2026 signings

[Nutz]

I agree with @Vic Mackey that depth has gone from catastrophic to vanilla.

But then Benji has to wrestle with how many chances he will give the less able first graders.

Realistically, there has to be some that aren’t going to keep up.

When Madge had depth at Souths, he wasnt afraid to mix it up and if you broke through, you’d stay. Alex Johnston was such a player.

And if we have that outstanding season, other clubs take notice. Some players will go, but we might have more courting us too.

Against lessor sides, if the opportunity was there, I’d still be inclined to rest players to help recovery, freshen up.

Tim had every player training in two roles and I think Benji has the same policy.

What players are at risk being sent to KOE TSP?

 

[Tigerm]

Listen to the interview with Doueihi here mate, it’s a pretty good one

https://dcs-spotify.megaphone.fm/NTETP2325306998.mp3?key=c4a9c27de6e3386c6edb0c980c23f527&request_event_id=57e194d7-ce47-4bca-9cec-31777dfda573&session_id=57e194d7-ce47-4bca-9cec-31777dfda573&timetoken=1767926857_FF159321AEC11973AB25DEA0B4A757D9

Good find Vic, cheers.
I was a "get rid of him" (Doueihi) supporter, but he really went up multiple levels IMO, last season, I hope it continues, with him and Luai in the halves we have a pretty good pair guiding the team.

 

[Tigerm]

They have to keep Bula. Time to stop the rot. Plug the leaky boat.

I certainly think he will stay, but with IM as his manager, who knows.

 

[Tigerm]

$900k?!!

I believe that was being renegotiated and adding on more years.
I thought they were talking around the $700-800k figure per season.

 

[Tigerm]

There was a lot of speculation that this was the reason. He’s not NRL ready but you’d not want him breathing down your neck.

On the basis that he’s marquee youngster, in the top 2 or 3 of the panther juniors and international schoolboy. Hard to find a better pedigree.

His highlights feature good decisions and elusiveness.

I also think it’s good for the players liberation army to have another young prodigy in their midsts.

The players tried to use the Galvo rejection as inspiration but it didn’t quite pay off. Now we have an as good or even better young player wanting in. I think that flatters the players and they’d like that.

Bula was still here for the '26 season, which would have given Jake another season, I think he's 20 this year, so next year he'll be more than ready, he did play a couple NSW cup games last year, so he's not too far off now.
I would imagine if Bula goes down, he might even get some NRL time this year.
I'm a believer of, if you're good enough, you're old enough.

 

[Tiger05]

Bula was still here for the '26 season, which would have given Jake another season, I think he's 20 this year, so next year he'll be more than ready, he did play a couple NSW cup games last year, so he's not too far off now.
I would imagine if Bula goes down, he might even get some NRL time this year.
I'm a believer of, if you're good enough, you're old enough.

I hope we keep Bula. If Jack is great who cares but so many players look great but don't come on.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Bula was still here for the '26 season, which would have given Jake another season, I think he's 20 this year, so next year he'll be more than ready, he did play a couple NSW cup games last year, so he's not too far off now.
I would imagine if Bula goes down, he might even get some NRL time this year.
I'm a believer of, if you're good enough, you're old enough.

I’d throw him in at some stage whether Bula is down or not. Probably fifteen minutes in the second half. And maybe in the backline if the circumstances demand it.

I’d prefer a graduated entry if possible.

Benji is reasonably cautious, the youngster is a future focused signing, I’m thinking kids gloves.

Against that reasoning, Benji can also be very stubborn about selections and gives out second chances like shower soap.

Anyway, we’ll all be onto it when the time comes.

 

[Nutz]

Against that reasoning, Benji can also be very stubborn about selections and gives out second chances like shower soap.

It's for this reason that I don't think Bula misses that gig. Only if injured..

 

[Nutz]

I hope we keep Bula. If Jack is great who cares but so many players look great but don't come on.

I'm sure, as with most backs, if Bula stays and Attard produces then Jake will get a gig somewhere. I love all this competition for spots. Hopefully our NRL side is picked on form.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

I'm sure, as with most backs, if Bula stays and Attard produces then Jake will get a gig somewhere. I love all this competition for spots. Hopefully our NRL side is picked on form.

Well the mantra is they are picked on training effort, but we all know that’s pretty much spin for the masses. There’s too many variables.

It’s a bit like those reports from the shed and what the coach is allegedly saying at half time. Totally made up.

I’d be leaving all my options open for the side no matter what, but I’d action a series of poor games, I don’t care who.

 

[Nutz]

Well the mantra is they are picked on training effort, but we all know that’s pretty much spin for the masses. There’s too many variables.

It’s a bit like those reports from the shed and what the coach is allegedly saying at half time. Totally made up.

I’d be leaving all my options open for the side no matter what, but I’d action a series of poor games, I don’t care who.

A coach often perseveres with a player who has been there done that because if he clicks then it's happy days. It's also a club with a lot of variables that can sway the coaches decisions.
Hopefully Hodgo can offer something too as he has had some coaching experience. Heino doesn't fill me with confidence. If he was in charge of hosting a BBQ I would be.
I really wished that we got Justin Holbrook as Benji's horse whisperer when he was available or even former Wests Tigers and WS coach Ben Gargener.
Hopefully we are about to jump on a good set and ride it all the way into shore.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

A coach often perseveres with a player who has been there done that because if he clicks then it's happy days. It's also a club with a lot of variables that can sway the coaches decisions.
Hopefully Hodgo can offer something too as he has had some coaching experience. Heino doesn't fill me with confidence. If he was in charge of hosting a BBQ I would be.
I really wished that we got Justin Holbrook as Benji's horse whisperer when he was available or even former Wests Tigers and WS coach Ben Gargener.
Hopefully we are about to jump on a good set and ride it all the way into shore.

Yeah, the Old Mates Act is still the order of the day. Richo tied his destiny with Benji and then HGB panicked as the momentum against them shot through the roof.

That’s where we are, putting aside the actual decisions, the process to lead us to them was ordinary and amateurish. And the distinct smell of panic. Really bad conditions to make an important decision such as coach.

Richo has gone now, but the sky hasn’t exactly fallen in. I’m not sure if he’s done anything wrong, but it needs to be looked at closely.

The digital gateway is allegedly part of the investigation. We all know it broke down. If there’s money in brown paper bags flying around over that, I’ll be filthy.

The Richo skeptics, not many of us, but we were right to refuse to go to the dance with him.

 

[Tigerm]

 

[Tiger05]

Assuming Bird goes and Bunty gets a spot I think that means we have 2 spots for this year open.

It's a much better squad than what we've had.

 

[Tigerm]

Patrick Herbert joins Wests Tigers on a two-year deal

The Wests Tigers can confirm the signing of Patrick Herbert on a two-year deal, with the outside back joining the Club ahead of the 2026 NRL season.

www.weststigers.com.au

 

[Tigerm]

Well done, young fella.

 

[Tigerm]

 

[Tigerm]

 

[Tiger05]

He was been real good in the trials. It'll be interesting if he gets a go in first grade.

 

[Tigerm]

He'll be a good get and I don't imagine he will be that expensive.
f**k, we have some good depth for a change.