It would put Bula at risk. Love Paps but I think he is the wrong side of age wise and consistent injuries would be very risky. Slater rates Bula highly, and we need to develop him. Don’t think we’ve even seen half of what Bula will develop into. I’d rather play the long game here.@helmesy will be almost 28 by the time he is available and has a injury riddled history - no thanks rather Bula who is already signed and spend the money elsewhere
What if we could get him for 2025?
It would put Bula at risk. Love Paps but I think he is the wrong side of age wise and consistent injuries would be very risky. Slater rates Bula highly, and we need to develop him. Don’t think we’ve even seen half of what Bula will develop into. I’d rather play the long game here.@helmesy will be almost 28 by the time he is available and has a injury riddled history - no thanks rather Bula who is already signed and spend the money elsewhere
What if we could get him for 2025?
I like Bula, still has a fair bit he can improve. For me it all comes down to coaching for him now, hopefully he gets it.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
Ryan Papenhuyzen might soon be available. What do we think?
I like Paps as a player and bloke, but unfortunately he is not for us. He is limited in where he can play at fullback or maybe 6 but they are both position swe are fluch with. If he could play centre, maybe but Melbourne have offered him $750K, he is not coming here for less and not worth it for his value to this team.
For which top 30 spot?we may be after Harrison Hassett from Penrith for second row ?
Why the hell would you let Pole go to Storm early unless it is for NAS?For which top 30 spot?we may be after Harrison Hassett from Penrith for second row ?
not sure perhaps Pole goes to Storm a year early who knows
True that, I don’t think we’re in any position to trade him for a back.
I honestly can’t see NAS coming here.
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I'm starting to think I would prefer Tui to NAS. Not sure NAS is the type of player that will excel at the Tigers, whereas Tui has a bit less impact in attack (Hunt and Pole should be able to cover for this), he is an exceptional defender, plays longer minutes and is less drama. I still think something has to give at Melbourne, they have too many middles and could barely sign Stef due to the condition of their cap.
@lorenzo spot on mate,think bateman could be a decent player for us next sea given a chance
Had Bateman not been given the chance to be good the past 2 years?
Correct. I doubt Bateman is going to be any better than what we’ve seen already. He’s over 30 now and his best years are clearly well behind him.
yes but he will have a half in Laui that will give his edge backrowers better ball. Remember we haven’t had a good half at the club in over a decade. Look what ice did when at parramatta.
Pole is likely gone anyway in 2026, we need roster spots
Yep roster spots would have to be the no.1 priority. We need to shed some that won’t help us to move forward.
Why the hell would you let Pole go to Storm early unless it is for NAS?For which top 30 spot?we may be after Harrison Hassett from Penrith for second row ?
not sure perhaps Pole goes to Storm a year early who knows
Pole is likely gone anyway in 2026, we need roster spots
We need forwards for 2025 and Pole is one of our few decent forwards. Who are you replacing him with?
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
This is great to hear re Pole. Hope he's keen to be a part of our resurgence
The fact that this is reportedly happening in the final few days prior to Nov 1 indicated to me that he is intending to leave and they are throwing one last hail mary at him to try to keep him or at least say they tried their best. If he was a chance of staying IMO he would have already signed.
