The pre-season 2026 thread

[Les Misérables]

These new franchises do skew the player market for those available.

This is a large part of it. The market is scarce and more competitive. At the same time, for the first time in, ever, we appear to be professionally managed - this also works against us when competing with clubs who overpay.

Track record doesnt determine future performance but it does speak to the influence of certain market forces that seem likely to persist into the future.

Its not the end of the world but its also not positive because the players we are targeting are tier 2 prospects. They're 'cheap' by comparison to marquee prospects, have plenty of upside with moderate downside risk given their price. These players arent 'avoiding' the Knights, they're simply taking what they view to be best value. Cant see us changing POS changing his approach to value

 

[Lynchyknight]

I didn’t think the bears got any salary cap relief?

Yeah they definitely do, I remember reading about it few weeks ago
It’s a pretty big relief as well

 

[Macca89]

I couldn’t find it anywhere. All I found was vlandys knocking their request back

 

[Owey]

Yeah they definitely do, I remember reading about it few weeks ago
It’s a pretty big relief as well

I thought they'd asked and got knocked back

 

[Thieves Like Us]

I thought they'd asked and got knocked back

Yeah, that’s what I thought too. PNG got relief through the tax system but nowt for the Bears.

 

[Defence wins games]

Very disappointed to hear about Colquhoun. We really need those types of wins. We keep missing out on the quality players. POS obviously not at fault, he did well to identify and chase the player and not overpay. But its really disappointing, we've missed out on something like 3 out of the 4 priority middle signings.

That probably tells us how likely we are to make those types of signings in future.

And as Joey says, we need some good home grown juniors to come through as well.

 

[bremsstrahlung]

Yeah, that’s what I thought too. PNG got relief through the tax system but nowt for the Bears.

maybe a controversial view but I think it would be good to increase their cap.

I think Perth are really going to struggle to attract players. New franchise. Unknown. Unless you’re getting the top 3-5 marquee player money, you’re probably just going there to get some game time. You’re not going there to play in a competitive proven team. They don’t really have the pedigree of juniors either.

These numbers are purely for lols, but if you have them say an extra 1.5M in cap for season 1-2. And drop that to 1M extra for season 3-4, and say 750K for season 5. It’s good for the game to set them up for some early success. They need to get some fans, sponsors etc. and some big names and a competitive team would help significantly.

Obviously, you don’t want to skew it too much. But a Perth team failing would be a big blow to the NRL.

 

[frankLauda]

maybe a controversial view but I think it would be good to increase their cap.

I think Perth are really going to struggle to attract players. New franchise. Unknown. Unless you’re getting the top 3-5 marquee player money, you’re probably just going there to get some game time. You’re not going there to play in a competitive proven team. They don’t really have the pedigree of juniors either.

These numbers are purely for lols, but if you have them say an extra 1.5M in cap for season 1-2. And drop that to 1M extra for season 3-4, and say 750K for season 5. It’s good for the game to set them up for some early success. They need to get some fans, sponsors etc. and some big names and a competitive team would help significantly.

Obviously, you don’t want to skew it too much. But a Perth team failing would be a big blow to the NRL.

Never been, but i think Perth would be a good place to live. For guys looking to break into the NRL and prove themselves, they would go there. And for whatever other resaons some players would be happy to, e.g have family there, if they can identify those players.

PNG is an interesting one, honestly, who would want to live in a compound in Port Moresby? But again, young players want to break into the NRL, make some good money, etc. Seems like it could be a short-term option for players.

I'm sure the NRL has thought about setting up junior pathways in the areas, although it could take 10 years, maybe before they start producing talent. Perth seems more realistic to actually being a competitive team in the years to come.

I'm surprised a second NZ wasn't in the plans. I assume NZ would be a twentieth team in the comp.

 

[Pure_Knight]

Anyone have any updates on if the the below players from flegg/cup last year are staying in the wider squads or moving on:
Jacob Taulani
Ayden Hoad
Sully Hoad
Cullen Gray
Ryder Williams
Cade Mellon
Kane Graham
Taj Blackman
Logan Aoike
Siteni Taukomo
Tamakaimoana Whareaorere

 

[Macca89]

maybe a controversial view but I think it would be good to increase their cap.

I think Perth are really going to struggle to attract players. New franchise. Unknown. Unless you’re getting the top 3-5 marquee player money, you’re probably just going there to get some game time. You’re not going there to play in a competitive proven team. They don’t really have the pedigree of juniors either.

These numbers are purely for lols, but if you have them say an extra 1.5M in cap for season 1-2. And drop that to 1M extra for season 3-4, and say 750K for season 5. It’s good for the game to set them up for some early success. They need to get some fans, sponsors etc. and some big names and a competitive team would help significantly.

Obviously, you don’t want to skew it too much. But a Perth team failing would be a big blow to the NRL.

I’m sure I remember Melbourne getting cap relief when they first came in

 

[Brad tighe]

I think POS is doing something similar to
Penrith and creating like a salary cap methodology. I’ve heard he won’t pay overs for players we can develop which makes a lot of sense. It might mean we wait a few years to adequately replace Fritzell

 

[Billy]

Anyone have any updates on if the the below players from flegg/cup last year are staying in the wider squads or moving on:
Jacob Taulani
Ayden Hoad
Sully Hoad
Cullen Gray
Ryder Williams
Cade Mellon
Kane Graham
Taj Blackman
Logan Aoike
Siteni Taukomo
Tamakaimoana Whareaorere

Aoake is training with firstgrade and I think Cade Mellon was making up the numbers in the first fan day. I haven't seen any of the others.

 

[Denis Lutge]

Anyone have any updates on if the the below players from flegg/cup last year are staying in the wider squads or moving on:
Jacob Taulani
Ayden Hoad
Sully Hoad
Cullen Gray
Ryder Williams
Cade Mellon
Kane Graham
Taj Blackman
Logan Aoike NRL
Siteni Taukomo
Tamakaimoana Whareaorere

 

[BTP]

Hoad twins back to QLD Cup

I believe Ryder Williams is back training but may or may not make the final squads.

Kane Graham could well end up a sneaky debut if he continues his trajectory. Had a great final part of season mostly playing Cup.

All other ticked players correct to be back.

 

[Brad tighe]

Hoad twins back to QLD Cup

I believe Ryder Williams is back training but may or may not make the final squads.

Kane Graham could well end up a sneaky debut if he continues his trajectory. Had a great final part of season mostly playing Cup.

All other ticked players correct to be back.

Is Logan Aoike back?

Also I thought Taj signed with lakes? He might have a cup contract

 

[BTP]

Is Logan Aoike back?

Also I thought Taj signed with lakes? He might have a cup contract

Aoake has been training with NRL squad up to Xmas.

Taj may have but I wouldn’t be shocked he plays some games.

 

[Thieves Like Us]

maybe a controversial view but I think it would be good to increase their cap.

I think Perth are really going to struggle to attract players. New franchise. Unknown. Unless you’re getting the top 3-5 marquee player money, you’re probably just going there to get some game time. You’re not going there to play in a competitive proven team. They don’t really have the pedigree of juniors either.

These numbers are purely for lols, but if you have them say an extra 1.5M in cap for season 1-2. And drop that to 1M extra for season 3-4, and say 750K for season 5. It’s good for the game to set them up for some early success. They need to get some fans, sponsors etc. and some big names and a competitive team would help significantly.

Obviously, you don’t want to skew it too much. But a Perth team failing would be a big blow to the NRL.

I don’t think that’s controversial at all. I think it makes a lot of sense.

If they want to develop a local fan base then having a team that competes is the best way to do that, especially with one or two marquee players that the kids can get around.

As you say, having a sliding scale over a period time would help to ensure parity with the other NRL clubs.

 

[EASBay17]

Anyone have any updates on if the the below players from flegg/cup last year are staying in the wider squads or moving on:
Jacob Taulani
Ayden Hoad
Sully Hoad
Cullen Gray
Ryder Williams
Cade Mellon
Kane Graham
Taj Blackman
Logan Aoike
Siteni Taukomo
Tamakaimoana Whareaorere

Taj blackman was signed in the local league by lakes united a month ago.

 

[Brad tighe]

Aoake has been training with NRL squad up to Xmas.

Taj may have but I wouldn’t be shocked he plays some games.

Unfortunately I don’t think Aoake is going to make nrl. Almost got a few games last year. Doesn’t appear to be in the top 30 or in development anymore.

 

[R_A]

I'm surprised a second NZ wasn't in the plans. I assume NZ would be a twentieth team in the comp.

I wouldn't mind it one day. You can see how much guys like Stacey Jones, Benji Marshall and Shaun Johnson mean to NZ Rugby League. Inspiring the next generation etc, Even other guys like guys like Ruben Wiki, Tohu Harris etc.

I’m sure I remember Melbourne getting cap relief when they first came in

Having players looking for teams after those super league teams folded probably didn't hurt either. Probably the only thing it was good for bringing in those out of Sydney teams like the Cowboys/Warriors Storm etc.