Roster Breakdown: 2024-2029

[Demps]

Just need another gun prop and its finals football for the foreseeable future

I agree with @BlackWhiteGold regarding centre.

With Toa & Taylan as our starters, our depth is, what... Makasini [rookie, no rush] or Bird? [Too slow]

Probably need some better depth there.
We lost Naden, Feledy, Staines & Fataape?
Also lost Izaac Tui"tupou.

And signed ... Max Lehmann?
I'm hopeful Mapapalangi is retained because he's a good centre backup option with some utility value

 

[hammertime]

I agree with @BlackWhiteGold regarding centre.

With Toa & Taylan as our starters, our depth is, what... Makasini [rookie, no rush] or Bird? [Too slow]

Probably need some better depth there.
We lost Naden, Feledy, Staines & Fataape?
Also lost Izaac Tui"tupou.

And signed ... Max Lehmann?
I'm hopeful Mapapalangi is retained because he's a good centre backup option with some utility value

Wouldn't be adverse to a cup deal to bring naden back, if hes up for that.

 

[Demps]

Wouldn't be adverse to a cup deal to bring naden back, if hes up for that.

Yes/no.

We've moved on.
Think we need some kind of experienced back up for depth though.

Not sure who though.

 

[Jolls]

Thanks @Jolls I think the club has earmarked Havea Jr as the long-term answer (2028 & beyond) and were pleasantly surprised with how new recruit Josese Lanyon performed at lock in Flegg this year. Lanyon could be a bolter for 2027 as that lock (dummy half utility) - he's got the tools, just needs to develop more physically now.

This is why AD to 13 makes so much sense. He has a two year deal we just need some interim depth behind Bird on a short term contract.

 

[Aceshigh]

I agree with @BlackWhiteGold regarding centre.

With Toa & Taylan as our starters, our depth is, what... Makasini [rookie, no rush] or Bird? [Too slow]

Probably need some better depth there.
We lost Naden, Feledy, Staines & Fataape?
Also lost Izaac Tui"tupou.

And signed ... Max Lehmann?
I'm hopeful Mapapalangi is retained because he's a good centre backup option with some utility value

Where has Isaac gone ?

 

[Demps]

Where has Isaac gone ?

Signed with Lakes United in the Newcastle comp it seems.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Wouldn't be adverse to a cup deal to bring naden back, if hes up for that.

We still have 3 spots left and I reckon one is going to be a back, let's just hope he's a quick one, V will be happy if it eventuates lol.

 

[batboy]

I agree with @BlackWhiteGold regarding centre.

With Toa & Taylan as our starters, our depth is, what... Makasini [rookie, no rush] or Bird? [Too slow]

Probably need some better depth there.
We lost Naden, Feledy, Staines & Fataape?
Also lost Izaac Tui"tupou.

And signed ... Max Lehmann?
I'm hopeful Mapapalangi is retained because he's a good centre backup option with some utility value

Seen this take?
Gotta love the new age football fan..
“Never seen him play, never heard of him” calls him a young fella (at 25) 😂😂
“I can see him playing in the centres, he can pass, this - that, goes after the game like a Taylan May”
But never seen him play?

Hopefully he’s a late Blumer 😂😂

 

[Merlot]

Since it is bloody quiet, I've had a crack at creating what I think is Benji's depth chart for our NRL squad and who his priority development & pathways players may be.

Obviously the pathways rep squads haven't been announced yet so a few players may come in to or out of this chart.

The NRL & NRL Depth columns are out of those players currently in the NRL Top 30 and some additional Development and T&T players.

The Development Priority are those youngsters the club has on a Development contract or has promoted them through the grades or CUBS squads faster than others from what I have seen in '25.

The Development Depth are those likely to be given a Jersey Flegg opportunity in '26 and arguably prioritised lower than the others.

The SG Ball Priority are those 18/19yos who will likely start the year in SG Ball but are those likely to be pushing for a training or playing opportunity in Flegg through the season based on their own form & injuries/progression of those in Flegg.

* These are the 4 guys who IMO are pick of the crop likely to play SG Ball and will be fast tracked into Flegg all going well with them.

	NRL	NRL Depth	Development Priority	Development Depth	SG Ball Priority
Fullback	Bula	Attard	Brookes | Oitmann		Paea | Karnib
Wing 1	Turuva	Luke Laulilii	Nicholas		Vella
Wing 2	Skelton	Tavana	James Lanyon *
Centre 1	Taylan May	Makasini	Tauaifaiga
Centre 2	To'a	Max Taotua	Glassie *
Halves 1	Luai	Madden	Matai	Pritchard	Azzi
Halves 2	Latu Fainu	Andrews | Mason	Lele *	Huth
Lock	Doeuihi	Bird | Murray	Havea Jr * | Josese Lanyon	Duncombe	Van Drie
Back Row 1	Samuela Fainu	Geyer	Godinet	Mitch Taotua	Taai
Back Row 2	Pearce-Paul	Sukkar	Saukuru	Laupepa	Stone
Prop 1	Terrell May	Seyfarth	Roberts	Delaney	Ransom
Prop 2	Pole	Hunt	Taupau-Moors	Plati	Tovia
Hooker	Koroisau	Hope	Haywood		Milford | Mackander
Prop 3	Twal	Afoa	Mataale	Tuifua	Khattar
Prop 4	Sione Fainu	Kit Laulilii	Broederlow	Lewis	French

Nice , thanks . Dev depth , priority tweaks me. Players going thru the system that stay . Hope the brains trust gets / got it right.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Seen this take?
Gotta love the new age football fan..
“Never seen him play, never heard of him” calls him a young fella (at 25) 😂😂
“I can see him playing in the centres, he can pass, this - that, goes after the game like a Taylan May”
But never seen him play?

Hopefully he’s a late Blumer 😂😂

This guy sounds like an absolute superstar, so glad we signed him, he could be our next Chris Lawrence, well yeah don't hold your breath.

 

[batboy]

This guy sounds like an absolute superstar, so glad we signed him, he could be our next Chris Lawrence, well yeah don't hold your breath.

Referenced his 8 games in ressies plenty, but didn’t mention he finished the season in Sydney Shield (2 grades below ressies)

Even our discards only went as far back as cup or 20’s

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Since it is bloody quiet, I've had a crack at creating what I think is Benji's depth chart for our NRL squad and who his priority development & pathways players may be.

Obviously the pathways rep squads haven't been announced yet so a few players may come in to or out of this chart.

The NRL & NRL Depth columns are out of those players currently in the NRL Top 30 and some additional Development and T&T players.

The Development Priority are those youngsters the club has on a Development contract or has promoted them through the grades or CUBS squads faster than others from what I have seen in '25.

The Development Depth are those likely to be given a Jersey Flegg opportunity in '26 and arguably prioritised lower than the others.

The SG Ball Priority are those 18/19yos who will likely start the year in SG Ball but are those likely to be pushing for a training or playing opportunity in Flegg through the season based on their own form & injuries/progression of those in Flegg.

* These are the 4 guys who IMO are pick of the crop likely to play SG Ball and will be fast tracked into Flegg all going well with them.

	NRL	NRL Depth	Development Priority	Development Depth	SG Ball Priority
Fullback	Bula	Attard	Brookes | Oitmann		Paea | Karnib
Wing 1	Turuva	Luke Laulilii	Nicholas		Vella
Wing 2	Skelton	Tavana	James Lanyon *
Centre 1	Taylan May	Makasini	Tauaifaiga
Centre 2	To'a	Max Taotua	Glassie *
Halves 1	Luai	Madden	Matai	Pritchard	Azzi
Halves 2	Latu Fainu	Andrews | Mason	Lele *	Huth
Lock	Doeuihi	Bird | Murray	Havea Jr * | Josese Lanyon	Duncombe	Van Drie
Back Row 1	Samuela Fainu	Geyer	Godinet	Mitch Taotua	Taai
Back Row 2	Pearce-Paul	Sukkar	Saukuru	Laupepa	Stone
Prop 1	Terrell May	Seyfarth	Roberts	Delaney	Ransom
Prop 2	Pole	Hunt	Taupau-Moors	Plati	Tovia
Hooker	Koroisau	Hope	Haywood		Milford | Mackander
Prop 3	Twal	Afoa	Mataale	Tuifua	Khattar
Prop 4	Sione Fainu	Kit Laulilii	Broederlow	Lewis	French

Zero Tackle says James Lanyon has gone?

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Thanks @Jolls I think the club has earmarked Havea Jr as the long-term answer (2028 & beyond) and were pleasantly surprised with how new recruit Josese Lanyon performed at lock in Flegg this year. Lanyon could be a bolter for 2027 as that lock (dummy half utility) - he's got the tools, just needs to develop more physically now.

Also, glad Azzi made your list. We need a good home-grown half.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Referenced his 8 games in ressies plenty, but didn’t mention he finished the season in Sydney Shield (2 grades below ressies)

Even our discards only went as far back as cup or 20’s

Sounds like he could be worse than what we got rid of, outstanding.
Man I hope we have an eye on a decent back for 26 we are looking a little light for depth if injuries hit hard.

 

[batboy]

Sounds like he could be worse than what we got rid of, outstanding.
Man I hope we have an eye on a decent back for 26 we are looking a little light for depth if injuries hit hard.

I don't know we replace the level of Staines, Faatape and Naden between now and March - This guy isn't going to do it.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

I don't know we replace the level of Staines, Faatape and Naden between now and March - This guy isn't going to do it.

I think we should of kept Naden for depth, and your right about filling to March, think SFA is going to drop from the tree to help us this time.

 

[hammertime]

Sounds like he could be worse than what we got rid of, outstanding.
Man I hope we have an eye on a decent back for 26 we are looking a little light for depth if injuries hit hard.

Looks like max played at the Brisbane tigers. Another Richo signing.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Looks like max played at the Brisbane tigers. Another Richo signing.

Fataape to this guy, its like a nightmare, it just keeps getting worse and worse (Colour of Money) lol.

 

[crazycat]

I agree with @BlackWhiteGold regarding centre.

With Toa & Taylan as our starters, our depth is, what... Makasini [rookie, no rush] or Bird? [Too slow]

Probably need some better depth there.
We lost Naden, Feledy, Staines & Fataape?
Also lost Izaac Tui"tupou.

And signed ... Max Lehmann?
I'm hopeful Mapapalangi is retained because he's a good centre backup option with some utility value

Yea surprised we punted both Staines and Naden and are looking to offload Bird. ... Was really rooting for Faatape to make it too. ... Ofcourse all of them being Fringe Graders. Staines IMHO being closest to a decent winger.

Were clearly freeing cap space. That's what all this is about. Punt your 200-300k fringe dwellers so you can buy top shelf players.

That said, were pretty lacking in Backs, particularly as Taylan May is as explosive off the field as he is on the field. I don't want cap wasted on depth, but we need a little coverage for this bloke.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Zero Tackle says James Lanyon has gone?

Nah when they list the players who are OUT from Harold Matts, it’s mainly those who are moving out of that age group. So James will be SG Ball now for the Magpies.