We are now in the depths of the offseason and with the Wests Tigers Podcast regulars taking a break Garry is joined by Kelly, Jordan and Rachel to discuss all the latest from the Wests Tigers.
The show starts with a game of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, focusing on season 2024 and the team discusses their highlights and lowlights from another disappointing season.
There is then talk around last Friday’s Awards Gala held at the ICC Sydney, everyone gives their opinions on surprise Kelly Barnes winner Sam Fainu and the other award winners from the night.
The discussion then turns to season 2025 and what player’s need to be let go and what positions need targeting for season 25. The team also discusses who they would take in 2 weeks when players for 2026 become available for negotiation.
The crew then takes a deep dive into the club’s new recruits for 2025, each member of the Pod gives their opinion on which player they are most excited to see join the club.
To end the pod the guys give their expectations for the upcoming season, will anyone agree with Steve’s top 8 or bust hardline expectation?
Thank you for joining this off-season edition of the Wests Tigers Podcast.
I hope AD is taken by saints as I couldn’t believe we extended him and wasted a top 30 spot. I think Bird is a terrible signing also.2 wasted top 30 spots. The dogs grabbed the 2 players we should have chased,Tupouaiua and Montoya.I can’t believe Oregan Kaufusi is a free agent for 25,so I’m assuming he wants more money. We really need to offer 650 to 800 to get him,as a replacement for Steph.Hunt might help to get him. For Nov 1st for 2026 pickups,Willison on 200 and Thompson on 350,no doubt.Obviously their price will increase substantially.Still 450 for Willison and 550 for Thompson? Tapuha from Sharks on minimum wage also.So we have Mason and Makasini into top 30 in 26,so 2 spots taken,we let Staines, Naden and Klemmer go off contract, that’s 1.4mill to spend on the props I’ve mentioned.We would have to free up 1 spot from our top 30. If AD stays,then he won’t be extended for that extra spot. I think Tumeth must be getting paid out,to fit Skelton in for 25.If we can’t sign Kaufusi, then extend Sione. We should have extended Sione instead of signing Bird.Is Sione asking for to much money?We want to keep the brothers,or they might follow Sione to another club. Sione’s manager is the same as Sullivan, so get him to work on finding a new club for Sullivan, so we can extend Sione.We get Kaufusi, we will be very competative.We get the other props in 26,top 8 assured.Leo Thompson has a twin wanting to play NRL,so I’m not sure if he’s signed a development contract with Newcastle yet,but seems u can break those.We could offer him a development contract and get subsided because he plays union from NRL.I would play Willison in 2nd row and prop when needed. Recruitment and retention is everything and I’ve followed league for 50yrs.Watch Dogs go after Thompson. If that rumour ,Garry said about Miller on the outer is crazy talk.Did u see him play for Fiji? Only 19,next Nas. He’s a keeper and if we let him go,we will regret it and prove to me that this club has no idea on recruitment and retention.