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.