saw these players trying to impress, going themselves when they should have passed it, every man for himself etc - the sort of thing this trial encourages.

I think they should just pick their best 17 and let JF players play a full game beforehand. To say they are getting an NRL experience against an opposition of pretty much fringe players will hardly give that much upside.

Most will be lucky to get 15 minutes.

@adelaidetiger said in Tigers uncover unknown speedster:

Keen to see what the next generation can come up with this weekend.
Madden, Simpkin, Laurie, Fitzgibbon are all likely to play this Saturday and chooks have said Walker and Suaalli will be lining up for them. Looking like it could be a belter!

Also 11.1 on grass (possibly without shoes) is rapid.

I’m wishing him the best. He sounds fairly popular as well. Speed helps and he looks the right build for a winger. Could be just what we need.

@tigerpower said in 2021 Trials:

@jc99 said in 2021 Trials:

Daine Laurie, Alan Fitzgibbon and Zac Cini all posting about playing this weekend. Wonder if they’ll have a massive squad including some 20’s boys

Really looking forward to seeing Laurie, Simpkin and fitzgibbon in action.

I agree. Pleased for Fitzgibbon and he looks pretty good. Hopefully Zac has benefitted from training with the squad. He does have ability. Would like to see Riszk, Felix Smith and Mavoni out of the younger group.

@balmain-boy said in Wests Tigers confirm 2021 Jersey Flegg squad:

@alx22 said in Wests Tigers confirm 2021 Jersey Flegg squad:

Very surprising that Lui is only a train-and trialist.

Yes, it is. Perhaps just a typo. He was one of the star signings from last season, and had performed very well last year in pre-season and round one. Why would we have one of the stars from last year trialling for a position - we surely know what he’s capable of, and i’d be fairly sure we would have signed him to a deal longer than one year.

I also recall us signing 3 of the Fuatimau boys, yet only one has been listed in a squad to

@balmain-boy said in Wests Tigers confirm 2021 Jersey Flegg squad:

@boonboon said in Wests Tigers confirm 2021 Jersey Flegg squad:

@jrtiger said in Wests Tigers confirm 2021 Jersey Flegg squad:

interesting that a couple of the boys like O’Kane, Kautoga and Tumeth were running around with firsts during the first few months of preseason but aren’t even a part of the 20s squad? I know they’re young but just seems a bit interesting.

Perhaps because of he age movement - wth this now a 21 squad and Ball up to 19s squad they may start in ball

Yep. I think it’s fair to give the boys from last year first dibs in Flegg. They didn’t get their charge to impress last year, and are older and more physically prepared to potentially step up to NSW cup.

These youngsters will play minutes in Ball and then move up where the opportunities arise.

Agreed - I’m hearing from club officials there could be a few diamonds in the rough based on training stats since Nov 1.

Training v game can be two different things but after COVID 19 it’s hard to tell what will transpire. Some of these kids missed 12 months of experience but have come back hard and hungry - never underestimate this fact - other clubs are seeing similar things with their roster.

Whatever happens well done to Chops for bringing through their skills thus far - a key component to future WT’s success. He’s a tough taskmaster and what we need imo and complements Madge’s coaching style - a good thing.

We live in hope!

@balmain-boy said in Jersey Flegg Trial:

Did anyone catch any team sheets for the WT Flegg Trial today? They didn’t announce any player names at the game. They also had two different squads that came on for each the guest two quarters.

Looked like Etu Lui got an ankle injury but otherwise looked good. Ryan Garner looked good in the second row, bulked up a bit, and made a couple of breaks, looking more like Luke.

Mavoni lacked any impact. Halves looked solid. Defence out wide looked shakey but to be expected with so much chopping and changing of the squad. A few big boys in the backs

We were losing 4 tries to two when I left after 3 quarters. Manly weren’t changing their line up as much. Rizk was in the grandstand for some reason. Anyone get the final score

No team sheets. We put 2 teams on - one went better than the other whereas Manly pretty much kept same side.

We rested several of our expected rising stars who will be in the squad - hence Riszk not playing.

I think we let a few boys go after the game so squad is getting smaller.

Should see a near full strength side in 2 weeks for the next trial.

@tigerwould said in 2021 Rookies:

@thaiger said in 2021 Rookies:

@jc99 said in 2021 Rookies:

@tiger19 said in 2021 Rookies:

@thaiger said in 2021 Rookies:

@pawsandclaws1 said in 2021 Rookies:

The number on Brooks’ back or Doueihi or Madden’s back is irrelevant. Brooks plays left side, Doueihi and Madden right side. It’s nice to have Madden available eight now. He’s a great propsect for WTs.

Madden looked good to me in 2019.

Please throw in Smith and Mavoni from Jersey Flegg for next year - both weapons. Shame they couldn’t have gotten CC experience last year which will hold a few back a bit maybe.

Smith and Mavoni both played for the same junior club as me growing up - Liverpool Catholic Club Raiders.

Mavoni would help us out at training quite regularly. Hope he makes it.

Joey Leilua has been looking after Mavoni and Kei from what I’ve seen. They’re regularly as his house, doing Saturday sessions together and they trained together in the off season too. Will be good for the young fellas and it’s good to see Joey take on a more leadership role

The Jersey Flegg boys must be dreading lining Mavoni up in tackling practice each week. Doubt many would be able to stop him effectively.

Whilst our CC side looks like it could be very strong, if Smith and Mavoni go up, we might struggle in the comp this year. I don’t really know much about the squad so we might be surprised but we could be a bit thin.

@thaiger said in 2021 Rookies:

@jc99 said in 2021 Rookies:

@tiger19 said in 2021 Rookies:

@thaiger said in 2021 Rookies:

@pawsandclaws1 said in 2021 Rookies:

The number on Brooks’ back or Doueihi or Madden’s back is irrelevant. Brooks plays left side, Doueihi and Madden right side. It’s nice to have Madden available eight now. He’s a great propsect for WTs.

Madden looked good to me in 2019.

Please throw in Smith and Mavoni from Jersey Flegg for next year - both weapons. Shame they couldn’t have gotten CC experience last year which will hold a few back a bit maybe.

Smith and Mavoni both played for the same junior club as me growing up - Liverpool Catholic Club Raiders.

Mavoni would help us out at training quite regularly. Hope he makes it.

Joey Leilua has been looking after Mavoni and Kei from what I’ve seen. They’re regularly as his house, doing Saturday sessions together and they trained together in the off season too. Will be good for the young fellas and it’s good to see Joey take on a more leadership role

The Jersey Flegg boys must be dreading lining Mavoni up in tackling practice each week. Doubt many would be able to stop him effectively.

Whilst our CC side looks like it could be very strong, if Smith and Mavoni go up, we might struggle in the comp this year. I don’t really know much about the squad so we might be surprised but we could be a bit thin.

Hoffman, Kei, Talau, Momo, are all trying to take Jimmy and BJs spot in the centres.

Dont know much about Edenn Rogers-Smith or Mavoni. There is quite a few training pic put up yesterday but no name captions.

Yeah sorry. What I meant was our JF could struggle without Mavoni and Smith. On paper, the CC should be very strong.