Connor Watson anyone? Being chased by us apparently. Good utility/depth/lock option.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
Greg Bird vibes imoConnor Watson anyone? Being chased by us apparently. Good utility/depth/lock option.
Good to see it official!
https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2026/05/28/heamasi-makasini-extends-with-the-tigers-until-2029/
Very happy to lock up such a Talent
Tigers are a club that Good Players want to be at.
Very happy to lock up such a Talent
Tigers are a club that Good Players want to be at.
Big relief. Now, just the two Fainus and we have a solid core.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
Maybe they are trying to add Fainu #4 as part of their negotiations. Those news stories about them all wanting to play together have to have come from somewhere?? 
TIGERS WIELD SALARY CAP AXE
Wests Tigers are set to cut three players in a desperate bid to retain back-row sensation Samuela Fainu.
Sport Confidential understands Alex Seyfarth, Starford Toa and Royce Hunt are three Tigers stars in the firing line as Wests battle salary-cap pressures to upgrade the rampaging Fainu.
The 22-year-old is off-contract next season, making him a free agent from November 1, but the Tigers insist Fainu is going nowhere and want the blockbusting back-rower to ink an upgraded deal.
The only issue the Tigers don’t currently have the salary-cap room to fund a lucrative pay rise for Fainu. They have explorting ways to free-up funds, including jettisoning Hunt, who is off-contract next year, and Seyfarth, who is signed for the 2028 season.
Former Tigers CEO Shane Richardson says Fainu is a future NSW Origin player and could command huge dollars if he goes to the open market.
“Samuela is a true superstar,” he said.
“I think he’s worth at least $750,000 a season. He’s a line-breaking back-rower who can play 80 minutes without a problem and he’s an excellent defender. There’s no downside to him, he ticks all the boxes.
“He’s a great kid with a great attitude and he’s only going to get better.”
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
Not sure Shane Richardson's endorsement of Samuelas earning capacity (and putting a figure on it) is all that helpful for us in our efforts to retain him under the salary cap. Might as well keep Seyfarth as he will have to be paid out anyway.
If we are struggling to retain our best players then adding quality depth players is also going to be problematic.
According to kade7 from the other forum.
- we dont need to shed anything to sign samuela, deal on the table with latu and samuela are 4 year extensions
- starford has been told he is free to go next year, i said this would happen a few weeks back, tigers even considering tipping in, if we had more depth would push for him to move this year
- club does want to sign two experienced nrl
players next year
Surely we haven't churned through the 1.2 million already? We do need to cut a few players though I agree.
Would be interesting to know the clubs direction on what pathways players were banking on and what positions we need to recruit to. From all accounts we've got some great pathways players coming through the next few years, but they'll still be young and inexperienced though I guess.
I'm very positive for the next few years. We've a great core group and youngsters coming up.
TIGERS WIELD SALARY CAP AXE
Wests Tigers are set to cut three players in a desperate bid to retain back-row sensation Samuela Fainu.
Sport Confidential understands Alex Seyfarth, Starford Toa and Royce Hunt are three Tigers stars in the firing line as Wests battle salary-cap pressures to upgrade the rampaging Fainu.
The 22-year-old is off-contract next season, making him a free agent from November 1, but the Tigers insist Fainu is going nowhere and want the blockbusting back-rower to ink an upgraded deal.
The only issue the Tigers don’t currently have the salary-cap room to fund a lucrative pay rise for Fainu. They have explorting ways to free-up funds, including jettisoning Hunt, who is off-contract next year, and Seyfarth, who is signed for the 2028 season.
Former Tigers CEO Shane Richardson says Fainu is a future NSW Origin player and could command huge dollars if he goes to the open market.
“Samuela is a true superstar,” he said.
“I think he’s worth at least $750,000 a season. He’s a line-breaking back-rower who can play 80 minutes without a problem and he’s an excellent defender. There’s no downside to him, he ticks all the boxes.
“He’s a great kid with a great attitude and he’s only going to get better.”
I dont believe this article
Tigers always get clicks.
There is no way Tigers are letting Alex Seyfarth Go. There are others less deserving of a contract
Connor Watson anyone? Being chased by us apparently. Good utility/depth/lock option.
Code Sports reporting he signed with PNG for 2028
From ‘Ryan on the Sideline’ on Facebook:
WATCH THIS SPACE: Broncos Cap Squeeze Puts Jesse Arthars Back on Wests Tigers Radar
Earlier this year, the Wests Tigers showed anyone paying attention that they were deeply unhappy with their right-centre stocks. Starford To’a started the 2026 season with heavily restricted elbow movement and strength, triggering a rapid chain reaction that saw right-side centres Patrick Herbert contract upgraded, Danny Gabrael signed to KOE Cup, and the club looking at Bronson Xerri, although publicly denied.
At that time, I heard the club was genuinely trying to pull off an immediate coup, making serious enquiries to lure NRL-ready players like Redcliffe's Jake Averillo and Brisbane’s Jesse Arthars down south. Those early release requests were flatly shot down by their respective clubs. While Arthars isn’t a regular right-centre, he has clear experience in the position, proven versatility anywhere in the backline, and is undeniably an NRL-standard player.
Now, the landscape has completely shifted. The Broncos have officially confirmed that Arthars will not fit under their 2027 salary cap. With Arthars inevitably hitting the open market and the Tigers' backline depth in desperate need of proven quality, expect Concord's interest to reignite immediately.
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Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!