2026 rumoured and confirmed signings

[BossleyPanther]

After Hassett left I was wondering who from Cup was going to step up. Luke Bowden did say Billy Phillips. We do need to let Tago go for some upgrades to the likes of him and pre pay Cleary for an extension. What's doing with Luron?

 

[ColdWetPanther]

He was in the Origin squad and got himself booted out in 2021. Also broke his jaw in 2023 which was quite unlucky.

He missed out the year Madge won the shield due to his defence. I'm inclined to think it will happen again this year too.

I think you could play a specialist hooker on the pine this year given the extended bench and Api would be good coming on if we are chasing the game.

Defence isn’t good enough to play until the game opens up.

 

[Luke Bowden]

More than 5 minutes of good form for a start

When was he not in good form? You make it sound like he’s inconsistent? I honestly don’t remember him playing poorly in either reserve grade or NRL.

 

[Chins]

When was he not in good form? You make it sound like he’s inconsistent? I honestly don’t remember him playing poorly in either reserve grade or NRL.

At this point he's a better Alex Johnston. Very good NRL player but not rep level.

 

[Wetcats]

Do we then go to the 10+ players across the comp that get injured in trials and go 'Lads, chill alright. Milky Jenkins got picked Round 1 – your injuries were not in vain.'

With the season as long as it is, trials are pointless.

Again tell that to Ivan mate, cause hes claiming that he makes big decisions based on players trial form.

As for injuries, that is a dumb take. Players get injured at training and the season is long, therefore training must be useless. They could just as easily get injured in an opposed session, a trial is a more intense opposed session basically, its a part of the training for a preseason. How many sports dont have trials? at every level most sports are doing useless trials are they?

Trial results as in the scoreline are meaningless, but if you cant look at individual playing in a trial get some idea of what kindve preseason theyve had then you're an idiot.

 

[Chins]

Again tell that to Ivan mate, cause hes claiming that he makes big decisions based on players trial form.

As for injuries, that is a dumb take. Players get injured at training and the season is long, therefore training must be useless. They could just as easily get injured in an opposed session, a trial is a more intense opposed session.

Trial results as in the scoreline are meaningless, but if you cant look at individual playing in a trial get some idea of what kindve preseason theyve had then you're an idiot.

I believe Tago was that lazy and awful he lost his spot in that trial.

Hopefully we punt him elsewhere

 

[Wetcats]

I believe Tago was that lazy and awful he lost his spot in that trial.

Hopefully we punt him elsewhere

Maybe, but i think everyone watching could see that Milky looked good, like physically improved, faster, stronger just watching the first half of the trial.

 

[Fangs]

I think you could play a specialist hooker on the pine this year given the extended bench and Api would be good coming on if we are chasing the game.

Defence isn’t good enough to play until the game opens up.

I'd be picking a genuine half first. Ideally Luai if Cleary/Moses are the halves. I couldn't leave any of those 3 out.

Not sure if there will be room for Api or not. 6 man bench does improve his chances however.

 

[Luke Bowden]

At this point he's a better Alex Johnston. Very good NRL player but not rep level.

He would have no issues stepping up, just as AJ would have no issues. Both are very smart players who read the game as well as anyone.

 

[martielang]

Again tell that to Ivan mate, cause hes claiming that he makes big decisions based on players trial form.

As for injuries, that is a dumb take. Players get injured at training and the season is long, therefore training must be useless. They could just as easily get injured in an opposed session, a trial is a more intense opposed session basically, its a part of the training for a preseason. How many sports dont have trials? at every level most sports are doing useless trials are they?

Trial results as in the scoreline are meaningless, but if you cant look at individual playing in a trial get some idea of what kindve preseason theyve had then you're an idiot.

Relax @Wetcats I just have a different opinion to you that many also share. You shouldn't worry so much about being wrong.

 

[martielang]

That argument can cut the other way too though. Injuries happen in a long season. Were just as screwed if Nath does his ACL in round 2 as we would be if he did it in a trial.

A 40 minute, mid intensity hit out gives a bit more match sharpness to a squad, last minute clarity to a coach while slightly increasing the risk of injuries. Its hardly moving the needle super far in either direction if were being honest.

Kinda my point though, the season is already long - why make it longer? Even if it is mid-intensity which kinda defeats the point of a trial also...

If a coach can't pick his best 17 from a 3 month training block, past season/s performance, and the odd inhouse opposed session, there's an issue.

Not sure why I'm fighting this fight in Rnd 5. Must mean the teams going too good to disagree on anything else.

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

Tago too long

Lindsay smith was upgraded recently. For a further 3 years until 2029.

 

[age.s]

Kinda my point though, the season is already long - why make it longer? Even if it is mid-intensity which kinda defeats the point of a trial also...

If a coach can't pick his best 17 from a 3 month training block, past season/s performance, and the odd inhouse opposed session, there's an issue.

Not sure why I'm fighting this fight in Rnd 5. Must mean the teams going too good to disagree on anything else.

I think my point is theres pros and cons that wash out in the main. Youve seen the boys in training but even a semi competetive trial is a closer setting to a real match than an in-house session. Its not a massive difference, but then its not a massive difference in terms of season length. Youd make your decision based on whether you think the team needs a bit more match sharpness or if a heavier pre season poses an unnecessary injury risk. In short playing our NRL boys in a trial made sense this year when it probably didn’t in years past with the WCC, World cup etc.

And yes my word the boys are flying at the moment!

 

[ColdWetPanther]

I'd be picking a genuine half first. Ideally Luai if Cleary/Moses are the halves. I couldn't leave any of those 3 out.

Not sure if there will be room for Api or not. 6 man bench does improve his chances however.

I’d pick a hooker (maybe Api, but Kenny could also play back row), a half (Luai is a good shout but maybe Burton, who could fill in the centres and push Critta to the wing) and then 3/4 forwards.

For me, it would be Kenny, Luai, an outside back (one of Tommy or Latrell who isn’t in the centres) two middles and a backrower.

 

[Chins]

I’d pick a hooker (maybe Api, but Kenny could also play back row), a half (Luai is a good shout but maybe Burton, who could fill in the centres and push Critta to the wing) and then 3/4 forwards.

For me, it would be Kenny, Luai, an outside back (one of Tommy or Latrell who isn’t in the centres) two middles and a backrower.

Tommy and Latrell papers have hopefully been stamped

 

[Fangs]

I’d pick a hooker (maybe Api, but Kenny could also play back row), a half (Luai is a good shout but maybe Burton, who could fill in the centres and push Critta to the wing) and then 3/4 forwards.

For me, it would be Kenny, Luai, an outside back (one of Tommy or Latrell who isn’t in the centres) two middles and a backrower.

You end up short somewhere across the park. Even with a 6 man bench. I wouldn't be crying if Api was picked he'd be a lethal option against tired forwards.

Having a Luai or Katoa off the bench is just a massive bonus as well. If you carry a half and a hooker you lose out somewhere else though.

Tommy and Latrell papers have hopefully been stamped

I'd like some new faces however with injuries who knows. We might end up defaulting to them.

 

[Wetcats]

Relax @Wetcats I just have a different opinion to you that many also share. You shouldn't worry so much about being wrong.

Id rather not relax and keep hammering your dumb f**king comments

 

[Wetcats]

Kinda my point though, the season is already long - why make it longer? Even if it is mid-intensity which kinda defeats the point of a trial also...

If a coach can't pick his best 17 from a 3 month training block, past season/s performance, and the odd inhouse opposed session, there's an issue.

Not sure why I'm fighting this fight in Rnd 5. Must mean the teams going too good to disagree on anything else.

What is exactly is the issue if a coach hasn't decided his best 17 before the trials? Can you please elaborate on exactly what the issue is and what the effect will be? Because Penrith has that issue with Ivan, should we be worried about his coaching?

All these idiot coaches out here making changes to their top 17 based off how players peform in a game, I mean has anyone let Vlandys know we have coaches out here paying attention to individual player form? Why arent these muppets just picking teams off training alone?

 

[Chins]

Nothing can be learned from players like Nath, Yeo, To'o playing trials but players who coast along like Tago......it cost him a spot in this side and he might not ever get it back

 

[Exsilium]

I'd be putting Tago in the backrow if we kept him. An off-season to size up and I think he'd be a very good lock.