Lower Grades 2026

[globalpanther]

Luron Patea suffered a leg injury in NSW Cup last week, not sure how serious it is our club keeps everything under wraps however it seemed pretty bad the way he came off the field.

 

[Wetcats]

He was without any boot or anything on Friday just walking normally so hopefully not to serious.

 

[Wetcats]

Anyway on cup, Edgar looked great best game ive seen from him. Agree with those have had said J Mclean is looking pretty good. First cup game ive watched this yearh and he was a lot more noticeable then prev years.

I like the forwards in general, a lot of young guys across the pack. Really we only have Going and Ale who are seasoned cup players, rest of the pack is up and comers looking to make their mark. Wigmore and Vailalo have gone under the radar but both trained with the FG squad over the presseason, both look like pretty good prospects in yesterdays game, Wigmore in particular can play middle and edge and has played some games for the cook islands against some decent competition.

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

Anyway on cup, Edgar looked great best game ive seen from him. Agree with those have had said J Mclean is looking pretty good. First cup game ive watched this yearh and he was a lot more noticeable then prev years.

I like the forwards in general, a lot of young guys across the pack. Really we only have Going and Ale who are seasoned cup players, rest of the pack is up and comers looking to make their mark. Wigmore and Vailalo have gone under the radar but both trained with the FG squad over the presseason, both look like pretty good prospects in yesterdays game, Wigmore in particular can play middle and edge and has played some games for the cook islands against some decent competition.

Good to know Wecats. I used to love seeing under 20's and NSW cup when I was able to get to the ground.

To hear about the kids coming through and depth is the best.

 

[Kilkenny]

Anyway on cup, Edgar looked great best game ive seen from him. Agree with those have had said J Mclean is looking pretty good. First cup game ive watched this yearh and he was a lot more noticeable then prev years.

I like the forwards in general, a lot of young guys across the pack. Really we only have Going and Ale who are seasoned cup players, rest of the pack is up and comers looking to make their mark. Wigmore and Vailalo have gone under the radar but both trained with the FG squad over the presseason, both look like pretty good prospects in yesterdays game, Wigmore in particular can play middle and edge and has played some games for the cook islands against some decent competition.

Great to see Jesse McLean get his confidence back after some serious injuries worked against him. He has been very good in his three games thus far.

I’ve really liked the look of both Wigmore and Vailalo coming thru the juniors, both have a really good shot at NRL careers whether it is here or elsewhere time will tell but I think they are both first graders in the making.

 

[Kilkenny]

Wigmore operating wide of the ruck really does have power, pace and a tackle breaking ability, with an off load as a bonus.

 

[Oldpanther86]

Great to see Jesse McLean get his confidence back after some serious injuries worked against him. He has been very good in his three games thus far.

I’ve really liked the look of both Wigmore and Vailalo coming thru the juniors, both have a really good shot at NRL careers whether it is here or elsewhere time will tell but I think they are both first graders in the making.

Good to hear. It'd be nice to have a Morris bros situation rather than what happened with Critta and his brother.

 

[Kilkenny]

Good to hear. It'd be nice to have a Morris bros situation rather than what happened with Critta and his brother.

Given his strong form Jesse McLean wouldn’t let us down if called upon but I think realistically he’s playing for an opportunity elsewhere and if he keeps up his current form that will come. Don’t know who but someone will give him an opportunity elsewhere.

 

[Black Panther]

Given his strong form Jesse McLean wouldn’t let us down if called upon but I think realistically he’s playing for an opportunity elsewhere and if he keeps up his current form that will come. Don’t know who but someone will give him an opportunity elsewhere.

Do we need to sign Jesse to potentially keep Casey happy? You’d like to think not, but families are tight at times. 2028 is a while away, time will tell.

 

[Wetcats]

Do we need to sign Jesse to potentially keep Casey happy? You’d like to think not, but families are tight at times. 2028 is a while away, time will tell.

My opinion is it’s better to not fight and and just keep Jesse as long as it’s within reason. If someone’s offering him a chance to start then you know let him go, but if we can keep him happy with a modest contract let’s do that until we see what Casey really is

 

[Wetcats]

Also with Jesse he was a good junior, years ago we had milky at similar age in a similar spot, playing decent cup footy but obviously not going to crack our side, he’s turned into a great player. If we have to keep Jesse around he could do the same.

 

[Kilkenny]

Do we need to sign Jesse to potentially keep Casey happy? You’d like to think not, but families are tight at times. 2028 is a while away, time will tell.

I honestly don’t think that will be a factor.

Jesse needs to forge his own way in the game and pursue a path to NRL so hopefully maintains his really good form and see what opportunities may come his way.

 

[hindy111]

Given his strong form Jesse McLean wouldn’t let us down if called upon but I think realistically he’s playing for an opportunity elsewhere and if he keeps up his current form that will come. Don’t know who but someone will give him an opportunity elsewhere.

I have called out the Eels to sign him.

 

[John Hamblin]

I do not understand the eels signing of Brian Kelly . Whilst he can play the occasional good game he has far too many mistakes in his game and very inconsistent. I am sure we will target him this week.
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[hindy111]

I do not understand the eels signing of Brian Kelly . Whilst he can play the occasional good game he has far too many mistakes in his game and very inconsistent. I am sure we will target him this week.
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@Poupou Escobar please explain.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

He's better than just anyone else that was available. He's 100x better than anyone currently playing Jersey Flegg, for example, and most backs in reserve grade. He's still better than Jesse McLean.

 

[John Hamblin]

Sorry mediocrity

 

[Wetcats]

He's better than just anyone else that was available. He's 100x better than anyone currently playing Jersey Flegg, for example, and most backs in reserve grade. He's still better than Jesse McLean.

Is he tho? Jesse is still developing and is noticeably better this year. Kelly is a 29 year old journeymen, never played for a successful team. Certainly not getting better anymore.

Im not really disagreeing but just cause a bloke played some first grade doesnt mean he is still better then most in reserve grade. He'd probably not be hanging in cup for a bottom 8 side at 29 if he was noticeably better than the average cup outside back.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Is he tho? Jesse is still developing and is noticeably better this year. Kelly is a 29 year old journeymen, never played for a successful team. Certainly not getting better anymore.

Im not really disagreeing but just cause a bloke played some first grade doesnt mean he is still better then most in reserve grade. He'd probably not be hanging in cup for a bottom 8 side at 29 if he was noticeably better than the average cup outside back.

The average outside back in reserve grade isn’t on an NRL top 30 contract. This week, for example, the only top 30 outside back in our NSW Cup side is Tago.

 

[Kilkenny]

He's better than just anyone else that was available. He's 100x better than anyone currently playing Jersey Flegg, for example, and most backs in reserve grade. He's still better than Jesse McLean.

There doesn’t appear to be a lot of love for Brian Kelly, but i will say you don’t play almost 200 NRL games without being a pretty decent player. I always thought he was a more than handy player.