2026 squad - still not good enough

BirchgroveTigers said:
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
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I’d put Terrell May in Elite, easily been our best player this season, and arguably been the best prop in the comp
 
The ins for 26 aren’t very inspiring. KPP is obviously the headliner, but he hasn’t really been setting the world on fire. I’ve read some claim that he’s a victim of the halves, but Lucas didn’t have that issue before his injury. Madden is meh, and the others at best are just potential.
 
Our forward pack is the problem. The solution needs to be a combination of external recruitment and development. Guys like Pole, Samuela, Sione, are getting to an age or experience level where they need to become more consistent first graders. May needs to maintain his level and we just can’t rely on a few blokes who have been mainstays for a while. Still think a Leniu type is a must.
 
Tucker said:
I think you’ve gone a bit over board with the elite column.
Both captains are very good dependable players. Neither are elite.
Bula is our closest player to that level.
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Yeah fair call. In my mind that category was top 5 in their respective positions. Would argue Api is, Luai should be. Bula is a brilliant player but there are a lot of great fullbacks.

All the categories are really just estimations to gauge where the full squad is so plenty of room for disagreement.
 
N1troaf said:
I’d put Terrell May in Elite, easily been our best player this season, and arguably been the best prop in the comp
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Yep, he is right up there. Is he a top 5 (maybe ten for props as there are two on the field) prop though? On the cusp IMO.

Still have him one tier below a Payne Haas, JFH, Fonua Blke or Tapine though for instance.
 
We have around half of our top 30 who wouldn’t get a start at any other club. But it’s worth considering that Penrith have 5 of our rejects and still winning games?
Makes me wonder if our coaching is simply not good enough?
Our star recruit we wanted to turn into a halfback has been a failure considering his cap share. Why? It’s not totally his fault, he seems to be doing what he’s told.
 
Speed2burn said:
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
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Yeah when he’s on Toa’s a Star. I like the way he uses his winger. That flick pass try for Turuva my fav try of the year.
When he’s not on though he’s a ford.
 
BirchgroveTigers said:
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
Click to expand...
Ya gunna get a few debating positions on that table, but generally pretty fair. 👍🏻
We have a lot of below average players.
I think there’s only 2 spots for next year, and I reckon one of them must be another experienced quality NRL run-on prop, and a lock of the same calibre too would be nice.
 
Buttface said:
Yeah when he’s on Toa’s a Star. I like the way he uses his winger. That flick pass try for Turuva my fav try of the year.
When he’s not on though he’s a ford.
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that offload he threw to Charlie on the short side at the start of the roosters game was crazy. thought it was the wrong option but he just does freaky stuff
 
The club infused the squad with talent from outside the organisation for the 2025 season.

It only makes sense that the following season is a more refined signing 'spree' more to fill the perceived gaps that remain.

It's now more important for the development of the younger in-house players to step into the playing group.

No player added from outside the squad will be more important than an improved Bula, Latu, Samuela, Sione, Taylan, Makasini & Pole.

And guys like Sukkar, Godinet, Tapou-Moors, Broederlow, Lualili'i x 2, Saukuru, Mason etc need to step up & become players pushing our lower end squad players down the selection rung.
 
twentyforty said:
We have around half of our top 30 who wouldn’t get a start at any other club. But it’s worth considering that Penrith have 5 of our rejects and still winning games?
Makes me wonder if our coaching is simply not good enough?
Our star recruit we wanted to turn into a halfback has been a failure considering his cap share. Why? It’s not totally his fault, he seems to be doing what he’s told.
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He is pretty much the same player he was at Penrith. He was never coming to us to light up the NRL.
 
twentyforty said:
We’ve used 29 players Rabbitohs 30.
Top of the table Raiders have used the lowest number at 24.
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You'll be going better the less players you use, but that doesn't tell the whole story.

This club loses 3 or 4 of its top 17 in any given week over the past few seasons (including this one), and they get pumped. Wests roster falls away completely. Souths have done very well for the most part coping with their losses this season.
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
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!
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Taateo has a top 30 contract waiting for him at Canberra next season. Wests need to honour that. Pass. Need to find better than what he offers.
 
IronFist said:
Taateo has a top 30 contract waiting for him at Canberra next season. Wests need to honour that. Pass. Need to find better than what he offers.
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Until the club confirms the status of these guys' contracts, we have no idea on spots available.

Peter Taa'teo - are we honouring the top 30 he had at Raiders next season?
Javon Andrews - is he dev or top 30?
Ethan Roberts - isn't official yet & no talk on whether top 30 or other?
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
Until the club confirms the status of these guys' contracts, we have no idea on spots available.

Peter Taa'teo - are we honouring the top 30 he had at Raiders next season?
Javon Andrews - is he dev or top 30?
Ethan Roberts - isn't official yet & no talk on whether top 30 or other?
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Re Taateo
https://www.zerotackle.com/canberra-raiders-re-sign-forward-to-two-year-deal-216334/
All contracts are signed with the NRL so unless Canberra release and pay him out, or contribute to him playing at Wests, the club will have to take on his 2026 top 30 deal.

NRL signings tracker have both Andrews and Geyer in the top 30 for 2026 and I would think this is a lock being the official NRL tracker.
www.nrl.com

2025 NRL Signings Tracker: Martin inks new deal; Hayward extends

Warriors playmaker Te Maire Martin has re-signed with the club for the 2026 NRL season.
www.nrl.com www.nrl.com
scroll down to bottom of page for Wests Tigers.

Roberts isn't listed so his deal isn't done, or he'll be development.
 
IronFist said:
Re Taateo
https://www.zerotackle.com/canberra-raiders-re-sign-forward-to-two-year-deal-216334/
All contracts are signed with the NRL so unless Canberra release and pay him out, or contribute to him playing at Wests, the club will have to take on his 2026 top 30 deal.

NRL signings tracker have both Andrews and Geyer in the top 30 for 2026 and I would think this is a lock being the official NRL tracker.
www.nrl.com

2025 NRL Signings Tracker: Martin inks new deal; Hayward extends

Warriors playmaker Te Maire Martin has re-signed with the club for the 2026 NRL season.
www.nrl.com www.nrl.com
scroll down to bottom of page for Wests Tigers.

Roberts isn't listed so his deal isn't done, or he'll be development.
Click to expand...
Even though that signings tracker is on the NRL site, don't take the info for gospel.

I've picked up a few errors over the season on there. Even the tracker has Kit Laulilii just signed for 2025 on the web version but both 2025 & 2026 on this phone version.

NRL - Signings Tracker

signings-tracker.nrl.com signings-tracker.nrl.com
 
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