2026 ( the Nostradamus thread )

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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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
 
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
 
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
They always had a strong forward pack and their young spine is where they improved, Fogarty also missed a big chunk of last year with injury.

We have the opposite problem, an experienced spine where I see limited improvement potential and a dads army forward pack that make no impact whatsoever.
 
I think this will likely be the team, or a team, that we field next year.

1. Turbo
2. Saab - I think he'll be a lot better
3. Koula
4. Garrick
5. Hoppa
6. Brooks
7. Fogarty
8. Paseka
9. Simpkin
10. TKO
11. Olakau'atu
12. Burbo
13. Jake (C)
14. Muagututia/Walsh/Talau/Turpin
15. Navale
16. Bullemor
17. Laiafi/Lodge

Also Laiafi, Navale, Muagututia, Walsh all in Top 30, so more likely to play than some think IMO.
 
I predict there will be a "good" forward signing, with another "decent" signing
Walsh will be in the 17
Garrick will have his last season at Manly
There will be some "changes" across the coaching staff - not just Seibold, which is definitely on ice already
Think 2026 won't be as bad as some seem to think, but I do feel it will be a settling year, that sets up a squad definitely on the up in 2027 and beyond...with some "young guns" including extra options at 9 to add the spark missing in recent seasons.
There will be no good signings
What you see is what you get in 26

Fog will improve usage of backs, especially off kicks
With the exception of three or four the forwards are ****house now and won't get better
An exception to that is Navale who will develop into good player but will Spoony play him over the other superstar backrowers options ?

If Croker plays hooker and Jake plays lock we get spoon

Can see Parra / Tigers/ Saints improving markedly next year.

10th to 14th for me, possible spoon if Siebold retained which seems likely. He hasn't won a spoon for 4 years so he will be desperate to add another to his cupboard, especially for a new club.

Until the forward issue is dealt with we are making up the numbers.
 
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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
The right mixture of youth and experience... not Dads army with wrong body shapes.It's not rocket science and is why Siebold needs to go.

I bet he is going to pick Croker at 9 and even worse Jake at 13 -that is a gold plated stone cold certain spoon wrapped with a pink bow and deliverable at half time of Round 1.

The goat pictures will keep on delivering.
 
There will be no good signings
What you see is what you get in 26

Fog will improve usage of backs, especially off kicks
With the exception of three or four the forwards are ****house now and won't get better
An exception to that is Navale who will develop into good player
If Croker plays hooker and Jake plays lock we get spoon

Can see Parra / Tigers/ Saints improving markedly next year.

10th to 14th for me, possible spoon if Siebold retained which seems likely

Until the forward issue is dealt with we are making up the numbers.
Will see how it pans out hey
 
Will see how it pans out hey

No one of note coming mate. Take it as read.
Tupanua, Creighton and co had no interest at all plus a couple of lesser but still talented dudes. No one else on radar of quality.

Players don't want to be coached by him.Everyone knows it. Throw in the fool who is owner.

Same lack of line speed and immobility issues next year.
Making up the numbers.

One positive is the Trobjevics won't have to hide their feelings about DCE every hour of every day. That is the only positive I can see.
 
The right mixture of youth and experience... not Dads army with wrong body shapes.It's not rocket science and is why Siebold needs to go.

I bet he is going to pick Croker at 9 and even worse Jake at 13 -that is a gold plated stone cold certain spoon wrapped with a pink bow and deliverable at half time of Round 1.

The goat pictures will keep on delivering.
Surely he is not that stupid .Simpkins has only gone better with more game time.
Croker has no business being a 9 anymore ,maybe a lock .Which he should have the natural attributes for i.e passing ,a bit of speed and good D .But someone like Navale is better option for that position imo.
With Jake he can only be on the FR rotation for next yr. You could argue that with all the head knocks he has had lately that he should consider retirement ?
Anyways good to get the win!!.In one sense, I guess if we had lost that the furnace would have been turned up a lot on Siebold ,for better or worse
 
No one of note coming mate. Take it as read.
Tupanua, Creighton and co had no interest at all plus a couple of lesser but still talented dudes. No one else on radar of quality.

Players don't want to be coached by him.Everyone knows it. Throw in the fool who is owner.

Same lack of line speed and immobility issues next year.
Making up the numbers.

One positive is the Trobjevics won't have to hide their feelings about DCE every hour of every day. That is the only positive I can see.
Agree with much of what you post mate and even agree with your post here ... but I know we are going for a good player .... how it ends up, time will tell - but are a chance and that's where it is
 
The only thing we have to look forward to in 2026 is hopefully by round 10 when we are coming last Mr Fluffy will wake up and finally sack Seibold
 
No one of note coming mate. Take it as read.

Agree next season is a write off. With the rumours that Tom and others can't stand Seibold on top of Seibs exit fron the Broncs what player of note would join us? only the desperate and our cap is tight for next season also.
 

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