Official Braden Uele

Proud Shark said:
Unless he had a SL deal, I could see him considering a minimum wage contract for another year. He'll be 32 at the start of next year.

He'd be a good option for that 18/19 every week. Someone you can trust to play a small role if needed, but also someone you're not worried about missing the development of week in week out footy.
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Yeah at minimum wage it's a no brainer for me.
 
andrew's_sharks said:
anything other than Minimum wage, I wouldn't keep him. The modern game doesn't suit him.
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All relative to role though. The "modern game" definitely suits having guys who can run hard, tackle hard and get quick play the balls. It's just trending away this year from a certain style of middle forward playing longer minutes. Kaufusi has been similarly effected.

Last season Kaufusi played 50+ a few time and Uele played 35+ a few times. I can't either of these things happening in 2026 short of a massive injury toll, but that doesn't mean they can't contribute in lesser minutes or that they can't change their body/game a bit given a full off-season to work at it.

... or PVL could just change things again.
 
andrew's_sharks said:
I just find it interesting that most people would happily let him go, but then he injures his knee and that changes.
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I think it's just the standard position mate. I just made it my signature.

I for one have never been part of the "move him on" crowd. Bloke publicly took less money to stay twice. If he's overpaid now relative to his role he's earned that, because he was underpaid before. Swings and roundabouts.

His role doesn't justify big money anymore, but he's still a better player currently than the prospects coming through.
 
Sharks NRL Prospects said:
All relative to role though. The "modern game" definitely suits having guys who can run hard, tackle hard and get quick play the balls. It's just trending away this year from a certain style of middle forward playing longer minutes. Kaufusi has been similarly effected.

Last season Kaufusi played 50+ a few time and Uele played 35+ a few times. I can't either of these things happening in 2026 short of a massive injury toll, but that doesn't mean they can't contribute in lesser minutes or that they can't change their body/game a bit given a full off-season to work at it.

... or PVL could just change things again.
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I feel the last few weeks things have started to change. Way less 6 agains / penalties and more lower scoring games.

Either that or teams have adjusted to the new 'norm'. Though it definitely looks like there is less nit picking 6 agains.
 
apezza said:
I feel the last few weeks things have started to change. Way less 6 agains / penalties and more lower scoring games.

Either that or teams have adjusted to the new 'norm'. Though it definitely looks like there is less nit picking 6 agains.
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I see your "last few weeks" and raise you a "Manly v Sharks first half" 13 days ago :D

Teams have adjusted. Sharks have Burns / Hazelton as their minute munching benchies. Kaufusi has gone from being a starter for almost all of 2024-25 to riding the pine. It's not because he sucks. It's because he doesn't suit the role at the moment. Uele similar, but also injuries have been a big factor.
 
I hear what you are saying and am not fully against signing him on Minimum wage. I just think we do actually need a bit of turnover of players now. It will change the way we play and I think that is needed. I would rather keep Toby, yes this may not be on minimum wage, but he is more suited at the moment to the modern game.
 
apezza said:
I feel the last few weeks things have started to change. Way less 6 agains / penalties and more lower scoring games.

Either that or teams have adjusted to the new 'norm'. Though it definitely looks like there is less nit picking 6 agains.
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Hey Mate ,
In regards to your last paragraph, do you feel we have NO other young First Grade options coming through for 2027 ?
 
egg said:
Hey Mate ,
In regards to your last paragraph, do you feel we have NO other young First Grade options coming through for 2027 ?
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Is this for me? You quoted @apezza but it looks like you were referring to this...

Sharks NRL Prospects said:
His role doesn't justify big money anymore, but he's still a better player currently than the prospects coming through.
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Currently Fitz appears to be favouring the players with the best defensive motors. This makes sense, because the team can make metres with anyone there but it's the defending 25 tackles in a row that is doing them in some weeks.

Are there guys coming through who could do a job in a short stint off the bench next year? Yes.

Would I trust any of these players more than Uele to defend their own line for 25 tackles in a row? No (but Hosking is the closest).

There is an argument for getting younger and cheaper, but they still should be picking the best players for the job.
 
Sharks NRL Prospects said:
Is this for me? You quoted @apezza but it looks like you were referring to this...


Currently Fitz appears to be favouring the players with the best defensive motors. This makes sense, because the team can make metres with anyone there but it's the defending 25 tackles in a row that is doing them in some weeks.

Are there guys coming through who could do a job in a short stint off the bench next year? Yes.

Would I trust any of these players more than Uele to defend their own line for 25 tackles in a row? No (but Hosking is the closest).

There is an argument for getting younger and cheaper, but they still should be picking the best players for the job.
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Thanks mate ,
Just finished listening to Finsup, ( after posting the question at lunchtime )
A couple of young prime prospects were mentioned , it seems judging by your reply they might need heaps of fitness work in the off season to get up to speed for the future if they're to make it
 
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Sharks NRL Prospects said:
Is this for me? You quoted @apezza but it looks like you were referring to this...


Currently Fitz appears to be favouring the players with the best defensive motors. This makes sense, because the team can make metres with anyone there but it's the defending 25 tackles in a row that is doing them in some weeks.

Are there guys coming through who could do a job in a short stint off the bench next year? Yes.

Would I trust any of these players more than Uele to defend their own line for 25 tackles in a row? No (but Hosking is the closest).

There is an argument for getting younger and cheaper, but they still should be picking the best players for the job.
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Mate, in your honest opinion, how far off is Dellow from playing NRL? Next year at some stage? 2028? 2029?
He seems to be quite keen but is there a danger of putting him in too soon?
 
egg said:
Thanks mate ,
Just finished listening to Finsup, ( after posting the question at lunchtime )
A couple of young prime prospects were mentioned , it seems judging by your reply they might need heaps of fitness work in the off season to get up to speed for the future if they're to make it
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Haven’t listened, but they mention Davies a bit too. He’s very good. Starter in Fkegg at 19 like Dellow. Did his knee at the back end of 2024 and missed all of 2025. Slow start but he’s been really good in Flegg this season since about round 3-4. Could handle Cup I reckon.

Alex Challenor was also really impressive in the trials and is really highly rated. Out with a long term injury atm though. Mostly a middle but plays some edge.

The rest need time. Good highlights but young big players take time to build a motor for defence. Colquhoun is an exception. Was playi g 60 in cup as a 20yo.

Sir Chadley said:
Mate, in your honest opinion, how far off is Dellow from playing NRL? Next year at some stage? 2028? 2029?
He seems to be quite keen but is there a danger of putting him in too soon?
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I think he will play at least one cup game this season and be full time cup next season. I’d want to see him play against men before making a call on his NRL path, but I think similar to Colquhoun had he not been slowed down by Covid and 3 straight seasons of injuries. Debut at 20-21, full time by 22.

I think they would be managing his season this year. He was full NRL pre-season training then playing SG Ball games in Feb, straight to Flegg, now origin. That’s a lot of footy.
 
BHU has experience but he always needs time to build his motor / match fitness and form when returning from injury or being dropped ect.

He will tend to be kinda medicore for a while, start to hit his straps and show some performance then get injured again and the process re-starts

So how much do we really lose by playing him over an up and comer? Beyond the short term, perhaps not that much. If he can actually stay on the park it's a different discussion. On his day BHU can be a powerhouse and while I don't rate him as a great middle defender or anything he is capable of working hard in this area (within reason / limited minutes)

I'm not of the opinion BHU can't add some value to our squad in NRL version 2026 and beyond. I agree with SNP that a big body forward can still be of use in 2026 (with adjusted role/minutes)

BUT the poor bloke needs some luck with injury and to show he still has the ability and desire. Regardless, the days of him being paid $600k at the Sharks should be over. Keep him on at a sensible price
 
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