Squad succession

[emjaycee]

Great to see some competition developing for spots in the outside backs, including some youngsters:
Gutherson, Iongi, Papali'i, Dunster, Lomax, Renisini, Penisini, Russell, Simonsson, Sivo, Samrani, AMS, Martin, Tago, Alameddine...

 

[Stagger eel]

I heard Semrani is on a development deal next year…

this will do pou’s head in as it hasn’t been confirmed by the club what the status of the deal is

 

[Poupou Escobar]

ffs there’s so much to do

 

[Stagger eel]

Pou Sivo…

ffs…

wtf are you waiting for?

 

[Twizzle]

Great to see some competition developing for spots in the outside backs, including some youngsters:
Gutherson, Iongi, Papali'i, Dunster, Lomax, Renisini, Penisini, Russell, Simonsson, Sivo, Samrani, AMS, Martin, Tago, Alameddine...

It still mostly squad players though, save Guth and Lomax.

Most with youth on their side so hopefully some can develop into NRL quality

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I heard Semrani is on a development deal next year…

this will do pou’s head in as it hasn’t been confirmed by the club what the status of the deal is

I'm pretty sure he already had a top 30 contract at the Dogs. Anyway, his form in reserve grade this year was good enough for the top 30. Why wouldn't we give him a top 30 contract when we've been struggling to fill it in recent years? Like we're planning to sign 30 first graders? Samrani is how good backups are.

 

[emjaycee]

It still mostly squad players though, save Guth and Lomax.

Most with youth on their side so hopefully some can develop into NRL quality

1. Guth
2. Sivo
3. Penisini
4. Lomax
5. Simonsson

615 500 NRL games between them mate.

Edited:

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Two new guys and an extension and Sivo gone:

* = player option
¢ = club option
" = mutual option
^ = development contract

2024
Utility: Asi (24), Brown, Gutherson, Talagi (19)
Fullback: -
W/C: Cini (24), Dunster, Harper (26), Wenisini, Russell, Simonsson, Sivo
Half: Moses, Sanders (20)^
Hooker: Hands, Lussick
Edge forward: Brazel (21)^, Cartwright, Doorey, Lane, Mataele, Matterson, Tuilagi
Middle: Campbell-Gillard (31), Greig, Hopgood, Makatoa (31), Moretti^, Ofahengaue, Ogden (28), Paulo, Taumoepenu (23), Tuivati^

2025
Utility: Brown, Gutherson (31), Papali'i
Fullback: Iongi
W/C: Dunster (26)", Lomax, Renisini^, Wenisini, Russell (23), Samrani, Simonsson
Half: Hawkins, Moses
Hooker: Hands (26), Lussick (30)
Edge forward: Cartwright (31), Doorey, Guymer^, Lane, Mataele (23), Matterson, Tuilagi (26), Williams
Middle: Greig (26), Hopgood, Moretti (25), Ofahengaue (30), Paulo, Pryke^, Tuivati (20)

2026
Utility: Brown*, Papali'i (22)
Fullback: Iongi
W/C: Lomax, Renisini (21), Wenisini (24)*, Samrani (24), Simonsson
Half: Hawkins (27), Moses
Hooker: -
Edge forward: Doorey (26), Guymer (22), Lane (32)", Matterson (32)*, Williams
Middle: Hopgood, Paulo (33), Pryke (22)^

2027
Utility: Brown*
Fullback: Iongi (24)
W/C: Lomax, Simonsson (29)
Half: Moses*
Hooker: -
Edge forward: Williams (31)
Middle: Hopgood (28)

2028
Utility: Brown*
Fullback: -
W/C: Lomax (29)
Half: Moses (34)*
Hooker: -
Edge forward: -
Middle: -

2029
Utility: Brown*
Fullback: -
W/C: -
Half: -
Hooker: -
Edge forward: -
Middle: -

2030
Utility: Brown*
Fullback: -
W/C: -
Half: -
Hooker: -
Edge forward: -
Middle: -

2031
Utility: Brown (31)*
Fullback: -
W/C: -
Half: -
Hooker: -
Edge forward: -
Middle: -

So we (officially) have 28 merkins in this year's top 30, and 27 in the 2025 squad.

 

[the phantom menace]

I suspect we'll see Lane and Matterson exclusively as middles this season, alongside Paulo and Offa in the first choice front rower rotation.

 

[Stagger eel]

I'm pretty sure he already had a top 30 contract at the Dogs. Anyway, his form in reserve grade this year was good enough for the top 30. Why wouldn't we give him a top 30 contract when we've been struggling to fill it in recent years? Like we're planning to sign 30 first graders? Samrani is how good backups are.

supposedly ..year 1 development and second year T30.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Both are top 30 next year:

2024 NRL Signings Tracker: Tuaupiki extends at Warriors; Eels release Sivo

Storm captain Harry Grant has taken up his player option to stay in Melbourne until the end of the 2026 NRL season.

www.nrl.com

 

[Gronk]

^^^ that NRL tracker has lost the dressing room. They are quick to add Papalii, but FFS isn't Hopgood now signed to end 27 ?

 

[84 Baby]

I suspect we'll see Lane and Matterson exclusively as middles this season, alongside Paulo and Offa in the first choice front rower rotation.

I wouldn’t say exclusively but definitely should be mostly. Lane especially still has some attacking value out wider, but really I think we’re short at least one bench edge forward, or even more likely short two starting second rowers. One of Cartwright or Tuilagi is fine to play off bench

 

[Gronk]

FFS

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I just got home from work ffs

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Guffo gone, and also plenty of space in the 2026 squad. Expect at least one big signing:

* = player option
¢ = club option
" = mutual option
^ = development contract

2025
Utility: Brown, Papali'i
Fullback: Iongi
W/C: Dunster (26)", Lomax, Renisini^, Wenisini, Russell (23), Samrani, Simonsson
Half: Hawkins, Moses
Hooker: Hands (26), Lussick (30)
Edge forward: Cartwright (31), Doorey, Guymer^, Lane, Mataele (23), Matterson, Tuilagi (26), Williams
Middle: Greig (26), Hopgood, Moretti (25), Ofahengaue (30), Paulo, Pryke^, Tuivati (20)

2026
Utility: Brown*, Papali'i (22)
Fullback: Iongi
W/C: Lomax, Renisini (21), Wenisini (24)*, Samrani (24), Simonsson
Half: Hawkins (27), Moses
Hooker: -
Edge forward: Doorey (26), Guymer (22), Lane (32)", Matterson (32)*, Williams
Middle: Hopgood, Paulo (33), Pryke (22)^

2027
Utility: Brown*
Fullback: Iongi (24)
W/C: Lomax, Simonsson (29)
Half: Moses*
Hooker: -
Edge forward: Williams (31)
Middle: Hopgood (28)

2028
Utility: Brown*
Fullback: -
W/C: Lomax (29)
Half: Moses (34)*
Hooker: -
Edge forward: -
Middle: -

2029
Utility: Brown*
Fullback: -
W/C: -
Half: -
Hooker: -
Edge forward: -
Middle: -

2030
Utility: Brown*
Fullback: -
W/C: -
Half: -
Hooker: -
Edge forward: -
Middle: -

2031
Utility: Brown (31)*
Fullback: -
W/C: -
Half: -
Hooker: -
Edge forward: -
Middle: -

So we (officially) have 26 merkins in next year's top 30, and 17 in the 2026 squad.

 

[the phantom menace]

I just got home from work ffs

"work"

 

[the phantom menace]

2025
Utility: Brown, Papali'i
Fullback: Iongi
W/C: Dunster (26)", Lomax, Renisini^, Wenisini, Russell (23), Samrani, Simonsson
Half: Hawkins, Moses
Hooker: Hands (26), Lussick (30)
Edge forward: Cartwright (31), Doorey, Guymer^, Lane, Mataele (23), Matterson, Tuilagi (26), Williams
Middle: Greig (26), Hopgood, Moretti (25), Ofahengaue (30), Paulo, Pryke^, Tuivati (20)

So we (officially) have 26 merkins in next year's top 30, and 17 in the 2026 squad.

Yes, you'd think we have some cash to spare... and a need for a decent player to add into the spine somewhere....

Should be a name hooker, as I think we have enough players now on hand to rotate between positions 1-5 as needed.

I still have Lane and Matterson as primarily middle rotation this season.