2026 predicted line ups

Tucker said:

Just giving you the reality check you clearly need.
I have contributed, it’s not my fault you can’t comprehend plain English.

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i don’t need a reality check you condescending prick. you’re unrealistic if you think we’ll be recruiting an entirely new team for next year. it’s entirely possible our current players (most of which haven’t even played 50 games) get better with another year under belt?
now stop replying to me ur boring

tigahhh said:

i don’t need a reality check you condescending prick. you’re unrealistic if you think we’ll be recruiting an entirely new team for next year. it’s entirely possible our current players (most of which haven’t even played 50 games) get better with another year under belt?
now stop replying to me ur boring

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No it’s not possible.
There’s no leadership and no coaching talent.
Benjis best asset is his name and that helps with recruitment. He needs a big result in this area to counteract his lack of experience and ability as a coach.
I don’t want to replace the whole team…this comment just shows you aren’t comprehending.
We don’t need to sign depth players. We need to sign first graders who will push 3-4 players considered in our top 17 back to reserve grade.

🍿 🍿 🍿 🍿 🍿 🍿

Tucker said:

No it’s not possible.
There’s no leadership and no coaching talent.
Benjis best asset is his name and that helps with recruitment. He needs a big result in this area to counteract his lack of experience and ability as a coach.
I don’t want to replace the whole team…this comment just shows you aren’t comprehending.
We don’t need to sign depth players. We need to sign first graders who will push 3-4 players considered in our top 17 back to reserve grade.

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Farkwit.

mtd#2 said:

🍿 🍿 🍿 🍿 🍿 🍿

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anyways 🤣🤣🤣

I would also add we need a seasoned halfback but the boat has sailed there I’d say.
Doueihi has done an admirable job despite his short comings and injury riddled body and Latu needs more time working on his game. Until that’s settled, we will surely continue to struggle.

Tucker said:

I would also add we need a seasoned halfback but the boat has sailed there I’d say.
Doueihi has done an admirable job despite his short comings and injury riddled body and Latu needs more time working on his game. Until that’s settled, we will surely continue to struggle.

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Farkwit

Tucker said:

I would also add we need a seasoned halfback but the boat has sailed there I’d say.
Doueihi has done an admirable job despite his short comings and injury riddled body and Latu needs more time working on his game. Until that’s settled, we will surely continue to struggle.

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Latu does need time but what’s the point relegating him to the bench

He’ll improve faster starting at 7

Wezt said:

Latu does need time but what’s the point relegating him to the bench

He’ll improve faster starting at 7

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I don’t want him relegated to the bench. He needs a mentor to learn from as he practices in Reggie’s.

Opinions sought?

I'm going to work on a club depth chart over the coming weeks as it comes to light who our Train & Trialists are for the pre-season and who is definitely departing.

A quandry I've got and maybe Benji has as well is who will be our NSW Cup fullback in 2026 - who could be our 3rd string fullback behind Bula & Turuva.

I think we can assume it's between Heath Mason & Luke Laulilii (or a bolter is Krystian Mapapalangi).

Mason
- Was the preferred option leading into this season.
- Seemed to stifle our sweep plays when played at fullback in NRL.
- A few games later in the NSW Cup season this year he did very well at the back with his tackle-busting, good yardage and some good cover defence.
- Still very susceptible under the high ball & making front-on tackles especially close to the try line.
- He himself said he sees his future as that utility type.
- Will he develop at dummy half over the pre-season and moreso back in his former position of 5/8?

Laulilii
- Has been a representative fullback since about U15s. Captained Magpies Harold Matts in '23 from fullback in year he made Australian Schoolboys on the wing
- Moved to wing more permanently last year and made his NRL debut there with the strength & powerful running his big assets.
- Dominated a few NSW Cup games at fullback this season with his support play & strong running a feature.
- Is ok under the high ball, better than Mason.

Other factors include how quickly the club sees the development of Javon Andrews & Logan Brookes.

If the club wants to play Andrews & Madden in the halves in NSW Cup, then Mason's only options are fullback or bench. If Logan Brookes takes off & is regarded as our long-term fullback deputy to Bula, then maybe it's best to develop Mason back in the halves with Madden and then Luke develops as a winger. So many questions!