2026 predicted line ups

[Vicious]

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!

Both are good whole hearted young players, but both have issues under the high ball, lack of height also a concern.
I was hoping Mason with his experience playing in the halves during his younger days would become valuable as a genuine playmaking, ball playing fullback option, but for whatever reason he has gone a long way backwards with his playmaking this season and now looks very unsure every time he has the ball in hand.
It must be a confidence issue, let’s hope he can work on it and overcome it for a fresh start in 2026.
Luke Laulilli has shown a great ability to hit top speed quickly, really rip and tear with his ball running making good metres, if not half breaks or line breaks in the process. This strength in his game diminished at the back end of the season for some reason, let’s hope he also works hard in the off season and heads into the 2026 season bigger, stronger, faster and more confident than ever.

 

[TheEnz]

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

Yes he can and should.

 

[Yossarian]

I think Sione did a goodish job being thrown in there, but he simply isn't a long term option at backrow because of his defence.

Nine missed tackles in a game is ridiculous.

 

[clontarfkid]

I can see it in attack, but his defence is a huge concern...

Can't see a future for Mason at WTs..hes got next year and that's probably it
Sad..but poor hands under high ball and weak defender
If LL is a genuine fullback we shld be playing him there

 

[Merlot]

1 player 1 position, in all grades .Lets give up the fascination in seeing ( squashing their progress ) trying to make them ambidexterise in multiple positions .
All grades need the same style and game plan, probably best built upwards than not

 

[Red88_Tiger]

Can't see a future for Mason at WTs..hes got next year and that's probably it
Sad..but poor hands under high ball and weak defender
If LL is a genuine fullback we shld be playing him there

I have seen a 20yr old have a shocker of a year and the next year come out and blitz it. Country football though

 

[crazycat]

1) Bula
2) Turuva
3) To'a
4) May
5) Skelton
6) Luai
7) Latu
8) May
9) Api
10) Si Fainu
11) Sa Fainu
12) KPP
13) Doueihi

14) Seyfarth
15) Pole
16) Twal
17) Murray (ehhhh)

The two places we need upgrades is hooker coverage and an aggressive prop. Possibly some centre coverage for To'a. Would like to see them develop Skelton a bit to play multiple positions.

Dinnit Turuva say he wanted to play center?

Not as worried re hooker coverage. I mean surely we can pick someone up for that spot. We have Api K and enough people around to mould a hooker + Mason can start learning.

 

[Jimmy Jazz]

Can't see a future for Mason at WTs..hes got next year and that's probably it
Sad..but poor hands under high ball and weak defender
If LL is a genuine fullback we shld be playing him there

Agree re Mason big year coming up for him. Needs to cement a spot or see ya. I put both Laulillis Sukkar Saukuru in the same boat.

 

[clontarfkid]

Agree re Mason big year coming up for him. Needs to cement a spot or see ya. I put both Laulillis Sukkar Saukuru in the same boat.

Exactly
Need to clean out kids who are not going to make it,just like the better clubs do

 

[jadtiger]

Exactly
Need to clean out kids who are not going to make it,just like the better clubs do

Even though i completely agree with what you are saying it is very difficult at times when some players don't reach their limit until their mid 20's.I know this does not apply to most players but it does apply to some.

 

[tigahhh]

Agree re Mason big year coming up for him. Needs to cement a spot or see ya. I put both Laulillis Sukkar Saukuru in the same boat.

Luke’s the youngest player in the NRL, has plenty of time

 

[clontarfkid]

Luke’s the youngest player in the NRL, has plenty of time

Need to take that into account no doubt...he particularly has time on his side,and if he can play full back hes definitely worth persevering with.
He mite be required .

 

[tigahhh]

Need to take that into account no doubt...he particularly has time on his side,and if he can play full back hes definitely worth persevering with.
He mite be required .

absolutely, he’s needed depth for wing/fb

 

[Jimmy Jazz]

Luke’s the youngest player in the NRL, has plenty of time

Yes that's correct just not in the top 30. If he doesn’t produce next season back to a development deal. You don't hand top 30 spots to someone that may or may not be an NRL player in 2 years time. He also hasn't been genetically blessed like a Makasini or a Sualili either.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Unless a couple rabbits are pulled out of hats in the off season in the sense of marquee signings, there’s no reason to believe things will be any different next year. We have a squad whose ceiling is about 10th.

 

[Betterdays22]

Dinnit Turuva say he wanted to play center?

Not as worried re hooker coverage. I mean surely we can pick someone up for that spot. We have Api K and enough people around to mould a hooker + Mason can start learning.

Just can't see Turuva at centre personally. Quality winger and good backup FB. Think Skelton would be more likely to transition into centre.

I think the club agrees with you re Hooker.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Agree re Mason big year coming up for him. Needs to cement a spot or see ya. I put both Laulillis Sukkar Saukuru in the same boat.

Saukuru is a big, bodied player that we have bugger all of coming through the grades, want to get a look at him in 1st grade before we right him off.

 

[Jimmy Jazz]

Saukuru is a big, bodied player that we have bugger all of coming through the grades, want to get a look at him in 1st grade before we right him off.

Yeah the ball is in their court, up to him to force his way into 1st grade he's got a full pre season and trials to show what he's got plus the early rounds. I'm not for giving him or anyone else a run in 1st grade to see if they've got it. You get a start in 1st grade because you're the best option for that position at that point in time. Club and coaches should know whether they're ready or not before they're picked, if they don't they shouldn't be coaching.

 

[mtd#2]

After watching the Raiders v Broncos and seeing the way Walsh led the broncos around the park, I'm convinced Douhei needs to be our #7 for 2026.

Walsh took complete control. He was barking orders and telling players where they needed to be, plays in advance.

Douhei showed that the leadership piece comes naturally. We lack that. When he's played 7 hes been clutch for us, the same way Walsh was for the Broncos.

-----
The most likely line up for me would be:

6. Luai
7. Douhei
13. Sione (Latu comes on after 25-30)

14. Latu

-------
Another idea, could we push Latu to #6 and Luai to #13?

Then it's:

6. Latu
7. Douhei
13. Luai

Sione then goes into the prop rotation with Pole (which we desperately need if we don't sign a top quality prop).

It also means we have our 3 playmakers playing 80 minutes...

I just look at the strengths of all players and seeing Jarome getting his hands dirty, he'd play the role Anasta used to play at the roosters when carney and Pearce were in the halves...

anyway, there's my first silly season suggestion 🤣

 

[TheEnz]

After watching the Raiders v Broncos and seeing the way Walsh led the broncos around the park, I'm convinced Douhei needs to be our #7 for 2026.

Walsh took complete control. He was barking orders and telling players where they needed to be, plays in advance.

Douhei showed that the leadership piece comes naturally. We lack that. When he's played 7 hes been clutch for us, the same way Walsh was for the Broncos.

-----
The most likely line up for me would be:

6. Luai
7. Douhei
13. Sione (Latu comes on after 25-30)

14. Latu

-------
Another idea, could we push Latu to #6 and Luai to #13?

Then it's:

6. Latu
7. Douhei
13. Luai

Sione then goes into the prop rotation with Pole (which we desperately need if we don't sign a top quality prop).

It also means we have our 3 playmakers playing 80 minutes...

I just look at the strengths of all players and seeing Jarome getting his hands dirty, he'd play the role Anasta used to play at the roosters when carney and Pearce were in the halves...

anyway, there's my first silly season suggestion 🤣

AD could do all of that from 13. I guess the Latu or AD at 7 question will hinge on pre season and what the boys bring. Also looks like Latu will be showcasing his skills at 6 beside Katoa in the pacific championships so it will be good to see him beside who I consider to be the best attacking 7 in the comp this yr.