Possibly but I think it’s more about seeing results. Lachie last year spat the dummy after the 2nd half thumping by the Dragons because he wants to win. Now he’s learning to play with a half who is learning to play in a new team as well. Maybe he just wants to see how the team & he goes this year. He’s in a strong position so he can wait and do what’s best for him. It’s a bit like Joel said on the pod, he just needs to focus on footy & the money will look after itself. Maybe that’s what he’s doing.But he only gets that increase now if he extends, let’s say 2 more years where we pay him $1 mill approx for 27 & 28. That’s basically us giving him $2.5 million.this is a key point. LG is leaving big sums on the table now by not accepting our upgrade & extension. The manager must be telling him that he can get big money elsewhere.
Galvin must also acknowledge that he’s taking a risk by not accepting the new contract especially when he risks injury every time he takes the field.
These points leave me to think he will not re-sign with WT.
This I think this is interesting from a Top 30 perspective. Seems to suggest Makasini is on T&T only? There was some talk that he'd be promoted to Dev Contract when he turns 18 which in turn would demand an existing Dev Contract player is upgraded to Top 30.
WT media release last year refers only to a Top 30 place in 2026 https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2024/10/07/rising-star-signs-long-term-deal-with-wests-tigers/
We have not heard anything regarding Olam's retirement but you'd think some sort of response might be made before the club next does player payroll on the 1st of April.
That would leave us with potentially 3 roster spots to fill before June 30. I don't have a clear idea where we we'd source these players from? Good players are not exactly waiting on every corner for us to sign them up but my view is that we'd need
- a centre / outside back to replace Olam
- a prop to replace Klemmer
- a second rower to compete for an NRL starting spot
I don't have a problem with the club signing Taylan May on a 6 month contract only. I'd also offer Matt Lodge a 6 month contract for what its worth. He's not on Top 30 at the moment and performed strongly in the 2024 finals series for Manly
Our salary cap is still bent out of shape from Pascoe and Lee H era. So we need to make some serious cap savings to give us the best chance of securing Galvin etc in the long term. I don't agree with signing players with strikes against their character in principle but in practice May and Lodge represent low risk, high return if they join on short term deals only.
Whatever happens I hope we get some new talent in the door soon. Our depth is going to be tested as the season rolls on.
Really dislike the comparisons with Folau & GI, Masi will be very good but has plenty to work on too. In regards to the spots in the squad availability now, get the feeling Richo, Betsey & Benji working on it now.This I think this is interesting from a Top 30 perspective. Seems to suggest Makasini is on T&T only? There was some talk that he'd be promoted to Dev Contract when he turns 18 which in turn would demand an existing Dev Contract player is upgraded to Top 30.
WT media release last year refers only to a Top 30 place in 2026 https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2024/10/07/rising-star-signs-long-term-deal-with-wests-tigers/
We have not heard anything regarding Olam's retirement but you'd think some sort of response might be made before the club next does player payroll on the 1st of April.
That would leave us with potentially 3 roster spots to fill before June 30. I don't have a clear idea where we we'd source these players from? Good players are not exactly waiting on every corner for us to sign them up but my view is that we'd need
- a centre / outside back to replace Olam
- a prop to replace Klemmer
- a second rower to compete for an NRL starting spot
I don't have a problem with the club signing Taylan May on a 6 month contract only. I'd also offer Matt Lodge a 6 month contract for what its worth. He's not on Top 30 at the moment and performed strongly in the 2024 finals series for Manly
Our salary cap is still bent out of shape from Pascoe and Lee H era. So we need to make some serious cap savings to give us the best chance of securing Galvin etc in the long term. I don't agree with signing players with strikes against their character in principle but in practice May and Lodge represent low risk, high return if they join on short term deals only.
Whatever happens I hope we get some new talent in the door soon. Our depth is going to be tested as the season rolls on.
Contract List updated... Three top 30 spots now available.
Knew he was cooked when we signed him… but anyways we move on.Contract List updated... Three top 30 spots now available.
We dodged a bullet on Olam.
Added Solomona Faataape to the top 30 squad for 2025.
Tumeth and Matamua not named in any grade this week. You'd have to wonder if they are still training with the NRL squad? If they are released from top 30 then there could be more new players added before June 30. We're effectively at 26 top line squad players at the moment.
Charlie Staines not sighted either which would put us to a Top 25.
I can only assume that Richo is going to try to sign Galvin first, front load his upgrade for this season where he can and then fill out the NRL squad with new players to replace these guys before June 30?
I don't think there is a deadline re June 30 as long as you had the required number of players on your list at any time in the current season prior to that date. Bigger issue will be spending your whole salary cap...and that would obviously necessitate contract extensions/upgrades with up-front payments. I don't think you can just decide to pay a currently contracted player more this year and less next year to get your salary cap spent unless it's fixed into the original contract. I just hope we are not butchering our roster and salary cap for this season and next just to find the money to keep Galvin.
You've also got the likes of Feledy and Saukuru in the top 30, and yet can't even crack the NSW Cup team.
The back end of our roster has been terribly constructed.
2026 Squad
|
1 |
Bula |
Fullback |
24 |
|
2 |
Turuva |
Winger |
23 |
|
3 |
Toa |
Center |
25 |
|
4 |
|
Center |
|
|
5 |
Skelton |
Winger |
26 |
|
6 |
Latu |
5/8 |
20 |
|
7 |
Luai |
Halfback |
29 |
|
8 |
May |
Prop |
26 |
|
9 |
Api |
Hooker |
33 |
|
10 |
Pole |
Prop |
23 |
|
11 |
Samuela |
2nd Row |
22 |
|
12 |
|
2nd Row |
|
|
13 |
|
Lock |
|
|
14 |
TDS |
Hooker |
20 |
|
15 |
Hunt |
Prop |
30 |
|
16 |
Sione |
Prop |
24 |
|
17 |
Bird |
Lock |
30 |
|
18 |
Twal |
Prop |
29 |
|
19 |
Seyfarth |
Prop |
27 |
|
20 |
Bud |
5/8 |
24 |
|
21 |
|
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
|
26 |
Luke L |
Winger |
19 |
|
27 |
Makasini |
Center |
18 |
|
28 |
Saukuru |
Center |
21 |
|
29 |
Kit L |
Prop |
21 |
|
30 |
Sukkar |
2nd Row |
21 |
I figure to have a top 6 squad you need:
4 or 5 origin quality players
4 or 5 future origin potentials
7 or 8 guys in the top 17 that you can rely on to play their part in winning 14 or 15 games and are able to step up a gear in the finals
8 or 9 squad players, NRL quality that are able to fill in for injury for a number of weeks in a row without a big drop off
4 or 5 young players who are the future of the club, hoping they can progress to the top 17 but shouldn’t need to be relied on
In 2026, currently the Tigers have (optimistically):
3 Origin quality players:
Luai
T May
Api
3 Origin Potentials:
Bula
Turuva
Pole?
8 Guys we HOPE can play their part in winning 14 or 15 games
Toa
Skelton
Latu
Samuela
TDS
Hunt
Sione
Bird
3 Squad players of NRL quality to fill in for injury
Bud
Twal
Seyfarth
5 Kids that could be the future (some are debatable) but shouldn’t be relied on
Luke L
Makasini
Saukuru
Kit
Sukkar (has a club option)
Of course I could be totally wrong and it’s not that simple but in the next 6 months the Tigers need at least 7 signings to make 28. 3 quality NRL first grade quality signings top be in our top 17 and at least 4 players that can push for 1st grade and fill in for injury without a big drop off.
@tigernd I think your lists are spot on, a centre a middle and 2nd rower of quality would lift the team immensely! And then the addressing quality that the NSW Cup side obviously is lacking will complete the job.
Tony Sukkar extends until end of 2026
Added Kai Pearce-Paul for 2026, 2027 & 2028
