You could argue a number of others have improved teams e.g Burton, Fisher-Harris, Luai. But as far as becoming star recruits probably Chrichton & Katoa.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.
It’s highly unlikely young Luai will become a star recruit, it’s unlikely he’ll play NRL footy but possible as it is with all teenagers playing Matts or Ball. But all clubs tend to look at other systems if they feel they might be a little light on in some positions. The Tigers have a few halves coming through but they’ve lost Large, Tannous & Alex Isdale in the last 2 years to other clubs.
Not a lot happening right now but as always I think a bit too much about football and this came to mind. It's just a bit of fun I guess but who out of these 17 youngsters at the club do you think will be playing in the top 17 over the next 2-5 years?
J. Attard *
T. Tavana
C. McMenemy
M. Taotua
W. Craig
J. Andrews *
I. Matai
S. Havea Jr
E. Roberts *
P. Godinet *
S. Saukuru *
C. Tapau-Moors *
J. Haywood *
E. Mataale
P. Taateo, L. Broederlow, B. Van Drie, A. Duncome,
The ones with * after their name I believe will play NRL. Others might but difficult to say right now.
Obviously there are a number of guys in that list that might not have been heard of but they've all had a taste of Flegg or higher with the exception of Havea Jr who played Wests Matts and is training with the squad this Summer. All could play Flegg next season with the exception of Tavana (22 next year), Matai (22), Saukuru (22), Taateo (24), Mataale (22) and Broederlow (22).
The Wests Tigers Centre of Rugby League has been officially opened today, following the completion of the project in partnership with Western Sydney University.
The Centre – based within the University’s Campbelltown campus – will become the operational hub for the Club’s community, education and Pathways programs within the region. The new facility will support the important work of Empower and its various community engagement programs, as well as junior rugby league activities to foster growth in participation across the South West.
NSW Rugby League (NSWRL) and NRL Game Development Officers will also be based out of the Centre, to support their ongoing work throughout the region.
The establishment of the Centre is another important element of the Wests Tigers presence in the South West and embeds the Club into a university setting, building on an already established partnership with the University around education, research and student pathways.
The completion of the Centre comes off the back of confirmation of a $50 million redevelopment of Campbelltown Sports Stadium, newly established pathway programs at Eagle Vale High School and the ongoing success of Empower and its programs at local schools.
Wests Tigers CEO, Shane Richardson said the facility would support various elements of the Club’s work in the South West.
“The establishment of this Centre will underpin the work we do right across the region and is directly connected to the Club’s strategic vision,” Richardson said.
“It’s about connecting with our fans, enhancing the great work already being done across our development pathway, and using rugby league as a vehicle to make a positive impact in the community through Empower.
“With NSW Rugby League and NRL also sharing this space, it only strengthens our game’s presence in the South West.
“We’ve already got a fantastic relationship with Western Sydney University and we’re grateful for their ongoing support of Empower and our education programs more broadly.
“It’s a partnership that is so important for our work in the community and I’d like to thank the University for their support in establishing this Centre,” Richardson concluded.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
Thought Saukuru did really well of the bench.Scored in a try in each game.
Lanyon did not make the cut not sure why. Fiji are desperate they might call him up again for this years 2026 world cup.
Thought Saukuru did really well of the bench.Scored in a try in each game.
Lanyon did not make the cut not sure why. Fiji are desperate they might call him up again for this years 2026 world cup.
Welcome to the forum 🐅
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
Looks like a prospect.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
I don’t know how many people were able to watch the Cup trial yesterday v Knights. It was mostly young blokes with a sprinkling of experience. Jack Attard looked good, quick with a great step, likes sniffing around the ruck. Jared Haywood did well although fatigued after 25-30 mins in the heat & began to fall off a tackle here & there. Having spoken to him recently he knows he has to be better in defence but the heat made it tougher yesterday obviously. Charlie Murray worked hard as did Luke Jack who is a real workhorse. But all seemed to show some good signs. Mattai & Andrews were halves, both ok.
I don’t know how many people were able to watch the Cup trial yesterday v Knights. It was mostly young blokes with a sprinkling of experience. Jack Attard looked good, quick with a great step, likes sniffing around the ruck. Jared Haywood did well although fatigued after 25-30 mins in the heat & began to fall off a tackle here & there. Having spoken to him recently he knows he has to be better in defence but the heat made it tougher yesterday obviously. Charlie Murray worked hard as did Luke Jack who is a real workhorse. But all seemed to show some good signs. Mattai & Andrews were halves, both ok.
Thanks for the round up. Really looking forward to seeing how some of these youngsters progress in the next couple of years.
Haywood is not that far off bring needed in first grade I reckon!
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
I don’t know how many people were able to watch the Cup trial yesterday v Knights. It was mostly young blokes with a sprinkling of experience. Jack Attard looked good, quick with a great step, likes sniffing around the ruck. Jared Haywood did well although fatigued after 25-30 mins in the heat & began to fall off a tackle here & there. Having spoken to him recently he knows he has to be better in defence but the heat made it tougher yesterday obviously. Charlie Murray worked hard as did Luke Jack who is a real workhorse. But all seemed to show some good signs. Mattai & Andrews were halves, both ok.
@russtutty63 Russ did you watch the Cupo side this time last year? Comparison??
@russtutty63 it sounds like there is a better standard of player coming through at Cup level compared to past years.
How did Bailey Hodges go out of interest? I've always rated him and in a season where the NRL squad is short at hooker it would be good to see him get a shot.
FYI last year's Cup trial squad is hereI don’t know how many people were able to watch the Cup trial yesterday v Knights. It was mostly young blokes with a sprinkling of experience. Jack Attard looked good, quick with a great step, likes sniffing around the ruck. Jared Haywood did well although fatigued after 25-30 mins in the heat & began to fall off a tackle here & there. Having spoken to him recently he knows he has to be better in defence but the heat made it tougher yesterday obviously. Charlie Murray worked hard as did Luke Jack who is a real workhorse. But all seemed to show some good signs. Mattai & Andrews were halves, both ok.
@russtutty63 Russ did you watch the Cupo side this time last year? Comparison??
https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2025/02/22/pathways-hub---week-4/
Very high turnover of players at Cup level in the last 12 months. I would argue have hoped we'd secure a bit more experience to help younger guys coming through - maybe Hope, Murray, Madden and Herbert can help there?
@russtutty63 it sounds like there is a better standard of player coming through at Cup level compared to past years.
This would be a very welcome development!!
A lot of this year’s Cup side didn’t play last Saturday, mostly youngsters. This week in the preseason challenge we’ll get a good look at most of the Cup team or fringe NRL guys. Watching them today v the NRL boys they acquitted themselves quite well. The spine of Attard, Andrews, Madden & Hope looks good, pretty sharp & I’d think it’s better than last year. Sione, maybe Mav Geyer & Kit look like they could be middles with Broederlow & possibly Tapau-Moors too. Not sure who else given what I saw today. Blake Van Drie is a young 13, captain of Balmain SG Ball played today, good defender so he’ll get minutes this weekend. Obviously a middle from NRL will probably drop back for rd 1, not sure who yet, maybe Mav. So a pack of Kit, Sukkar, Roberts, Sione?, Hope & Mav? is better than last year. Masi, Herbert, Luke L or Jeral & Tino Tavana good outside backs. But I particularly like what I see from Madden at training, very sharp with the ball, vocal & good kicking game.I don’t know how many people were able to watch the Cup trial yesterday v Knights. It was mostly young blokes with a sprinkling of experience. Jack Attard looked good, quick with a great step, likes sniffing around the ruck. Jared Haywood did well although fatigued after 25-30 mins in the heat & began to fall off a tackle here & there. Having spoken to him recently he knows he has to be better in defence but the heat made it tougher yesterday obviously. Charlie Murray worked hard as did Luke Jack who is a real workhorse. But all seemed to show some good signs. Mattai & Andrews were halves, both ok.
@russtutty63 Russ did you watch the Cupo side this time last year? Comparison??
@russtutty63 Madden the only specialist 7 at the club with experience but the 7 seems to be a position at this club that fill in types are used like trying to make a 5/8 a 7 when you have at your disposal a career healthy 7 .
I really like what Jock has been doing at training but it’s difficult to compare him to what AD is doing. To the eye Jock seems to play more up tempo, looks sharp however he is smaller and his gait different to AD. AD might be doing things at a similar speed but because of the difference in running styles it’s hard to say. Both execute well & kick well. I would say that AD has a better running game & is able to break tackles. And that is something that should give defences more to deal with. I think both tackle well but AD could also shift to 13 during a game if required.@russtutty63 Madden the only specialist 7 at the club with experience but the 7 seems to be a position at this club that fill in types are used like trying to make a 5/8 a 7 when you have at your disposal a career healthy 7 .
