3.5m

[Inflictor]

I like Penisini, very good player. 2026

Simonsson played great last night. Is a winger thou. Off contract. 2025

Cobbo is very good. 2026

Talagi seems a huge talent. 2025

Iro I do like. Off contract. 2025


Staggs, it's a no from me. 2026



So, do we stick with Jennings, Toia, Smith, Pauga as our centres for 2025 and chase a big fish for 2026

or

do we go for one of Iro / Talagi as a centre for next year and develop them?

Iro plays left
Talagi plays right



I'd go for Iro.

Jenko another year older. Looked slow already this year. He should stick to playing Reggie's with Napa.

Toia promising but still unknown at top level. Big risk if he is one of our top 2 centres.

Pauga is Mr Reliable. Won't let us down. Not top class so more a very good fill-in rather than a permanent.

Billy elevates to Number 1 next year if he can stay injury free.

Only real other option is Young but his defence looks very suss to be at centre.

Hopefully Manu hates yawnion and hates living in Japan.

This is where our exposure is. A lot of unknown. A lot of risk. We need at least one high quality centre and we need them next year not 2026. Better still if they can play fullback.

[Chook2]

Jenko another year older. Looked slow already this year. He should stick to playing Reggie's with Napa.

Toia promising but still unknown at top level. Big risk if he is one of our top 2 centres.

Pauga is Mr Reliable. Won't let us down. Not top class so more a very good fill-in rather than a permanent.

Billy elevates to Number 1 next year if he can stay injury free.

Only real other option is Young but his defence looks very suss to be at centre.

Hopefully Manu hates yawnion and hates living in Japan.

This is where our exposure is. A lot of unknown. A lot of risk. We need at least one high quality centre and we need them next year not 2026. Better still if they can play fullback.

Interesting if any of the below suddenly became available (club or them wanting to leave or player options who would you pick first?
1. valentine Holmes (plays anywhere in the backline and any side and can kick goals!
2. Cobbo (again plays anywhere and a big unit)
3. Rts - I would take him in a heart beat but don’t think he will leave Nz now - otherwise again can play all all positions
4. penisini - out and out centre
5. Iro - off contract so maybe best chance
6. talakai / playing off the bench - a little inconsistent but on his day not many harder players to tackle
7. Garrick - kicks goals and plays all positions

toia seems huge potential but let’s see how he comes back first
centre seems out only unsure position atm, even if we re sign critchon we still have around $2ml in the cap so there may be some player agents looking around
I’m open to Manu coming back round 12 next year if he decides to

[dice]

Robbo explaining why he is chasing an experienced centre. Who is the chosen young guy?


"The outside backs... we've got some young players we really believe in....Billy Smith we feel is a long-termer, we've got some wingers we have already signed, but we also have a young guy that hasn't played first grade that we believe in. We do want some experience but we don't want to block the path of the 20-22 year olds"

https://youtu.be/ZncDGUDf_5E?si=6pJF5y-1xbmK4yfn&t=565

[Chook2]

Robbo explaining why he is chasing an experienced centre. Who is the chosen young guy?


"The outside backs... we've got some young players we really believe in....Billy Smith we feel is a long-termer, we've got some wingers we have already signed, but we also have a young guy that hasn't played first grade that we believe in. We do want some experience but we don't want to block the path of the 20-22 year olds"

https://youtu.be/ZncDGUDf_5E?si=6pJF5y-1xbmK4yfn&t=565

I’d say Robert toia
big raps on him
let’s see how he goes when he comes back from injury
came back in nsw cup last and dominated in his first games against men

[King Salvo]

Robbo explaining why he is chasing an experienced centre. Who is the chosen young guy?


"The outside backs... we've got some young players we really believe in....Billy Smith we feel is a long-termer, we've got some wingers we have already signed, but we also have a young guy that hasn't played first grade that we believe in. We do want some experience but we don't want to block the path of the 20-22 year olds"

https://youtu.be/ZncDGUDf_5E?si=6pJF5y-1xbmK4yfn&t=565

Robert Toia

Coach Robinson also saying " we've got some wingers we have already signed" - Mark Nawaqanitawase is one - not sure who the other ones are as he did say wingers

On Toops a decision in the next couple of weeks whether it's NRL or OS in ESL.

Locky Lam would be welcomed back but Coach Robinson reiterated that they would be going with Sandon Smith and Sam Walker as the halves pairing in 2025.

All about this year "the tomorrow and the next game" and not thinking about next year

[dice]

Robert Toia

Coach Robinson also saying " we've got some wingers we have already signed" - Mark Nawaqanitawase is one - not sure who the other ones maybe as he did say wingers

On Toops a decision in the next couple of weeks whether it's NRL or OS in ESL.

Locky Lam would be welcomed back but Coach Robinson reiterated that they would be going with Sandon Smith and Sam Walker as the halves pairing in 2025.

All about this year "the tomorrow and the next game" and not thinking about next year

Jaxson Paulo had all the attributes of a good winger but had defensive issues. I have doubts whether a union convert will be able to slot in any time soon, or at all.

If the reports that we are chasing Reimis Smith are correct, then imo it contradicts some of what Robbo said. At 26yo, Reimis would be a long-term signing. Robbo surely knows that Billy Smith is one more serious injury away from the knackery.

[GrubBER]

I’m hearing Jeral Skelton from Dogs NSW Cup side will be here in a couple weeks. 25yr old barnstorming winger/centre averaging 300mtrs per game. Massive wraps on him

[RoosterBooster]

Thanks, I’m sure others on here will give you shit just for passing in the information

QUOTE=GrubBER;n1052990]I’m hearing Jeral Skelton from Dogs NSW Cup side will be here in a couple weeks. 25yr old barnstorming winger/centre averaging 300mtrs per game. Massive wraps on him[/QUOTE]

[Lydon]

I’m hearing Jeral Skelton from Dogs NSW Cup side will be here in a couple weeks. 25yr old barnstorming winger/centre averaging 300mtrs per game. Massive wraps on him

He’s always come with big wraps but hasn’t excelled for some reason..

Worth a shot!

[Lydon]

I’d say Robert toia
big raps on him
let’s see how he goes when he comes back from injury
came back in nsw cup last and dominated in his first games against men

We have 2 potentially great long term centres in Billy Smith and Robert Toia,but unfortunately both players are battling the injury curse..

I remember when we first signed Dom Young their were rumours we were looking at him as a long term centre,I wonder if that’s part of the plan..

[Chook2]

I’m hearing Jeral Skelton from Dogs NSW Cup side will be here in a couple weeks. 25yr old barnstorming winger/centre averaging 300mtrs per game. Massive wraps on him

If it’s him I’m excited
I mentioned his name with off contract centres and iro a week ago
i dont know what he has done to the dogs coach but he has been playing nsw cup scoring nearly as many tries per game, averaging close to 250mtr a game and a huge amount of line breaks and tackle breaks
plays centre and wing
for some reason the dogs won’t give him a shot despite him being one of the best performaning in nsw cup each week
6”4 and 104kg fits our larger backline player

[RoosterBooster]

Surely David Armstrong would be worth looking at for long term Teddy replacement?

Comes off contract end of year and playing behind Ponga

[Random Rooster]

Val Holmes is on roughly 800k a year- contracted till the end of next year. He has been diabolical for the Cowboys this year, had a ordinary 2023....but will no doubt star for Qld this year like he did last year.

Definitely needs a change of clubs and coach- Cowboys might chip in a fair bit too to move him on

[Rooster_6]

Val Holmes is on roughly 800k a year- contracted till the end of next year. He has been diabolical for the Cowboys this year, had a ordinary 2023....but will no doubt star for Qld this year like he did last year.

Definitely needs a change of clubs and coach- Cowboys might chip in a fair bit too to move him on

Great winger, below average centre.

Again just not what we need.

[Steakface]

This is what i'd like to see next year:

1. Teddy
2. Toupo
3. Smith (Billy)
4. Pauga / Toia / Nawaqanitawase
5. Young
6. Smith (Sandon)
7. Walker
8. Collins (c)
9. Smith (Brandon)
10. May
11. Butcher N (c)
12. Crichton
13. Radley

14. Watson
15. Whyte
16. Leinu
17. Wong

There is nothing on the market that is really compelling and worth splashing cash on in the centres.

We are coming to the end of a window, and it's time to rebuild for a new era after JWH, Keary, Manu and Suualii move on.

Time to blood some players, have some faith, and be content with not being as dominant while they come through.

2024 we are in with a very good crack at winning it as long as we keep players on the park.

2025 the new era begins.