@jedi-tiger we have to remember the incoming Australian captain started out in the backs in Isaha. Bird should be given first crack at the lock position. He’s a competitor, not slow and has a footy brain. Something we’ve lacked for such a long time. In fact the (c) wouldn’t look out of place 🤷♂️
Interesting, hadn’t considered Bird for the (c) myself.
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@jedi-tiger we have to remember the incoming Australian captain started out in the backs in Isaha. Bird should be given first crack at the lock position. He’s a competitor, not slow and has a footy brain. Something we’ve lacked for such a long time. In fact the (c) wouldn’t look out of place 🤷♂️
hopefully we get hetherington to play 13
we don't have good centres, I don't want naden or to'a anywhere near first grade
Ok, so how do we think we play Luai and Galvin? Replicate the Panthers where Luai is welded into the left edge? Or does he play a more traditional halfback role? How do we optimise Galvin and Luai as a combo?
It’s exciting, the potential is there to be as good a combo as Cleary and Luai.
Benji made plenty of mistakes this year, but the biggest was playing Galvin on the left. Knowing Luai was coming, it was crazy to play the kid on the left and now we have switch him to the right.
Both should definitely play both sides, but even doing that they will predominantly spend more time on one side. Luai being the senior half and left foot kick keeps that side.
Major stuff up by Benji. Actually makes me angry how stupid it was.
Start this by saying I am not a Trent Barrett fan however he would have been a better option to run our attack that Brett Hodgson.
Can't see Barrett ha going around when madge gets to Brisbane.
The way I see it, this is the basis of a competitive team for next year and the areas of obvious weakness.
1. Bula
2. Skelton
3. Olam (fully fit)
4. Weakness (options Turuva, To'a, Faataape, Bird)
5. Turuva / Luke L
6. Galvin
7 Luai
8. Klem
9. Api
10 Weakness (options Pole, Twal, Sione, Johannsen, Hunt)
11. Samuela Fainu
12. Weakness (options Bateman, Seyfarth, Bird)
13. Pole (Options Bird, Seyfarth)
Bench
TDS
Latu
Hunt
Seyfarth
Twal
Sione
Mason
Desperately need a prop, 2RF, maybe a centre
The way I see it, this is the basis of a competitive team for next year and the areas of obvious weakness.
1. Bula
2. Skelton
3. Olam (fully fit)
4. Weakness (options Turuva, To'a, Faataape, Bird)
5. Turuva / Luke L
6. Galvin
7 Luai
8. Klem
9. Api
10 Weakness (options Pole, Twal, Sione, Johannsen)
11. Samuela Fainu
12. Weakness (options Bateman, Seyfarth, Bird)
13. Pole (Options Bird, Seyfarth)
Bench
TDS
Latu
Seyfarth
Twal
Sione
Mason
Desperately need a prop, 2RF, maybe a centre
Thank goodness the weaknesses aren’t spine players!
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
The way I see it, this is the basis of a competitive team for next year and the areas of obvious weakness.
1. Bula
2. Skelton
3. Olam (fully fit)
4. Weakness (options Turuva, To'a, Faataape, Bird)
5. Turuva / Luke L
6. Galvin
7 Luai
8. Klem
9. Api
10 Weakness (options Pole, Twal, Sione, Johannsen)
11. Samuela Fainu
12. Weakness (options Bateman, Seyfarth, Bird)
13. Pole (Options Bird, Seyfarth)
Bench
TDS
Latu
Seyfarth
Twal
Sione
Mason
Desperately need a prop, 2RF, maybe a centre
Thank goodness the weaknesses aren’t spine players!
Its getting close to a decent side. Really regret letting Papalii go. Also I forgot Hunt who Ive put on the bench in the original post.
It was supposed to be the dawn of a new era at Concord in 2024 with Benji Marshall taking over from Tim Sheens to try and lift the Wests Tigers out of the doldrums.
Yet the rookie coach endured a difficult campaign in the hot seat as his young side slumped to a third consecutive wooden spoon.
A few headline names will now walk through the door and be tasked with finally ending the Tigers' misery.
Jarome Luai will walk into Concord fresh off the back of his fourth premiership win in a row at Penrith.
The former Panthers playmaker has been at the opposite end of the spectrum from the Tigers throughout his NRL career and it is hoped his winning mentality will rub off on an inexperienced outfit.
The Samoan captain will accompany rising star Lachlan Galvin in the halves with the duo looking good on paper.
And when you factor in that Jahream Bula will be out the back and Api Koroisau will be dishing out service from dummy-half, suddenly things look more promising than they have been for a long time at the Tigers.
Wests Tigers predicted team list for Round 1
1. Jahream Bula
2. Sunia Turuva
3. Justin Olam
4. Adam Doueihi
5. Charlie Staines
6. Lachlan Galvin
7. Jarome Luai
8. Royce Hunt
9. Api Koroisau
10. David Klemmer
11. Samuela Fainu
12. John Bateman
13. Jack Bird
14. Latu Fainu
15. Alex Seyfarth
16. Fonua Pole
17. Alex Twal
A shoulder injury prematurely ended Jahream Bula's previous campaign but the fullback will be back on deck for the opening round.
Sunia Turuva will join his fellow Fijian flyer in the backline after leaving the Panthers as a two-time premiership winner, while on the other flank Charlie Staines may get first crack ahead of new recruit Jeral Skelton and teenage prospect Kit Laulilii.
An experienced centre pairing of Justin Olam and Adam Doueihi is most likely to be fielded first up, with both players expected to be fully recovered from their knee injuries by Round 1.
Starford To'a may be able to force his way into calculations after an injury-plagued season restricted him to just three appearances in 2024.
Rugby union convert Heamasi Makasini is also one to watch, although the coach may opt to slowly introduce the teenager into NRL action.
Meanwhile, Junior Tupou has left for the Dolphins, Brent Naden appears to be on the outer and Solomona Faataape faces a tough fight to keep hold of his spot in the centres.
Jarome Luai will have the weight of the club on his shoulders when he takes the No.7 jersey off the departed Aidan Sezer, while Lachlan Galvinwill lineup at five-eighth after a stellar rookie season.
New signing Royce Hunt will replace Stefano Utoikamanu in the front row after the young forward elected to jump ship to Melbourne.
If Benji wants some experienced heads from the off, David Klemmer looms as the most logical starter alongside Hunt.
Api Koroisau will lead the side from dummy-half, with support coming off the bench from Latu Fainu, Tallyn Da Silva or Bud Sullivan.
John Bateman's future at the Tigers is clouded but he will return from his short-term loan at Warrington and still have two years remaining on his deal.
If the English international sticks around, he is set to start on an edge along with Samuela Fainu, with Isaiah Papali'i moving on to the Panthers.
Jack Bird has made the switch from St George Illawarra and will likely be handed the No.13 jersey with the Tigers often struggling to land on a regular lock in 2024.
Alex Seyfarth, Fonua Pole and Alex Twal are likely to grab bench spots in the side for the opening clash with Sione Fainu and Jordan Miller possibly in the frame for the 17.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
From Fox Sports:
Predicted team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Justin Olam 4. Adam Doueihi 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Royce Hunt 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Jack Bird 12. Samuela Fainu 13. John Bateman 14. Latu Fainu 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Fonua Pole 17. Alex Twal
Analysis: Jahream Bulla will be the fullback with former Panthers premiership winners Sunia Turuvain his first season at the Tigers and new recruit Jeral Skeltonon the wings. Justin Olam and Adam Doueihi both return from injury in a new look centre pairing. Young gun Lachlan Galvin is set to be the five-eighth, with star recruitJarome Luai beginning life as a full-time NRL halfback after his switch from the Panthers. Former Sharks enforcer Royce Hunt joins the front row alongside David Kelmmer, after Stefano Utoikamanu’s switch to the Storm.Skipper Api Koroisau will be the hooker. Recruit and former Dragons star Jack Bird might start in the pack, given the club’s lack of depth and will partner Samuela Fainu in the back row, with John Bateman returning from the UK at lock. Latu Fainu will be the bench utility, with Alex Seyfarth, Fonua Pole and Alex Twal rounding out the bench rotation.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
