The Realistic Cleanout

[Stewbojevic]

There is a sentiment on here that we should sack everyone, including the coach. The coach is a different discussion, but let’s discuss the players for a moment.

Realistically we could offload only a couple of players under contract, if they have value in the market, and any that are off contract.

Here’s what I’d work towards for our top 30 next year:

1. Hopoate
2. Talau
3. Koula
4. Turbo
5. Garrick
6. Walsh
7. Fogarty
8. Tauk
9. NEW SIGNING
10. Paseka
11. Mole
12. NEW SIGNING
13. Jurbo
14. Simpkin
15. Tevaga
16. Navale
17. Bullemor
18. Burbo
19. Saab
20. Patolo
21. Waddell
22. Arthur
23. Faulalo
24. O. Large
25. Zaidas
26. Laifai
27. NEW Young Mobile Forward
28. NEW Young Mobile Forward
29. Hold for mid season movement
30. Hold for mid season movement

Guys released:

DCE, Aloiai, Sipley, Brooks (Super League), Schoupp, Croker, Brown, Matterson, James

 

[manlyfan76]

I can't have Jake starting.
Not, on performance he's not upto it.

 

[Stewbojevic]

I can't have Jake starting.
Not, on performance he's not upto it.

Realistically though, how do you see that changing?

 

[manlyfan76]

Realistically though, how do you see that changing?

If the club said mate it's time to go to superleague he would do it. He won't hold the club back.
That's then $2 million off the books between him and DCE.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

We'll need Brooks at least for 2026. If Walsh starts killing it ... and if Walsh remains fit and in form all year ... then possibly consider booting Brooks OS for his final year

 

[robbiea]

We need a big ,fast prop to your mix also.

 

[Phobia]

IMO Burbo is still developing, and I'd be willing to see if he can go further. He's double the player he was last year... But improvement would still be good.

If we're being exceptionally realistic, we are not getting any young bustling forwards, without serious coin. The teams that have these sorts of players (Roosters, Warriors, Tigers, etc) typically have developed them from a Matt's level. You need to pay overs to get them to move. You can get away with paying them min-wage if you develop them yourself (e.g. Laiafi, Navale).

By the looks of things, the Aloiai retirement will be used to get us Da Silva. IMO this isn't the right move, but I don't control things. I'd rather gamble the money on a couple of Blake Steep types, and wait for Large and Muagututia.

A lot of people are also talking about the DCE money. This won't occur. The DCE money was always going to Haumole, as next year is the first in his extension, $750k to $900k, as DCE was likewise supposed to go from $900k to $750k. Any remaining cash from DCE will likely be for the Bullemor extension. Whatever pocket change remaining will be effectively reserve grader money.

I imagine those roster spots will unfortunately go to more Corey Waddell's and Michael Chee Kam's. I think 2027 onwards is when we can hope to make some signings.

 

[bob dylan]

I wonder if our lazy over-educated management tried to sign Joel Carbone from the Raiders.

I know the answer is no.

Shows why will likely never progress and teams runs well like the Roosters stay in the hunt and strike at every opportunity.

What coup for the Chooks.

PS. There is zero point sacking players on $300K and less just to sign players from other teams at that same price. I'd be keeping the Sipleys and Crokers of the world if they fit the club and the culture.

 

[Stewbojevic]

I wonder if our lazy over-educated management tried to sign Joel Carbone from the Raiders.

I know the answer is no.

Shows why will likely never progress and teams runs well like the Roosters stay in the hunt and strike at every opportunity.

What coup for the Chooks.

PS. There is zero point sacking players on $300K and less just to sign players from other teams at that same price. I'd be keeping the Sipleys and Crokers of the world if they fit the club and the culture.

I can live with Sipley and Croker in the squad as long as they are fill ins and not starters

 

[bob dylan]

I can live with Sipley and Croker in the squad as long as they are fill ins and not starters

Agree 100%.

 

[47MVEagle]

I think Burbo & Faulalo are keepers & will continue to develop further.

 

[Sheikheagle]

We'll need Brooks at least for 2026. If Walsh starts killing it ... and if Walsh remains fit and in form all year ... then possibly consider booting Brooks OS for his final year

Yeah i reckon that is the sensible approach

 

[Jethro]

Out of interest, has anyone seen Simione Laiafi and Zaidas Muagututia play? They are currently in our Development List and they are scheduled to be in our 2026 NRL List. If so, what positions do they play and are they any good (and yes, I know, someone must have thought that they were good otherwise they wouldn't be in the Development List)?

Also, what about D’Jazirhae ‘Mia’ Pua'avase? Same deal with him except that he isn't to be ellevated to the NRL List next year.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Out of interest, has anyone seen Simione Laiafi and Zaidas Muagututia play? They are currently in our Development List and they are scheduled to be in our 2026 NRL List. If so, what positions do they play and are they any good (and yes, I know, someone must have thought that they were good otherwise they wouldn't be in the Development List)?

Also, what about D’Jazirhae ‘Mia’ Pua'avase? Same deal with him except that he isn't to be ellevated to the NRL List next year.

Haven't seen them, sorry Jethro, but have read that -
Simione is a giant young prop - who is very hard to handle although may struggle with mobility in defence (?)
Zaidas is a hooker, highly regarded, and some have commented may become a lock (?)
others will have more info than I

 

[ManlyTragic]

If we had a ‘ realistic clean out’ we wouldn’t have enough players to field a team!🤭

 

[Rocky]

Just too many of the same type of players -old and lumbering.

Id keep TKO - but Brown, Sipley, Lodge, James can definitely go.

Arthur, GCKT and Matterson can go as we have enough back up in those positions (assuming Walsh can step up if needed.)

Aloiai (retired) and Schoupp seem like they are gone

Croker and Waddell I'm ok keeping assuming they are depth only.

I'm okay with releasing Saab if someone comes in and pays the full contract price.

 

[Pete W]

Personally I don't feel we should be going after Da Silva. Watching Zaidas in Cup, and with the performances of Simpkin, think we will be alright at 9 provided Croker, Tevaga are not selected in this position, AND, importantly, we land the Warriors duo Fatialofa and Crosby. Both guys highly impressive in a nearly unbeaten Warriors side in the NSW Cup. These are 2 signings we absolutely must make if we are to improve our forward stocks for next season.

2026
01 Hopoate
02 Garrick
03 Koula
04 Trbojevic, Faulalo
05 Talau
06 Brooks, Large
07 Fogarty, Walsh
08 Paseka
09 Simpkin
10 Taukeiaho
11 Ola'akautu
12 Trbojevic
13 Trbojevic, Tevaga, Navale
14 Muagututia, Large
15 Fatialofa, Hart, Dunford
16 Bullemor, Waddell
17 Crosby, Laifai

Contracted players that should be looking elsewhere - Saab, Croker, Brown
No more extensions for - Sipley, GCKT, James, Matterson, Arthur, Schoupp
Gone already - DCE, Aloiai

Recruitment team can't honestly say that we don't have available funds for 2026, even with upgrades to current deals

 

[Rocky]

Has anyone got a view on Patolo? Does he have a future or just a nsw cup player? He was seen as a smokey on here to cement a first grade spot at the start of the season

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

Has anyone got a view on Patolo? Does he have a future or just a nsw cup player? He was seen as a smokey on here to cement a first grade spot at the start of the season

A fair few posters here had good things to say about him and his time at the Dogs when he signed, but I haven't seen enough of him to know one way or the other. His form in the trials for us was unspectacular. Other than that, no idea. But our pack is so bog average right now that it can't hurt to give some of the reserve graders a shot, and he has more NRL experience than most of them.

 

[effnic]

When is Manase Fainu released from his "Contract". Come home son, it hasn't been the same since you signed with the Penitentiary Vikings.