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[Chins]

I want to win it from 5th. Its one of the last records to be broken and they'll be first to win it from outside the top 4 in this nrl format.

This guy gets it and this is our "rebuilding" year. We'll improve again for the next few years until Yeo retires.

 

[Oldpanther86]

This guy gets it and this is our "rebuilding" year. We'll improve again for the next few years until Yeo retires.

It's almost unfair except i don't care. GGs too easy.

 

[The Realist]

It's almost unfair except i don't care. GGs too easy.

Don't get too cocky. A few big injuries and a decline in form of key players (sort of like DCE for Manly) can knock us down a peg or two.

IMO we have already seen peak Yeo and probably peak Edwards. There is even a case to be made that arguably Nathan is already on a decline.

Whilst many clubs are a shambles, there are others who have strong rosters that will improve over the coming few years, Storm, Broncos, Bulldogs, Warriors come to mind. Canberra could be a perennial threat if Stuart can resolve the loss of Fogarty at halfback.

Even some of the 'shambles' clubs will improve notably and I expect 2026-2027 to tighten even more than 2025. The gulf between the top 4-5 teams and the bottom 4-5 will narrow.

Now is not the time to be complacent even though we are looking good.

 

[age.s]

Whilst many clubs are a shambles, there are others who have strong rosters that will improve over the coming few years, Storm, Broncos, Bulldogs, Warriors come to mind. Canberra could be a perennial threat if Stuart can resolve the loss of Fogarty at halfback.

Not sure about all this. Even if our superstars have "peaked", I dont think they decline anywhere near as fast as all that. We have some really strong players coming through (Talagi/McLean) and the best system the modern game has ever seen. We have also spent this entire decade turning journeymen into extremely solid players and as long as you can do that you'll be a force to be reckoned with.

The trajectories of the clubs you've mentioned are also far from certain. The Broncos spine is geriatric or inconsistent. Hughes and Munster are both the wrong side of 30, while Grant and Pap dont match up well vs our style. The Dogs have some young talent but its far from clear whether their halves pairings will work together and we've yet to see the squad win any big games. The Raiders are a real threat from an age and talent profile, but a lot hinges on whether Sanders is ready to lead a team around. The Dolphins would be my pick as a threat in the coming years, potentially the Roosters as well.

We shouldn't be cocky, but I think another premiership or two in the next few years would be a very reasonable bet. And I'm naturally a pessimist when it comes to this club. They're just beating it out of me.

 

[The Realist]

Not sure about all this. Even if our superstars have "peaked", I dont think they decline anywhere near as fast as all that. We have some really strong players coming through (Talagi/McLean) and the best system the modern game has ever seen. We have also spent this entire decade turning journeymen into extremely solid players and as long as you can do that you'll be a force to be reckoned with.

The trajectories of the clubs you've mentioned are also far from certain. The Broncos spine is geriatric or inconsistent. Hughes and Munster are both the wrong side of 30, while Grant and Pap dont match up well vs our style. The Dogs have some young talent but its far from clear whether their halves pairings will work together and we've yet to see the squad win any big games. The Raiders are a real threat from an age and talent profile, but a lot hinges on whether Sanders is ready to lead a team around. The Dolphins would be my pick as a threat in the coming years, potentially the Roosters as well.

We shouldn't be cocky, but I think another premiership or two in the next few years would be a very reasonable bet. And I'm naturally a pessimist when it comes to this club. They're just beating it out of me.

I am banking on our young guys becoming more experienced to cover the decline in our senior players. We have done a great job of constantly 'refreshing' our squad, through a consistent and targeted 'churn'. However, the core of our squad is no longer 'young'. Most of the teams nipping at our heels have considerably younger squads and higher upsides.

You are right however to mention that the Storm and Broncos have old halves and that will hopefully hamper their attempts to get past us.

I also did neglect to mention the Roosters and Dolphins, Roosters in particular will be highly dangerous if Walker can stay fit. He and Katoa will be the Premier halfbacks in the comp in 5 years time if not sooner.

I too am a natural pessimist when it comes to the Panthers, but the last 5 years have turned me into a 'cautious optimist'.

 

[Murraymob1]

Interesting thing is as a supporter you need to see effort from your club even if you can’t make the semi finals.To see manly cowboys titans just pack it in must be disappointing as a supporter .Then you have the tigers dragons at least having a dig to give there supporters hope next year
The dragons effort against the warriors was massive 3 forwards out with hia in the one game and to still have a chance of winning the game was big Then the eels they at least have a excuse any team carrying Ryhno could never be a winner
the path next year for us will be tougher the dogs will be there the roosters and raiders are definitely on the rise .We have a ageing team in key positions but we are going to be there in the 8 mix for a few years at least

 

[Chins]

Interesting thing is as a supporter you need to see effort from your club even if you can’t make the semi finals.To see manly cowboys titans just pack it in must be disappointing as a supporter .Then you have the tigers dragons at least having a dig to give there supporters hope next year
The dragons effort against the warriors was massive 3 forwards out with hia in the one game and to still have a chance of winning the game was big Then the eels they at least have a excuse any team carrying Ryhno could never be a winner
the path next year for us will be tougher the dogs will be there the roosters and raiders are definitely on the rise .We have a ageing team in key positions but we are going to be there in the 8 mix for a few years at least

Will be much easier next year, we won't be bottom of the table 12 rounds in and chasing for the rest of the year.

 

[Chins]

A more in depth post for 2026
1. Edwards natural aging down 5%
2. To'o in his prime doing his thing 0% change
3. McClean f**king stud up 10-25%
4. Tago is Tago 0% change
5. Jenkins/Alamoti Jenkins is over achieving down 10% / Alamoti can play to the level Tom currently is but with more meters up 5%
6. Blazie improvement anywhere from 10-30%
7. Nathan coming into his prime up 5-10%
8. Leota natural ageing down 5-10%
9. Kenny is Kenny 0% change
10. Smith getting better and better up 10-15%
11. Marto probably down 5%
12. Garner soild guy doing his thing 0% change.
13. Lord Yeo natural ageing but still the best lock in the game down 5%

14......Cogger yuck won't play any minutes, doesnt matter
15. Henry hopefully 5-10% improvement
16. Patea sky is the limit up 15-30%
17. Ipap 0% change

 

[soc123_au]

A more in depth post for 2026
1. Edwards natural aging down 5%
2. To'o in his prime doing his thing 0% change
3. McClean f**king stud up 10-25%
4. Tago is Tago 0% change
5. Jenkins/Alamoti Jenkins is over achieving down 10% / Alamoti can play to the level Tom currently is but with more meters up 5%
6. Blazie improvement anywhere from 10-30%
7. Nathan coming into his prime up 5-10%
8. Leota natural ageing down 5-10%
9. Kenny is Kenny 0% change
10. Smith getting better and better up 10-15%
11. Marto probably down 5%
12. Garner soild guy doing his thing 0% change.
13. Lord Yeo natural ageing but still the best lock in the game down 5%

14......Cogger yuck won't play any minutes, doesnt matter
15. Henry hopefully 5-10% improvement
16. Patea sky is the limit up 15-30%
17. Ipap 0% change

Tago just being consistent would be worth 5 - 10% upside, he has it in him so you never know.

 

[Murraymob1]

Tago will also get better as Talagi learns his craft and gets better service both have huge upsides

 

[Alintheeast]

WTF why we talking about next year. Last year pundits said we were done, lost more players, everyone wants to beat Penrith, yadda F’ing yadda. Watched lower grades last weekend and the only thing we have to worry about is getting too cocky.
Lastly if we make semis and win a match we will be the first team to win a semi after being last in the 12th round.

 

[The Realist]

A more in depth post for 2026
1. Edwards natural aging down 5%
2. To'o in his prime doing his thing 0% change
3. McClean f**king stud up 10-25%
4. Tago is Tago 0% change
5. Jenkins/Alamoti Jenkins is over achieving down 10% / Alamoti can play to the level Tom currently is but with more meters up 5%
6. Blazie improvement anywhere from 10-30%
7. Nathan coming into his prime up 5-10%
8. Leota natural ageing down 5-10%
9. Kenny is Kenny 0% change
10. Smith getting better and better up 10-15%
11. Marto probably down 5%
12. Garner soild guy doing his thing 0% change.
13. Lord Yeo natural ageing but still the best lock in the game down 5%

14......Cogger yuck won't play any minutes, doesnt matter
15. Henry hopefully 5-10% improvement
16. Patea sky is the limit up 15-30%
17. Ipap 0% change

Solid list that the majority of us can mostly agree on. I differ on the following points;

Nathan is notably worse than 2023/24.
Yeo looks tired and hasn't had the same impact in 25 as in 24 (where he was clearly IMO the best player in the world)
Edwards has had his most chequered season in years.

The thing is, they are no longer 'young'. In terms of high intensity playing years, Nathan is already a veteran and Yeo even more so. Older bodies will accumulate more injuries and wear and tear, and will be slower to recover.

I hope I am wrong about Nathan and his form this year is just related to being hampered by the hammy etc. If he gets his body right he can go back to improving but to me it seems as though he is becoming more injury prone.

 

[Old and Disgruntled]

Solid list that the majority of us can mostly agree on. I differ on the following points;

Nathan is notably worse than 2023/24.
Yeo looks tired and hasn't had the same impact in 25 as in 24 (where he was clearly IMO the best player in the world)
Edwards has had his most chequered season in years.

The thing is, they are no longer 'young'. In terms of high intensity playing years, Nathan is already a veteran and Yeo even more so. Older bodies will accumulate more injuries and wear and tear, and will be slower to recover.

I hope I am wrong about Nathan and his form this year is just related to being hampered by the hammy etc. If he gets his body right he can go back to improving but to me it seems as though he is becoming more injury prone.

I wouldn't swap any of our players. I am not seeing anyone on any other teams that would be better or
worth signing.
Content with what we have.

 

[Chins]

Solid list that the majority of us can mostly agree on. I differ on the following points;

Nathan is notably worse than 2023/24.
Yeo looks tired and hasn't had the same impact in 25 as in 24 (where he was clearly IMO the best player in the world)
Edwards has had his most chequered season in years.

The thing is, they are no longer 'young'. In terms of high intensity playing years, Nathan is already a veteran and Yeo even more so. Older bodies will accumulate more injuries and wear and tear, and will be slower to recover.

I hope I am wrong about Nathan and his form this year is just related to being hampered by the hammy etc. If he gets his body right he can go back to improving but to me it seems as though he is becoming more injury prone.

Will suck but Yeo needs to pull out of the UK tour.
Nathan will be fine but he could definitely do with an actual off-season as well

 

[Murraymob1]

I think the club is looking to the future with the clean out of the lower grades pushing some of the younger guys into those positions.There will be a few of the guys targeted by Perth sorrenson garner maybe smith .Edwards maybe also that also helps turn over a refresh the squad

 

[Chins]

I think the club is looking to the future with the clean out of the lower grades pushing some of the younger guys into those positions.There will be a few of the guys targeted by Perth sorrenson garner maybe smith .Edwards maybe also that also helps turn over a refresh the squad

Edwards to Perth and Blaize to fullback will hopefully be considered

 

[ColdWetPanther]

I think the club is looking to the future with the clean out of the lower grades pushing some of the younger guys into those positions.There will be a few of the guys targeted by Perth sorrenson garner maybe smith .Edwards maybe also that also helps turn over a refresh the squad

I imagine that when Edwards goes that Blaize goes to fullback and the get Jett back to play alongside his brother. Could be as early as the end of 2026.

 

[Murraymob1]

Not

I imagine that when Edwards goes that Blaize goes to fullback and the get Jett back to play alongside his brother. Could be as early as the end of 2026.

Not sure about Blaize to fullback he is getting better in his current spot and there is 2 kids coming through the grades at fullback both look good

 

[Pomoz]

Cleary had shoulder surgery in the off season. He started the year unfit and with zero pre season. I saw him training in the gym at Xmas and he was pulling rubber bands to try and strengthen his shoulder. He couldn’t even lift weights.

Anybody who has lifted weights will tell you, if you have four weeks off lifting you will lose muscle and strength. I am sure that contributed to him having other injuries like the hamstrings and groin. His body started the season weaker and in poorer condition than in 2024.

I think he is only just starting to look fit now. I am not sure he is in decline yet, but he certainly started the season knackered.

 

[Frankus]

Edwards to Perth and Blaize to fullback will hopefully be considered

I’d like to see Dyl finish his career a one club player. But also see the appeal of Blaize playing fullback.