I thought now was a good time to start this.
What we know:
Doueihi shoulder reconstruction - expected to miss all of preseason.
Brailey signed
Averillo signed
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So, in terms of potential line-up/squad for next year I’d say this is where we’re at:
1. Bula
2. Makasini
3. May
4. Averillo (tbc)
5. Turuva
6. Luai
7. Doueihi
8. May
9. Koroisau
10. Pole
11. Fainu
12. KPP
13. Twal
14. Madden
15. Latu
16. Andrews
17. Roberts
18. Heywood
19. Sione
20. Tavana
21. Herbert
22. Attard
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
Then question marks over:
Seyfarth
Skelton
Starford
Hunt
Bunty
Sukkar
Hope
Mason
Departures:
Luke L
Kit L
Geyer
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I would keep Seyfarth, Skelton, Royce for sure. Our problem is not our starting 17 but our depth. You won’t be picking up better depth players
I would keep Seyfarth, Skelton, Royce for sure. Our problem is not our starting 17 but our depth. You won’t be picking up better depth players
Hunt looks like he’s off the bus and I doubt Skelton is here in 2027.
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I would keep Seyfarth, Skelton, Royce for sure. Our problem is not our starting 17 but our depth. You won’t be picking up better depth players
Hunt looks like he’s off the bus and I doubt Skelton is here in 2027.
And that just leaves the baby giraffe?
I’ve been a fan but he should be cup captain and nothing more.
So, in terms of potential line-up/squad for next year I’d say this is where we’re at:
1. Bula
2. Makasini
3. May
4. Averillo (tbc)
5. Turuva
6. Luai
7. Doueihi
8. May
9. Koroisau
10. Pole
11. Fainu
12. KPP
13. Twal
14. Madden
15. Latu
16. Andrews
17. Roberts
18. Heywood
19. Sione
20. Tavana
21. Herbert
22. Attard
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
Then question marks over:
Seyfarth
Skelton
Starford
Hunt
Bunty
Sukkar
Hope
Mason
Departures:
Luke L
Kit L
Geyer
Skelton has the odd error in him but he is very powerful with the ball in hand. For all others listed under your Question Mark group, I could make a case for him to stay and maybe also Sukkar who has been developing.
I'd be happy enough to see the others listed move on.
And that pic right there is my issue with Seyfarth. He is very uncoordinated! Which gets worse as he tires. Might be good for a decent tackle or run when absolutely fresh but otherwise he is a plodder that's a pace off the speed of the game - which just adds to lack of coordination as he arrives lates (as in the pic shown) once again off balance.I would keep Seyfarth, Skelton, Royce for sure. Our problem is not our starting 17 but our depth. You won’t be picking up better depth players
Hunt looks like he’s off the bus and I doubt Skelton is here in 2027.
And that just leaves the baby giraffe?
I’ve been a fan but he should be cup captain and nothing more.
Rarely sets himself for impact on either side of the ball which often leads to a loss of momentum or being dominated in the ruck, or both. I'm tired of reading how hard he trains etc etc.
Needs several games in cup playing in the middle before I'd consider him for NRL again, and I'd have to be desperate.
With talk about Blore maybe coming back to play left edge and Samuela moving to the front row. ( WT faithful have heard this this is where Sam wants to play).
I would be looking at
props
Tom Ale
Ata Mariota
Vena Patuki- Case
utility
Freddy Lussick ( hooker/ lock)
Kyle McCarthy ( wing/ centre)
With talk about Blore maybe coming back to play left edge and Samuela moving to the front row. ( WT faithful have heard this this is where Sam wants to play).
I would be looking at
props
Tom AleAta Mariota
Vena Patuki- Case
utility
Freddy Lussick ( hooker/ lock)
Kyle McCarthy ( wing/ centre)
Surely Blore with his injury history would be more a middle candidate than Samuela?
I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up there, but not yet imo.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
With talk about Blore maybe coming back to play left edge and Samuela moving to the front row. ( WT faithful have heard this this is where Sam wants to play).
I would be looking at
props
Tom AleAta Mariota
Vena Patuki- Case
utility
Freddy Lussick ( hooker/ lock)
Kyle McCarthy ( wing/ centre)
Surely Blore with his injury history would be more a middle candidate than Samuela?
I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up there, but not yet imo.
Yeah I wouldn’t move him either given his skillset including aerial ability too, maybe when he’s about 28/29 years old. Keep Blore at prop/ lock. That’s if he comes back
I don't like to look to next year because I think that there is still hope for us to at least play finals in 2026. The run home is relatively easy.
That said if we don't make it there are two key reasons for it in my view
Legacy Contracts from the Pascoe era
- Luke L, Kit L, Will Craig & then to a lesser extent Bateman and Jack Bird (who are likely still on our books)
Conflict of Interest Contracts
- Hope & Murray
These guys were part of the Enrichd Group and they were being managed by Shane Richardson's son Brent as a result. The Enrichd Group went into administration earlier this year. Shane Richo clearly signed those players to help his son's business. Unfortunately these guys have shown themselves to be far short of the required standard.
With these 7 contracts wiped from our cap next year we will likely have more depth. On the positive side, at least most of our top liners are going to be here for the next few years.
Morris out as defensive coach
What about KPP to lock can tackle /can ball play has pace / big body is he the Isaah Yeo in waiting as I have previously posted maybe most of the pieces are already at the club ..just need someone to figure it out and put the plan together .
There are so many issues moving into the ‘27 season ..1st priority is assistant coaches they are the major key .strength and conditioning , depth has been exposed . AD has to be moved on he is next years spanner in the works I can not understand how he has not been exposed for the leaking after his dummy spit I would suspect there is no trust there anymore . The conversation around Bula at fullback is another.
The problem with douhie is that he is first grade standard and has some good attributes like a long kicking games, goalkicking is pretty good, running game is dangerous. He also some pretty bad attributes like being a bit of a ball hog, being a bit of a sook at times, being questionable in defense at times - all of these are mostly attitude things and things he has had his whole career (my personal gripe is when he’s tackled he always gets to his feet slowly). I don’t think those things change, I think that’s ingrained in his personality. Ultimately you can’t build your team around him. He has to be replaced