The Keepers -2025 Edition

[Rocky]

My current views - only considering our current Top30 squad

The views aren't necessarily purely on talent - more if we had a mini rebuild who would I prioritise in keeping around

Non-Negotiable Keepers

1) Haumole
2) Hoppa
3) Koula

Keepers

1) Paseka - injured and inconsistent but still our best prop
2) Bullemor - brings the energy
4) Walsh (hasn't played a game of FG but don't want to lose him given the wraps)

Up for debate about being a Keeper

1) Garrick -
2) Simpkin - is there more upside?
3) Navale - no idea how good he can be (or even is right now, given he never gets minutes)
4) Talau - he should be a starter in our backline IMO

They can stay at the right price

1) TKO (if wasn't 34 he would be a keeper)
2/3/4) Turbo/Burbo/Jake (going to be some polarising opinions here...id personally keep them all on much reduced coin)
5) Clayton Faulalo (for backline depth)




The rest of them I wouldn't miss

Thoughts?

 

[The '47ers]

Debate and change is the right way forward, we can't just be stagnant with our current roster.

 

[Disco]

I agree with the sentiment that we need a freshen up but of course the consideration is player contracts and quality of potential replacements.

 

[manlyfan76]

I wouldn't complain with this

We need two props, a back tower, a lock, a hooker. All must be Quality then fill in with what we have..
Then our backs will be competitive.
Not sold on Saab.

 

[Wombat64]

I agree with the sentiment that we need a freshen up but of course the consideration is player contracts and quality of potential replacements.

Not trying to be a dickhead but how do clubs like the Roosters, Bulldogs, Eels etc clear their deadwood? We seem to be nice guys and keep our duds but those other clubs seems to be more ruthless about it and somehow manage to do it.

 

[Tomay]

Not trying to be a dickhead but how do clubs like the Roosters, Bulldogs, Eels etc clear their deadwood? We seem to be nice guys and keep our duds but those other clubs seems to be more ruthless about it and somehow manage to do it.

They probably get a game of golf, a coaching assistant role and some media gigs as they leave.

 

[Brookie1973]

Not trying to be a dickhead but how do clubs like the Roosters, Bulldogs, Eels etc clear their deadwood? We seem to be nice guys and keep our duds but those other clubs seems to be more ruthless about it and somehow manage to do it.

You need proactive movers and shakers like Politis and Gould. Footy men who know the ins and outs with wide connections. We used to have one - Bob Fulton. I like Mestrov, but he is nowhere near as well connected across the game. We are therefore at the mercy of player agents to get things done ie no chance.

 

[Rocky]

I wouldn't complain with this

We need two props, a back tower, a lock, a hooker. All must be Quality then fill in with what we have..
Then our backs will be competitive.
Not sold on Saab.

Saab i have been really high on in the past - but he just has too many errors in his game for mine

 

[R3]

Yeh I love Saab, but his 2025 form makes me think twice if he’s going to keep advancing on his potential.

This year I see he’s enjoying new hairstyles,
But those cornrows don’t make him Steve Matai

 

[madmax]

100% Keepers….Koula, Hoppa, Olakau’atu, Paseka, Bully, Talau, Turbo (injury free)
75% Keepers….Simpkin, Garrick, Saab, Burbo
50% Keepers….Brooks, Jurbo, Lodge
Bye Bye….Waddell, MCK, GKCT
Incoming….Fogarty, Bryan
Hopefuls….Walsh, Large Bros, Zaidas, Pua’avasi, Laiafi, Willett, Hart
Wish List….Fermor, Mooney, Talakai, Haas

 

[madmax]

Yeh I love Saab, but his 2025 form makes me think twice if he’s going to keep advancing on his potential.

This year I see he’s enjoying new hairstyles,
But those cornrows don’t make him Steve Matai

Saab seems not himself this year??? Seems to have lost confidence or is carrying some sort of injury or has something happening in the background! Not his usual smiling self when he scores tries……I dunno what’s going on. Can be a game breaker with his speed but just somethings not right.

 

[bob dylan]

Already signed for 2026 and beyond of those not listed as keepers.

These players will be here next year, barring retirement

Brookes, Aloia, Garrick, Brown, Crocker, Navale, Saab (5 years left here), Simpkin and Waddell.

 

[Fibro Eagle]

Forwards is where to most attention should be
Backs are fine
Sipley and Aloio , Jazz gone so there’s 3
Lodge and Brown I’d let go as well
With Paseka , TKO and Jake there’s the experience along with
Haumole and Bully
So bring the young ones on and it’s sink or swim for them to fill the gaps
Waddell just stays cause you need a bit of depth
Burbo slowly getting better good for a bench spot as I think he could play prop if needed

 

[Heckenberg]

Yeh I love Saab, but his 2025 form makes me think twice if he’s going to keep advancing on his potential.

This year I see he’s enjoying new hairstyles,
But those cornrows don’t make him Steve Matai

He’s improved a touch with his hit ups but he’s never any chance of breaking the line or side stepping. He only knows how to stride out if he finds any space in a straight line. His lateral movement is still terrible and I think this really limits him as a player. He also has never run full pace into the line which surprises me coz he could be breaking tackles.

 

[rich]

1. Turbo
2. Lehi
3. Koula
4. Talau
5. Garrick
6. Walsh
7. Fogarty
8. Paseka
9. ???
10. Jurbo
11. Haumole
12. ???
13. Navale
14. Simpkin
15. TKO
16. Bully
17. ???

Three new forwards (hooker included) and we can be competitive in 2026. We won’t get rid of enough people to make it happen though

Can’t believe Saab was extended till 2029

 

[Eagledare2dream]

Already signed for 2026 and beyond of those not listed as keepers.

These players will be here next year, barring retirement

Brookes, Aloia, Garrick, Brown, Crocker, Navale, Saab (5 years left here), Simpkin and Waddell.

We're F##### gonski

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Forwards is where to most attention should be
Backs are fine
Sipley and Aloio , Jazz gone so there’s 3
Lodge and Brown I’d let go as well
With Paseka , TKO and Jake there’s the experience along with
Haumole and Bully
So bring the young ones on and it’s sink or swim for them to fill the gaps
Waddell just stays cause you need a bit of depth
Burbo slowly getting better good for a bench spot as I think he could play prop if needed

Yeah, and Aloai is the big one assuming his retirement comes through, as he's the only one on decent coin.
So between that, and the gap between DCE (expensive) and Fogarty (cheaper), we should be able to lure a proper first grade starting prop.
Zaidas could replace Jazz in our dummy half rotation and Navale could replace Jazz as bench middle.
I expect Brown to stay, whether Lodge stays might depend on whether we can get anyone else.
We've got a couple of decent young players already, and have signed a couple more. Probably only one good signing is all we're likely to get for 2026 (?)

 

[Heckenberg]

1. Turbo
2. Lehi
3. Koula
4. Talau
5. Garrick
6. Walsh
7. Fogarty
8. Paseka
9. ???
10. Jurbo
11. Haumole
12. ???
13. Navale
14. Simpkin
15. TKO
16. Bully
17. ???

Three new forwards (hooker included) and we can be competitive in 2026. We won’t get rid of enough people to make it happen though

Can’t believe Saab was extended till 2029

Let’s hope that Saab contract is severely front loaded and not the other way around. What a suss contract.

 

[Eagledare2dream]

He’s improved a touch with his hit ups but he’s never any chance of breaking the line or side stepping. He only knows how to stride out if he finds any space in a straight line. His lateral movement is still terrible and I think this really limits him as a player. He also has never run full pace into the line which surprises me coz he could be breaking tackles.

I totally agree with u, sometimes I think he's not that fast. He seems to get run down a lot, when there's no one in front of him we think it's all over but no. I've never seen him in top gear always just jogging so makes me think does he really have the pace, can't wait till the race of the fastest man. PLEASE MAKE IT HAPPEND..