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2026 Round 1 Team

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  • #16
    Originally posted by Rooster_6 View Post

    Egan Butch, we are just so stacked for good young middles.
    Insert thumbs up emoji

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    • #17
      Originally posted by Rooster90 View Post

      No Jake Elliot listed? he is contracted until end of 2027

      Seems to have fallen down the halves pecking order however
      I had heard he'd been given permission to find himself a better deal, may well still be here next year but like you said he struggled to get back into the starting halves after returning from injury, got some minutes at dummy half and lock which might be his role next year unless there's injuries.

      Interesting to note he did captain the NSW Cup side on quite a few occasions so not like the club don't rate him I just think he's behind Savala & Rodwell at NSW Cup level and there are plenty of clubs out there where he would have greater opportunity IMO.

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      • #18
        1. Tedesco (C) 2. Tupou 3. Smith 4. Toia 5. Nawaqanitawase 6. Walker 7. Cherry-Evans 8. N. Butcher 9. Robson 10. Collins 11. Crichton 12. Radley 13. Whyte

        14. Watson 15. Leniu 16. Wong 17. E. Butcher

        Comment


        • #19
          Originally posted by Rooster_6 View Post
          1. James Tedesco
          2. Daniel Tupou
          3. Billy Smith
          4. Rob Toia
          5. Mark Nawaqanitawase
          6. DCE
          7. Sam Walker
          8. Nafahu Whyte
          9. Reece Robson
          10. Lindsay Collins
          11. Angus Crichton
          12. Siua Wong
          13. Victor Radley

          14. Connor Watson
          15. Spencer Leniu
          16. Nat Butcher
          17. Blake Steep

          Outside back depth (6/10) - Tom Rodwell, Junior Tupou, Junior Pauga,William Malloy, Lui Lee & Jackson Stewart (short on a genuine backup fullback)

          Halves depth (8/10) - Hugo Savala, Toby Rodwell & Reece Foley

          Hooking depth (8/10) - Beniah Ioelu & Jax Allen

          Middle forward depth (9/10) - Salesi Foketi, Taylor Losalu, Makahesi Makatoa, DLS Va'a, Xavier Va'a, Kanaan Magele, Itula Seve & Fanafou Seve

          Edge forward depth (5/10) - Max McCathie, Darcy Smith, James Finegan & Lachlan Dooner (exceptional young talent but maybe still 12-18 months off)


          I think we were very lucky not to get any injuries to our outside backs this year, think it'd probably be a good idea to get an experienced fullback in who can maybe cover another spot (someone like a Daine Laurie who still doesn't have a contract for next year).

          And I still see our edges as a bit of a concern, we did not get enough in attack out of either edge this year and if we don't get more out of them next year then I worry the next group coming through are still a season or two away from being ready.
          The depth helped out this year
          See Egan butch form now that he has steep and Foketi screeming down his neck
          potentially only 1-2 bench spots for the butch bros and Foketi and steep but great depth - if we get another big middle for the bench only Nat may be in the best 17 (if Vaa steps up)

          on the edge backrowers egan, Nat, steep and Foketi can also play there so we do have coverage in a way

          Agree on the 2nd fullback someone who is solid and who can fill in if Teddy goes down

          is Makata still signed next year? There is also uini and toia coming up as middles as well
          will be interesting to see out of these younger guys like Vaa and Seve etc who actually makes it as an nrl forward and kicks on
          we did loose Lavakeiaho but have plenty of guys there

          last time you mentioned younger Seve looked to have the highest ceiling? Is this still the case?
          Last edited by Chook2; 09-15-2025, 04:04 PM.

          Comment


          • #20
            Originally posted by Bates View Post

            Welcome Mick.

            Sally would be very proud of your googling
            Nailed it!

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            • #21
              Assuming DCE is coming, I would not change much.


              1. Tedesco
              2. Tupou
              3. Smith
              4. Toia
              5. Nawaqanitawase
              6. Walker
              7. DCE
              8. Whyte
              9. Robson
              10. Collins
              11. Crichton
              12. Butcher N
              13. Radley

              14. Watson
              15. Leniu
              16. Wong
              17. E Butcher

              If DCE does come, I just do not have a place for Savala as simple as that. He doesn't fit anywhere else, and is a a much weaker option off the bench compared to Watson. A shame, as I like him. I'd prefer DCE not be signed tbh.

              If he is here, i prefer DCE as the controlling half in 7, with Walker to 6.

              I have N Butcher back in to strengthen the second row. He is better suited to start imo, not on the bench.

              I have Wong & E Butcher just ahead of Steep on the bench, but barely. I'd want to see E Butcher fully transform into a middle forward and build on his 2025 form - but if the E Butcher of the past turns up, I'd want Steep & Foketi getting the opportunities instead.

              All up, I don't think wholesale changes are needed. Looking forward to seeing the squad build on what has been achieved this year.

              Comment


              • #22
                Hugo over DCE for me. Invest in the youth. DCE has been very predictable in attack this season. I don't see him getting better. $500k to play reserves isn't bad. I dare say he will get a run at some point due to injury/potentially SOO.

                Comment


                • #23
                  We gonna see some Va'a action from Xavier and DLS? When are they back?

                  Comment


                  • #24
                    Originally posted by Steggles View Post
                    So we overachieved against expectations this year and could have gone a bit further had we played well last night. That’s done, so what about next year with some big signings in key positions; what is the first choice team that can deliver a premiership?

                    Both Robson and DCE will be in the starting side, so what does that mean for Watson and Savala? Do either of them get the 14 jumper, or does Benny get it with a full off-season under his belt? Could Savala play centre, either replacing Billy or pushing Billy to the wing and replacing Toups? Lot’s of possibilities.

                    Based on recent form, my best 17 would look something like -

                    1. Teddy
                    2. Toups
                    3. Billy
                    4. Toia
                    5. Marky
                    6. DCE
                    7. Walker
                    13. Radley
                    12. Wong
                    11. Crichton
                    10. Collins
                    9. Robson
                    8. Whyte

                    14. Savala
                    15. Leniu
                    16. E Butcher
                    17. Steep or Foketi (50/50)

                    Robson is an 80 minute player, so carrying a specialist dummy half on the bench would be a waste of a spot. If Savala is going to be 6 after DCE, I think he needs to be in the side gaining as much FG experience as he can, so I’d have him at 14 playing much like the Tyran Wishart role at the Storm. I think Savala could fill in pretty much anywhere given his size, his strong defence and his ball playing ability.

                    I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Egan Butcher has been playing great and must be in the side, and it’s a struck match between Steep and Foketi for the last spot on the bench.

                    What improvements could be made to this team?

                    Looks like a spot just opened up for Watson

                    Comment


                    • #25
                      1. James Tedesco
                      2. Daniel Tupou
                      3. Billy Smith
                      4. Rob Toia
                      5. Mark Nawaqanitawase
                      6. Hugo Savala
                      7. Sam Walker
                      8. Nafahu Whyte
                      9. Reece Robson
                      10. Lindsay Collins
                      11. Angus Crichton
                      12. Siua Wong
                      13. Connor Watson

                      14. Salesi Forketi
                      15. Spencer Leniu
                      16. Nat Butcher
                      17. Blake Steep
                      18. Egan Butcher
                      1911 1912 1913 1923 1935 1936 1937 1940 1945 1974 1975 2002 2013 2018 2019 2020

                      Comment


                      • #26
                        Dce doesnt deserve to walk up and play
                        1911 1912 1913 1923 1935 1936 1937 1940 1945 1974 1975 2002 2013 2018 2019 2020

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                        • #27
                          Originally posted by roosterproud View Post
                          Dce doesnt deserve to walk up and play
                          After the way our halves performed against the Sharks he would be one of the first picked.
                          Born and bred in the eastern suburbs.

                          Comment


                          • #28
                            Originally posted by roosterproud View Post
                            1. James Tedesco
                            2. Daniel Tupou
                            3. Billy Smith
                            4. Rob Toia
                            5. Mark Nawaqanitawase
                            6. Hugo Savala
                            7. Sam Walker
                            8. Nafahu Whyte
                            9. Reece Robson
                            10. Lindsay Collins
                            11. Angus Crichton
                            12. Siua Wong
                            13. Connor Watson

                            14. Salesi Forketi
                            15. Spencer Leniu
                            16. Nat Butcher
                            17. Blake Steep
                            18. Egan Butcher
                            I think Watson is better coming off the bench. We need size and defensive strength in the middle during the early exchanges.

                            Foketi could become our long term no.13. Steep has claims also.
                            Born and bred in the eastern suburbs.

                            Comment


                            • #29
                              Originally posted by roosterproud View Post
                              Dce doesnt deserve to walk up and play
                              Well he will.

                              Comment


                              • #30
                                Originally posted by Vasco View Post

                                I think Watson is better coming off the bench. We need size and defensive strength in the middle during the early exchanges.

                                Foketi could become our long term no.13. Steep has claims also.
                                Agree keep Watson as the utility coming off the bench against tired bodies
                                with 2 x butch, Foketi and steep all able to play 13 use these guys as the starting 13
                                we certainly don’t need to go searching for back row replacements

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