Hello mate - Do you know much about Siotame Havea Jr? We've signed him to a development deal till 2027. Hear very good things about him.
Many thanks
from wests tigers faithful:
Siotame Havea – Lock
Those familiar with the Wests pathways system will know Tame's story. A genuine 5/8 with the toughness of a prop, Tame is the ideal lock forward for the modern game.
His ability to know which option to take when taking the ball to the line is uncanny. He has the no-look short ball at the line, he can fire the ball out the back after biting in deep to attract the opposition, and he can take effective hitups and find his feet.
Other side of the ball, he's just as effective. He hits flush in the midsection. He's also criminally underrated at stripping the pill.
While it was certainly disappointing to see Wests HM fall off a cliff when Tame went down injured, it wasn't entirely surprising. He seriously is that good. A genuinely brilliant leader for his age as well.
Trust me when I say that providing he continues on his current trajectory, this kid is a genuinely elite-level talent. I simply can't wait to see him progress.
Same source on Tavana:
Tino Tavana – Wing / Fullback
The kid with the highlights. Air Tino as he's been effectively dubbed by @NBWT__ spends more time in the air than an A380. Possessing flair and x-factor seldom seen, Tino has a knack of producing highlight reel moments most weeks.
That said, there is things to work on. His yardage carry needs work and time and effort needs to be put into his defence, but his underrated ballplaying ability makes him a prospect worth keeping an eye on.
He was rewarded with the chance to trial with the NRL side after a preseason in which he trained his arse off. It's those qualities that make me think Tino will take this opportunity with both hands.
Think he's every chance of landing a spot on the right wing for NSW Cup next year.
Same source on the lock:
Blake Van Drie – Lock
Blake is the quintessential story of hard work and effort. Poached from the North Sydney Bears to play for Balmain, Shannon Gallant unearthed a rough diamond that has all the hard working attributes recruitment managers look for in young players.
Van Drie was a crucial cog in the wheel in the early rounds where Balmain of this year's SG Ball season when they shot to second on the ladder. His impact, work rate and desire to get stuck in is what's led him to getting a senior T&T contract.
Mac recalled on the pod a couple weeks back a game when Blake got whacked multiple times in a row and then got up again and ran a courage line near the line to score. There's very few players with that attitude. It's why Blake's been identified and promoted within the ranks.
Admittedly I'm unsure on how old Blake is, but I'd anticipate he gets some time in Jersey Flegg next year at some point. I wouldn't be surprised if he continues to come off the bench but I reckon there's a fair chance he gets some reps at 9 as well.
Sounds like we’ve got some good ones coming through 👍👍
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
surely we are in the market for NAs:
Brandon Smith has hinted that Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui could be on his way back to Melbourne.
Speaking on The Bye Round podcast, Smith said he’d “heard something about Melbourne” – with the Storm potentially making a big roster move to create cap space (NAS)
More than happy to acquire big Nelson as long as we're not paying his whole salary currently 900k. Would be comfortable contributing 500-600k with Melbourne paying the rest.
Still have enough to get another prop i.e. Toby Crosby from the Warriors to develop.
More than happy to acquire big Nelson as long as we're not paying his whole salary currently 900k. Would be comfortable contributing 500-600k with Melbourne paying the rest.
Still have enough to get another prop i.e. Toby Crosby from the Warriors to develop.
yes I would assume Melbourne would have to pay in 300kish to clear him off the books. His output from a 900k deal haven’t been up to standard but at a contract closer to what Terrell is on. It would be a great balance to our pack and be another great experienced head in the squad.
It’d obviously be a coup for the club but there’s so much going on right now. There’s talk of this rugby union rebel league 360 or some such thing, the new Perth Bears & clubs like the Knights, Manly, Eels, Dragons, Titans if Tino leaves, possibly Panthers and our own club all keen to add middles. Clubs are trying to free up money to have a crack at the likes of Tino and possibly NAS. This is actually good thing for the Storm as they might not need to pay any of NAS’s contract should they release him as clubs are desperate & will compete for his signature. The less the Storm might have to contribute to NAS’s contract should they release him the more space in their Cap to pay Tino. And they’re a smart club & they’d know that now is the perfect time to do this.surely we are in the market for NAs:
Brandon Smith has hinted that Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui could be on his way back to Melbourne.
Speaking on The Bye Round podcast, Smith said he’d “heard something about Melbourne” – with the Storm potentially making a big roster move to create cap space (NAS)
It’d obviously be a coup for the club but there’s so much going on right now. There’s talk of this rugby union rebel league 360 or some such thing, the new Perth Bears & clubs like the Knights, Manly, Eels, Dragons, Titans if Tino leaves, possibly Panthers and our own club all keen to add middles. Clubs are trying to free up money to have a crack at the likes of Tino and possibly NAS. This is actually good thing for the Storm as they might not need to pay any of NAS’s contract should they release him as clubs are desperate & will compete for his signature. The less the Storm might have to contribute to NAS’s contract should they release him the more space in their Cap to pay Tino. And they’re a smart club & they’d know that now is the perfect time to do this.surely we are in the market for NAs:
Brandon Smith has hinted that Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui could be on his way back to Melbourne.
Speaking on The Bye Round podcast, Smith said he’d “heard something about Melbourne” – with the Storm potentially making a big roster move to create cap space (NAS)
Our pitch: we have a better squad than all of these teams, we have Benji.
Whyte is exactly the kind of player we need. Massive impact and power without the Tino/Haas paycheck. Cant see it happeningHopefully Robbo from the Roosters has another brain fart and decides to offload Naufahu Whyte or Spencer in the off-season.
Roosters forwards dismantled the Bulldogs
Totally agree! He's the form prop of the competition IMO. Watching him when played the Roosters at Alliance was an eye-opener, he was probably the best prop on the ground in a losing team and continually got the Chooks on the front foot.
And best of all, he is emerging elite not currently elite. Pay him elite money but know he will still have high output at the end of the contract unlike many other big-name forwards signed in their prime.
Does NAS make us a top 8 team?
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
Zero Tackle and Fox saying big Royce might be off to the super league.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
