2026 halves plan

[hozza]

J Walsh must get tested in the next 6 months.
Push on him hard in NSW cup. If he stands up then let him have first crack…… if not Turbo to 6. No Drama.

Hopefully the club looks to strengthen prop and Hooker with DCE money. My hope anyway..

 

[Heckenberg]

I think the club should test Walsh in NSW cup in a two to three weeks time and get a feel of his defence against the bigger bodies, along with his kicking game.

Only one way to find out if Walsh is ready and that’s road test him.

Should he look like he needs more time keep an eye on the Storm situation with Hughes, it’s either Pezet or Wishart that have a clause should Hughes resign they are free to negotiate.

For me Jake Arthur is not the answer and the club knew that when they signed him, they said they signed him as a potential backrower.

I think the club should test Walsh in NSW cup in a two to three weeks time and get a feel of his defence against the bigger bodies, along with his kicking game.

Only one way to find out if Walsh is ready and that’s road test him.

Should he look like he needs more time keep an eye on the Storm situation with Hughes, it’s either Pezet or Wishart that have a clause should Hughes resign they are free to negotiate.

For me Jake Arthur is not the answer and the club knew that when they signed him, they said they signed him as a potential backrower.

I’d be bringing wishart across. Reubs is his brother in law so the connection is there. Can play a utility role too if Walsh steps up.

 

[hozza]

I’d be bringing wishart across. Reubs is his brother in law so the connection is there. Can play a utility role too if Walsh steps up.

Ohhh that’s a good shout there @Heckenberg!
Slot in at 6 or even 9…

 

[KNUCKLES]

Bring back humphreys. He can play 7 with brooks at 6. Until Walsh is ready. Then humphreys can move to 9. Saves going to the market for a hooker also. Or we could also look at will pryce if we can get him cheap. Beaver is good mates with his old man.

6.Pryce
7.Brooks
9.Humphreys

That can tie us over for a yr or two while we strengthen our pack. And walsh and large come of age

 

[Sheikheagle]

I reckon hoppa could make a good 6. Has footy smarts. Thoughts?

 

[frank stokes]

I’d be bringing wishart across. Reubs is his brother in law so the connection is there. Can play a utility role too if Walsh steps up.

Not the worst idea I have heard… probs the right price point too…

 

[G-land Express]

I reckon hoppa could make a good 6. Has footy smarts. Thoughts?

100% agree.

 

[Stewbojevic]

I’d be bringing wishart across. Reubs is his brother in law so the connection is there. Can play a utility role too if Walsh steps up.

Is he off contract?

 

[Coops manly]

Throw the kitchen sink at wishart

 

[frank stokes]

Is he off contract?

Just checked and no… Storm took an option that keeps him there til end of 2026…

Too late for us and Drizzle are not particularly known for letting players break contracts…

 

[globaleagle]

Throw the kitchen sink at wishart

lol.

I legitimately remember ST saying that about Ash Taylor in 2015.

 

[Eagledare2dream]

BFittler was young Lehi is a rake about 75-80kg, I reckon bring in Walsh mid year after half NSW cup games and get him ready for 2026, work with DCE rest of 2025 the least he can do for us . Put on about 5-10kg of muscles bob's your uncle.

 

[Saabnaldo]

Surely we sign someone? But Joey Walsh isn’t even playing NSW cup yet so can’t really say with him. I think turbo will go 6 and Brooks 7 then obviously hoppa to fullback

 

[frank stokes]

lol.

I legitimately remember ST saying that about Ash Taylor in 2015.

Well that would have made Chez’s contract look fantastic 😂

 

[Cliffy's Jockstrap]

Come Back Schu, All Is Forgiven!!

(Too soon?)

I am highly confident the 2026 answer will be Jake Arthur.

 

[47MVEagle]

Bring back humphreys. He can play 7 with brooks at 6. Until Walsh is ready. Then humphreys can move to 9. Saves going to the market for a hooker also. Or we could also look at will pryce if we can get him cheap. Beaver is good mates with his old man.

6.Pryce
7.Brooks
9.Humphreys

That can tie us over for a yr or two while we strengthen our pack. And walsh and large come of age

Someone else mentioned bringing Humphreys back in another thread & it kind of makes sense.

His departure appeared to happen very quickly, with little fanfare or announcement from the club & at the time I lazily wondered if perhaps an agreement was struck for him to go & gain some first grade experience elsewhere, with the intention of him returning once we knew what DCE was going to do.

Perhaps fanciful thoughts but it could be an option.

 

[Saabnaldo]

Bring back humphreys. He can play 7 with brooks at 6. Until Walsh is ready. Then humphreys can move to 9. Saves going to the market for a hooker also. Or we could also look at will pryce if we can get him cheap. Beaver is good mates with his old man.

6.Pryce
7.Brooks
9.Humphreys

That can tie us over for a yr or two while we strengthen our pack. And walsh and large come of age

Pryce?????

 

[double hoops]

1. Go to market.

2. Back Turbo in at 6.

3. Jake Arthur it's his time to shine. Brooks runs the show.

4. Walsh LOL you are all dreaming. In 5 years time he might be handy.

 

[Ohgeez]

I think Walsh will be thrown in the deep end, if he isn’t ready by 2026 then it becomes even more ridiculous to have him in the top 30 this year. Sad to see DCE go but with $800k-$1mill free’d up we could build up 1 of the best young forward packs to help Walsh while he is still on a ‘rookie deal’. Bull deserves an extension + upgrade then go out & sign the best young off contract talent e.g. Moale + Pahulu.

If we see Walsh has got the potential to be a long time 1st grader then amazing, if not Jake & Turbo’s deals end & we have the money to sign whoever the best half is off contract e.g. Hughes, Galvin etc

 

[Ohgeez]

1. Go to market.

2. Back Turbo in at 6.

3. Jake Arthur it's his time to shine. Brooks runs the show.

4. Walsh LOL you are all dreaming. In 5 years time he might be handy.

People were saying the same about Hoppa because of his size last year, seemed to have worked out well for us so far