Season 2025

[Tiger05]

It’s been said, that Gal could end as the 13?
He needs to put on a bit of beef, but he doesn’t shirk the defensive stuff, so who knows.
But I think if he doesn’t and stays in the halves (not a problem) then either he or Latu will leave when there contracts expire.
I still think we are a big bopper short, it’s so noticeable when the other sides big bopper is giving it to us.

It'll be interesting what happens to Latu and Galvin. I agree on needing a big bopper but I think we need a couple. I really think we need an edge forward as well.

Who knows maybe the guy who is doing well in reserve can get a spot.

 

[Tigerm]

MSN

No shortage of halves but Sezer part of Tigers' plans​

Benji Marshall insists there is room for Aidan Sezer at Wests Tigers next season despite Jarome Luai's impending arrival adding to selection pressure in the halves at the struggling NRL club.

Sezer, 33, has a mutual contract option to remain at the Tigers for a second year after a comeback season interrupted by suspensions for two hip-drop tackles.

A 2019 grand finalist with Canberra, Sezer has been first-choice halfback on his return from a four-year stint in England, but that will change with Penrith star Luai arriving and likely to partner young gun Lachie Galvin from 2025.

Fellow teenager Latu Fainu is also a highly touted half, while Jayden Sullivan remains on the books despite being granted permission to negotiate with rivals only months into a four-year deal.

But the glut of playmakers won't prompt Marshall to jettison Sezer as the 17th-placed Tigers continue to rebuild their roster, with the pair meeting to discuss the halfback's future this week.

"He's definitely someone we want to keep around," Marshall said.

Marshall finished his career as a bench utility and mentor to South Sydney's inexperienced players and felt Sezer could fill a similar role at a young Tigers team.

"You want as many leaders as you can around, particularly when you've got a young squad and you've got guys who need to teach these young guys how to prepare and how to play," he said.

"They become really important whether they play on the field or not."

Sezer himself is yet to make a call as to whether he will play on into a 14th professional season.

"I feel good, a decision will be made over the next few weeks and see what happens," he told AAP.

"I've been very fortunate to get in 13, 14 years in the game. I'm still enjoying it, I'm still enjoying being around the boys so hopefully I can prolong that. But if not, I've been blessed."

Marshall's Tigers would have held their breath when Parramatta threatened to upset Penrith on Friday night and open up a six-point gap at the bottom of the ladder.

The Panthers eventually staged a miraculous 36-34 comeback to keep the 16th-placed Eels within the Tigers' reach.

Given their inferior for-and-against, Wests likely need to win two of their last four games to leapfrog the Eels and avoid a third-consecutive wooden spoon, with a meeting against Parramatta scheduled for round 27.

Marshall said his players were aware of the stakes.

"They put that pressure on themselves so I don't need to add to that," he said ahead of Sunday's clash with Newcastle.

"We've got to find moments to take pressure off ourselves and not beat ourselves, that's the hard part that we're finding at the moment but they are getting better."
----------------------
Obviously handy if Luia gets picked in SOO.
But I think he would be invaluable for the NSW cup guys.

 

[Ned Kelly]

It looks to me like we have dug a hole so deep over the previous years that there is no escape being stuck at the bottom.

We are losing 2 probably 3 of our "big signing" forwards so in order to improve we have to replace them with better performing players.
Without them leaving it was obvious we had to sign a couple of decent forwards to build on that pack.
We also need say 2 more quality backs as well as Luai and Turuva.

All of that with a "War chest" of a bit over $2m. Good luck with that.

Add to that yet another coach who is unable to make any improvement of significance .

I can understand players wanting to leave and find it hard to believe we can sign anyone without playing them overs unless they have been around a while and are no longer wanted by other clubs or they are young and see the Tigers as a stepping stone to a better team.

 

[Tigerm]

It looks to me like we have dug a hole so deep over the previous years that there is no escape being stuck at the bottom.

We are losing 2 probably 3 of our "big signing" forwards so in order to improve we have to replace them with better performing players.
Without them leaving it was obvious we had to sign a couple of decent forwards to build on that pack.
We also need say 2 more quality backs as well as Luai and Turuva.

All of that with a "War chest" of a bit over $2m. Good luck with that.

Add to that yet another coach who is unable to make any improvement of significance .

I can understand players wanting to leave and find it hard to believe we can sign anyone without playing them overs unless they have been around a while and are no longer wanted by other clubs or they are young and see the Tigers as a stepping stone to a better team.

IMO, we are losing (big money) players that haven’t contributed like they were expected to.
I do believe one player can turn it around, because they expect standards, that makes the others lift in their abilities and confidence.

Tom T from Manly is an example.

Whether Luai will do it for us, we will have to wait and see.

But, the young blokes this year do show promise and they play like they give a f**k.

Next year.

 

[simmo1]

Whether Luai will do it for us, we will have to wait and see.

Luai really is our only sliver of hope of avoiding another spoon. He is a class player and I think this is the first time this club has signed a player of his calibre in a key position. It will take a monumental effort for him to turn this team around though.

 

[TheDefinitionOfMadness]

Even if Luai turns out to be our Mal Meninga it's gonna take time to turn things around. At least 3 years and maybe more.

Expect the spoon again next year.

 

[Tiger05]

We are losing 2 probably 3 of our "big signing" forwards so in order to improve we have to replace them with better performing players.

I sort of agree but I don't think it's that big an issue. Stef could well become a top tier prop but I think overall he has been puss for us. He makes a great run or two a game but that is about it.

Papalli has been good in the middle and he puts in but how much better has he been than Seyfarth ? In my opinion Seyfarth has been just as good apart from the dumb plays. Papalli has made a fair few dumb plays as well.

Bateman hopefully goes and he again hasn't done much.

I think we need better players than these guys but I also think a lot comes down to the coach.

We also need say 2 more quality backs as well as Luai and Turuva.

I'm not worried about out outside backs. We do lack a dominant outside back who can create something themselves but I reckon we can get a decent set of outside backs on the park.

I think the issue will be getting Luai, Galvin and Latu Fainu into the team.

All of that with a "War chest" of a bit over $2m. Good luck with that.

I reckon the $2m war chest is a load of horse shit. We need to get value out of our cap and we are the worst in the comp at that. If anything this concerns me.

I also think way too many people are overrating Benji and Richo and the new team. They've proven nothing at all.

Add to that yet another coach who is unable to make any improvement of significance .

This to me is the issue. We need to somehow get the team playing good footy and winning games. The 3 guys leaving us (assuming we piss Bateman off) along with Klemmer and the young guys give us a good pack on paper but our pack hasn't dominated a single game.

Cleary was a turd to this club but he got the team playing decent footy at times.

I think we can improve significantly next year and build from that point but we need a coach who can bring something special to our team. He has to come up with game plans to get wins and the club needs to make smart recruitment and retention decisions.

 

[Nutz]

I sort of agree but I don't think it's that big an issue. Stef could well become a top tier prop but I think overall he has been puss for us. He makes a great run or two a game but that is about it.

Papalli has been good in the middle and he puts in but how much better has he been than Seyfarth ? In my opinion Seyfarth has been just as good apart from the dumb plays. Papalli has made a fair few dumb plays as well.

Bateman hopefully goes and he again hasn't done much.

I think we need better players than these guys but I also think a lot comes down to the coach.



I'm not worried about out outside backs. We do lack a dominant outside back who can create something themselves but I reckon we can get a decent set of outside backs on the park.

I think the issue will be getting Luai, Galvin and Latu Fainu into the team.



I reckon the $2m war chest is a load of horse shit. We need to get value out of our cap and we are the worst in the comp at that. If anything this concerns me.

I also think way too many people are overrating Benji and Richo and the new team. They've proven nothing at all.



This to me is the issue. We need to somehow get the team playing good footy and winning games. The 3 guys leaving us (assuming we piss Bateman off) along with Klemmer and the young guys give us a good pack on paper but our pack hasn't dominated a single game.

Cleary was a turd to this club but he got the team playing decent footy at times.

I think we can improve significantly next year and build from that point but we need a coach who can bring something special to our team. He has to come up with game plans to get wins and the club needs to make smart recruitment and retention decisions.

With the roster Benji has atm he's going alright. We've looked alright at times but our senior players haven't iced games. Their discipline and leadership is/was poor and I commend Benji for putting a rocket up them.... Bennett or Bellyache would have done the same.
Benji's is trying every combo/resource at his disposal to prepare for next season. Did we expect anything less this year. Some of us were predicting this at the start of the season so no surprises here.
We still need 2 marquee fwds.
I. A big bopper to get post contact metres and attract defenders, a Payne Haas and
2. we need an edge fwd with game time experience who is capable of playing big minutes, eg. Nikora.
Benji firing as coach next year will not get this roster into the finals I'm sorry. He needs ammo and he needs them at this season's end.
Unfortunately I think the armoury is empty so he will have his work cut out for him trying to improve what he's got.

 

[Wizardman]

Lets just thank f**k that we missed out on Latrell.

 

[Nutz]

Lets just than f**k that we missed out on Latrell.

It will be interesting to see how that unfolds. It goes to show that regardless of what that photo is implying there's no friends in that environment. He should know better the goose
He's lazy, too hot and cold and depends if he knows if the camera is on him. The same goes for Fafita and AFB.

 

[Wizardman]

It will be interesting to see how that unfolds. It goes to show that regardless of what that photo is implying there's no friends in that environment. He should know better the goose
He's lazy, too hot and cold and depends if he knows if the camera is on him. The same goes for Fafita and AFB.

Yep! There is no way Latrell would have been a good signing for the position our club was in and continues to be in.

 

[Tiger05]

With the roster Benji has atm he's going alright.

I disagree.

This is our pack:-

8. David Klemmer
9. Apisai Koroisau (c)
10. Stefano U
11. Samuela Fainu
12. John Bateman
13. Isaih Papalli

14. Alex Twal
15. Fonua Pole
16. Alex Seyfarth
17. Sione Fainu

On paper it's a good pack.

We still need 2 marquee fwds.
I. A big bopper to get post contact metres and attract defenders, a Payne Haas and
2. we need an edge fwd with game time experience who is capable of playing big minutes, eg. Nikora.

We are letting Stef, Papalli and Bateman go and they are pretty close to marquee forwards and there are two guys who can play on an edge.

I don't think our team now is a top 4 team or anything like that but I don't see how this team is worse than the teams that Cleary got to 9th. We are dead last again with so few wins.

I think Benji has performed terribly however I wouldn't sack him. Let him see out his contract and see if he can turn this team around.

I don't think it's all bad but there aren't many positives.

The positives to me have been Galvin, Samuela and Sione Fainu, Seyfarth and Pole. I think Api, Staines and Bula have had their moments. Api is our best player but I think DaSilva has also been good and deserves some game time each week.

Our signings have underperformed and Benji was right across all of those signings.

I just think Benji has to get more out of the team.

 

[Nutz]

I disagree.

This is our pack:-

8. David Klemmer
9. Apisai Koroisau (c)
10. Stefano U
11. Samuela Fainu
12. John Bateman
13. Isaih Papalli

14. Alex Twal
15. Fonua Pole
16. Alex Seyfarth
17. Sione Fainu

On paper it's a good pack.



We are letting Stef, Papalli and Bateman go and they are pretty close to marquee forwards and there are two guys who can play on an edge.

I don't think our team now is a top 4 team or anything like that but I don't see how this team is worse than the teams that Cleary got to 9th. We are dead last again with so few wins.

I think Benji has performed terribly however I wouldn't sack him. Let him see out his contract and see if he can turn this team around.

I don't think it's all bad but there aren't many positives.

The positives to me have been Galvin, Samuela and Sione Fainu, Seyfarth and Pole. I think Api, Staines and Bula have had their moments. Api is our best player but I think DaSilva has also been good and deserves some game time each week.

Our signings have underperformed and Benji was right across all of those signings.

I just think Benji has to get more out of the team.

The positives you mentioned are attributed somewhat to Benji and the negatives you mentioned are attributed to our marquee players (if you can call them that) beening poor.
I don't know how much more that Benji could have done.
Our backline has chopped and changed mainly through suspension and injuries.
In his first year as head coach he's been up against it.
The big test will come next year after another full preseason and hopefully a top up of good players willing to buy in.

 

[Tiger05]

The positives you mentioned are attributed somewhat to Benji and the negatives you mentioned are attributed to our marquee players (if you can call them that) beening poor.
I don't know how much more that Benji could have done.

My take is it's the coaches job to get the most out of the team and he hasn't. I agree it's not all his fault but I haven't seen anything to give me confidence the guy can coach. Have we shown any tactics to beat other teams or expose their flaws ? Have we developed a style that can win games ?

That to me is the coaches job and he hasn't done it at all.

I hope he is learning and we can get a team on the park next season to at least threaten to make the top 8.

 

[Nutz]

My take is it's the coaches job to get the most out of the team and he hasn't. I agree it's not all his fault but I haven't seen anything to give me confidence the guy can coach. Have we shown any tactics to beat other teams or expose their flaws ? Have we developed a style that can win games ?

That to me is the coaches job and he hasn't done it at all.

I hope he is learning and we can get a team on the park next season to at least threaten to make the top 8.

It is what it is Tiger

 

[Tiger Ted]

My take is it's the coaches job to get the most out of the team and he hasn't. I agree it's not all his fault but I haven't seen anything to give me confidence the guy can coach. Have we shown any tactics to beat other teams or expose their flaws ? Have we developed a style that can win games ?

That to me is the coaches job and he hasn't done it at all.

I hope he is learning and we can get a team on the park next season to at least threaten to make the top 8.

This is why it’s extremely unlikely that Benji sees out his contract.If we dont display huge improvement in 1st half of next season he will be the 1st coach sacked.

 

[Ned Kelly]

I sort of agree but I don't think it's that big an issue. Stef could well become a top tier prop but I think overall he has been puss for us. He makes a great run or two a game but that is about it.

Papalli has been good in the middle and he puts in but how much better has he been than Seyfarth ? In my opinion Seyfarth has been just as good apart from the dumb plays. Papalli has made a fair few dumb plays as well.

Bateman hopefully goes and he again hasn't done much.

I think we need better players than these guys but I also think a lot comes down to the coach.



I'm not worried about out outside backs. We do lack a dominant outside back who can create something themselves but I reckon we can get a decent set of outside backs on the park.

I think the issue will be getting Luai, Galvin and Latu Fainu into the team.



I reckon the $2m war chest is a load of horse shit. We need to get value out of our cap and we are the worst in the comp at that. If anything this concerns me.

I also think way too many people are overrating Benji and Richo and the new team. They've proven nothing at all.



This to me is the issue. We need to somehow get the team playing good footy and winning games. The 3 guys leaving us (assuming we piss Bateman off) along with Klemmer and the young guys give us a good pack on paper but our pack hasn't dominated a single game.

Cleary was a turd to this club but he got the team playing decent footy at times.

I think we can improve significantly next year and build from that point but we need a coach who can bring something special to our team. He has to come up with game plans to get wins and the club needs to make smart recruitment and retention decisions.

Excellent post

 

[Ned Kelly]

My take is it's the coaches job to get the most out of the team and he hasn't. I agree it's not all his fault but I haven't seen anything to give me confidence the guy can coach. Have we shown any tactics to beat other teams or expose their flaws ? Have we developed a style that can win games ?

That to me is the coaches job and he hasn't done it at all.

I hope he is learning and we can get a team on the park next season to at least threaten to make the top 8.

Threatening for top 14 would be a big improvement.

 

[Tiger05]

Threatening for top 14 would be a big improvement.

How sad is that.

 

[Tiger05]

This is why it’s extremely unlikely that Benji sees out his contract.If we dont display huge improvement in 1st half of next season he will be the 1st coach sacked.

I hope not but I didn't want Madge sacked.