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.
Click to expand...
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
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
Farkwit.
 
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.
Click to expand...
Latu does need time but what’s the point relegating him to the bench

He’ll improve faster starting at 7
 
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!
 
bptiger 0 said:
If latu is put at 1/2 , when he’s not ready and we lose 5-6 games it will be hard on the club to make the 8 , play AD at 1/2 and if we are winning games with a good margin, throw him in to 1/2 back , even if it’s only for 10-15 minutes, there’s no hurry as he’s still very young
Click to expand...
 
I get some ppl showing love for AD at halfback, however, other than his kicking I have not seen a solid 7 in his attacking game. To be fair we don't have a great deal of performances at 7 to judge him on. What I can say is I saw more glimpses of Latu as a genuine 7 than I did AD. Don't get me wrong, AD has delivered more at 7 this season than Latu has, however most of his great work was not really pure halfback play. I would love AD to take on the 13 role and be that ball playing lock that we have not had for a very long time.
 
TheEnz said:
I get some ppl showing love for AD at halfback, however, other than his kicking I have not seen a solid 7 in his attacking game. To be fair we don't have a great deal of performances at 7 to judge him on. What I can say is I saw more glimpses of Latu as a genuine 7 than I did AD. Don't get me wrong, AD has delivered more at 7 this season than Latu has, however most of his great work was not really pure halfback play. I would love AD to take on the 13 role and be that ball playing lock that we have not had for a very long time.
Click to expand...

Is there and reason why he can not play 13 and kick on the 5th

I think he will train the off season in 13 and will be asked to add some size
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
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!
Click to expand...

I would have Mason training a few sessions at 9 in the offseason and play him in a trial at 9 I think it's a possibility that he could become a good 9
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Members online

Total: 1,045 (members: 31, guests: 1,014)
Back
Top