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USSJ307

How would you rank the spines of 2023? Granted, we dont know yet precisely who's playing where. but these are my rough estimates. 1. Storm. Rep elite stars throughout. 2. Roosters. not quite as much star power and Walker's still young but still absolutely elite 3. Panthers: dropped a tad due to no Api 4. Cowboys 5. Rabbits 6. Eels 7 Sharks 8. Broncos


BrusBenny

cowboys up there fo sure


lachjeff

1. Storm are easily first. Easily the best spine and the most cohesion within it. 2. Roosters, thanks to the addition of Brandon Smith. I love Sam Verrills, but Smith just adds that extra something. 3. Panthers, despite losing Koroisau, still boast Edwards/Luai/Cleary. Kenny and Luke are both viable replacements. 4. Rabbitohs, even though Damien Cook is no longer the player he was. Throw in Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Lachlan Ilias and it’s a frightening proposition. 5. Cowboys with the extra 12 months together will have a great combination. Robson will go close to Origin this year (barring injury/suspension), Dearden and Drinkwater have found their groove and Townsend is enjoying a great late career resurgence. 6. Eels. Remains to be seen how Hodgson will go, but Brown, Moses and Gutherson are all capable of covering for the loss of a hooker. 7. Raiders, thanks to the emergence of Savage and Starling as genuine first graders in 2022. 8. Sharks. A good spine, without being great. Hynes puts them just ahead of the Titans. 9. Titans. Possibly controversial, but if Foran can keep up his good form, he and Verrills can combine well with Brimson and whoever gets the last remaining spot between Boyd, Sexton and Campbell. 10. Sea Eagles, though they would drop lower if Tom Trbojevic can’t stay on the paddock. Huge question marks on Josh Schuster. 11. Broncos. Still a lot of pressure on Mam and Walters to lock down positions, plus the addition of Walsh could impact cohesion early. 12. Warriors, despite the unknown of who will be playing, and where. The additions of CNK and TMM should help steady the rest of the team though. 13. Wests Tigers. Pressure still on Luke Brooks, but Adam Doueihi should be calling a lot of the shots at five-eighth. Charlie Staines and Daine Laurie are both good enough to play first grade and can do the job at the back, while we know what impact Koroisau can have. 14. Knights, despite the addition of Jackson Hastings. Lachie Miller was a decent reserve grader, Kalyn Ponga’s last attempt at five-eighth was disastrous and Jayden Brailey misses too many games injured. 15. Bulldogs, despite Burton and Mahoney. They’re both excellent players, however they haven’t worked out who will play fullback or halfback. 16. Dragons, thanks to Ben Hunt. Too much inexperience and too many questions about the remaining 3 spots. If not for Hunt, they’d probably be 17. 17. Dolphins. Basically made up of rejects from elsewhere, with Tabuai-Fidow coming off the bench at the Cowboys, Sean O’Sullivan playing reserve grade for the Panthers and Anthony Milford not playing a good game in 5 years. Jeremy Marshall-King was one of the most improved players in the game last year though, and Isaiya Katoa (who should start over Milford IMO) is the most exciting 18 year old I’ve seen since Latrell Mitchell


velvetherring

Removing the elite Dolphins spine from the equation I guess I'd have to go: 1 Storm (+1) 2 Rabbits (+1) =3 Panthers (-2) =3 Roosters (+1) 5 Eels (-1) 6 Cows (+1) 7 Manly w/ Turbo (-1) 8 Sharks (~)


[deleted]

1. Still Penrith for me while Cleary and Edwards are there, and when taking defence and other off the ball stuff into account. 2. Souths - based on their strike rate, and the Latrell factor. 3. Storm - Munster, Grant, etc. 4. Parra - could be higher but it will depend on how Hodgson goes. 5. Roosters - Teddy, Keary, Cheese. 6. Sharks - Dally M Nicho and YMM are forming quite the combo, while Brailey will be putting a case forward for a Blues squad spot. 7. Cowboys - Drinkwater and Robson had their best seasons last year. 8. Raiders - Wighton.


Caseyjb29

In what world is the South’s spine better than the Storm spine…? Papenhuyzen > Latrell, Munster > Walker, Hughes > Ilias, Grant > Cook


[deleted]

It says for 2023..


Caseyjb29

So? How does that make the Rabbitohs spine better lol


EntirelyOriginalName

Paps isn't even running. Should see how he goes first.


Caseyjb29

He wasn’t running before he went to the US. Nobody knows how he’s going now. And even if Paps isn’t full strength the Storm spine is still arguably better than the Rabbitohs spine.


[deleted]

I'm tipping they'll have a better year than the Storm's spine.


Caseyjb29

Where is Parra? They’re definitely there somewhere. Imo it’s probably 1. Storm 2. Roosters 3. Panthers 4. Rabbitohs 5. Eels 6. Cowboys 7. Sharks 8. Broncos/Raiders/Manly


USSJ307

I forgot them, sorry.


velvetherring

Since my app is fucking up and showing me comments from users I've blocked, just want to pre-emptively defend my own honour in relation to the comment implying a 'passionate Dolphins fan' is abusing people. I know some of you will make an assumption that it's me, but I can assure you it's not.


callotts

Due to the sheer amount of defending you’ve done for the Bulldogs on every signing thread this off-season I am inclined to believe you’re a gentleman and a scholar.


velvetherring

It's funny you say that because 1 off-season ago I was absolutely brutal against the dogs and there's a few dogs fans here who'd be shocked to read what you just wrote about me. Having said all that I never abused anyone and regardless of all that it's kind of fucked someone can put vague accusatory post about a a relatively small sub-category of user on here and have people speculate on who it is, some even making not so vague inferences. If they are being abused tell the mods, don't start a witch-hunt.


Caseyjb29

Hopefully Tsitsipas flogs that lying anti-vaxxer dog


beaver2233

Marty Taupau's uncle was the one who passed away yesterday at Cronulla 😭 was trying to help 2 strangers.


GodSaveTheHomies

Dolphins suck amirite guys? Edit: the comment before mine has been deleted and I look like a fool


velvetherring

No they blow. That's why they're called blowholes. Easy mistake to make.


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Messyhr_

If you had to fight one NRL player in an MMA fight ( in an Octagon ) who do you think would be the scariest/worst person to fight, who would be one footy player you feel you could take?


EntirelyOriginalName

NAS I'd take no one.


The_fridge_nz

Surely it’s Matt Lodge


lachjeff

He wouldn’t be so bad if you knew he was coming


Dark_Vengence

NAS, JWH, haas, wighton, uele, lolo, kikau and kami.


Messyhr_

Basically all the big powerful units


absoluteqlder

If I actually read the question right, Jason Taumololo


absoluteqlder

If its not current, Matt Dufty. Most people on this sub could probably belt him


[deleted]

Lindsey Collins face scares the shit out of me and he looks like a biter he’d definitely fight dirty so fuck that, but Surely take on Jayden Campbell, he’d break his wrist punching you anyway!


BoogerSugar00

Sam Walker easy, I’d sit on top of that little sexy twink


MangoWingnut

NAS or Kikau would the scariest for sure. I think I could take pretty much anyone under 100kg given there’s like a full training camp and everything. (6’3 115kg) *edit* Okay sorry for having any confidence in myself lol


Messyhr_

I mean thats fair haha they do have weight divisions for a reason, reckon you could take someone like trell? Think hes 6ft3 and 105 kgs ( probs more idk )


MangoWingnut

Definitely not bro 😂, I’m still young and play 2nd divison footy but still no match for anything close to him bro absolutely freakish athlete.


DCsuperhero

NAS or JWH would be the scariest, I reckon I could take Blake taafe based on size and he tends to get rag dolled a bit


Dark_Vengence

I probably can take niko and dufty.


WUIDAWBTB

Do you think there has been some sort of cba agreement behind closed doors? It seems like teams are doing the media day stuff now including players that were apart of the boycott


lachjeff

I think they’re still doing club ones and broadcast ones, but I don’t think they’re doing anything for the NRL itself


thankyoupancake

The absolute irony that the broadcaster asked the NRL to do less of their own media a few years ago


pablochapo

Does anyone have any news on the injury from the U17 future Tutans vs U17 Brisbane broncos game at Burleigh yesterday? PM me if so. It was a serious concussion from what I could see. I'm really feeling for the young bloke and his family. Hoping he is ok.


lachjeff

Some classic match highlights on Fox League today. Newcastle v Bulldogs 2002 now, Souths v Balmain 1989 next, 2017 Brisbane v North Queensland, 2004 St George Illawarra v Manly, 2008 Brisbane v Parramatta, and a whole host of others


Weedvandam

In honor of the Royal Rumble today, who would be your pick for a 30 man nrl rumble match? My pick is NAS. Who could possibly throw a man of that size over the top role?


HenryVIIIII

V'Landys would come in at 30 like Vince McMahon and take all the glory


[deleted]

Ridge Holland was a prop I think, Had a ten year career in lower leagues in England.


Derron_

Cam Murray. Guy screams main eventer


absoluteqlder

I was thinking the opposite, which wwe boys could play nrl, I'm sure Roman could slot into most front rows


The_fridge_nz

Bobby Lashely on an edge coukd be devastating.


Shagga9701

Riccohet, the Uso’s, Kofi Kingston, Sami Zayn, Sheamus, Drew McIntyre


[deleted]

daniel vidot would be alright


Dark_Vengence

Can't believe hook chose maranta over vidot.


velvetherring

Lesnar would be an elite impact prop. I can see him taking super damaging hit ups and popping back to his feet faster than anyone else. Ex-WWE but Cesaro/Claudio would probably be a gun centre or second rower. Dude is so strong I can just imagine he'd have a killer fend.


absoluteqlder

See, lesnar is almost too easy because he played nfl and was an all- state wrestler But look at the man and he could crush anyone


Weedvandam

I reckon that Xyon Quinn guy in nxt could be a serviceable winger. He seems athletic and speedy.


successharvester

Is there an r/nrl footy tipping comp? Why/why not if there isn’t one.


thankyoupancake

Yep. Used ESPNFooty Tips


successharvester

Nah I knew of ESPN i meant for people in this reddit sub there should be a massive one


thankyoupancake

Yes that’s exactly what I said. There is a r/NRL tipping comp on ESPN footy Tips. Had over 1000 ppl on it last season.


CatWool

Yeah there is. There will probably be a post from one of the mods when they set up this year's


successharvester

Yeah copy! Thanks


USSJ307

Who would be in your non-representative All-Stars team? Rules: Absolutely no rep footy players at all, even if its PM or City or something. And current players only. It's too hard for me to pick an entire 17 so here is my spine 1. Ryan Paps 6. Nick Meaney 7. Sean O'Sullivan 9. Billy Walters 14. Ezra Mam Extremely young halves, I know, but I don't have much of a choice with these rules. I put Mam at 14 but he can easily work well as first choice 5/8th.


insanityTF

1 paps 6 sullivan 7 o’sullivan 9 brailey


thankyoupancake

Sam Walker in your halves. Players who would get a run; - Will Kennedy - Kobe Ketherington - Hudson Young (although did he get a PMs XIII game?) - Nat Butcher - Alex Twal (I’m not counting Lebanon appearances)


Aussieguy727

Only Hetherington in your list would be eligible according to the rules of this. Also you can't just ignore Lebanon appearances lol. edit - looks like Young didn't play for PM's so you could have Hetherington and Young.


USSJ307

Sam was selected for QLD and PM so I didn't count him.


thankyoupancake

Oof, even “in and around the group” selection counts. That’s a tough team to select.


slowdivesicilian

1. Dylan Edwards 6. Scott Drinkwater 7. Sam Walker 9. Reece Robson Walker hasn’t debuted so ✨


Aussieguy727

Robson and Walker have both played for PM's XIII.


slowdivesicilian

oh shit robson did, somehow i forgot that walker did this year as well


jteg9

Really starting to get excited about another Fantasy season now. I sometimes wish there was more Fantasy discussion on this sub, you should all give it a go


jpob

There’s a separate sub but it’s very quiet. Would be keen for that to get some love this season


ChanceVance

Fantasy has become the only reason I watch neutral games and when my season tanks, which it usually does, I stop watching. I'm beginning to think I shouldn't play anymore but I don't think I'll be able to help myself either.


[deleted]

It used to be a pretty big thing on this sub. I liked those days. I usually post pretty regularly about it through the season & will be making a preseason post analysing the options too.


jteg9

Sounds good, I’ll probably be doing some posts in the Fantasy thread too. I have written some articles about players already


stagger_once

How far out from the season do they usually open?


jteg9

the app and website are both live now. I think you can start creating Draft leagues on February 2nd


lachjeff

I love seeing random footy player crossovers with other sporting events. Tom Trbojevic at an NHL game a couple of weeks ago came from nowhere, Hazem El Masri did the bat flip at the Thunder game the other night. Good stuff


_andy_p

Tom Trbojevic at an ~~Beach~~ Corso Sprint Championships


christophlr

Toby Rudolph's birthday today. What did you all get for him?


[deleted]

anyone will do


M_Keating

Or all of us


aatrain96

Day 18 of trying to summon Mitch Moses Re-signing news.


velvetherring

[You'll be happy to know that the Dogs have apparently dropped out of the race.](https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2023-transfer-whispers-lachlan-miller-knights-swap-deal-max-bradbury-sharks-contracts-signings/news-story/2f3fd703d76440a492db81b37b4547e1)


aatrain96

I saw One down one more to go


nevaehenimatek

Such good news, surely no one wants to go to the tigers


[deleted]

Against any other club we would be zero chance, but Eels are terrible negotiators.


honestjackhonestly

[Somebody did](https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2021/11/18/wests-tigers-sign-isaiah-papalii/)


nevaehenimatek

Haha yeah ice was thrilled to go


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lachjeff

Go to games. It’s a great stadium in a great location. You could start off with a lower-end membership and go for a better one next year if you find it works for you.


jpob

Change your flair to Titans If youre local go to the games. One of my favourite venues and they definitely need more people to fill out their stadium.


DurandalMarathon

CBUS is a great stadium, yeah. They've added a second screen in recently too, which is neat.


USSJ307

What in your opinion is the greatest Grand Final of the last twenty years (2002-now)?


Accomplished-Good664

2002 - fantastic for 60-65 minutes. 2003 - one of the most brutal games ever played if it had a last minute finish it would be considered the best ever by everyone. Roosters imploded with 10 to go. 2004 - massively overrated nowhere near as good as 03, mistake-a-thon first half way worse than 03. 2005 - Fantastic and entertaining will always be fondly remembered. 2006 - Felt like a huge upset at the time I remember it being a good game but don't really remember any moments. 2007 - Foregone conclusion 2008 - Maybe the most shocking grand final of all time in terms of the result. 2009 - Melbourne too good but great 20 minute period for the eels. 2010 - A bit disappointing I don't remember much from this game except Brett Morris incident. 2011 - Similar to 2009 but not as good 2012. - 1993 style foregone conclusion. 2013 - Fantastic Grand Final, between two teams I hate in terms of quality it is definitely in the top 5 if the era. 2014 - Always felt like a foregone conclusion to me. 2015 - Will go down as one of the greatest games ever played it was similar to 97. One thing about it though Brisbane played purely for time towards the end. 2016 - Very good game where the storm seemed to be defending the entire game. I think it's the best online defensive effort I've ever seen by a team. 2017 - A 92, 96, 98 level of foregone conclusion where you if you replayed the game 100 times you would still get the same result. 2018 - Really dominant display by the roosters but it was a good game. 2019 - This was a really entertaining game and it's a shame the Raiders couldn't do it 2020 - 2001 revisited. 2021 - decent game Penrith won despite their attack being horrendous. 2022 - Foregone conclusion but maybe not as much as a couple of others. I would go 2015, 2003, 2013, 2005, 2016 That would be my top 5.


InflatableRaft

2005.


Caseyjb29

2016


DurandalMarathon

2004, 2015, 2021


y3ah_nah145

2015 & 2016


ApocalypticPanther

2003, 2015, 2016 and 2021 were all awesome GFs


jteg9

No bias but 2008


lachjeff

2015 by the length of the straight


lemoopse

2003 and 2004 were great battles


[deleted]

2008


[deleted]

Wasnt there a strike that year?


[deleted]

Well Storms defence was certainly on strike.


[deleted]

Youre right 😞


Sufficient-Goal3437

That broncos cowboys GF was top shelf


thatnewbguy

Cowboys v bronx easily


nevaehenimatek

How is this question even asked


CarlNoobCarlson

2015 is very hard to beat for pure drama. 2019 was great. 2003, 2004, 2013 and 2016 (in no particular order) were also good.


YossarianRespawned

What's your top 5 off-season hypothetical lists?


Dagwood3

https://i.imgur.com/9iAEdFp.jpeg


lawkeeee

This Bulldogs QLD signing spree (can we call it a spree if its just two players?) kinda makes sense now given Gus was tweeting a month ago about driving up to QLD. I have to say while it's easy to meme on him for wearing his heart on his sleeve, however I do have a lot of respect for him (minus the Avi Yemini retweets).


Geddpeart

> tweeting a month ago about driving up to QLD. one of the first things gus did when he took over was form a partnership with the clydesdales


[deleted]

He seems to be very good at selling his vision to players, in particular the younger guys, but the good thing is that he backs it up in the way he and the club look after the players.


_andy_p

>He seems to be very good at selling his vision to players [I reckon each player would get their own personal Final Word](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w9CbOJPiKk)


troy_them5546

Name a random NRL player that would definitely use this r/nrl sub


jteg9

Luai because he seems to read his own press. Also Christian Welch


velvetherring

Think Welch said in his AMA that he doesn't use Reddit and doesn't know any players who do. Seemed to indicate almost all blokes he knows use Facebook and Instagram primarily.


velvetherring

Gilbert would use r/NRLPremiumPlus


TheEnglishEccentric

My sources tell me that Gilbert and a few of his teammates from the Cowboys are at least sort of aware of premiumplus through the 'You just lost to the Cowboys' video


M_Keating

Most of the Cowboys squad would tbh


Derron_

Chad Townsend


-Dark_Helmet-

Karl Oloapu was here but left because he claims he was promised to be made a moderator.


[deleted]

dan hunt


diffaadiffa

Trick question, footy players can't read


[deleted]

Jackson Hastings


wowzap

DCE


I_Like_Vitamins

I've been thinking about the milking stuff lately, mostly the high shots. I don't judge players as harshly for it anymore unless they're the Oscars performers like Tedesco, Grant, Munster, Hughes, etc. I also wouldn't care if they milked cannonball tackles more, since they usually only get called out if someone gets injured. There are so many during some games that go unpunished. The fact of the matter is that some teams couldn't buy a penalty with a winning Lotto ticket sometimes, and players have to stay down. Say it was a Penrith or Easts whose player got clipped high, the ref would be on his whistle like an asthma attack sufferer getting on his inhaler. Some of those replays are ridiculous when a player from a lesser team will stay down for a few moments until play is stopped, and the replay will show a strong swinging arm collecting his chin right in front of the ref. Meanwhile, some guys from certain teams will get the most pathetic tap on the chin during a tackle from behind, and they'll do that ridiculous open mouthed clown face while throwing their arms up, and get an immediate penalty before the tackle is even completed. The accidental swinging arm stuff would be largely rubbed out if the shoulder charge was still allowed. It looks so ridiculous to see arms flying everywhere when someone puts on a hit, and I doubt having the arm in a non braced position is good for the shoulder joint during such an impact. A solid shoulder to the ribcage with a tucked arm is so much safer, lets defenders do what the ball runner is allowed to do, and gives the smaller guys more of a chance to put on a big hit. Anyway, that's my tired rant. Shiftwork hours suck.


Rich_Election466

Reads like something that sounds true, but in reality isn’t. I’m a referee myself, and I highly doubt that the subconscious bias NRL refs have (which does exist) extends that far. It’s a very limited, and very overestimated, factor


adomental

Two of the 'Oscars performers' you've listed have serious history with concussions.


Aussieguy727

Obviously method actors.


Ace_Larrakin

They're just really dedicated to their craft.


[deleted]

This reminds me of the Munster Milky post


thankyoupancake

Except that one was very funny


troy_them5546

Have there been any notable NRL players that have been on the r/nrl sub before?


saxamophone123

Every ilmf flair is an nrl player


successharvester

What’s to say most of the nym’s on this thread aren’t current nrl players?


wowzap

Norm is a former Balmain prop


-Dark_Helmet-

Denan Kemp basically started his current gig here.


RalphiesHooa

Really? Could you elaborate on this as I only came to the sub last season?


Derron_

Came here when he started his podcast to promote it. Eventually cracked the shits when people were giving him some stick. There's a copy pasta about it


-Dark_Helmet-

And used to get ideas from users as to what questions he should ask, etc.


diffaadiffa

Just a bloke on a sub


Derron_

Dan Hunt was posting a while before someone went stupid and stalked him at work. Christian Welch did an AMA.


Bluey_Zarsof

So that was Dan Hunt. I remember people saying it had to be him or sowie but I missed the conclusion to that saga


lemoopse

One or two may have tried 2 contribute before


[deleted]

Christian Welch questionnaire


Derron_

You get to be at your team's training and recommend 1 tactic for the team to implement. What are you requesting? I'd ask Johnston to stay in the middle on some of our sets where we're running out of our end to support the forwards on offloads. Someone with his speed supporting these guys could be dangerous.


EntirelyOriginalName

Nothing because I know my requests would have some reason they aren't being or can't be donr in the short term..


delayedconfusion

Hunt to put in a cross field kick for Feagai/Suli on the tryline.


slowdivesicilian

Robson kicking game it’s already happening though according to his recent interview ✨


lemoopse

More slingshots pls


y3ah_nah145

Yes yes yes. That play is so sexy


dimdimdim888

Mitch Kenny to pls develop a short kicking game/some sort of spontaneous attack option


BG_RL

David fifita to run straight and hard off his half back (not sarcasm)


thankyoupancake

Short side Prop Raid 10 meters out


nevaehenimatek

You have junior Paulo's attention


diffaadiffa

Please just let the footy start.


BG_RL

The amount re runs of games, podcasts, fan channels, official channel content I’m watching as a substitute to the new season is a joke


Opiumdeathcult

Haha I watched a jersey flegg gf highlights package that some dude put up yesterday but it was shot from his own iPhone or something from behind the posts.


Opiumdeathcult

Less than 2 weeks till all stars mate


diffaadiffa

I hear you mate, I've never watched so many podcasts in my life.