The Wests Tigers have signed New Zealand Warriors cult player, Bunty Afoa.
Always a strong performer when playing against our club, Afoa is coming across the ditch on a one-year deal with Wests Tigers for season 2026. But what does the signing of the 29-year-old front-rower mean for the 2026 prop rotation, and in particular, for existing impact prop, Royce Hunt? Joel Helmes is joined by Nick Hayes and Declan McCutcheon on this edition of the Wests Tigers Podcast to discuss the signing of Afoa and make some predictions around the impacts in 2026 on Hunt, Pole, Sione Fainu, and Twal. Another "off the back fence" type prop has also been linked to the Wests Tigers in recent times, Nathan Brown. Brown, who debuted with the Wests Tigers way back in 2013, could be heading back to the club as a swap for Jack Bird. Is this a good move? Does the Afoa signing put an end to this deal? And what do we expect from Jack Bird next year if he remains with the club? Also on the agenda of this off-season edition of the podcast is the announcement that Terrell May has won the 2025 Kelly-Barnes Award. The boys discuss the reasons why May was the standout for the award, but a few other potential winners also get a mention. There's also a look at what we might get from the 2025 Rookie of the Year, Tony Sukkar, in 2026. Lastly, the Wests Tigers bus has made a stop and let a few guys off. Staines, Feledy, Matamua, etc, didn't come as a great surprise. However, there was one name on the departing players list that we might not have seen coming: Brent Naden. We take a look at the reasons why Brent was put through the shredder and what that might mean for our backline next year. As the weather starts to heat up and the countdown to the start of pre-season training commences, we hope you enjoy this edition of the Wests Tigers Podcast. And don't forget that you are always welcome to join the conversation and engage with other Wests Tigers fans on the Wests Tigers Podcast Forum!
Listen to "Welcome To Wests Tigers Bunty Afoa!" on Spreaker.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
Good to hear Declan again.
Where are Garry, Steve & Eddy?
Good to hear Declan again.
Where are Garry, Steve & Eddy?
Good question. What I will say is that I thoroughly appreciate the contribution through the years of Eddie, Steve and Garry.
However, due to varying factors we’re going to be heading in a different direction moving forward.
I wish them the best.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
Good to hear Declan again.
Where are Garry, Steve & Eddy?
Good question. What I will say is that I thoroughly appreciate the contribution through the years of Eddie, Steve and Garry.
However, due to varying factors we’re going to be heading in a different direction moving forward.
I wish them the best.
Very disappointed to hear that.
For mine, the three of them (and I'd add Declan) are what made the pod what it was and so good to listen to. It isnt and wont be the same without them.
Eddie has been there from the start and the work that Steve did during and around both petitions was exceptional. Not only would the pod not be the same without him, but the changes to the club might not have been adopted without Steves efforts. The pod and this forum seemed to champion both of those petitions. I felt strongly against the second petition and was actively denigrated and made to feel not welcome because of it. In particular your attitude at the time Joel was very much that if you werent on board for the second petition we could pack our bags and leave (and I did for a period of time). Jettisoning Steve now after this forum and pod put so much investment and referred valor from Steves input seems wrong.
For all the shit put on Garry, Ive always thought that with Declan, Garry provides the most actual football knowledge on the pod.
Again, very disappointing that these three are now not going to be involved. It definitely wont be the same. Would be very interested in why that decision has been made.
Good to hear Declan again.
Where are Garry, Steve & Eddy?
Good question. What I will say is that I thoroughly appreciate the contribution through the years of Eddie, Steve and Garry.
However, due to varying factors we’re going to be heading in a different direction moving forward.
I wish them the best.
Very disappointed to hear that.
For mine, the three of them (and I'd add Declan) are what made the pod what it was and so good to listen to. It isnt and wont be the same without them.
Eddie has been there from the start and the work that Steve did during and around both petitions was exceptional. Not only would the pod not be the same without him, but the changes to the club might not have been adopted without Steves efforts. The pod and this forum seemed to champion both of those petitions. I felt strongly against the second petition and was actively denigrated and made to feel not welcome because of it. In particular your attitude at the time Joel was very much that if you werent on board for the second petition we could pack our bags and leave (and I did for a period of time). Jettisoning Steve now after this forum and pod put so much investment and referred valor from Steves input seems wrong.
For all the shit put on Garry, Ive always thought that with Declan, Garry provides the most actual football knowledge on the pod.
Again, very disappointing that these three are now not going to be involved. It definitely wont be the same. Would be very interested in why that decision has been made.
No one was “jettisoned”, they all chose for various reasons to not continue.
It’s been very difficult and frustrating to experience this, my intentions have always been to work as and be friends, that was taken away from me.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
As someone who's listened to about 10 minutes of this podcast in my life, I'm not feeling anything about the change in personnel. I am sad, though, if friendships have suffered as a result of making it for those who do listen. No doubt, there'll be opportunities in the podcast world for those who've gone elsewhere. Good luck to them if that's what they do.
I enjoy all Wests Tigers content and I very much appreciate those who give up their time to present it all. There are times when I might not choose to listen to some of the content but generally enjoy it all. Thanks to you Joel and all the others who do it.Good to hear Declan again.
Where are Garry, Steve & Eddy?
Good question. What I will say is that I thoroughly appreciate the contribution through the years of Eddie, Steve and Garry.
However, due to varying factors we’re going to be heading in a different direction moving forward.
I wish them the best.
Very disappointed to hear that.
For mine, the three of them (and I'd add Declan) are what made the pod what it was and so good to listen to. It isnt and wont be the same without them.
Eddie has been there from the start and the work that Steve did during and around both petitions was exceptional. Not only would the pod not be the same without him, but the changes to the club might not have been adopted without Steves efforts. The pod and this forum seemed to champion both of those petitions. I felt strongly against the second petition and was actively denigrated and made to feel not welcome because of it. In particular your attitude at the time Joel was very much that if you werent on board for the second petition we could pack our bags and leave (and I did for a period of time). Jettisoning Steve now after this forum and pod put so much investment and referred valor from Steves input seems wrong.
For all the shit put on Garry, Ive always thought that with Declan, Garry provides the most actual football knowledge on the pod.
Again, very disappointing that these three are now not going to be involved. It definitely wont be the same. Would be very interested in why that decision has been made.
No one was “jettisoned”, they all chose for various reasons to not continue.
It’s been very difficult and frustrating to experience this, my intentions have always been to work as and be friends, that was taken away from me.
Thanks Joel and team for this podcast. Just needed a Wests Tigers fix after 6 or so weeks of silence. Player movements in and out of the team will present some interesting decisions and opportunities for season 2026. Similarly line-up changes for the podcast team will also present some challenges and provide some opportunities too no doubt.
Thanks again and good luck to you all.
It will be interesting to see how Ethan Roberts goes in the trials. He has played some 13 in Cup I think, can offload, just unsure of his mobility but as he’s mostly played edge I’d think it’s pretty good. He could well be a Smokey for the 13 & that would help not having to look elsewhere for one.
It will be interesting to see how Ethan Roberts goes in the trials. He has played some 13 in Cup I think, can offload, just unsure of his mobility but as he’s mostly played edge I’d think it’s pretty good. He could well be a Smokey for the 13 & that would help not having to look elsewhere for one.
That is a good point, and he may have been recruited for that role.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
Good to hear Declan again.
Where are Garry, Steve & Eddy?
Good question. What I will say is that I thoroughly appreciate the contribution through the years of Eddie, Steve and Garry.
However, due to varying factors we’re going to be heading in a different direction moving forward.
I wish them the best.
I enjoyed this weeks podcast after the break. It will be good to hear some new voices in 2026 and beyond!
Best wishes to those departing and thanks for contributing.
Sad. 😢Good to hear Declan again.
Where are Garry, Steve & Eddy?
Good question. What I will say is that I thoroughly appreciate the contribution through the years of Eddie, Steve and Garry.
However, due to varying factors we’re going to be heading in a different direction moving forward.
I wish them the best.
Very disappointed to hear that.
For mine, the three of them (and I'd add Declan) are what made the pod what it was and so good to listen to. It isnt and wont be the same without them.
Eddie has been there from the start and the work that Steve did during and around both petitions was exceptional. Not only would the pod not be the same without him, but the changes to the club might not have been adopted without Steves efforts. The pod and this forum seemed to champion both of those petitions. I felt strongly against the second petition and was actively denigrated and made to feel not welcome because of it. In particular your attitude at the time Joel was very much that if you werent on board for the second petition we could pack our bags and leave (and I did for a period of time). Jettisoning Steve now after this forum and pod put so much investment and referred valor from Steves input seems wrong.
For all the shit put on Garry, Ive always thought that with Declan, Garry provides the most actual football knowledge on the pod.
Again, very disappointing that these three are now not going to be involved. It definitely wont be the same. Would be very interested in why that decision has been made.
No one was “jettisoned”, they all chose for various reasons to not continue.
It’s been very difficult and frustrating to experience this, my intentions have always been to work as and be friends, that was taken away from me.
Appreciate this crew and all the content to date. I have listened to every single episode.
Sometimes change is good.
You guys keep making them, I will keep listening and promoting them anywhere I can.
Appreciate this crew and all the content to date. I have listened to every single episode.
Sometimes change is good.
You guys keep making them, I will keep listening and promoting them anywhere I can.
Thank you 🙏
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
enjoyed the 8 years Tiger on WTP. Never earnt a cent was more a passion - just spoke from a tragic fans perspective - am sure I talked a lot of shite 😂 .
I’ll still be talking tigers on another platform . Offered to come on WTP once in a while if there short next season so yeah …
Enjoyed “working” with Joel and the opportunity and the chemistry on air. He’s build a very solid and respected platform with help. Not easy to keep something going consistently for 8 years given how poor the team was. Steve and Garry are good blokes with the same passion you will find them if you look hard enough .
never got into this for politics or power struggles . With everyone the best at WTP and all tigers content .
out 🫡
