Season 2026

[Kilkenny]

Definately a question mark. I like the signings we've made but bit of guesswork on how the next crop go. We have to wait and see.

There is always a question mark around players from Flegg making the step up to NSW Cup and Into NRL.

I am very confident we have a number of forwards in our junior pathways who will progress to the NRL and will be very good for us.

 

[Kilkenny]

Our immediate issue is replacing Sorenson, Martin, Leota and Yeo long term We have some real quality coming thru although 2026 may be too soon.

 

[Fangs]

There is always a question mark around players from Flegg making the step up to NSW Cup and Into NRL.

I am very confident we have a number of forwards in our junior pathways who will progress to the NRL and will be very good for us.

With our track record I'm pretty confident. No one does it better than us.

Its mainly around halves. The very best are always in short supply. We produced Cleary, Burton, Luai and Katoa. I'm curious to see who can come through next and hopefully not get poached.

 

[Black Panther]

Well Penrith identified Zach Lamont and it looks like he didn’t work out. Now Skipps is the next man brought to the club, let’s see how he goes.

A lot of our locally produced Halves have been poached, from Burton, Luai and Katoa at First Grade level, down to Pollard, Cleary, Puru and Hanson in the lower grades.

 

[Chins]

Well Penrith identified Zach Lamont and it looks like he didn’t work out. Now Skipps is the next man brought to the club, let’s see how he goes.

A lot of our locally produced Halves have been poached, from Burton, Luai and Katoa at First Grade level, down to Pollard, Cleary, Puru and Hanson in the lower grades.

Cleary jr jr wasn't poached, sent out on loan to see if he's good enough.

 

[Black Panther]

Cleary jr jr wasn't poached, sent out on loan to see if he's good enough.

Right you are. But the point being, we are a nursery for other clubs to raid.

 

[Munky]

Yeo, Edwards and Cleary are on the plane to the UK.

Was hoping Edwards would miss out as he needs a full off season.

No Vegas trip though to further reduce prep time for the season.

Games are slower in UK conditions so it might not be as bad as last year

 

[Fangs]

I want our guys getting the rep jumpers they deserve.

But I also want them rested. So if Walsh leapfrogs Edwards then so be it.

Can't see Yeo or Cleary being left out.

 

[Chins]

Dyl is going for a holiday. No way he plays

 

[Chins]

Dyl is going for a holiday. No way he plays

Wait Walsh will be suspended so he'll play the first couple

 

[Fangs]

Dyl is going for a holiday. No way he plays

I think he'll be named in the first test.

If they lose they'll trade him out for Walsh.

 

[age.s]

Walsh plays every game he's available after last night's performance. His mate Kevvie is coaching too.

 

[John Hamblin]

I want our guys getting the rep jumpers they deserve.

But I also want them rested. So if Walsh leapfrogs Edwards then so be it.

Can't see Yeo or Cleary being left out.

I know we manage players training loads but if we get off to a good start in 2026 we should seriously look at resting players like Yeo Nathan Marto etc during the year NOT just at the backend.

 

[maple_69]

Gotta play Walsh unless he goes cold which is possible. I don’t know how much Nath needs a rest, he seemed in decent shape through the run in. I think him dominating at rep level would be good for him. Yeo will play plenty as captain unfortunately and he’s still the best lock in the game despite an average season.

Was Martin dropped or didn’t make himself available due to injury? He certainly deserved to be dropped but surprised a rep coach would actually do it. He needs a big pre season more than anyone.

 

[Thirsty Panther]

Gotta play Walsh unless he goes cold which is possible. I don’t know how much Nath needs a rest, he seemed in decent shape through the run in. I think him dominating at rep level would be good for him. Yeo will play plenty as captain unfortunately and he’s still the best lock in the game despite an average season.

Was Martin dropped or didn’t make himself available due to injury? He certainly deserved to be dropped but surprised a rep coach would actually do it. He needs a big pre season more than anyone.

Expecting his first child.

https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/liam-martin-turns-down-kangaroos-opportunity-for-fiancee-as-likely-23man-squad-revealed/news-story/ffcc45da50705c4322fc64920f2138f8

 

[Fangs]

I know we manage players training loads but if we get off to a good start in 2026 we should seriously look at resting players like Yeo Nathan Marto etc during the year NOT just at the backend.

I think we are the best in the business in that regard.

This year was a very tough assignment though. Taking games to Bathurst, Vegas etc. Alongside our poor start to the season. We didn't do ourselves any favours.

Funny that despite all those problems we still had our best 17 on the field in the final match of the year. We've got a great fitness team at the club.

 

[maple_69]

With Yeo and Martin in particular we should be reducing their minutes to 50-60 in the nothing regular season games at least. Particularly if Sorenson stays we’ll have a stack of first grade quality guys not playing the minutes they’re capable of. We need to use that depth as a strength.

Smith and Yeo split lock each playing 55. Smith takes a stint at prop. Leota & Patea 40. Henry 50. Martin/Garner/Ice splitting edge minutes evenly.

Eiso has averaged 15 games the last 5 seasons as that first drop guy. The last two years Sorro has managed 17 so he can basically be an upgrade on the Eiso role without massively changing how much game time he gets. Kenny could go into the middle to bring some energetic carries for 10 mins if we’d actually run a 14 who could add some zip for 25 mins at dummy half.

 

[The Realist]

Kenny could go into the middle to bring some energetic carries for 10 mins if we’d actually run a 14 who could add some zip for 25 mins at dummy half.

Kennys carries as a makeshift prop are a joke. His value is stiffening the Defense in the middle.

With Sommo being shown the door, what decent prospect do we have at hooker? Trent is not it. I would prefer Cogger doing the hooking duties ahead of him.

 

[John Hamblin]

My thoughts for 2026 Alimoti NRL leading try scorer, Patea to establish himself as a genuine first grader and another GF appearance and title.

 

[Old and Disgruntled]

Would it be fair to say Panthers won't be "The Hunted" in 2026.

Michael Maguire has the declared the Broncos will be the new Dynasty, mmm 1 Premiership every 19 years puts him in the "Flash in the Pan" category.