Shaping the squad for 2026 and beyond

[Proud Shark]

I thought I'd start this thread as we'll have a lot of discussion about recruitment and retention leading up to and after November 1.

The squad as a whole is pretty settled for 2025. I can only imagine some variance with Stonestreet/Colquhoun/Atkinson getting more game time.

I posted the below a month or so ago, and I think it helps to frame how much we are spending and where we might need some savings.

The Tommy conversation got me interested in the scope of the salary cap and how it's distributed over the side. Thought I'd use some available, certainly unreliable data to make some guesses and think about how it balances for 2025.

Salary cap with all concessions in 2025 = $11.8m.

Player	Reported Value	Guessed value
Hynes	$1.1m
AFB	$1m
Nikora	$600k
Ramien	$600k
Brailey	$550k
Rudolf	$500k
McInnes	$550k
BHU		$600k
Mulitalo		$400k
Talakai		$400k
Katoa		$300k
Kennedy	$500k
Kaufusi	$400k
Trindall		$300k
Atkinson		$135k
Williams		$400k
Wilton		$400k
Iro		$300k
Hazleton		$135k
Burns		$135k
Dykes		$200k
Gabrael		$135k
Colquhoun		$200k
Stonestreet		$200k
Tuks		$135k
Berrell		$135k
Extra spot		$135k
Extra spot		$135k
Extra spot		$135k
Extra spot		$135k

That totals $10,850,000

Putting me off by about $1m. There's every chance a few of those other guys aren't on minimum wage and could eat up a bit of cap. A lot might increase year on year with the cap too which could eat up more. If I look at the balance there though, I wouldn't expect to retain anyone consistently in the top 17 for less than 3-400k moving forward.

Here is our off contract list for the end of 2025 that will be up for negotiation with rivals in a month.



There is very little chance we're going to be able to squeeze them all in, and there's potentially an argument for whether we should.

I see Trindall and Nikora as the two most important keeps. I think Kaufusi is just behind followed by Wilton.

In my opinion, there are 4 main avenues for saving some cash:
- Kennedy out for Ison/Dykes
- Ronaldo out for Stonestreet
- Teig out, Sifa to start and Tuks to bench
- Losing a middle forward or two in Williams, Hazo, Kaufusi or Cam.

Interested in hearing the forums thoughts on how it all shapes up into the long term.

 

[bort]

I see Trindall and Nikora as the two most important keeps. I think Kaufusi is just behind followed by Wilton.

In my opinion, there are 4 main avenues for saving some cash:
- Kennedy out for Ison/Dykes
- Ronaldo out for Stonestreet
- Teig out, Sifa to start and Tuks to bench
- Losing a middle forward or two in Williams, Hazo, Kaufusi or Cam.

Interested in hearing the forums thoughts on how it all shapes up into the long term.

I think that's all pretty accurate.

With AFB, Rudolf and BHU combining for over 2 million I think 2 of Williams, Kaufusi and Hazelton are gone by end of next season.

I'd like to keep Ronaldo unless he is getting substantially better offers than we consider good value. We have one of the best back 5s in the NRL in terms of meters, finishing and value and I'm happy to keep the current balance not try and find a couple 100k savings in it.
If SS wins the spot (or gets to basically equal) different story.

I love how reliable Kennedy is and as maligned as he is he has polled well in our player of the year and was one of our best vs Panthers. But if we could increase ceiling in this position and save money it might be the right move. Replacement needs to be at least safe enough I don't cringe every time the ball gets put up to them though...

 

[stormshark]

Agree pretty much if we talking 2026, except unfortunately for Katoa, its him rather than Ronnie replaced for the potentially vacant wing spot. I've thought for the last 2 seasons ( apart from cutting out the dumb errors as a main focus) that genuine speed is what we should be topping up with, where possible. Assuming ageing legs in 2026, ( and we finally fixed the dumb errors/ ill discipline in 2025) , this will become the more pressing issue imho. So in short ( and halves are not immune) the incoming player, whilst less experienced HAS to be more explosive pace wise than that being replaced. Oh and before the smarties jump in, that excludes fast paced players with no footy brains, as we have had on wings before

 

[bort]

Agree pretty much if we talking 2026, except unfortunately for Katoa, its him rather than Ronnie replaced for the potentially vacant wing spot. I've thought for the last 2 seasons ( apart from cutting out the dumb errors as a main focus) that genuine speed is what we should be topping up with, where possible. Assuming ageing legs in 2026, ( and we finally fixed the dumb errors/ ill discipline in 2025) , this will become the more pressing issue imho. So in short ( and halves are not immune) the incoming player, whilst less experienced HAS to be more explosive pace wise than that being replaced. Oh and before the smarties jump in, that excludes fast paced players with no footy brains, as we have had on wings before

Well you'll be happy Stonestreet is apparently very smart (although if it translates fully to footy smarts remains to be seen I guess...)

 

[stormshark]

Well you'll be happy Stonestreet is apparently very smart (although if it translates fully to footy smarts remains to be seen I guess...)

Agree, Capt MickGennis Dux of school and all, goes pretty well too.

 

[bort]

Agree, Capt MickGennis Dux of school and all, goes pretty well too.

Smart, good at footy, attractive - choose two
(he chose all three, that beautiful mess)

 

[G.H Shark]

Lol I tried doing a ranking of importance in who we re-sign, too difficult. All I know who are top priorities are Nikora and Trindall.

I would even say McInnes is a vital re-signing as he has the leadership we need in the team.

 

[HaroldBishop]

Agree, Capt MickGennis Dux of school and all, goes pretty well too.

Who's that? Asking for @CrazyMatt .

 

[puma1355]

I'd say

Atkinson $220k
Wilton $500k
Iro $350k
Hazleton $250k
Dykes $250k
Colquhoun $200k
Stonestreet $200k

 

[Proud Shark]

I think that's all pretty accurate.

With AFB, Rudolf and BHU combining for over 2 million I think 2 of Williams, Kaufusi and Hazelton are gone by end of next season.

I'd like to keep Ronaldo unless he is getting substantially better offers than we consider good value. We have one of the best back 5s in the NRL in terms of meters, finishing and value and I'm happy to keep the current balance not try and find a couple 100k savings in it.
If SS wins the spot (or gets to basically equal) different story.

I love how reliable Kennedy is and as maligned as he is he has polled well in our player of the year and was one of our best vs Panthers. But if we could increase ceiling in this position and save money it might be the right move. Replacement needs to be at least safe enough I don't cringe every time the ball gets put up to them though...

I think someone like Hazleton could be convinced for a cheaper 26 deal into a longer term bigger deal to allow us to keep two of them. I think Kaufusi is a must.

I get what you're saying regarding Ronaldo, but I agree with Stormshark in that we are dying for some serious pace in the side. I really want him to take one of the two spots sooner rather than later.

Watching Kennedy be safe as houses and Drinkwater jump at shadows in our semi really hit home about how important Will is for us in this aspect. I do think the transition is going to come in 2026 though, I'm just not sure to who at this point, and I definitely think we'll miss a lot of what Will brings.

 

[Proud Shark]

Lol I tried doing a ranking of importance in who we re-sign, too difficult. All I know who are top priorities are Nikora and Trindall.

I would even say McInnes is a vital re-signing as he has the leadership we need in the team.

I think Cam is a tough one. We saw Dale slow down a bit at the end of his career and be less effective than we'd hope. I love Cam, but I'd hate to hitch our wagon in the same way, when a Williams/Colquhoun combo could be the next progression and have better on-field input.

 

[G.H Shark]

I think Cam is a tough one. We saw Dale slow down a bit at the end of his career and be less effective than we'd hope. I love Cam, but I'd hate to hitch our wagon in the same way, when a Williams/Colquhoun combo could be the next progression and have better on-field input.

Not a bad point you bring up.

I just can't see McInnes leaving.

 

[bort]

I think Cam is a tough one. We saw Dale slow down a bit at the end of his career and be less effective than we'd hope. I love Cam, but I'd hate to hitch our wagon in the same way, when a Williams/Colquhoun combo could be the next progression and have better on-field input.

Cam is our captain, loves the team, busts his nut (and his face) for the team week after week and would add a tonne off the field in terms of standards, leadership, inspiration etc

But he is also 30, I could see extending him with a trickle down contract. Here is some proposed numbers and the age of Cam, Jack and Jesse alongside them. Age is at March year of

2025 550k 31 28 22
2026 550k 32 29 23
2027 400k 33 30 24
2028 300k 34 31 25
Maybe make that last one a mutual option

Based on that I'd see Jack either leaving this year (and we run McInnes/Talakai) or he signs for two years and tries to get another decent contract somewhere at 30 with a 24 year old JC with two full seasons under his belt pushing him out. Or could skip the 2028 completely for McInnes and have Jack and JC take over as a pair, although that makes the 2027 year a bit awkward.
Either way probably roughly building into JC as starter at 26 with around 100 games of NRL under his belt.

The other question which could push out especially a Jack Williams would be where the club sees NSW Cup lock Hosking (22) and Flegg captain and lock McCulloch (20) in terms of progression and likelihood to impact NRL.

A handful of Sharks junior awards across these guys in recent years

MCulloch
2023 SG Ball Player of the Year

Hosking
2021 SG Ball Coaches Award
2023 Flegg Player of the Year

Colquhoun
2021 Flegg Coaches Award

 

[Milkshark]

Jack and jesse for 550k each?

 

[Tiger Shark]

I thought I'd start this thread as we'll have a lot of discussion about recruitment and retention leading up to and after November 1.

The squad as a whole is pretty settled for 2025. I can only imagine some variance with Stonestreet/Colquhoun/Atkinson getting more game time.

I posted the below a month or so ago, and I think it helps to frame how much we are spending and where we might need some savings.


Here is our off contract list for the end of 2025 that will be up for negotiation with rivals in a month.

View attachment 31811

There is very little chance we're going to be able to squeeze them all in, and there's potentially an argument for whether we should.

I see Trindall and Nikora as the two most important keeps. I think Kaufusi is just behind followed by Wilton.

In my opinion, there are 4 main avenues for saving some cash:
- Kennedy out for Ison/Dykes
- Ronaldo out for Stonestreet
- Teig out, Sifa to start and Tuks to bench
- Losing a middle forward or two in Williams, Hazo, Kaufusi or Cam.

Interested in hearing the forums thoughts on how it all shapes up into the long term.

Well there goes one middle already!

 

[Proud Shark]

Well there goes one middle already!

Yep. Think we'll need another move somewhere though.

 

[MMsharks]

I just think WK is not that crash hot anymore

yes he is safe under the high ball; but thats it these days.
you need x factor at FB;

 

[Guardshark]

Seen Williams is supposed to be leaving
immediate reaction was ****, NO
guess AFB will have to make up for it next year

 

[Tiger Shark]

Seen Williams is supposed to be leaving
immediate reaction was ****, NO
guess AFB will have to make up for it next year

I think we’re ok

 

[Guardshark]

In any case, the rotation for next year appears to have gone from something like
Starting: McInnes, Fonua-Blake, Kaufusi

Bench: Williams, Talakai, Hazleton, Hunt

Reserves: Hau-Tapuha, Rudolph, Uele, Colquhoun, Burns, Berrel
to
Starting: McInnes, Fonua-Blake, Kaufusi

Bench: Hazleton, Talakai, Hau-Tapuha, Rudolph

Reserves: Uele, Colquhoun, Burns, Berrel

even with AFB it feels pretty shitty losing Hunt and Williams. Uele will have to step up in a big way next year and Colq can't be injured for too long, otherwise we might end up relying on Burns as a backup prop again.