I've noticed one or two posts suggesting this putting a lot of our faith in the development of players isn't looking all that good at the moment. I think this is an overreaction given we're in the very early stages of the process. But regardless of this I thought it'd be interesting to get some idea of where we think some of these young players are at and who we believe will be playing consistent NRL in the future. Only looking at players 22 or younger. There's a bit of crystal balling but why not eh. Just my opinion on the players so here goes.
For me these guys will be playing plenty of NRL, ages next to their names:
Jahream Bula - 22
Fonua Pole - 21
Samuela Fainu - 20 * (outstanding prospect)
Lachlan Galvin - 18 * (outstanding prospect)
Latu Fainu - 18
Tallyn Da Silva 19
These guys are probably just one level below but still good chances to play plenty of NRL:
Kit Laulilii - 19
Luke Laulilii - 18
Solomone Saukuru - 19
These players might play plenty NRL but still a question mark:
Justin Matamua - 20
Jordan Miller - 19
Tony Sukkar - 19
Chris Faagutu - 20
Josh Feledy - 19
No doubt I've missed a few but that's a pretty good list. In my opinion we'll see the players in those first 2 categories playing in the NRL team 2025 and/or 2026. Obviously could be wrong but that's just how I see it. And we have a couple of gems there too.
I'd also put Heamasi Makasini in that first category as an outstanding prospect but seeing as we're not sure he's signed yet I'll leave it here. Ashton Large, Christian Taupau-Moors and Ashton Large are also players from that Wests Matts side who look very likely to progress to a high level, others may as well.
I watched Jordan Miller on the weekend and was really impressed, he is a big unit and hits the line at pace, guys like this need the proper attention and development, cant wait to see what he becomes in the next few years.I've noticed one or two posts suggesting this putting a lot of our faith in the development of players isn't looking all that good at the moment. I think this is an overreaction given we're in the very early stages of the process. But regardless of this I thought it'd be interesting to get some idea of where we think some of these young players are at and who we believe will be playing consistent NRL in the future. Only looking at players 22 or younger. There's a bit of crystal balling but why not eh. Just my opinion on the players so here goes.
For me these guys will be playing plenty of NRL, ages next to their names:
Jahream Bula - 22
Fonua Pole - 21
Samuela Fainu - 20 * (outstanding prospect)
Lachlan Galvin - 18 * (outstanding prospect)
Latu Fainu - 18
Tallyn Da Silva 19
These guys are probably just one level below but still good chances to play plenty of NRL:
Kit Laulilii - 19
Luke Laulilii - 18
Solomone Saukuru - 19
These players might play plenty NRL but still a question mark:
Justin Matamua - 20
Jordan Miller - 19
Tony Sukkar - 19
Chris Faagutu - 20
Josh Feledy - 19
No doubt I've missed a few but that's a pretty good list. In my opinion we'll see the players in those first 2 categories playing in the NRL team 2025 and/or 2026. Obviously could be wrong but that's just how I see it. And we have a couple of gems there too.
I'd also put Heamasi Makasini in that first category as an outstanding prospect but seeing as we're not sure he's signed yet I'll leave it here. Ashton Large, Christian Taupau-Moors and Ashton Large are also players from that Wests Matts side who look very likely to progress to a high level, others may as well.
for me the play that stood out from the tigers game was when Jordan Rikki rag dolled Bateman over the sideline...then he was face to face with stefano and actually looked bigger than him....could any of the players in the list be a Jordan Rikki type player in our back row?
Yes, coming off an injury this year & he has that young physical shape that you’d think would need plenty of footy & a big preseason after this year. Might take him a bit longer to really get up to speed but as you point out needs that long term development.I watched Jordan Miller on the weekend and was really impressed, he is a big unit and hits the line at pace, guys like this need the proper attention and development, cant wait to see what he becomes in the next few years.I've noticed one or two posts suggesting this putting a lot of our faith in the development of players isn't looking all that good at the moment. I think this is an overreaction given we're in the very early stages of the process. But regardless of this I thought it'd be interesting to get some idea of where we think some of these young players are at and who we believe will be playing consistent NRL in the future. Only looking at players 22 or younger. There's a bit of crystal balling but why not eh. Just my opinion on the players so here goes.
For me these guys will be playing plenty of NRL, ages next to their names:
Jahream Bula - 22
Fonua Pole - 21
Samuela Fainu - 20 * (outstanding prospect)
Lachlan Galvin - 18 * (outstanding prospect)
Latu Fainu - 18
Tallyn Da Silva 19
These guys are probably just one level below but still good chances to play plenty of NRL:
Kit Laulilii - 19
Luke Laulilii - 18
Solomone Saukuru - 19
These players might play plenty NRL but still a question mark:
Justin Matamua - 20
Jordan Miller - 19
Tony Sukkar - 19
Chris Faagutu - 20
Josh Feledy - 19
No doubt I've missed a few but that's a pretty good list. In my opinion we'll see the players in those first 2 categories playing in the NRL team 2025 and/or 2026. Obviously could be wrong but that's just how I see it. And we have a couple of gems there too.
I'd also put Heamasi Makasini in that first category as an outstanding prospect but seeing as we're not sure he's signed yet I'll leave it here. Ashton Large, Christian Taupau-Moors and Ashton Large are also players from that Wests Matts side who look very likely to progress to a high level, others may as well.
Lets see how Samuela develops as he’s most likely to match up.for me the play that stood out from the tigers game was when Jordan Rikki rag dolled Bateman over the sideline...then he was face to face with stefano and actually looked bigger than him....could any of the players in the list be a Jordan Rikki type player in our back row?
Heath Mason is another one to add to the 3rd category.
I would have Chris Faagutu in the second list. We need to play him at lock. I read some good comments about Lachlan Broederlow.
I would have Chris Faagutu in the second list. We need to play him at lock. I read some good comments about Lachlan Broederlow.
At lock in first grade?
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Listening to the pod today & Declan mentioned Navren Willett, he’s another one that I’d add to that 3rd category.
I have a bit of a rap on Zakauri Clarke too so from my own point of view I’d add him to the 3rd category. I was told he’d been linked to the Storm but haven’t seen or heard anything.
Faagatu, Feledy, lualilii, Matamua, miller, saukuru, sukkar. These are 7 players in our top30 for 2025 that it is questionable whether they can contribute to our top 17. This leaves very little depth and pressure for spots in our first grade week in week out. To the extent we that these would likely be relatively low contract values it should mean there is more money for genuine first graders. I don’t really think we can or need to invest any further in our backline or halves. Benji needs to resolve how he wants to play the 13 and what to do with our edge forwards.
i am at the point where I want to move Papi on - he is playing solely as a tackle machine which is completely different to the player that we thought we were buying. I still think however in the right system someone will be willing to pay most if not all his contract ($600k for 2025). Sam Fainu runs a great line and is big and tall and athletic enough to be a huge handful.
bateman is a competitor but he is clearly physically outmatched in the modern game. His time has come but I would look to solve the problem of Bateman after we address 13.
off contract Locks are few and far between this year but two that are worth a look at in my view are Jack de bellin (yes yes he is a drop kick but you can’t argue he isn’t a good player) or perhaps bringing back Matt Eisenhuth who has been training as Isaiah yeo’s understudy.
To be honest this season was never one where we would bother the top 8, we have the youngest most inexperienced roster in the comp, for me winning twice as many games as last year is a pass mark. I do however want to give our younger players time in first grade and earlier in the season so they can get taste for it and perhaps head back to lower grade to work on the areas identified. to that end Matamua needs a few games at 13, preferably earlier rather than later, and I would even give Jordan Miller a game on the bench to get a taste of it, he looks big enough to handle it, especially against a bottom 8 team and I like what I see in the way he takes on the line. Latu to 7 and matamua 13 Jordan miller in for seyfarth and sione in for Ice, Ice to replace Klemmer but on the bench. Seyfarth and klemmer need to be punted for a few weeks as punishment for that rubbish at the end of the dogs game. Bateman back to an edge.
I watched the Cup team play yesterday at Lidcombe. I was pleased to see Jordy Miller play a very solid 35 mins, great contact in defence & ran well with the ball. Heath Mason played half and was also solid. Sol Saukuru didn’t get many good opportunities but did carry the ball well. Thought Jay Kirk who has been doing well in Ron Massey on the wing also showed a few good touches, he might have a future.
