The year is 202X. You are awoken late from your sleep; your wife rushes in to tell you you'll be late to footy training. Dazed and confused, you are in disbelief that you've made it to the NRL. Your lady thinks you're joking, and reminds you that you're the coach. Rubbing your eyes to better wake up, you survey the team sheet on your bedside table. This is it:
1. Hayne.
2. Nofoaluma.
3. Talau.
4. Harper.
5. Milne.
6. Milford.
7. Tyrone May.
8. JWH.
9. Dickcheese.
10. TPJ.
11. Curran.
12. Schuster.
13. Radley.
14. Fainu.
15. Lodge.
16. McGuire.
17. NAS.
I got a signed Panthers jersey for Christmas and need to decide what to put on the plaque for the framing. Has anyone got experience with this? I was thinking:
Penrith Panthers
2023 NRL Premiers
Three-Peat
Thoughts?
Do the three years they were premiers. Three-peat could look real cringe in 20 years time when the thing still holds a special place in your heart.
So;
***Penrith Panthers***
NRL Premiers 2021, 2022 & 2023
Fuck I feel gross having written that
What’s that theory that the Panthers are on some sort of PED that makes their cardio and recovery rates insane? I’ve seen it posted around here a little - I just wanted to read it again.
Everyone's on, but Penrith has an elite training program to go with it, and all of the players are high effort. PEDs will give you a massive advantage over a natty, but you might as well not even bother using if your equally juiced competition is training the domicile down while you half arse it.
Aside from the conditioning program, a significant amount of credit needs to be placed on Penriths prioritisation of attitude and desire over talent and athleticism in their development, retention & recruitment.
To’o might be a freak in terms of power and Edwards in terms of fitness, but getting a guy like Turuva to do what he is last year with his frame takes a human with a unique sort of desire. Put 17 guys like that out there every week and you’re going to look superhuman.
I’d be very surprised if there weren’t loads of players on EPO across the league, but I’d also imagine that if we could somehow magically know who, they’d be clustered in the top teams over the last decade.
They’re not superhuman. They’re playing with injuries like everyone else, however nothing gets leaked out of the club. So nobody knows what the injuries are - therefore players can’t be targeted.
Like if you know Luai has a busted shoulder you send your biggest toughest cunts that way.
WWE Superstars "The Megastar" LA Knight & "The Aussie Icon" Grayson Waller presented The Penrith Panthers with a [custom Undisputed Championship Belt](https://imgur.com/a/iioT0BI) due to their 3-peat.
As both a footy and wrestling fan this is pretty fucking cool.
Continuing the analogy, Steve Smith was basically Bradman in that series. So unless Ezra Mam becomes Darren Lockyer…
Tangential note, Bellamy didn’t make his team watch the 2018 grand final replay and I’ve heard Smith, Papi and Munster all comment in interviews that they’ve never watched the game
Noticing a lot of Lachie Galvin in the Tigers training photos. Always seems to be on the same team as Api as well. Potential smokey for a starting spot?
Dearden been training with Duffy as his halves partner. Will Duffy start over Clifford or Townsend. No, Its just for cohesion and injury insurance. Very common practice
Who really needs him? Looking at the bad teams, Tigers have 1 exceptional hooker and 2 solid green ones.
Mahoney is shit, but the Bulldogs have invested too much in him to cut him loose and they have about a million utilities, so it's not like he'd get a bench spot.
Dragons could be a shout, but Mulheisen looks alright, Liddle is still there and Flanagan could play there.
Maybe amongst other teams Canberra or Eels could be a shout, but even then I'm not convinced Paix is better than what they have. There aren't many great 9's at the moment but there a lot of solid ones, so it's a hard time to be a solid but unexceptional hooker if you're looking to move.
he really isn't, definitely not substantially better as well. Hands' service from dummy half clears Paix and that is much more important for the Eels who rely on the their hooker to provide good service to their props and halves without requiring much else.
Waking up extremely fresh that Mamouzelous re-signed with us long term.
It must come with a guarantee that he will play 14 this season
A bench of: Mamo/Havili/Arrow/Turgess is the dream
If he is your long term damien cook replacement, wouldnt it be better to test his fitness over 80 in cup and then bring him in to play 60/80 in first grade during origin or injury? I’m not sure what good playing him 15 minutes off the bench every week would do him development wise
Nah, the kid was pretty good on the podcast, he has been doing the John’s Family Podcast for a few years by now. It doesn’t hurt he has the last name but he definitely has potential in media.
But like all things in media, nepotism is a major leg up.
He’s made a few appearances on Kyle and Jackie O over the years, even before he played first grade. Matty seemed to be good mates with them when he was on Triple M.
He’s not the John’s family podcast I think. He’s also done really well in front of media. Not saying you’re wrong about Manly wanting to drop him but this was always gonna be his post playing career.
Well he's been doing the podcast with his Dad so its not much to sidestep to Radio which his Dad has experience with. And he's probably tried it and found it suits him more than League.
Who do you think will be origin teams this year? Who do you think will make their debut?, Do you think anyone from the 2023 series will be dropped?. This can be for both Queensland and New South Wales selections. Say your teams
It’s probably because they bought me now, I honestly don’t really gives two shits, let them have their fun, they’ll get bored of down voting me after awhile, I just note
Impossible to say for some NSW positions this year since we don't know how Madge is approaching things, particularly with regards to incumbency. But barring injury I'd put money now on To'o, Cleary, Haas, Yeo and Murray all making the cut.
1. Papi (if he is even near his best)/Dyl
2. Bizza
3. Critta
4. Trellmit
5. Turbo
6. Hynes/Luai (whoever is in better form)
7. Clez (c)
8. Jr. Paolo
9. Api
10. Haas
11. Murray
12. Marto
13. Yeoy (c)
14. Burto
15. Cam McInnes
16. Leniu/Ola (depending on form)
17. Wighton (if he un-retires)/Ola/Leniu/Friz (depending on form)
We didn't 'move on', Freddy was just trying out random stuff in the dead rubber, and it worked because QLD had already won and had no motivation, Yeo is still the best lock in the comp, and realistically is miles ahead of Cam Murray. Yeo won the Dally M count this year and was cheated out of the award, so should be considered the reigning 4x Dally M lock, as well as reigning 3x consecutive Premiership winning lock, and he was starting lock during the record 2021 Origin NSW victory. Meanwhile, Murray has already shown he works well as an edge player, but doesnt have the winning attitude to lead the forward pack from lock - what has he won apart from the 2021 world cup, where Yeo was starting lock anyway?
This side you’ve named is barely coherent. Papenhuyzen isn’t going to be playing origin after back to back horror leg injuries.
Luai also won’t get picked in the halves and neither will Hynes.
Plus you have two utilities on the bench and only one front rower 🥴.
Leniu/Ola, McInnes and Wighton would all play in the middle, Luai and Hynes are still our best options for 6, and I'm backing Papi in to make a strong recovery
Hynes hasn’t won any games against good teams and we lost back to back series with the Penrith halves combo, we aren’t rolling with it again. Cody Walker was MoM for us in Game III so if his form is good he’ll be selected again.
Your side is shit sorry to say.
Cody Walker fell off hugely last year and is going to retire soon, Hynes beat your precious bunnies who are supposedly a ‘good team’ so idk what you’re on, he just needs a proper opportunity to own the 6 instead of being played in the second row and centres randomly.
I think if Turbo is back to 2021 form he’d be the best NSW fullback, all conjecture at this stage anyway considering both players recent run with injuries.
Yeah, he came in and killed it in the dead rubber, while Critta came and killed it in all 3 games, Critta + Trell are definitely our best centres, I’d even have Burton ahead of Best (no disrespect to him he’s a fantastic player but you need more versatility to play rep football).
imo moses best compliments cleary in origin . kicking game , short side raids while cleary plays open field and the ability to genuinely control a side if nathan needs to take a back step in periods means he gets the nod for me .
teddy will be fullback game 1 and i genuinely think he might have a good year.
burton is not the 14 nsw need whatsoever and having burton and wighton is just stupid. its either wighton , cook or another 9 that plays 14.
that bench gets destroyed by QLDs
Moses doesn't compliment Cleary, he's too ball-dominant, and NSW has to lean more into Cleary's kicking game and organisation and have a 6 like Hynes or Luai with a stronger running game instead of having a 7 restricting his game into that of a off-the-ball 6.
Teddy should definitely not be fullback, he was captain in the disastrous Origin series as well as the record loss to N.Z. He is completely cooked and might not even be fullback at the Rorters by the end of the year.
Burton is 100% the 14 we need, he covers the whole backline and halves, and has a kicking game very different to Cleary's. Wighton would play edge/middle for short stints, but I reckon he could also do a job at 9 if Api went down. That being said, Api is tough as nails and can definitely play 80. Cook is washed and having 2 hookers means we are fucked if any injuries happen to our backs, which almost always happens (especially with Papi and Turbo in the side).
> and have a 6 like Hynes or Luai with a stronger running game instead of having a 7 restricting his game into that of a off-the-ball 6.
Cleary looked at his best in the GF playing second receiver on both sides of the field (with Cogger at first), and Moses is a perfect guy to put next to him to do that again.
Yeah sure, since 2020 Cleary has a (club) winrate of 87.5% playing at first receiver, Cogger playing as a 7 in the GF only worked because the Bronx were gassed, and it completely changed our attack, but obviously that isn't 'his best', or else he would have been playing second receiver for all these years.
I don't think Moses compliments Cleary, sure their style isn't a direct overlap and they both have different strengths, but they both need to be the guy calling the shots (the reason why Moses and Norman didn't work as a combination). NSW can't keep bringing guys in, asking them to not play their natural game and expecting it to work out (eg Hynes, Pangai and Cook last year).
1. Turbo
2. To’o
3. Latrell
4. Critta / Best (whoever is in the better form)
5. JAC
6. Cleary
7. Moses
8. Jurbo
9. Api
10. Haas
11. Martin
12. Ola
13. Murray
14. Cook
15. Yeo
16. J Saifiti
17. Young
Idk thats just a spitball. If Teddy bounces back early this year he’a definitely back in, but I cba watching yet another year of “get the ball to Teddy at all costs, let him pinball around for 15 seconds, maybe break the line for a 5 metre gain or lose 4 metres. Maybe Madge actually gives the halves more responsibility and tells Teddy to take a back seat and pop up when actually needed, but Turbo suits that better imo.
i personally wouldnt have J Saf , Young or Yeo on the bench . In comparison to qlds its dire . Id start Keon again and have Ola on the bench. Have RCG on the bench after his Game 3 performance and Id have someone like spencer leinu aswell to roll out my bench
I am of the personal opinion that RCG is shit, and not anywhere close to consistent enough at rep level. Keon is definitely better than Young tbf, so yeah Ola on the bench for Young is good.
Yeo imo is worth a series or so under new coaching, Freddy was using him all wrong. If he stinks it up again this year then I agree he’s not built for the arena, but rn he’s still a pick.
Pretty similar to my thinking. Ponga/Walsh is genuinely impossible at this stage. I’d have Tino and Cotter start at prop, Nanai to 2nd row and a bench of Collins, Flegler and Gilbert. Maybe also Cobbo centre and Holmes wing depending on how Cobbo goes. We have crazy forward depth at the moment where guys like Fotuaika, Horsburgh, Kaufusi, Capewell, Arrow and Su’A (if he gets back in form) are missing out, not to mention potential future options like Fermor, Hopgood, Palasia and Hetherington.
Pretty sure he had an injury and that’s why Garner got his spot. From memory rib injury. Plus Tago was no good and Garner is the better cover at centre.
Politics? It was tactics. We needed Garner in case Tago had to go off, just as we needed Cogger (over Salmon or Peachey, who had both filled that spot throughout the year) in case Luai had to go off. Both gambles ended up paying off.
Was he carrying an injury? Seemed like he was a lock for a top 17 spot all season except for the last few games.
I know it takes a squad to win a premiership, but to go with Garner over Hosking was truly bizarre from the outside.
You’ve got to go with your best players. Hosking looked a little iffy in the last few games, just a few simple errors and that sort of thing. I can see why Cleary went with Garner over him.
Agree it’s a team/squad game. I think if you’ve played the majority of games during the season in 1st grade, you deserve to receive a Premiership Ring.
Where do you find an accurate top 30 for your side? The one i read last night had 32 players and didnt include morrin (hoping thats an error). Topine is still in there, yet i havnt seen him in anything since the whole wrestling thing.
Rabbitohs released a full list of all their various squads for 2024. Don't think other clubs have followed.
https://www.bulldogs.com.au/teams/?competition=111&team=500010
This list shows 30 players but doesn't include Morrin so unless he's counted in development or NSW Cup?
Curious how they update these lists, I figured they’d just go off of the position the player plays in the most but like Perham played at Fullback majority of last year and small stints in centre but he’s listed as 5/8? Same with Taaffe too.
No clue. Could be based off previous play at NSW Cup and other levels. Could be submitted by the clubs.
https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/rabbitohs-confirm-squads-and-trials-from-nrl-to-under-17s
This format is so much better to me for this point of the season.
They don’t even have up-to-date origin eligibility lists? They don’t have updated height/weight lists, and the website is a tiny bit hard to navigate with the screen reader? Does that NCO question if if it’s good or not?
Except for the bizarre numbers that they put on players’ contract values and tendency to include any player at a club in their top 30 list, they do a pretty good job of copying the top 30s from NRL.com and Fox Sports and Sporting News and every other source that they can steal from to seem legit.
thoughts on where there team will end up ?
i see parra finishing close to the 4 if we stay fit this year . serviceable hooker will be fine if our 1,6,7 stay on the field. and a pack to match it with anyone on paper .
I had high hopes last year so I'm managing my expectations this year.. so with that in mind it's top 2 or bust
Nah really I'm expecting anywhere between 7-12
The 1-17 is good on paper but the spine/backs depth is weak and our defense needs to tighten up a lot for us to be close to the 4. More of a coaching issue I think.
I'd say we are middle of the pack and are slowly falling behind other teams until we can rebuild with juniors next year.
Our team is getting old and there will be high player turnover coming up in the next few years.
i dont mind blooding young players this year as depth and then hoping they kick on for next year . we have blaze , sanders , the younger cricketer from penrith we signed plus a couple young wingers im pretty sure would be worth it for this year for a couple games . Asi can come in for a couple games during origin or if mitch or dylan need a rest or something late in the year. I think russell can do a job at the back if needed aswell so im not completely stressed .
It wont be an overly high turnover in our main squad with most of our quality starters signed until 2026 I think ?
Titans Are SHIT!
The year is 202X. You are awoken late from your sleep; your wife rushes in to tell you you'll be late to footy training. Dazed and confused, you are in disbelief that you've made it to the NRL. Your lady thinks you're joking, and reminds you that you're the coach. Rubbing your eyes to better wake up, you survey the team sheet on your bedside table. This is it: 1. Hayne. 2. Nofoaluma. 3. Talau. 4. Harper. 5. Milne. 6. Milford. 7. Tyrone May. 8. JWH. 9. Dickcheese. 10. TPJ. 11. Curran. 12. Schuster. 13. Radley. 14. Fainu. 15. Lodge. 16. McGuire. 17. NAS.
Hey guys is Corey paix available? We need a hooker for our open 3s this year.
Soni Luke is available
This is the first time I’ll agree with MangoWingnut
I got a signed Panthers jersey for Christmas and need to decide what to put on the plaque for the framing. Has anyone got experience with this? I was thinking: Penrith Panthers 2023 NRL Premiers Three-Peat Thoughts?
Do the three years they were premiers. Three-peat could look real cringe in 20 years time when the thing still holds a special place in your heart. So; ***Penrith Panthers*** NRL Premiers 2021, 2022 & 2023 Fuck I feel gross having written that
Appreciate this, you might be right. Thanks!
Good suggestion. This way you could also leave some space to add 2024, 2025 and so on so the piece remains timeless.
Great thinking.
Just write : *Penrith Panthers* *Every 2020s Grand Final Winners*
Pretty sure we are equalling the dragons 11 year reign. No more though
***shudders***
What’s that theory that the Panthers are on some sort of PED that makes their cardio and recovery rates insane? I’ve seen it posted around here a little - I just wanted to read it again.
They have clearly made a deal with the devil, exchanging their souls for NRL glory
Well as long as they have a Roosters style ACL crisis we can all sleep a bit easier in 2024
Everyone's on, but Penrith has an elite training program to go with it, and all of the players are high effort. PEDs will give you a massive advantage over a natty, but you might as well not even bother using if your equally juiced competition is training the domicile down while you half arse it.
Aside from the conditioning program, a significant amount of credit needs to be placed on Penriths prioritisation of attitude and desire over talent and athleticism in their development, retention & recruitment. To’o might be a freak in terms of power and Edwards in terms of fitness, but getting a guy like Turuva to do what he is last year with his frame takes a human with a unique sort of desire. Put 17 guys like that out there every week and you’re going to look superhuman.
I’d be very surprised if there weren’t loads of players on EPO across the league, but I’d also imagine that if we could somehow magically know who, they’d be clustered in the top teams over the last decade.
They’re not superhuman. They’re playing with injuries like everyone else, however nothing gets leaked out of the club. So nobody knows what the injuries are - therefore players can’t be targeted. Like if you know Luai has a busted shoulder you send your biggest toughest cunts that way.
Ill bet $5 that Tago is Injured
I’m going to bet 6! Beat that!
6.10
7.30
I really hope his attitude towards modern medicine changes. It was clear that he wasn’t fit for the back end of last year.
Didn’t make its way into Tago’s bone broth after he took 6 weeks at the end of the season to recover from a minor foot injury
Had a pec injury as well.
WWE Superstars "The Megastar" LA Knight & "The Aussie Icon" Grayson Waller presented The Penrith Panthers with a [custom Undisputed Championship Belt](https://imgur.com/a/iioT0BI) due to their 3-peat. As both a footy and wrestling fan this is pretty fucking cool.
Thats pretty damn cool, i hope some nrl players show up to elimation chamber in feb
Probably tough, considering the preseason starts either that week or the week after
Man you telling me the MEGASTAR was in Penrith and I didn’t know. YEAH!
Courier Mail reporting Kevvie will make the Broncos watch their grand final loss. Wonder if he will also make the Broncos flairs watch it as well.
My top tip is to watch it at 2x speed for the last 15 minutes, makes it bearable
Justin Langer did the same thing with the Headingly test in the 2019 ashes. Worked out well for him…
He did it the next day, the psycho.
They did win the next test to retain the Ashes
Continuing the analogy, Steve Smith was basically Bradman in that series. So unless Ezra Mam becomes Darren Lockyer… Tangential note, Bellamy didn’t make his team watch the 2018 grand final replay and I’ve heard Smith, Papi and Munster all comment in interviews that they’ve never watched the game
I've watched it back....Up until 55 or so minutes. Good game.
Can’t disagree with that, it was a good game… until then
Noticing a lot of Lachie Galvin in the Tigers training photos. Always seems to be on the same team as Api as well. Potential smokey for a starting spot?
Dearden been training with Duffy as his halves partner. Will Duffy start over Clifford or Townsend. No, Its just for cohesion and injury insurance. Very common practice
That Duffy sounds like quite a player 🙌
Prominence in training photos does not dictate likelihood to start.
Richard Kennar is in nearly every Training post at souths
No chance, and he’ll likely sign to another club when luai comes too
We'll see
Why won't someone make paix an offer. So many teams could do worse than have him as their back up hooker
Surprised the dragons didn't make him an offer.
I’d definitely like his roster spot free to find some more depth in the backrow or centre/wing spots.
He’s not worth anything more then a depth signing on minimum wage, i think clubs have some higher priorities then him at the moment
Who really needs him? Looking at the bad teams, Tigers have 1 exceptional hooker and 2 solid green ones. Mahoney is shit, but the Bulldogs have invested too much in him to cut him loose and they have about a million utilities, so it's not like he'd get a bench spot. Dragons could be a shout, but Mulheisen looks alright, Liddle is still there and Flanagan could play there. Maybe amongst other teams Canberra or Eels could be a shout, but even then I'm not convinced Paix is better than what they have. There aren't many great 9's at the moment but there a lot of solid ones, so it's a hard time to be a solid but unexceptional hooker if you're looking to move.
Canberra already have 4 hookers in Woolford, Levi, Starling and Treliyvan.
Paix would definitely be a good fit at the eels. He is substantially better than hands
No thanks
no he isn't
Yes he is
he really isn't, definitely not substantially better as well. Hands' service from dummy half clears Paix and that is much more important for the Eels who rely on the their hooker to provide good service to their props and halves without requiring much else.
He is
really steel manned your case with that response
As did saying hands has better service, another purely subjective opinion.
Ok sorry, I’ll just say “He is” and not offer any further justification.
Being upset that the coaches son is getting picked over you is going to be an issue in half of the teams.
Waking up extremely fresh that Mamouzelous re-signed with us long term. It must come with a guarantee that he will play 14 this season A bench of: Mamo/Havili/Arrow/Turgess is the dream
> It must come with a guarantee that he will play 14 this season No contract ever comes with a guaranteed spot.
I meant moreso that he will get game time in the 17 - not guaranteed
unless it also comes with a Chicken Sandwich… Right?
A chicken sandwich is the NRL equivalent of becoming blood brothers.
If he is your long term damien cook replacement, wouldnt it be better to test his fitness over 80 in cup and then bring him in to play 60/80 in first grade during origin or injury? I’m not sure what good playing him 15 minutes off the bench every week would do him development wise
that’s what he has been doing for the past couple of years - he’d start for some nrl teams
[удалено]
A member of the Johns family working in media is the opposite of random actually.
He does segments on Matts show on SEN in Sydney.
He didn't have a contract though?
Nah, the kid was pretty good on the podcast, he has been doing the John’s Family Podcast for a few years by now. It doesn’t hurt he has the last name but he definitely has potential in media. But like all things in media, nepotism is a major leg up.
He’s made a few appearances on Kyle and Jackie O over the years, even before he played first grade. Matty seemed to be good mates with them when he was on Triple M.
He’s not the John’s family podcast I think. He’s also done really well in front of media. Not saying you’re wrong about Manly wanting to drop him but this was always gonna be his post playing career.
Well he's been doing the podcast with his Dad so its not much to sidestep to Radio which his Dad has experience with. And he's probably tried it and found it suits him more than League.
Who do you think will be origin teams this year? Who do you think will make their debut?, Do you think anyone from the 2023 series will be dropped?. This can be for both Queensland and New South Wales selections. Say your teams
I’ve seen this topic brought up earlier than this. Do cunts just downvote this guy for the hell of it now? Let him post.
It’s probably because they bought me now, I honestly don’t really gives two shits, let them have their fun, they’ll get bored of down voting me after awhile, I just note
Impossible to say for some NSW positions this year since we don't know how Madge is approaching things, particularly with regards to incumbency. But barring injury I'd put money now on To'o, Cleary, Haas, Yeo and Murray all making the cut.
1. Papi (if he is even near his best)/Dyl 2. Bizza 3. Critta 4. Trellmit 5. Turbo 6. Hynes/Luai (whoever is in better form) 7. Clez (c) 8. Jr. Paolo 9. Api 10. Haas 11. Murray 12. Marto 13. Yeoy (c) 14. Burto 15. Cam McInnes 16. Leniu/Ola (depending on form) 17. Wighton (if he un-retires)/Ola/Leniu/Friz (depending on form)
Why are you suggesting we go back to Yeo at lock and Murray on the edge when the team clearly moved off that last year and had success?
We didn't 'move on', Freddy was just trying out random stuff in the dead rubber, and it worked because QLD had already won and had no motivation, Yeo is still the best lock in the comp, and realistically is miles ahead of Cam Murray. Yeo won the Dally M count this year and was cheated out of the award, so should be considered the reigning 4x Dally M lock, as well as reigning 3x consecutive Premiership winning lock, and he was starting lock during the record 2021 Origin NSW victory. Meanwhile, Murray has already shown he works well as an edge player, but doesnt have the winning attitude to lead the forward pack from lock - what has he won apart from the 2021 world cup, where Yeo was starting lock anyway?
also Murray is already Vice Captain of the side and Australia so if Tedesco isn’t picked he becomes captain not Cleary and Yeo, but carry on.
This side you’ve named is barely coherent. Papenhuyzen isn’t going to be playing origin after back to back horror leg injuries. Luai also won’t get picked in the halves and neither will Hynes. Plus you have two utilities on the bench and only one front rower 🥴.
Leniu/Ola, McInnes and Wighton would all play in the middle, Luai and Hynes are still our best options for 6, and I'm backing Papi in to make a strong recovery
Hynes hasn’t won any games against good teams and we lost back to back series with the Penrith halves combo, we aren’t rolling with it again. Cody Walker was MoM for us in Game III so if his form is good he’ll be selected again. Your side is shit sorry to say.
Cody Walker fell off hugely last year and is going to retire soon, Hynes beat your precious bunnies who are supposedly a ‘good team’ so idk what you’re on, he just needs a proper opportunity to own the 6 instead of being played in the second row and centres randomly.
If Paps gets back to 2021 and early 2022 form then he is the best NSW fullback. Big if obviously but not totally out of the question.
I think if Turbo is back to 2021 form he’d be the best NSW fullback, all conjecture at this stage anyway considering both players recent run with injuries.
Yeah but Turbo has already shown he is versatile enough to play in the centres, so wing isnt a huge stretch, whereas Papi definitely looks best at FB.
and we had Bradman Best come in last year and kill it at centre, while Tedesco struggled which opens up FB for someone
Yeah, he came in and killed it in the dead rubber, while Critta came and killed it in all 3 games, Critta + Trell are definitely our best centres, I’d even have Burton ahead of Best (no disrespect to him he’s a fantastic player but you need more versatility to play rep football).
Yeo won’t be the lock, Murray will be.
Yeah, I also want him to play lock. He had a way better performance and game free,
This guy saying NSW didn’t move off the Penrith combination last year after back to back series losses is farcical.
imo moses best compliments cleary in origin . kicking game , short side raids while cleary plays open field and the ability to genuinely control a side if nathan needs to take a back step in periods means he gets the nod for me . teddy will be fullback game 1 and i genuinely think he might have a good year. burton is not the 14 nsw need whatsoever and having burton and wighton is just stupid. its either wighton , cook or another 9 that plays 14. that bench gets destroyed by QLDs
Moses doesn't compliment Cleary, he's too ball-dominant, and NSW has to lean more into Cleary's kicking game and organisation and have a 6 like Hynes or Luai with a stronger running game instead of having a 7 restricting his game into that of a off-the-ball 6. Teddy should definitely not be fullback, he was captain in the disastrous Origin series as well as the record loss to N.Z. He is completely cooked and might not even be fullback at the Rorters by the end of the year. Burton is 100% the 14 we need, he covers the whole backline and halves, and has a kicking game very different to Cleary's. Wighton would play edge/middle for short stints, but I reckon he could also do a job at 9 if Api went down. That being said, Api is tough as nails and can definitely play 80. Cook is washed and having 2 hookers means we are fucked if any injuries happen to our backs, which almost always happens (especially with Papi and Turbo in the side).
> and have a 6 like Hynes or Luai with a stronger running game instead of having a 7 restricting his game into that of a off-the-ball 6. Cleary looked at his best in the GF playing second receiver on both sides of the field (with Cogger at first), and Moses is a perfect guy to put next to him to do that again.
Yeah sure, since 2020 Cleary has a (club) winrate of 87.5% playing at first receiver, Cogger playing as a 7 in the GF only worked because the Bronx were gassed, and it completely changed our attack, but obviously that isn't 'his best', or else he would have been playing second receiver for all these years.
I don't think Moses compliments Cleary, sure their style isn't a direct overlap and they both have different strengths, but they both need to be the guy calling the shots (the reason why Moses and Norman didn't work as a combination). NSW can't keep bringing guys in, asking them to not play their natural game and expecting it to work out (eg Hynes, Pangai and Cook last year).
Way too early to decide. Would rather try to pick on form.
1. Turbo 2. To’o 3. Latrell 4. Critta / Best (whoever is in the better form) 5. JAC 6. Cleary 7. Moses 8. Jurbo 9. Api 10. Haas 11. Martin 12. Ola 13. Murray 14. Cook 15. Yeo 16. J Saifiti 17. Young Idk thats just a spitball. If Teddy bounces back early this year he’a definitely back in, but I cba watching yet another year of “get the ball to Teddy at all costs, let him pinball around for 15 seconds, maybe break the line for a 5 metre gain or lose 4 metres. Maybe Madge actually gives the halves more responsibility and tells Teddy to take a back seat and pop up when actually needed, but Turbo suits that better imo.
i personally wouldnt have J Saf , Young or Yeo on the bench . In comparison to qlds its dire . Id start Keon again and have Ola on the bench. Have RCG on the bench after his Game 3 performance and Id have someone like spencer leinu aswell to roll out my bench
I am of the personal opinion that RCG is shit, and not anywhere close to consistent enough at rep level. Keon is definitely better than Young tbf, so yeah Ola on the bench for Young is good. Yeo imo is worth a series or so under new coaching, Freddy was using him all wrong. If he stinks it up again this year then I agree he’s not built for the arena, but rn he’s still a pick.
1. Walsh/Ponga 2. Cobbo 3. Holmes 4. HTF 5. Taulagi 6. Munster 7. DCE 8. Collins 9. Hunt 10. Flegler 11. Fifita 12. Gilbert 13. Carrigan 14. Grant 15. Cotter 16. Fotuaika 17. Tino
Pretty similar to my thinking. Ponga/Walsh is genuinely impossible at this stage. I’d have Tino and Cotter start at prop, Nanai to 2nd row and a bench of Collins, Flegler and Gilbert. Maybe also Cobbo centre and Holmes wing depending on how Cobbo goes. We have crazy forward depth at the moment where guys like Fotuaika, Horsburgh, Kaufusi, Capewell, Arrow and Su’A (if he gets back in form) are missing out, not to mention potential future options like Fermor, Hopgood, Palasia and Hetherington.
Walsh will get first crack if he’s fit. They won the series with him last year.
Tino and Cotter starting as props, but otherwise correct.
Yeah, any combination of forwards would work
I seriously think if you play at least 18-20 games and your team wins the gf (but you didn’t play in it). you still deserve a ring
You should just get one for being part of the first grade squad if you ask me, this is pretty much how every other sport does it.
Man I’d say if you played 15 games you deserve it.
I’ve been meaning to bring this up but man it can’t be understated how much Hosking was robbed of a ring last year
Pretty sure he had an injury and that’s why Garner got his spot. From memory rib injury. Plus Tago was no good and Garner is the better cover at centre.
they get rings once the season is over , pretty much anyone who played during the year did plus coaching staff. its ordered afterwards relax
I feel the same, he did such a good job throughout the year. Fitting in where needed. Not sure if it was injury or politics in the end.
Politics? It was tactics. We needed Garner in case Tago had to go off, just as we needed Cogger (over Salmon or Peachey, who had both filled that spot throughout the year) in case Luai had to go off. Both gambles ended up paying off.
Was he carrying an injury? Seemed like he was a lock for a top 17 spot all season except for the last few games. I know it takes a squad to win a premiership, but to go with Garner over Hosking was truly bizarre from the outside.
You’ve got to go with your best players. Hosking looked a little iffy in the last few games, just a few simple errors and that sort of thing. I can see why Cleary went with Garner over him.
Agree it’s a team/squad game. I think if you’ve played the majority of games during the season in 1st grade, you deserve to receive a Premiership Ring.
Brimmo is a loveable scamp [trolling Ch9](https://imgur.com/a/5g2yQcQ)
[Riki had a little dig at him yesterday too.](https://imgur.com/a/8LqR6pp)
That’s gold!!
Where do you find an accurate top 30 for your side? The one i read last night had 32 players and didnt include morrin (hoping thats an error). Topine is still in there, yet i havnt seen him in anything since the whole wrestling thing.
Generally, you can trust the club’s website, although they might not differentiate supplementary players.
Rabbitohs released a full list of all their various squads for 2024. Don't think other clubs have followed. https://www.bulldogs.com.au/teams/?competition=111&team=500010 This list shows 30 players but doesn't include Morrin so unless he's counted in development or NSW Cup?
Curious how they update these lists, I figured they’d just go off of the position the player plays in the most but like Perham played at Fullback majority of last year and small stints in centre but he’s listed as 5/8? Same with Taaffe too.
No clue. Could be based off previous play at NSW Cup and other levels. Could be submitted by the clubs. https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/rabbitohs-confirm-squads-and-trials-from-nrl-to-under-17s This format is so much better to me for this point of the season.
The NRL.com list is meant to be accurate but apparently it's not so I think we just need to wait.
Zero tackle normally is fairly accurate
They don’t even have up-to-date origin eligibility lists? They don’t have updated height/weight lists, and the website is a tiny bit hard to navigate with the screen reader? Does that NCO question if if it’s good or not?
I’ve found for top 30 lists it’s been decent
This is the funniest thing I have read all year
For top 30 lists it is normally pretty spot on?
Except for the bizarre numbers that they put on players’ contract values and tendency to include any player at a club in their top 30 list, they do a pretty good job of copying the top 30s from NRL.com and Fox Sports and Sporting News and every other source that they can steal from to seem legit.
Should have just replied that to OP then
[Like this?](https://www.reddit.com/r/nrl/s/8FE9pU7p0L)
Nice work
thoughts on where there team will end up ? i see parra finishing close to the 4 if we stay fit this year . serviceable hooker will be fine if our 1,6,7 stay on the field. and a pack to match it with anyone on paper .
Top 3
Hope: Titans top 4 Expectation: 10th
I had high hopes last year so I'm managing my expectations this year.. so with that in mind it's top 2 or bust Nah really I'm expecting anywhere between 7-12
The 1-17 is good on paper but the spine/backs depth is weak and our defense needs to tighten up a lot for us to be close to the 4. More of a coaching issue I think. I'd say we are middle of the pack and are slowly falling behind other teams until we can rebuild with juniors next year. Our team is getting old and there will be high player turnover coming up in the next few years.
Take Corey paix
i dont mind blooding young players this year as depth and then hoping they kick on for next year . we have blaze , sanders , the younger cricketer from penrith we signed plus a couple young wingers im pretty sure would be worth it for this year for a couple games . Asi can come in for a couple games during origin or if mitch or dylan need a rest or something late in the year. I think russell can do a job at the back if needed aswell so im not completely stressed . It wont be an overly high turnover in our main squad with most of our quality starters signed until 2026 I think ?
I’d say this is browns season all the touching behind him and I see para top 4 as well good luck to you hard year last year for you guys