Brownrabbit
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They’ve always looked fit under him
Even Richard Simmons would be a step up from Croll
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2025 NRL Squad & Football Dept. Tracker
- Thread starter Pplspoet
- Start date
Even Richard Simmons would be a step up from Croll
Would certainly make for good socials content.
With the talk about our cap being tight, it’s looking less and less likely that any big names join the squad for 2025 from here.
If Aitken is locked in (as has been reported), we’ve got 7 top 30 spots up for grabs, and these current players unsigned:
Gagai
Tass
S Mitchell ** (had an offer but no word since)
Milne
Chee Kam
Thompson
Kennar
Hawkins (told he’s not wanted)
Teaupa
Te Hau
I’ll be genuinely suprised if Gagai, Tass and S Mitchell aren’t retained. And I think Milne is likely a good chance too personally.
So that would leave 3 spots to fill.
They may elect to leave one open for some flexibility mid season too.
But I’d assume those other minimum 2 spots will be fringe talent (unless an existing player gets tapped and successfully gets picked up elsewhere, shifting some dollars).
If Aitken is locked in (as has been reported), we’ve got 7 top 30 spots up for grabs, and these current players unsigned:
Gagai
Tass
S Mitchell ** (had an offer but no word since)
Milne
Chee Kam
Thompson
Kennar
Hawkins (told he’s not wanted)
Teaupa
Te Hau
I’ll be genuinely suprised if Gagai, Tass and S Mitchell aren’t retained. And I think Milne is likely a good chance too personally.
So that would leave 3 spots to fill.
They may elect to leave one open for some flexibility mid season too.
But I’d assume those other minimum 2 spots will be fringe talent (unless an existing player gets tapped and successfully gets picked up elsewhere, shifting some dollars).
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Nailed it mate and I couldn't agree more. I'd be keeping those guys you mentioned, and the rest can go.
In regards to the cap though, if it is super tight, I'm kind of confused. Isn't that one of the main reasons we released Cook? To free up space in the cap for signings?
I guess none of us really know what's going on behind closed doors. For all we know, there could be a bit of space there and there's something going on in the background as we speak. I hope that's the case.
Tom and Cook for Dodd and Aitken. Is that the math we’re dealing with?
POSITIONAL DEPTH
TLDR: I think we need an outside back and an edge forward.
Reported Signing*
Assumed Re-signing**
Recruit Needed***
Fullback: L Mitchell, J Gray, Munro
Where it’s at: Strong. We have a top 10 starter and a terrific prospect deputising. No additions needed. If Gray is asked to play exclusively in the halves, then you would likely want to be confident in a Gagai, Meyers, Bentley-Hape type, or Wighton to help Munro cover during any Latrell absences. But that doesn’t look like it will be the case at this early stage.
Wing: Johnston, Munro, Mellars, Meyers, Gagai**, Milne**
Where it’s at: It’s been discussed but an additional reliable option here (with some size) would go a long way. AJ under an injury cloud, Munro and Mellars struggling to stay on the park, Gagai and Milne (if re-signed) are depth pieces. Like most positions, yes there are stretch options like Tass or even Graham, but at this stage, let's just add so those guys can play the positions they are best suited to.
Recruitment: Add a piece.
Centre: Wighton, Graham, Mellars, Meyers, Tass**, Milne**, Gagai**
Where it’s at: Strong on paper, particularly at the top end. Graham will no doubt be rusty and Wighton hasn’t had many reps there, but all things being equal, it’s a position of strength. If the wing recruit can cover 3/4 too that would be handy.
Five-Eight: Walker, Wighton, Mitchell, Humphreys, Gray, Burns
Where it’s at: Looking strong in 6 too. No moves needed here.
Halfback: Dodd, Ilias, Humphreys, Gray
Where it’s at: Certainly an unproven point in the roster, but a position where we have some options.
Prop: Tatola, Moale, Koloamatangi, Arrow, Havili, Keppie, S Mitchell**
Where it’s at: In isolation it’s actually pretty strong. A lot depends on where Koloamatangi and Arrow line up.
Recruitment: A possible area of depth improvement, but if things are improved on the edges, perhaps not. A dev player might help fill one the emergency level ranks here.
Hooker: Mamouzelos, Humphreys, Havili, Ilias
Where it’s at: It’s not strong, but I’m also not sure it’s an area they add anymore top 30 talent too. Perhaps we manage to get an up and comer on a dev deal to help strengthen the position.
Edge Backrow: Aitken, Host, Lovett, Huebner, Fletcher, McCarthy (Koloamatangi, Arrow, Murray)
Where it’s at: The inverse of prop, where in isolation it’s likely a position of weakness, but you have the context that Arrow, Murray and Koloamatangi are options to help here. Personally, I want all three of those guys in the middle. Jury is out on the health prospects of Fletcher and Lovett, but both have something to offer if fit.
Recruitment: I think we should add another piece here. Of NRL starting quality.
Lock: Murray, Koloamatangi, Duncan, Le Blanc
Where it’s at: Another position where I think we’re sound. There are more options than this, but that’s more than enough in my mind already.
——————————————-
So with 2-3 spots to fill, I’d be looking for a reliable winger, and a guy you can start at the NRL level on an edge. Understanding that both probably need to be value signings on under. Then save one for weird mid-season transfer market stuff.
We also have 4 (I think) additional dev spots up for grabs beyond Le Blanc and Meyers.
Would mean we’d go into pre-season with real strong competition for 4 spots that need to be finalised.
01 Mitchell
02 Johnston
03 Graham
04 Wighton
05 Best option from the pool available
06 Walker
07 Best option from the pool available
08 Koloamatangi
09 Best option from the pool available
10 Moale
11 Aitken
12 Recruit***
13 Murray
14 Tatola
15 Arrow
16 Duncan
17 Best option from the pool available
I'm sure plenty will suggest Arrow to an edge and get another bench impact prop. It's an option obviously.
TLDR: I think we need an outside back and an edge forward.
Reported Signing*
Assumed Re-signing**
Recruit Needed***
Fullback: L Mitchell, J Gray, Munro
Where it’s at: Strong. We have a top 10 starter and a terrific prospect deputising. No additions needed. If Gray is asked to play exclusively in the halves, then you would likely want to be confident in a Gagai, Meyers, Bentley-Hape type, or Wighton to help Munro cover during any Latrell absences. But that doesn’t look like it will be the case at this early stage.
Wing: Johnston, Munro, Mellars, Meyers, Gagai**, Milne**
Where it’s at: It’s been discussed but an additional reliable option here (with some size) would go a long way. AJ under an injury cloud, Munro and Mellars struggling to stay on the park, Gagai and Milne (if re-signed) are depth pieces. Like most positions, yes there are stretch options like Tass or even Graham, but at this stage, let's just add so those guys can play the positions they are best suited to.
Recruitment: Add a piece.
Centre: Wighton, Graham, Mellars, Meyers, Tass**, Milne**, Gagai**
Where it’s at: Strong on paper, particularly at the top end. Graham will no doubt be rusty and Wighton hasn’t had many reps there, but all things being equal, it’s a position of strength. If the wing recruit can cover 3/4 too that would be handy.
Five-Eight: Walker, Wighton, Mitchell, Humphreys, Gray, Burns
Where it’s at: Looking strong in 6 too. No moves needed here.
Halfback: Dodd, Ilias, Humphreys, Gray
Where it’s at: Certainly an unproven point in the roster, but a position where we have some options.
Prop: Tatola, Moale, Koloamatangi, Arrow, Havili, Keppie, S Mitchell**
Where it’s at: In isolation it’s actually pretty strong. A lot depends on where Koloamatangi and Arrow line up.
Recruitment: A possible area of depth improvement, but if things are improved on the edges, perhaps not. A dev player might help fill one the emergency level ranks here.
Hooker: Mamouzelos, Humphreys, Havili, Ilias
Where it’s at: It’s not strong, but I’m also not sure it’s an area they add anymore top 30 talent too. Perhaps we manage to get an up and comer on a dev deal to help strengthen the position.
Edge Backrow: Aitken, Host, Lovett, Huebner, Fletcher, McCarthy (Koloamatangi, Arrow, Murray)
Where it’s at: The inverse of prop, where in isolation it’s likely a position of weakness, but you have the context that Arrow, Murray and Koloamatangi are options to help here. Personally, I want all three of those guys in the middle. Jury is out on the health prospects of Fletcher and Lovett, but both have something to offer if fit.
Recruitment: I think we should add another piece here. Of NRL starting quality.
Lock: Murray, Koloamatangi, Duncan, Le Blanc
Where it’s at: Another position where I think we’re sound. There are more options than this, but that’s more than enough in my mind already.
——————————————-
So with 2-3 spots to fill, I’d be looking for a reliable winger, and a guy you can start at the NRL level on an edge. Understanding that both probably need to be value signings on under. Then save one for weird mid-season transfer market stuff.
We also have 4 (I think) additional dev spots up for grabs beyond Le Blanc and Meyers.
Would mean we’d go into pre-season with real strong competition for 4 spots that need to be finalised.
01 Mitchell
02 Johnston
03 Graham
04 Wighton
05 Best option from the pool available
06 Walker
07 Best option from the pool available
08 Koloamatangi
09 Best option from the pool available
10 Moale
11 Aitken
12 Recruit***
13 Murray
14 Tatola
15 Arrow
16 Duncan
17 Best option from the pool available
I'm sure plenty will suggest Arrow to an edge and get another bench impact prop. It's an option obviously.
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I'll also add... we shouldn't stop looking for a fullback. The next Tedesco/Edwards type. Someone strong who will run all day on both sides of the ball.
Latrell can't play a full season at fullback. He just can't. 5 consecutive seasons have proven that. He takes over Cody at 6 in a year or two anyway IMO.
Latrell can't play a full season at fullback. He just can't. 5 consecutive seasons have proven that. He takes over Cody at 6 in a year or two anyway IMO.
Congrats on a nicely compiled summary!
I would still like to see Milne tried on an edge too. He has some rough edges, but he generally gives his all every game and some strong points as well. Like Gagai, deserves a contract.
Missing back to back finals isn’t good enough from the club.
I have said this before I think we need a mass clear out of the club. Glad most of our under performing players are off contract and I believe two who should be tapped on the shoulder are under contract.
Hopefully Wayne gets to work and clears up this terrible mess that the recruitment manager and JD has put the club under
I have said this before I think we need a mass clear out of the club. Glad most of our under performing players are off contract and I believe two who should be tapped on the shoulder are under contract.
Hopefully Wayne gets to work and clears up this terrible mess that the recruitment manager and JD has put the club under
Phew.
I was worried no one thought that there needed to be any changes and that everyone was happy losing.
Thank you for pointing out our last 18 months have not been acceptable.
Again.
I agree too. We have to be realistic and money is tight. I have absolutely no problems at all with keeping the 4 you mentioned. I think you nailed it too!
why would anyone want to keep Milne? The guy is one of our major problems in the squad. Why keep him because he is cheap? I’m pretty sure there are better options out there on the open market.
Let’s recruit better and make the team stronger
Let’s recruit better and make the team stronger
I think the sentiment is that there isn’t better. We do already need to pick up at least one. Maybe 2 outside backs. So don’t retain Milne, but then you’ve gotta find 3 players better than him.
