2026 squad - still not good enough

[BirchgroveTigers]

Hello,

So after thinking about how you can structure a salary cap, I figured it was worth looking at our 2026 squad to see how it matches up (based the "how many players ideal" on the calculation in this thread: https://weststigersforum.com/threads/managing-the-salary-cap.36713/#post-2168078).

Long story short - as things stand - our 2026 squad is definetly an improvement on this year, but still too "bottom heavy". Have assumed Jayden Sullivan is moving on, and we are resigning Taylan May. The rest of the names I've taken from the NRL website. The ratings is based on how they rate compared to other players in their respective position. Room for debate on that front I appreciate.

4 players left by this calculation - ideally all four would be average NRL players or above, but that's probably a tall order.

 

[upthetigers]

Sorry I don't agree, Sione and Skelton are not below average first graders.

 

[BirchgroveTigers]

Sorry I don't agree, Sione and Skelton are not below average first graders.

Yeah fair enough! Sione I went below average as by definition there are always two starting props in a side. He isn’t even making our starting side regularly (although maybe he should be). Defence lets him down. Wasn’t comparing him with bench players for eg.

Skelton was a line ball between below average and average. Again, this doesn’t mean I don’t think they’re good players, just that they would be in the bottom 1/3 of players in their position.

 

[Westoz]

Based on the past month Sione>Pole

Hope we don’t go and just upgrade a bunch of cup players to the top 30 and we sign a few more first graders

I don’t think our side is top 8 material going into next season yet

 

[Westoz]

Also Makasini and Kit Laulili missing from your list

Both top 30 next year

 

[Speed2burn]

I think the list is fairly accurate, obviously it’s a young squad so there is a chance for our rookies to move up a couple categories

T May and Bula have without doubt been our best performers this year and could argue deserve the elite status. Api and Luai probably get it based on reputation

I think as disappointing as T’oa has been for the last month his early season form was incredible. I cannot remember the last time we had a centre beat his opposite on just about every occasion. If he can replicate that and get back on track I would love nothing more than a T’oa & May centre pairing for years to come

 

[BirchgroveTigers]

Also Makasini and Kit Laulili missing from your list

Both top 30 next year

Good spot! Will add them in when I’m home.

 

[BirchgroveTigers]

Based on the past month Sione>Pole

Hope we don’t go and just upgrade a bunch of cup players to the top 30 and we sign a few more first graders

I don’t think our side is top 8 material going into next season yet

Defs agree on the past month. Pole ranked as average assuming he returns to early season form next year after another off season.

 

[Halbrowne61]

Also Makasini and Kit Laulili missing from your list

Both top 30 next year

Reasonable analysis BT, I guess it shows we’re not going to buy success so therefore we have to improve what we’ve got, under a coaching group who are going to be under even more pressure next season.
Can it be done, imo unlikely, but can’t see a real alternative solution unless we get the red pen out as of end of season and pick up a few bargains with potential.
Or give Benji some new support eg Cooper Cronk and/or others who know what continued improvement and regular success looks like.

 

[BirchgroveTigers]

Reasonable analysis BT, I guess it shows we’re not going to buy success so therefore we have to improve what we’ve got, under a coaching group who are going to be under even more pressure next season.
Can it be done, imo unlikely, but can’t see a real alternative solution unless we get the red pen out as of end of season and pick up a few bargains with potential.
Or give Benji some new support eg Cooper Cronk and/or others who know what continued improvement and regular success looks like.

Yeah I agree mostly on that. I think we need to buy at least one more “above average” or better player for next year.

We also need a few of our players to up a level.

Sukkar from back up standard -> below average, Samuela from average -> above average, Latu fro below average -> average are the ones with obvious potential to step up IMO.

 

[BirchgroveTigers]

Yeah I agree mostly on that. I think we need to buy at least one more “above average” or better player for next year.

We also need a few of our players to up a level.

Sukkar from back up standard -> below average, Samuela from average -> above average, Latu fro below average -> average are the ones with obvious potential to step up IMO.

And I’m sure there’s a few more I’ve missed.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Hello,

So after thinking about how you can structure a salary cap, I figured it was worth looking at our 2026 squad to see how it matches up (based the "how many players ideal" on the calculation in this thread: https://weststigersforum.com/threads/managing-the-salary-cap.36713/#post-2168078).

Long story short - as things stand - our 2026 squad is definetly an improvement on this year, but still too "bottom heavy". Have assumed Jayden Sullivan is moving on, and we are resigning Taylan May. The rest of the names I've taken from the NRL website. The ratings is based on how they rate compared to other players in their respective position. Room for debate on that front I appreciate.

4 players left by this calculation - ideally all four would be average NRL players or above, but that's probably a tall order.

View attachment 26515

Good analysis BT.

I reckon too that we have 2 more recruits or extensions to make for 2026 based on the assumption that ...

... Taylan May is signed on
... Javon Andrews is top 30
... no one currently under contract with us for 26 is released

And looking at our immediate needs, we will need for absolute certain an experienced depth centre/wing.

I will suggest that Brent Naden is still on our radar for this spot but will need to accept a much reduced $$$ contract. Surely Mawene Hiroti is another we are looking at for this role depending on Naden & $$$ he will accept. Possibly Krystian Mapapalangi is in contention but does not bring the experience just yet.

Then that would leave us one spot in our top 30 which I think Richo will keep up his sleeve to see who may become available (i.e. like Terrell did). As many have suggested, we lack an aggressive middle or a momentum changer type with leg speed & defensive line speed.

I do think Roosters may still do some salary cap re-jigging with the likely arrival of DCE & the emergence of all these talented forwards. So would not surprise if Spencer Leniu is allowed to test the market or even young tyro Taylor Losalu even though he just extended earlier in the season. Another possible due to the logjam of forwards at the Dolphins and arrival of Morgan Knowles next season is Ray Stone. A lock rotation of AD & Stone could be interesting!

So in summary,

Outside back depth: Brent Naden or Mawene Hiroti or Krystian Mapapalangi
Middle rotation: Spencer Leniu or Ray Stone or Taylor Losalu.

Just not sure where/how Ethan Roberts fits into the picture unless it's on a development contract but there are some suggestions Peter Taa'teo has this spot. Maybe one of our contracted players has been given the tap which we don't know about yet.

What will also be interesting & exciting is who Benji gives pre-season Train & Trial contracts too.

If it was me, the following should be ... Tino Tavana, Josese Lanyon, Max Taotua, Archie Duncombe, Logan Deininger, Mapapalangi (if not in top 30) & Jaxson Rahme (slow burner) plus 17yo Siotame Havea Jr to give a taste, kid's special!

 

[TheEnz]

I think the odds are firming that Spencer will gracefully depart from the roosters in the offseason. seems to be the odd one out in that team.

 

[Tom Shines]

I think the odds are firming that Spencer will gracefully depart from the roosters in the offseason. seems to be the odd one out in that team.

Really ? I thought they loved him …

 

[jstigers]

Agreed with your analysis, for me we are missing a may like prop and a lock, if we got two of those I reckon we could push not just for the top 8 but top 4, we still have abit of dead wood in 2026 but 2027 I believe we are in a great spot roster wise and cap wise if we recruit well

 

[tigahhh]

would probably be an unpopular opinion but leniu would be a miss for me… output is one of the lowest in the nrl for the price he would probably be chasing.

maps or hiroti would be excellent depth

 

[TheEnz]

Really ? I thought they loved him …

Watching the body language of his teammates on the field and the way Robbo reacts in the coach's box when Spencer pushes the parcel. JWH had a short fuse however he was the pack leader was also inspirational on and off the field from what I have heard. Spencer is a street brawler with a short fuse.

 

[Tom Shines]

Watching the body language of his teammates on the field and the way Robbo reacts in the coach's box when Spencer pushes the parcel. JWH had a short fuse however he was the pack leader was also inspirational on and off the field from what I have heard. Spencer is a street brawler with a short fuse.

Yes … no doubt … but they won the game by 50, and he was probably acting to the coaches instructions… he intimidated the crap out of them… they didn’t want a bar of him

 

[jirskyr]

Big Tino come on down

 

[Halbrowne61]

Yes … no doubt … but they won the game by 50, and he was probably acting to the coaches instructions… he intimidated the crap out of them… they didn’t want a bar of him

We all know how much better the Roosters were when JWH on the boil. I’m sure that’s what Robbo wants from Leniu.
Get the opposition watching him whilst the rest of the pack goes to work.
On their day the Roosters are highly competitive although they have shown a mental block v Storm and Panthers.