Zoz2025 said:

I am sure the Laundy's will offer him a pub or two to manage if he plays for us ..

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I think that Dman has taken possession of all of them .

Long offseason

Micko said:

Long offseason

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As long as Patrick Mahomes can get Kansas City Chiefs back to play-offs again (and hopefully another superbowl), i can wait till March....

Marki said:

As long as Patrick Mahomes can get Kansas City Chiefs back to play-offs again (and hopefully another superbowl), i can wait till March....

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Fucking what? I love KC. Mahomes is the man. Go Chiefs.

Gus saying the cap is full on twitter most likely means we have plenty of cap space. I wonder if we will bring through players or sign a few more.

Rauqe very impressive on debut for Fiji.

I now think that we should sign Bulla because a Fijian back 3 who can all find the try line sounds good to me.

25 man squad listed on the Dogs Website.

Doesn't include Thompson, Rinakama, Turpin or Dykes, Hopoi, Spinks, CCT or the journeyman half we have apparently signed.

Aside from money i don't think that we have many slots free in the top 30. Perhaps players are playing for 1 or 2 spots in the trials and we often keep a space free.

If we are keeping a space free Bulla is the guy to sign. If we do sign the Tigers most highly rated young player 2 seasons in a row, I would feel bad about that. And we will cop plenty of heat.

This time last year we did have plenty of cap space, since then we have added Galvin, Latu and Thompson, let Marhoney, Taffee, Fox and Sexton go and probably upgraded some players due thrm making rep teams.

Dykes and CCT apparently signed, but they are probably coming for an opportunity.

I think that we might sign 1 or 2 train and trail players, not superstars but hard working players who run hard and tackle hard.

We do have some potential future superstars at the club, Woods, Rauqe, Spinks, Bryenton, Smith. Half, Winger, second row, fullback and prop.

Hounddog said:

Rauqe very impressive on debut for Fiji.

I now think that we should sign Bulla because a Fijian back 3 who can all find the try line sounds good to me.

25 man squad listed on the Dogs Website.

Doesn't include Thompson, Rinakama, Turpin or Dykes, Hopoi, Spinks, CCT or the journeyman half we have apparently signed.

Aside from money i don't think that we have many slots free in the top 30. Perhaps players are playing for 1 or 2 spots in the trials and we often keep a space free.

If we are keeping a space free Bulla is the guy to sign. If we do sign the Tigers most highly rated young player 2 seasons in a row, I would feel bad about that. And we will cop plenty of heat.

This time last year we did have plenty of cap space, since then we have added Galvin, Latu and Thompson, let Marhoney, Taffee, Fox and Sexton go and probably upgraded some players due thrm making rep teams.

Dykes and CCT apparently signed, but they are probably coming for an opportunity.

I think that we might sign 1 or 2 train and trail players, not superstars but hard working players who run hard and tackle hard.

We do have some potential future superstars at the club, Woods, Rauqe, Spinks, Bryenton, Smith. Half, Winger, second row, fullback and prop.

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Hopefully all those juniors take up spots in the top 17 in the next three years. That frees up some big money if they all work out to be as good as what is expected. Obviously we will need to pay them that money but at least they are juniors and should take less.

I think Gus will continue to clean out the squad as juniors push through. But we will still need the occasional signing.

Without seeing the draw yet it’s very hard to predict where we finish. I’m hoping for another top four finish and I think we have the coaching staff to get us there. But so much pressure is on Galvin

Galvin is doing a lot of work on sprint training.

Bryenton is potentially an elite fullback, a real superstar who will drag fans to the game.

But he has just finished year 12, if he tracks similar to Woods 2026 lower grades, 2027 in NRL squad but playing lower grades. 2028 NRL.

I am not sure that the club wants to wait until 2028/2029 for a premiership window.

Getting Dykes back to full fitness and Dykes, Critter and Tracey contending to play fullback would give us a premiership window assuming Woods partners Galvin in the halves.

Signing an elite fullback like Bulla would give us a premiership window.

I can see a few teams improving in 2026, Eels, Tigers, Rabbits, Titans, probably Warriors and Fins. If there are any easy games then there probably are not many for us, but also not many for any other team.

Where we finish on the ladder isn't the sole thing that I will be using to judge the season. I want to see improvement in our attack and the ability to put teams away and win in convincing fashion.

Also more depth, more squad rotation, fewer guys playing injured and the team peaking at the business end with the squad in good physical shape.

Hounddog said:

Galvin is doing a lot of work on sprint training.

Bryenton is potentially an elite fullback, a real superstar who will drag fans to the game.

But he has just finished year 12, if he tracks similar to Woods 2026 lower grades, 2027 in NRL squad but playing lower grades. 2028 NRL.

I am not sure that the club wants to wait until 2028/2029 for a premiership window.

Getting Dykes back to full fitness and Dykes, Critter and Tracey contending to play fullback would give us a premiership window assuming Woods partners Galvin in the halves.

Signing an elite fullback like Bulla would give us a premiership window.

I can see a few teams improving in 2026, Eels, Tigers, Rabbits, Titans, probably Warriors and Fins. If there are any easy games then there probably are not many for us, but also not many for any other team.

Where we finish on the ladder isn't the sole thing that I will be using to judge the season. I want to see improvement in our attack and the ability to put teams away and win in convincing fashion.

Also more depth, more squad rotation, fewer guys playing injured and the team peaking at the business end with the squad in good physical shape.

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Winning in convincing fashion would be fantastic. It’s about time we go to that next level. I think we are a year away from that though. We need combinations in attack to click.

Definitely need a fullback. Bryten might be the next nobody. I’m hoping he is a superstar but it’s way too early. Woods should make it I just hope he continues to improve. Him and Galvin are potentially the next NSW halves pairing. Galvin could easily move back to centre pushing Critta to fullback even. Plenty of options.

I can’t wait to see the draw though. Hopefully it’s another easy one.

Bryenton's came in the school boy championship reminded me of Thurston playing U21's.

One player on the field stood out like a beacon, and was simply too good for the opposition.

Normally that school boy championship game is a high standard but the QLD school team containing Bryenton was far too good for the NSW side expecially in the outside backs.

If Bryenton played for the NSW school would he have changed the result? I think that the likely result is a close game but QLD still win.

If you haven't seen the game it is worth watching, you can see it via the 9 NOW app.

You don't see that kind of attacking class that often. Ben Barba was the last time the Dogs had a player like that.

Can he do it in grade footy, come though with no serious injuries and carve up at NRL level? I'm optimistic, if he can, we will win a few comps.

Young Dogs players turned up for day one of preseason this week.

The good news from my point of view was Spinks, Jones, Dykes, Sua and Cochrane were all present.

Spinks might play some NRL in 2026 and be very hard to leave out. Similar to Preston is my impression. Spinks is also a bit similar to Steve Menzies. Makes line breaks and turns them into trys, in reserve grade.

Jones is a real bolter for NRL, but Gus rates him and who he makes the side he might also be hard to leave out.

Dykes is at least injury free enough to start the preseason and at his best is a class fullback or 5/8.

Sua and Cochrane are both class attacking players that are good to watch, both might have things to work on, but I am glad that they are still at the club.

Turpin might have left so out depth at hooker might be Hayward, GCT and Young. I hope that we kept Otutolo if we didn't keep Turpin. Joey O'Neill is still at the club, I don't mind him as 14 and fill in half or hooker.

Otherwise we have slightly better depth than 2025, but potentially significantly more class in attack. Woods, Galvin, Dykes, Cochrane, Sua, Rinakama, Rauqe,Spinks and perhaps a few others.

Reserve grade is reserve grade, but sometimes players who can do it in reserve grade are also effective in the NRL.

Hopefully Galvin has learnt a lot from last season . He has now tasted semi finals football . Hope he has that hunger for success.
He will be targeted by the opposition next year ..

Looking at the Draw our first 3 games are the Key.
Dragons - win with defence.
Raiders - win with defence.
Knights - win with a mix of attack and defence.

Early in the season teams can be a bit clunky, being fit and defending well can certainly help get so e early wins.

Galvin ended the season well, with a preseason at the club he should be better.

Rounds 4/5 we need to have the attack in good shape to beat the better teams.

I think that the Raiders slightly overachieved in 2025, their defence can be shaky. They key to beating them is defending well for 80.

Every season is different, and starting well is always an advantage.

Leo Thompson, Harry Hayes and Galvin have been putting in plenty of work in the off season. All 3 are hard workers, no one will cruise into a spot in our 17 each week.

I am more optimistic about our forwards in 2026.

Mainly the addition of Thompson and Latu. But also Hayes bulking up and being better prepared for playing prop.

Guys like Toups and Preston spending less time suspended and wanting to make a difference.

Todd, Hughes and DFS hopefully injury free and better prepared.

Baker will be handy additional depth at prop and might turn out to be a handy player. Underhill will probably be ready for NRL.

Young players like Jones and Smith are real bolters. Smith hasn't played reserve grade but was the best forward on the field in U19 SOO.

Curran, Spinks and Readon are the back up second row depth.

In the play making stakes, Hayward+Galvin+Woods+Dykes+O'Neill+Sullivan > Marhoney+Sexton+Hutchinson+Taffee- hopefully.

We definitely gain a lot in the halves and if Dykes fires at fullback.

Depth at hooker is my main concern for 2026.

Draws out. We should make the eight. Hopefully push for top four. Harder than last year. We play harder teams twice. But the bye in round two and origin certainly makes up for it.

If we defend like we have been and improve our attack. We should finish second

Hounddog said:

I am more optimistic about our forwards in 2026.

Mainly the addition of Thompson and Latu. But also Hayes bulking up and being better prepared for playing prop.

Guys like Toups and Preston spending less time suspended and wanting to make a difference.

Todd, Hughes and DFS hopefully injury free and better prepared.

Baker will be handy additional depth at prop and might turn out to be a handy player. Underhill will probably be ready for NRL.

Young players like Jones and Smith are real bolters. Smith hasn't played reserve grade but was the best forward on the field in U19 SOO.

Curran, Spinks and Readon are the back up second row depth.

In the play making stakes, Hayward+Galvin+Woods+Dykes+O'Neill+Sullivan > Marhoney+Sexton+Hutchinson+Taffee- hopefully.

We definitely gain a lot in the halves and if Dykes fires at fullback.

Depth at hooker is my main concern for 2026.

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Depth at hooker is terrible. We desperately need a much more capable hooker. Haywood could be awesome or ordinary. So much to prove.

Fullback is another glaring weekness. Tracey is a workhorse either way talent but isn’t in the top fullbacks or even close.

A one and a nine turn us into contenders. I think Galvin and Woods will end up in the halves. And if Burton stays could be a great lock in time.

We are a year or two away from being premiership contenders. But could easily improve on last year. The draw is good. Most important to win in Vegas though.

Dykes, Critter, Cochrane are the other fullback options.

There were supposed to be two other players an outside back from the Broncos and Fitzgibbon's son.

I still think that Bryenton is an exceptional talent.

I agree that fullback and hooker are the critical positions. I have a lot of faith in Hayward, but we need depth.

We have depth at fullback the question is if anyone else will be better than Tracey. We might improve, but might not quite be good to make a GF, but winning at least one semi would be a step forward.

Last season or best attack was probably at the backend of the season with Galvin and Preston prominent.

Critter dominated the second half against the Raiders. We were good against the Sharks early, but Manly was the only game where we executed well in attack for 80 minutes.

We won a lot of games, but often had to work hard for those wins, even against sides going even worse in attack than we were.

We won a lot of close hard fought games mainly on the back of defence, fitness, tesm spirit and composure with the occasional bit of good attack.

My point is- it will not be hard to improve on our 2025 attack, and we need to retain the 2025 defence. If the defence is there, I expect the attack to eventually be what we want to see.

Hounddog said:

Bryenton's came in the school boy championship reminded me of Thurston playing U21's.

One player on the field stood out like a beacon, and was simply too good for the opposition.

Normally that school boy championship game is a high standard but the QLD school team containing Bryenton was far too good for the NSW side expecially in the outside backs.

If Bryenton played for the NSW school would he have changed the result? I think that the likely result is a close game but QLD still win.

If you haven't seen the game it is worth watching, you can see it via the 9 NOW app.

You don't see that kind of attacking class that often. Ben Barba was the last time the Dogs had a player like that.

Can he do it in grade footy, come though with no serious injuries and carve up at NRL level? I'm optimistic, if he can, we will win a few comps.

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If Bryenton played for the other side I’m confident they would have won. He was a class above anybody on the field. A freak of a player. Very much like Barba.

Let’s hope he makes it.