Ending season 2025 on positive notes..

[TheParraboy]

As we look forward to a better and improved 2026, think its important we show some character and win some games that are left, especially with our captain back.

Last 7 rounds last year were frustrating but we competed, considering the injuries we had , Barrett thrown in, And had Ryles tapping blokes on the shoulder. Asi was the half.
Only 3-4 players remaining from then that make it to todays 17 (that Ryles wants to keep by the looks), so we are basically close to the squad Ryles has re-built, Baring a few players Eg Matto, Lane..

2024 - the last 7 rounds (rd 20 was a bye)
Won 3 games (dragons , tigers, warriors) (initially thought we had 2 wins)
destroyed Penrith, before ref let then 'roll the ball' last 10 mins 34-36
destroyed Broncos bombed like 4-5 tries being conservative, 24-30
solid loss to Storm 14-32
Bad loss to the Chooks in a swimming pool environment 38-14


Last 7 games this year - how many should we be winning ?
Surely we can do better than last year, with Moses back?
Souths, Knights are there for the taking...
Roosters and Cows at home should be 50/50 they aint playing well. Should win one of those surely ?

Rd 21 Broncos
Rd 22 Storm -H
Rd 23 Cowboys - H
Rd 24 Souths
Rd 25 Roosters - H
Rd 26 Warriors
Rd 27 Knight - H


Other than JDB coming , we will have the same squad next year.
So I'm looking forward to some good wins closing out our year and look forward to next year..


Parra

 

[PARRA_FAN]

Didnt we beat the Warriors over there? I mean they led 30-4 at one stage and interestingly Lussick had one of his better games

 

[Stevie]

Interesting points you make. From what we’ve been lead to believe, this is FAR from the squad we will go into next year with.

You’d have to think we have Matto, Lane spots open up, JDB takes 1. We are in the market for plenty so no doubt some other spots are being spoken about punting a couple.

I’d hope we have a good back rower, good prop, and good centre/wing and perhaps a 6..?

Ryles seem to indicate we are being patient as the is a LOT of movement to come at the end of the season.

Based on games left… I genuinely think we could ambush Broncos, then beat Cows, Souths and Knights all extremely beatable!

I think we need a min 3 wins, hopefully 4.

 

[TheParraboy]

Didnt we beat the Warriors over there? I mean they led 30-4 at one stage and interestingly Lussick had one of his better games

Hell we did too, thats 3 from 7 wins late last year, cheers ill modify

 

[TheParraboy]

Interesting points you make. From what we’ve been lead to believe, this is FAR from the squad we will go into next year with.

You’d have to think we have Matto, Lane spots open up, JDB takes 1. We are in the market for plenty so no doubt some other spots are being spoken about punting a couple.

I’d hope we have a good back rower, good prop, and good centre/wing and perhaps a 6..?

Ryles seem to indicate we are being patient as the is a LOT of movement to come at the end of the season.

Based on games left… I genuinely think we could ambush Broncos, then beat Cows, Souths and Knights all extremely beatable!

I think we need a min 3 wins, hopefully 4.

Id be happy if we can secure two more players that are top 17 quality. ideally top 13 quality. Though that be tough

Think JDB will tighten us up in the middle, so thats a sound signing though a short term one (1-2 yrs)

6 is a worry at this stage.

 

[PARRA_FAN]

Going back to your original post, it's certainly a much harder draw than this time last year but if they compete with those tough sides and jag a few wins to avoid the spoon, Id be pretty happy going into the next season. Moses coming back will be a huge boost and I also hope to see Moretti in the team.

 

[King-Gutho94]

Hell we did too, thats 3 from 7 wins late last year, cheers ill modify

You only forgot that game because I beat you to starting up the game day thread

 

[Chipmunk]

Interesting points you make. From what we’ve been lead to believe, this is FAR from the squad we will go into next year with.

You’d have to think we have Matto, Lane spots open up, JDB takes 1. We are in the market for plenty so no doubt some other spots are being spoken about punting a couple.

I’d hope we have a good back rower, good prop, and good centre/wing and perhaps a 6..?

Ryles seem to indicate we are being patient as the is a LOT of movement to come at the end of the season.

Based on games left… I genuinely think we could ambush Broncos, then beat Cows, Souths and Knights all extremely beatable!

I think we need a min 3 wins, hopefully 4.

We've got 29 signed up for next year, take Lane off that is 28. Why would Matterson not be here?

Where have you seen that this will be far from our squad next year?

The only thing I'm seeing from the current mob is De Belin in, Brown out (Lane is long gone...)

 

[Chipmunk]

As we look forward to a better and improved 2026, think its important we show some character and win some games that are left, especially with our captain back.

Last 7 rounds last year were frustrating but we competed, considering the injuries we had , Barrett thrown in, And had Ryles tapping blokes on the shoulder. Asi was the half.
Only 3-4 players remaining from then that make it to todays 17 (that Ryles wants to keep by the looks), so we are basically close to the squad Ryles has re-built, Baring a few players Eg Matto, Lane..

2024 - the last 7 rounds (rd 20 was a bye)
Won 3 games (dragons , tigers, warriors) (initially thought we had 2 wins)
destroyed Penrith, before ref let then 'roll the ball' last 10 mins 34-36
destroyed Broncos bombed like 4-5 tries being conservative, 24-30
solid loss to Storm 14-32
Bad loss to the Chooks in a swimming pool environment 38-14


Last 7 games this year - how many should we be winning ?
Surely we can do better than last year, with Moses back?
Souths, Knights are there for the taking...
Roosters and Cows at home should be 50/50 they aint playing well. Should win one of those surely ?

Rd 21 Broncos
Rd 22 Storm -H
Rd 23 Cowboys - H
Rd 24 Souths
Rd 25 Roosters - H
Rd 26 Warriors
Rd 27 Knight - H


Other than JDB coming , we will have the same squad next year.
So I'm looking forward to some good wins closing out our year and look forward to next year..


Parra

I think we will get a pretty good gauge over the next 7 weeks of where we're likely to be in 2026.

 

[Stevie]

We've got 29 signed up for next year, take Lane off that is 28. Why would Matterson not be here?

Where have you seen that this will be far from our squad next year?

The only thing I'm seeing from the current mob is De Belin in, Brown out (Lane is long gone...)

That’s just it, Lane is NOT long gone. He is here for next year atm is he not??

Matto I “hope” won’t be here. It’s not the money, it’s him taking up a top 30 spot when Ryles clearly doesn’t want him. Why not throw in 3 or 400k and another club can give him a fresh start and we can sign someone Ryles actually wants to use.

 

[Chipmunk]

That’s just it, Lane is NOT long gone. He is here for next year atm is he not??

Matto I “hope” won’t be here. It’s not the money, it’s him taking up a top 30 spot when Ryles clearly doesn’t want him. Why not throw in 3 or 400k and another club can give him a fresh start and we can sign someone Ryles actually wants to use.

I believe it's a Mutual Option with Lane, so if the Club doesn't take up it's Option then there is nothing for Lane.

Matterson I suspect will retire at the end of next season and is happy to see out his NRL days as an occasional part time footballer on $650k a year in NSW Cup... Much like Bryce Cartwright this season.

 

[Stevie]

I believe it's a Mutual Option with Lane, so if the Club doesn't take up it's Option then there is nothing for Lane.

Matterson I suspect will retire at the end of next season and is happy to see out his NRL days as an occasional part time footballer on $650k a year in NSW Cup... Much like Bryce Cartwright this season.

If that’s the case then I’ll get off my pedestal and stop shaking my fist. Can anyone confirm Lane won’t be here as it’s a MO?

Honestly, I want Matto gone. I actually think he played decent when he did play this year and has plenty to offer but, if Ryles doesn’t want him let’s have the conversation to say “you can play all season in Cup, or we’ll give you permission to leave and we’ll tip in some cash to help you end your career in a way that’s fitting to you.”

And USE that spot with someone Ryles wants!

 

[Matty Bhoy]

I’m genuinely not as worried about our 5/8 as most are. Moses probably plays both sides of the ruck moving forward. It’s our pack that needs improvement.

 

[TheParraboy]

Going back to your original post, it's certainly a much harder draw than this time last year but if they compete with those tough sides and jag a few wins to avoid the spoon, Id be pretty happy going into the next season. Moses coming back will be a huge boost and I also hope to see Moretti in the team.

Really?

Think its much of a muchness + we will have Moses

Last year we played 3 top 4 sides inc premiers and minor premiers
Plus dragons were on the verge of the 8

vs

This year Souths and Knights are decimated by injury to key players
We all have a cry no Moses, but they are doing worse to key guys out
Broncos and Warriors improved but Cowboys been dreadful, Roosters gone backwards from last year

 

[TheParraboy]

You only forgot that game because I beat you to starting up the game day thread

Ahh yes, I was wondering why LU didnt pay me that week

 

[Hindmarshisgod2]

I’m genuinely not as worried about our 5/8 as most are. Moses probably plays both sides of the ruck moving forward. It’s our pack that needs improvement.

I agree. We just need someone at 6 that can defend well and occasionally ball play. Kind of like when we had John Morris.

 

[Noise]

I agree. We just need someone at 6 that can defend well and occasionally ball play. Kind of like when we had John Morris.

So that rules Papalii out.

 

[Hindmarshisgod2]

So that rules Papalii out.

Yeah nah....I've seen enough of papalii. He's out for mine

 

[the phantom menace]

Games against Cowboys, Souths and Knights seem the only potential wins to me. And luck etc being what it is, I'm saying we probably win two out of those three.

So long as Papalii gets about four games with Moses also in the team, then that will do the young guy some good and allow Ryles and Co a decent look at what the 2026 spine might be like (and plan the off-season from there).

There should be enough people trying to play for their spots in the 2026 mix that the motivation is there to finish positively - that and trying to avoid a potential spoon too.

 

[the phantom menace]

If that’s the case then I’ll get off my pedestal and stop shaking my fist. Can anyone confirm Lane won’t be here as it’s a MO?

Depends on the type of MO. May already have been a low-ball PO written in if the Club doesn't activate the presumably higher CO part of the MO, like what happened with Hodgson according to published articles.

Or it could be that mythical type of MO where both parties have to agree for it to happen - I haven't seen any published sources for players that had type of MO though.

Honestly, I want Matto gone. I actually think he played decent when he did play this year and has plenty to offer but, if Ryles doesn’t want him let’s have the conversation to say “you can play all season in Cup, or we’ll give you permission to leave and we’ll tip in some cash to help you end your career in a way that’s fitting to you.”

And USE that spot with someone Ryles wants!

I don't get why dudes that are dropped from NRL and are not on the injured list aren't named/selected each week in Cup. Brown's another one - Ryles has come out and said that Brown won't be playing Cup between now and the end of the year even when he's not selected for NRL.

Scratch them at the last minute if they don't turn up or have a sook (or if you want the combos between younger prospects), but at least look like we're making them earn their contracts!