2026 recruitment & retention

[manly al]

Could Kobe play SR and Navale play 13 ? Hamole and Kobe SR combo could work

Tend to think that Kobe has been bought in primarily as a middle to replace the likes of Jazz
Burbo does deserve credit for upping his game this season and should be an automatic edge pairing with Ola starting next season
Hart could well provide a bit of an X factor soon on an edge and if his defence can get up to scratch , could be well in contention for a game day 17 inclusion during 26

 

[TheEagle]

The young kiwi middle from roosters is a great prospect too… big wraps on him, was he a 2026 signing?

He ended up signing with Souths.

 

[Highflier]

He ended up signing with Souths.

who was that / Faitaki ???? The FR with a goose step better than Campese ?

 

[eaglezap]

We can only assume that all of the signings / re-signings will be announced together
Wilson
Hetherington
Moale
ZDC ?
AOB ?
Turbo and Jurbo
Others ?

 

[The Wheel]

We can only assume that all of the signings / re-signings will be announced together
Wilson
Hetherington
Moale
ZDC ?
AOB ?
Turbo and Jurbo
Others ?

TKO, Lodge?

 

[Eagle 1]

We have a lot of depth in our middle. Paseka, Moale, Bullemor, Jurbo, Hetherington, Navale, Bryan, Laiafi, Patolo, Brown.

Expecting incoming flak on this one, but wouldn't discount Lodge, if he has a really good off season fitness wise, can easily see Lodge pushing for a bench spot at least. Lodge at his best won't let anybody down. Competition for forward spots is something that we haven't had for a while. 2026 is really taking shape, and is now something to look forward to.

 

[frank stokes]

We can only assume that all of the signings / re-signings will be announced together
Wilson
Hetherington
Moale
ZDC ?
AOB ?
Turbo and Jurbo
Others ?

I like Blake Wilson as a player but I seriously do not understand that signing… TT2 was great for us in 2024 and yet we struggled to get him in the team this year… plus we have Fualolo, Ray, Schoupp and Willey for cover…

Just not a priority imo…

 

[frank stokes]

TKO, Lodge?

Yes, no…

 

[Rocky]

Yes, no…

Ideally we wouldn't keep Lodge - but as we have seen you can never have enough middles.

If he is happy getting paid similar to this year, then I would keep him around for depth.

 

[frank stokes]

Ideally we wouldn't keep Lodge - but as we have seen you can never have enough middles.

If he is happy getting paid similar to this year, then I would keep him around for depth.

Not a fan but your point is solid (from a pure football perspective)

 

[Ohgeez]

@The Wheel didn’t want to ask in the non discussion thread but is there a source for Preston to Bears? Dogs fans will be furious about it but I had a quick look at the kennel & nothing posted yet

 

[Phobia]

My line-up for next year given moale is here. I have left a few blanks in hope we can snare another one or two. Assuming croker retires also

1.Tom Trbojevic
2.Jason Saab
3.Tolu Koula
4.Reuben Garrick
5.Lehi Hopoate
6.Joey Walsh
7.Jamal Fogarty
8.Taniela Paseka
9.Jake Simpkin
10.Jake Trbojevic (c)
11.Haumole Olakau'atu
12.????
13.Kobe Hetherington

14.Luke Brooks
15.Davvy Moale
16.Ben Trbojevic
17.Ethan Bullemor

18.Clayton Faulalo
19.Blake Wilson
20.Aaron Schoupp
21. ????
22.Navren Willett
23.Onitoni Large
24.Brandon Wakeham
25.Sio Taukeiaho
26.Zac Dockar Clay
27.Paul Bryan
28.Corey Waddell
29.Nathan Brown
30.Caleb Navale

31.Simione Laiafi
32.Mia Pua'avase
33.Matthew Lodge

I don’t get the hate for Burbo. Easily one of our most consistent players, and plays his role well. He’s been consistently improving every year.

He’s not flash… But is Scott Sorensen? Saying ???? is a better option than him is bizarre and insulting, and I have no doubt that this wouldn’t occur if his name wasn’t “Trbojevic”. Burbo wouldn’t be a problem if our middles stood up. Our problems are elsewhere.

I don’t think Jake can be a prop either. He has next to no running game. With both him and Hetherington starting, we would have very little go forward. See the game where Jake was at prop, and Jazz was at lock this year. In that game, the Sharks absolutely humiliated us, we couldn’t make any metres.

If Jake has two great running props with him, e.g. Bully and Paseka, they can make up for Jake’s lack of running, as these two can spit out 130-140m. It’s not an ideal situation, but I still believe that Jake’s defensive impact is world-class. His contact is important, especially with Croker unlikely to ever return.

 

[Brookie1973]

We can only assume that all of the signings / re-signings will be announced together
Wilson
Hetherington
Moale
ZDC ?
AOB ?
Turbo and Jurbo
Others ?

I assumed the club had outsourced signing announcements to Silvertails?

 

[Seagles68]

@The Wheel didn’t want to ask in the non discussion thread but is there a source for Preston to Bears? Dogs fans will be furious about it but I had a quick look at the kennel & nothing posted yet

I would be shocked if Gould does not have Preston wrapped up long term. He is a gun player that will one day captain their side. He may even get a call up for the Kangaroo tour. If that happens, his worth will further increase so I can't see him signing a new deal with anyone until we see how that unfolds.

 

[The Wheel]

@The Wheel didn’t want to ask in the non discussion thread but is there a source for Preston to Bears? Dogs fans will be furious about it but I had a quick look at the kennel & nothing posted yet

Its second hand info not from media but from someone close to him

 

[Sheikheagle]

I’m a 10 and it stinks. Not quite good enough to be a single capper but just good enough to make all my rounds difficult. Not sure why I play the silly game!

Haha. i just finished. I started by wiping the first two holes and i was thinking here we go again however i recovered to post 41. So i guess i wont be on 18 anymore. 🤷‍♂️

 

[Disco]

@The Wheel didn’t want to ask in the non discussion thread but is there a source for Preston to Bears? Dogs fans will be furious about it but I had a quick look at the kennel & nothing posted yet

Its second hand info not from media but from someone close to him

This article mentions BBearsamd Cowboys for Burton but no Preston mention.

I love squad building, especially for a new team....find it interesting.

May be a new thread time.

 

[bigd1972]

I like Blake Wilson as a player but I seriously do not understand that signing… TT2 was great for us in 2024 and yet we struggled to get him in the team this year… plus we have Fualolo, Ray, Schoupp and Willey for cover…

Just not a priority imo…

I think you will find that Ray was not resined for next year.