@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!
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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.
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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!
Player profiles updated on the official site.
https://www.weststigers.com.au/teams/?competition=111&team=500023
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Only 28 in that group. Bateman gone it seems. Hopefully we sign May and Sione. And someone please get rid of the Brydens logo.
RLPA stepped in again with Bateman it seems club wanted him back 21 December and he was thinking 28ndecember which would be during Christmas break so basically reporting to Concord in new year.
unbelievable
Article indicated warrington was keen to keep him however his wife being Australian wanted to come home due to her high flying job
Let's hope manly take Bateman off our hands
Wests Tigers issue breach notices to five players who failed pre-season fitness standards
The Wests Tigers have put their entire playing roster on notice regarding a shift in the wooden spoon winning club’s expectations with five players failing to meet pre-season fitness goals.
Brent Read and David Riccio
The Wests Tigers have ushered in a new era of accountability after it emerged that up to five players had been given official breaches for not meeting strict fitness guidelines on their return for pre-season training.
This masthead understands that the entire playing group were given - and agreed to fitness standards - at their exit interviews at the end of last season.
They were expected to meet those standards on their return for pre-season training or face the consequences. The club has been true to its word by issuing official warnings to a handful of players who didn’t meet the expectations required by club officials.
It is understood at least two of the players concerned will be required to front the club’s board to explain why they live up to their end of the bargain.
Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson has made it clear in recent weeks that the club will demand the highest standards from its playing group as they look to avoid a fourth consecutive wooden spoon.
The fact that as many as five players have been given official warnings is confirmation that the club is drawing a line in the sand when it comes to discipline.
While the future of forward John Bateman has been at the centre of much of the off-season debate around the Tigers, the entire playing group have been called on to lift the standards.
As recently as last weekend, Richardson laid a marker for the upcoming season when he told this masthead that players would have to meet expectations or face the consequences.
“Players have to live up to what the standards are of a team that’s going to be successful,” Richardson said.
“There’s no stone unturned about the discipline the club requires to be successful. I’ve got to say overall, I’ve had no major pushback on that.
“So the players have got to understand that Benji’s way is the way. It’s as simple as that. And if they want to play first grade at the club, they have to understand it is under what Benji’s rules are. It’s got nothing to do with between young players and older players.
“We have won three straight wooden spoons. We are just not going to accept anything that is not absolutely of the higher standards for culture and for training and everything else.”
Tigers powerbrokers are confident that the club is heading in the right direction and it is hoped that the imminent arrival of four-time premiership winner Jarome Luai can supercharge their resurgence.
Luai will begin training with the Tigers next month, his arrival delayed because he was in England with the Samoan Test side.
The Tigers are also in the mix for Sydney Roosters forward Terrell May and have spoken to Brisbane forward Kobe Hetherington, who is off contract at the end of next season and has been told he is required for this season by Broncos coach Michael Maguire.
The Tigers had hoped he would be in their ranks this season.
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