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
Love the bold prediction.
Player of the year: Jack Williams (the most reliable
Rookie of the year: Isaiah Iongi.
Most Improved: Ryley Smith (his development from r1 to now has been incredible) Kautoga or Moretti would be close behind.
Most Disappointing: Dylan Brown (for his performances when Moses was out, and dragging on the signing negotiations)
Moment of the year: Lomax's Field Goal against the Dragons for our first win
Signing of the year: Dylan Walker (unlocked our attack)
2026 Breakout player: Sam Tuivaiti, (Purely because I hadn't even heard of him)
Parra in 2026 will finish 10-12th
Bold prediction: We'll make the 8 next year
Player of the year Iongy
Rookie of the year Joash Papalli
Most Improved Sean Russell
Most Disappointing D. Brown
Signing of the year Jack Williams
Moment of the year watching our attack evolve (a real breath of fresh air)
Bold prediction make the top 8 next year
Parra finish in 2026 7th
Player of the year - Isiah Iongi
Rookie of the year - Ryley Smith
Most Improved - Luca Moretti
Most Disappointing - Dylan Brown
Moment of the year - Comeback win vs St George Illawarra in Round 5.
Signing of the year - Jack Williams
2026 Breakout player - Tallyn Da Silva
Parra in 2026 will finish - 10th
Bold prediction - Mitchell Moses will play every game in 2026 (barring those he is unavailable due to rep selection)
MOMENT OF THE YEAR: . I just can't get passed a player that I thought looked out of place, even in Local Footy. Sean Russell and his chip and chase for try. Mind Blown ! well done Sean.
DISSAPOINTMENT OF THE YEAR: I have 2 - Certain players in our first grade squad that spat their dummies and either didn't perform to first grade standards or asked for immediate releases from the club when Ryles was signed. 2nd - The injury toll to key players across the season.
2026 PREDICTION; 5th on the ladder.
Signing of the Year: Hard to work that one out Iongi, Walker, Addo Carr, Lomax, Rylie Smith and Jason Ryles. To me they all deserve it and all bring something to the table that makes us hugely better now and into the future.
LB, I literally cannot see anywhere to dissent from any of your selections. Except in one odd spot, where I might switch Ryley Smith to player of the year and Iongi to rookie of the year. The NRL rules permit Iongi to contend for 2025 rookie of the year because ineligibility is after 5 professional games. Even though I think Iongi has been great all year and agree with you that Iongi and Smith are the player of the year contenders, I think Smith has played brilliantly coinsidering how many changes in the halves he has endured and playing in the middle.
Maybe I might also get snarky and list Dylan Brown as most disappointing, because he basically checked out once the 2026 pay rise at the knights was set in stone
yeah Daz I know the rule states 5 games or less, I respect that for some. For me I think once you've debuted you're no longer a rookie the following year. Thats just me I prefer it.
As I said about Smith, he is steady as can be. Just gets on with his job and is at minimum at 7/10 each week.
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
of 4 Next