2026 Recruitment And Retention

HarVeeGee13 said:
For sure, but the job gets so much easier with a genuinely dynamic & skillful 9.
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Very true. The more strike weapons across the park the better for the simple fact that the opposition doesn’t know where they need to be or where the danger is coming from. At the moment it’s, “shut down Kalyn” and the job against Newcastle is essentially done.

I would very much like to see what young Armstrong can produce for firsts, been watching his highlights all morning.
 
MullosLefttoRight said:
I don't disagree with Mozer at all, he's been touted as the next big thing by good judges for some time now.

Pezet I just see the priority moreso from the perspective of the uncertainty of the Hastings situation and seeing a greater need for a half than a hooker. As I think you've identified before and have effectively touched on with Katoa/Galvin/etc we've slipped into an era where we're seeing clubs at the top finding success with hookers of relatively limited skillset but the strength of the halfback remains paramount.

This isn't to say that a gun 9 couldn't turn the fortunes of a club but I think we're closer to the 'meta' at 9 with Brails/Crossland than we are the standard required in the halves from our current offerings.

Absolutely we could be going after both given the financial situation you've just outlined, but I'd also recognise that demand will be strong for both parties and as we head towards the mid-late 20s we face the prospect of the market conditions turning upside down again with a prospective 18th team coming sooner rather than later.
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Definitely agree with that but the game can change a lot and it's hard to predict - you can't rule out the hooking role becoming more important again as things evolve. And it is still an important position either way. If Kenny and Billy Walters didn't improve like they have for example both would have been replaced by now.
 
Apparently he asked for a release earlier this year when Sharpe went ahead of him in the pecking order so yep, probably has something already lined up.
 
Have seen the Roosters thrown up as well albeit with seemingly little substance behind it, would make sense though with them losing their 2 backup fullbacks at once next season.
 
Doesn’t matter if Armstrong won’t be here 2025, we need him now especially with Sharpe injured, let Armstrong replace Ponga at least until Sharpe has a few games back and has the form to displace him. Won’t hurt for Sharpe to mature a bit more before debuting.
If Armstrong leaves season end that ok like a few others probably, but for now him and others have a job to do
 
I know we’ve got a glut of talent at fullback but I’d be going hard for Tristan sailor and sua faalogo. Game management can be learned with good coaching. We would at least have points in us. Put 1 in the halves.
 
Just gonna throw out some predictions for every big name or really promising off contract half available in 2026:

Cody Walker - 1 Year extension to stay on at Souths, $6-700K
Daniel Atkinson - Signs with the Dolphins, four year deal, $5-600K per season
Daly Cherry-Evans - Two year extension to remain at Manly, $1 million per season
Jake Clifford - Two year extension to play Queensland Cup or as a bench 14 as Jaxon Purdue takes his spot in the halves
Tom Duffy - Signed by the Gold Coast Titans after they miss out on Ben Hunt, 2 year deal, $400K+ per season
Jackson Hastings - Goes to the Broncos for $300K with the Knights chipping in freight in 2025, before signing a two year extension worth $300K per season. Goes to Super League to play for Leeds Rhinos midway through 2026. Never plays in the NRL again.
Ben Hunt - Obtains an early release to take up a two year deal for 2025-26 worth $1 million per season with the Bulldogs.
Lachlan Ilias - Rehabilitates reputation and becomes a capable hooker under Wayne Bennett. Stays at Souths on a relatively cheap deal.
Jonah Pezet - Signs a 2 year deal worth $4-500K per season with the Newcastle Knights and obtains an early release in December to move to Newcastle for the 2025 pre-season.
Adam Reynolds - Retires
Braydon Trindall - Signs a 5 year contract worth about $700K/season to stay at Cronulla
Sam Walker - Signs a 2 year deal worth $1.1 million/season to stay at the Roosters

And then the dramatic prediction:

Dylan Brown - Declines player options midway through 2025 before taking up a 3 year deal worth $1 million per season with the Sydney Roosters.
 
HarVeeGee13 said:
Jonah Pezet - Signs a 2 year deal worth $4-500K per season with the Newcastle Knights and obtains an early release in December to move to Newcastle for the 2025 pre-season.https://www.zerotackle.com/rugby-league/players/sam-walker/
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Do you really think the Storm let him leave early? Can’t remember them ever doing it, at least not without a player swap involved.

Wouldn’t be surprised if the Dragons go after Wishart either, which might complicate matters if he was to leave the Storm.
 
Wishart’s off contract at the end of 2026.

I’ve lurked on Storm message boards a bit and they reckon they’re already preparing for Jonah to leave eg they’ve grabbed a couple of halves and added them to their development list. They have also just let players go in the past eg Scott Drinkwater.

I’d be happy to swap someone to just get it done though. Not sure who but I doubt it’d be hard to find a player who’d be keen to go into Melbourne’s system.
 
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