2026 rumoured and confirmed signings

[Pomoz]

A quiet game from Martin is different though. He actually plays like a run of the mill backrower on those quiet games.

He will just stay in his side and plod along, His good games are when he is playing possessed and cutting people in half

Nicely put. The thing is, when he plays at that intensity he is elite and scares the crap out of the opposition. But, it is difficult to play at that intensity all year. He would burn out if he did.

One of my all time favorite players, Mal Meninga, used to do that. He would do nothing all game and then bang, try or assist. He cruised all season until the serious stuff and rep games started.

 

[BossleyPanther]

What if the real swap was Tago for Burton?

 

[Chins]

What if the real swap was Tago for Burton?

Then we'd be moving on Blazie.
A nice dream but wont happen

 

[soc123_au]

Then we'd be moving on Blazie.
A nice dream but wont happen

Blaize is a better 6, or will be very soon. I love Burto, but he is not a great 6.

 

[Fangs]

Blaize is a better 6, or will be very soon. I love Burto, but he is not a great 6.

He's already ahead IMO.

New franchises will pay Burton to play 6. But he'd be better off at centre. He'd actually be a chance to play more rep footy. He isn't going to get a run in the halves.

 

[Oldpanther86]

There could also be the sentiment across the game Burton is a better centre than 6. Whether true or not he and his management would have to keep it in mind. We've seen better players have to give up their personal preference for positions.

 

[Chins]

Burton had a mid table squad in first before Gus went full genius.

People overlook how good Matt actually is.

 

[BxTom]

Burton had a mid table squad in first before Gus went full genius.

People overlook how good Matt actually is.

He also tried to play 5/8 in a team called Penrith. He was found wanting and moved to Centre where he won a dally m.

 

[Oldpanther86]

Burton had a mid table squad in first before Gus went full genius.

People overlook how good Matt actually is.

Perception is fact. Right now he's perceived as a better centre than 5/8 and he's not exactly playing insane to change that

 

[Chins]

He also tried to play 5/8 in a team called Penrith. He was found wanting and moved to Centre where he won a dally m.

Was never given a shot here

 

[Wetcats]

Quote from Casey,

"Jesse is the one that tells me the truth," Casey said. "I get a perspective from the coach and the coaching staff telling me what I can do better, what I've been doing well but he's the last line of defence for me.

"I go to him and the old man, they're really special to me. My dad played and [Jesse] is the one training with me, seeing how I go about things. They're the last line of what am I doing wrong, what can I do better?"

Family values: The unique heritage driving McLean brothers

Emerging Panther Casey McLean has opened up on the role family values played in his rise to the NRL as he looks to celebrate his New Zealand and Chinese heritage throughout Multicultural Round.

www.nrl.com

We'd be insane to let Jesse go. Match whatever offers he gets and count it as the cost of keeping a potential generational talent.

 

[Oldpanther86]

Quote from Casey,

"Jesse is the one that tells me the truth," Casey said. "I get a perspective from the coach and the coaching staff telling me what I can do better, what I've been doing well but he's the last line of defence for me.

"I go to him and the old man, they're really special to me. My dad played and [Jesse] is the one training with me, seeing how I go about things. They're the last line of what am I doing wrong, what can I do better?"

Family values: The unique heritage driving McLean brothers

Emerging Panther Casey McLean has opened up on the role family values played in his rise to the NRL as he looks to celebrate his New Zealand and Chinese heritage throughout Multicultural Round.

www.nrl.com

We'd be insane to let Jesse go. Match whatever offers he gets and count it as the cost of keeping a potential generational talent.

More than happy with that. They sound close thats cool.

 

[Fangs]

Casey always looked the better prospect to me.

But Jesse ain't on the scrapheap yet. Only 21 years old so he has plenty of time ahead of him. Tom Jenkins was 24 years old when he starting firing last year.

Zero tackle says Jesse is signed on for 2027 and 2028. Same as Casey. So I think we are sweet.

 

[Hooked]

Jesse has actually been pretty good in cup this year. Still has time on his side for improvement.
Keep the Dogs away from him.

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

Jesse has actually been pretty good in cup this year. Still has time on his side for improvement.
Keep the Dogs away from him.

Yep. Gus and shiny new toys. TBH I don't think they have the money for them. (that's me saying I HOPE they don't)

 

[soc123_au]

Burton had a mid table squad in first before Gus went full genius.

People overlook how good Matt actually is.

His long kicking is elite, but the rest of his game is mid. With a high class 7 good chance he is a lot better, but he hasn't shown it really, not his fault particularly, but it is what it is. The Dogs were top of the table based on defence, the attack was never anything special, which is how you judge the halves. His kicking did play a big part though.

 

[age.s]

Nicely put. The thing is, when he plays at that intensity he is elite and scares the crap out of the opposition. But, it is difficult to play at that intensity all year. He would burn out if he did.

One of my all time favorite players, Mal Meninga, used to do that. He would do nothing all game and then bang, try or assist. He cruised all season until the serious stuff and rep games started.

I agree in general, but Martin made a number of really poor defensive reads last year which were put onto Tago. A string of low impact games in the regular season is a different issue.

I don't understand what is wrong with just blaming players for the poor plays they make. Defending is a team sport but if its pretty clear that Martin or Nath has made a poor read/attempt, thats on them and them alone.

 

[Oldpanther86]

His long kicking is elite, but the rest of his game is mid. With a high class 7 good chance he is a lot better, but he hasn't shown it really, not his fault particularly, but it is what it is. The Dogs were top of the table based on defence, the attack was never anything special, which is how you judge the halves. His kicking did play a big part though.

They had constant bad sets saved by his big boot. Teams struggled to win field position against them or there was I think Vs Raiders Critta decided to just win the game himself.

 

[Chins]

His long kicking is elite, but the rest of his game is mid. With a high class 7 good chance he is a lot better, but he hasn't shown it really, not his fault particularly, but it is what it is. The Dogs were top of the table based on defence, the attack was never anything special, which is how you judge the halves. His kicking did play a big part though.

He's yet to even play next to a 7.

Just because he's a better centre than 90% of centres in the comp doesn't mean he should play there. A complete waste of his talent

 

[Hooked]

Yep. Gus and shiny new toys. TBH I don't think they have the money for them. (that's me saying I HOPE they don't)

He will move someone to create room. Xerri is going. Maybe Burton.
Gould would have some centre lined up for 27.
Gould always has to re-invent the wheel. He can't stop fiddling.