Squad succession

[the phantom menace]

You realise that the Drew/Marsh double act was over 20 years ago right?

Yes

Would it still be the way to structure your top 17 in the current game?

No.

For the slow learner(s), I meant - exactly as typed - having a bench hooker/utility who could bring on some different traits when subbing Hands, e.g. any traits that people might think Hands is lacking in. The ability of a coach to use their bench to change up a game a little while its in progress, and yes I used the Marsh/Drew as an indicative example for those who might struggle with (or misinterpret) the concept.

 

[JokerEel]

They'll both have to start in Flegg for mine. The reserve grade fullback will be either Papali'i or AMS if the former is playing firsts. Twidle may have to go back to the centres if he wants more of an opportunity. You might be able to play one of them off the bench but what's better for their development 10-20 minutes in Cup or 80 minutes of Flegg? I don't know. But they'll get their opportunity at some point in the year.

Yes it's going to be good to see what our CUP side looks like in round 1 next year..

I would assume Richard will be in CUP

 

[Poupou Escobar]

A young hungry player with a point to prove, plus also he's talented. Another smart purchase. Youth speed and skill are what we have been signing so far, what a breath of fresh air JR is.

That's because the youth, speed and skill we had were too good for reserve grade and signed with other clubs ffs

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Not sure what this has got to do with picking weird haircut guy Kyle Cassel from Ron Massey ahead of literally 10 forwards from the juniors. Who decided that it was best for Sam Tuivaiti's development that he keep playing age footy ?

Front rowers tend to be the latest developers, and Tuivati was still eligible for SG Ball this year.

For comparison, Paulo first played open age footy (NRL in fact, before he ever played reserve grade) in the year he turned 20 (although his birthday is in November, so he was 19) and RCG played his first game of NSW Cup shortly before turning 21. Sam Tuivati turns 20 in February. So he's potentially still ahead of RCG but he is behind Paulo at the same age. However, Paulo debuted when the game was a lot slower. Tuivati might have struggled to keep up with the pace of NSW Cup this year. Just because he's young doesn't mean he is fit.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Where does Twidle and Lynn at next season.

Volkman and Hawkins will be the halves for Cup with Smith at hooker.

Twidle and Lynn are both still eligible for Flegg in 2025.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Yes it's going to be good to see what our CUP side looks like in round 1 next year..

I would assume Richard will be in CUP

Are you talking about nsw CUP?

 

[hineyrulz]

That's because the youth, speed and skill we had were too good for reserve grade and signed with other clubs ffs

Yep Jake Arthur was too quick, too skilful and too smart for a small tin pot club like ours to keep.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Yep Jake Arthur was too quick, too skilful and too smart for a small tin pot club like ours to keep.

*Talagi, Sanders, BOOOOOODS

 

[Gronk]

IIRC after he was shafted by STG, the Warriors felt it was the right thing to do (pastoral care) by paying for his operation.

Am thinking this fella is train n trial. They only announced him on instagram and there has been 2 NRL.com signing updates since ^^^.

 

[Gronk]

Year 2 merkin

Fijian representative Kautoga signs with the Eels

The Parramatta Eels are excited to announce the signing of emerging young forward and Fijian representative Kitione Kautoga.

www.parraeels.com.au

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Year 2 merkin

Fijian representative Kautoga signs with the Eels

The Parramatta Eels are excited to announce the signing of emerging young forward and Fijian representative Kitione Kautoga.

www.parraeels.com.au

No doubt why they announced him on the official site.

Kautoga:

38 minutes | 12 tackles | 0 missed tackles | 7m per kick

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Kautoga:

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

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

2026
Utility: Brown*, Hands (27), Papali'i (22)
Fullback: Iongi
W/C: Addo-Carr (31)¢, Lomax, Renisini (21), Wenisini (24)*, Russell (24), Samrani (24), Simonsson
Half: Hawkins (27), Moses
Hooker: -
Edge forward: Doorey (26), Guymer (22), Kautoga (24), Lane (32)", Matterson (32)*, Tuilagi (27), 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 27 merkins in next year's top 30, and 22 in the 2026 squad.

 

[Twizzle]

edge forwards are what we need but probably established edge forwards, I guess Ryles thinks he can make something out of Kautoga

 

[hineyrulz]

Let’s hope he’s the next Isiah Papaliiiiiiii and not the next Jirah Mummamoasia.

 

[Gazzamatta]

Let’s hope he’s the next Isiah Papaliiiiiiii and not the next Jirah Mummamoasia.

Was it a swap? Didn't Mommamia go to the Dogs?

 

[the phantom menace]

No doubt why they announced him on the official site.

Kautoga:

38 minutes | 12 tackles | 0 missed tackles | 7m per kick

So what about Samrani's first year then, since you're the only source putting him in the 2025 top 30?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

So what about Samrani's first year then, since you're the only source putting him in the 2025 top 30?

Only me and NRL.com

2024 NRL Signings Tracker: Raiders extend Savage; Papenhuyzen re-signs

The Raiders have extended the contract of Xavier Savage; while Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has signed a one-year contract extension.

www.nrl.com

 

[Poupou Escobar]

edge forwards are what we need but probably established edge forwards, I guess Ryles thinks he can make something out of Kautoga

Cartwright and Tuilagi have 120 NRL starts between them at edge forward. And in any case, they are already on the books, limiting how much we can spend on other edge forwards.

On the bright side, it's looking like Cartwright might be gone after 2025.

 

[emjaycee]

On the bright side, it's looking like Cartwright might be gone after 2025.

Why is that a good thing?

 

[Pazza]

Why is that a good thing?

Cartwright might be the most talented pure football player in the 30