From Zero Tackle. I guess you can’t keep em all.
A member of the Western Suburbs Magpies side in the Under-17s Harold Matthews Cup for the past two seasons, Thomas Goodfield has decided to take his talents to the Penrith Panthers and will step up into the Under-19s SG Ball Cup competition in 2026
Goodfield, who can play either on the wing or in the centres, is one of the most promising outside backs in the Tigers' pathways system and made an immediate impact after arriving at the club in 2024.
Named in last year's Under-16s NSW City team, the Camden Rams junior will look to continue his form next season as he continues to progress up through the rugby league ranks.
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Seen him play, mostly games in Matts last year & did like him. He played on the wing then but was moved to fullback this year. Pretty tenacious & good speed without being lightning quick. Was a little light but at that age obviously plenty of time to build up physically. Would’ve been nice to keep him but Shannon Gallant will be looking around for good, young players to come into our system too. I think Haywood & Tapau-Moors might’ve been playing in the Panthers system before coming to Tigers but not sure. They both played Patrician Brothers Blacktown for schoolboys. We currently have a few in Flegg from Dog’s system as well.From Zero Tackle. I guess you can’t keep em all.
A member of the Western Suburbs Magpies side in the Under-17s Harold Matthews Cup for the past two seasons, Thomas Goodfield has decided to take his talents to the Penrith Panthers and will step up into the Under-19s SG Ball Cup competition in 2026
Goodfield, who can play either on the wing or in the centres, is one of the most promising outside backs in the Tigers' pathways system and made an immediate impact after arriving at the club in 2024.
Named in last year's Under-16s NSW City team, the Camden Rams junior will look to continue his form next season as he continues to progress up through the rugby league ranks.
Just checked & Haywood played in the Tigers system.Seen him play, mostly games in Matts last year & did like him. He played on the wing then but was moved to fullback this year. Pretty tenacious & good speed without being lightning quick. Was a little light but at that age obviously plenty of time to build up physically. Would’ve been nice to keep him but Shannon Gallant will be looking around for good, young players to come into our system too. I think Haywood & Tapau-Moors might’ve been playing in the Panthers system before coming to Tigers but not sure. They both played Patrician Brothers Blacktown for schoolboys. We currently have a few in Flegg from Dog’s system as well.From Zero Tackle. I guess you can’t keep em all.
A member of the Western Suburbs Magpies side in the Under-17s Harold Matthews Cup for the past two seasons, Thomas Goodfield has decided to take his talents to the Penrith Panthers and will step up into the Under-19s SG Ball Cup competition in 2026
Goodfield, who can play either on the wing or in the centres, is one of the most promising outside backs in the Tigers' pathways system and made an immediate impact after arriving at the club in 2024.
Named in last year's Under-16s NSW City team, the Camden Rams junior will look to continue his form next season as he continues to progress up through the rugby league ranks.
I’ve been having a chat with the boys from the Wests Tigers Faithful podcast, as you might be aware a lot of their content centres around the youngsters coming through, and we’re going to do a pod soon that looks at the state of the juniors and who we should be excited about as developing talents.
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The Wests Tigers continue to strengthen their depth across the men’s Pathways, with the futures of a trio of highly talented youngsters secured for 2026 and beyond.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
I’m not sure how many of you managed to catch the Flegg game yesterday at Lidcombe but if any of you did I’m sure you would’ve come away very impressed with Jared Haywood. His work at dummy half is terrific for an 18 year old. Very unselfish& gets them onto the ball & is obviously one play ahead. He’s a very smart footy player. It would not surprise at all if he usurps Tristan Hope in the pecking order next year.
I’m not sure how many of you managed to catch the Flegg game yesterday at Lidcombe but if any of you did I’m sure you would’ve come away very impressed with Jared Haywood. His work at dummy half is terrific for an 18 year old. Very unselfish& gets them onto the ball & is obviously one play ahead. He’s a very smart footy player. It would not surprise at all if he usurps Tristan Hope in the pecking order next year.
Sounds really promising, thanks for the report.
Very important that he becomes a genuine NRL talent over the next 18 months.
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It’s hilarious that TDs is playing 20min behind ryley smith at the eels when he didn’t want to play behind api. Hopefully this Haywood kid has a huge offseason and can play that role next year.
It’s hilarious that TDs is playing 20min behind ryley smith at the eels when he didn’t want to play behind api. Hopefully this Haywood kid has a huge offseason and can play that role next year.
Yeah, could end up being a short term stint with the slimy Eels.
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As part of the Wests Tigers continued investment into its pathways, the club is pleased to confirm that Brad Speechley has moved into a full-time position as Pathways Coordinator (Wests/Macarthur).
The role will cover junior representative and development programs across Wests Tigers Macarthur Junior Rugby League (JRL) and Group 6 JRL, spanning from U/13’s through to SG Ball Cup.
Speechley, already working with the club in a part-time capacity, said the transition into a full-time role was an exciting prospect.
“I’ve been around the area for four or five years, so I’ve got a pretty good relationship with a lot of the stakeholders, and I know the junior pathways kids, so I’m invested in seeing it be successful,” Speechley said.
“We’ve got a strong grassroots area out there and I’m keen on making it bigger and giving kids plenty of opportunity to grow.”
In addition to overseeing the nursery of talent in the southwest, Speechley will be tasked with community engagement, and relationship building with NSWRL, local clubs, and schools.
Wests Tigers Head of Pathways, Bronson Harrison said Speechley’s appointment would lay an important platform for the continued growth of the club’s pathways.
“Brad brings extensive experience through his work with NRL Development and his current role as the captain-coach at Camden Rams Rugby League Club,” Harrison said.
“He is a proud local with a deep connection to the area and coupled with his expertise and passion for our game, he was the ideal appointment for what’s a critical role to the development of rugby league in the southwest.
“Brad will lead on key strategic partnerships throughout the region and ensure our players, families, coaches, performance staff, and community remain strongly connected to the Wests Tigers pathway,” Harrison concluded.
In discussing key aspects of his new role, Speechley said he would be immediately focused on program coordination, talent identification and coach development.
“At the moment, I’m organising trials and also doing a fair bit of talent ID, going out to a lot of the junior games and just talking to a lot of people within the area,” Speechley said.
“My role also entails working with coaches on coach education and balancing out our program so that we can give the kids a good development program and get better in our pathways.
“I’ll also be working with Eagle Vale closely on their rugby league program and building that out.
“I’m trying to create NRL players for Wests Tigers and it starts very early.
We’re looking to continue to grow and refine these existing pathways, to support the players in our area and build their game each day.
Brad SpeechleyWests Tigers Pathways Coordinator (Wests/Macarthur)
Speechley said helping kids feel connected to Wests Tigers is vital for long-term success.
“It’s a strong area, especially for rugby league, and Eagle Vale’s going to offer another aspect, where we’ll provide resources for them to get better and be proud of being part of the Wests Tigers community.
“It’s a great community, with a strong competition and a wealth of talent, so the main thing for me is just giving them the opportunity to grow.”
https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2025/09/09/speechley-elevated-to-full-time-pathways-role/
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@joel Maybe it had nothing to do with API maybe he left knowing Haywood was the chosen one and thought the writing was on the wall .. just saying .,
The Wests Tigers have confirmed the coaches charged with leading the club’s Harold Matthews Cup (U16) and SG Ball Cup (U19) programs for 2026.
The club’s junior representative programs – which feature teams for both Balmain and Western Suburbs – will be guided by a collection of experienced hands across the Head Coach, Assistant Coach and Skills Coach roles.
Wests Tiger #87 and 2005 Premiership winner, Pat Richards will take the reins of Western Suburbs Harold Matthews side, having previously been involved in mentoring outside backs along the club’s Pathway.
Richards will be assisted by Premiership-winning teammate and Wests Tiger #15, John Skandalis, a figure synonymous with rugby league in the southwest. Skandalis’ experience will prove invaluable to young forwards coming through the club’s Pathway.
Nathan Lakeman will continue in his role with the Magpies SG Ball side, having finished just one win outside the top eight in 2025.
The Balmain Tigers SG Ball set up will be led by New Zealand international and Premiership winner, Roy Asotasi. The former prop has been working in the physical performance space since his retirement, as well as coaching roles with the Coogee Dolphins and within the Bulldogs Pathways. Asotasi brings a wealth of knowledge from elite level environments for the next wave of talent from the club’s Inner West catchment.
Asotasi will be joined on his coaching staff by Wests Tiger #115 Tim Moltzen, with the former playmaker set to work with the side’s halves and outside backs.
Balmain’s Harold Matthews side will also have a new coach in Andrew Kazzi, with the former Lebanese international assuming the Head Coaching role having served as an Assistant in 2025, in addition to an Assistant Coach/Trainer role with the Wests Tigers Jersey Flegg during their most recent campaign.
Kazzi – along with Pat Richards – will also coach within the Wests Tigers Cubs Program, an important initiative connecting the club’s multiple catchments, designed to help players transition to the next phase of their rugby league development across multiple age groups.
These latest appointments inject significant NRL playing experience into the club’s junior coaching ranks, as it continues to align and strengthen its Pathways across the Inner West and Southwest.
Further appointments into specialist coaching and support roles for each program will be confirmed in the coming months.
Wests Tigers Head of Pathways, Bronson Harrison said this latest series of appointments were significant in the direction of the club’s junior programs.
“We’re really pleased to have secured the services of some talented young coaches, but more importantly people who embody the values of our club,” Harrison said.
“The quality and strength of our Pathway both next year and beyond is heavily influenced by the coaching and mentorship our players are exposed to, we’re very happy with the variety of coaches who will be working across our programs in 2026.
Bronson HarrisonHead of Pathways
“We’ve been able to attract former players who have been at the very top of our game, the expertise and advice they can provide to our young players will be invaluable. We’ve also brought in coaches with strong connections to the Wests Tigers and our catchments, which is important for the role these programs play in the community.”
Pathway Coaching profiles:
Pat Richards: An NRL Premiership winner with Wests Tigers in 2005, Pat Richards was a tall and powerful winger. Richards played 119 NRL matches for Wests Tigers and Parramatta, as well as 218 Super League matches for Wigan and Catalans. Richards time in England was also filled with success, winning two Super League titles and two Challenge Cups with Wigan.
Nathan Lakeman: Nathan Lakeman will remain the Wests Magpies SG Ball Cup in 2026. Lakeman played for Wests Magpies in 1996 before moving into coaching. Nathan has also spent time in the Bulldogs Pathways coaching setup.
Roy Asotasi: A veteran of 217 NRL matches for South Sydney and Canterbury, Roy Asotasi has been renowned for his expertise in building team culture and was frequently deemed as the key on-field contributor to turning the South Sydney Rabbitohs around. In more recent times, Asotasi has coached the Coogee Dolphins, while also spending time with the Bulldogs Pathways in a mentoring role. Roy was a member of Canterbury’s 2004 premiership-winning team and played in 53 Super League matches for Warrington.
Andrew Kazzi: A Lebanese international, Kazzi also donned Wests Tigers colours in the NSW Cup and National Youth Competition. Kazzi was an Assistant Coach for Balmain’s SG Ball Cup side in 2025.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
A few jobs for the boys in here
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
