If we be patient a 4th spoon will arrive… maybe we’re in a lose lose situation here.Terrell May was brought in to the squad after preseason started. We did add Hope & Faataape to top 30, both on minimum which allows upgrades or front loading or offers to players before mid year which is still a month away. They will bring a player or two into the squad. But whoever they bring in will not be of high quality because who is available right now?I think we’ll have improved the squad. We certainly have improved the culture (Galvin was the exception). Luai & Tito have been good, Tito better than good. Can’t recall who were our wingers last year. Terrell, no more needs to be said or written. Skelton very good when fit. Hunt & Bird have had good moments. Still a ways to go but I’d argue we’ve improved the squad from what it was.I think we’ll be front loading contracts to ensure we can bring in 2 or 3 good players 2026. Might bring in some squad fillers now though.I don't see the point of this transfer fee. We need FG ready players - we can't keep shipping guys off with no one coming in.
I don't think that's good enough. We are paper thin as it stands. I know there's a month to go before the 2025 deadline, but it really looks like poor series of decisions thus far. As someone else pointed out, the previous regime would be getting pelters for this.
We need to be improving the squad for the here and now as well as for 2026.
I agree that we made some good recruitment calls leading into this year.
But I'm talking about mid-season changes in 2025 specifically. We have let Klemmer and now Galvin go, and lost Olam to the medical retirement. We also pushed out Sullivan and Bateman after pre-season had started. We haven't brought anyone into the 2025 top 30 in that time. That's not improving the squad - that is depleting our numbers, on a squad that was already short on depth.
Our inconsistent results and performances this year show we're still miles off where we need to be as a finals contender. There are several big holes in the top 17, and the depth below that top squad is absolutely paper thin across the board.
I really hope Richo and co have some surprises up their sleeve, as it's all a bit grim at the moment.
We all want to win now of course but if we really want to improve the quality of the squad then we need to look at the right players eg Reynolds, Hetherington, Kamikamica, maybe Fifita if Titans release him. These guys could make a difference but hardly likely to be released early with exception of Fifita. At present I can only think of guys like Ativalu Lisati, Asu Kepoa and Harrison Hassett who might be released right now. Teams still in contention with genuine chances of top 4 etc are unlikely to release players playing regular first grade right now.
Completely agree Russ. We need to be patient and go after the people who will make a difference. If that means we have a lacklustre 2nd half of this season then so be it.
@teddy_s Once again you are right I think after 14 years of no finals majority of supporters have shown lots of patients. Those that want to wait another 14 years can I’m not. Some don’t want to admit Richo is now making bad calls it’s all about the bottom line with him
with Richo it is about keeping the party pies warm for the corporates at Parramatta Stadium
He threatened LO and he is threatening campbletown, remember your fan base. All he seems to worry about is the Chardonnay set in the corporate suites...
with Richo it is about keeping the party pies warm for the corporates at Parramatta Stadium
He threatened LO and he is threatening campbletown, remember your fan base. All he seems to worry about is the Chardonnay set in the corporate suites...
Yes, but please remember this. If we don’t get the consistent corporate dollars we are millions behind other clubs.
I have heard that one QLD based club brings in more than a million dollars a year through corporate hospitality than us. That’s five million dollars they have to spend every five years that we don’t have.
Makes a big difference in ancillary programs and football support.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Couldn't agree more. I think there is a fundamental problem at the club around investment in coaching and pathways. I have mentioned this before and it is obvious when you watch some of our games and the lack of support staff around the coach and team, I also read somewhere that we have 1 Jr talent scout and clubs like the storm have at least 7. Richo is obviously prioritizing this, and kudos to him because the fruits of his labor will not show until he has probably moved on, however they will ensure the club is strong for years to come. Doesn't really help us win a premiership in the next 3 years however I can see he is working on that too.with Richo it is about keeping the party pies warm for the corporates at Parramatta Stadium
He threatened LO and he is threatening campbletown, remember your fan base. All he seems to worry about is the Chardonnay set in the corporate suites...
Yes, but please remember this. If we don’t get the consistent corporate dollars we are millions behind other clubs.
I have heard that one QLD based club brings in more than a million dollars a year through corporate hospitality than us. That’s five million dollars they have to spend every five years that we don’t have.
Makes a big difference in ancillary programs and football support.
Couldn't agree more. I think there is a fundamental problem at the club around investment in coaching and pathways. I have mentioned this before and it is obvious when you watch some of our games and the lack of support staff around the coach and team, I also read somewhere that we have 1 Jr talent scout and clubs like the storm have at least 7. Richo is obviously prioritizing this, and kudos to him because the fruits of his labor will not show until he has probably moved on, however they will ensure the club is strong for years to come. Doesn't really help us win a premiership in the next 3 years however I can see he is working on that too.with Richo it is about keeping the party pies warm for the corporates at Parramatta Stadium
He threatened LO and he is threatening campbletown, remember your fan base. All he seems to worry about is the Chardonnay set in the corporate suites...
Yes, but please remember this. If we don’t get the consistent corporate dollars we are millions behind other clubs.
I have heard that one QLD based club brings in more than a million dollars a year through corporate hospitality than us. That’s five million dollars they have to spend every five years that we don’t have.
Makes a big difference in ancillary programs and football support.
Aside from chronic poor management (at all levels), the perennial problem we have as a club is talent identification and development.
There’s no point having nurseries if you’re not capable of transitioning young men into professional footballers, we’ve continually struggled with this.
This is where significantly more money needs to go.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Anyway, this thread will soon be locked and I’m looking forward to doing it!
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Terrell May was brought in to the squad after preseason started. We did add Hope & Faataape to top 30, both on minimum which allows upgrades or front loading or offers to players before mid year which is still a month away. They will bring a player or two into the squad. But whoever they bring in will not be of high quality because who is available right now?
May joined before all of those I named departed. Hope and Faataape are not first graders.
Your last line is exactly my point. We have weakened the squad significantly, with little sign of things improving in either the short or long term.
I understand there are cultural aspects in play, and freeing up cap space allows us to front-load etc. But the squad is, as it stands, going backwards, from an already low point. The boys on the pod often talk about improving vs treading water squadwise - i.e. recruiting better players rather than just replacing like for like. We aren't even doing the latter at the moment.
I really hope Richo and co have some aces up their sleeves, because the current situation is not good enough. He made a big song and dance about not relenting on the Galvin situation, given he is contracted until the end of 2026. Here we are, about a month later, releasing him with nothing coming back our way. Embarrassing.
Funding & increasing resources seems to be where we fail in comparison to many clubs. Listening to Adel (former coach of Tigers Harvey Norman side) on a pod yesterday he made reference to the difference in resources compared to Dogs & Rorters. All very interesting & we are well behind both those clubs in that regard. Talent scouts & payments to teenagers in lower grades just one area he spoke of where we can’t compete. Can only imagine Broncos, Storm and one or two other teams are just as well resourced as Dogs & Rorters.Couldn't agree more. I think there is a fundamental problem at the club around investment in coaching and pathways. I have mentioned this before and it is obvious when you watch some of our games and the lack of support staff around the coach and team, I also read somewhere that we have 1 Jr talent scout and clubs like the storm have at least 7. Richo is obviously prioritizing this, and kudos to him because the fruits of his labor will not show until he has probably moved on, however they will ensure the club is strong for years to come. Doesn't really help us win a premiership in the next 3 years however I can see he is working on that too.with Richo it is about keeping the party pies warm for the corporates at Parramatta Stadium
He threatened LO and he is threatening campbletown, remember your fan base. All he seems to worry about is the Chardonnay set in the corporate suites...
Yes, but please remember this. If we don’t get the consistent corporate dollars we are millions behind other clubs.
I have heard that one QLD based club brings in more than a million dollars a year through corporate hospitality than us. That’s five million dollars they have to spend every five years that we don’t have.
Makes a big difference in ancillary programs and football support.
Aside from chronic poor management (at all levels), the perennial problem we have as a club is talent identification and development.
There’s no point having nurseries if you’re not capable of transitioning young men into professional footballers, we’ve continually struggled with this.
This is where significantly more money needs to go.
Yes, I listened to Adel's insights as well and it verified what I was seeing in general. I don't think the HBG are tipping in as much as they should be to make us a competition heavyweight so we need those corporate dollars. Back on the Adel podcast geez I'm enjoying his insights, don't agree with everything he says, however he is not a fan of Galvin's boyfriend Vella, I love that he doesn't hold back! Seems to also be scarred by the Sheens group that were at the club, his comments here make me think that the rot was so much deeper than we knew and they are still cutting it out.Funding & increasing resources seems to be where we fail in comparison to many clubs. Listening to Adel (former coach of Tigers Harvey Norman side) on a pod yesterday he made reference to the difference in resources compared to Dogs & Rorters. All very interesting & we are well behind both those clubs in that regard. Talent scouts & payments to teenagers in lower grades just one area he spoke of where we can’t compete. Can only imagine Broncos, Storm and one or two other teams are just as well resourced as Dogs & Rorters.Couldn't agree more. I think there is a fundamental problem at the club around investment in coaching and pathways. I have mentioned this before and it is obvious when you watch some of our games and the lack of support staff around the coach and team, I also read somewhere that we have 1 Jr talent scout and clubs like the storm have at least 7. Richo is obviously prioritizing this, and kudos to him because the fruits of his labor will not show until he has probably moved on, however they will ensure the club is strong for years to come. Doesn't really help us win a premiership in the next 3 years however I can see he is working on that too.with Richo it is about keeping the party pies warm for the corporates at Parramatta Stadium
He threatened LO and he is threatening campbletown, remember your fan base. All he seems to worry about is the Chardonnay set in the corporate suites...
Yes, but please remember this. If we don’t get the consistent corporate dollars we are millions behind other clubs.
I have heard that one QLD based club brings in more than a million dollars a year through corporate hospitality than us. That’s five million dollars they have to spend every five years that we don’t have.
Makes a big difference in ancillary programs and football support.
Aside from chronic poor management (at all levels), the perennial problem we have as a club is talent identification and development.
There’s no point having nurseries if you’re not capable of transitioning young men into professional footballers, we’ve continually struggled with this.
This is where significantly more money needs to go.
@lorenzo What a good listen that was , very insightful on many fronts . He rates Galvin as I do time will tell , the few recruitment plays were interesting . Hope that also puts to bed why Richo needs the club playing out of large stadia for the corporate dollars as the club is dying on the vine being drip feed by HBG . Until the fossils at HBG are in Rockwood unfortunately reserve grade will always be the Magpies they have the purse strings and nothing will change until a younger group are running that organisation , it's a very small hard core resistance group and when I say small it’s small in numbers . I would like to hear more of Adel interesting character. I also agree there is more going on as Richo does not seem the type to be bent over.
I also agree there is more going on as Richo does not seem the type to be bent over.
I'm living in this utopian dreamland where Richo is playing 4d Chess looking to draw Gus/Moses/Galvin out and now he has will bait and switch listing all these demands such money/players for a release from Wests Tigers and then when they threaten the bullying thing again say see you in court because if Galvin accuses any players of being part of the bullying (such as Tito and Jerome) then the RLPA will be representing both sides and that is a whole lot of messy for them and therefore will want it all to go away quietly. Let alone the NRL not wanting this to drag along.
I doubt any of this is likely, but I live in hope, as is the lot in life of a WT supporter.
Yes, I listened to Adel's insights as well and it verified what I was seeing in general. I don't think the HBG are tipping in as much as they should be to make us a competition heavyweight so we need those corporate dollars. Back on the Adel podcast geez I'm enjoying his insights, don't agree with everything he says, however he is not a fan of Galvin's boyfriend Vella, I love that he doesn't hold back! Seems to also be scarred by the Sheens group that were at the club, his comments here make me think that the rot was so much deeper than we knew and they are still cutting it out.Funding & increasing resources seems to be where we fail in comparison to many clubs. Listening to Adel (former coach of Tigers Harvey Norman side) on a pod yesterday he made reference to the difference in resources compared to Dogs & Rorters. All very interesting & we are well behind both those clubs in that regard. Talent scouts & payments to teenagers in lower grades just one area he spoke of where we can’t compete. Can only imagine Broncos, Storm and one or two other teams are just as well resourced as Dogs & Rorters.Couldn't agree more. I think there is a fundamental problem at the club around investment in coaching and pathways. I have mentioned this before and it is obvious when you watch some of our games and the lack of support staff around the coach and team, I also read somewhere that we have 1 Jr talent scout and clubs like the storm have at least 7. Richo is obviously prioritizing this, and kudos to him because the fruits of his labor will not show until he has probably moved on, however they will ensure the club is strong for years to come. Doesn't really help us win a premiership in the next 3 years however I can see he is working on that too.with Richo it is about keeping the party pies warm for the corporates at Parramatta Stadium
He threatened LO and he is threatening campbletown, remember your fan base. All he seems to worry about is the Chardonnay set in the corporate suites...
Yes, but please remember this. If we don’t get the consistent corporate dollars we are millions behind other clubs.
I have heard that one QLD based club brings in more than a million dollars a year through corporate hospitality than us. That’s five million dollars they have to spend every five years that we don’t have.
Makes a big difference in ancillary programs and football support.
Aside from chronic poor management (at all levels), the perennial problem we have as a club is talent identification and development.
There’s no point having nurseries if you’re not capable of transitioning young men into professional footballers, we’ve continually struggled with this.
This is where significantly more money needs to go.
Adel did a really interesting pod, he mentioned the magpies going balistic when the black jersey of western suburbs had gold trim on the numbers along with reserve grade still being magpies that is half the problem if not being one club.
Wests Tigers all grades to start with !
I recall 2 separate interviews/statements by Mr Gould recently.
- On Sunday he said on tv "I haven't even spoken to Lachie Galvin" and ....
- In a second interview he has been quoted as also saying in regard to Toby Sexton, "We spoke again on Friday and I admitted to him on Friday that the previous day (that would be Thursday) I had had discussions with Lachlan Galvin."
How can both of these 2 statements be true? And what else has he been lying about? A definite need for the integrity commission to step in.
Anyway it looks like LG is already upsetting the status quo at Bulldogs without even being there. Let's see if they start to drop from the top spot in a hurry.
I recall 2 separate interviews/statements by Mr Gould recently.
- On Sunday he said on tv "I haven't even spoken to Lachie Galvin" and ....
- In a second interview he has been quoted as also saying in regard to Toby Sexton, "We spoke again on Friday and I admitted to him on Friday that the previous day (that would be Thursday) I had had discussions with Lachlan Galvin."
How can both of these 2 statements be true? And what else has he been lying about? A definite need for the integrity commission to step in.
Anyway it looks like LG is already upsetting the status quo at Bulldogs without even being there. Let's see if they start to drop from the top spot in a hurry.
Agree. I'm looking forward to him running sideways and not giving Critters any space, putting up insipid bombs, kicking straight to the fullback, arm grabbing in D, and kicking grubbers dead. Then I look forward to Gould baloney - "he's a kid and just needs more time, so we've sent him to reserve grade to learn his trade".
