2025 Squad - Speculation Thread

[Kernow]

Wasn’t he a red card man? Do we need to be giving any more penalties away?
Looks like the no DH policy has been thrown out the window.

Think he has been squeaky clean of late

[Kernow]

It could be, but also could just be a consolidation with the cover we have had to bring in for him (Carter/Franklin).
I know loyalty doesn't mean as much as it used to by any stretch, but my impression is Rodda is both pretty settled and grateful for the Force sticking with him.
I can't see him wanting to chase cash rather than Lions after this long a "journey".

Rodda is a key signature in my book. The guy is immense, and his presence certainly looked to be felt when he rumbled on in the Saders game, there were times when he was telling the forwards to settle things down, his steal in the least quarter etc. His rugby IQ is invaluable.

Fingers and toes crossed for this one!

[Tazzmania]

Think he has been squeaky clean of late

Correct

2023/2024 Zero cards

2022/2023 2 Yellow Cards

Last red card was 2/07/2022. (2021/2022 season)

(seasons as per All rugby.com)

[SNOB]

Correct

2023/2024 Zero cards

2022/2023 2 Yellow Cards

Last red card was 2/07/2022. (2021/2022 season)

(seasons as per All rugby.com)

I stand corrected.

[wholetruth]

Interesting description of Swain in The West "a 200cm beanpole". I guess I shouldn't be surprised but it shows how little they know.

[SteveWA]

Wasn’t he a red card man? Do we need to be giving any more penalties away?
Looks like the no DH policy has been thrown out the window.

Could you be thinking of Swinton?

[Kernow]

Interesting description of Swain in The West "a 200cm beanpole". I guess I shouldn't be surprised but it shows how little they know.

Taken from Burgs Post on 2024 Locks:

Izack Rodda
Age 27
Height 202cm
Weight 123kg

Sam Carter
Age 33
Height 201cm
Weight 116kg

Tom Franklin
Age 33
Height 200cm
Weight 110kg

Darcy Swain
Age 26
Height 200cm
Weight 108kg

Lopeti Faifua
Age 22
Height 198cm
Weight 115kg

Felix Kalapu
Age 24
Height 196cm (TBC)
Weight 111kg

Jeremy Williams
Age 23
Height 195cm
Weight 111kg

[Transiting]

Not saying your figures are wrong, but All.rugby give Williams' height as 197cm. And as we all know, every cm counts!

[Transiting]

I'd be looking at Williams as primarily 6/8 and backup Lock. Keep Rodda and Carter, together with Kalapu and Faifua.

[Kernow]

Not saying your figures are wrong, but All.rugby give Williams' height as 197cm. And as we all know, every cm counts!

I’m going of what Burgs and the WF site note his height at, figured if anyone should know it’d be the team 🤣

https://westernforce.rugby/players/jeremy-williams/1773

[Burgs]

Not saying your figures are wrong, but All.rugby give Williams' height as 197cm. And as we all know, every cm counts!

Brumbies, Wallaby and Wiki profiles all confirm 200 Edit- sorry I read Swain there. Williams 195 off Force webpage, 197 on Wiki. As Kernow says, I'll back the team page

The "Sharpe Model" of Lock is 200cm, 115kg, so in that sense could beef up a little.
At 27 years in July he is entering into his "mature years" (probably a 2029 International retirement) and by all accounts out of Canberra (pre-announcement) has definitely matured as a leader in their Squad.
As with Beale, I think Perth can prove to be a bit of a second/last chance destination for these type of players that may have had a chequered early career. If heading to UK/France they remain under the microscope 24/7, where the sunny West is generally out of the focus for Union with most, apart from freaks like us, not recognising these guys in the street. As exciting as being a 18-24 year old thrust into the pressure cooker would be, Perth gives them a chance to "adult" like mere mortals, particularly if with young family. Apart for a few leaders in the Squad, there are far less public imposts on their time outside of focusing on training and playing.
I think this will be a good move for Swain and has the potential to be a fantastic move for the Force scrum.

[Kernow]

I'd be looking at Williams as primarily 6/8 and backup Lock. Keep Rodda and Carter, together with Kalapu and Faifua.

Yeah Kalapu too, a FLW type character

[Kernow]

Brumbies, Wallaby and Wiki profiles all confirm 200

The "Sharpe Model" of Lock is 200cm, 115kg, so in that sense could beef up a little.
At 27 years in July he is entering into his "mature years" (probably a 2029 International retirement) and by all accounts out of Canberra (pre-announcement) has definitely matured as a leader in their Squad.
As with Beale, I think Perth can prove to be a bit of a second/last chance destination for these type of players that may have had a chequered early career. If heading to UK/France they remain under the microscope 24/7, where the sunny West is generally out of the focus for Union with most, apart from freaks like us, not recognising these guys in the street. As exciting as being a 18-24 year old thrust into the pressure cooker would be, Perth gives them a chance to "adult" like mere mortals, particularly if with young family. Apart for a few leaders in the Squad, there are far less public imposts on their time outside of focusing on training and playing.
I think this will be a good move for Swain and has the potential to be a fantastic move for the Force scrum.

Agree 100% - S&C team need to put him on a high Harvey Beef diet 🤣

[shasta]

Could you be thinking of Swinton?

That was my thought too SNOB. IIRC the 6 week ban against the AB's looked more clumsy than deliberate. The 2 weeks for "headbutting" the England lock was sheer frustration after the Pom tried to pull his hair out by the roots to stop Swain disrupting their maul. I'd have given him 4 weeks for the pussiest Liverpool Kiss in the history of Rugby

[Burgs]

I'd have given him 4 weeks for the pussiest Liverpool Kiss in the history of Rugby

"I'm just very disappointed..."