Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[wstigers11]

I’ve heard Benji is becoming very mindful of not overpaying players and wanting players committing for the right reasons other than just a quick cash grab.

So no signings to be expected ? I think we have 2 spots left assume Bunty with have one of those and maybe an upgrade from within ?

 

[Vicious]

So no signings to be expected ? I think we have 2 spots left assume Bunty with have one of those and maybe an upgrade from within ?

No idea on that ?
I think we will make another external signing or two, potentially another experienced middle forward and an outside back to help with depth, but that’s just my guess.
Not much left to sign, but players such as Adam Elliott and Harley Smith-Shields are seemingly training hard and ready for an opportunity if we want them on a low cost deal.
There is no risk in signing players like these for a low cost one year deal and they both have strong work ethic and NRL experience.

 

[Odessa]

extremely silky and has the mentality to succeed (broke his back as a teenager, handles clutch moments supremely well), but he's got that big tall lumbering body that can go either way in grade. when you're a half in that body shape, it can be extremely difficult to bed down and remain in the halves. look at Wighton, Burton, even Curtis Sironen.

really hope he makes a fist of it, but I do think at this point he'll be lucky to get a debut in 2026, as much as I like him. especially if Doueihi starts in the halves over Latu which looks to be the case.

My mate said he steps and throws a no look pass in one motion so skillful

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

My mate said he steps and throws a no look pass in one motion so skillful

Jeez a spine of Tino Tavana, Javon Andrews, Latu Fainu & Jared Haywood would bring some skill & x-factor if we ever get to see it.

 

[innsaneink]

So no signings to be expected ? I think we have 2 spots left assume Bunty with have one of those and maybe an upgrade from within ?

Richo and Mielekamp has alluded to this...we are locked in for the next two years

 

[Tigerstigerstigers]

My mate said he steps and throws a no look pass in one motion so skillful

Wow. Has Gus met him. lol.

Oops my bad. No point . Gus’ salary cap full from the last clown he took from us 😆

 

[bptiger 0]

Well Curran is of the list , signed with Perth

 

[Lestronge]

No disrespect mate but I’d say Thurston would pip him as the best player to wear a Cowboys jersey.

That’s fine . That’s your opinion . I just remember how absolutely devastating he was when they won the premiership . He was like a video game character. For me he’s number 1 but , if you had him 1B to Thurston 1A it’s all good .

 

[Odessa]

Jeez a spine of Tino Tavana, Javon Andrews, Latu Fainu & Jared Haywood would bring some skill & x-factor if we ever get to see it.

I am hoping Javon can play a couple of first grade games in the back end of the year and start 27 pushing for a spot in the 17 I think he needs another off season


But being a current QLD origin half I think Billy Slater mite ask him to come along to origin camp for a few days with an eye on the future for QLD

 

[Modman]

The numbers don’t lie. In two years as head coach he’s increased our wins by 50% each year.

The same result this year would see us scrape into the eight.

I think our young forward pack and the off field stuff will likely derail that, but it’s harsh to not recognise that we are improving.

I think its fair to say Benji has the best squad in years at the club although we are light a few forwards, but i think 2026 will be the year that shapes benjis career as a coach. Good or bad. What are Forum members accepting as a pass mark ??/

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

I think its fair to say Benji has the best squad in years at the club although we are light a few forwards, but i think 2026 will be the year that shapes benjis career as a coach. Good or bad. What are Forum members accepting as a pass mark ??/

10 wins or better for me.

 

[Modman]

Rubbish.
Since Benji has been here we have seen Bateman, Klemmer, Koroisau, Papali’i, Staines, Toa, Pole, Bula, the 3 x Fainu’s, Galvin, Olam, Bird, the 2 x May’s, Turuva, Hunt, Luai, Skelton, and a host of good young talent all hit the team. Irrespective of how they turned out - which I suspect he had a big hand in - most came from successful clubs and a lot had experienced finals, SOO, and even Test footy.
He has had a charmed run with recruitment compared to those before him and produced nothing with it.

Idk besides a few of those names i dont rate many of those players personally, besides Api Bula Luai Turuva, Mays , And Samuela are proven NRL with quality Although i do agree hes underachieved. But the one bloke you need to drop from your list and often is Bateman. He was a joke when he was here and has continued to be one. He has the power of a mozzie. absolute joke and shouldnt be getting anywhere near what we paid him. Had to go... I seriously cant watch that bloke play. It must be my dislike for the guy for the life of me idk how the hell hes playing NRL.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

So no signings to be expected ? I think we have 2 spots left assume Bunty with have one of those and maybe an upgrade from within ?

The only thing to look out for are the re-signings of the flood of players off contract at the end of 27. Richo mentioned last year that they were starting negotiations to extend TMD, but that was literally one quote in an article and we never heard anything again.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Idk besides a few of those names i dont rate many of those players personally, besides Api Bula Luai Turuva, Mays , And Samuela are proven NRL with quality Although i do agree hes underachieved. But the one bloke you need to drop from your list and often is Bateman. He was a joke when he was here and has continued to be one. He has the power of a mozzie. absolute joke and shouldnt be getting anywhere near what we paid him. Had to go... I seriously cant watch that bloke play. It must be my dislike for the guy for the life of me idk how the hell hes playing NRL.

I never liked the signing from the day Sheens talked it up, should have left him in the old dart.

 

[HUNT 101]

2026 must be top 8 for a pass mark for Benji, we got a better team this year,an extra year under the belt for the younger fellas and coach.To be honest it will come down to injuries, minimum injuries is massive for every club, but especially us because our depth is inferior, stay healthy and let the combination fly we will upset a few and stroll into finals footy ..💥🐯☝️

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

So no signings to be expected ? I think we have 2 spots left assume Bunty with have one of those and maybe an upgrade from within ?

Ethan Roberts upgraded perhaps

 

[Tucker]

Not sure how your memory is but coming in after a wooden spoon is a good place?

Yes it was comparatively.
Madge got sacked for not performing with a worse side than Benji had when he won back to back spoons.

 

[mtd#2]

2026 must be top 8 for a pass mark for Benji, we got a better team this year,an extra year under the belt for the younger fellas and coach.To be honest it will come down to injuries, minimum injuries is massive for every club, but especially us because our depth is inferior, stay healthy and let the combination fly we will upset a few and stroll into finals footy ..💥🐯☝️

Agree...but if we get significant injuries during the season and come 9th or 10th I'd also consider it a pass

 

[Tucker]

What you’re saying is wrong though . The thing that doesn’t make sense to me is the best player IMO to wear the Cowboys jersey is Taumalolo , he’s lost a step , but his whole reputation was built on fitness and aggression and pure tenacity . At his best he’s like a freight train that never stops .
I don’t think the “lazy islander” idea , is true anymore . Simply because coach’s arnt picking them because they’re massive anymore . Especially in nsw being massive isn’t anything anymore . It’s a start sure , but where I am , the kids are huge . I watched an u15s game a couple of years ago , and I’m 183cm, an almost all of the 34 players were taller than me , I thought I was watching u19s. And someone corrected me. The kids are simply bigger stronger faster these days , and being massive and lazy doesn’t get you through . No matter what your background is . If it’s an apathy thing re. Islanders are notoriously chill an hard to motivate , I don’t think that’s the case either . Only the most competitive make it through . Especially out of the Penrith system , where a fair chunk of our team come from .
Even Miller the front rower we cut last year or the year before , 10 years ago that kid has a 5-10 year career and bounces around the nrl with shit attitude , and lack of development because everything thinks they can shine a diamond . He hasn’t been even looked at by other clubs since his cutting , and I heard is boxing now . I’ve spent a lot of my childhood around islanders , so I know what you’re talking about re. Motivation and culture , and a desire to be chill above all else , but the same dude who you swear wouldn’t hurt a fly , is also the same dude a lot of the time, who would put you in hospital if given the right motivation .
This is where Benji comes in . And I’m still on the fence / hopeful that he can translate his connection with the team , which is clear as day and inarguable , into wins . I guess the concern is , is he like Stephen Kearney before him , another guy who had the ear of the islander boys but couldn’t get above 500 most seasons . I dunno , but hopefully he has the right islander boys in the team who know how to help him. Because really that’s where 50% of the motivation comes from . The group itself . It’s why the Galvin debacle last year really screwed this team more than most . Because I think the culture is a bit siege mentality , you’re one of us or you’re not . And as we saw last year it just imploded the team when 1 guy or maybe 2 with TDS clearly weren’t .

I’m not saying it’s a laziness thing at all. It’s a how hard have you worked to get here thing compared to others. Yes kids are bigger now that they were in generations gone by. It’s not the be all and end all.
I don’t want a team full of Polynesians just as I don’t want a team full of white guys, or aboriginals. I meant it when I said the team needs diversity.
Everyone commends the Penrith Polys and rightfully so, but how many titles do they win without Cleary, Yeo, Edwards and Martin?
The club culture can not be based merely along heritage lines. It has to be more inclusive and mean more.

 

[JB9918]

Agree...but if we get significant injuries during the season and come 9th or 10th I'd also consider it a pass

I'd like the idea of wins. 10 plus was mentioned. I think 12 is a pass mark. 50% of games. That would be 30 points.

30 points may not make the top 8.