Motu Pasikala played 13 games of Cup in 2024 & has one sole appearance since.
Sio Kali played 8 games of NSW Cup in 2024 & has 13 appearances since.
Daeon Amituanai arrived back here in 2025 with 48 NSW Cup appearances & he has added 10 games since.
I sure hope we internally develop a Wing or Fullback that becomes a NRL regular this decade.
With AKP, Mellars & Warbrick all under contract until at least 2028, the likelihood isn't particularly high
Fullback will hopefully be one of Ratcliffe or Lemana.
I think Lemana is more well rounded; better ball-player, defender and stronger runner. But I can also see him adding a lot of size to his frame over the next couple years (very broad shoulders etc) which would be hard to carry round all those miles at fullback. I think he ends up a center long term.
Ratcliffe would be ideal at fullback. Great support runner and fit as hell. He's become pretty dangerous with ball in hand this year with his footwork and speed of the mark. Natural glider when running shape and skipping to the outside. But badly needs to develop some ball playing imo, i've seen too many loopy passes from him.
Norris is a darkhorse at fullback only because he might be the best aerial threat I've seen for someone his height. He'd only be 6ft flat but out-jumps literally everyone. More proven ball runner at this stage than other two as well, but is 2-3 years older.
I noticed David Bryenton has left the Bulldogs to go back to QLD. Hopefully we were trying to get him back home to NZ. He would immediately be the clubs long term number 1. But the club seems to be backing Ratcliffe by giving him an extension this week (or Lemana if that's his long term position)
At the very least, Norris is an absolute shoe in to play on the wing in first grade before end of 2028 for me. He's such a safe prospect to bet on. Very high floor in terms of his worst case outcome imo.
Motu Pasikala is starting to get back to his 2024 form. Was at his destructive best on the weekend for Jersey Flegg. If he can play like that consistently, I'd bet on him nabbing a first grade appearance on the wing in 2027. He has been inconsistent in the past though, so not as safe of a prospect to bet on.
Deaon
Amituanai isnt a serious first grade prospect for us imo. He must need to be home otherwise he would surely get better opportunites in QLD cup or other NSW cup teams.
Caelys Putoko seems to be struggling defensively with the step up to NSW cup at center. With ball in hand he looks fine and his meters have been impressive. Not the biggest player but has speed which we lack. Lots of potential but jury still out on him.
Sio Kali is just flatout injury riddled. Which sucks because he has so much talent. I always thought
Rocco Berry was just extremely unlucky as opposed to being injury prone as such.
Sio Kali is a different level. Just finds new ways to get injured on the field. We all know if he wasn't injured all the time he would be top 30 this season (which in turn means we probably don't go out and get Mellars or AKP)
Darkhorse wing prospect is Harry Tauafiafi-Iutoi. His rate of improvement over the past year has been insane. Becoming a really well rounded player. Expremely fast, has good size, great step, strong runner, great defensive reads, and can put other players into space.
I have no idea how Mellars would go in first grade. He's top 30 but i think he would really struggle. He's probably our best finisher at the club. Give him a small bit of space in the corner and he will get the 4 points. Great in the air also, however, i think Norris is somehow better in the air (hot take?). Mellars would get absolutely destroyed at the collision line in first grade, really struggles with physicality.
I'm a huge fan of Vake too. Bit on the shorter side but great in contact and has speed. Super competitive kid.
The below is the sort of pipeline in my view, which should be the make up of our outside backs in 3-4 years time. There's some other ones coming through that we'll be talking about by that point too like Mark Sikuvea and Kaian Olsen.
Fullback
1. Lemana
2. Ratcliffe
Center
1. Lemana
2. Kali
3. Putoko
4.
Pasikala
5. Vake
Wing
1. Norris
2. Kali
3.
Pasikala
4. Mellars
5. Tauafiafi-Iutoi
Off contract and free to sign elsewhere for 2027: Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Te Maire Martin
Will be off contract and free to sign elsewhere for 2028 from November 1st, 2026: Jett Cleary, Wayde Egan, Kayliss Fatialofa, Jackson Ford, Sam Healey, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Ali Leiataua, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Motu Pasikala, Adam Pompey, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
