Tui Kamikamica has missed only about a dozen or so games the past 4 years at the Storm. He’s also represented Fiji several times during that period so pretty reliable in terms of his durability.
I actually think Tino would fit in really well with the culture and game plan Benji is putting together at the Tigers. How the Dogs or Storm could afford him is a mystery. Storm had to contort themselves to get Stephanie under their "cap"https://twitter.com/LeagueScenePod/status/1981115903774511375
Tino said he wants to go to a contender. So that counts us out.
You’d have to think Perth would have a crack especially if they can’t get Grant as he’s who’d be top of my list. They need a marquee signing so if they could get Grant it’d mean the Storm could find room for Tino but only if they found a 9 who was on a small contract. The Eels would have some coin too I imagine & Ryles would love him but not quite a contender. November will be very interesting, plenty of negotiating between players and clubs, could take up most of the last couple of months of this year.Tino said he wants to go to a contender. So that counts us out.
For a club like Perth this is a great time to look at Storm players for marquee or just building a team. Grant & Papenhuyzen are both free to negotiate Nov’ 1st, Wishart is testing the market and Blore & Warbrick also could test the market I think. Other club might also have a look at a few of those guys.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
Fingers crossed the Tino thing shakes someone free for us to nab.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
Obviously every club would love to have Haas or Tino in their pack, both and you’d be doing pretty well. But let’s assume neither are likely to come to Wests Tigers, a pretty good assumption to make I’d think, so what player(s) would you target looking at 2027?
Here’s a few I think we should try to get over here:
Firstly I’d throw as much as I could to get Koloamatangi to the club. I doubt I’d even look at any other big names if I could get him. He’d be 29 in 2027 and played about 150 games. A 3 year deal would be ideal imo. He’d bring size and mobility to our front row as well as experience. Bring through Tapau-Moors and one or two other young props and go from there.
2. Hamish Stewart from the Dragons. I’m surprised he’s still not signed up over there but they’re probably looking at it and maybe someone like NAS before knowing exactly what can be done. He’s big, young and plays middle (13), could really develop into that mobile prop over time.
3. Josh Curran, I think he’d be about 27 or 28 but only in that 150 game range. Plenty of mobility, fit and experienced, could add plenty value to the bench.
4. Billy Burns, will also be about 27 in two years so his best is probably about now and next 5 years. Can play middle & edge or just add value to the bench. Another big, mobile forward, ideal for the modern game.
Moses Leota is a dream Front row partner for TDM
Another would be an absolute gun 2nd rower like Haumole Olakau'atu.
Just imagine him and Samuela
@enumerator Hamuole and Samuela would absolutely tear up an opposition defence. Imagine Luai/Latu/Bula playing off the back of them. That would probably be more effective than adding another middle to what we already have. KPP as depth off the bench. Sam could also cover the middle in a pinch.
I actually see Samuelas development path following Hamuoles. They would feed off each other on the field.
My reading of the Bula situation based on his commentary is that he will take up his option if we don't, however he is not committing to the Tigers long term. Should he sign a new contract (to appease mo$e$) it will be for no more than 3 years i.e. only a 1 year extension on top of his current commitment.
Haumole & Leota would be nice but both contracted for at least another 2 years. Was mainly thinking about players off contract end of 2026 & available for 2027.
Liam Henry is another who would be a good addition. I don’t know Suli Pole’s situation at the Storm or Ativalu Lisati but both are worth looking at. Would love Suli as he’s a big, young guy who has plenty going for him. But I suspect the Storm very keen on him and Cooper Clarke. Would be nice to pick up a young prospect from the Storm though.
When I look at Koloamatangi I see some similarities to AFB. But I would say right now there’s more upside to Koloamatangi. AFB is 3 years older than Koloamatangi and has played 80 more games. Koloamatangi also offers more mobility and some versatility. I don’t think he won’t re-sign with Souths but if he tests the market November than hopefully we can have crack.
