Ryan On The Sideline

13/10/2026

The narrative heading into the season is all about experience, leadership, and utility value, which is why bringing in quality veterans like Jayden Brailey, Kurt Mann, and Tyson Frizell makes total sense.

But what if it wasn’t just for utility value? What if someone was actually brought in to take over the starting ho**er role?

Starting Jayden Brailey at 9 and using Kurt Mann in the 14 jersey opens up a really smart dynamic. While young talents like Jared Haywood, Javon Andrews, and Josese Lanyon are set up for massive futures, giving them another year or two to develop together in NSW Cup will ensure they slowly integrate into the NRL side and set them up for the long, successful careers they deserve.

With that in mind, Apisai Koroisau has proven he’s a genuinely good halfback when given the opportunity, so just look at how much better this 19-man squad looks with him in the 7 jersey.

Moving Api to halfback provides a well-deserved reprieve from ho**er, a position that defensively sees more traffic than any other on the field. With Api turning 35 next month, it’s a smart, forward-thinking play. He’s tactful, selfless, and the ultimate team player who won't overcall Latu Fainu at five-eighth, giving the young playmaker the exact room and guidance he needs to flourish.

The 19-Man Squad
1. Jahream Bula
2. Sunia Turuva
3. Taylan May
4. Jake Averillo
5. Junior Tupou
6. Latu Fainu
7. Apisai Koroisau (c)
8. Terrell May
9. Jayden Brailey
10. Alex Twal
11. Samuela Fainu
12. Kai Pearce-Paul
13. Adam Doueihi

Interchange & Reserves:
14. Kurt Mann
15. Tyson Frizell
16. Fonua Pole
17. Sione Fainu
18. Alex Seyfarth
19. Solomon Saukuru

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05/10/2026

There is a persistent narrative floating around, largely fueled by mainstream media speculation, that Jake Averillo was bought by the Wests Tigers specifically to replace Jarome Luai. That couldn't be further from reality.

When the club officially announced Averillo's signing, Benji Marshall made his role crystal clear: “Jake will bring plenty of strengths to our squad, including speed and creativity to our centres, while offering coverage across multiple positions.”

He was signed primarily to lock down a starting spot at right centre and provide quality depth behind Jahream Bula at fullback.

Averillo’s performances at the Cup level over the past few weeks have been undeniable, and there's every reason to be excited about what he’ll bring in Wests Tigers colors. But the sudden push from fans demanding he start in the halves over Latu Fainu is completely unfounded.

It’s especially knee-jerk considering many of those same voices were hyping up Latu as the future after just 40 minutes of football against Penrith a few weeks ago. Rugby league fans can have remarkably short memories, Latu Fainu is far too talented a player to be written off or bypassed in the halves rotation this quickly.

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27/09/2026

25/09/2026

One of the greats.

24/09/2026

Just saying.

19/09/2026

The kid is the future. if you can’t see it, you have no idea what you’re looking for.

18/09/2026

There’s been a heap of chat surrounding the Wests Tigers’ urgency to re-sign Samuela and Latu Fainu. If you’ve followed me for a minute, you’d know I unreservedly agree, the Fainu brothers are the future.

But there’s another player who absolutely must be retained, and he isn’t getting anywhere near the same media airtime: Fonua Pole.

His impact off the bench in 2026 was elite. Fonua is rapidly evolving into a genuine, momentum-shifting, damaging middle, and locking him down should be a priority right up there with Samuela and Latu.

I’ve heard a few whispers of late that the Tigers are eyeing his younger brother, Suli Pole. If there’s truth to that, bringing Suli into Concord could be the trump card that gets Fonua’s signature locked in before the November 1 deadline.

Suli showed plenty of promise in his NSW Cup stints for the Storm this year. Personally, I think he’ll follow a similar path to his brother and develop into an impactful NRL middle. He’s probably a touch behind first-grade standard right now, but the pedigree and physical frame are undeniably there. At just 20 years old, standing 6’6” and tipping the scales around 120kg, Suli is exactly the kind of long-term investment the Tigers need to make.

It fits seamlessly with Benji’s family-first mantra, too.

Keep Fonua. Bring Suli in. Keep building the future.

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08/09/2026

Honestly, someone sign Junior Amone. The game is better with him in it.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Junior picked in the Tongan squad. Once you see him play at that level, it’ll be a timely reminder of just how bloody good this kid is.

08/09/2026

Vaka Aho’s journey is the ultimate story of staying patient and putting in the hard yards. Going through every single pathway grade, SG Ball, Jersey Flegg, Sydney Shield, Ron Massey Cup, and NSW Cup, before finally earning his NRL debut proves he didn't rely on shortcuts. He earned every single minute on that field.

Doing it against Penrith, a pack that has set the benchmark for defense and relentless line speed for years, says everything about him. He was bending the line and getting over the advantage line against the best in the comp, proving his contact and leg drive are already up to first-grade standard. His defense was just as solid, showing that years of grinding through the grades fully prepared him for the speed of the NRL.

Give him a full NRL pre-season to build up his engine and sharpen those combinations, and he’ll be humming next year. He's made a massive case to lock down a permanent spot in that 17.