2026 Penrith Approach?

Ohgeez

Reserve Grader
I’ll start by saying we are challenging for a top 4 spot this year but the real goal now is to win the comp. Majority of the team has been together for a few years so if it doesn’t happen then changes are due. With how the top 30 in shaping up next season I think there could be some inspired by Penriths dominance.

Next year we have Joey Walsh, Zaidas Muagututia, Navren Willett, Caleb Navale, Simione Laifai all confirmed for top 30 spots, with Onitoni Large & D'jazirhae Pua'avase possible as well. So the question is are we attempting to do what Penrith did in 2017-2018 when they brought through Cleary, Luai, Kikau, Edwards, Leota all around the same time?

A lot of people have had problems with the recruitment & retention team which is understandable but they have done a great job with bringing in highly talented juniors, specifically targeting the age range of 17-20. Lehi has already shown he’s got the potential to be a star & it was a great move extending him early as he will be a leader in the future

There is obviously no guarantee of success but how would people feel about this happening if we don’t go close to a comp this year & is it realistic?

(Not writing this season off, just making a interesting discussion)
 
For our team to go to the next level we need to have an 'enforcer' in our pack; a JWH, AFB or JFH . . . . . but finding a hyphanator is not simple.
 
I’ll start by saying we are challenging for a top 4 spot this year but the real goal now is to win the comp. Majority of the team has been together for a few years so if it doesn’t happen then changes are due. With how the top 30 in shaping up next season I think there could be some inspired by Penriths dominance.

Next year we have Joey Walsh, Zaidas Muagututia, Navren Willett, Caleb Navale, Simione Laifai all confirmed for top 30 spots, with Onitoni Large & D'jazirhae Pua'avase possible as well. So the question is are we attempting to do what Penrith did in 2017-2018 when they brought through Cleary, Luai, Kikau, Edwards, Leota all around the same time?

A lot of people have had problems with the recruitment & retention team which is understandable but they have done a great job with bringing in highly talented juniors, specifically targeting the age range of 17-20. Lehi has already shown he’s got the potential to be a star & it was a great move extending him early as he will be a leader in the future

There is obviously no guarantee of success but how would people feel about this happening if we don’t go close to a comp this year & is it realistic?

(Not writing this season off, just making a interesting discussion)

I don't think this year is a go ... but the tingling in my testicles tells me the club, on and off the field, is building towards a period of genuine contention.
 
Laiafi has the potential to be an AFB, Payne Haas type player. Question is whether he has the attitude for it. Haas became an NRL regular under Seibold at a young age, so he would know what he's looking for.

As for Olakau'atu, I could see him becoming a No. 13 later in his career, when he begins to slow down. He has some nice ball-playing that he is developing, and could do a job there in the future. He is more valuable as a second-rower for now.

It's pretty clear to me that Seibold is taking the long-term strategy he put in place at the Broncos, but without the short-term deficiencies he made there. Firstly, the house of cards has been fixed by Mestrov, so there won't be any white anting of the coaching staff from day one. Secondly, he's brought in proven experienced players, to supplant the existing lot. He hasn't culled the underwhelming senior players early in the same way he did at the Broncos.

Now it's onto the development. He's resigned/signed long term all of the following:

1. Tolu Koula - quickest centre in the game, still has massive potential at centre or fullback. Tongan player.
2. Jason Saab - quickest winger in the game, has been consistently improving.
3. Haumole Olakau'atu - possibly the best second-rower in the game. Tongan player.
4. Lehi Hopoate - Harold Matt's winning captain and fullback, NSW under 16's rep, skillful and reliable. Tongan player.
5. Joey Walsh - Under 18's Wallabies captain, chased by multiple NRL clubs, local
6. Onitoni Large - Chased by 12 clubs, arguably the best spine prospect out there, under 16's Wallabies captain, Tongan junior.
7. Ashton Large - been playing above his grade for years, one of the best hooker options. Tongan junior.
8. Zaidas Muagututia - NSW city representative hooker/ maybe lock (apparently), unsure about his eligibility
9. Simione Laiafi - Australian schoolboy prop, giant, apparently we resigned Aloiai because he is close with him, possibly Samoan eligibility?
10. Caleb Navale - solid player, steadily improving, Fijian international already.

With that many being Tongan representatives, the signing of Taukeiaho makes much more sense.

Consider the list of debutants he had at the Broncos:

(To name a few)
Pat Carrigan
Tom Flegler
Xavier Coates
Tom Dearden
Herbie Farnworth
Ethan Bullemor
Cory Paix,
Breakout players in Staggs and Haas,
And others coming through juniors that he would've had some involvement with in Walsh and Cobbo.

It very much screams to me a plan for a long term premiership, and maybe squeezing out one with the current lot.
 
Laiafi has the potential to be an AFB, Payne Haas type player. Question is whether he has the attitude for it. Haas became an NRL regular under Seibold at a young age, so he would know what he's looking for.

As for Olakau'atu, I could see him becoming a No. 13 later in his career, when he begins to slow down. He has some nice ball-playing that he is developing, and could do a job there in the future. He is more valuable as a second-rower for now.

It's pretty clear to me that Seibold is taking the long-term strategy he put in place at the Broncos, but without the short-term deficiencies he made there. Firstly, the house of cards has been fixed by Mestrov, so there won't be any white anting of the coaching staff from day one. Secondly, he's brought in proven experienced players, to supplant the existing lot. He hasn't culled the underwhelming senior players early in the same way he did at the Broncos.

Now it's onto the development. He's resigned/signed long term all of the following:

1. Tolu Koula - quickest centre in the game, still has massive potential at centre or fullback. Tongan player.
2. Jason Saab - quickest winger in the game, has been consistently improving.
3. Haumole Olakau'atu - possibly the best second-rower in the game. Tongan player.
4. Lehi Hopoate - Harold Matt's winning captain and fullback, NSW under 16's rep, skillful and reliable. Tongan player.
5. Joey Walsh - Under 18's Wallabies captain, chased by multiple NRL clubs, local
6. Onitoni Large - Chased by 12 clubs, arguably the best spine prospect out there, under 16's Wallabies captain, Tongan junior.
7. Ashton Large - been playing above his grade for years, one of the best hooker options. Tongan junior.
8. Zaidas Muagututia - NSW city representative hooker/ maybe lock (apparently), unsure about his eligibility
9. Simione Laiafi - Australian schoolboy prop, giant, apparently we resigned Aloiai because he is close with him, possibly Samoan eligibility?
10. Caleb Navale - solid player, steadily improving, Fijian international already.

With that many being Tongan representatives, the signing of Taukeiaho makes much more sense.

Consider the list of debutants he had at the Broncos:

(To name a few)
Pat Carrigan
Tom Flegler
Xavier Coates
Tom Dearden
Herbie Farnworth
Ethan Bullemor
Cory Paix,
Breakout players in Staggs and Haas,
And others coming through juniors that he would've had some involvement with in Walsh and Cobbo.

It very much screams to me a plan for a long term premiership, and maybe squeezing out one with the current lot.

I remember the old Maori-Warringah nickname days, maybe now a change to Mate Ma'a-Warringah
 
Laiafi has the potential to be an AFB, Payne Haas type player. Question is whether he has the attitude for it. Haas became an NRL regular under Seibold at a young age, so he would know what he's looking for.

As for Olakau'atu, I could see him becoming a No. 13 later in his career, when he begins to slow down. He has some nice ball-playing that he is developing, and could do a job there in the future. He is more valuable as a second-rower for now.

It's pretty clear to me that Seibold is taking the long-term strategy he put in place at the Broncos, but without the short-term deficiencies he made there. Firstly, the house of cards has been fixed by Mestrov, so there won't be any white anting of the coaching staff from day one. Secondly, he's brought in proven experienced players, to supplant the existing lot. He hasn't culled the underwhelming senior players early in the same way he did at the Broncos.

Now it's onto the development. He's resigned/signed long term all of the following:

1. Tolu Koula - quickest centre in the game, still has massive potential at centre or fullback. Tongan player.
2. Jason Saab - quickest winger in the game, has been consistently improving.
3. Haumole Olakau'atu - possibly the best second-rower in the game. Tongan player.
4. Lehi Hopoate - Harold Matt's winning captain and fullback, NSW under 16's rep, skillful and reliable. Tongan player.
5. Joey Walsh - Under 18's Wallabies captain, chased by multiple NRL clubs, local
6. Onitoni Large - Chased by 12 clubs, arguably the best spine prospect out there, under 16's Wallabies captain, Tongan junior.
7. Ashton Large - been playing above his grade for years, one of the best hooker options. Tongan junior.
8. Zaidas Muagututia - NSW city representative hooker/ maybe lock (apparently), unsure about his eligibility
9. Simione Laiafi - Australian schoolboy prop, giant, apparently we resigned Aloiai because he is close with him, possibly Samoan eligibility?
10. Caleb Navale - solid player, steadily improving, Fijian international already.

With that many being Tongan representatives, the signing of Taukeiaho makes much more sense.

Consider the list of debutants he had at the Broncos:

(To name a few)
Pat Carrigan
Tom Flegler
Xavier Coates
Tom Dearden
Herbie Farnworth
Ethan Bullemor
Cory Paix,
Breakout players in Staggs and Haas,
And others coming through juniors that he would've had some involvement with in Walsh and Cobbo.

It very much screams to me a plan for a long term premiership, and maybe squeezing out one with the current lot.
That’s a good point about the broncos & well put together post overall that I agree with. Don’t think some people realise how influential Josh A has been keeping the core group of forwards together, I’m happy to have him here playing of the bench if it keeps the rest of the group happy
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Members online

Latest posts

Team P W L PD Pts
2 2 0 44 6
3 2 1 36 4
2 2 0 32 4
2 2 0 24 4
2 2 0 16 4
3 2 1 6 4
2 2 0 3 4
2 1 1 24 2
2 1 1 18 2
2 1 1 10 2
3 1 2 -6 2
2 0 2 -9 2
1 0 1 -16 2
3 1 2 -38 2
2 0 2 -16 0
2 0 2 -64 0
3 0 3 -64 0
Back
Top Bottom