Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

bigsiro said:
Could sneak into the 8, but still unlikely with that squad IMO.

1. It is devoid of raw speed.
2. Douehi played well at halfback, but he isn’t consistent, controlling, nor good enough kicking game at 7 to make us a proper contender. Hope I eat my words.
3. Need at least one more gun forward.
4. Depth/cover options are not first grade material.
5. Api starts.

Arthurs would be good, as would Talakai. But where are you getting this from?
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Just an educated guess as I don’t think Arthurs will stay at Broncos while not being part of their top 17.
He is definitely an NRL quality player and has proven it over a number of years.
As I stated, it’s not likely we would bring him in and offload To’a who we only recently re-signed, but if we are talking quality of player, I think it’s quite clear Arthurs is the winner.
There was an article before the finals stating the Sharks were having salary cap issues and advised Talakai and Hamlin-Uele were both free to explore other options even though they are currently contracted to the Sharks for 2026.
 
Vicious said:
Just an educated guess as I don’t think Arthurs will stay at Broncos while not being part of their top 17.
He is definitely an NRL quality player and has proven it over a number of years.
As I stated, it’s not likely we would bring him in and offload To’a who we only recently re-signed, but if we are talking quality of player, I think it’s quite clear Arthurs is the winner.
There was an article before the finals stating the Sharks were having salary cap issues and advised Talakai and Hamlin-Uele were both free to explore other options even though they are currently contracted to the Sharks for 2026.
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I’d love those two.
Though Richo said just the other day that there won’t be more signings.
Which is either a disappointing truth or a clever fib.
 
Vicious said:
Just an educated guess as I don’t think Arthurs will stay at Broncos while not being part of their top 17.
He is definitely an NRL quality player and has proven it over a number of years.
As I stated, it’s not likely we would bring him in and offload To’a who we only recently re-signed, but if we are talking quality of player, I think it’s quite clear Arthurs is the winner.
There was an article before the finals stating the Sharks were having salary cap issues and advised Talakai and Hamlin-Uele were both free to explore other options even though they are currently contracted to the Sharks for 2026.
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To'a runs rings around Arthars.. Even Madge prefers Karipani and Mariner over Arthars.
 
Canadian Club said:
To'a runs rings around Arthars.. Even Madge prefers Karipani and Mariner over Arthars.
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I don’t agree and believe Arthurs is taller, stronger, faster, runs the ball much harder, much better in the air, a better defender and much better in making yardage out of the danger zone.
But it’s only an opinion, let’s hope To’a proves Wests Tigers, yourself and quite a few others correct and demonstrates his quality for us consistently in 2026.
 
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Vicious said:
I don’t agree and believe Arthurs is taller, stronger, faster, runs the ball much harder, better in the air, a better defender and much better in making yardage out of the danger zone.
But it’s only an opinion, let’s hope To’a proves Wests Tigers, yourself and quite a few others correct and demonstrates his quality for us consistently in 2026.
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Strange take considering Arthars was dropped for his poor defensive reads and missed tackles. To'a isn't a great defender by any means, but you really must not have been watching Arthars much to believe he is a better defender.

They played a similar amount of games this year and To'a had 20+ more tackle breaks, more try involvements (despite Arthars being a winger) and essentially averaged the same amount of running metres which involves kick return metres for Arthars. To'a also averaged more post contact metres. All while Arthars was playing for a top 4 team and To'a a non-finals team.

Its a bad pattern our fans have, they hate on our players more than they deserve and rate some opposition players more than they deserve. Then we wonder why our players look good once they leave and players that people thought looked good at other clubs all of a sudden look bad at ours.
 
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Vicious said:
Below is a potential squad list for 2026 that I believe could take us from unlikely to make the top 8 to become likely to make the top 8.
- Assuming we offload Bud Sullivan and Jack Bird.
- Obviously Latu Fainu will not be playing NSW Cup, but it’s rumoured he will miss the early rounds of 2026 due to his shoulder reconstruction, therefore I have named him outside our top 17 until he returns.
- I would consider Ray Stone as our tough tackling 9/13 rotation ahead of Tyson Smoothy, however Smoothy is a more natural and accomplished 9 and I strongly believe we cannot continue playing Api for 80mins each game.
- I acknowledge it’s highly unlikely we will offload Starford To’a after only recently re-signing him, but I honestly believe having a player such as Jesse Arthurs as our starting right centre with Corey Allan as his back up would make us much stronger and I don’t think Arthurs would cost anymore than what we are paying To’a.
- I also acknowledge we are still one high quality middle forward short, but I cannot see us being in a position to do anything about it for 2026 unless we offload Royce Hunt.
- Adding a depth middle such as Fletcher Baker should help keep the players in our top 17 honest.
There have been quite a few other good suggestions on this forum as a potential middle depth forward recruit, so plenty of options other than Baker.
- We also lack a genuine ball playing 13, not much out there, but potentially fitting someone like Adam Elliott into our top 30 could help for a season or two.
- Signing Mavrik Geyer when we still have Tony Sukkar and Sol Saukuru as top 30 contracted players was a strange decision to say the least, particularly when we have some very promising edge back rowers in Phoenix Godinet, Ethan Roberts and Byron Laupepa within our squad.
We do not need all 3 of Geyer, Sukkar and Saukuru, we only really need one of them.

1. Jahream Bula / Heath Mason
2. Jeral Skelton / Max Taotua
3. Jesse Arthurs / Corey Allan
4. Taylan May / Heamasi Makasini
5. Sunia Turuva / Luke Laulilli
6. Jerome Luai / Latu Fainu
7. Adam Doueihi / Jock Madden
8. Terrell May / Fletcher Baker
9. Tyson Smoothy / Tristan Hope
10. Sione Fainu / Kit Laulilli
11. Kai Pearce-Paul / Mavrik Geyer
12. Samuela Fainu / Tony Sukkar
13. Alex Twal / Alex Seyfarth

14. Api Korisau / Charlie Murray (Dev)
15. Siosifa Talakai / Sol Saukuru
16. Fonua Pole / Jaxson Rahme
17. Royce Hunt / Peter Taateo

NSW Cup Squad Extras;
Max Liles
Tino Tavana
Josese Lanyon
Lachlan Broederlow (Dev)

Dev Players still eligible for Flegg in 2026;
Javon Andrews
Ethan Roberts
Phoenix Godinet
Christian Taupau-Moors
Jared Haywood
** Logan Deininger
** Mitch Taotua
** Byron Laupepa
Click to expand...
Great analysis and suggestions @Vicious

I just can't see many more incomings & just have a feeling that Jack Bird will see out his contract with us.

I certainly can see Siosifa Talakai coming in & being a lock rotation with AD (to provide a burst of impact) plus add versatility to the bench for backrow, middle & centre.

Have been an advocate for Corey Allan too as a depth outside back but would prefer Albert Hopoate for his upside (although risky). Have a feeling this spot may be given to Izaak Tui'tupou though.

Tyson Smoothy would be awesome but not sure he'd get quit on his ESL commitment before even starting it. Can see Soni Luke being given a pre-season T&T to put a case forward.

Fletcher Baker or Jack Hetherington as that depth prop with experience.
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
The criticism of Baker is he does miss more tackles than the average middle. Will be interested to see how he goes against Ale & Afoa on Sunday.

With not many rumours going around about who we are looking at filling our remaining 3 roster spots with, here's some food for thought from forum suggestions the past week or so ...

NB. Don't think the Bud release is official yet either and maybe 1 or 2 players of ours departing may come out of the blue.

Lock: Josh Curran or Ray Stone to fall out of the tree or take a risk with Adam Elliott (doubt it) or give an opportunity to tackling machine Mason Teague (who can cover hooker as well) or look at Sifa Talakai as an impact lock plus utility value.
Prop: Fletcher Baker or Jack Hetherington or Lazarus Vaalepu or take a risk with Wiremu Greig - all only for depth or fight for a bench spot.
Outside Back: Purely depth, Resign Brent Naden, promote Izaac Tui'tupou or recruit Albert Hopoate (take a risk after 3 ACLs, no reason he can't be as good as a Shibasaki.
Hooker: For additional experienced cover either top 30 or T&T ... Danny Levi, Soni Luke or as above Mason Teague as a utility. Or is Siliva Havilii still an option?
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Would love Curran , he would be my 1st choice.
Ray stone is as tough as rock and is a worker
Elliot is a much better player than people give him credit for , would be a good 13
 
I wouldn't understand the play for Arthurs. Makasini needs to have a pathway open. The way to ease him in is through covering injuries. We maybe need some depth there, but not replacing our starters.

We're currently risking doueihi at #13 next year and we dont have a good number #14 option. I dont want to see mason in firsts. If we can land a quality #13 and move doueihi to a super sub, that would be my play.
 
Vicious said:
Below is a potential squad list for 2026 that I believe could take us from unlikely to make the top 8 to become likely to make the top 8.
- Assuming we offload Bud Sullivan and Jack Bird.
- Obviously Latu Fainu will not be playing NSW Cup, but it’s rumoured he will miss the early rounds of 2026 due to his shoulder reconstruction, therefore I have named him outside our top 17 until he returns.
- I would consider Ray Stone as our tough tackling 9/13 rotation ahead of Tyson Smoothy, however Smoothy is a more natural and accomplished 9 and I strongly believe we cannot continue playing Api for 80mins each game.
- I acknowledge it’s highly unlikely we will offload Starford To’a after only recently re-signing him, but I honestly believe having a player such as Jesse Arthurs as our starting right centre with Corey Allan as his back up would make us much stronger and I don’t think Arthurs would cost anymore than what we are paying To’a.
- I also acknowledge we are still one high quality middle forward short, but I cannot see us being in a position to do anything about it for 2026 unless we offload Royce Hunt.
- Adding a depth middle such as Fletcher Baker should help keep the players in our top 17 honest.
There have been quite a few other good suggestions on this forum as a potential middle depth forward recruit, so plenty of options other than Baker.
- We also lack a genuine ball playing 13, not much out there, but potentially fitting someone like Adam Elliott into our top 30 could help for a season or two.
- Signing Mavrik Geyer when we still have Tony Sukkar and Sol Saukuru as top 30 contracted players was a strange decision to say the least, particularly when we have some very promising edge back rowers in Phoenix Godinet, Ethan Roberts and Byron Laupepa within our squad.
We do not need all 3 of Geyer, Sukkar and Saukuru, we only really need one of them.

1. Jahream Bula / Heath Mason
2. Jeral Skelton / Max Taotua
3. Jesse Arthurs / Corey Allan
4. Taylan May / Heamasi Makasini
5. Sunia Turuva / Luke Laulilli
6. Jerome Luai / Latu Fainu
7. Adam Doueihi / Jock Madden
8. Terrell May / Fletcher Baker
9. Tyson Smoothy / Tristan Hope
10. Sione Fainu / Kit Laulilli
11. Kai Pearce-Paul / Mavrik Geyer
12. Samuela Fainu / Tony Sukkar
13. Alex Twal / Alex Seyfarth

14. Api Korisau / Charlie Murray (Dev)
15. Siosifa Talakai / Sol Saukuru
16. Fonua Pole / Jaxson Rahme
17. Royce Hunt / Peter Taateo

NSW Cup Squad Extras;
Max Liles
Tino Tavana
Josese Lanyon
Lachlan Broederlow (Dev)

Dev Players still eligible for Flegg in 2026;
Javon Andrews
Ethan Roberts
Phoenix Godinet
Christian Taupau-Moors
Jared Haywood
** Logan Deininger
** Mitch Taotua
** Byron Laupepa
Click to expand...

Just my opinion but there is no team that would start with AD at 7 that would make the top 8,no offence to him but he is not a 7
 
hammertime said:
I wouldn't understand the play for Arthurs. Makasini needs to have a pathway open. The way to ease him in is through covering injuries. We maybe need some depth there, but not replacing our starters.

We're currently risking doueihi at #13 next year and we dont have a good number #14 option. I dont want to see mason in firsts. If we can land a quality #13 and move doueihi to a super sub, that would be my play.
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I think Arthurs would be another Staines. We need wingers with size. Especially when we already have Turuva
 
Vicious said:
Just an educated guess as I don’t think Arthurs will stay at Broncos while not being part of their top 17.
He is definitely an NRL quality player and has proven it over a number of years.
As I stated, it’s not likely we would bring him in and offload To’a who we only recently re-signed, but if we are talking quality of player, I think it’s quite clear Arthurs is the winner.
There was an article before the finals stating the Sharks were having salary cap issues and advised Talakai and Hamlin-Uele were both free to explore other options even though they are currently contracted to the Sharks for 2026.
Click to expand...
I would prefer to go after Paul Alomotti. He is a talent who did not play too many first grade games this season for Panthers. I would also love to get Hamlin Uele, those 2 would instantly improve our squad.
 
Vicious said:
Below is a potential squad list for 2026 that I believe could take us from unlikely to make the top 8 to become likely to make the top 8.
- Assuming we offload Bud Sullivan and Jack Bird.
- Obviously Latu Fainu will not be playing NSW Cup, but it’s rumoured he will miss the early rounds of 2026 due to his shoulder reconstruction, therefore I have named him outside our top 17 until he returns.
- I would consider Ray Stone as our tough tackling 9/13 rotation ahead of Tyson Smoothy, however Smoothy is a more natural and accomplished 9 and I strongly believe we cannot continue playing Api for 80mins each game.
- I acknowledge it’s highly unlikely we will offload Starford To’a after only recently re-signing him, but I honestly believe having a player such as Jesse Arthurs as our starting right centre with Corey Allan as his back up would make us much stronger and I don’t think Arthurs would cost anymore than what we are paying To’a.
- I also acknowledge we are still one high quality middle forward short, but I cannot see us being in a position to do anything about it for 2026 unless we offload Royce Hunt.
- Adding a depth middle such as Fletcher Baker should help keep the players in our top 17 honest.
There have been quite a few other good suggestions on this forum as a potential middle depth forward recruit, so plenty of options other than Baker.
- We also lack a genuine ball playing 13, not much out there, but potentially fitting someone like Adam Elliott into our top 30 could help for a season or two.
- Signing Mavrik Geyer when we still have Tony Sukkar and Sol Saukuru as top 30 contracted players was a strange decision to say the least, particularly when we have some very promising edge back rowers in Phoenix Godinet, Ethan Roberts and Byron Laupepa within our squad.
We do not need all 3 of Geyer, Sukkar and Saukuru, we only really need one of them.

1. Jahream Bula / Heath Mason
2. Jeral Skelton / Max Taotua
3. Jesse Arthurs / Corey Allan
4. Taylan May / Heamasi Makasini
5. Sunia Turuva / Luke Laulilli
6. Jerome Luai / Latu Fainu
7. Adam Doueihi / Jock Madden
8. Terrell May / Fletcher Baker
9. Tyson Smoothy / Tristan Hope
10. Sione Fainu / Kit Laulilli
11. Kai Pearce-Paul / Mavrik Geyer
12. Samuela Fainu / Tony Sukkar
13. Alex Twal / Alex Seyfarth

14. Api Korisau / Charlie Murray (Dev)
15. Siosifa Talakai / Sol Saukuru
16. Fonua Pole / Jaxson Rahme
17. Royce Hunt / Peter Taateo

NSW Cup Squad Extras;
Max Liles
Tino Tavana
Josese Lanyon
Lachlan Broederlow (Dev)

Dev Players still eligible for Flegg in 2026;
Javon Andrews
Ethan Roberts
Phoenix Godinet
Christian Taupau-Moors
Jared Haywood
** Logan Deininger
** Mitch Taotua
** Byron Laupepa
Click to expand...
Ive always liked Arthurs... he would be a good pickup
 
Reuben Porter & Alex Lobb also included in the departing players graphic in the member's email from the development squad.

One omission from the departing players is Will Craig. He was on a development contract this season & doesn't feature in the graphic with the others.

If retained, hopefully he is on no more than a NSW Cup contract.
 
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