So, we have purchased three additional backrowers (most likely a position guys like Matamua and Tumeth will vacate).
As well as halves Jock Madden and Javon Andrews.
Where, in your opinion, do we need to strengthen to improve the side in 2026?
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In order of priority
- Minimum of 2 impactful front rowers
- Lock forward
- Bridge hooker for Api and Heywood
We need at least a physical line busting Frontrower, if not 2. I think the other positions are covered by the newbies coming to the club, and we have some pretty good juniors coming through as well. Get the Frontrowers and we are top 4 squad. Keep Doueihi as well at lock and for a backup of other positions, and goal kicking. We’ll be unstoppable.
Middles
we need a line busting, enforcer prop or two would be good. And maybe a lock, not to keen on AD. Maybe as a utility off the bench.
great question to put up for discussion Joel
Blind Freddy can see we need middles. Ideally with experience.
Api was interviewed on Freddy and the either this week (well worth a watch). They ask him about the lack of experience in the squad and he said something to the effect of 'yes there are a lot of kids. I have to try and lead them with Romy because there is nobody else with any experience.'
I think the reality is we may only have salary cap space and top 30 spots to add 1 decent middle. Loading up on 2RF may be us looking for a bit of flexibility in the pack. Watching some of the highlights of Roberts from the roosters and he looks more like a damaging prop than an agile 2RF. Benji seems to rotate a few like Sione and Seyfarth between 2RF and Prop rotation on a regular basis.
I agree with the vast majority that a good, middle is needed but unsure who that might be. I would just add that I have seen a few young guys this year in our Cup & Flegg who could improve & develop into NRL players. Both Elijah Mataale from Flegg & Peter Taateo are bustling types who could develop into those Lenui types especially Taateo. Mataale I think is a Dogs junior who, like quite a few others, have seen their way blocked over there so have found their way to the Tigers. He has potential but difficult to say how far he’ll go. Tapau-Moors is probably a year or so away but also has potential and is the taller of them but needs to fill out a tad & get used to playing against men. Worth watching them over the next 12 months.
Just listening to another pod and this young Crosby from Warriors was being mentioned. I’ve seen the footage here too & looks good. Would definitely be worth following up. I am a fan, like many, of Suli Pole at Storm as well and was wondering if anyone knows what his contract is down there. They obviously are very good at bringing young players through and those players are patient given they know they’ll be successful down there. But they have plenty of middles, although Kamikamica & one or two others are about 30 now, and they’ll probably not re-sign one or two after this year but Pole looks very promising.
Yes but we’ve had experienced players here and we still lack leadership. I honestly think our big big bare is our relationship with officials. 3 of our senior forwards of the last 5 years had running battles ( Klemmer, Tamou and Bateman)great question to put up for discussion Joel
Blind Freddy can see we need middles. Ideally with experience.
Api was interviewed on Freddy and the either this week (well worth a watch). They ask him about the lack of experience in the squad and he said something to the effect of 'yes there are a lot of kids. I have to try and lead them with Romy because there is nobody else with any experience.'
This season also it has continued and until this is rectified we’re still pushing shit uphill. But we have to eliminate the effect by having winning moments on the field, leading to winning more games of football.
What do people think of Keon Koloamatangi for 2027? Very good edge but has shown he’s a really good middle as well. Would be turning 29 in 2027 but only about 140-150 games. Would take up a little less Cap than the very elite middles of which there are only 2 or 3. But he’s great leg speed & can play good minutes, essential for modern day middles.
I think Kamakamitha would be an upgrade for Twal and likely push him to reserve grade.
Keon would be a great starter to partner Terrel. Would definately take him to fill that starter role we lack.
Crosby has huge potential but would only come for a top 17 spot. I would say he could take a bench spot with us.
the other one is NAS, he would just be a wrecking ball coming in after 20min, playing the Hunt role but with higher output.
current best middle and reserve pack:
8. Terrell
9. Api
10. Sione
13. AD
14. Hope/Murray
15. Pole
16. Twal
17. Hunt
The bench makeup depends a lot on the 14. Neither of the above are top 8 quality but unless Haywood makes a huge leap over the offseason we will be stuck playing one of these or perhaps Madden as the 14 until he is ready (we should have kept TDS until end 2026). AD seems to be warming to the 13 role and he can rotate with a middle there if needed but ideally he can be an 80 minute player there.
for mine I would think that our ideal pack looks something like
8. Terrell
9. Api
10. new starter (Keon or NAS)
13. AD (if he kicks on)
14. New small forward/hooker
15. Sione
16. Pole
17. Kamakamitha/crosby
Kamikamica would offer plenty experience & has the Fiji connection. Another who I think might be ok who is off contract this year (I think he is) is Suluka-Fifita at Dogs. Worth a look at.I think Kamakamitha would be an upgrade for Twal and likely push him to reserve grade.
Keon would be a great starter to partner Terrel. Would definately take him to fill that starter role we lack.
Crosby has huge potential but would only come for a top 17 spot. I would say he could take a bench spot with us.
the other one is NAS, he would just be a wrecking ball coming in after 20min, playing the Hunt role but with higher output.
current best middle and reserve pack:
8. Terrell
9. Api
10. Sione
13. AD
14. Hope/Murray
15. Pole
16. Twal
17. Hunt
The bench makeup depends a lot on the 14. Neither of the above are top 8 quality but unless Haywood makes a huge leap over the offseason we will be stuck playing one of these or perhaps Madden as the 14 until he is ready (we should have kept TDS until end 2026). AD seems to be warming to the 13 role and he can rotate with a middle there if needed but ideally he can be an 80 minute player there.
for mine I would think that our ideal pack looks something like
8. Terrell
9. Api
10. new starter (Keon or NAS)
13. AD (if he kicks on)
14. New small forward/hooker
15. Sione
16. Pole
17. Kamakamitha/crosby
I think Kamikamica isn’t the most mobile but he does a job in the middle. He’s a big body and obviously fit otherwise he wouldn’t be in the Storm 17. He can play good minutes as we’ve seen for Fiji. A game last year for Fiji he punched out about 70 mins I think as captain, really leading from the front. He’d certainly also be a great role model for younger middles at the club however the size of the contract and length would be the question.
Kamakamitha is a physical specimen. Obviously a great trainer and has leadership skills. There is a Fiji connection there with api, Bula and Turuva and he would be relatively cheap given he doesn’t get consistent first grade at Melbourne. Would be a wonderful pickup.
