Official thread and signing news

[sallymay]

The latest article from Martin Gabor about Sua Faalogo talks about Bellamy naming the hardest workers from each age group
It had Players recognised for their pre-season efforts:

Harmony Taupau Under 17s Female
Eboni Heurea Under 19s Female
Lucas Hinchey Under 17s Males
Ronnic Starkey Under 19s Males
Harrison Plummer U21s
Alan Holten NSW Cup
Cooper Clarke NRL


I thought Cooper was under 21s and would play NSW cup but looks like he has been upgraded which is pretty cool

[sallymay]

Ativalu lisati re signs for 2 more years till 2027

[sallymay]

Davvy moale has joined storm on a loan deal

Davvy will join manly on a 3 year deal from 2027 but didn’t have a club in 2026 after south’s didn’t have the money to sign him ….he will join storm for 2026

[Papenhuyzen23]

So that’s now …

1. Sua Fa’alogo
2. Xavier Coates
3. Moses Leo
4. Nick Meaney
5. Will Warbrick
6. Cameron Munster
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Harry Grant
10. Josh King
11. Ativalu Lisati
12. Jack Howarth
13. Shawn Blore
14. Tyran Wishart
15. Alec MacDonald
16. Lazarus Valeepu
17. Joe Chan
18. Trent Loiero
19. Jack Hethrington
20. Manaia Waitere
21. Marion Seve
22. Tui Kamikamika
23. Josiah Pahulu
24. Gabriel Satrick
25. Mitch Jennings
26. Davvy Moale
27. Cooper Clarke
28. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown
29. Trent Toelau
30. Preston Conn??

We think we are just about locked in for Top 30 or maybe there’s another signing to come?

[sallymay]

Conn is a dev deal in 26 top 30 in 27

[Papenhuyzen23]

Thanks for that Sally, so potentially one more signing to round out the squad for 2026, although it could still be an internal promotion.

Not our strongest squad but I believe the boys will still be very competitive, bit of injury luck and who knows, I think 2027 will be the big year, if Katoa returns, if we get Tino, and Keeley coming on board that changes the whole dynamic of the team.

[Stormszn]

Thanks for that Sally, so potentially one more signing to round out the squad for 2026, although it could still be an internal promotion.

Not our strongest squad but I believe the boys will still be very competitive, bit of injury luck and who knows, I think 2027 will be the big year, if Katoa returns, if we get Tino, and Keeley coming on board that changes the whole dynamic of the team.

There’s no backup fullback in that squad you named so Hugo Peel will probably be promoted. I think, outside of Katoa not being there, it’s equally as good a squad as last year. No excuses.

[Papenhuyzen23]

Katoa is a monumental loss, there’s no dancing around that unfortunately. The amount of times he turned the tide last season and showed up when no one else wanted to is a loss we can’t replicate.

As for fullback cover, I believe Meaney is the other option in the squad, but I do like the look of Peel. He is a bit green still, probably needs to cut his teeth in NSW Cup for a while.

[Stormszn]

Katoa is a monumental loss, there’s no dancing around that unfortunately. The amount of times he turned the tide last season and showed up when no one else wanted to is a loss we can’t replicate.

As for fullback cover, I believe Meaney is the other option in the squad, but I do like the look of Peel. He is a bit green still, probably needs to cut his teeth in NSW Cup for a while.

Yes, Katoa is a huge loss however we still have the best spine in the competition, arguably the best winger and plenty of other top representative tier players. With the squad we have, anything less than a prelim is a failure. Another grand final appearance should be the goal.

I think we need a backup fullback that’s not already in the 17 somewhere.

[blazza18]

The forward pack needs someone to do a Katoa and out of nowhere be one of the best players in their position because it is average at best.

[Stormszn]

The forward pack needs someone to do a Katoa and out of nowhere be one of the best players in their position because it is average at best.

Is it though? Stefano and Loiero are both origin reps. Blore and King are both quality. Pahulu is an exciting talent too.

[yanjarra]

If pahulu and sua light up we 'can' be a better team than 25 imo. Pahulu i think will be awesome, sua could go either way. Getting up again mentally after losing 2 gfs in a row will be the bigger challenge. That; and the fact bris, raiders and a couple others will improve more than us imo. I'd take semis as a good effort 2bh.

Glad we are investing in lisati, he's got something

[Stormszn]

If pahulu and sua light up we 'can' be a better team than 25 imo. Pahulu i think will be awesome, sua could go either way. Getting up again mentally after losing 2 gfs in a row will be the bigger challenge. That; and the fact bris, raiders and a couple others will improve more than us imo. I'd take semis as a good effort 2bh.

Glad we are investing in lisati, he's got something

Not sure about Raiders, I think the lack of experience in the spine will hurt them, Bris and Penrith for sure though.

[yanjarra]

If pahulu and sua light up we 'can' be a better team than 25 imo. Pahulu i think will be awesome, sua could go either way. Getting up again mentally after losing 2 gfs in a row will be the bigger challenge. That; and the fact bris, raiders and a couple others will improve more than us imo. I'd take semis as a good effort 2bh.


Glad we are investing in lisati, he's got something

Not sure about Raiders, I think the lack of experience in the spine will hurt them, Bris and Penrith for sure though.

I think ethan sanders is more dangerous than an ageing fogarty and suits that young exciting side. Ethan strange is elite and with him taking more control and another year stronger will be immense next year. He is ready to lead and starling has plenty of experience. Overall the entire backline is young , dangerous and on the up, they will be smarting from being moments away and dropping the bundle against the premiers. To that point they'd been the best team all year.

Riff are interesting, not sure they will improve much but will be there abouts again, i have them just ahead of us- behind raiders and bris. Roosters there also and phins a dark horse

[blazza18]

The forward pack needs someone to do a Katoa and out of nowhere be one of the best players in their position because it is average at best.

Is it though? Stefano and Loiero are both origin reps. Blore and King are both quality. Pahulu is an exciting talent too.

Yes it’s an average forward pack. They are all just workman type besides Stefano. He needs to raise his level and be more consistent week to week.

Have hopes for Pahulu but he’s a total unknown.