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Season 2026

Chins

Bench
Messages
3,497
The biggest thing for Penrith will be McLean and Blaizes development. Fact it those two cost you a 5th title. Put Crighton and Luai in for example. Both have I think the potential to be as good as them both but will they and how long will that take? No doubt they'll improve. Patea could have a break out season and Henry will start to get into his peak.
Tooʻ looks slow to me but im sure he is injured. Edwards just looks off the pace. A bit slower and not as sharp on feet. Made a lot of crucial errors as well.
And also juniors. Im sure there will be a few come into grade.
Ivan and his nonsensical bench cost us. We were well on top of Brisbane.

McLean will be the best attacking centre in the sport within 18 months.

Blazie the jury is still out but improved a lot in a competent system.
 

hindy111

Post Whore
Messages
65,912
Ivan and his nonsensical bench cost us. We were well on top of Brisbane.

McLean will be the best attacking centre in the sport within 18 months.

Blazie the jury is still out but improved a lot in a competent system.

Blaize shows glimpses and then follows it up with a dumb dumb. Once fixes the hands and defense he could become elite. He showed he has a big boot on him and a nice short kicking game. This was probably unexpected bonus. He certainly is a tricky one to judge.
Mclean will easily take over Tago. Only experience is stopping him. He'll play origin within 4yrs
 

The Realist

Juniors
Messages
2,338
Mclean is already best centre at the club - if we need to move Tago on to lock Casey down long term - so be it.

Yep. We can move Tago on and get Milky in a centre or Shift Alamoti to centre and Milky on the wing. We won't lose much in doing that.

Personally, I hope beast Tago emerges in 2026 and puts that argument to bed but if it's more of the same 2024/25 Tago then he either takes a sizable pay cut or we move him on.
 

age.s

First Grade
Messages
8,903
I don't think Tago is that far off being a $700k player. Last year maybe, but this year he was a defensively solid, powerful runner of the football. He didn't crack games wide open like he did in 2023, but he played almost every game and was still a very good, consistent player for us.

If its a choice between him and Casey its a very easy one though.
 

Chins

Bench
Messages
3,497
I don't think Tago is that far off being a $700k player. Last year maybe, but this year he was a defensively solid, powerful runner of the football. He didn't crack games wide open like he did in 2023, but he played almost every game and was still a very good, consistent player for us.

If its a choice between him and Casey its a very easy one though.
What about Tago or Alamoti?
 

betcats

Referee
Messages
24,465
What about Tago or Alamoti?

Whoever is cheaper. Both guys who may or may not live up to their potential. If we could save 200k plus id let tago walk right now and I dont think Milky would go unchallenged for that wing spot for very long if we did. Or vice versa with Paul tho Tago cant cover wing so id rather it be Tago.
 

Chins

Bench
Messages
3,497
Whoever is cheaper. Both guys who may or may not live up to their potential. If we could save 200k plus id let tago walk right now and I dont think Milky would go unchallenged for that wing spot for very long if we did. Or vice versa with Paul tho Tago cant cover wing so id rather it be Tago.
Alamoti delivers in finals. He's a stud
 

betcats

Referee
Messages
24,465
Alamoti delivers in finals. He's a stud

Yeah he has delivered for us twice now in the finals i agree. Im happy to roll with what we have and play Paul on the wing i dont think we have to force one or the other out but if Tago was to approach management about leaving i certainly wouldnt be standing in his way, for two straight years he has only shown good form in patches.

He has played well in the finals last year and this year ill give tago that, but he hasnt stepped up like Alamoti and been amongst our best in either series.
 

hindy111

Post Whore
Messages
65,912
Tago I dont beleive is on 700k that was reported.
Reason being is Dogs got Crighton for 800k and apparently then Penrith where about 100k short. I dont beleive they would offer an up and comer the same figures. Perhaps clauses if he plays origin etc he could potentially earn that but id say right now he'd be on about the 500k range.

I reckon Nathan has about 5-6yrs left I imagine if consider age and past injuries. If you're able to squeeze 1 or 2 titles out of this period it would be a HUGE success.
But I wouldn't be suprised if that's it for his trophy cabinet. Harry Grant is top 3 player in game and is yet to win one. He is same age. Premierships aren’t easy. Id say Penrith peaked in 2022 and have been in decline since. This season they where at their worse since 2019 and still almost won in.
2026 I think should be stronger. 2027 might be the last bit of juice squeezed from this squad.A lot will depend on 9ther squads,draws,injuries. I dont ever see Penrith getting to that 2022 level again. But at the sametime it is rare any club gets to that level.
 
Messages
3,396
Tago I dont beleive is on 700k that was reported.
Reason being is Dogs got Crighton for 800k and apparently then Penrith where about 100k short. I dont beleive they would offer an up and comer the same figures. Perhaps clauses if he plays origin etc he could potentially earn that but id say right now he'd be on about the 500k range.

I reckon Nathan has about 5-6yrs left I imagine if consider age and past injuries. If you're able to squeeze 1 or 2 titles out of this period it would be a HUGE success.
But I wouldn't be suprised if that's it for his trophy cabinet. Harry Grant is top 3 player in game and is yet to win one. He is same age. Premierships aren’t easy. Id say Penrith peaked in 2022 and have been in decline since. This season they where at their worse since 2019 and still almost won in.
2026 I think should be stronger. 2027 might be the last bit of juice squeezed from this squad.A lot will depend on 9ther squads,draws,injuries. I dont ever see Penrith getting to that 2022 level again. But at the sametime it is rare any club gets to that level.
🙄🙄🙄
 

betcats

Referee
Messages
24,465
Tago I dont beleive is on 700k that was reported.
Reason being is Dogs got Crighton for 800k and apparently then Penrith where about 100k short. I dont beleive they would offer an up and comer the same figures. Perhaps clauses if he plays origin etc he could potentially earn that but id say right now he'd be on about the 500k range.

I reckon Nathan has about 5-6yrs left I imagine if consider age and past injuries. If you're able to squeeze 1 or 2 titles out of this period it would be a HUGE success.
But I wouldn't be suprised if that's it for his trophy cabinet. Harry Grant is top 3 player in game and is yet to win one. He is same age. Premierships aren’t easy. Id say Penrith peaked in 2022 and have been in decline since. This season they where at their worse since 2019 and still almost won in.
2026 I think should be stronger. 2027 might be the last bit of juice squeezed from this squad.A lot will depend on 9ther squads,draws,injuries. I dont ever see Penrith getting to that 2022 level again. But at the sametime it is rare any club gets to that level.

Tago signed a 3 year ext at the start of last year. Whatever he is on it goes up next year which is first year of the new deal, reporting at the time had it averaging out to 750k per year.
 

hindy111

Post Whore
Messages
65,912
Tago signed a 3 year ext at the start of last year. Whatever he is on it goes up next year which is first year of the new deal, reporting at the time had it averaging out to 750k per year.

Media reports are not accurate I dont think? Too is apparently on 650k. Surely Tago isnt on more.
 

betcats

Referee
Messages
24,465
Media reports are not accurate I dont think? Too is apparently on 650k. Surely Tago isnt on more.

Well yeah I agree re the media figures. Tago had an excellent 2023 before he got hurt late in the year, played finals injured. But during 2023 he tore some teams apart including the storm at one point, I dont think anyone wouldve thought 700k plus starting in 2026 would be a bad contract at that point. The extension was annouced in Jan 24
 

Bob

Juniors
Messages
1,517
I”ll probably get shot for this but if I was to let 1 player go it would be T’oo, I love Brian as a player but I think his legs are close to shot, he gets injured more easily nowadays, all the knocks he’s got the last few years I think England would be better for his longevity
 

Chins

Bench
Messages
3,497
I”ll probably get shot for this but if I was to let 1 player go it would be T’oo, I love Brian as a player but I think his legs are close to shot, he gets injured more easily nowadays, all the knocks he’s got the last few years I think England would be better for his longevity
The 2025 NSW player of the series?
Even if he loses 20% hes still the best winger in the sport
 

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