Rumours (signings, sackings & other NRL stuff)

[Nutz]

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Hes a very different beast to JL, they will both want to outplay the other. They are both talented and innate footballers. Both X factor.

TSP it's a good point you raise about JL and LG outplaying each other. It's always a possibility with these type of
free spirited playmakers. They won't want to purposely outplay each other but their nature could see them complicate the attack....enter Benji and off season training
The similarities are that they are runners and not so much stand and deliver type players.
JL has proven that he can adapt to a more traditional ½ back role when Nate was out injured. Though he still had a free roaming style with players like Yeo, Kenny, and Sorenson contributing in creating an attacking platform.
They both have preferred sides, but it was pleasing to see LG alternate sides a bit last season, and I think that was a deliberate ploy set up by Benji in readiness for the arrival of JL.
Opposition will know if they shut them down it will stop our attack, but having 2 running halves and a decent forward pack will hopefully negate this.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

TSP it's a good point you raise about JL and LG outplaying each other. It's always a possibility with these type of
free spirited playmakers. They won't want to purposely outplay each other but their nature could see them complicate the attack....enter Benji and off season training
The similarities are that they are runners and not so much stand and deliver type players.
JL has proven that he can adapt to a more traditional ½ back role when Nate was out injured. Though he still had a free roaming style with players like Yeo, Kenny, and Sorenson contributing in creating an attacking platform.
They both have preferred sides, but it was pleasing to see LG alternate sides a bit last season, and I think that was a deliberate ploy set up by Benji in readiness for the arrival of JL.
Opposition will know if they shut them down it will stop our attack, but having 2 running halves and a decent forward pack will hopefully negate this.

Yes and yes and yes!

JL was more than adequate at Hb when he played there.

Ball in hand sliding and stepping with runners approaching either side, they are going to distract defences.

Generally speaking, Luai has an elite passing game, in the zone for extended meterage, so we may be changing directions more often.

May holding up defences with his power and speed will be novel. I’m very excited by his arrival.
Good news for Faatape and Olam!

 

[Nutz]

Yes and yes and yes!

JL was more than adequate at Hb when he played there.

Ball in hand sliding and stepping with runners approaching either side, they are going to distract defences.

Generally speaking, Luai has an elite passing game, in the zone for extended meterage, so we may be changing directions more often.

May holding up defences with his power and speed will be novel. I’m very excited by his arrival.
Good news for Faatape and Olam!

Yes that's right. If Luai and Galvin play great then others can benefit and have a breakout year.

 

[Tigerm]

The fact is, if the defence is concentrating on one, the other one will do the damage. Api will make sure of this.
We now have multiple forwards who can take advantage plus some quick backs.
IMO, we are in a good space atm.

 

[gordsy]

I see us coming 10th

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

I see us coming 10th

I was sniffing around the markets. As best I can average out, we seem to fit into the 10th-13th inclusive bracket.

So 10th is the peak of current expectations.

Odds offered are quite bad this year.

Very greedy betting companies, shock horror!

 

[Tigerm]

I was sniffing around the markets. As best I can average out, we seem to fit into the 10th-13th inclusive bracket.

So 10th is the peak of current expectations.

Odds offered are quite bad this year.

Very greedy betting companies, shock horror!

Yeah, I got shit odds for us coming in the top 8, they were like we do it every year.
I just think that we have been down so long, that we have forgotten what success looks like.
It will happen, so it may as well be now.
We have got some exceptional players coming in this season and have kept a lot of the good players from last season, so there should be no excuses why we can't markedly improve our position.
We are strong and have depth all over the park.
But the fact is, most clubs have that one solid player who makes them shine. We now have one in Luai.
TBH, I think if we don't make the 8, then it has been another poor year, and the coach should rightly be in the crosshairs.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Alarum:

 

[Tigerm]

Trouble in the swamp.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Trouble in the swamp.

He’s a very good player.

Obviously Ryled up.

 

[BrotherJim05]

Trouble in the swamp.

As long as they don't think they can try and poach Galvin if he leaves

 

[Das Hassler]

Genuine question...so what actually is a so called "franchise player"?

 

[Tiger05]

Genuine question...so what actually is a so called "franchise player"?

Someone who costs so much money you blame them if their team aren't winning.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

………

 

[BrotherJim05]

So Brandon Smith is on the outer at Roosters and is looking for a new club. He also wants to stay in Sydney to continue with his podcast with James Graham. He wouldn't be commanding anywhere near what he signed to Roosters on, and I'm sure they would chuck in a chunk of cash for 2026 to get him off the books.

If he was willing to play lock, like a Cam Mcinnes style role, I reckon he would slot very well into our squad. When he was at Melbourne he was an awesome one-two punch with C. Smith (and also Grant) and I could imagine him doing the same with Api.

Might seem silly, but sillier things have happened at WT

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

So Brandon Smith is on the outer at Roosters and is looking for a new club. He also wants to stay in Sydney to continue with his podcast with James Graham. He wouldn't be commanding anywhere near what he signed to Roosters on, and I'm sure they would chuck in a chunk of cash for 2026 to get him off the books.

If he was willing to play lock, like a Cam Mcinnes style role, I reckon he would slot very well into our squad. When he was at Melbourne he was an awesome one-two punch with C. Smith (and also Grant) and I could imagine him doing the same with Api.

Might seem silly, but sillier things have happened at WT

Interesting proposition, but we’ve got young TDS who I think punched well above his weight last season.

I saw him play a game in the Knock On and he was too good for that crew but as we know he’s settling into firsts.

His tackling efficiency is very close to the Cheese but he’s only 20 and I expect he’s one of the players who soak up the fresh marquee.

Cheese also has his off field stupidity and the clown mode. Another BJ. Plus he’s injured, isn’t he?

So interesting thought, probably unpopular but it’s a forum, all this stuff is good.

We have been the silliest club for awhile now. How we have landed the 2025 squad was the law of averages stepping in to save us from ourselves.

Usually the stars align to destroy us.

PS there’s some great footage of May running over 4 dog defenders on the web. Stefano with some class.

 

[Nutz]

From Wests Tigers members first email. Soon to be updated on their website
Great stuff.

 

[Nutz]

Sione Fainu upgraded and extended

Wests Tigers is pleased to announce that Sione Fainu has been upgraded to the NRL top 30 for the next two seasons.

www.weststigers.com.au

 

[Nutz]

He was already listed as being in the top 30 a couple of days ago, but now it's official.
Hopefully, his brothers are rapt, and we get some decent service from them over several years.

 

[Tiger05]

He was already listed as being in the top 30 a couple of days ago, but now it's official.
Hopefully, his brothers are rapt, and we get some decent service from them over several years.

I reckon he was great last year. He has some impact plays in him. Let's see how he goes over the next two seasons. I'd have him in my team for sure.

I'm interested in what happens with Latu.