Season 2026

[Chins]

Tago would be a great 14 but you cant pay a 14 that sort of coin

 

[Black Panther]

Tago is already small for a centre. No way he plays 2nd row effectively.

You have seen how the game is changing with smaller mobile guys right? You only have to look at guys like Cam Murray and Rueben Cotter for instance, no real size but mobile.

 

[Copperhead]

You have seen how the game is changing with smaller mobile guys right? You only have to look at guys like Cam Murray and Rueben Cotter for instance, no real size but mobile.

You think Tago has the motor of either of those guys?

 

[Sime_11]

Tago would be a great 14 but you cant pay a 14 that sort of coin

100% - brings Alamoti & Jenkins in the team

if only Ivan could actually give it a crack - if we win the comp doing this - then that justifies the coin for Tago

 

[Goonji]

Tago’s performance in the 2024 grand final was amazing.

 

[Black Panther]

You think Tago has the motor of either of those guys?

I actually do. The guy is a weapon, get him more involved in the game.

 

[maple_69]

He’s definitely found his way back to form and there are ways you could use him more. If Sorro/Papali’i were in the middle rotation you could slide he and Garner one wide in patches for Tago to move around a bit when there’s space and fatigue in the middle.

I don’t think we need to mess with things to fix 14 too much. We need a fit spine, we need Casey/Blaize/Luron to take a step forward and we need to take advantage of minimal turnover in the squad to get slicker in attack, avoid such a slow start while will leave us better positioned for the run in.

 

[jane the pain]

Interesting

 

[Frankus]

Interesting

Ever been to PNG? I can tell you now $2mil is not enough.

 

[Chins]

Ever been to PNG? I can tell you now $2mil is not enough.

Fine for single young men to live in a compound.
No one with kids will go

 

[Fangs]

Dolphins have done pretty well as an already established club. Money and juniors not an issue.

Perth are starting from scratch. And PNG less than scratch.

I think the new franchises will face huge hurdles. 5-10 years for Perth to see the finals. Twice as long if not more for PNG.

 

[Fangs]

Other thing that is forgotten about Perth is the travel. Its a shorter flight from NZ to Sydney. Perth might be in Australia but for most of us its the edge of civilisation.

Perth will have similar if not worse roster turnover issues.

 

[Chins]

Other thing that is forgotten about Perth is the travel. Its a shorter flight from NZ to Sydney. Perth might be in Australia but for most of us its the edge of civilisation.

Perth will have similar if not worse roster turnover issues.

Its also the most boring "city" I've ever visited. If you don't surf the state has nothing to offer

 

[jane the pain]

Ever been to PNG? I can tell you now $2mil is not enough.

No I haven't.

 

[Fangs]

Its also the most boring "city" I've ever visited. If you don't surf the state has nothing to offer

Does it have a casino?

The players need things to do.

 

[ColdWetPanther]

Dolphins have done pretty well as an already established club. Money and juniors not an issue.

Perth are starting from scratch. And PNG less than scratch.

I think the new franchises will face huge hurdles. 5-10 years for Perth to see the finals. Twice as long if not more for PNG.

I agree re building the infrastructure around a team, but PNG is rugby league heartland so has that going for itself.

Plus it will be a horrible road trip. Win a significant majority of your home games and you are in for the shot at finals.

 

[ColdWetPanther]

Ever been to PNG? I can tell you now $2mil is not enough.

It’s $4m in real money and a significantly reduced cost of living while there. A few years could set you up for life.

The real challenge is going to be ensuring it isn’t a retirement home for over the hill vets…

 

[Fangs]

I agree re building the infrastructure around a team, but PNG is rugby league heartland so has that going for itself.

Plus it will be a horrible road trip. Win a significant majority of your home games and you are in for the shot at finals.

Yeah vice versa.

The home ground advantage is big. I expect they will sell out every game.

But recruitment will need to be carefully considered. You need to find some guys who know what they are signing up for.

 

[Goonji]

I’m not against expansion and I don’t have any issues with PNG or its people. In fact, I’ve never been there. But I feel their inclusion was not the right move. Who would I pick instead, to be honest, I haven’t even thought about it.

 

[CCJohnC]

I’m not against expansion and I don’t have any issues with PNG or its people. In fact, I’ve never been there. But I feel their inclusion was not the right move. Who would I pick instead, to be honest, I haven’t even thought about it.

Second NZ team would have been my choice.