2020 Squads

Big Pete

Big Pete

International Captain
Mar 12, 2008
31,441
23,790
Brisbane Broncos (30 Signed)
Jesse Arthars, Jack Bird, Darius Boyd, Patrick Carrigan, Xavier Coates, Thomas Dearden, Herbie Farnworth, David Fifita, Thomas Flegler, Alex Glenn, Payne Haas, Jamil Hopoate, Jamayne Isaako, Jordan Kahu, Richie Kennar, Rhys Kennedy, Matt Lodge, Andrew McCullough, Anthony Milford, Corey Oates, Joe Ofahengaue, Sean O'Sullivan, Cory Paix, Keenan Palasia, Tevita Pangai Jr, Izaia Perese, Gehamat Shibasaki, Kotoni Staggs, Jake Turpin, Ilikena Vudogo

Canberra Raiders (28 Signed)
John Bateman, Luke Bateman, JJ Collins, Nick Cotric, Jarrod Croker, Emre Guler, Siliva Havili, Josh Hodgson, Corey Horsburgh, Seb Kris, BJ Leilua, Dunamis Lui, Jack Murchie, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Michael Oldfield, Josh Papalii, Aidan Sezer, Bailey Simonsson, Harley Smith-Shields, Iosia Soliola, Tom Starling, Ryan Sutton, Joe Tapine, Elliott Whitehead, Jack Wighton, George Williams, Sam Williams, Hudson Young

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (29 Signed)
Jake Averillo, Dean Britt, Jack Cogger, Christian Crichton, Adam Elliott, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Kieran Foran, Corey Harawira-Naera, Morgan Harper, Kerrod Holland, Will Hopoate, Josh Jackson, Sione Katoa, Lachlan Lewis, Jeremy Marshall-King, Nick Meaney, Marcelo Montoya, Dylan Napa, Ofahiki Ogden, Jayden Okunbor, Reimis Smith, Chris Smith, Joe Stimson, Sauaso Sue, Isaiah Tass, Aiden Tolman, Renouf Toomaga, Brandon Wakeham, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Cronulla Sharks (26 Signed)
Blayke Brailey, Jayson Bukuya, Josh Dugan, Andrew Fifita, Wade Graham, Shaun Johnson, Sione Katoa, Will Kennedy, Billy Magoulias, Kayleb Milne, Josh Morris, Matt Moylan, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Briton Nikora, Matt Prior, Jesse Ramien, Toby Rudolf, Cruz Topai-Aveai, Chad Townsend, Connor Tracey, Braydon Trindall, Braden Uele, Jack Williams, Teig Wilton, Aaron Woods, Bronson Xerri

Gold Coast Titans (25 Signed)
Jai Arrow, Tanah Boyd, Shannon Boyd, AJ Brimson, Bryce Cartwright, Dale Copley, Anthony Don, Darius Farmer, Moeaki Fotuaika, Keegan Hipgrave, Ryan James, Brian Kelly, Leilani Latu, Tyrone Peachey, Nathan Peats, Kevin Proctor, Mitch Rein, Tyrone Roberts, Phillip Sami, Treymain Spry, Sam Stone, Ash Taylor, Jarrod Wallace, Kallum Watkins, Jai Whitbread

Manly Sea Eagles (29 Signed)
Morgan Boyle, Daly Cherry-Evans, Lachlan Croker, Cade Cust, Brendan Elliot, Manase Fainu, Addin Fonua-Blake, Tevita Funa, Reuben Garrick, Albert Hopoate, Sean Keppie, Luke Metcalf, Brayden Musgrove, Haumole Olakau'atu, Brad Parker, Taniela Paseka, Curtis Sironen, Sam Smith, Moses Suli, Jorge Taufua, Martin Taupau, Joel Thompson, Tom Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic, Corey Waddell, Dylan Walker, Tony Williams

Melbourne Storm (24 Signed)
Josh Addo-Carr, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Jesse Bromwich, Kenneath Bromwich, Brodie Croft, Sandor Earl, Tom Eisenhuth, Tino Faasuamaleaui, Dale Finucane, Harry Grant, Jahrome Hughes, Cooper Johns, Tui Kamikamica, Felise Kaufusi, Cameron Munster, Justin Olam, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Curtis Scott, Marion Seve, Brandon Smith, Cameron Smith, Albert Vete, Suliasi Vunivalu, Christian Welch

Newcastle Knights (27 Signed)
Mitchell Barnett, Bradmen Best, Jayden Brailey, Phoenix Crossland, Herman Ese'ese, Beau Fermor, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Tim Glasby, Aidan Guerra, Hymel Hunt, Brodie Jones, Josh King, David Klemmer, Edrick Lee, Danny Levi, Mason Lino, Kurtis Mann, Sione Mata'utia, Tautau Moga, Mitchell Pearce, Kalyn Ponga, Jesse Ramien, Daniel Saifiti, Jacob Saifiti, Pasami Saulo, Starford To'a, Enari Tuala, Connor Watson

New Zealand Warriors (29 Signed)
Bunty Afoa, Leeson Ah Mau, Gerard Beale, Adam Blair, Lachlan Burr, Josh Curran, Wayde Egan, Jackson Frei, David Fusitu'a, Blake Green, Tohu Harris, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Patrick Herbert, Peta Hiku, Eliesa Katoa, Adam Keighran, Karl Lawton, Sam Lisone, Ken Maumalo, Taane Milne, Kodi Nikorima, Agnatius Paasi, Isaiah Papali'i, Hayze Perham, Adam Pompey, Leivaha Pulu, Nathaniel Roache, Jazz Tevaga, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

North Queensland Cowboys (29 Signed)
John Asiata, Jake Clifford, Gavin Cooper, Reuben Cotter, Scott Drinkwater, Mitchell Dunn, Kyle Feldt, Tom Gilbert, Jake Granville, Ben Hampton, Coen Hess, Peter Hola, Valentine Holmes, Corey Jensen, Connelly Leumelu, Esan Marsters, Josh McGuire, Jordan McLean, Francis Molo, Michael Morgan, Justin O'Neil, Tom Opacic, Emry Pere, Reece Robson, Daniel Russell, Tuikimihia Simpkins, Murray Taulagi, Jason Taumalolo, Shane Wright

Parramatta Eels (26 Signed)
Daniel Alvaro, Waqa Blake, Dylan Brown, Nathan Brown, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Andrew Davey, Haze Dunster, Kane Evans, Blake Ferguson, David Gower, Clinton Gutherson, George Jennings, Oregon Kaufusi, Shaun Lane, Reed Mahoney, Ryan Matterson, Mitchell Moses, Marata Niukore, Ethan Parry, Junior Paulo, Jaeman Salmon, Maika Sivo, Will Smith, Ray Stone, Brad Takairangi, Peni Terepo

Penrith Panthers (28 Signed)
Caleb Aekins, Dean Blore, Shawn Blore, William Burns, Kurt Capewell, Jed Cartwright, Nathan Cleary, Stephen Crichton, Dylan Edwards, Kaide Ellis, James Fisher-Harris, Jack Hetherington, Mitchell Kenny, Viliame Kikau, Apisai Koroisau, Spencer Leniu, Moses Leota, Jarome Luai, Josh Mansour, Liam Martin, Tyrone May, Brayden McGrady, Brent Naden, James Tamou, Brian To'o, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, Dean Whare, Isaah Yeo

St George Illawarra Dragons (25 Signed)
Euan Aitken, Eddie Blacker, Jack de Belin, Matt Dufty, Jackson Ford, Tyson Frizell, James Graham, Jacob Host, Ben Hunt, Josh Kerr, Tim Lafai, Blake Lawrie, Luciano Leilua, Joe Lodovua, Zac Lomax, Issac Luke, Cameron McInnes, Corey Norman, Jonus Pearson, Jordan Pereira, Mikaele Ravalawa, Jason Saab, Korbin Sims, Tariq Sims, Paul Vaughan

South Sydney Rabbitohs (30 Signed)
Corey Allan, Tom Amone, Sam Burgess, Thomas Burgess, Braidon Burns, Damien Cook, Josh Cook, Troy Dargan, Cory Denniss, Kurt Dillon, Adam Doueihi, Dane Gagai, Bryson Goodwin, Campbell Graham, Dean Hawkins, Jack Johns, Alex Johnston, Liam Knight, Keaon Kolomatangi, Ethan Lowe, Steve Marsters, Cameron Murray, Mark Nicholls, Adam Reynolds, James Roberts, Ky Rodwell Bayley Sironen, Jaydn Su'A, Tevita Tatola, Cody Walker

Sydney Roosters (27 Signed)
Mitchell Aubusson, Fletcher Baker, Nat Butcher, Egan Butcher, Lindsay Collins, Boyd Cordner, Angus Crichton, Poasa Faamausili, Kyle Flanagan, Jake Friend, Ryan Hall, Matt Ikuvalu, Luke Keary, Asu Kepoaoa, Lachlan Lam, Isaac Liu, Joseph Manu, Latrell Mitchell, Brett Morris, Victor Radley, Billy Smith, Siosiua Taukeiaho, James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Sitili Tupouniua, Sam Verrills, Jared Warea-Hargreaves

Wests Tigers (25 Signed)
Josh Aloiai, Luke Brooks, Michael Chee-Kam, Oliver Clark, Matt Eisenhuth, Luke Garner, Robert Jennings, Chris Lawrence, Jacob Liddle, Benji Marshall, Moses Mbye, Sam McIntyre, Chris McQueen, Thomas Mikaele, Paul Momirovski, David Nofoaluma, Russell Packer, Josh Reynolds, Alex Seyfarth, Dylan Smith, Tommy Talau, Elijah Taylor, Corey Thompson, Alex Twal, Billy Walters
 
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Unsigned

Brisbane Broncos

George Fai, Patrick Mago.

Canberra Raiders
Brad Abbey, Ata Hingano, Royce Hunt, Reuben Porter

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Fa'amanu Brown, Danny Fualalo, Kayne Kalache, Michael Lichaa, John Olive

Cronulla Sharks
Kurt Capewell, Aaron Gray, Scott Sorensen

Gold Coast Titans
Ryley Jacks, Brenko Lee, Jack Stockwell

Manly Sea Eagles
Lloyd Perrett

Melbourne Storm


Newcastle Knights

Zac Woolford

New Zealand Warriors
Ligi Sao

North Queensland Cowboys
Kurt Baptiste, Javid Bowen, Te Marie Martin, Gideon Gela-Mosby

Parramatta Eels
Josh Hoffman, Michael Jennings, Greg Leleisiuao, Matt McIlwrick

Penrith Panthers
Tyrell Fuimaono, Nick Lui-Toso, Paea Pua, Hame Sele, Frank Winterstein

St George Illawarra Dragons
Mitch Allgood, Jai Field, Pat Kaufusi, Darren Nicholls, Lachlan Maranta, Tristan Sailor, Lachlan Timm

South Sydney Rabbitohs
Billy Brittain, Jacob Gagan, Mawene Hiroti, Kyle Turner

Sydney Roosters
Bernard Lewis, Zane Tetevano

Wests Tigers
 
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You can put Jesse Arthars in the Broncos squad and remove him from the off-contract Titans players.

Mitchell Aubusson also extended his stay at the Roosters a couple of weeks ago.
 
You can put Jesse Arthars in the Broncos squad and remove him from the off-contract Titans players.

Mitchell Aubusson also extended his stay at the Roosters a couple of weeks ago.

Arthars signing has yet to be announced.

For whatever reason, Aubusson's status hadn't been updated on NRL.com despite it being announced on the club's website.
 
Lachlan Maranta is unsigned! What a travesty, bring him home Broncs!



(let's start a rumour to be picked up in the 'media')
 
Still keeping this thread up to date. Mods feel free to edit either post as soon as official announcements are made.

I'll run a comb through the un-signed list. I'll see which players will land where and whether there's some potential diamonds in the rough.

Glenn, Oates, Martin, D. Walker, M. Jennings & Sailor are all posed to re-sign with their clubs.

Arthars has been all but confirmed with the Broncos, Capewell has also been linked to the Warriors and Chambers is leaving the NRL to pick up a contract in Top League (Japanese Rugby).

Then you've got confirmed free agents which comprises of: Brad Abbey, Ata Hingano, Royce Hunt, Michael Lichaa, Danny Fualalo, John Olive, Fa'amanu Brown, Lloyd Perrett, Jamie Buhrer, Jesse Ramien, Zac Woolford, Issac Luke, Jordan Kahu, Kurt Baptiste, Gideon Gela-Mosby, Enari Tuala, Carlin Anderson, Javid Bowen, Hame Sele, Tyrell Fuimaono, Frank Winterstein, Paea Pua, Nick Lui-Toso, Mitchell Allgood, Jai Field, Lachlan Maranta, Patrick Kaufusi, Darren Nicholls, Kyle Turner.

Which leaves: George Fai, Richie Kennar, Patrick Mago, Kayne Kalache, Reuben Porter, Sam Williams, Kurt Capewell, Teig Wilton, Aaron Gray, Scott Sorensen, Ryley Jacks, Brenko Lee, Jack Stockwell, Tevita Funa, Joel Thompson, Albert Vete, Hymel Hunt, Ligi Sao, Andrew Davey, Josh Hoffman, Greg Leleisiuao, Matt McIlwrick, Brad Takairangi, Ray Stone, Josh Kerr, Lachlan Timm, Billy Brittain, Jacob Gagan, Mawene Hiroti, Matt Ikuvalu, Bernard Lewis and Zane Tetevano as unknowns.

Of that list, it has been reported in other publications that Kayne Kalache, Billy Brittain, Jacob Gagan and Mawene Hiroti are free agents but I've yet to hear anything else.

Of the current free agents, Jesse Ramien, Issac Luke and Enari Tuala all stand out as worthwhile prospects. Ramien if he can find his 2018 form would be a great fit for a club like St George or the Warriors. Of all the Cowboys players that were let go, Tuala's was the most shocking. He struggled to make any great strides last year, but he's still young enough where a change in structure maybe just the tonic. I think Newcastle would be a good fit. A lot of their centre prospects are too young and Tuala is at that price range where he'd be worth a shot.

Luke is rumoured to be joining the Dragons as cover for McInnes which would be a handy pick-up. Personally I like the idea of him joining the Bulldogs or Wests. Either it's a homecoming and he finally gets to represent the club he played for in his junior days. Or he goes to Wests when they're short on dummy halves and gets to link up with Madge for one last season.

It'll be interesting to see how it all unfolds. I'd imagine at least a dozen or so will find new clubs and will fill up the squad. Just as many will just re-sign with their current club and that will be that. And the rest will either go to the ESL or try their hand in the NSW or Qld Cup to get another look.

On top of that, we have players seeking releases, other players from outside the NRL signing with clubs (eg. Valentine Holmes) and development players getting upgraded deals.
 
So, what sort of 17 are the Cowboys looking at for next season, something like this I assume -

1. Valentine Holmes
2. Justin O'Neill
3. Tom Opacic
4. Esan Marsters
5. Kyle Feldt
6. Josh Drinkwater
7. Michael Morgan (c)
8. Josh McGuire
9. Jake Granville
10. Jordan McLean
11. Gavin Cooper
12. Coen Hess
13. Jason Taumalolo

14. Reece Robson
15. John Asiata
16. Francis Molo
17. Peter Hola

I must admit, it's a pretty interesting 17. They might be lacking some playmaking with Morgan the only recognised kicker in the spine, but with the brilliant running ability of the rest of the roster, it may not matter. If Robson is as good as he's made out to be, they should be looking to move him in to the starting line-up and axe Granville as soon as possible.
 
So, what sort of 17 are the Cowboys looking at for next season, something like this I assume -

1. Valentine Holmes
2. Justin O'Neill
3. Tom Opacic
4. Esan Marsters
5. Kyle Feldt
6. Josh Drinkwater
7. Michael Morgan (c)
8. Josh McGuire
9. Jake Granville
10. Jordan McLean
11. Gavin Cooper
12. Coen Hess
13. Jason Taumalolo

14. Reece Robson
15. John Asiata
16. Francis Molo
17. Peter Hola

I must admit, it's a pretty interesting 17. They might be lacking some playmaking with Morgan the only recognised kicker in the spine, but with the brilliant running ability of the rest of the roster, it may not matter. If Robson is as good as he's made out to be, they should be looking to move him in to the starting line-up and axe Granville as soon as possible.

Must have Gilbert and Cotter.
 
In place of whom? Molo was really good last year. Perhaps one of them could unseat Hola.

Not too sure but I think they need to be there. Young dynamic forwards are a need for the Cows.
 
2020 Predicted Line-Ups
1st Draft

Brisbane Broncos

1. Anthony Milford 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Darius Boyd 5. Jamayne Isaako
6. Jack Bird 7. Tom Dearden
8. Matt Lodge 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Payne Haas 11. David Fifita 12. Tevita Pangai Jr 13. Patrick Carrigan

14. Jake Turpin 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Rhys Kennedy 17. Tom Flegler

Canberra Raiders
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Nick Cotric 3. Joseph Leilua 4. Jarrod Croker 5. Bailey Simonsson
6. Jack Wighton 7. George Williams
8. Josh Papalii 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Iosia Soliola 11. John Bateman 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Joe Tapine

14. Siliva Havili 15. Emre Guler 16. Dunamis Lui 17. Corey Horsburgh

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 2. Nick Meaney 3. Will Hopoate 4. Marcelo Montoya 5. Reimis Smith
6. Kieran Foran 7. Lachlan Lewis
8. Aiden Tolman 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Dylan Napa 11. Josh Jackson 12. Corey Harawira-Naera 13. Adam Elliott

14. Sione Katoa 15. Dean Britt 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Joe Stimson

Cronulla Sharks
1. Matt Moylan 2. Ronaldo Mulitalo 3. Josh Morris 4. Bronson Xerri 5. Josh Dugan
6. Shaun Johnson 7. Chad Townsend
8. Andrew Fifita 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Matt Prior 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Jack Williams

14. Billy Magoulias 15. Aaron Woods 16. Jayson Bukuya 17. Braden Uele

Gold Coast Titans
1. AJ Brimson 2. Dale Copley 3. Kallum Watkins 4. Brian Kelly 5. Phillip Sami
6. Tyrone Roberts 7. Ash Taylor
8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Nathan Peats 10. Ryan James 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Jai Arrow

14. Mitch Rein 15. Shannon Boyd 16. Tyrone Peachey 17. Moeaki Fotuaika

Manly Sea Eagles
1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Moses Suli 4. Brad Parker 5. Reuben Garrick
6. Lachlan Croker 7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Manase Fainu 10. Martin Taupau 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic

14. Cade Cust 15. Toafofoa Sipley 16. Corey Waddell 17. Morgan Boyle

Melbourne Storm
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Curtis Scott 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Cameron Munster 7. Brodie Croft
8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane

14. Brandon Smith 15. Christian Welch 16. Tino Faasuamaleaui 17. Jahrome Hughes

Newcastle Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Edrick Lee 3. Tautau Moga 4. Sione Mata’utia 5. Starford To’a*
6. Mason Lino 7. Mitchell Pearce
8. David Klemmer 9. Danny Levi 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Mitch Barnett 13. Tim Glasby

14. Connor Watson 15. Herman Ese’ese 16. Josh King 17. Jacob Saifiti

New Zealand Warriors
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Ken Maumalo 3. Peta Hiku 4. Gerard Beale 5. David Fusitu’a
6. Blake Green 7. Kodi Nikorima
8. Leeson Ah Mau 9. Wayde Egan 10. Agnatius Paasi 11. Tohu Harris 12. Isaiah Papali’I 13. Adam Blair

14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Lachlan Burr 16. Sam Lisone 17. Bunty Afoa

North Queensland Cowboys
1. Scot Drinkwater 2. Justin O’Neil 3. Tom Opacic 4. Esan Marsters 5. Kyle Fledt
6. Jake Clifford 7. Michael Morgan
8. Josh McGuire 9. Jake Granville 10. Jordan McLean 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Coen Hess 13. Jason Taumalolo

14. Reece Robson 15. John Asiata 16. Corey Jensen 17. Francis Molo

Parramatta Eels
1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Waqa Blake 4. Jaeman Salmon 5. Blake Ferguson
6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses
8. Kane Evans 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Marata Niukore 13. Nathan Brown

14. Will Smith 15. Daniel Alvaro 16. Peni Terepo 17. Reagan Campbell-Gillard

Penrith Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Brian To’o 3. Dean Whare 4. Brent Naden 5. Josh Mansour
6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary
8. James Tamou 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Moses Leota 11. Isaah Yeo 12. Viliame Kikau 13. James Fisher-Harris

14. Mitchell Kenny 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Kaide Ellis 17. Liam Martin

St George Illawarra Dragons
1. Matt Dufty 2. Zac Lomax 3. Euan Aitken 4. Tim Lafai 5. Mikaele Ravalawa
6. Corey Norman 7. Ben Hunt
8. James Graham 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Tariq Sims 13. Blake Lawrie

14. Luciano Leilua 15. Korbin Sims 16. Jacob Host 17. Jackson Ford*

South Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Alex Johnston 2. Dane Gagai 3. James Roberts 4. Brandon Burns 5. Campbell Graham
6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds
8. Liam Knight 9. Damien Cook 10. Tom Burgess 11. Ethan Lowe 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Cameron Murray

14. Adam Doueihi 15. Tevita Tatola 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Tom Amone

Sydney Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joseph Manu 5. Brett Morris
6. Luke Keary 7. Kyle Flanagan
8. Jared Warea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Angus Crichton 13. Victor Radley

14. Sam Verrills 15. Isaac Liu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Mitch Aubusson

Wests Tigers
1. Corey Thompson 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Moses Mbye 4. Paul Momirovski 5. Robert Jennings
6. Benji Marshall 7. Luke Brooks
8. Alex Twal 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Tom Mikaele 11. Chris Lawrence 12. Luke Garner 13. Matt Eisenhuth

14. Elijah Taylor 15. Josh Aloiai 16. Oliver Clark 17. Michael Chee-Kam
 
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They're not necessarily the line-ups I would go with, but it's just how I see these teams shaping up at this stage. What I like about this exercise is that it highlights areas where clubs need to improve and where some of the free agents may end up.

I was surprised at how dire things are out at Penrith. I was under the impression that this year was a culture shock and they'd get their act together now that everybody is on the same page. However outside of Cleary, Kikau and to an extent Fisher-Harris hardly any of their players stick out. They look really skinny in the forwards, which is why I named Ellis because he's just about the only option they have in the middle (Hetherington is expected to sign with Canberra).

Newcastle are the other team who appear to be in real dire straights. In truth I could have left the majority of the backline blank and really had to stretch to fill in the positions. For all this talk about Nathan Brown rebuilding the side, Adam O'Brien has his work cut out for him trying to fill in those blanks. A lot of the players I have there are far from impressive. Either a lot of players are in line for a promotion, or O'Brien is going to sign a bunch of free agents. One player who would make a ton of sense is Tetevano. Former Newcastle player, has ties with O'Brien from the Roosters and could potentially replace Ese'ese who has been shopped around.
 
I was surprised at how dire things are out at Penrith. I was under the impression that this year was a culture shock and they'd get their act together now that everybody is on the same page. However outside of Cleary, Kikau and to an extent Fisher-Harris hardly any of their players stick out. They look really skinny in the forwards, which is why I named Ellis because he's just about the only option they have in the middle (Hetherington is expected to sign with Canberra).

Agree about Penrith and would also highlight their backline depth. I'm really surprised that they didn't go harder for players like Marsters, Walker and even Oates, especially after getting rid of DWZ, Blake and RCG to free up cap.
Mansour and Whare didnt have the happiest years and seem to be on the decline and Naden has his moments in defence. They got lucky that To'o hit the ground running and looks to be a quality player.
In an era of pretty decent fullbacks, Edwards doesn't inspire either.

Wouldn't surprise me if the Panthers were the team to make a late hail mary play for Jack Bird if his manager is still fielding offers and we are still open to the release.
 
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Updated the OP following all of today's events.

Tomorrow we should see each club's initial 24 man roster. A lot of them should be fairly straight forward, but clubs like Parramatta, Penrith, St George, Newcastle, Manly etc. should have some announcements to make.
 
Dylan Edwards had a shockingly bad year, like unbelievable bad at times, but I still think he can be a really good fullback. And Luai will be interesting.
 
So assuming Glenn re-signs, we'd have to dump somebody before we could sign Croft.
 
Its amazing that the Brisbane Broncos need to offer that many player options to make the club look more appealing.
 

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