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Tackles and Tinnies - E36 - Wests Tigers 2025 Review & 2026 Preview ft. Chris
18 Plays2 months ago
The Tigers were way more watchable in 2025 — the attack had more shape, Leichhardt/Campbelltown actually felt like an advantage again… but the same old story popped up late in games: game management falling apart when it mattered.
In this episode of our 17-part 2026 NRL mini-series, we dig into the on-field growth, the off-field noise, and why 2026 feels like the first real “Benji era” stress test.
We get into:
- 2025 snapshot: 13th, 15th attack / 12th defence, and why it still felt like progress
- The Galvin saga and how it went from contract chat to full-blown drama
- 2026 roster injection: Kai Pearce-Paul, Jock Madden, Mavrik Geyer, Ethan Roberts, Bunty Afoa
- The footy blueprint: Luai + Benji, and that “three-playmaker” idea (Bula/Luai/Latu + Douei link)
- Draw chat: 9th-hardest SOS, and a brutal Round 7–14 stretch that could decide everything
My prediction: Tigers finish 10th — in the mix until late, but still learning how to close tight games consistently.
Cap or Fact: Tigers are a 9th–10th team and still alive for finals in Round 25?
Tigers fans — are we finally building something… or are we doing the same movie again? 👇
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction and West Tigers Overview
00:00:01
Tackles and Tinnies
Yo, welcome back, Tackles and Tinnies. 20th of January, we are pumping through these mini-podcasts, which are not mini-podcasts anymore. They're about 50 minutes on average. Definitely misinterpreted how long they would be, but enjoying the process. And I was going bottom of the ladder at to the top of the ladder, but I wanted to save a couple of teams for certain people.
Meet Chris: A West Tigers Enthusiast
00:00:19
Tackles and Tinnies
And this team in particular is the West Tigers. And we all know Chris, you've seen him on the show plenty, plenty of the times, the mainstay here. Chris, how you been, mate?
00:00:28
Chris
Hey Ryan, happy new year you.
00:00:30
Tackles and Tinnies
Happy New Year.
00:00:30
Chris
Yeah, I know it's a bit late, it little bit late. It's the best time we've seen each other since the year. Nah, I've been good. I've been good actually. I've got two weeks off work at the moment. So, hey, got time to podcast.
00:00:40
Tackles and Tinnies
Oh, unreal. Yeah.
00:00:42
Chris
Got time to podcast.
00:00:43
Tackles and Tinnies
Bloody oath. Well, at least someone's got to go back to work. I'm back tomorrow after seven weeks off, so pray for me.
00:00:49
Chris
Oh no, so...
00:00:53
Tackles and Tinnies
Now, Chris. For the people don't know you, you've said it in podcasts in the past, but tell me why you like the West Tigers and tell me who your favorite current player is.
West Tigers 2025 Season Analysis
00:01:04
Chris
So i grew up in in the Western suburbs, actually, kind of near Parramatta, actually. And when I was growing up in primary school and when we went to like regional and state rugby league, ourca west targetgers we were in the West Tigers catchment area. So our school and our team, you know, we used to play for the Tigers Young Guns pretty much. so you know hey yeah you know you you don't get to you don't get to choose your club you know your club chooses you sometimes immediatelyly yeah and uh also helped that you know and when you're going for a year six you know the uh you know the uh the west tigers won the premiership back in 05 so you know it's easy you know it's easy to be you know the tigers for life really uh i won't lie but actually uh
00:01:49
Chris
And then in through high school, I must admit, I i didn't follow NRL at all, Ryan, actually, you
00:01:53
Tackles and Tinnies
Hmm.
Lachlan Galvin's Contract Saga
00:01:54
Chris
know, because basically so many scandals in in the NRL and and a lot of people kind of converted to the AFL and followed the Swans a lot, especially when they were having that great, great, great period as well.
00:02:04
Chris
So kind of came back when I met you a couple of years ago, pretty much.
00:02:05
Tackles and Tinnies
m
00:02:08
Tackles and Tinnies
True. Now look at you.
00:02:10
Chris
And so, you know, you know.
00:02:10
Tackles and Tinnies
Obsessed. right
00:02:11
Chris
Yeah. And sadly, the yeah the Tigers weren't really as good as they used to be.
00:02:18
Tackles and Tinnies
Well, that proves that you're not a bandwagon, my friend, and I think that says a lot to you as well. Yeah.
00:02:23
Chris
But yeah, favourite player really. yeah. I'll just say, I'll just say Taylor May, to be honest, you know, or Terrell May actually both them had good seasons last season and you know, yeah, it's always fun when, you know, you've got like your brother, you know, like doing stuff with you.
00:02:41
Chris
That's awesome. Really. I remember I did a, I did a marathon with my brother actually a few years ago and it was like, and I remember running with him and we're just going, bro, this
Impact of Player Movements on Team Dynamics
00:02:48
Chris
is awesome. This is awesome.
00:02:49
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
00:02:50
Chris
So, you know, they probably have time their lives every week, you know, at training, when playing games for sure.
00:02:53
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah. And you love like the redemption arc of tail and may, and we'll probably get to that later on the podcast, but obviously Terrell had such a big season and sort of whipped him back into shape and the upside's always been there. i remember when Talon was at the Penrith Panthers and they had the World Club Challenge and I woke up, quickly turned the TV, I was like 8am and then Talon May's like popping off, like he was their go-to man, clear as just feeding him the pill every single time and just obviously went off the rails a little bit there and was fantastic to see the West Tigers sort of gave him that lifeline and
00:03:26
Tackles and Tinnies
as you probably could imagine, Chris, as well, and you're pretty grateful he's one favourite players now, that you pretty much turned their season around at the back at end of the year, bit more hope 2026. Yeah.
00:03:37
Chris
Oh, definitely. Definitely. It's not that we had a bad season last last year. You know, any any season where you don't you know finish, you know, wooden spoon is a good season for the Tigers, apparently.
00:03:47
Chris
But I think we're on the up, hopefully. You know, whether whether we yeah we we're in the top eight up is is debatable and something we'll probably talk about today, obviously.
00:03:56
Tackles and Tinnies
Oh, mate, it's doing these podcasts for the teams that I've done so far, I'm really struggling to see where everyone lands. And I think every team is one or two injuries away, depth pending for certain squads. Like I just filmed the Cronulla Sharks today – I didn't realize, but if Trindle or Hines goes down, they've got like essentially a rookie half coming in.
00:04:19
Tackles and Tinnies
They haven't got the depth, but
Negotiation Tactics in NRL
00:04:21
Tackles and Tinnies
I think you guys overall across the paddock have a lot more. it'll be interesting to see where you guys land. But Chris, let's just get straight into it, mate.
00:04:30
Tackles and Tinnies
So the 2025 season snapshot for the West Tigers. So you guys came 13th with nine wins and 15 losses with a total of 24 points.
00:04:40
Tackles and Tinnies
You had a point differentiation of a negative 135. You were the 15th best attack. It's a nice way of saying it. Or the third shittest one of the other.
00:04:50
Chris
get
00:04:50
Tackles and Tinnies
And then you had the 12th best defense.
00:04:51
Chris
if
00:04:53
Tackles and Tinnies
Also not good. But overall, Chris, you could probably vouch for this as well. Improvement. That's all you could ask for.
00:05:02
Chris
Yeah, definitely for sure. You know, like I said earlier, you know, we didn't win the wooden spoon, you know, and I thought we were a lot more watchable. Jerome Luai joined the club. Benji Marshall had a full year. It just felt like there was some kind of some leadership, you know, at the joint a little bit.
00:05:18
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
00:05:19
Chris
Yeah.
00:05:20
Tackles and Tinnies
But coming back from two wooden spoons and then getting to 13th, you could easily climbed to 11th with one more win. And there was definitely some games out there where you should have won in my eyes. You're on the up.
00:05:35
Tackles and Tinnies
You're on the up. And you've got some talent coming through this year, which we'll get to later on. But there is hope, Chris. There is hope. Magic round. We'll be popping off with the claw. We'll be saluting Taruva, who's one of the the monarchs for it.
00:05:49
Tackles and Tinnies
It'll be interesting everything interesting. But Chris, it'll be interesting to get your point.
00:05:52
Chris
for sure
00:05:54
Tackles and Tinnies
How did 2025 feel for you watching them?
00:05:58
Chris
yeah like you know i i thought that you know the tack had you know a lot more better shape and
Speculation on Galvin's Departure: External Influences?
00:06:08
Chris
uh you know the defense you know we still like points but we weren't just letting him you know you know willy-nilly pretty much uh i loved i love that you know especially like hot oval and campbell town you know always sold out you know the fans were there and it felt like you know it really gave us a hometown event you a home ground advantage you know even though they're smaller much much smaller grounds really so
00:06:31
Chris
Yeah, i they they were the they were the good bit, you know, and and again, like I said, we had Jerome Luai kind of play for us as well. and you know But then that really kind of, I guess, honestly ends all the good bits.
00:06:43
Chris
you know the i think i think our season was really, really, really more marked by the whole Lockie Galvin situation, which was awful for both the club, awful for Lockie himself.
00:06:53
Chris
And there's just so much bickering with just like a Spanish melodrama, honestly.
00:06:58
Tackles and Tinnies
I just want to give the West Tigers fans a bit of a a clap personally, Chris,
West Tigers' Recruitment and Future Prospects
00:07:03
Tackles and Tinnies
because... As you mentioned, they've been through the doldrum for the past several years, but like I didn't Campbelltown always are packed out, which is fantastic to see. and that's what true fans are.
00:07:17
Tackles and Tinnies
They're not just like the Penrith Panthers or some other really big name team just coming there when they're winning.
00:07:20
Chris
All right.
00:07:24
Tackles and Tinnies
You guys have been there through thick and thin. Very admirable for you guys because it's been very frustrating. Before you got the double wooden spoon, you were coming ninth for like three years in a row as well. So there's been a lot of frustration I can imagine for you guys.
00:07:41
Tackles and Tinnies
But as you mentioned, Chris, the Lachlan Galvin situation, I'm just going to read the series of eventually, Chris, and just want you to go full hog after this, okay? So... How it all happened.
00:07:53
Tackles and Tinnies
13th to the 14th of April, 2025, West Tigers publicly confirmed Galvin will not be at the club beyond the end of 2026 after turning down what the club called their largest junior contract offer.
00:08:04
Chris
Thank you.
00:08:05
Tackles and Tinnies
Tigers also had state at the time they didn't intend to release him early and he hadn't requested an early release. The announcement effectively put a countdown clock on the club's long-term halves plans, especially with the big name halves recruiting happening around the same period.
00:08:20
Tackles and Tinnies
Post this, there's immediate fallout selection and public noise. So mid April. So we're just going past a few more days after this. The situation's turned volatile quickly. Gallivan has dropped, Endor shifted out of first grade plans for at least a week, sparking headlines with a flood of commentary from all the major partners, Channel 9, Fox Sports.
00:08:39
Tackles and Tinnies
There's also public flashbacks around his teammates with social media posts after the club's news. The club denies bullying but admits emotions were high. The situation became a league-wide talking point.
00:08:52
Tackles and Tinnies
Now this is where it gets a bit juicy, the bullying hostile workplace with the legal letter phase. So again, several
Governance Issues at West Tigers
00:08:58
Tackles and Tinnies
days after the mid-April incident, around April 20th, reports emerged that Galbans management sent a legal letter at the Tigers allegedly bullying an unsafe or hostile work environment after saga erupted, according to Fox Sports. This is the point where it stops being a contract talk and becomes a full-blown club crisis, with the RLPA, or the Rugby League Players Association, also reported to be involved in discussions about player welfare slash
00:09:27
Tackles and Tinnies
May is popping off, I tell you what. Tigers shift from not releasing him to let's move him on. So we're moving a couple more days past. Late May 2025, Tigers have moved towards an exit pathway, reporting indications the Tigers have prepared to let Galvin negotiate with rivals. But the transfer fee were approximately $165,000 attached for an early release, according Zero Tackle. The story became a live market scramble with Canterbury heavily linked and other clubs mentioned in reports at the time.
00:09:58
Tackles and Tinnies
Closer to the end of the month, so around the 30th of May, the messy part, so training sightings and confidentiality. Coverage notes Galvin was spotted training with the Bulldogs as his Tigers confirmed his release, fueling this this, so quoting, this was happening earlier than we were told as a narrative according to Channel 9.
00:10:16
Tackles and Tinnies
Soon after the move, it was widely reported that confidentiality clause around the release that limited what could have been said publicly about the details according to West Tigers. And now the official ending with the West Tigers on the 30th of May, 2025. West Tigers announced Galvin and the club mutually agreed to end his contract immediately. So he did not stay through the 2026.
00:10:38
Tackles and Tinnies
Bulldogs deal, so immediate signing plus contract lengths. So on the same day or similar timing, Bulldogs confirmed the sign Galvin effective immediately on a deal running through the end of 2028. And to refinish this up in November, 2025,
00:10:54
Tackles and Tinnies
ABC reports that NRL rolled a new anti-tampering rule changes explicitly noting Galvin's mid-season Tigers Bulldog move with 17 months left as a headline example of contract chaos driving reform.
00:11:08
Tackles and Tinnies
Chris, a lot to take in, a lot to digest. A series of unfortunate events, as Lemony Snickets would like to say. Let us know your thoughts on the situation.
00:11:20
Chris
Yeah, look, I think that was that was a very, very good factual recap of exactly what's kind of happened. And you know I've got no disagreements of that at all.
00:11:30
Chris
you know I think it's emblematic. Actually, this is just symptomatic of you know what what is now just happening in a and i in you all you know across all sports, just basically a player-dominated arena.
00:11:44
Chris
uh, market where the players have so much more power than, than the clubs nowadays, you know, where if you're unhappy or, you know, you, you know, or you want to go somewhere nicer, you know, to a bigger market, you know, you can effectively do so. All you do is just have to you know, you've just got to create some commotion, create some drama, you have a tantrum, not show up to work. And then you can, you can go ahead and get, get what you want, you know, and we'll, and, I'll probably link a little bit Just a little bit to
Highlights from Recent Games
00:12:09
Chris
Zach Lomax and the Eels and and the Storm a little bit today later.
00:12:10
Tackles and Tinnies
Definitely.
00:12:13
Chris
But, you know, i like look I understand, you know, both sides personally.
00:12:13
Tackles and Tinnies
de me
00:12:17
Chris
I just, you know, like as a player, you know, Lockie has very limited number of years. and I'm sure he's going to play at least 10 plus years because he's just that good. But, you know, you want to be at a big market club. You know, you want to be where success is because, you know, if you have some success early, it becomes a case, you know, just like Cleary, you know, you get success early and it's can you become the best? You know, really, really quickly halfway there. Your your chapter is already, you know, your story is already half written.
00:12:40
Chris
It's brilliant. You know, do you want to be languishing at a club where, you know, we're at the bottom, you know, we may not get better. We may, but we may not get better. And then, you know, you know, and, you know, and, you know, you don't get selected for state of origin because if you don't win, you know, with your club, then you may not get selected, you know, and all those kinds of things. So things matter. But at the same time, you know, also I applauded the club a lot. I thought they did a good job in terms of saying, hey, look, we're not going to let you go. We're going to do things. I was a bit disappointed that, hey, in the end we had to, you know, i feel what frustrated me as a fan was there's no accountability for the player.
00:13:12
Chris
You know, if you sign a contract, hey, you you should have to, you know, fill out that contract, you know, or finish that contract. And, you know, that might mean, not necessarily playing, you know, first grade. I, you know, I initially I thought, Hey, look, you've got to stay of the club.
00:13:26
Chris
You know, you get dropped down to reserves, you know, for a couple of weeks or on that. And then come back after, you know, after it all blows over, but you know, it all just can of continue to escalate and escalate, escalate. And, you know, I've got no proof on this at all, but I secretly suspect the NRL was like, nah, you've got to do something about this.
00:13:41
Chris
And the end of the day, you know, Lockie gets to go to the club of his dreams and all we get as the Tigers is $165,000 in compensation.
00:13:44
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. Yep.
00:13:49
Chris
We can't even use that for the salary cap. That it literally just is for player development, you know, and you know and and everything else, you know, for the club, you know. So that was the frustrating thing. But but look, it seems, I feel like all at the same time,
00:14:03
Chris
It's a long, long, it feels very, very long away. And I feel like both parties,
Reflecting on 2025 and Looking Ahead to 2026
00:14:07
Chris
we've managed to move on quite happily as well. Would you agree that, Ryan? Like, even though it was really big at the time, you know, feel like it's kind of end of okay.
00:14:17
Chris
Weirdly, everybody's happy.
00:14:18
Tackles and Tinnies
I think one of the biggest points to get at is culture and fit. it Like I love the LeBron James Cavaliers with Kevin Love. It's like the saying of fit in or fit out.
00:14:33
Tackles and Tinnies
And Jerome Luai coming to the club, trying to set those winning standards. of Obviously Epic Carousel, similar vibe. There was another guy, Taruva, same thing, coming from a winning culture.
00:14:41
Chris
Mm-hmm.
00:14:46
Tackles and Tinnies
fit in or fit out. And they had Benji Marshall's back. And I love to see that two new recruits, two premiership influential players, having a coach's back who has been slammed by the media and,
00:15:01
Tackles and Tinnies
being questioned of his ability or he's only there because of he's a former premiership winner, not because of his ability to communicate and be influential to his team. I loved how Luai in particular and Taruva were very vocal.
00:15:16
Tackles and Tinnies
Benji also had conversations with the leadership group, being Luai and Coruscant. And it's like, we got your back. We don't want you here. we like We don't want you Delvin here anymore.
00:15:28
Tackles and Tinnies
I love that. Fit in or fit out. We're trying to win get new winning standards here. We're trying to change the perception of the West Tigers. When I heard that and read that in the papers, I was like, Lou, I used to hate you because it's just annoying because I'm a Queenslander.
00:15:43
Tackles and Tinnies
But now I see why you got offered so much money and why you're so highly touted and why you get these club options, which you sort of mentioned, like people trying to leave contracts. Luai has those options. So I guess that's a pretty smart move in a way, but he's pretty much been quoted as saying, I'm not leaving. Like I'm standing. I'm a West Tiger for life.
00:16:02
Tackles and Tinnies
It's his team. So I really respected what Luai, Taruva and Coruscant did for their coach.
00:16:10
Chris
Yep, I would agree if that as well. Did you think that some of those media posts, social media posts that Luai and Taruva, you know, had, did you feel that they amounted to bullying?
00:16:23
Chris
Do you feel that the the Tigers club, you know, created a culture or had a had hostile environment that that did constitute bullying at all?
00:16:33
Tackles and Tinnies
Oh, mate, i this is getting little bit controversial and you don't have to comment if you don't want to, obviously. But maybe Galvin comes from a different shade of cloth and upbringing comparatively what the majority of the demographic profile is at the West Tigers.
00:16:52
Tackles and Tinnies
Maybe he saw himself not fitting into that potentially.
00:16:55
Chris
Mm-hmm.
00:16:57
Tackles and Tinnies
not saying yes, not saying no. That's just an outsider looking in, in the perspective, what I've seen from origin camps and what the Panthers were with their swagger and how they reacted and acted towards each other.
00:17:12
Tackles and Tinnies
Not saying that is the definitely the case. I think Galvin was a little bit pretentious. I thought Isaac Moses, who has been known to be turbulent at the best of times and,
00:17:26
Tackles and Tinnies
Well, to be honest, he's just looking after his client. His client wants to go. He's doing a great job. Like he's the best one to do it. So I guess hats off to Moses in that regard. The way it went about, probably not ideal.
00:17:39
Tackles and Tinnies
But that's probably my two cents in regards to that. I think it was a little bit premature how he was trying to force himself out so early. Maybe try to persevere to the end of 2025 and then look for that exit at the end of 2025.
00:17:54
Tackles and Tinnies
Like you obviously got the Zach Lomax situation, which you referred to, but both times he left the club has been in the off season, to be fair.
00:17:55
Chris
Yep.
00:18:02
Chris
Yep. Yes. that's true. Yep.
00:18:04
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, it's not like the NBA or the NFL where you have that ad lavish trade window.
00:18:04
Chris
Yeah.
00:18:12
Tackles and Tinnies
There's a hard trade deadline. Everyone knows each other's salaries. Everyone knows how much each other's on. and you can, well, fans alone can just go onto NBA.com and go onto the trade machine.
00:18:24
Tackles and Tinnies
Like it's a big thing for the American culture with their sport. We don't really have that in Australia. And maybe if salaries were noted, Maybe it would be more acceptable because then the fans would be like, well, Galvin's been in the headlines.
00:18:40
Tackles and Tinnies
What can we as West Tigers fans get in return in a Galvin trade? Obviously, we haven't got a draft like the AFL or NBA, NFL, whatever.
00:18:46
Chris
Yep. Yep.
00:18:51
Tackles and Tinnies
Maybe that could be a solution, getting a draft in. Then we could actually hack probably add more trades and then we could have better content for the fans, more kind more conversational points with each other, drives more revenue to the game. That's what Blandi is all about, isn't he? trying to get more money. That's another bloody thing we can go down.
00:19:10
Tackles and Tinnies
But there's so many different avenues you could talk about.
00:19:14
Chris
Yeah.
00:19:14
Tackles and Tinnies
But I think it's an important note to have because Galvin's situation in 2025 was a hallmark moment for the entire league.
00:19:25
Chris
Yeah, umm I'm going to pull a kind of a conspiracy string here. Do you feel that his situation was actually especially unique as well, however, considering the fact that he did go to the Bulldogs and, you know, there was a lot of talk about, hey, you know, obviously Gus going, hey, he was the best, you know, he's the best, you know, talent, young talent I've seen in a very, very long time. And then the fact that he ends up going to the Bulldogs, like, do you feel this happens, you know, if, you know Gus, you know, would have, would have, would have happened if he was pursued by another club.
00:19:57
Chris
Like i know he got pursued, he was pursued by the Eels as well. But do you feel that he would have made an effort to push and push this hard him and Isaac Moses? He's a, he's a player agent if it wasn't for the bulldogs and it wasn't for Gus.
00:20:10
Tackles and Tinnies
I don't.
00:20:10
Chris
And do you feel like, yeah, that the anti, the new anti tampering rules, which I must admit, I'm not familiar with.
00:20:16
Chris
Do you feel like this will stop this in the future?
00:20:19
Tackles and Tinnies
I think the solution is yes, in a way, what you're saying, little bit with the Bulldogs, with Gus, obviously, they're an up and coming team. Bigger club, obviously we've talked about in the past, Chris, last season's podcast with them doing like the fan days and they're getting 70, 80,000 people.
00:20:33
Chris
Yeah. Yeah.
00:20:38
Tackles and Tinnies
Like that's what you want to be playing in front of as a as a gun. I'll put that in asterisk there. Gun player. You haven't proven anything yet, Galvin. But that's obviously to notice. But again, if you had that trade window or that the salary is released with a draft and you could get all these trades going in, players talk.
00:20:57
Tackles and Tinnies
They do that anyway, which is fine. Technically, Gus Gill was just so vague. He technically didn't tamper per se. But I think if the league wants to move forward even further and sort of accelerate into the next stratosphere with content creation, with more exposure, engagement, et cetera, you need to move towards a draft slash draft.
00:21:24
Tackles and Tinnies
trade window, like an actual trade window. No, i know there's a deadline per se, but an actual trade window, maybe it's like two weeks in the middle of the year or something.
00:21:30
Chris
Yeah.
00:21:33
Tackles and Tinnies
Bang. After Origin.
00:21:34
Chris
Yeah. I think, I think that makes a lot of sense. It makes a lot of sense. it For me personally, it eliminates this idea of the accountability argument or complaint I made earlier in the sense that, hey, you can just you you can just get out of any contract that you want to. you know like If you have a defined set, you go, hey, look, there is a legal way for you to get out of that contract.
00:21:55
Chris
you know Have the transfer window right now for you. That would that would really, really help, I think. Yeah, that makes of sense.
00:22:01
Tackles and Tinnies
But it's like, obviously, there's a salary cap. I'm not sure exactly where both teams are in regards to salary cap. I would assume the West Tigers would have a little bit under the cap. Lewis, want to see on a fair bit of money. But besides him, probably not crazy amounts going around. Bulldogs, obviously, have Stephen Criard, and he'd be on big bickies.
00:22:20
Tackles and Tinnies
But besides him, probably not too many, especially for the 2025 season. you would think Both teams should be able to get fair conversation, not just like a release, his financial release. Like you might be able to get a player in return, like a one for one.
00:22:35
Chris
yep yep
00:22:37
Tackles and Tinnies
I don't know. That's just my opinion. yes
00:22:42
Tackles and Tinnies
That's that's adam that's the the situation regarding him.
00:22:43
Chris
thanks
00:22:45
Tackles and Tinnies
But let's go into something a bit more West Tigers good stuff related. Okay. But let's talk about roster movements slash recruitments.
00:22:53
Chris
Yeah, let's talk about this season. what What's going to happen this season?
00:22:54
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, yeah.
00:22:55
Chris
yeah
00:22:56
Tackles and Tinnies
Lucky Galvin, you had enough bloody airtime today. safe
00:23:00
Chris
Bye, 2025. I...
00:23:02
Tackles and Tinnies
Now, we'll do quick one here. Talon De Silva obviously left midway through the season, or maybe like two-thirds away through the season, going to Parramatta Eels. Quick one there, Chris. What were your thoughts on Talon De Silva leaving the club?
00:23:15
Chris
i I think we've, I think we've missed the beat. I think that he's, he's, you know, they caught him, you know, really, really, really, really good.
00:23:24
Chris
And, uh, but I, I guess in a sense that, look, you know, Appy's, you know, you know, like your captain and stuff like that, you, you've got to have him around and, and, you know, and if he wants, you know, if he wants a contract, you've got to give it to him.
00:23:36
Chris
And sadly, you know, you just have to let Talon Silva go really, you know, and good luck to him at the Eels.
00:23:40
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
00:23:41
Chris
Really. think he's gonna be a really, really great player. Yeah. Really great player.
00:23:44
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. So yeah i I agree. Potentially could start. When I did my Parramatta Eels review, guys, so go check it out our channel for the Parramatta Eels review. I went in a bit of detail there regarding their hooker situation. I think like they had about five hookers, including Dylan Walker, who filled in there here and there.
00:24:02
Tackles and Tinnies
But Riley Smith... most likely starting, but Talender Silva's signed until like the end of 2028 or 2029, which shows that the club sees him probably being the long-term hooker, maybe has a start there for our next year.
00:24:17
Tackles and Tinnies
And if he does start there next year, Chris, we've got another cheapie for the hooker position.
00:24:22
Chris
Yes.
00:24:23
Tackles and Tinnies
He's like Yeah. Yeah.
00:24:24
Chris
Look, we'll have a two-page so long as he listens to Mitchell Moses and passes to him when he gets asked.
00:24:27
Tackles and Tinnies
yeah it Oh my God, guys. i i did I went through that whole entire situation when he wasn't listening. Go do your yourself so a favor. Go listen to my take on it, but go watch the video.
00:24:39
Tackles and Tinnies
It's so funny. like That's why I like Richard Moses. He's got that dog in it. That's what you need. But anyway, back to the West Tigers.
00:24:44
Chris
you
00:24:46
Tackles and Tinnies
So 2026 losses. You've lost Fatappe. He's gone to Catlins. Joff Fedlidi, as I'm going to pronounce it. haven't heard of him before, to be honest. But he's been released. Alex Slob released. Justin Matamua released. Brent Naden released. I thought he was good at times, Chris. are thoughts on Brent Naden leaving?
00:25:06
Chris
Yeah. Yeah. Good player. But I think we've got some, some really, really good centers up and coming centers who who need to be played, who definitely need to be played.
00:25:11
Tackles and Tinnies
Hmm.
00:25:13
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
00:25:14
Chris
Yep.
00:25:14
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. Ruben Porter also got released. He had a couple of runs in the second row. I thought he was okay. Charlie Staines, he was a bit of a mainstay there. a Quick one on Charlie Staines, Chris.
00:25:26
Chris
Yeah. Shame that, you know, that, He just didn't, you know, achieve the potentials that we thought would when we bought him from, uh, from Penrith, you know, but also, you know, good luck to him, you know, at Catalan's.
00:25:34
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
00:25:37
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. And the last one, I'm going to butcher this. so Sorry, West Tigers fans, but Brandon... Tumeth, he's been released as well.
00:25:45
Chris
Nice. Nice.
00:25:46
Tackles and Tinnies
Sorry, Brandon.
00:25:47
Chris
i agree.
00:25:48
Tackles and Tinnies
but Maybe for for a good thing, so I don't have to pronounce that anymore. No, I'm kidding. but But I'm just going to quickly run through the West Tigers contracts situation.
00:25:59
Chris
Thank you.
00:26:00
Tackles and Tinnies
I'm just going to read out all the guys who are 2026 and then we'll quick discussion about who potentially will be re-signed slash maybe getting released and then I'll come back to the guys who were extended past 2026, so 2027, 2028, et cetera.
00:26:16
Tackles and Tinnies
So guys who are here just for 2026, we got Heath Mason, Jack Bird, Jareem Buller, which we'll talk about in detail soon. Jerome Luai, technically with all his clauses.
00:26:28
Tackles and Tinnies
Jarrell Skelton, another guy, 2026.
00:26:33
Tackles and Tinnies
Kit Lalili, he pretty sure he just signed with the Perth Bears. Is that correct, Chris? Yeah. Have you heard?
00:26:39
Chris
I couldn't tell you.
00:26:39
Tackles and Tinnies
Oh, no, it's Luke Lalihi. Sorry, not Kit. i'm not sure who Kit is. It must be his brother. Luke Lalihi signed with the Perth Bears. He's there to 2026. Maverick Fanel, 2026. Sakura, 2026. Tony 2026. Tristan Hope, 2026. And Will Craig, 2026.
00:26:52
Tackles and Tinnies
twenty twenty six soora twenty twenty six tony sukar twenty twenty six tristan hope twenty twenty six and wil craig twenty twenty six Chris, there's a couple of mainstays in this starting 13 who we need to talk about.
00:27:08
Tackles and Tinnies
Jerome Luai, probably we'll start with him first. Thoughts on Luai with his all his contract options?
00:27:16
Chris
please, please West Tigers, please Benji, please re-sign him for 2027. Do we have to say more? I think he brings a good culture to the club. You know, he's, you know, and and you know, i like look, last year I thought he was, you know, he had a B, B plus season and hopefully this year, you know, year under his belt, you know, ready to go really.
00:27:32
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
00:27:36
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. Yep.
00:27:36
Chris
Yeah. He's, he he's definitely our number one person that we need to re-sign along with, uh, we'll talk about the next person during Buller, you know, he's out, you know, he's our best fullback far but away, you know, Heath Mason's not bad, you know, as a backup as well, but during, you know, I love what I loved about him the most was that he would just, he would go for every single bomb or every single kick. He tried to catch it, you know, it's, you know, just the effort is there and stuff like that. And, you know, he's, he's the second one that we, you know, we really, we will want to try to be, you know, be re-signing as well for sure.
00:28:08
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep, 100%. And with the Jerome Luai situation, I think it's just a matter of both team or both parties, sorry, coming to terms with the player options.
00:28:19
Tackles and Tinnies
Don't want a Tino Fasul Malawi situation where every single year is a player option. That's not ideal for both parties involved. Obviously, Luai wants a little bit of flexibility. Maybe it comes down to a dollar amount as well. He's definitely over a million. Chris, thoughts?
00:28:34
Chris
Yeah. if Especially if the club feels that he brings the coach and the leadership that we've been really needing, you give it to him. You really just give it to him.
00:28:44
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep, 100%.
00:28:44
Chris
It's worth it.
00:28:46
Tackles and Tinnies
And as you just mentioned before, Chris, you got Dream Buller. He's probably top eight fullback.
00:28:55
Chris
Yeah, I think he's looking looking for eight. Like, I...
00:28:57
Tackles and Tinnies
Okay, let's quickly go through the the ladder, Chris. KO Weeks versus Buller, who you got?
00:29:03
Chris
Oh, K-Wakes.
00:29:06
Tackles and Tinnies
Okay, so far, Longo or Dream Buller?
00:29:06
Chris
K-Wakes.
00:29:09
Chris
Oh, I think you've got to give it to Jareem.
00:29:11
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
00:29:12
Chris
Not because of that, but rather it's a case of, I'm just talking from our perspective, from this context, in the sense that, hey, Jareem's been with us for a while. He's shown promise. you know He's shown loyalty.
00:29:23
Chris
Hey, we've got to take him over. Sua Furlonga, who also has a ridiculous amount of potential, ridiculous ceiling.
00:29:29
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
00:29:29
Chris
Absolutely.
00:29:30
Tackles and Tinnies
What's it? Potential versus reality. We've seen Dream for the past couple of seasons do that. So until proven otherwise far longer, maybe more upside. But Dream is a gun.
00:29:41
Tackles and Tinnies
Well, Connor Tracy slash Stephen Crichton, who, well, I think let's go Connor Tracy. Connor Tracy versus Dream Buller.
00:29:50
Chris
oppula
00:29:52
Tackles and Tinnies
Rhys Walsh versus Buller.
00:29:54
Chris
Oh, yeah, we'll go race. Just my smidge.
00:30:01
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, good so.
00:30:02
Chris
Just my smidge.
00:30:03
Tackles and Tinnies
Good so. Kennedy versus Buller.
00:30:04
Chris
Oh,
00:30:07
Chris
Nah, I like Dreamful and more.
00:30:08
Tackles and Tinnies
yeah
00:30:09
Chris
I like these plays. I like these play i like i like Will Kennedy and know really and who did we talk about earlier? Connor Tracy, these types. But I feel like they're they're dependable and you know what you're going to get with them.
00:30:20
Chris
I do like a little bit of that you know hey unpredictability, spot spontaneity. you know You just get the factor.
00:30:24
Tackles and Tinnies
The X Factor.
00:30:27
Chris
Yeah, X factor is the right word.
00:30:28
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, mate, as I said before, I did the Sharks review this morning and I was going through their depth chart regarding the fullback position. Will Kennedy finishes his contract at the end of this season.
00:30:39
Tackles and Tinnies
Wouldn't mind seeing KLL Iroh get a sniff there in 2027. They've got, I think, 16 guys out of their top 30 coming off contract. So they're going to have a lot of money.
00:30:51
Tackles and Tinnies
They could go for a guy like Ponga. They could go for another gun fullback. But yeah, move on quickly. Will Kennedy. So next up will be Chancel-Clockstead slash Tain Tuopiki versus Buller.
00:31:05
Tackles and Tinnies
Who have you got?
00:31:06
Chris
Oh, Jorame. Jorame.
00:31:07
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep, agreed. Dylan Edwards versus Buller.
00:31:12
Chris
Dylan Edwards.
00:31:14
Tackles and Tinnies
Teddy versus Buller.
00:31:16
Chris
Yeah, Teddy.
00:31:18
Tackles and Tinnies
Hammer slash Trey Fuller versus Buller.
00:31:24
Chris
Oh, it's a Finn's for sure.
00:31:26
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. Turbo versus Buller.
00:31:30
Chris
Oh.
00:31:34
Tackles and Tinnies
Who has more value?
00:31:34
Chris
Do you know what?
00:31:35
Tackles and Tinnies
That's the question. Like...
00:31:37
Chris
You're going to... I think the listeners are going to crucify me here, but I think it's what you said. Like, the value going forward, I love Tom, but I think it has to be Buller at this point.
00:31:52
Chris
You know, just the injuries. Just the injuries. You know, Yeah. Yeah.
00:31:58
Tackles and Tinnies
It's so tough because I'm just trying to get Dream Bull's age up. With Turbo, he's only signed until the end of 2027, which makes him like, what, 33, 34 years age? Correct me if i'm wrong. Where Dream Bull, I've got it here, he's 23 years old so monumental upside.
00:32:19
Chris
Thomas 29. Yep.
00:32:21
Tackles and Tinnies
And Turbo's body has betrayed him for the past couple years. not saying he can't have a healthy year for this year, but that's certainly a conversation point. I'm not too far off that. I'm going to give Turbo the bender for the debt just because his peak is so good and we've seen it.
00:32:36
Tackles and Tinnies
Buller is like a step below Hammer, similar in how they play and how they run with the ball. Is that fair comp?
00:32:46
Chris
Yeah, i don't think you want to ever discount a champion, you know, like Turbo.
00:32:49
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
00:32:50
Chris
But yeah, it's like you said, it's the it's the body, you know, can he get back to his best? And just the constant years and years of, you know, injuries and injuries. Yeah. Yeah. I think that Buller would be a smarter long-term option.
00:33:00
Tackles and Tinnies
Okay.
00:33:03
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep, I agree.
00:33:03
Chris
Yeah.
00:33:04
Chris
If we were a team that was ready to win, maybe, then yeah, 100%. Yeah, you go for Turbo for short-term on track.
00:33:10
Tackles and Tinnies
next up, Iongi versus Bulla.
00:33:11
Chris
Oh, yeah. i'm I'm a sucker for Isaiah Aongi. have huge reps on him.
00:33:19
Tackles and Tinnies
wow over bullet that's huge bro
00:33:20
Chris
Yeah. i Yeah. Yeah. I mean, they're both similar players, but Aongi's just his plate like playmaking ability is incredible. it's i it's Yeah. Yeah.
00:33:34
Chris
Yeah.
00:33:34
Tackles and Tinnies
that's huge that's crazy okay that's interesting cool that's that's a conversation for another time drink water verse bulla uh
00:33:35
Chris
i think think
00:33:45
Chris
drinky
00:33:49
Tackles and Tinnies
Who we got here? We've got Latrell Mitchell slash Dry Gray versus Buller.
00:33:54
Chris
Yeah.
00:33:54
Tackles and Tinnies
We'll say Dry Gray.
00:33:55
Chris
that That's not, that's not even a question. Yeah.
00:33:57
Tackles and Tinnies
You reckon Dry Gray is better than Buller?
00:33:57
Chris
It's Latrell.
00:34:00
Chris
Oh, I reckon you said, cause you said Latrell, definitely. Jai Gray.
00:34:04
Tackles and Tinnies
I'm going to say Latrell is playing center this year.
00:34:06
Chris
Oh, yeah. I'm going to, against Jai Gray, I'm going to say, uh, Bulla for sure.
00:34:11
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
00:34:12
Chris
Yeah.
00:34:15
Tackles and Tinnies
Clint Gutherson, the Gutharino versus Buller.
00:34:18
Chris
I think it's, I think it's, I think Guffo sadly on the downhill. He's seen better days. Yep. He looked a little slow last year a few times.
00:34:24
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. Yep. Keeney versus Bulla.
00:34:30
Chris
Oh, Keeney. Keeney for sure.
00:34:31
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, Gan. Gan. And Bulla versus Ponga.
00:34:35
Chris
I don't have to.
00:34:38
Chris
Oh, Ponga. Ponga.
00:34:39
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. So one, two, three... He, man, fullback is stacked.
00:34:49
Tackles and Tinnies
day He's like probably the 10th best fullback. And he is a gun, like absolute gun.
00:34:52
Chris
Yeah. Yeah.
00:34:54
Tackles and Tinnies
That shows you how good the league is. That's what I'm saying, man. Like it's doing all these reviews. You actually go through every team's best 17 slash 19 players. It is so hard to predict.
00:35:07
Tackles and Tinnies
So, so hard to predict. that's an interesting conversation point. Anyway, Doreen Buller, please resign. We need you at the West Tigers. Gerald Skelton, thoughts on him?
00:35:16
Chris
Yeah, I thought he was great last year. Just an absolute bulldozer, you know. Just very difficult to stop. pretty good thought he was pretty dependable, pretty good in the air as well. You know, yeah, I would definitely like to see him back.
00:35:34
Chris
uh, 2027. yeah, especially, especially as well, union convert too. So, uh, these guys take a bit of time, you know, to get really, really, really good, you know, other than unless you're in Mark, you know, yes.
00:35:43
Tackles and Tinnies
Injuries, man. That was his kryptonite, bro. Injuries in 20, 25.
00:35:47
Chris
The hamstrings, I was at hamstrings last year or something.
00:35:47
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. Yep. yeah
00:35:49
Chris
Yeah. Yeah.
00:35:51
Tackles and Tinnies
That's a killer, man. I think he missed. Yeah, couldn't I'm going to get the games in front of me, but it feels like half the season he was injured. So when he played, pretty good. But there's a guy who we'll talk about later on for our potential smoky start. And Supercoach has just opened as of the 20th of January, which is today. And this guy's got like 50% owned.
00:36:10
Tackles and Tinnies
He'll be an interesting conversation point. They're probably much the main guys to talk about regarding the 2026 contract. These are guys who were signed past 2026, so 2027, 2028, etc. So Adam Dewey, Twal, signed to 2027. Alex Safepath Api Korosau, they're both signed to 2028. Fanua Pol-Pole, he signed to 2027.
00:36:27
Tackles and Tinnies
alex safefa and app chorusow they're both signed to twenty twenty eight van noah paul pauley he's on a twenty twenty seven Maccassini, the young prodigy. Let's just go straight into it. Maccassini looks like he's touted to start on the wing, more than likely over Gerald Skelton. Correct me if I'm wrong there, Chris.
00:36:51
Chris
Yeah, I think so. Either he's definitely plays on the left, I think, but either left wing or even I've been hearing reports that, you know, that Taylor May could move out to left wing and he could start actually left center.
00:37:01
Chris
He's six foot four, big guy, 19, very young. And I think again, yet another player that, you know, big raps on him apparently. Yeah.
00:37:11
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah. We didn't play many games, but as you're saying, huge monumental upside. And he's so young still. Like he's so, so young. i'm trying to get his age up. i'm pretty sure he's 19 years old, which is obviously a testament to what Benji Marshall has trust in him.
00:37:28
Tackles and Tinnies
So 18. July 27. Yeah, man.
00:37:29
Chris
Yeah, Googled. Okay, yeah, we because we Googled early.
00:37:31
Tackles and Tinnies
he's a gun, 192 centimeters, 105 kilos.
00:37:33
Chris
He born in 2007. Jesus, these kids get younger and younger.
00:37:36
Tackles and Tinnies
yeah man so he's a gun hundred and ninety two centimes a hundred and five kilos Yeah. Weapon. Weapon.
00:37:45
Chris
and
00:37:45
Tackles and Tinnies
He's going to be a long-term keeper. Maybe a Stafford Toa gets kicked are your thoughts on Stafford Toa?
00:37:54
Chris
I thought Stafford was actually one of our better players last year.
00:37:57
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, I agree.
00:37:58
Chris
My understanding is that Stafford will be playing right center.
00:38:03
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
00:38:03
Chris
So depends if if either Taylor Mayer can play right center. Sure, it could be that he also you know he also gets superseded as well.
00:38:08
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
00:38:12
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah. Yeah.
00:38:13
Chris
But hard to say. You've got to wait until the trials, see what they bring out
00:38:16
Tackles and Tinnies
And yeah, Stafford Toa, he's there to 2028. So obviously management sees a lot of trust and faith in him. Jock Madden, he's been signed for this year. He's there to 2027. He's a great backup half that you guys can have, which is fantastic.
00:38:31
Tackles and Tinnies
Kai Pierce-Paul, there to 2028. Huge. one One of the best recruits, arguably, for a team that needed a good edgeback roller. Thoughts on Kai Pierce-Paul being there to 2028?
00:38:42
Chris
oh yeah no he definitely is our biggest signing for this year uh six foot six general giant this is he's had two seasons with the knights and now he comes and play with us uh You know, last year, Alex Safar, I thought he had a mid mid-season. He wasn't great, but wasn't bad either. There was nothing memorable. And i reckon KPP is like a massive upgrade to Safar. You know, we saw him last season just you know offloading a lot more. and And that was when he was playing on that right center that right center edge
00:39:15
Chris
Sorry, right second row edge last year for the night. So I'm very excited for him. And, you know, he, he will definitely make Taruva's life a lot more easier as well.
00:39:26
Chris
Yeah.
00:39:26
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
00:39:26
Chris
We expect more tries on that corner.
00:39:27
Tackles and Tinnies
Do you think Benji Marshall being his coach and Benji Marshall being a bit more expansive with his football, do you think he's got a bit more of a license to offload and be more of that attacking upside that He was projected to be with the Newcastle Knights. He was quite safe, really, at the Newcastle Knights. Had to put the offload away. what are he you thoughts there?
00:39:48
Chris
Yeah. I, I think he's going to be offloading a lot more only because in the first season, uh, I don't notice because I had him in super coach both years, uh, in the first season, he just, I bought, got him on potential, but he just really didn't offload the stats that he didn't.
00:40:01
Chris
But then last season he really, really did. It's just that because he was priced was so high and super coach that not many people bought him at all, but you know, tackling always there. The runs are there, you know, it was offloading a lot more. So now third season, you can only expect, you know, if he gets given the green light, he should be.
00:40:16
Chris
And, and that it just, it's right. it And it makes sense in with our style of play, the target style of play, we have a very expansive, just do whatever the, do whatever you, what you want, you know, you know, is sometimes it actually is just zero structure, you know, a little bit like Canberra little bit.
00:40:26
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
00:40:31
Chris
Yeah.
00:40:31
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. Yeah, great analysis there. I'm um'm expecting big things and I'd be pretty tempted chuck him in Supercoach round one, but obviously you guys got the bye, which is not too ideal, but we'll talk about strength of schedule later on.
00:40:45
Tackles and Tinnies
Latu Finu, 2027. Again, he'll be a big talking point when we get to the the starting team. maybe not even starting. Again, that's a good conversation point later on for the podcast. Big Royce Hunt there to 2027. Samuel he's there 2027.
00:40:59
Tackles and Tinnies
And we talked about Stafford Toa there. there to 2028. Taruva, 2027. Talon and Terramay, both there to 2027. on the May brothers quickly. Yep, they're terruva twenty twenty seven tailen and terolll ma both there to twenty twenty seven thoughts on the the may brothers quickly
00:41:16
Chris
Yeah, I think I said earlier, my favorite players on the team.
00:41:19
Tackles and Tinnies
yep again
00:41:23
Chris
Say no more.
00:41:23
Tackles and Tinnies
And I think we're about to give give some roses to them, mate, because the next part of this podcast, guys, we're looking at the people who over-exceeded or under-achieved or question marks leading towards it, but we'll go through the exceeded expectations straight up.
00:41:38
Tackles and Tinnies
And we won't try to rehash too many things. so We've talked about some of these guys already, but Doreen Buller, Gun. Absolute gun. i think I remember watching the West Tigers documentary or like patches of it anyway, and they were doing their preseason and they had to do some like nighttime heel challenge, like endurance thing.
00:41:56
Tackles and Tinnies
And Benji Marshall pretty much set this challenge up where the last part was bound to fail and you shouldn't able to do it.
00:42:00
Chris
Thank you.
00:42:02
Tackles and Tinnies
And, Essentially one guy had to step up to do this log carry. I think it was like 500 meters up this hill, super heavy, like awkward, fatigued after a big session.
00:42:13
Tackles and Tinnies
And if one guy did it, the whole team had a rest. If no one did it, everyone had a penalty. And Drain Buller was the first guy i stood up and he carried that log and the boys helped him out at the very end.
00:42:25
Tackles and Tinnies
But again, trying to build that culture and camaraderie, building those winning practices, Drain Buller, amazing. Again, I've got to give a shout out there because I know how hard it can be to carry a big fat log up a big fat hill.
00:42:37
Tackles and Tinnies
So yeah, for Nua Pole, he accompanied Terrell May for majority of the season at the front row position.
00:42:47
Tackles and Tinnies
I think he has still more room for growth. What's your thoughts on Paule?
00:42:52
Chris
Yeah, I thought he had a good season last year, you know, great step, you know, didn't miss many of his tackles. Yeah. Yeah, I think he's a good prop.
00:43:03
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah. And again, props are hard to come by and you guys got pretty good depth in the middle rotation. And again, these guys are so young. He's only going to get better. Terrell May as well as Taylor May. Let's give Terrell May his flowers first.
00:43:18
Tackles and Tinnies
Probably your best overall, most consistent, hardworking, you name it. He was that guy. He made a immature comment regarding the New South Wales team and he probably arguably got snubbed from that team due to that for bad culture, I guess.
00:43:30
Chris
Mm-hmm.
00:43:35
Tackles and Tinnies
But yeah, he was amazing. He looked really, really good. Looked a bit slow and lethargic playing for, I think it was Samoa at the end of the Pac Nation series.
00:43:47
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, it looked pretty unfit. Personally, I think you needs to lose a few kilos and I think that'll help his motor going forward for next year. What are your thoughts on Terrell May, Chris?
00:43:57
Chris
Yeah, I i actually i thought he was out yeah far far beyond our best player last year for sure. you know Not many forwards, not many props. Can play 80 minutes and he played 80 minutes several times really. you know and i think that you know I think that he can... you know he deserved met to make, you know, uh, New South Wales origin last year, few times I said on the podcast justice for me and, uh, look, uh, look, it's another year.
00:44:26
Chris
he becomes a bit more mature, you know, realizes that, you know, the words that you say they've got consequences sometimes and, you know, and if he spends a bit more time with, uh, uh, with Jerome, lo i you know, he'll grow up a little bit more, you know, and yeah, I think I have no doubt that he can lose a couple of pounds as well.
00:44:39
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
00:44:43
Chris
Ryan, because i remember at the beginning of the season, he he, he, he ran a marathon just, just to prove that he could run one.
00:44:48
Tackles and Tinnies
They're crazy.
00:44:49
Chris
I know like, you know, and just to go, Hey, just to say, Hey, I've got a bigger motor and I can do it.
00:44:50
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
00:44:54
Chris
I can do it when asked to do stuff, I'll do it. You know?
00:44:56
Tackles and Tinnies
Oh, I'm not, don't get me wrong.
00:44:57
Chris
So I have no doubt. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
00:44:59
Tackles and Tinnies
I'm not saying he's not fit. I just think he needs to lose a few kilos, which I think will help his overall stamina. He's just a big boy. And as you just mentioned, can run a marathon. I think he was doing it almost every day or something like a half marathon, every single day.
00:45:11
Tackles and Tinnies
So yeah, explains why it could do 70 minutes plus essentially for the whole entire season.
00:45:12
Chris
That's crazy. Yeah.
00:45:17
Tackles and Tinnies
Super coach darling, bit expensive this year, but that's a conversation for another time.
00:45:18
Chris
Yeah.
00:45:21
Chris
Yeah.
00:45:23
Tackles and Tinnies
I thought the,
00:45:23
Chris
For a future feature podcast. okay
00:45:25
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, you do podcast like to subscribe. I thought the Fainu brothers, Samuel Fainu, was very good starting on the edge. Huge attacking upside.
00:45:37
Tackles and Tinnies
Latu Fainu started halfback, at heartback started at at five eight was injured for half the season, came off the bench, but good when he played. Thoughts on the Fainu boys or two of the three Fainu boys?
00:45:50
Chris
they were, they were good, really. I'm just very excited by, especially by Latu, you know, just he's, you know, just there was big raps on him going through with the magpies and stuff of that. And,
00:46:03
Chris
And yeah, like it just, know you these guys are so young, you know, that they, they're like, give them another year and they could, they could like, you know, you never, not everybody reaches their potential. I know that there's just, it's, it's a, it's a good sign for the club, you know, and, and, you know, it's, and also helps a lot, you know, when you have brothers like that and if they're all signed for, you know, longer contracts, they're more likely to all stay if you can get more there.
00:46:17
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
00:46:24
Chris
So. I like that approach that, you know, we're signing, more you know, groups of people together and going, hey, look, we will look up, you know, we're a club that will look after your family, you know, and I think that that's a smart way.
00:46:36
Chris
It's a smart move by the club.
00:46:38
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. For sure. Chris, I'm go just going to read out some my notes I've got here, but disappointments and slash question marks. And not everything here is bad. is' just questions to be asking for 2026. I thought overall their edge defense looked leaky at times. And again, new combinations, people coming in and out, a lot of youth and experience, new systems being implemented by Benji Marshall.
00:47:04
Tackles and Tinnies
that's probably one of the biggest things. I thought the middle rotation at times looked a bit inconsistent. They were testing out different boys. Obviously, Alex Sathaf was a an edge player. Then he looked like he played a bit of middle.
00:47:18
Tackles and Tinnies
guys like Royce Hunt, for example, were good in patches, but he was one of their biggest signings in the offseason. And then, well, that's their defense. And then a guy like Adam Dewey, he got shifted around from 5'8", center, halfback,
00:47:34
Tackles and Tinnies
Locke as well. What are your thoughts on their defence? And then you can touch on Adam Dewey for me, Chris.
00:47:41
Chris
Yeah. All I can say is hopefully we get better. And I have no doubt that I think we we will get better, you know, especially with, you know, having KPP on, you know, on that right edge, you know, great, great defender, you know, and, you know, another year, hopefully we just, you know, the the team just gels bit better. And, Yeah.
00:48:03
Chris
Yeah. That's all I can truly say about it. Yeah. And then we have Adam Dewey. Yeah. Look, I, there's, yeah, there's lots of question marks for him this year. And we'll probably touch on this bit in terms of case of like, where does he play?
00:48:19
Tackles and Tinnies
Go away.
00:48:21
Chris
Do like, right. Like, do you think that he's better off you at the seven or do you think he's better off as a, just a creative 13 or, You know, it was, you know, as i was saying to you earlier, you know, in the green room, does he come off the bench really?
00:48:33
Chris
And then we inject him when we need to, because, you know, he's a little bit older with injuries.
00:48:37
Tackles and Tinnies
It's the versatility is almost his kryptonite. He was very serviceable serviceable at center. I remember a super coach. I had him. He had the dual position and then he had one game at half back. I'm like, yep, he's going to pop off, then got injured, then I traded him and then he made that huge run where he got consistent minutes at half back. I'm like, standard super coach, procedure there. soon as the guy comes back from injury, they seem to do well.
00:49:03
Tackles and Tinnies
He seemed to... He's got a very good long kicking game, very big body in the front line, which I think also helps them. I just get...
00:49:15
Tackles and Tinnies
Version V2 of Isaiah Yo. That's how I see him. Like, he's got a kicking game like that Isaiah doesn't have. And if he can obviously improve his defense and his motor like Isaiah Yo, because he's obviously the best at it, I don't see why he can't get to that upside of Isaiah Yo. Literally the same stature, but he's faster. He's got a better pass on him.
00:49:41
Tackles and Tinnies
And obviously an elite kicking game and can convert. I think that also solves the La 2 final situation.
00:49:44
Chris
Yeah.
00:49:47
Tackles and Tinnies
And as we mentioned at the start of the podcast, your attack wasn't always good and you struggled to score points. So getting more guys who can have the ball.
00:49:58
Tackles and Tinnies
Again, you were the third third yeah third worst attack in the whole entire league. So solves the problem there.
00:50:03
Chris
yeah
00:50:05
Tackles and Tinnies
Thoughts?
00:50:06
Chris
Yeah, it makes a lot of sense as well. And I think as I was kind of ju you know just thinking it through as well, I realised that we can't really necessarily have him off off the bench either because in the event that when him or Appiah are both off the bench or on the bench, then we don't have a goal kicker.
00:50:24
Chris
So having him start makes ensures that, hey, look, you know and at all points, we should have a you know we should have a goal kicker
00:50:25
Tackles and Tinnies
True.
00:50:33
Chris
as well
00:50:33
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
00:50:35
Chris
And it doesn't, and you're right.
00:50:35
Tackles and Tinnies
And...
00:50:36
Chris
It doesn't hamper, it doesn't hamper Lato Fainu's ability to grow and progress as well.
00:50:43
Tackles and Tinnies
Do you think... Who compliments Luai better? I think that's the biggest question. Latu or Dewey?
00:50:55
Chris
Can I turn it on its head a little bit? I think who does, who does, who does Jerome compliment better specifically?
00:50:57
Tackles and Tinnies
Hmm.
00:51:04
Chris
because i Because as much as you want Jerome to be the main man, he he doesn't seem to be, doesn't like to seem to be the main man. Is that making sense? That's that's my, that's the way I get it from him. Like, like I feel like that.
00:51:19
Chris
I do feel that like Dewey is much better with Jerome because Dewey often demands the ball, but Lato also doesn't often demand the ball very much. And, and I also found that Dewey is a much more a pass first player.
00:51:36
Chris
I know this sounds because he did go for a couple of runs himself, but he often is willing to pass the ball. uh more so and that's where you're kind of talking about you know that isaiah yo role and he's much more willing to give the ball up early compared to compared to latu that was what i found when i was watching their games yeah
00:51:52
Tackles and Tinnies
That's where I think Dewey at lock makes sense because he's like the second link man and then you can even have Luai further off the ruck where he can use his ability to break the line, step, do a little grubber through.
00:52:00
Chris
yep
00:52:06
Tackles and Tinnies
But even Dewey could do that. I think you just getting him more guys who can actually score points and get it to your gun outside backs who have that –
00:52:13
Chris
Yeah. Yeah.
00:52:16
Tackles and Tinnies
huge monumental upside, particularly guys like May and Taruvar and Makassini if he gets a crack there or getting one-on-one with Jarrell Skelton who's such a big body, Manu Vadavai-esque type player.
00:52:29
Tackles and Tinnies
I think it just makes more sense and it complements the team more. Let's say hypothetically the West Tigers were like the eighth best attack. I'd be probably more inclined to just say, okay, do we start a halfback?
00:52:40
Tackles and Tinnies
But I think it's proven now that you need points and I think you're just going to go all in and on attack.
00:52:44
Chris
Yep. Yep.
00:52:46
Tackles and Tinnies
do.
00:52:46
Chris
Yep.
00:52:46
Tackles and Tinnies
I predict.
00:52:46
Chris
But in terms of, yeah, but in terms of, I look, I don't have a, I don't, I don't mind either way. Honestly, my preference would just be, Hey, you know, you, you know, Benji would just go up to Jerome and go, Hey mate, who do you want to play with?
00:52:58
Chris
And then whoever he says, I would like them to be the starting half back. You go, yep. one hundred percent. That's, that's who you pick on week one.
00:53:06
Tackles and Tinnies
i do
00:53:06
Chris
Whoever he's happy with.
00:53:07
Tackles and Tinnies
do predict Dewey to start halfback at the start of the year because he finished the year so strong at halfback and Latu could even be Smokey Locke off the bench he's big enough
00:53:10
Chris
Hmm. Hmm. Yeah. Yeah.
00:53:19
Tackles and Tinnies
then they use them as a utility. So again, that's like a huge conversation point. Tackles and teenagers listeners, we want to hear from you in the comments because Chris and I have no idea and i I don't, you guys will as well, but prove me wrong. Where do you see Adam Dewey play in 2026? Is he back to center? Is he 5'8", halfback? Is he going to play lock? Is he coming off the bench? Is it situation pending?
00:53:43
Tackles and Tinnies
Let us know in the comments, please. So, Next up, we obviously had the Lockie Galvin situation. We're not going to mention him again, but we've got the the boardroom, the governance of their body scandal for 2025, which pretty much went all the the way through to the end of the year.
00:53:59
Chris
Mm-hmm.
00:54:02
Tackles and Tinnies
Chris, not ideal, but I'll do the same thing. I'll read what I have here and then I'll get your opinion at the very end. So the power structure, so why this keeps blowing up. West Tigers is a joint venture club. where Holland Barnes Group, HBG, is the 90% owner and effectively controlling stakeholder, according to ABC. After repeated instability and independent governance review was done in 2024, and the push became independent directors plus cleaner governance, according Holland Barnes Group,
00:54:31
Tackles and Tinnies
The build up, so late 2024 to early 2025. So the 13th of December 2024, the HBG released statement saying an internal process such investigation is underway and the directors are in question were suspended from membership privileges while it all played out, according Holland's Barn Group.
00:54:50
Tackles and Tinnies
couple days or a month, about a month later, 15th of January, 2025, the Tigers announced a board transformation and appointed four independent directors describing it as part of the shaping governance strategy and stakeholder engagement, according to the West Tigers.
00:55:05
Tackles and Tinnies
The explosion, so this is more recent news in December, 2025. the 1st of December 2025, the Tigers confirmed they received notice from HBG that four independent directors were removed immediately.
00:55:18
Tackles and Tinnies
So the barrel o'farrel Barry O'Farrell, who's the chairman, Annabelle Williams, Charlie Voyola, and Michelle McDoll, according to West Tigers.
00:55:28
Tackles and Tinnies
You might have pronounced them wrong, sorry. But O'Farrell publicly reframed as the internal ownership antics and warned the situation could force NRL investigation, according to ABC.
00:55:34
Chris
Thank you.
00:55:38
Tackles and Tinnies
The HBG's explanation publicly, they argued the independent model hadn't delivered enough communication and alignment between the Tigers and HBG. So that's the parent entity after the 2024 review structure was implemented, according to Holden-Barr's group.
00:55:55
Tackles and Tinnies
The report flashpoint, so multiple outlets reported the fight also included symbolic brand issues like the 2026 jersey with claims was such two orange or heritage tensions, according news.com.
00:56:09
Tackles and Tinnies
The government body stepped in, so the and NRL slash ARLC. The NRL raised governance concerns with the HPG and the Peter Volandis met with sacked independent directors, per the reporting of Fox Sports.
00:56:21
Tackles and Tinnies
On the 10th of the 11th of December 2025, ABC reports O'Farrell and multiple O'Hare's independents were expected to return on the and NRL's demand, according to ABC. And reporting also described it as a backflip. after NRL intervention with independence set to be restrict reinstated. Exact final makeup varied across reports and has not been confirmed according to Fox Sports.
00:56:45
Tackles and Tinnies
The fallout, so why it was called a scandal and not just a reshuffle. So on 8th of December, 2025, Tigers officially confirmed CEO Shane Richardson resigned, which was huge news according to West Tigers.
00:56:52
Chris
you
00:56:57
Tackles and Tinnies
Around the same period, reporting said the NRL integrity unit was looking at potential conflict of interest involving the Enriched Group, a business Richardson part owned with his son, being used by the club according to the raw.com.
00:57:11
Tackles and Tinnies
fans are local Fans and local political figures escalated public pressure. Let's say Save the Tigers rally was organized at the Patton Spark Westfield-Ashfield focus about these sackings.
00:57:23
Chris
Thank
00:57:24
Tackles and Tinnies
So where it left the Tigers heading in into 2026, even with independent directors returning after NRL pressure, the core issue remained the HBG's ownership control versus independent governance stability and the joint venture identity politics that flare up around symbols like jerseys called the Hollands Bar and Group.
00:57:42
Tackles and Tinnies
Net result for the 2026 preseason narrative, leadership churn, CEO resignation, NRL stepping into the over their governance and public fan revolt and reputation damage.
00:57:55
Tackles and Tinnies
Last part, boardroom drama, does it still matter? Clive has had years of board and CEO churn, factions, reviews, and leaks, constant background noise. 2025 still had the feelings of who's actually running the show, even as Benji took more control of the footy side.
00:58:12
Tackles and Tinnies
Chris, so much to dissect and so much to talk about. And you might not know everything here, but what are your thoughts on this whole debacle regarding the governance bodies, the the HBG, so the Holman Barnes group, and how the fans reacted?
00:58:27
Chris
Yeah, no, I was, no, I was all over it actually when it all happened just before Christmas last year, you know, and it just, oh, it's just stupid. It's just so, like, I mean, I feel like we're,
00:58:41
Chris
there's a lot behind the scenes that we just as fans will never be privy to. And we never understand. And things a lot of very, very political, you know, but at the end of the day, you know, you know, the net, it's a net result that really matters. Like, you know, like, you know, our CEO who was, you know, great. I fought last year with, you know, the whole,
00:58:58
Chris
I know we say we wouldn't talk about Lockie anymore, but it was great with Lockie situation. And then he ended up resigning, which means, you know, it makes you go, you know, and then, and then Barry O'Farrell, you know, who, who was, you know, he, he's just been reappointed. I think was it early this year, late last year, early this year, back to being on the board. So like,
00:59:17
Chris
why Why do all of this? It just makes no sense. Do what I'm saying? Like, it all definitely is, like, there's all there's definitely a lot of political stuff. Like, Barry O'Farrell used to be, you know, the the New South Wales Premier, actually, Liberal Premier. So, so there's I'm sure there's lots of in-faction fighting and stuff of that. And they've just, and, you know, and I you know i wouldn't be surprised if... hpg was like we're just gonna blow everything so we can have maintain complete control we feel like we're you know we're losing control you know and but like to to to to do this based on you know what was it uh
00:59:50
Chris
you know, there wasn't enough communication and alignment between, you know, the portal and the parent company, you know, it's, you know, that's what it suggests really, but it just, but, you know, like why bother doing with this stuff? It just, you know, just feels like a repeat from last year really. And I think the best thing that we can say about all of this was it happened during Christmas, you know, everybody's on holidays, nobody cares. And, you know, since then, since January, you know, these last for two weeks or so,
01:00:17
Chris
we haven't heard anything about it at all, really. It just seems like we've moved on, you know, in terms of what you say, in terms of, does this upheaval, you know, does it affect the club? You know, look,
01:00:27
Chris
Like I said, it probably doesn't because of the Christmas, but you know at end day, it's not a good look. You know, the last thing you want is, you know, if you're Jerome Luai, you know, you've come from a premier run club and you're going, what in the world? Like, du I don't need to be dealing with this stuff.
01:00:39
Chris
That's, that's what it is.
01:00:39
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
01:00:41
Chris
Yeah. But, but I also, to follow onto another question that you you asked, you were thinking about probably was, you know, it still seems that p players want to come to our club.
01:00:54
Chris
You know, like we managed to still sign KPP last season. you know what I'm saying? So maybe all this stuff doesn't have to worry. It can all happen mutually, exclusively of what the club is.
01:01:06
Chris
Yeah. for's like does did you know is this Is this normal? Like, does this happen to the Titans, for example, Ryan?
01:01:11
Tackles and Tinnies
Oh, we don't bring the Titans up. We don't bring the Titans up.
01:01:15
Chris
okay
01:01:16
Tackles and Tinnies
I think no. Obviously, the Gold Coast Titans had their, the Frizzell group now has full control. And then they've obviously distributed some of the minority stakeholders to guys like Gordon Tallis, Matty Johns, Todd Carney's got involved, some other guys like that.
01:01:33
Tackles and Tinnies
they've done a reshuffle similar to the West Tigers. But when you're down in the dungeon dungeons of mediocrity in the and NRL, some things have to change. And I think being the former West Tigers and you've sort of changed your whole entire managerial slash ownership structure, and then you're getting rid of some of these independent board members who are for the people, I guess you could say.
01:01:59
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, it looks messy and it doesn't look good from an NRL point of view in terms of their branding and marketing and the cohesion that they want to see.
01:02:08
Chris
Yep.
01:02:09
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, that's probably my perspective on it. I learned a lot today from the readings plus yourself, Chris. so very interesting. I just hope this is all behind us now. Like Lockie Galvin's out of the situation. You've sorted out this whole board situation for the, feels like the 30th time in the past couple of years.
01:02:28
Tackles and Tinnies
It just looks like 2026 is the year of the cool.
01:02:35
Tackles and Tinnies
If you know, you know.
01:02:38
Tackles and Tinnies
uh let's move on best moments i think the best moment for me i just watched it on youtube before this podcast started and i don't remember exactly what round it was but it was the full field try against the uh against the cowboys it went through about seven boys hands uh drome luai does this awesome like sort of like goose step spiral pass goes to Taylor May.
01:03:08
Tackles and Tinnies
i remember the the commentator was like the best part of the whole thing. He was popping off. He like, Reece Robinson's having a crap game. And then Jerome Lewis picks the ball up, does a spiral pass out to Taylor May.
01:03:24
Chris
Thank you.
01:03:26
Tackles and Tinnies
He gets like the 30-meter line, then offloads it to Buller. And then the commentator's like, Bulla, Bulla, Bulla. It was the best moment. Guys, you've got to go on YouTube or TikTok, wherever you watch your short form stuff.
01:03:41
Tackles and Tinnies
Cowboys, West Tigers, full field try 2025. You'll thank me. Chris, you remember this try at all?
01:03:49
Chris
Oh, look, now that you say it, I do. You bring a smile to my face, you know. It's, a you know, Cowboys versus Tigers. It's what happens when, you know, when teams don't play defense, you know.
01:03:58
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. That's what we like to see.
01:03:58
Chris
Not bad for a team that finished third last india in attack.
01:04:02
Tackles and Tinnies
yeah And that's what we like to see.
01:04:04
Chris
Only works against bad defending teams, bad defenses, but...
01:04:09
Tackles and Tinnies
But that's the that's the Tigers football we love to see. for me personally, that's my favourite moment. is there another moment for you, Chris, that turns out top of your head?
01:04:18
Chris
Yeah, definitely the the win we had in the wet against against the Doggies. That was, I think, was it late, late maybe early August or something like that. that was That was a good one.
01:04:26
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
01:04:27
Chris
I missed part of it because I was showing my my in-laws, Sydney, around Sydney. But no, that was a good game as well. You know, was i was a one or two tries where I think Dewey picked up the ball and went the length of the field or something like that.
01:04:34
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
01:04:39
Chris
That was good. That was great.
01:04:41
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
01:04:41
Chris
So, yeah, especially against Lachie Galvin.
01:04:41
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. Remember that one.
01:04:49
Tackles and Tinnies
And then, again, West Tigers fans, there's glimpses of hope for you for 2026. So believe, believe, get the claw out. Rookies or players to watch for 2026. We briefly talked about before, but Makasini, 6'4", big bop, young fella, 18 years old, turning 19 in like June or July.
01:05:11
Tackles and Tinnies
maybe gets a smoky start in the wing position. Chris and two other people are saying the same thing. 50% owner and super coach has another inkling that he might start there as well.
01:05:22
Tackles and Tinnies
He could be an absolute gun. Go watch some of his highlights from New South Wales Cup and or some of his minimal first grade experience. Huge potential. And another sneaky pickup, which is worth noting, and it hurts my soul a little bit, but it's never going to play, was Javon Andrews. He was the 5'8", under-20s player for the Gold Coast Titans. Queensland, under-20s representative.
01:05:47
Tackles and Tinnies
He had a lot of potential with the Titans. However, Brimson, Keeney, Jaden Campbell locked into the spine long-term. He was never going to get a run. So amazing pickup for you guys. Again, more depth, more depth. You got you Latu, you got Jerome, you got Dewey.
01:06:03
Chris
Chuck Madden.
01:06:04
Tackles and Tinnies
There's another one. Yeah, Jock Madden. And now you another guy, Javon Andrews. Plenty of depth and competition for spots can only be a good thing for your team. Another play to watch is Bunte Afoa. We're going to talk about him shortly.
01:06:17
Tackles and Tinnies
Potentially a smoky pick for the top 19, but we'll get to that shortly. Now, for the people who haven't listened my other podcasts, I've been going through the Fox Sports strength of schedule. Essentially, what Fox Sports has done, they've synthesized how they how each team went in 2025.
01:06:34
Tackles and Tinnies
They looked at the teams they versed in the top four, versus the top eight, and teams who they play in the bottom four from 2025. They look at their home games, away games, teams they play during the origin period. Essentially, it's synthesized schedule roster schedule the company of everything, and they give you a definitive number, one being the hardest, 17 being the easiest schedule.
01:06:57
Tackles and Tinnies
So Manly Seagulls, for example, they're number 17, they've got the easiest schedule. So for the West Tigers, your draw rank is the ninth hardest. You're pretty much smack bang right in the
Evaluating Other Teams: Warriors and Bulldogs
01:07:09
Tackles and Tinnies
middle.
01:07:09
Tackles and Tinnies
So you've got double ups against the Warriors, who should be pretty tricky. They're the fifth best defense. They're going working a lot on their offense this offseason. Bulldogs, bonafide top four team.
01:07:21
Tackles and Tinnies
Nemesis game with Lockie Galvin. Got mentioned again. Panthers. Yeah, they're a top four team. Got the pedigree. They're to be very, very good.
01:07:30
Chris
Thank you.
01:07:30
Tackles and Tinnies
Cowboys. Definition rocks and diamonds. Who knows what going to get from the Cowboys, but they've still got five representative players in their team. Newcastle Knights. Surely should be better. Pong is healthy. Sort of, technically. So I'm in a moon boot. We'll get to that later on. Yeah, Fletcher Sharp.
01:07:47
Tackles and Tinnies
Dylan Brown, they've got a pretty good spine, but however, know about their forward pack. Raiders, surely another top four finish. Lost Fogarty, obviously, but they were Ethan Sanders, Kobe Black to fill that void there. Their younger fellas, another experience.
01:08:01
Tackles and Tinnies
The Dargons or the Dragons, you want to say it. Yeah, youthful young forward pack.
01:08:04
Chris
Dude,
01:08:06
Tackles and Tinnies
New halfback in Daniel Atkinson. They got the money man, Tupolotu. Should be all right. We'll see. And then the Parramatta Eels. I have no idea where the Parramatta is going to finish. I've got people saying they're gonna finish sixth. I've got them coming second last.
01:08:22
Tackles and Tinnies
It's so hard. It's so hard. What are your thoughts on their double-up games, Chris?
01:08:28
Chris
there's... it says I know it says Knife Hardest, but there's some we could we got some hard double ups, man. You know, Doggies, Panthers, Knights, Raiders.
01:08:38
Chris
Are you sure that we're just a knife? Are you sure?
01:08:41
Tackles and Tinnies
Don't leave the Warriors out there, mate. They're the fifth-best defence.
01:08:45
Chris
yeah No, look, look, based on if it's based on if it's ninth, look, I'm happy, you know, as long as, you know, you'd obviously, you know, you don't it'd be better, you know, you don't want to be first.
01:08:46
Tackles and Tinnies
But, yeah, tough.
01:08:55
Chris
You also don't want to be last. Sometimes it could just be in the middle, you know, and and all this stuff, you never know, you know, until, until this year when it actually starts, you know, it could be that, you know, the Cowboys are a brilliant team, you know, and you know, and, you know, the Eels could be a brilliant team too, and it could just make our life even worse.
01:09:10
Chris
So yeah, fingers crossed not. Yeah.
01:09:14
Tackles and Tinnies
So going out of as well, we got Gaines versus top eight teams in 2025. You got 12. Gaines versus top four teams, you got six. And Gaines versus the bottom four teams in 2025, you got another six.
01:09:26
Tackles and Tinnies
So travel, you got majority of Gaines in New South Wales, only five outside the state and one of those is in Canberra. Some key stretches from round 7 to 14, you've got the Broncos, Raiders, Sharks, Storm, Manly, Bulldogs, Panthers. This probably decides if they have their final side. My God, that is a tough run.
01:09:44
Tackles and Tinnies
Broncos, Raiders, Sharks, Storm, Manly, Dogs, Panthers. I don't think it could get much harder than that. That's arguably the top eight teams. So, ouch.
01:09:44
Chris
Yep.
01:09:54
Tackles and Tinnies
What are your thoughts there, Chris?
01:09:57
Chris
No, difficult difficult run. I'm kind of glad that it's kind of occurring just know just into that origin kind of time, you know especially around you know Storm, Doggies, Panthers, all of those teams that are all going to have a whole bunch of rep players out. The only ones we'll have out probably arere going to be maybe Jerome and, and Terrell May, and if not none. So that, that eases it just a little bit, you know, if we get onto a hot start, you know, it, it could be, we could be okay. We could be okay. But you know, we've, you know, to be the best, you've got to beat the best. So you've got to beat these teams, you've got to play them, you know, and yeah. And, and this run
Proposed Rule Changes: Impact on Strategy
01:10:34
Chris
just decides, you know, look, are we a top eight team or not really?
01:10:38
Chris
Yeah. Yeah.
01:10:39
Tackles and Tinnies
It's tough. And Chris, now you can empathize with me that Every team has really got a chance to make the eight, and that's what you like to see.
01:10:48
Chris
Yeah.
01:10:48
Tackles and Tinnies
So transparency throughout the league makes every game worthwhile watching. Good for content.
01:10:54
Chris
No, that's why i think that's that's one and one of the reasons why I think that this whole, that NRL is just, you know, so popular now at the moment.
01:10:54
Tackles and Tinnies
Good for you guys.
01:11:00
Chris
Like any team can win. Like it's like, and, you know, it's it's been an issue for the last two years.
01:11:01
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
01:11:04
Chris
Like there is, you know, any any team can beat any team on a good day.
01:11:09
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
01:11:09
Chris
And then injuries will come into it as well. There's been sadly been a whole lot of injuries. So, you know, it's so so level, you know, and it's worth, you know, sticking out for the whole year with your team because you never know.
01:11:19
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep, definitely. Now, that's the strength of schedule. Ninth hardest, pretty much smack bang in the middle. Now, this is the projecting start at 17 slash starting 19. Peter Volandi's pretty much confirmed that we're going to be having 19 players in the team. However, the head coaches and owners are like, we don't want that. But Peter Volandi's like, screw you, I'm pretty much going initiate it So...
01:11:43
Tackles and Tinnies
We're going to have the top 17 plus two extra in order. So Jersey 18, Jersey 19. They are currently in the team.
01:11:50
Chris
you
01:11:51
Tackles and Tinnies
However, we will also say at Jersey 18, 19, if the rule doesn't go through in regards to the extended bench, which I'll get through shortly, they would just be the emergency reserves.
01:12:02
Tackles and Tinnies
So for those who don't know, that Polito Volandi has proposed a rule change, which I'm all about personally, but they're extending the squads from 17 to 19, meaning that instead of having four players on your bench, you'll have six players on your bench.
01:12:17
Tackles and Tinnies
So it's trying
Debate on Starting Players
01:12:18
Tackles and Tinnies
to mitigate some games where you have decimated of injuries. Like for example, your halfback goes down and then your winger goes down and then you're cooked. Okay, because then having like pretty much two second rowers going out to the outside backs. This gives teams the opportunity now to have an outside back on their bench and maybe a more of a utility half.
01:12:38
Tackles and Tinnies
So have that thought of process when we're in the interchange bench, but we're going as project starting and then jersey eighteen nineteen are you going to be your final two bench spots.
01:12:52
Tackles and Tinnies
with've six but Also to add caveat, with six players on the bench, only four can play. Okay, so for example, jersey 14 to 17 all play, that means jersey 18 and 19 will then just be their emergency reserves in case there is foul play or any other misdemeanors. That's also worthwhile to note. Now, Chris...
01:13:10
Tackles and Tinnies
There's gonna be some positions that we'll have a quick discussion about. I'll quickly go over some, which will pretty much be locks. Some other guys will definitely are pick about and wanna hear your opinion.
01:13:18
Chris
Yep.
01:13:21
Tackles and Tinnies
So this is the projecting 19 players. This is from Zero Tackle, from nrl.com. This is from Super Coach Standards. It's from my visual eye test.
01:13:32
Tackles and Tinnies
And I've synthesized all this to put into one projected roster. Some might be a little bit biased where I think they should have it. For example, I had the Warriors, trying to at Clockstead, projected probably to start at fullback. But however, I think their upside needs to have Taintoapiki.
01:13:46
Tackles and Tinnies
We'll have those discussions as well. But at fullback, Doreen Buller. Any arguments there, Chris?
01:13:52
Chris
No, lock him in.
01:13:52
Tackles and Tinnies
No, lock and load. Now, the wing is, I've got Taruva definitely locked onto one wing. Fair. Fair.
01:14:00
Chris
Yep, definitely. On the right, on the right.
01:14:02
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. Yep.
01:14:03
Chris
No questions.
01:14:04
Tackles and Tinnies
No questions there. And then the other winger, we've got Gerald Skelton versus Macassini. Now, who do you have, Chris?
01:14:13
Chris
Well, personally, they're my two possible left left wingers.
01:14:13
Tackles and Tinnies
Or someone else, maybe?
01:14:19
Chris
Obviously, I'd have Jarrell Skelton just because he was the incumbent one. you know if If Makasini is coming through you know at the moment and just you know he's you know light years above now Skelton, now he's overtaken and then fine, start him at the beginning. But there's, i don't I don't, at 18 as well, I think he's so young. Unless he's just that good, i I don't think we need to rush him in and put him in. That's what I think personally, you know. Let him play, you know, Rebs for a little bit. let him Let him be on the bench for a little bit as well, you know, you know every every couple of weeks, you know. And if we do get an injury, then, you know, he can come on in and he can, you know, take take some, you know, and he can show his worth and, you know, take over that incumbency.
01:14:56
Tackles and Tinnies
hundred of a cent Yeah. Yeah, kind of agree with you too. And I think Gerald Skelton until proven otherwise, he's had a hamstring galore injury last season. Let's get him while he's fresh and then inevitably probably going to get injured, touch what he doesn't get injured, but then we can chuck Makassini in.
01:15:08
Chris
Yep. Yep.
01:15:12
Tackles and Tinnies
I think that's probably a better way to do it. But again, if Makassini proves otherwise in the offseason slash preseason, sorry, yeah, probably better off. Now, Chris, I've got Taylor May and Stafford Toa. Any arguments there?
01:15:27
Chris
Taylor Mayer was instrumental to us playing really well last year. And he looked like, you know, great spark attack. Brilliant. Safford Tarr, signed to 2028. We've got to keep him. We've got to play him. You know, if you want them to lose him.
01:15:36
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. Yep. 100% lock and load. So currently we've got Buller, fullback, Skelton on one wing, Taruva on the other. And at centre, we've got Taylan May and Stafford Toa. Matt Cassini, next man up.
01:15:50
Tackles and Tinnies
At Jerome Luai, any questions?
01:15:53
Chris
Nope.
01:15:54
Tackles and Tinnies
No, lock and load. Number seven, I have got Adam Dewey. We talked about him potentially playing at lock. Where do you have Dewey? Is he your number seven?
01:16:08
Chris
Look, I personally think he's my number seven just because my thoughts, once again, are that he likes to demand the ball a lot, you know, and he just keeps the pressure off Luai, but he's also willing to pass the ball early. The the benefit now of the six-man bench is you can you can have Lars Hu there, you know, off the bench, you know, and you can inject all three of them all together, you know, 20 minutes into the, you know, if you need that extra attack, you know, but just keep Adam is the incumbent, you know, he's just signed a contract, Keep him happy. There's no need to annoy him.
01:16:40
Chris
You know, just start him at seven. and think And if we don't go on a winning streak we start losing, then okay, put him on the bench or move him to 13. You know.
01:16:47
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. I tend to agree with you. And and it's a nice luxury to have. You guys did struggle to score points, hence why I understand the argument of having Dewey at lock.
01:17:01
Tackles and Tinnies
Guys, i want to hear from you guys in the comments. This is probably the most contentious position, the halfback position. Is it Latu Fanu? Is it Adam Dewey? Is it someone else in between? Maybe Luai? Let us know in the comments. Who do you think should be the halfback for the West Tigers in 2026?
01:17:15
Tackles and Tinnies
Now, at front row, Fanua Pole and Terrell May. Any arguments there?
01:17:21
Chris
No, they are best props by far. Yep.
01:17:24
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
01:17:24
Chris
They're in.
01:17:26
Tackles and Tinnies
Lock and load. Especially Terrell May. Fanua Pole maybe has a little bit of competition, but I definitely see him starting. He's definitely earned it anyway to start the season.
01:17:36
Tackles and Tinnies
Apicorosau, he's your captain or co-captain. He's your hooker. Questions there? Yeah, lock and load.
01:17:42
Chris
You've paid him. Once again, you've paid for him. You've got to play him.
01:17:46
Tackles and Tinnies
And you've also got rid of Talon De Silva, which is a proven point as well.
01:17:49
Chris
Yes.
Bench Strategies and Team Depth
01:17:51
Tackles and Tinnies
At second row, you've got new recruit Kai-Pierce Poole and Samuela Fanu. Any arguments there?
01:17:57
Chris
Nah, nah. I'm excited. that' Yeah, no, KPP is a big, big upgrade from Alex Safarff for sure, yeah.
01:18:07
Tackles and Tinnies
hundredn of percent Yeah, those two are going to be absolutely dynamos on the edges and Dewey and Luai are going have new weapons to fire out the back, which would be good. Now, 13, Mr. Reliable, Adonis of a body, Alex Twal.
01:18:23
Tackles and Tinnies
Again, we could chuck Dewey there. We could maybe chuck a guy like Latu Farnu there, actual smoke and mirrors there. Maybe a Bunty of Fawah, maybe an Alex Sathaf, maybe a Sione for now.
01:18:36
Tackles and Tinnies
Judy over 13, do you have Twal or someone else?
01:18:40
Chris
Nah, I like Twiley so much. You know, he's a, he's a good character. Tackles hard. don't think he's got, you know, and I don't have a disagreement there. Like, but once again, if you want to take him off the bench, fine, fine. But I think he's good at 13. Just let it be this year, see what happens. And then we make all the arrangements and changes when we're not winning.
01:19:00
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep, agreed. and Again, is I think his tackle efficiency was one of the best in the league. So for a team that needs good defense, Alex Twole definitely does that. Now off the bench in order, i remember guys, as I've said we've got six players on the bench, but I'm naming them in order. So Jersey 18 and Jersey 19 are on the extended bench as the extra two players. If not, they are the emergency reserves.
01:19:24
Tackles and Tinnies
At Jersey 14, I've got Latu Fainu. He's a utility half. Could maybe place a middle in a pinch or Dewey. They can switch around. Thoughts on Latu being 14?
01:19:36
Chris
Yep. Yep.
01:19:37
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. Easy lock and load. Number 15, I've got new recruit, Bunty Afoa. He's a big bop. Come from the New Zealand Warriors. He's steady. He will steer the ship knee B when <unk>re going to have inevitable rest for Terrell May, hopefully this year, and for Nwapole. Probably your first middle off the bench. Thoughts on Afoa? Does he make your team?
01:20:01
Tackles and Tinnies
I think I've lost your volume there. Chris?
01:20:04
Chris
Oh, sorry.
01:20:05
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep, you're
01:20:05
Chris
No, actually don't know much about Bunty, Ryan. Like, did he play last year at all for the for the Warriors?
01:20:12
Tackles and Tinnies
Very minimal, but I'm struggling to pick a guy who would take his minutes for a middle.
01:20:21
Chris
Yeah.
01:20:21
Tackles and Tinnies
Maybe a CNF now.
01:20:21
Chris
Oh, look.
01:20:24
Chris
Yeah, always feel like you have to have Royce Hunt first off the bench as well. He's just a cult. I know we have a lot of cult favorites at the Tigers, but you've got to have Royce come inject it, and the whole crowd is happy.
01:20:41
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
01:20:43
Chris
He plays his 10 to 15 minutes. look, again, have six men you can play.
01:20:44
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
01:20:49
Chris
look again we have nine team we have six six men you can play on the interchange.
01:20:53
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
01:20:54
Chris
Put him in there. If he's good enough, you know, I'm happy to have him on, on the interchange for sure.
01:20:58
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. I like that. Okay. Well, it could be Royce. Let's put Royce out there. I'm more than happy to have him there being the incumbent. So he's Jersey 15. Jersey 16.
01:21:08
Tackles and Tinnies
I've got Alex Safar. He can play edge in a pinch.
01:21:10
Chris
Yep.
01:21:11
Tackles and Tinnies
can play middle in a pinch. Lock and load there.
01:21:14
Chris
Yep. Mr. Reliable.
01:21:15
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep, Mr. Reliable. Sione, for now, the other, for now brother. Middle, can play a little bit edge. Would you have him in your team?
01:21:26
Chris
Yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure. I thought he was he was great in in a pinch last year. And yeah, just just another big body, you know, to ruin and, you know, just to go up the rock and just ruin other oppositions.
01:21:34
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
01:21:39
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep, agreed. Now... You could have Bunty Afowa here because we decided Royce Hunt's going to be here. You could have potentially an outside back like Gerald Skelton or Makassini, depending who doesn't make the team.
01:21:53
Tackles and Tinnies
i'd Probably if Makassini does start, I'm more than happy to have Gerald Skelton come off the bench because he's a bit more established. If Makassini does not start, I'd rather him playing New South Wales Cup, probably more important.
01:22:06
Chris
Yep, yep, all these agreements.
01:22:07
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, Jack Bird, I have not got in my team. he sort of fell out of favour, but he does provide a bit of utility in either lock, second row, or centre, even 5'8 in a pinch. Would you have Jack Bird in this team?
01:22:22
Chris
Yeah. Well, Jack, poor Jack, he just, you know, you know, just like he was at the Dragons, he, he just kept getting injured for the Tigers, sadly. And, uh, we brought him over for just for leadership, for leadership. And, you know, I,
01:22:38
Chris
having these veterans are is always, always important. And, you know, but I just, I just don't compared to the the other guys who are playing right here. I just don't think he's, he's there. And, you know, especially when we have, you know, Adam, Adam Dewey, you know, Latifianu, Makassini, like these are the guys who, you know, they, they play in that back, you know, the back line.
01:22:58
Chris
There's really no, there's no spot for, there's no spot for Jack Burr because obviously he can also play at sentence if need be as well.
01:23:05
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
01:23:05
Chris
Yeah. Yeah. But look, if he if he's able to stay fit and he's able to compete and we need him, yeah, great player. We'd love him.
01:23:14
Tackles and Tinnies
So would he be on your bench, yes or no?
01:23:18
Chris
No. No.
01:23:19
Tackles and Tinnies
Okay, interesting.
01:23:20
Chris
No.
01:23:21
Tackles and Tinnies
So maybe Bunty does get that extra spot, but we'll quickly dissect the bench at the end of this. I got, sorry, Jersey 17. That was not discussed. Jersey 17, I got Tony Sukar. Played a little bit of edge when there were a couple of injuries. Thoughts on Tony?
01:23:36
Chris
Yeah. He was fine.
01:23:38
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. Yep. I think he provides more of an edge. You got a lot of middles coming off the bench. Obviously, Safar can play there as well, but I think he's a bit more dynamic.
01:23:46
Chris
Yeah.
01:23:48
Tackles and Tinnies
And again, he doesn't have to play. and it doesn't necessarily have to be in order.
01:23:50
Chris
Yeah.
01:23:52
Tackles and Tinnies
I'm just only having an order just for the sake of our confirmational players. Now, again, we could have Bunty Afowa here.
01:23:58
Chris
Yeah.
01:24:00
Tackles and Tinnies
We could have a guy like Heath Mason. We could have a Jack Bird, maybe a Will Craig. I've currently got Bunty here technically because we shop chopped up Royce Hunter jersey 15.
01:24:17
Tackles and Tinnies
Who would you have as like the next man up?
01:24:21
Chris
Yeah. Yeah. Look, I honestly, I'd be putting Keith Mason there. Really?
01:24:27
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
01:24:28
Chris
Are we talking about Jersey 18?
01:24:30
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
01:24:31
Chris
Yeah. Yeah. I'd have, I'd have Heath Mason there, you know, like, Once again, like it's just, I think, I think once you start talking about these six man benches, you want 18 and 19 to be the specialist positions where, you know, you're talking to somebody who can play at five, eight for randomly, or if, you know, just weirdly, you know, your fullback gets injured, you know, those kinds of things.
01:24:50
Chris
Definitely. And then, or even like a Jock mal Madden in there, you know, every once again, you do this rotation where he's not on every week, but just in case the the really good thing about our team, like I said, is that we have,
01:25:00
Chris
we have Dewey, Luai, and Finu. So there is coverage there for if any of the halves get injured, really. So I feel like 18-19 really doesn't matter too much. or And also you could also you could just randomly just put a development player there. Like you're not expecting them to play. But I think often 19, like what a really good way to do it is, and this is what I'm thinking personally. is So sometimes I have a player who you think you feel like has potential,
01:25:27
Chris
and, but he's not there yet and go, Hey, look, we want you around a team. It was a little bit like last year. Remember Adam Jew was like delivering pizzas for, you know, like he was in the the new South Wales orange team.
01:25:37
Chris
We're going, is he developing? Is he, is he, yeah is he yeah delivering pizzas?
01:25:39
Tackles and Tinnies
That's crazy, eh?
01:25:40
Chris
Yeah. That kind of thing.
01:25:41
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
01:25:42
Chris
Have a guy there. Like, it's like, Hey, look, you could, You know, or it's like Brendan Pukura, you know, for or the Queensland, you know, a guy that you hey, this could be you in a few years.
01:25:47
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
01:25:52
Chris
Let's get you around the squad. Let's have you just, this is what you're supposed to do when you get there. You're not nervous and you kind of know what's happening when you actually do make it a big call up to actually play.
01:25:57
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
01:26:00
Tackles and Tinnies
I kind of like that as well. I like how you've got Heath Mason there. Jock Madden, I think he's a bit duplicative with Latu there. If Latu wasn't there, then I could understand having Jock Madden in the team.
01:26:13
Tackles and Tinnies
So let's say Jersey 18, Heath Mason correct?
01:26:17
Chris
Yep, for sure.
Predictions for Upcoming Seasons
01:26:18
Tackles and Tinnies
And then Jersey 19, I've got Tristan Hope. He's your backup hooker. Thoughts there?
01:26:24
Chris
Oh yeah, actually. you know what? Yeah, we've completely forgot about Tristan Hope. Do know what? I wouldn't be surprised actually. Can we go back? He might have to play in the 17 or something like that.
01:26:32
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep.
01:26:34
Chris
Only because someone needs to spell Appy. And I don't know if we have Huh?
01:26:37
Tackles and Tinnies
Could you not play Latu then? Latu?
01:26:40
Chris
Oh...
01:26:43
Chris
Last he didn't play at all at hooker at all. It's possible that he get moved down there.
01:26:45
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
01:26:46
Chris
But, yeah, I'm of the opinion. if special I think we do have the flexibility to do so because of Terrell May, you know, he can play those big minutes. you can We're lucky enough to have something like a we can have a utility half and we can have a spare hooker as well and then just have two, yeah, and play two through the middle as well.
01:27:07
Chris
So we're lucky in that sense.
01:27:07
Tackles and Tinnies
And you've obviously got potentially two 80-minute second rowers as well, which is pretty useful.
01:27:13
Chris
Yeah.
01:27:14
Tackles and Tinnies
But yeah, I think having a specialty hooker on the bench, whether that is in the 17 or 19, again, let's assume that there's 17 players until proven otherwise.
01:27:25
Tackles and Tinnies
Would you put Tristan Hope in the 17 and maybe a Suka drops out?
01:27:30
Chris
Yeah, actually, I would. I definitely would. Yeah. But it does mean, and again, it's just because I don't know who i don't know too much about Bunty at the moment. Like if you put a Royce Hunt in, it has to be, yeah, it has to be Alex Seifov.
01:27:43
Chris
It it guess has to be a fight between Bunty and Royce Hunt because you can't have two players who, you know, only can play for 15, 20 minutes, you know, impact in pop forwards.
01:27:51
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. Yep. Tough. And Chris, I guess the good news is, and West Tigers fans you can probably agree with this as well, you've got depth, which is kind of nice.
01:28:01
Chris
Yeah. Lucky. Yeah. i'm I'm super excited about the flexibility, you know?
01:28:03
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
01:28:06
Tackles and Tinnies
Hmm.
01:28:06
Chris
Yeah. It's, it's great. You know I know that not every team can, can talk about this, you know, and talk about it this way in terms of all the flexibility about this and this. And then, you know, when you ask me some hard questions about who do we pick and who have we put at seven, Ryan, I'm just like, Oh, probably doesn't matter.
01:28:21
Chris
You know, I get to escape with that.
01:28:21
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah. 100%. understand So we'll quickly rattle through the team. Fullback, Buller. On the wings, we've got Skelton and Taruva. At center, we've got Taylan May and Stafford Toa.
01:28:35
Tackles and Tinnies
5'8", Luai. Dewey. At your front row, I've got Paule and Terrell May. At hooker, Apikorosau. Also your captain, along with Luai. Second row, i got Kai-Pierce-Poor and Samuela Farnu.
01:28:49
Tackles and Tinnies
And at lock, I've got Alex Twal. We're happy with that?
01:28:54
Chris
Yep. Happy with that.
01:28:55
Tackles and Tinnies
Yep. And then off the bench, we've got Latu Fanu as your utility sort of player. We've got question marks around the Royce Hunt, Bunty, Afoa, but it'll be one or the other.
01:29:07
Tackles and Tinnies
i don't think both. Fair.
01:29:10
Chris
Yep.
01:29:11
Tackles and Tinnies
Okay. So let's go like this. So let's say Royce Hunt and then his backup will be Bunty of the backups. Alex Safarth is your jersey 16. He's your middle middle edge.
01:29:22
Tackles and Tinnies
And then we got a Sione for now. He's like a middle edge as well. And then we've got Heath Mason and Tristan Hope and Tony Sukar is also pushing for a spot as well as Jack Bird. got a little bit of depth, got a little bit of versatility. You've got your backup half, backup outside back, backup hooker, big bops in the middle. I think that's a pretty balanced team.
01:29:47
Tackles and Tinnies
Where do you see them, Chris?
01:29:51
Chris
This year, as in, where'd we finish?
01:29:55
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah.
01:29:57
Chris
Look, honestly, I don't think we are, if I'm being honest, I wanna say we are, but I don't think we're top 18. I still think we're about two years away. I think we jumped from 13th to 11th this year.
01:30:10
Chris
Forts?
01:30:11
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, mate, you pretty much took the words out of my mouth there. I'm being a bit kinder to myself because I'm struggling to pick these teams, but your team on plate paper with minimal origin casualties,
01:30:23
Tackles and Tinnies
and your draw not too bad, my prediction's 9th to 11th. I think there is improvement.
01:30:30
Chris
Yep.
01:30:31
Tackles and Tinnies
But again, you look at the latter at the moment, mate, from 2025, your one win from getting to, I think, 15th. Sorry, one loss to the 15th, and one more win to 11th.
01:30:41
Tackles and Tinnies
So I predicted it to be very similar for this year. I've got, again, just outside the top eight, typical West Tigers fashion, 9th to 11th. Is
Fan Engagement and Podcast Wrap-Up
01:30:51
Tackles and Tinnies
that fair?
01:30:52
Chris
Yep. Yep.
01:30:54
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, but again, they could certainly have a push, certainly have push for the out top eight.
01:30:54
Chris
Yep.
01:30:59
Chris
Yeah. We'll really depend. i think it really just depends on Does our attack improve? Does, you know, does Jerome Luai, you know, play better for us? You know, does he really, really, you know, take control of this team?
01:31:10
Chris
And, you know, we score heaps of points. You know, I think our, I think our edges are so much better. You know, we've, we've got strong centers, you know, we, we have the team to really, really make it into top eight.
01:31:22
Chris
You know, it's just all the other teams in the NRL are very good as well this year.
01:31:26
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, top man.
01:31:27
Chris
Yeah.
01:31:28
Tackles and Tinnies
So tough to predict.
01:31:30
Chris
yeah
01:31:30
Tackles and Tinnies
So tough, which is great.
01:31:32
Chris
i don't want yeah look' just i don't I don't want to be like Man U, like a Man U supporter.
01:31:32
Tackles and Tinnies
Great for us
01:31:38
Chris
you know you You know your team can be there, but just it's just disappointment every couple of every couple of weeks and every season.
01:31:43
Tackles and Tinnies
us.
01:31:46
Tackles and Tinnies
That's funny. All right, Chris, to wrap up the podcast, we got our inaugural, our stock standard, our cap or fact prediction from ChatGPT.
01:31:56
Tackles and Tinnies
And Chat has given me this question for us to answer, Chris. And we pretty much nailed on the head. Cap or facts, Chris? West Tigers finished 9th or 10th and head into round 25. Still a live chance of making the finals.
01:32:08
Tackles and Tinnies
Cap or fact?
01:32:10
Chris
fact fact
01:32:13
Tackles and Tinnies
I agree, mate. I think fact. I think we've talked about it already, so we're going to to through it again. But they're one injury away from either coming 15th or coming 6th.
01:32:24
Tackles and Tinnies
i They're definitely a chance, definitely a chance. And it's great for you, Tigers fans. We want to hear from you in the comments, Tigers fans. How do you think the mighty West Tigers will go in 2026? We've got them 9th to about 11th.
01:32:39
Tackles and Tinnies
Where do you have them? Are we capping? Are we going too high, too low? Let us know. But, Chris, thank you for your time. Thank you for your expertise and insight. I've missed doing this. We'll definitely have to get your super coach team. As you said, you're going to do Australia Day, so maybe we'll look at doing it in about one week's time.
01:33:00
Chris
Yeah, no, will no we'll be we'll we definitely be talking Supercoach lots this year.
01:33:05
Tackles and Tinnies
Yes.
01:33:05
Chris
Thanks for doing this.
01:33:06
Tackles and Tinnies
i want active to Chris, I want a live reaction. When you're picking your team... where you're just going to jump on the podcast. You're going to do what I did for your first team pickup and you're just going to live vibe, live view, and you're just going to talk us through your selections without any edits.
01:33:24
Tackles and Tinnies
What do you reckon?
01:33:25
Chris
<unk>t think they I don't think the i don't want i don't think the the listeners want to hear that. there's gonna be you know it's It's kind of like you know sometimes you don't want to see the sausage being made. There's going to be a lot of, who the who is this?
01:33:37
Tackles and Tinnies
Mate, you're in the top 1K, mate. Top 1%. We're coming back. We're going top 500 this year.
01:33:43
Chris
I'm not even the second best guy at Supercoach pod, man. I'm not the second best.
01:33:49
Tackles and Tinnies
exactly mate probably need to hear my advice when you're picking your team then so but tackles and tinnies thank you very much uh it's been a big one today over 90 minutes uh again like share subscribe tell a mate the more interaction and content that you do for us the better it is one of my short form videos was popping off about the manly seagulls and their strength of schedule
01:33:53
Chris
yeah
01:34:11
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, it was like over 50 comments. So it was really, really good talking to all you guys as the fans, and I love doing it. So Chris will be obviously a mainstay in the show. i'm going to try to get some other boys on here and there. But we love you guys. Like, subscribe, share. Follow us on all major platforms.
01:34:26
Tackles and Tinnies
Tackles and tennis is going be popping off in 2026. Any last words, Chris?
01:34:30
Chris
No, go the Tigers.
01:34:33
Tackles and Tinnies
Get the call going.