Haizyn Mellars 21 yrs old is listen in our top 30. Winger. Probably another with AKP lined up to replace Sheck and Dal
General YOUR Team for 2026
- Thread starter CWC
- Start date
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But a damn fast one...
Have you seen anything specific online? The only mention I've seen of Rocco was from September with nothing since then, and even then it was NRL physio. You'd think there would be something from the club by now
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Depends how he returns. Won’t want to rush someone so injury prone
Bro better put his skates on if he wants another contract tho haha.
It's a very delicate position for him, I hope it works out
I think what these guys do is create massive competition for positions. If people like DWZ want to hold their spot even in 2026, they’re going to have to be performing. We’ve got a lot of highly regarded young guys, you can almost the team in the upcoming seasons taking shape
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I was thinking about our backs, and it's looking a bit dire with our current first graders (although a tonne of potential with the rookies).
RTS - locked in, but his last year and is aging
Dal - aging, horror year this year. Historically terrible on D
CNK - All effort, but aging and lacks creativity
Taine - On the smaller side, limited pre season with a broken leg
Rocco - Can't stay on the field
Ali - Can't stay on the field
LM - ACL - anyone's guess how he looks on return
CHT - great season, but seen as too slow and lacks creative output.
Pompey - Slow, but solid and reliable.
AKP - Fast but terrible defence.
Everyone seems to have some sort of significant drawback. There's still a lot of positive play within that backline, but at their worst we really struggle to play a positive, attacking brand of footy with reasonable defence.
I feel like our forwards will be able to lay a great platform next year, I hope that some of those injury and form worries come right in 2026. If we're able to be even reasonable on attack and defence (which would be a huge improvement over the 2025 backline) I think we improve our for and against dramatically.
Everyone we’re bringing in has speed like AKP, Linnane, Mellars and I think we’re going to slowly transition to this fast backline, but at the moment people like CNK, DWZ, RTS are valuable for building the work ethic, and example what’s required. Although DWZ has had his issues defensively, he’s fearless the way he goes into the line, CNK playing himself into the ground every week and RTS getting there to make a stop despite an injury that kept him out for weeks. League is seeming more and more a young man’s game with some experienced heads scattered amongst
Theres deffo been some interesting points made in the media recently, Raiders boss referred to the backs as a young man's game these days, but I noticed Cam Munster mentioned that now that he's older he sees the game differently, and when he was younger he would always be trying for the big play where as now that's not so much the case.
Hoping were able to start transitioning to a better balance between the two!
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Might sound odd as both DWZ & CNK run the ball as hard as anyone but I think there's a bit of self preservation creeping into both of their minds when without the ball. There were occassions this year where I thought they reacted slower & more passive, whether it be to a loose ball or a tackle attempt, than in previous years. Both have had their share of injuries in recent times which might be behind it.
I went through the same thing in my final year of playing footy so maybe I'm projecting but that's my hypothesis
I went through the same thing in my final year of playing footy so maybe I'm projecting but that's my hypothesis
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That’s a good point. Why not just run an all out attacking back line and hope they can defend lol.
The first choice backline had quite a few shockers, so not saying they’re any better on defence.
Something like this would be exciting. I know it’s a bit out the gate but imagine. We could win 40-38 or be unstoppable
Linnane
Khan-Pereira
Kali
Leiataua
Mellers
Martin
Metcalf
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I think webby will opt for a mix on all likeliness , probably 2 out of 4 vets and 2 out of 4 up and comers
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I'd add to that, the forwards these days are trending to mobility rather than size. EIT, Halsima, Vaimouga, and TSS are good examples.
Love wets but he’s just a bit slow unfortunately- he’s got every else going for him.
Always thought he was an edge forward waiting to happen but that won’t happen here with all the young forwards coming through.
I’m coming around to that backline.
It’s gonna look a lot different in a couple of years but that’s probably the best we can put out for round one 2026- esp if berry is in doubt.
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Yeah that's looking like the most likely combination of changes based on form while staying in the realms of realistic
Obviously Berry will always be there if he's fit and coaching staff have confidence in his ability to make it through 80 minutes.
Also just depends on what DWZ looks like next year. We can't afford to battle through another season of his errors like we did this year. But we know Webby will give him his chance come round 1.
Webster seems to play with a clear hierarchy where the players are crystal clear at the start of the season where they stand. Eg first choice player no matter what, regardless of form or back up player who will only get chances through injury no matter how much your form smashes it out the park.
If CNK is centre and someone else is the designated number 1 this disrupts the hierarchy. Berry has also been a lock in starter. Who plays should Berry and CNK be fit?
It’s not Webster like to sort it out when it happens which means someone would know they have been relegated.
It can’t be CNK - kiwi centre, it would have to be Berry who must be the fill in whose opportunity is based on injury opportunity.
And Leiataua must be pushed so far down the order he’s basically gone end of contract?
