2026 squad - still not good enough

[batboy]

Mate he is easily our best go forward carrier in the middle with his size, mobility and footwork. His potential is untapped. If he is working hard and has his head on, he will be our best forward by the end of 2026. In fact, I'd say it won't even be close. Best middle anyway.

Don’t disagree,
I just want more from props than he has.
With all fairness to the kid, outplaying the likes of Twal, Hunt, Seyfarth etc. isn’t really something to write home about when looking across the comp.

 

[mtd#2]

Every year I match our roster against all the other rosters and try and find 8 rosters that are equal or worse than ours. For the past decade I have not come close to finding those 8 clubs. This year we have bridged the gap but still are short of the mark. Of course every year you get a team that under achieves and another that over achieves, so it’s not a fool proof system.

Our team sadly lacks an out and out game breaker and a player with a top notch kicking game. Till we get those two things winning 50% or more of our games will be a struggle. Of course the HBG saga will take a toll despite the stuff being released by the football club that it doesn’t worry them

Glass half full perspective:

Taylan May is a game breaker.
Samuela can be that guy in the forwards if he continues on the trajectory from last year.
Douhei has a big boot on him and could be that kicker we need now he's been practising in the halves all pre season

 

[mtd#2]

Someone mentioned we had ‘stiff competition for back row spots next year.
I see 2 NRL back rowers…

I’d love to see another 2.
Sione should play lock or ressies.

Were we watching a different stone last year?

 

[Tigerstigerstigers]

What we need to remember with the Feinu boys is that due to age and injuries, they really have only been establishing themselves the last 2 seasons . I think we could be in for something special from this season. We have already seen glimpses from each of them .

 

[gregjm87]

I don’t get some on here about players been injured all the time , players don’t go out there to get injured, but it’s a contact sport , maybe it’s the medical team

I don't get it for young blokes. We've seen countless examples of young players being injury prone whilst their body is developing. Particularly if they are suddenly stacking on weight. Then later becoming good.
I do get it for older guys, sort of 25+. Some bodies just never adapt to the rigours of first grade. If after a few years at peak playing weight that are still constantly breaking down than questions should start being asked.

 

[Odessa]

Player determination , is not really a coaches fault

Of course it is look at Craig Bellamy and his pre season camps and how he only takes mentally tough players or makes them tough

 

[king_sirro]

Don’t disagree,
I just want more from props than he has.
With all fairness to the kid, outplaying the likes of Twal, Hunt, Seyfarth etc. isn’t really something to write home about when looking across the comp.

What? He will outplay May and Pole easily given the chance.

 

[Tigerwould]

View attachment 32547

I read somewhere that Maverick Geyer is training at 13. Based off last year’s performance I’d have Sione Fainu starting at 13. I thought Sione was great in the middle. He can fill in at 2nd row but is much more suited to the middle IMO.

 

[Vicious]

Mate he is easily our best go forward carrier in the middle with his size, mobility and footwork. His potential is untapped. If he is working hard and has his head on, he will be our best forward by the end of 2026. In fact, I'd say it won't even be close. Best middle anyway.

I agree.
If he’s been training hard over the off season and comes into the 2026 season with the right attitude, his potential is untapped and has the ability to be among the top middle forwards in the game.
All 3 Fainu brothers can be elite if they continue to improve and we need them all to go to the next level during the 2026 season if we are to be successful.
IF the Fainu brothers, May brothers, Luai and Bula all improve and play close to the best of their ability, we will comfortably make the top 8.
It’s unlikely they will all perform close to their best and that’s the concern for us in 2026.

 

[batboy]

What? He will outplay May and Pole easily given the chance.

So says you.
What chance is he waiting for?
Played 24 games last season and didn’t outplay May in many (if any)
He’s also a year older than Fonua with more Footy behind him
- so he should be ahead of him.

Isn’t he the oldest Fainu around and last to debut? No one even mentioned him till his brothers came on.
He’s coming along, I have no problem with him in the side (I’ll say it again) but I don’t like him at prop. Even May I’d rather have at 13 than Prop. I like big, dominant Props with good leg speed…
Like the ones the good clubs have.

 

[Vicious]

I read somewhere that Maverick Geyer is training at 13. Based off last year’s performance I’d have Sione Fainu starting at 13. I thought Sione was great in the middle. He can fill in at 2nd row but is much more suited to the middle IMO.

That is interesting as I’ve never seen Maverick really demonstrate any type of fluent passing game, but that’s not to say he doesn’t have one.
He is another important dominoe in us being successful in 2026 as we need players like him knocking the door down to demand a position in our top 17 if not top 13.