Season 2025

[Nutz]

Maybe he was talking about Tristan Hope. I thought he was playing dummy half when TDS went off.

Yeh Nº14. He was playing out of dummy half, Tristan Hope.
That short side pass to Faataape to score was brilliant and he was very courageous.
Apparently left his young family up North and with their blessing came down to try his hand. Late twenties.
Can't see him pushing out established players though.

Tristan hoping to make pre-season impression

Tristan Hope is completing pre-season training with Wests Tigers as the 27-year-old Queenslander aims to fulfil his lifelong dream.

www.weststigers.com.au

 

[Tiger Ted]

Yeh Nº14. He was playing out of dummy half, Tristan Hope.
That short side pass to Faataape to score was brilliant and he was very courageous.
Apparently left his young family up North and with their blessing came down to try his hand. Late twenties.
Can't see him pushing out established players though.

Tristan hoping to make pre-season impression

Tristan Hope is completing pre-season training with Wests Tigers as the 27-year-old Queenslander aims to fulfil his lifelong dream.

www.weststigers.com.au

I hope Hope makes it.After winning a comp with Brisbane tigers I think the stars are aligning for him to win a comp with another tigers outfit

 

[Tigerm]

Yeh Nº14. He was playing out of dummy half, Tristan Hope.
That short side pass to Faataape to score was brilliant and he was very courageous.
Apparently left his young family up North and with their blessing came down to try his hand. Late twenties.
Can't see him pushing out established players though.

Tristan hoping to make pre-season impression

Tristan Hope is completing pre-season training with Wests Tigers as the 27-year-old Queenslander aims to fulfil his lifelong dream.

www.weststigers.com.au

Sounds similar to Ruben Porters story.

 

[Nutz]

It was actually a fair hit out. Mainly an exercise to get Lachlan playing right side. He'll roam though as will Luai.
One thing I hate is backs turning their shoulders in when we are defending. Even when they are down on numbers we have to talk more and call for support on the inside side.
Backs should be running at the man or outside shoulder. This is a result of us folding like I've been ranting about. We have to work harder off the ruck on shifts.

 

[Tiger05]

I hope Hope makes it.After winning a comp with Brisbane tigers I think the stars are aligning for him to win a comp with another tigers outfit

I don't think he'll play much first grade though. He may contribute a bit to us winning the comp though.

 

[Pezz70]

Yeh Nº14. He was playing out of dummy half, Tristan Hope.
That short side pass to Faataape to score was brilliant and he was very courageous.
Apparently left his young family up North and with their blessing came down to try his hand. Late twenties.
Can't see him pushing out established players though.

Tristan hoping to make pre-season impression

Tristan Hope is completing pre-season training with Wests Tigers as the 27-year-old Queenslander aims to fulfil his lifelong dream.

www.weststigers.com.au

The boys seemed to spark up a bit when he came on. I liked what I saw but I think it’ll be hard to get over TDS (was a little bit average yesty) and API.

 

[Pezz70]

I thought Skelton was a bit ordinary yesty, they put him down for 4 tackle busts and a line break though, he didn’t see a lot of ball but I thought his kick returns were a bit half arsed. 11 runs for 125m. Early days though, got a good build and looks like he can run a bit when he finds space. There wasn’t a lot to like about yesty but granted we were playing with a team of kids, first round will give us some idea I suppose

 

[Nutz]

The boys seemed to spark up a bit when he came on. I liked what I saw but I think it’ll be hard to get over TDS (was a little bit average yesty) and API.

Agree, that's what I said too.. He's up against it but not to say someone else might pick him up.

 

[Nutz]

I thought Skelton was a bit ordinary yesty, they put him down for 4 tackle busts and a line break though, he didn’t see a lot of ball but I thought his kick returns were a bit half arsed. 11 runs for 125m. Early days though, got a good build and looks like he can run a bit when he finds space. There wasn’t a lot to like about yesty but granted we were playing with a team of kids, first round will give us some idea I suppose

That was our emerging team but apart from a couple like Kit and Hope, as you said, it was a bit ordinary.

 

[Vic Mackey]

I was disappointed with the showing in the trial. I realize that only 2/3 of those playing will be there in round 1 but overall it was poor. 10 of the starters were in our top 30 as were 3 of the spine. We had countless chances in the dogs 20 in the first half and the attack was diabolical. No noticeable structure at all, everyone was so flat, Galvin kept having to run behind players when going across field as there was no depth.

I think we made 3 clean breaks. 1 was off a kick return and the other 2 were Galvin playing off the cuff running it on the last play. I didnt see one proper backline shift at all.

Somehow our attack was better in the second half when we had SG Ball and flegg guys in the spine.

Guys who impressed me:

Skelton: did what we need from him, big carries and showed surprising pace with his break
Lauilili: Wow this guy has clearly put in over the off season, best game Ive seen him play
Borderlow: apart from his poor missed tackle for the dogs first try ran some strong lines
Sukkar: I think hes a decent back up edge option
Hope: Think he shaded TDS, straightened the attack and showed class for Fataapes try
Tavana: What a mover this guy is, I didnt see much of Flegg last year but he looks ultra impressive and one to watch
Saukuru: Another guy who looks like he had a strong pre season, like Skelton made great hit ups in our end and again showed good speed on a break


Losing doesnt bother me, I just wanted to see a bit more shape and structure. Hoping for a better showing Friday where Im sure our main team will get good minutes.

 

[Tiger05]

Lauilili: Wow this guy has clearly put in over the off season, best game Ive seen him play

I agree with all your points but geez this kid looked good. He has the ability to dent the line. We need impact players and he can do that.

 

[Tiger Ted]

I was disappointed with the showing in the trial. I realize that only 2/3 of those playing will be there in round 1 but overall it was poor. 10 of the starters were in our top 30 as were 3 of the spine. We had countless chances in the dogs 20 in the first half and the attack was diabolical. No noticeable structure at all, everyone was so flat, Galvin kept having to run behind players when going across field as there was no depth.

I think we made 3 clean breaks. 1 was off a kick return and the other 2 were Galvin playing off the cuff running it on the last play. I didnt see one proper backline shift at all.

Somehow our attack was better in the second half when we had SG Ball and flegg guys in the spine.

Guys who impressed me:

Skelton: did what we need from him, big carries and showed surprising pace with his break
Lauilili: Wow this guy has clearly put in over the off season, best game Ive seen him play
Borderlow: apart from his poor missed tackle for the dogs first try ran some strong lines
Sukkar: I think hes a decent back up edge option
Hope: Think he shaded TDS, straightened the attack and showed class for Fataapes try
Tavana: What a mover this guy is, I didnt see much of Flegg last year but he looks ultra impressive and one to watch
Saukuru: Another guy who looks like he had a strong pre season, like Skelton made great hit ups in our end and again showed good speed on a break


Losing doesnt bother me, I just wanted to see a bit more shape and structure. Hoping for a better showing Friday where Im sure our main team will get good minutes.

Nice & helpful summary for people like myself who didn’t watch trial.The Laulilii brothers have both got big futures in front of them.I have a big wrap on Luke & It won’t surprise me if both Luke & Kit are regulars in our NRL team by end of season.I hope Sukkar has put on some size as he has the potential to make it in the NRL.A little disappointing that TDS didn’t shine in this match albeit it’s just a trial & we’ve seen that the kid has all the traits to excel in the NRL.

Did Latu Fainu play in this trial ?

 

[Tiger05]

Did Latu Fainu play in this trial ?

Yep.He was pretty ordinary. Nothing terrible but nothing good.

 

[Tiger Ted]

Yep.He was pretty ordinary. Nothing terrible but nothing good.

Disappointing.Latu is a bit of a worry.He needs to lift his game to a level whereby Benji is compelled to hand him the no.14 jersey.Regardless Richo’s primary objective is to extend Galvins contract b4 Nov 1.The best chance of retaining the prodigious talent is we improve dramatically & are super competitive.

 

[Tigerm]

I was disappointed with the showing in the trial. I realize that only 2/3 of those playing will be there in round 1 but overall it was poor. 10 of the starters were in our top 30 as were 3 of the spine. We had countless chances in the dogs 20 in the first half and the attack was diabolical. No noticeable structure at all, everyone was so flat, Galvin kept having to run behind players when going across field as there was no depth.

I think we made 3 clean breaks. 1 was off a kick return and the other 2 were Galvin playing off the cuff running it on the last play. I didnt see one proper backline shift at all.

Somehow our attack was better in the second half when we had SG Ball and flegg guys in the spine.

Guys who impressed me:

Skelton: did what we need from him, big carries and showed surprising pace with his break
Lauilili: Wow this guy has clearly put in over the off season, best game Ive seen him play
Borderlow: apart from his poor missed tackle for the dogs first try ran some strong lines
Sukkar: I think hes a decent back up edge option
Hope: Think he shaded TDS, straightened the attack and showed class for Fataapes try
Tavana: What a mover this guy is, I didnt see much of Flegg last year but he looks ultra impressive and one to watch
Saukuru: Another guy who looks like he had a strong pre season, like Skelton made great hit ups in our end and again showed good speed on a break


Losing doesnt bother me, I just wanted to see a bit more shape and structure. Hoping for a better showing Friday where Im sure our main team will get good minutes.

Good post Vic.
Young Kit looked a beast.
But I agree, our attack looks like it hasn’t improved since last season, they offered nothing near the line.
While, there were a lot playing who probably won’t see NRL this year, if they do, the season is probably gone AGAIN.
Surely they train set plays in attack, it was just shit.

 

[Tigerm]

 

[TheDefinitionOfMadness]

I was disappointed with the showing in the trial. I realize that only 2/3 of those playing will be there in round 1 but overall it was poor. 10 of the starters were in our top 30 as were 3 of the spine. We had countless chances in the dogs 20 in the first half and the attack was diabolical. No noticeable structure at all, everyone was so flat, Galvin kept having to run behind players when going across field as there was no depth.

I think we made 3 clean breaks. 1 was off a kick return and the other 2 were Galvin playing off the cuff running it on the last play. I didnt see one proper backline shift at all.

Somehow our attack was better in the second half when we had SG Ball and flegg guys in the spine.

Guys who impressed me:

Skelton: did what we need from him, big carries and showed surprising pace with his break
Lauilili: Wow this guy has clearly put in over the off season, best game Ive seen him play
Borderlow: apart from his poor missed tackle for the dogs first try ran some strong lines
Sukkar: I think hes a decent back up edge option
Hope: Think he shaded TDS, straightened the attack and showed class for Fataapes try
Tavana: What a mover this guy is, I didnt see much of Flegg last year but he looks ultra impressive and one to watch
Saukuru: Another guy who looks like he had a strong pre season, like Skelton made great hit ups in our end and again showed good speed on a break


Losing doesnt bother me, I just wanted to see a bit more shape and structure. Hoping for a better showing Friday where Im sure our main team will get good minutes.

Just as concerning was the defensive structure when the dogs spread the ball left. Not only were they turning their shoulder out when sliding, they were also back pedalling at the same time. That's a recipe for disaster.

Interestingly, we haven't picked anything close to our full squad for the 2nd trial. AD is playing halfback. Oh well, looks like they're keeping their powder dry for round 1.

 

[Tiger05]

Team List vs Eels

1. Heath Mason
2. Jeral Skelton
3. Starford To'a
4. Brent Naden
5. Charlie Staines
6. Lachlan Galvin
7. Adam Doueihi
8. Terrell May
9. Tallyn Da Silva
10. Fonua Pole
11. Samuela Fainu
12. Alex Seyfarth (c)
13. Alex Twal

Interchange:
14. Latu Fainu
15. Royce Hunt
16. Jack Bird
17. Sione Fainu
18. Tristan Hope
19. Tony Sukkar
20. Kit Laulilii
21. Solomona Faataape

Coach: Benji Marshall

 

[Tiger Ted]

Team List vs Eels

1. Heath Mason
2. Jeral Skelton
3. Starford To'a
4. Brent Naden
5. Charlie Staines
6. Lachlan Galvin
7. Adam Doueihi
8. Terrell May
9. Tallyn Da Silva
10. Fonua Pole
11. Samuela Fainu
12. Alex Seyfarth (c)
13. Alex Twal

Interchange:
14. Latu Fainu
15. Royce Hunt
16. Jack Bird
17. Sione Fainu
18. Tristan Hope
19. Tony Sukkar
20. Kit Laulilii
21. Solomona Faataape

Coach: Benji Marshall

Luke Laulilii must be injured

 

[Tiger05]

This is the way I see it prior to actually watching the game:-

1. Doueihi at 7 is a train wreck. I just don't get it. He'll probably have a blinder now and it is a trial.
2. I like the outside backs. If Turuva and Bula come in they are good. Even if one of them came in and replaced Mason it's good. We do lack a gun outside back though. Skelton to me has to do better than last week. He looked a little slow even though he is a big guy who will get us going forward.
3. I like the pack with the exception of the 13. Twal is fine. It's just that we lack some class in the 13.
4. Kit Laulilii must be pressing for a spot either at 13 or replacing Sione on the bench. I like Sione but Kit last week showed he has something special.
5. Bird off the bench is interesting. He is a funny signing in that I don't know where we play him. Benji was stating 13 and maybe he can do that and add some class in that position and maybe that is why they play Twal at the start. You bring Bird on to offer something different.