Round 2 team 2026

[Tigerwould]

I thought Heath played really well on Saturday considering it was really the first time he’s played as a middle forward.
All his carries were energetic and his defensive line speed was good. His energy at least played a part in helping swing the momentum our way.
Many have said he has the traits of a good utility similar to Connor Watson and he showed some good signs in his first crack at it.

I liked the energy he brought around the middle. Could be a handful around a retreating or tired defence. His front on defence looked ok. Prefer him in the middle than out wide or at the back.

 

[Odessa]

This needs a bump after last night

 

[mtd#2]

I’ll also add that Skeleton doesn’t get much love here does he ?

I was watching some highlights from last season on YouTube … every WT try from 2025… reminded me how good Toa was at the start of last season … to compare that form to the second half of the year is depressing … Toa needs to be at his best otherwise you can’t keep picking him in the NRL team ahead of others they have now … I don’t really care how much he is getting paid

Skelton is great. Has an error in him every now and then but is very solid. The challenge he faces now is that maka is the same sort of player, but bigger, stronger and faster. Its probably going to take an injury for him to make his way back in the team

 

[mtd#2]

The backline is surely locked in:

1. Bula
2. Maka
3. May
4. Toa
5. Turuva
6. Luai
7. Douhei

Forwards I cant predict.. but it could be:

8. May
9. Api
10. Bunty
11. Samuela
12. KPP
13. Twal/Sione

14. Madden
15. Pole
16. Twal/Sione
17. Seyfarth
18. Murray/Hope
19. ?

I also wouldnt be surprised if we see madden come on in games (will be latu from round 4) in the 50th minute mark and douhei pushes into a ball playing lock role...

 

[SeanT]

The backline is surely locked in:

1. Bula
2. Maka
3. May
4. Toa
5. Turuva
6. Luai
7. Douhei

Forwards I cant predict.. but it could be:

8. May
9. Api
10. Bunty
11. Samuela
12. KPP
13. Twal/Sione

14. Madden
15. Pole
16. Twal/Sione
17. Seyfarth
18. Murray/Hope
19. ?

I also wouldnt be surprised if we see madden come on in games (will be latu from round 4) in the 50th minute mark and douhei pushes into a ball playing lock role...

True but I hate when the halfback gets swapped out. Other positions it's ok but halfback it takes time to get a feel for the game, organise the attack and kicking game. The shape changes when the first receiver gets swapped.

 

[Tom Shines]

Skelton is great. Has an error in him every now and then but is very solid. The challenge he faces now is that maka is the same sort of player, but bigger, stronger and faster. Its probably going to take an injury for him to make his way back in the team

Looks that way at the moment that Skelton will miss the Week 2 NRL team …

I rate him as a meter gainer which in previous years was a big problem with the team’s wingers … also not a bad finisher wih his size …. He is an NRL level player and will no doubt get his opportunities this year …. I think he is off contract at the end of this season and might look to go elsewhere to get a starting gig…

 

[rihannafan1]

I'd put Murray in over Seyfarth. Alex has had a lot of time in firsts to show us what he can do, and that is: lose the tackle, lose the ruck, ptb slow, stifle attack in the red zone, average 1 penalty a game. The Storm might be able to turn him around and he might have a great second career as a PT or running coach but I do not see why he is in the team.

 

[EllisFan]

I'd put Murray in over Seyfarth. Alex has had a lot of time in firsts to show us what he can do, and that is: lose the tackle, lose the ruck, ptb slow, stifle attack in the red zone, average 1 penalty a game. The Storm might be able to turn him around and he might have a great second career as a PT or running coach but I do not see why he is in the team.

Looks to me like AD & Seyfarth both get a bit frantic in good ball territory and it stifles our attack.

Maybe AD would look better without Seyfarth grabbing the ball at the wrong times..

Maybe Madden would organise it better than anyone.

Hope they sort it out quickly.

 

[HUNT 101]

The backline is surely locked in:

1. Bula
2. Maka
3. May
4. Toa
5. Turuva
6. Luai
7. Douhei

Forwards I cant predict.. but it could be:

8. May
9. Api
10. Bunty
11. Samuela
12. KPP
13. Twal/Sione

14. Madden
15. Pole
16. Twal/Sione
17. Seyfarth
18. Murray/Hope
19. ?

I also wouldnt be surprised if we see madden come on in games (will be latu from round 4) in the 50th minute mark and douhei pushes into a ball playing lock role...

Hunt will be in the top 19 somewhere..

 

[EllisFan]

1. Bula
2. Mak
3. May
4. Toa (under pressure)
5. Turuva
6. Luai
7. Dooey (Madden hot on heels)

8. May
9. Api
10. Twal
11. Samuela
12. KPP
13. Sione

14. Madden
15. Hope
16. Skelton
17. Seyfarth
18. Murray
19. Hunt/Bunty

20. Kit
21. Luke L
22. Pole

 

[mtd#2]

Hunt will be in the top 19 somewhere..

Idk man, he might visually look fitter, but I didnt think he did anything to warrant selection in the indigenous game.. like I didn't see a big improvement personally

 

[mtd#2]

True but I hate when the halfback gets swapped out. Other positions it's ok but halfback it takes time to get a feel for the game, organise the attack and kicking game. The shape changes when the first receiver gets swapped.

Completely agree.
I would prefer we stick with douhei at 7 and when latu comes on he plays #13, without the shuffling.
I can't remember a team winning the comp when then have rotated their 7 during a game. IMO the #6 and #7 are the most important positions on the field when it comes to the direction of the team.

 

[WT1969]

Could Murray start as lock. Very impressive trial form

 

[HUNT 101]

Idk man, he might visually look fitter, but I didnt think he did anything to warrant selection in the indigenous game.. like I didn't see a big improvement personally

Yeah I don't disagree, but he hasn't had a whole pre season with the indigenous team like he has with the tigers to build combination, Benji will have him primed

 

[Tigerwould]

Some NRL level players are going to be playing State Cup this year. Good to see we have depth this year. The most continuous positions IMO are 7. 14. Lock and right centre.
7. Tough one. Madden gives the backline more shape and can direct the team around. Every time Douiehi has played 7 he has done well and been one of our better players. Plus he is our best goalkicker. Twal at 13 makes our middle stronger. A.D plays well closer to the middle. Maybe Twal starts then A.D takes over at lock.
14. Needs to be able to play hooker well.


1. Jahream Bula
2. Heamasi Makasini
3. Taylan May
4. Star To’a
5. Sunia Turuva
6. Jarome Luai (c)
7. Jock Madden
8. Bunty Afoa
9. Api Koroisau (c)
10. Terrell May
11. Samuela Fainu
12. Kai Pearce-Paul
13. Adam Douiehi

14. Jared Haywood/ Hope
15. Fonua Pole
16. Sione Fainu
17. Alex Twal
18. Royce Hunt
19. Charlie Murray


Injured
J Skelton
Latu Fainu

 

[HUNT 101]

Some NRL level players are going to be playing State Cup this year. Good to see we have depth this year. The most continuous positions IMO are 7. 14. Lock and right centre.
7. Tough one. Madden gives the backline more shape and can direct the team around. Every time Douiehi has played 7 he has done well and been one of our better players. Plus he is our best goalkicker. Twal at 13 makes our middle stronger. A.D plays well closer to the middle. Maybe Twal starts then A.D takes over at lock.
14. Needs to be able to play hooker well.


1. Jahream Bula
2. Heamasi Makasini
3. Taylan May
4. Star To’a
5. Sunia Turuva
6. Jarome Luai (c)
7. Jock Madden
8. Bunty Afoa
9. Api Koroisau (c)
10. Terrell May
11. Samuela Fainu
12. Kai Pearce-Paul
13. Adam Douiehi

14. Jared Haywood/ Hope
15. Fonua Pole
16. Sione Fainu
17. Alex Twal
18. Royce Hunt
19. Charlie Murray


Injured
J Skelton
Latu Fainu

💯.That line up is on the money..I'm picking up what you're putting down.👌
. bring on round 2 with an extra $100k in the bank after taking out the pre season trial competition.🐯☝️

 

[JC99]

Team basically picks itself besides the bench. Need to carry an outside back on the bench just in case every single week in my opinion.

1 Bula
2 Turuva
3 Taylan May
4 To'a
5 Makasini
6 Luai
7 Doueihi
8 May
9 Korisau
10 Afoa
11 Sam Fainu
12 KPP
13 Twal

14 Madden
15 Sione Fainu
16 Pole
17 Hunt

18 Murray
19 Skelton (Luke L if Skelton is injured)