Added Heath Mason to top 30 for the rest of 2025 and then 2026
Leaves 2 spots open for this year.
On the contract list front, something interesting caught my eye this week. Richo's quotes below from one of the TDS release articles in the DT.
“We have had to reshape the cap completely. Last year, we had 22 of the 36 players that you could really say were NRL players.
Below is what I think was most of our top 30 from 2024
Red might refer to players who Richo classed as 'non NRL players" at that time.
Green refers to players who are likely to be still with the club in 2026 (based on contract status)
So we can see that there are potentially only 8 Top 30 survivors from the 2024 squad who will still be around come 2026.
There's also 7 spots left for 2026. I suspect that some of the players listed below are currently auditioning for those contracts.
Tristan Hope
Charlie Murray
Izaac Tu'itupou
Taylan May
Krystian Mapapalangi
Charlie Staines
Jaxson Rahme
Alex Lobb
Peter Taateo
I think we need to bring in 4 players with at least 100 NRL games each (there is no experience in the current squad outside Api and Jarome) which would leave these guys playing for 3 remaining spots.
If Benji can win say 50% of the remaining games and get the players he wants for next season we can and should hope for better times ahead.
Looking back at the 2024 squad it really shows how bad a team we were on paper. No class and no depth. To bring in even 5 or 6 players as we have done for 2025 was a decent effort but there is still more work to do!
Tristan Hope moves to top 30 for 2026
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19sPRAxw2o6AR8-Gqw2WVu3CdLEVyABtcXN3pOS8dvQ4/edit?gid=1343954289#gid=1343954289
So Douhei essentially the only top 30 not signed for next year
Jock Madden returns to Wests Tigers for 2026 and 2027 seasons
Fingers crossed if we have signed Andrews and Roberts they are NOT on top 30 deals. Assuming AD and Taylan May re-sign + Bud stays at Souths we only have 3 top 30 spots left for 2026.
There is still a glaring need for experienced middle forwards?
Adam Doueihi re-signs for 2026-2027
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19sPRAxw2o6AR8-Gqw2WVu3CdLEVyABtcXN3pOS8dvQ4/edit?gid=1343954289#gid=1343954289
Added Ethan Roberts to top 30 for 2027
There is 5 or 6 names on that list for 2025 I am happy to see the back of/were not 1st grade quality. Aside from Kit I can’t really say that for anyone in 2026 and we still have 3 roster spots available. Richo and Benji have done such fantastic work with our roster. Best we have ever seen and completely validates Richo’s decision to get rid of the role of head of recruitment. Now to add the cream.
