You're right, the dev list is down the bottom here:
https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2025/10/29/wests-tigers-nrl-signings-tracker/
I didn't even know a 29 yo would qualify for a development contract
I think we are finally being smart with recruitment and the Salary cap
I think the NRL calls it a “ Supplementary List” these days.
This doesn’t look like it has been updated in a while but given all the signings to 2030 this year we must be looking pretty healthy given the salary cap is likely to explode higher after the monster TV deal. The money that has been saved on locking up our core team now needs to be directed squarely at our deficits. An apex predator starting prop (Moses Leota anyone? Or Spencer leniu?) and depth across the back row and outside backs. We have a window for success between now and 2030 to cement our return to a sustainably top 8 team. We need to play deep finals football and continue to recruit quality, develop and keep the best of the kids.
I think we are tight against the cap for 2027 already. If we are offering recycled players like Junior Tupou contracts it must be because
a) Dolphins and Roosters must be paying a decent chunk of his wage which suits us because:
b) we are light on for cap space
We could have waited until the summer to bring Tupou over and explored others like Fio Fanigaa and Haze Dunster in the meantime.
We can structure around that. We have certainly upgraded the contracts of people who are now signed to 2030 but with the cap going up we should have more room to build into that growth.
Situation with outside back stocks is also pretty dire! That would have been added incentive to get Tupou back asap.
Removed Bunty Afoa from top 30. On a Development contract I believe.
That leaves 3 spots available
I think it's worth someone jumping in to update this?
These players should be added for 2027
Jake Averillo
Sione Fainu
Jared Haywood
Patrick Herbert
Junior Tupou
These guys can be taken off
Starford Toa
Jarome Luai
The 2027 "Development" players as far a I'm aware are:
Jack Attard
Pheonix Godinet
Siotame Havea Jr
Christian Taupau-Moors
Tino Tavana
23 NRL contracts issued for 2027 so 7 spots left.
Rumours previously that these guys had been tapped on the shoulder
Alex Seyfarth
Royce Hunt
It will be interesting to see how many of the 2026 squad earn a new contract in coming weeks.
The May bros have been signed for a couple more years, as has Bula.
I can't believe the list for 26 has Jack Bird at the top.
Dear Tigers recruitment team,
Let's get the Fainus signed up long term quickly too, please.
Removed Bunty Afoa from top 30. On a Development contract I believe.
That leaves 3 spots available
I think it's worth someone jumping in to update this?
Where is Garry when you need him?
It was @mike doing the editing...Removed Bunty Afoa from top 30. On a Development contract I believe.
That leaves 3 spots available
I think it's worth someone jumping in to update this?
Where is Garry when you need him?
It was @mike doing the editing...Removed Bunty Afoa from top 30. On a Development contract I believe.
That leaves 3 spots available
I think it's worth someone jumping in to update this?
Where is Garry when you need him?
I’ll have a look. I haven’t updated so far because there seem to be a few of these around on the Internet, often with better details.
It will take me awhile to get back into it.
This is the most up to date list from the Wests Tigers Website.
https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2025/10/29/wests-tigers-nrl-signings-tracker/
Seems to have all the latest upgrades/extensions but not Jake Averillo, I guess because he is not here yet.