I know there is still 4 rounds left, but me being me i cannot wait. Plus i think a lot of these choices will not change in the next 4 weeks anyway. Here are some categories:
Player of the year
Rookie of the year
Most Improved
Most Disappointing
Moment of the year
Signing of the year
2026 Breakout player
Parra in 2026 will finish
Bold prediction
I will start
Player of the year: I couldn't go Moses due to his limited time playing. Isaiah Iongi. He just got better and better for us as the season went. He showed how versitile his game is from being a workhorse Fullback with ball playing and creativity involved.
Rookie of the year: Deserved though also by default since he has played the most games too, Ryley Smith. (Iongi to me is not a rookie since he debuted in 2024). Smith is the apitome of a steady Hooker. Doesn't anything wrong, strong in defence, strong in pass, has a build to run well and speed to keep up as well as stamina. Just gotten better as he went. I want to see what the full plan is with Tallyn Da Silva though Smith is first grade standard and has a promising future. Different style Hooker and nothing wrong with that.
Most Improved: Kitione Kautoga. I cheated a little as i would think myself improved is a player here last year, that would be Russell. But from his first game against the Wests Tigers in Round 2 to his last before injury v Penrith, it was night and day of Kautoga as a player. He went from a player that defended ok, did some work but barely touched the football, to hitting hard in defence, running great lines and bumping defenders off him. Exciting future for Gideon.
Most Disappointing: I was considering Hopgood, though he has played every game this year and played fine mostly. To be different i am going with a mixture of the veteran players: Bryce Cartwright, Ryan Matterson, Shaun Lane etc. Granted Ryles came in like a bat out of hell wanting youth but he still gave Lane and Matto the chance to be part of the future, same with Cartwright and they weren't up to his standards. Brendan Hands as well, started the year as the no.1 Hooker, to then being the no.3 and now at a 2nd tier French team in Toulouse.
Moment of the year: Tied between Brisbane win and Smith running down Valemei.
Signing of the year: Since Iongi is my POY, i will be different and go with Walker. A head scratcher when announced, then the more we thought about it and when we saw it in action, it made sense. To the point where the attack is mainly centred around him. If we have no Walker i reckon we struggle in attack.
2026 Breakout player: Sam Tuivaiti. Had his rookie year cut short, but him getting 11 games is quite good for a rookier year for a Prop forward. His body is still developing and now he will be getting stronger to hopefully end the year starting ready to replace Junior Paulo in 2027.
Parra in 2026 will finish: Hell why not, 6th-8th. Rylesy can do it.
Bold prediction: Moses plays a full season. Bold i know.
Can't wait to see everyone else's.
Replies
Player of the year - Smith
Rookie of the year - Papalii
Most Improved - Russell
Most Disappointing - the referees
Moment of the year - winning our 1st game with Lomax kicking the field goal
Signing of the year - JAC
2026 Breakout player - Da Silva
Parra in 2026 will finish - 5th or 6th
Bold prediction - we finish with a positive F / A
When havent the refs been not disappointing?
Player of the year - Lomax (until his recent dip in form). His effort is out of this world and he inspires the rest of our team.
Rookie of the year - Smith. Playing like a regular first grader already
Most Improved - Russel. He's still got some work to do, but has become a different player under Ryles.
Most Disappointing - Paulo. When I saw how fit he looked after pre-season, I expected him to be unstoppable this year.
Moment of the year - Beating brisbane at Suncorp / Taking it to the storm at AAMI park
Signing of the year - Walker. That's obvious
2026 Breakout player - Tuivaiti. If he doesn't get injured. Going from Flegg to FG and skipping cup for a front rower is very tough.
Parra in 2026 will finish - In the top 8 or just below
Bold prediction - Moretti / Iongi selected for State of Origin extended squads.
We lost 56-18 at AAMI Park. Do you mean at Commbank?
Yes, my bad
POY - Smith. Honourable mention to Williams and Iongi.
Rookie - Smith. Honourable mentioned to Iongi if you consider him a rookie.
Most Improved - Smith (go from JF to an important player within a pre season). Honourable mention to Russel, Kautoga, Iongi
Most disappointing- Matto he should have suited JR vision but he is a sook. Other than that, the lack of tries of Lomax in the air is disappointing
Moment - beating broncos
Signing - JR but if I a choose a player Iongi. Recruit our fullback for the long term. Honourable mention to Walker and Williams.
2026 breakout - Kautoga. he was really becoming a genuine threat everytime he ran the ball before injury. Richard Penisini and TDS as well.
2026 finish - 6-8th
Bold prediction: Lorenzo to be our 6 in NRL by half way through 2026
Player of the year Ryley Smith
Rookie of the year Isaiah iongi
Most Improved Sean Russell
Most Disappointing Dylan Brown
Moment of the year Lomax FG for our first win
Signing of the year Dylan Walker
2026 Breakout player Sam Tuivaiti
2026 finish - 6-8th
Bold prediction: Iongi to be our 6 in NRL by half way through 2026
Prediction is definately bold.
Player of the year - Iongi
Rookie of the year - Smith
Most Improved - Moretti
Most Disappointing - Dylan Brown
Moment of the year - Lomax FG vs Dragons to get the monkey off our back.
Signing of the year - Jack Williams
2026 Breakout player - Joash Papalii
Parra in 2026 will finish - 8th
Bold prediction - 6th
Finish 8th, bold prediction 6th ahahahahaah