Squad succession

[Stagger eel]

a couple of nice re signings..2 of our most promising backrowers in years.

 

[JokerEel]

a couple of nice re signings..2 of our most promising backrowers in years.

2 promising players.

Watched Funa-latu closely this year as he trained with the NRL side in the off season.

In my opinion his second row partner in Ball played better this year Petrus.

Willie Latu was showing some really good signs last year (hard running) before getting injured so hope he can get back to that level soon.

 

[Stagger eel]

I reckon if he stays on the field this year he'll sneak a game or 2 off the bench by the end of the year.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

2 promising players.

Watched Funa-latu closely this year as he trained with the NRL side in the off season.

In my opinion his second row partner in Ball played better this year Petrus.

Willie Latu was showing some really good signs last year (hard running) before getting injured so hope he can get back to that level soon.

Petrus is a year younger to (18)

 

[JokerEel]

Petrus is a year younger to (18)

Fairly sure he is still in high school as well..

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Fairly sure he is still in high school as well..

And possibly his first year in the back row. Last year he played wing for the Souths Harold Matts side.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Second roe!!!

* = player option
¢ = club option
" = mutual option
^ = development contract

2025
Utility: Brown, Hands, Papalii, Walker
Fullback: Iongi, Miller-Stephen (22)^
W/C: Addo-Carr, Dunster (26), Lomax, Renisini, Wenisini, Russell, Samrani^, Simonsson, Tago (26)^
Half: Hawkins, Moses
Hooker: Lussick (30), Smith^
Edge forward: Cartwright (31), Doorey, Guymer, Kautoga, Keir (27)^, Lane, Matterson, Tuilagi, Williams
Middle: Greig (26), Hopgood, Mataele, Moretti, Paulo, Pryke^, Tuivaiti

2026
Utility: Hands (27), Papalii (22), Walker (32)
Fullback: Iongi
W/C: Addo-Carr (31), Lomax, Renisini (21), Wenisini (24), Russell (24), Samrani (24), Simonsson
Half: Hawkins (27), Moses, Volkman (24)
Hooker: Smith (23)^
Edge forward: Doorey (26), Funa-Iuta^, Guymer (22), Kautoga (24), Lane (32)", Latu^, Matterson (32)*, Tuilagi (27), Williams
Middle: Hopgood, Mataele (24), Moretti, Paulo (33), Pryke (22)^, Tuivaiti

2027
Utility: -
Fullback: Iongi (24)
W/C: Lomax, Simonsson (29)
Half: Moses
Hooker: -
Edge forward: Funa-Iuta (21), Latu (24), Williams (31)
Middle: Hopgood (28), Moretti (27), Tuivaiti (22)

2028
Utility: -
Fullback: -
W/C: Lomax (29)
Half: Moses
Hooker: -
Edge forward: -
Middle: -

2029
Utility: -
Fullback: -
W/C: -
Half: Moses (35)
Hooker: -
Edge forward: -
Middle: -

So we (somewhat officially) have 29 merkins in this year's top 30, and 26 in the 2026 squad.

 

[the phantom menace]

Very glad Latu has been retained, has a lot of potential imo. And hopefully will get some bench tastes of NRL at the end of this season.

Will have to take a closer look at Funa-luta when there is a chance.

Keep the re-signings rolling... and the dead wood leaving!

 

[emjaycee]

Petrus is a year younger to (18)

Does that mean he has more potential upside?

 

[Pazza]

Does that mean he has more potential upside?

it means Iuta has circumnavigated the Sun one more time than Petrus...

impressive

 

[Pazza]

I reckon if he stays on the field this year he'll sneak a game or 2 off the bench by the end of the year.

hes probably a couple of injuries away from playing plenty of nrl this year

 

[the phantom menace]

it means Iuta has circumnavigated the Sun one more time than Petrus...

impressive

Speedy...

 

[85 Baby]

Second roe!!!

* = player option
¢ = club option
" = mutual option
^ = development contract

2025
Utility: Brown, Hands, Papalii, Walker
Fullback: Iongi, Miller-Stephen (22)^
W/C: Addo-Carr, Dunster (26), Lomax, Renisini, Wenisini, Russell, Samrani^, Simonsson, Tago (26)^
Half: Hawkins, Moses
Hooker: Lussick (30), Smith^
Edge forward: Cartwright (31), Doorey, Guymer, Kautoga, Keir (27)^, Lane, Matterson, Tuilagi, Williams
Middle: Greig (26), Hopgood, Mataele, Moretti, Paulo, Pryke^, Tuivaiti

2026
Utility: Hands (27), Papalii (22), Walker (32)
Fullback: Iongi
W/C: Addo-Carr (31), Lomax, Renisini (21), Wenisini (24), Russell (24), Samrani (24), Simonsson
Half: Hawkins (27), Moses, Volkman (24)
Hooker: Smith (23)^
Edge forward: Doorey (26), Funa-Iuta^, Guymer (22), Kautoga (24), Lane (32)", Latu^, Matterson (32)*, Tuilagi (27), Williams
Middle: Hopgood, Mataele (24), Moretti, Paulo (33), Pryke (22)^, Tuivaiti

2027
Utility: -
Fullback: Iongi (24)
W/C: Lomax, Simonsson (29)
Half: Moses
Hooker: -
Edge forward: Funa-Iuta (21), Latu (24), Williams (31)
Middle: Hopgood (28), Moretti (27), Tuivaiti (22)

2028
Utility: -
Fullback: -
W/C: Lomax (29)
Half: Moses
Hooker: -
Edge forward: -
Middle: -

2029
Utility: -
Fullback: -
W/C: -
Half: Moses (35)
Hooker: -
Edge forward: -
Middle: -

So we (somewhat officially) have 29 merkins in this year's top 30, and 26 in the 2026 squad.

Some other bloke wanted me to remind you that one of you or @hindy111 thinks Latu is shit and will never make it. Exciting times ahead

 

[Poupou Escobar]

He still might not make it. He is nearly 22 and played less than a dozen games in reserve grade. Though to his credit his NSW Cup form has been very good, which is why he's been given a top 30 contract (in 2027).

Meanwhile Funa-Iuta is three years younger and been announced on a similar contract extension. He's the one who is very exciting.