2025 Squad - Speculation Thread

[Burgs]

Does dane play the fetcher role? (have to admit, I haven't been motivated to actually watch any of the mountain of footage to answer that question myself)

We do need another traditional openside to support/compete with Carlo. In that role, Ollie is the prospect (maybe not so much, he might have put on enough mass to match the ticker he's clearly shown) which would make Kane a pretty good option (assuming he's maintained conditioning somehow)

Can confirm is the "traditional openside" type.
As with the likes of a Smith, you don't see a lot of him until he emerges from under a pile of bodies with the ball and a grin...

[Burgs]

https://westernforce.rugby/news/foll...dvance-2024828

Encouraging that O’Donnell and Amone are both being referred to as "Force players" by the Force, but would be better to see an announcement or other confirmation of extension, as publicly available knowledge that isn't the case.

[James]

In the Shute Shield final they announced Henry O'Donnell was coming back to the Waratahs. That's a shame.

[chiraag]

Wow, that's a real shame. We're seriously short on outside backs

[todd4]

Why sign someone on a 12 month contract? If it's just injury cover, ok but otherwise if someone won't commit to the Force for 2 years then maybe they are not who we are looking for.

[volvo]

Western Force still has O'Donnel as one of ours in the current article about this weekend's club games, so who knows?

Follow The Force: Academy trio lead Associates into Premier Grade GF
Sun, Sep 1, 2024, 8:39 AM
BS
by Ben Somerford


Fortescue Academy trio Justin Landman, HD Stemmet and Cristiano Tizzano all played their part as Associates booked a spot in the 2024 WA Fortescue Premier Grade Grand Final.

Associates rallied back from 12-3 down in the first half to beat Nedlands 30-27 in an epic Semi Final at Allen Park on Saturday.

Ex-Force fly-half Ian Prior’s kicking was a feature for Soaks, nailing three penalties, including a long shot in the see-sawing second half.

Stemmet marked his return from injury with a power of work in the back row, while full-back Landman’s kicking out of the backline was solid throughout.

Scrum-half Tizzano was his industrious self, with his speed a highlight, while he made a series of second-half line breaks.

Associates will take on Palmyra in next Saturday’s decider after they won 40-20 over Dane Sawers’ Kalamunda at Tompkins Park.

The Grand Final will take place at Hartfield Reserve in Forrestfield on Saturday 7 September.

Elsewhere around the country, Henry O’Donnell scored a double but it wasn’t enough as Norths were downed 36-35 by Easts in the NSW Shute Shield Grand Final at Leichhardt Oval.

Siosifa Amone and Max Burey also both started for Norths, who produced a big second-half comeback led by O’Donnell, only to fall short.

In Queensland’s Hospital Cup on Sunday, Harry Hoopert and Finn Prass’ Brothers will face Wests at Ballymore from 12:45pm WST, live on Stan Sport.
https://westernforce.rugby/news/foll...LN1DxCcW7_OXSg

[James]

We could do a lot worse than get Grason Makara back from QLD if O'Donnell goes. He was ace in the QLD club grand final.

[Tazzmania]

Rugbyrama reporting Tom Franklin to help out Pau.

It does appear only until we start our 2025 season though.

Difficult to clarify as article is in French.

[Tazzmania]

Western Force have confirmed Tom Franklin departure to persue overseas opportunity, he will not be with us next year

[andrewg]

Wish you all the best Tom. Thanks so much for your injury coverage and fantastic efforts.
4 Locks + Jeremy Williams (195cm) + Will Harris (195cm) + Reed Prinsep (192cm) + Nick Champion de Crespigny (191 cm).
We have excellent options at the line out.
Plus some young blood coming up in the Academy.

[Burgs]

Good luck to Franklin, was quite the find this year and probably under reported in his role.

Unfortunately it is strong evidence of where SR currently sits in the Rugby world and the strength (aka weakness) of a Western Force contract.
Players definitely hold the power in the relationship and, regardless of what Goodman is quoted to say, it isn't about "what's best for him" and "good depth" (debatable), it's the Force haven't a strong enough contract or deep enough pockets. He isn't going to be going for playing opportunity, he will be going for financial opportunity at the end of his career.
As previously banging the drum about, if the Force is going to be reliant in part on late career players, we must get better at post-career opportunities, partnering with businesses to keep these blokes in Perth beyond their playing years to avoid this situation.

[James]

Assuming that Williams re-signs, we are pretty well served with him, Swain and Carter. It'd be great to tempt someone back to Aus (e.g Ha'angana, Hosea, Hockings), but we should also give some of the academy a crack. Jhy Legg? Where is Luke Callan now?

[Burgs]

Where is Luke Callan now?

Gone to Japan from Rebels dispersal

[James]

Gone to Japan from Rebels dispersal

Cheers Burgs. Missed that one.

Connor Seve? Wonder where he's at.

[Burgs]

Connor Seve? Wonder where he's at.

Eight weeks ago he was #5 and VC for Massey (Auckland) in the Semi Final, but suggests he was injured as he didn't play the GF.
Is in the North Harbor Development Squad.