2026 ( the Nostradamus thread )

[Dion Johnson]

43.33% off contract is a significant amount, some players moving on and TKO is going through negotiations leaving 40% as a potential change in personnel, confident that there is enough depth in the three quarters if a couple of players don’t stay.

Aaron Schoupp - I don’t think the club need him.
Aitasi James - Gone
Daly Cherry-Evans - Gone
Dean Matterson - Time to move on from him.
Gordon Chan Kum Tong - Some whispers Gordie may have another season.
Jazz Tevaga - Gone
Josh Aloiai - Medically Retired
Michael Chee Kam - Retiring
Tommy Talau - Considering his options.
Toafofoa Sipley - Gone
Ray Vaega - No offer
TKO - Going through negotiations on Staying.

 

[Dion Johnson]

2020, Seibold gets a really bad rap, for getting rid of the senior players, and putting far too much faith in the young players, at the Broncos. Meanwhile the club is burning down in the background.

I think there is a fair bit of evidence that the youth policy has been parked based on the Donkeys experience, particularly in the forwards, the recruitment and retention reflects that in the forwards department.

Getting the balance is a challenge for them next season, there could be a potential 40% change over in the 30 man squad, getting younger forwards in on the remaining three development contracts rather than older players like Woods is a better option for me.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Well I don’t have to be Nostradamus to know that 2026 will probably be another **** show, and that’s before it even starts.

😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

 

[Eagle 1]

Well I don’t have to be Nostradamus to know that 2026 will probably be another **** show, and that’s before it even starts.

😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

Unfortunately next season is going to be the take your medicne and see it through type of season with no marquee signings on the horizon. Just hope for fewer injuries and maybe a rejuvenated Turbo for 2026.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Unfortunately next season is going to be the take your medicne and see it through type of season with no marquee signings on the horizon. Just hope for fewer injuries and maybe a rejuvenated Turbo for 2026.

As I say , best we can hope for , 16-14 finish.

17th is unthinkable ( but possible ).

 

[Not Paul Kent]

I don’t think I’d be rushing to sign any of the names still floating around. Yeah, we need middles, but none of them are a clear upgrade on what we’ve already got.

Bigger picture though; if you look at who’s coming off contract in 2026, Croker’s probably the only one I wouldn’t mind seeing go. So we’re not exactly heading for a big turnover unless we make it happen.

That’s why I’d stick with the idea of grabbing a couple of journeymen on one-year deals, just to keep things ticking over and leave ourselves some room to make proper moves in 2027. Hopefully the Turbo boys take a decent pay cut, and let’s be real; we probably lose Garrick. But we’ll need to give Koula a solid upgrade soon, based on current form. I’d be getting that sorted before November 1, because if he hits the open market, Perth will come hard and we’ll lose him.

Lodge on a one-year deal is a no-brainer, even if some people don’t like it. TKO needs to be extended too; ideally one year with a club option. He’s not getting chased hard by other clubs, but he’s still clearly first grade standard.

Turpin? Not a fan. MAYBE a one-year deal if we don’t think Zaidas is ready, Gordie’s going, and Croker’s not up to it.

Wilson I’m fine with. Clear upgrade on Vaega and Schoupp, good for depth.

And someone like Corey Harawira-Naera Could be worth a look. High risk, yeah, but if we can get him on a train and trial like Brown, it might pay off. He ticks a few boxes we need, and there’s upside there if it clicks. Given the scuttlebutt around Mimis at the moment, I wouldn’t mind betting we are the club to have offered him a train and trial already.

Our development list is probably where we can hang any potential hopes, but I’ll be honest; I don’t have much insight into the juniors around the league right now.

So yeah, I’d fill a few holes with short-term deals, maybe lightly front-load a couple of upgrades if it helps the balance sheet, and keep the roster flexible. No need to clutter the books with long-term punts just to feel busy; we’re better off positioning for a proper strike in 2027.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

I don’t think I’d be rushing to sign any of the names still floating around. Yeah, we need middles, but none of them are a clear upgrade on what we’ve already got.

Bigger picture though; if you look at who’s coming off contract in 2026, Croker’s probably the only one I wouldn’t mind seeing go. So we’re not exactly heading for a big turnover unless we make it happen.

That’s why I’d stick with the idea of grabbing a couple of journeymen on one-year deals, just to keep things ticking over and leave ourselves some room to make proper moves in 2027. Hopefully the Turbo boys take a decent pay cut, and let’s be real; we probably lose Garrick. But we’ll need to give Koula a solid upgrade soon, based on current form. I’d be getting that sorted before November 1, because if he hits the open market, Perth will come hard and we’ll lose him.

Lodge on a one-year deal is a no-brainer, even if some people don’t like it. TKO needs to be extended too; ideally one year with a club option. He’s not getting chased hard by other clubs, but he’s still clearly first grade standard.

Turpin? Not a fan. MAYBE a one-year deal if we don’t think Zaidas is ready, Gordie’s going, and Croker’s not up to it.

Wilson I’m fine with. Clear upgrade on Vaega and Schoupp, good for depth.

And someone like Corey Harawira-Naera Could be worth a look. High risk, yeah, but if we can get him on a train and trial like Brown, it might pay off. He ticks a few boxes we need, and there’s upside there if it clicks. Given the scuttlebutt around Mimis at the moment, I wouldn’t mind betting we are the club to have offered him a train and trial already.

Our development list is probably where we can hang any potential hopes, but I’ll be honest; I don’t have much insight into the juniors around the league right now.

So yeah, I’d fill a few holes with short-term deals, maybe lightly front-load a couple of upgrades if it helps the balance sheet, and keep the roster flexible. No need to clutter the books with long-term punts just to feel busy; we’re better off positioning for a proper strike in 2027.

Well thought out response

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Well I don’t have to be Nostradamus to know that 2026 will probably be another **** show, and that’s before it even starts.

😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

Probably true. Although Raiders were widely tipped to go absolutely nowhere this year, can't think of any big signings they made, yet the side suddenly gelled. So who knows