2026 Wishlist and Priorities

[4 the all in brawl]

If Sandon Smith doesn’t work out at 6, then I’d go all in on Deardon.

I am a fan of Deardon and he would be perfect but I think he Cowboys have locked him up long term and he is the one of their skippers so I can't see it happening.

Wonder if we see Jake Elliot play any games in the NRL next year, he has a big body and could end up our long term stand-off one day.......

[King Salvo]

Madison Levi would look good in the centres...

Faith Nathan on the Wing - Super Quick

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Faith Nathan on the Wing - Super Quick

Ya gotta have faith.

[Funky Chicken]

If Sandon Smith doesn’t work out at 6, then I’d go all in on Deardon.

Tommy Dearden and Sam Walker would be a dream halves combo for us, but he re-signed earlier this year for 5 years with the Cows so he won't be going anywhere.

[Intercept]

My wish list from earlier in the season. Can tick one off the list.

Fonua Pole has re-signed with the Tigers. I don't see us going after Kaufusi given there seems to be bit of a truce between Robbo & Fitzy but I'd be very happy with Leo Thompson.

I like Albert Hopoate as a centre who can provide depth at fullback (not even sure who our backup fullback will be this year)

Couchman would present a good value for money purchase and a genuine edge player of which we don't have many coming through the lower grades.

Tick this one off too - https://www.sharks.com.au/news/2024/...ns-until-2027/

[Rooster_6]

Tick this one off too - https://www.sharks.com.au/news/2024/...ns-until-2027/

It's a good market if you're a second rower these days.

[Mickie Lane]

Tyrone Wishart for me at 5/8

[Bates]

Fair to say that it's a make or break season ahead for Sandon Smith.

[ism22]

I just wanna see some cohesion and consistency. Don't really give a shyte who's on the field (we have a top notch roster that CAN make the top 4 on paper). Bellamy doesn't always have a top 4 team on paper but he gets them into that kinda shape/mindset. We've lost our next man up aura IMO.

No more ACL injuries would be great too thanks. I'm over them. We've had our fair share of them for the next 20+ years... time for them to get farked as we don't need 'em.

[King Salvo]

Fair to say that it's a make or break season ahead for Sandon Smith.

mmm a make or break season for a player with 29 NRL appearances mainly as a interchange player - You do realise it takes time for players to reach their peak as a player in the NRL.

Having seen him play from under 16's Andrew Johns Cup onwards I am sure Sandon will do well.

[King Salvo]

Stefano Utoikamanu would've been ideal. The perfect replacement for JWH! We had the cash and dropped the ball in that instance imo.

Also thought Jerome Luai would've been the signing of the decade. Again we had the cash and missed another great opportunity.

There is a salary cap though and you don't pay overs as it can stuff your cap up if you do - You waned to sign Robson for 1.1 mill a season which is 300k to 400 k over the value for a rep dummy half for instance - Roosters signed him for 750k a season - 4 year 3 mill deal

I wonder what overs would you be paying for other positional players

Stefano signed for 900k a season for the Storm - Collins and Leniu are not on that money and they are SOO and international players - Roosters have the Va'a Brothers.
Luai signed for 1.2 mill a season for the Tigers - You would end up losing Sandon Smith / Jake Elliot etc as where would they play.

If you're only signing external players why bother investing in junior reps - be back to the old days when the Roosters showed little interest in their juniors.

[King Salvo]

Ya gotta have faith.

I don't think Faith would come back to Rugby League being a Central Coast Roosters Junior Player - Coach Strange tried a couple of times to convince her to come back to Rugby League but the 7's is more lucrative representing Australia and you travel the world playing these tournaments - min pay is 72k - NRLW Min pay is 30k

[Bates]

There is a salary cap though and you don't pay overs as it can stuff your cap up if you do - You waned to sign Robson for 1.1 mill a season which is 300k to 400 k over the value for a rep dummy half for instance - Roosters signed him for 750k a season - 4 year 3 mill deal

I wonder what overs would you be paying for other positional players

Stefano signed for 900k a season for the Storm - Collins and Leniu are not on that money and they are SOO and international players - Roosters have the Va'a Brothers.
Luai signed for 1.2 mill a season for the Tigers - You would end up losing Sandon Smith / Jake Elliot etc as where would they play.

If you're only signing external players why bother investing in junior reps - be back to the old days when the Roosters showed little interest in their juniors.

Really?

When did that come in?

[Bates]

mmm a make or break season for a player with 29 NRL appearances mainly as a interchange player - You do realise it takes time for players to reach their peak as a player in the NRL.

Having seen him play from under 16's Andrew Johns Cup onwards I am sure Sandon will do well.

You either have it or you don't.

Take a look back at how many young halves we've moved on over the past decade.

Sandon is on the cusp imo. We should know by the end of next season if he's worth keeping.

Keary has retired so he has an opportunity to lock down the 6 jersey. It's up to him now!

[007]

2026 I would like to see the following:


10 daylight games (split of 2.00pm and 4.05pm) on a Sunday

3 Saturday afternoon games (3.00pm)

The remaining 11 games I don’t care

2 x games against the Wests Tigers

Byes spaced out evenly

At least 2 of our outside backs to play a minimum of 24 games (plus finals - all 3 or 4)

One premiership. No make that two - the other with our women’s team.

Keano Kini signed to replace Teddy (only if he retires) in 2027. Sign him anyway. What do contracts mean these days?

SOO reduced to one game (if that)

Ashley Klein never to be seen again (ideally, bring that forward a year)

Peter V’Landys never to be seen again (ideally, bring that forward a year)

Gorden Tallis to suffer a severe throat infection (loses his voice which is terminal)

Ezra Mam to serve the second year of his 8-year jail sentence. No - make that 12 (your thoughts Jonathon Thurston? - you’ve been awfully quiet on this?) with no parole