TK's Black Book - Wests Tigers

www.gamedaysquad.com.au

TK's simple guide to the Wests Tigers fantasy prospects for 2025.

Have recruited well for 2025 with some elite signings led by Daddy Jarome Luai, Terrell May and Sunia Turuva and some handy mid range players. One of their biggest weaknesses since the arrival of coach Benji Marshall has been the teams defence. Even with the arrival of all these good players the question marks will still be how quickly the team can come together and will their defence improve significantly enough to move them up the ladder. Depth in all key positions is still an issue.

Prediction - 10th - 13th but could easily go another spoon if Luai gets hurt

Tigers 2025 Player Movements

2025 Gains

Jack Bird (St George Illawarra Dragons, 2026), Royce Hunt (Cronulla Sharks, 2027), Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers, 2029), Terrell May (Sydney Roosters, 2027), Jeral Skelton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 2026), Sunia Turuva (Penrith Panthers, 2027)

2025 Loses

Solomon Alaimalo (rugby union), John Bateman (North Queensland Cowboys), Asu Kepaoa (Penrith Panthers), Isaiah Papali'i (Penrith Panthers), Aidan Sezer (Hull FC), Jake Simpkin (Manly Sea Eagles), Jayden Sullivan (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Junior Tupou (The Dolphins), Stefano Utoikamanu (Melbourne Storm)

A lot of new recruits add some fire to the 17. A spot in the centres is up for grabs as is the entire middle rotation and an edge position. One of Bird or Seyfarth will likely start on an edge, with Porter the left field choice. The Draw and Game Day Squad

Byes - round 12,15,23

Game Day Squad allows a true focus on weekly match ups. Daddy Luai will be a good choice on the weekly however give the Fijian flyers in Bula and Turuva some consideration in the following match ups:

NRL Fantasy perspective

A lot of new recruits add some fire to the 17. A spot in the centres is up for grabs as is the entire middle rotation and an edge position. One of Bird or Seyfarth will likely start on an edge, with Porter the left field choice.

Fantasy relevant players for round 1 - Terrell May, Jack Bird, Alex Seyfarth, Jarome Luai, Starford To'a

2025 NRL Fantasy Fortunes

Player	Price	NRL Fantasy Av	GameDay Squad Av	Notes
Lachlan Galvin	$695K	51.8	50.3	Year 2 will be interesting to see how he adjusts to more attention and the arrival of Daddy Luai. At his price is too risky to start with. Probably more a draft selection than classic for 2025.
Terrel May	$670K	50.2	49.5	In games over 50 minutes he averaged 67.4 in 59.5 mins (10 games). Can see this role at the Tigers and he is just a PPM beast in these mins (PPM 1.13). BUY as the pack of over 50% has already decided this.
Api Koroisau	$593K	44.4	41.6	Should improve slightly with better players around him but not enough for a round 1 buy, also has a 1 round suspension. I think he may be on the decline but keep on the watchlist.
Jarome Luai	$589K	44.1	42.8	Seems determined to prove he can own a team with the 7 on his back. Was brilliant when Cleary was out and averaged 56.9 in those 8 games so has upside in the role, however this is the Tigers not the Panthers. Consider I see some strong upside.
Samuela Fainu	$536K	40.1	37.9	Was handy fantasy squad player with his dual. Seems to have a relevant fantasy game but doesn't accumulate the points when you look at the scores. Not for me. Avoid
Alex Twal	$529K	39.6	39.9	We know what he can do when he starts. 3 starts last year for a 52 av in 52.7 minutes. If he starts another to consider but I dont see it happening.
Jeral Skelton	$500K	39.3	40.1	Finally gets his chance for regular NRL. Fantasy relevant game my only concern is his try scoring strike at the Tigers. NSW Cup he had 14 games for 43.6 average. Price is too high. Avoid
Sunia Turuva	$516K	38.7	43	38.7 average playing at the premiers, probably means atleast a small decline playing in a less dominant team. Avoid
Jahream Bula	$525K	38	41.6	Scored similar to his debut season and didn't seem to develop as fast as we thought. Would be fairly priced atm. Watchlist
Alex Seyfarth	$475K	35.6	33.4	In 5 games starting on an edge in 2024 he averaged 48 in 72 mins. So has plenty of relevance if he jags that spot. Looks like Benji is giving him first crack and every fantasy team needs a red head. BUY
Adam Doueihi	$469K	35.1	35	Just not relevant in the centres. Would be if he makes his way into the halves. Watchlist
Reuben Porter	TBA	35	31.5	39.8 average when starting and did well when playing 80 minutes. 12 NSW cup games for a 39.6 av. Would be in the mix to start. Watchlist
Fonua Pole	$462K	34.6	33.4	Averaged 40.8 in his 8 starts at lock so has a small upisde. More value within his own team though. Watchlist
David Klemmer	$439K	32.9	32.1	On the decline and likely to continue. Avoid
Justin Olam	$390K	29.2	27.8	Priced at his potential. Avoid
Justin Matamua	$381K	28.6	27.8	Even starting he only had a 29.3 av in 38 mins (4 games. NSW Cup he had 11 games for a 38.6 average so would need a shift in role to be relevant. Watchlist
Jack Bird	$362K	27.1	28	2023 - 48 av starting on an edge in 6 games, 53 av starting at lock in 5 games so has plenty of upside if he starts in either position. BUY if he starts but the lad is injury prone so accept the risk
Sione Fainu	TBA	26.8	26	Bench middle at best. Avoid.
Tallyn Da Silva	$332K	24.8	21.6	Would need a serious Api injury to be relevant. 11 NSW Cup games for a 31.3 average. Do not buy round 1 as Api is just suspended for 1 game.
Charlie Staines	$330K	24.7	25.3	Will never be relevant. Avoid
Josh Feledy	$300K	23.5	20	Great mullet but that’s about it. 20 games in NSW Cup for a 32.4 average. Avoid
Heath Mason	TBA	21.4	25.2	Finished the season well with a 42.7 average in the final 3 games he started at FB. NSW Cup numbers were not good with 9 starts for a 28.3 average. Watchlist.
Solomona Faataape	TBA	21.1	20.1	Will never be relevant. Avoid
Brent Naden	$277K	20.8	17.3	Will never be relevant. Avoid
Royce Hunt	$275K	19.4	18.8	In 2023 he had 5 games starting at prop for a 35.4 average in 36 mins. If he gets those minutes which is possible he could be a cash cow. I'm my thoughts for the emergency.
Tim Johannssen	TBA	18	16.5	Young prop who debuted late in the year. NSW Cup numbers were strong, he had 15 games for a 47.5 fantasy average. Watchlist
Latu Fainu	$250K	17.4	19.9	Will likely line up on the bench and back up the halves. NSW Cup he had 5 games for 29 average. Watchlist.
Starford To'a	$250K	9.7	8.7	Just kept tearing his hammy so starts at basement price. Scores well though when his healthy. BUY if he starts.
Luke Laulilii	$250K	21.6	23.9	18 year old wing / fullback who needs some time in NSW Cup before getting any where near NRL. 9 NSW Cup games for only a 15.4 av. Avoid
Jordan Miller	$250K	12.5	12.2	19 year old front rower who needs another season of NSW Cup. Not a huge engine, he had 19 NSW cup games for a modest 27.3 av. Avoid
Tony Sukkar	$250K	7	8.7	20 year old edge on the rise. Lack of depth in this position does put him in the frame at some stage. NSW cup 15 games for a 27.9 av. Watchlist
Brendan Tumeth	$250K	0	0	Another edge in the squad but looks to be making up the numbers. Only 10 NSW Cup games for a poor 16.6 av. Avoid
Solomonee Saukura	$230K	0	0	20 year cenre who played a handful of NSW cup games in 2024. 8 games for a modest 20.9 average. Avoid