2026 Pre-Season Discussion

Back in the day the big physical wingers made plenty of meters; however the smaller stickier guys seem better at the moment, primarily because they can get between tacklers better and find their front.
Back in the day was only pre-to'o really, it's amazing how quickly teams have adopted the new meta and we seem to be doing it better than anyone atm. Karapani and Mariner were huge in the back end of the season.
 
Back in the day was only pre-to'o really, it's amazing how quickly teams have adopted the new meta and we seem to be doing it better than anyone atm. Karapani and Mariner were huge in the back end of the season.
I was thinking more Wendall and Lote, Vatuvei, etc. for the big boys.

Trying to think when smaller guys started working and can recall someone like Nightingale at the dargs who was short but made a ton of yardage meters... Sam Perrett another one.

There were a lot of big wingers that were playing purely because of their height, but they were getting smashed in yardage and faded away... was there a Tupou that we had who was hyped in the juniors, likely because he was big and fast, but it didnt workout in NRL
 
I was thinking more Wendall and Lote, Vatuvei, etc. for the big boys.

Trying to think when smaller guys started working and can recall someone like Nightingale at the dargs who was short but made a ton of yardage meters... Sam Perrett another one.

There were a lot of big wingers that were playing purely because of their height, but they were getting smashed in yardage and faded away... was there a Tupou that we had who was hyped in the juniors, likely because he was big and fast, but it didnt workout in NRL
Funnily enough Sailor spent a bit of time in the back row when Lockyer hit the scene in 1995/1996. He was quite effective and linked well with young Locky.
 
Not by the club. I still think Tupuse is better than the lot in any case.
I think it’s more the media that is hyping up Coates. I could be wrong, but I’m pretty retty sure the club is more excited by Verhoeven. Tupuse does look like a great prospect.
 
Coates is more physically impressive like Israel but he drifts in and out of games and gets a bit lost like Israel. He doesn’t win his own ball like Verhoeven or score his own tries like Verhoeven. I see Coates’ biggest weakness as game smarts which isn’t ideal on the wing.

Three years of Meninga and 25 games it’s time to move up and this year will be a big year. Has to be 15-20 Cup games.

Verhoeven’s one game on the wing for Australia was out of position and not on the left and I didn’t think he was as effective. But you get in and do the job in rep teams and he scored but he’s a centre.
 
Funnily enough Sailor spent a bit of time in the back row when Lockyer hit the scene in 1995/1996. He was quite effective and linked well with young Locky.

Seven games, he got moved there to cover injuries and get more ball then got moved to a bench forward..

Bench- Sailor, Gee, Lockyer and Hauff.

Wild bench.
 
Am I missing something, or has Payne not been in any of our preseason content, and I haven't seen him post anything on instagram since December in my quick snoop now?

I've noticed him distinctly lacking in any recent photos from the official accounts, is he injured or am I just not seeing him properly?
 
Am I missing something, or has Payne not been in any of our preseason content, and I haven't seen him post anything on instagram since December in my quick snoop now?

I've noticed him distinctly lacking in any recent photos from the official accounts, is he injured or am I just not seeing him properly?
I think he's still been on holidays... did Madge or someone say that he's back this week or something
 
Could mean nothing since it’s only pre season but interesting seeing Aublix in the main jerseys with other boys. I wonder if Madge is tempted to have him in the squad or atleast see how he goes early on.
 
Could mean nothing since it’s only pre season but interesting seeing Aublix in the main jerseys with other boys. I wonder if Madge is tempted to have him in the squad or atleast see how he goes early on.
I think he is a smokey for the 17 jersey, particularly if piakura is rested for the trials/WCC and puts in a good showing.

I think he, gos and j.hunt will be fighting for that 17 jersey, at least early in the season.
 
Coates is more physically impressive like Israel but he drifts in and out of games and gets a bit lost like Israel. He doesn’t win his own ball like Verhoeven or score his own tries like Verhoeven. I see Coates’ biggest weakness as game smarts which isn’t ideal on the wing.

Three years of Meninga and 25 games it’s time to move up and this year will be a big year. Has to be 15-20 Cup games.

Verhoeven’s one game on the wing for Australia was out of position and not on the left and I didn’t think he was as effective. But you get in and do the job in rep teams and he scored but he’s a centre.
Lacking smarts must be a family trait
 
I think he is a smokey for the 17 jersey, particularly if piakura is rested for the trials/WCC and puts in a good showing.

I think he, gos and j.hunt will be fighting for that 17 jersey, at least early in the season.
Our bench is pretty much settled

14. BHunt/Paix (1 of them starts)
15. X-man
16. Talty
17. Goski/JHunt/Abulix/BTK/ Mason Teague/ Mapapalangi guy.

Reckon we also have someone from PNG on T&T. Depending on how our T&T guys go, I would expect 1 or maybe 2 among them gets extended and gets to train with our regular squad.
 
Am I missing something, or has Payne not been in any of our preseason content, and I haven't seen him post anything on instagram since December in my quick snoop now?

I've noticed him distinctly lacking in any recent photos from the official accounts, is he injured or am I just not seeing him properly?
Came here to post this.
Jeeze mid Jan is a very generous return time for a club, isnt it?
I know he’s played rep, but still 🤔
 
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