A flurry of signings

It’s not been announced, but the word is the club and Todd Payten have agreed a 3 year extension (no doubt it’ll be announced soon). I think it a good thing and the right decision. I was probably on the fence earlier in the year, but I think a very strong first 12 rounds in season 2026 (we’re 8 from 12) has swung it for me.

I also think the club has made some quite big calls on the recruitment front. Resigning Purdue, Chester, Burns and Mikaele, bringing in both Ramien & Katoa, letting Drinkwater & (presumably) Murray walk. I find it impossible to believe those decisions don’t have Payten’s fingerprints all over them, so it would seem daft to let him leave at this point.

I also look around the list of available coaches, and I’m kind of underwhelmed. Brad Arthur & Jason Demetriou usually get a mention, as does Kevin Walters. None of the three have coached a club to a premiership, and none of the 3 has a winning NRL record of over 52% (Todd currently sits at 51.5% in his time with the Cowboys). The two guys who were highly regarded as being ready to be head coach – Josh Hannay & Dean Young – are both now sitting in head coach roles. And Willie Peters (who has coached very successfully in England) has taken the PNG gig. Billy Slater seems set to move in Bellamy’s shoes at Melbourne. For me there isn’t a stand out alternative.  Maybe we could take a swing at Ivan Cleary? Seems a long shot though.

The fact we’ve got so many players in career best form (or close to) is another big tick for Todd. Clifford, Burns, Chester, Luki & Mikaele are all playing their best footy at the moment, and you’d have to say Cotter, BigJase, Laybutt, Mahoney, Drinkwater, McIntyre & Lodge are also playing great. That’s good squad & man management.

So all things considered, yes, I do think the club has made the right call on Todd.

Ramien & Katoa are interesting signings. They are on the fringe at the Sharks – each has played 6 games so far this year. But both are proven first graders (well over 100 games for each. Coming here with something to prove perhaps. And both are still in their 20s. They come out of a successful program in the Sharks (who have been in the finals 4 of the last 5 year)s. They have a great combination as they both play the same side. There’s a lot to like here.

 

It’s certainly a boost to the depth and threat offered by our three-quarterline. And I think we need both to threaten for a premiership. I’m thinking Purdue to fullback leaves a centre slot open, and Murray (likely) moving on opens a wing spot. And yes, it does mean guys like Vailea, Derby, Laybutt, & Burns might get squeezed in terms of game time, but we need pressure and competition within the squad to get the best out of players, and we need quality coverage for injuries if we want to run deep into the finals.

And hey, if Vailea, Derby, Laybutt & Burns are playing well enough to command a slot, I’ve zero doubt they’ll get to play.