I think you can add Jared Haywood to the first category, think he might debut next season. Phoenix Godinet another obvious one who is likely to make a debut 26 or 27. Josese Lanyon and Tino Tavana are others to watch. And a few smokies who could get there by 2027 are Riley Oitmann, Max Taotua, Harry Delaney & Brendan Naicori. There are others but I think that’s a healthy list for now.
I think you can add Jared Haywood to the first category, think he might debut next season. Phoenix Godinet another obvious one who is likely to make a debut 26 or 27. Josese Lanyon and Tino Tavana are others to watch. And a few smokies who could get there by 2027 are Riley Oitmann, Max Taotua, Harry Delaney & Brendan Naicori. There are others but I think that’s a healthy list for now.
Sounds promising
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
After spending last season in the Under-19s SG Ball Cup competition with the Balmain Tigers, Zero Tackle understands that forward Cooper Young has decided to take his talents to the Dragons on a two-year deal for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
A graduate of Ipswich State High School, Young will play for the St George Dragons in the upcoming SG Ball Cup as the club looks to move off the bottom of the ladder and once again be in finals contention.
Already racking up representative honours such as being named in the 2024 Under-17s QLD City team, he is a strong performer on both ends of the field and is normally seen playing either in the front row or at lock.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
Well done Phoenix Godinet. A very cool video and great attitude to do well himself and to see the younger kids learn too. Focussed on now and future of WT.
The Wests Tigers have added another member of the Luai family to their roster as they continue to stack their pathways squads ahead of the 2026 season.
While older brother Jarome headlines the club's new era under coach Benji Marshall at the NRL level, his younger brother Calvary Luai - a promising junior prospect - has been named in the Balmain Tigers squad for the upcoming Under-19s SG Ball Cup season.
Compared to Brian To'o, due to his great carries in attack and good defensive reads, Calvary is coming off a strong campaign with the St Marys Saints in the Don Feltis Cup, in which they won the competition, defeating Minchinbury Jets in the grand final.
Primarily used in the centres, his signing comes as the Balmain Tigers look to rebuild their squad following the departures of Cooper Young (Dragons), Jordan Bunt (Raiders) and Marc Tannous (Sharks), while last year's skipper, Jared Hayward, is no longer eligible for the competition due to his age.
Speaking to Zero Tackle, Luai's club coach Darren Leary described him as a "quiet achiever" who has worked twice as hard over the past 12 months in the hope of playing representative football.
"He's a quiet achiever. He keeps his head down and gets the job done. A totally different player to Jarome," Leary said, Luai's Under-17s St Marys Saints head coach.
"Calvary's just that guy that does it on the football field. He's a very strong centre who takes a lot of carries and lights up the field. I don't think he has unlocked his full potential yet.
"Last year he was very unlucky not to make rep footy but this year he worked twice as hard, working on his fitness, working on his skills and is finally reaping the rewards.
"This wasn't due to his brother or anything, and people might say that, but he's earned this and if he gets the right people to point him in the right direction to guide him, he can be anything.
"He's not willing to shy away from the tough work. He'll take those tough carries and got an awesome passing game as well - a pretty slick flick pass and side pass.
"He just made me feel comfortable. Great defensive decisions. I just want him to get more confidence and back himself a bit more."
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
Well, we need centres and if he can defend well and carry the ball well thats promising... hopefully he is a right sided centre
Could signing Luai Jr could be what was being referred to as "doing the right thing for my family" that would help retain Jerome at the club?
Could signing Luai Jr could be what was being referred to as "doing the right thing for my family" that would help retain Jerome at the club?
Yes, I don’t think it will hurt our chances of retaining him.
The family club 2.0
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
I don’t think it’s related to Luai’s statement at all. The fact is the Tigers, and other clubs, recruit young players from other systems at this age. The Tigers have got a few out of the Panthers system just as other clubs have because it’s the best at the moment. The Tigers don’t have any great kids playing half coming through as far as I know. They’ve actually lost 3 or 4 to other clubs these past two years. They would’ve known of Luai’s brother and knew he’d be worth bringing over to see how he goes.Could signing Luai Jr could be what was being referred to as "doing the right thing for my family" that would help retain Jerome at the club?
Yes, I don’t think it will hurt our chances of retaining him.
The family club 2.0
I don’t think it’s related to Luai’s statement at all. The fact is the Tigers, and other clubs, recruit young players from other systems at this age. The Tigers have got a few out of the Panthers system just as other clubs have because it’s the best at the moment. The Tigers don’t have any great kids playing half coming through as far as I know. They’ve actually lost 3 or 4 to other clubs these past two years. They would’ve known of Luai’s brother and knew he’d be worth bringing over to see how he goes.Could signing Luai Jr could be what was being referred to as "doing the right thing for my family" that would help retain Jerome at the club?
Yes, I don’t think it will hurt our chances of retaining him.
The family club 2.0
I do. I think you are being rather naive there @russtutty63
@joel A small gesture for a big return .. up to the brother to make his mark moving forward but given the opportunity.
Can someone enlighten me on a player that has left the Panthers "system" and gone onto being the star recruit at their new club?
And, please, don't reply with Jarome Luai at WT. That is simply not yet true.
IMO, if Penrith thought Luai Jnr was worth keeping, they'd have kept him.
Can someone enlighten me on a player that has left the Panthers "system" and gone onto being the star recruit at their new club?
And, please, don't reply with Jarome Luai at WT. That is simply not yet true.
IMO, if Penrith thought Luai Jnr was worth keeping, they'd have kept him.
Young Katoa is getting very close at the Phins as well.Can someone enlighten me on a player that has left the Panthers "system" and gone onto being the star recruit at their new club?
And, please, don't reply with Jarome Luai at WT. That is simply not yet true.
IMO, if Penrith thought Luai Jnr was worth keeping, they'd have kept him.
