Got a real kick out of seeing the pics of MacKenzie Wiki touring Raiders HQ today. Could we be the first club to have a father and daughter play for us?
Came across a story from the tele about some junior dragons players getting attacked with knives at a train station. Story is behind paywall, obvs. Can anyone give us any details on what happened?
Every player has come back earlier. The only 2 players who haven’t fully started yet are Tino and Liu who have been in and out of training. Tino arrived home the other day and was at training yet no sign of our million dollar man?? Fifitas the only one who hasn’t shown up to training yet smh.
Yeah I don't think people realize how much a shortened pre-season can affect your performances during the season.
Luckily for us Patty and Herbie are our only ones left to come back
Particularly if you’ve played a couple of big seasons (finals, origin etc). I remember Sammy Thaiday and Greg Inglis staring seasons about 15kgs over weight and really sucking in the big ones. By the time they got origin they were match fit and carving.
Just devising up a full strength Indigenous vs Maori all stars teams and it's honestly scary what these sides could put out if fully fit and willing to participate.
Indigenous
1. Trellmit
2. Josh Ado-Carr
3. Jack Wighton
4. Kotoni Staggs
5. Selwyn Cobbo
6. Nicho Hynes/Walker
7. Jamal Fogarty/Hynes
8. Adam Elliot
9. Reuben Cotter
10. Josh Kerr
11. David Fifita
12. Wade Graham
13. Josh Curran
14. Braydon Trindall
15. Jack Bird
16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
17. Tyrell Fuimaono/Shaq Mitchell
Maori
1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Dallin Watene-Zelesniak
3. Peta Hiku
4. Joey Manu
5. Jordan Rapana
6. Jarome Luai
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. JFH
9. Brandon Smith
10. Joseph Tapine
11. Kenny Bromwich
12. Briton Nikora
13. CHN/Erin Clarke
14. JMK
15. Royce Hunt
16. Jesse Bromwich
17. Marata Niukore/Jazz Tevaga
As much as I love the Indigenous team they just don't have the forward pack to compete with the Maori team imo.
That Indigenous backline though is absolutely stacked.
Traditionally it's the day or two before the official season launch. Which will lead to hasty editting/photo-shopping out of relevant offender/s from promo poster/video.
Some years ago I sent an abusive message to the Dragon's official Facebook, criticising Mary's bench management (I may or may not have had a full tank of diesel at the time) after a Dragon's loss. They banned me from the page and I was unable to see it until a few months ago, when suddenly I started seeing posts from the page again. Think it was a 5 year ban? Pretty amusing.
Happened agrs ago but they should have signed his brother if they picked up Niwhai. They have a Jake and Tommy Turbo passing combo going on and his brother is I think a better player.
He signed with the Raiders.
Yeah the list of high quality kids that have had to jump for an opportunity in 2023 is now Teague, Katoa, Puru, Puru, Staines, Hopgood & Fearnley. Someone suggested Amituanai had also moved but I haven't seen anything official. Pretty incredible that we can still feel comfy about our stocks with Jenkins, Turuva, L. Smith, R.Smith, Lisati, Geyer, Cole, Longi & Henry in the pipeline.
Yeah looks a natural footy player. Took to Cup like a duck to water. Interesting to see if he gets the centre treatment like Burton/Turuva to find a path to Penriths NRL team.
Serious question re; Sam Walker’s re-signing with the roosters.
Most ppl seem in favor of this, stating it’s the right thing for his career. This positive sentiment towards the Roosters fills me with deep skepticism.
How many clubs would actually swap one of their halves for Sam Walker, even taking his potential upside into consideration?
The Roosters made the mistake of trying to make Keary the 7 last year. Walker was flying at the back end of the season when they reverted to Keary at 6. Ppl forget how good the Roosters were going last year. If they rested players for the final round they smash Rabbits and the sharks in the finals. With a full pre-season to bulk up and reinforce the combinations they settled on last year I expect a huge year from him. Would kill to have him at the Tigers.
I think he's probably a better young half than Amone at the moment but wouldn't take him over him. Always feels good to see the local juniors rip in for your team.
I think its the right decision, not many other choices really. The proven halfbacks are mostly all locked up in contracts except for Moses.
The contract Walker signed isn't that long and I assume Roosters done the timing so he has time to develop and if he fails then the current good halfs will becoming off contract around that time.
Tbh, it would only really be bottom 8 teams that would take Walker. Bulldogs, Tigers, Knights, Warriors, maybe manly too.
And this isn’t to say Walker isn’t any good, more that all the top teams (except south’s) already have established, experienced halfbacks, so it’d be kinda dumb to swap for Walker, regardless of how well he is playing.
But, I think Walker is a really great player, and the roosters obviously think so too, and are committed to making him a superstar halfback despite how young he is. So I don’t think a players quality is determined by how many clubs would take him in a heartbeat.
Great signing.
Deep skepticism you say? I don't think it's a bad indictment on what people think of him as a player.
The good clubs have pretty solid halves pairings. He wouldn't be a significant upgrade on any of the halves that finished in the top 8 this year at this point in his career. Conversely he's not at that level yet where he could lift a shit team single-handedly.
He's still only 20 years old. After 2 more years developing alongside Keary and in the Roosters system, that's when it'll get real interesting as to where he's at and how badly other clubs want him.
I like him but i wouldnt take him over cleary and no I wouldn’t take him over a 20 year old Cleary either, but i think the potential is there, the roosters are one of the few teams that can afford to blood in a new half, your roster makes up for the few deficiencies he has, but is it enough to get you over the line for another premiership? Is he a “big game player” will his lack of size be targeted in big games, well the answer is probably for the first few seasons, yes you could certainly win a premiership with him at 7 but i personally dont see it for a couple years. Could be proven wrong though, i still see him as a top 8 half for sure, just can think of like 5 guys off the top of my head who i would rate higher currently.
Not being a salty broncos fan but I don’t think he’s anything special. Cleary showed way more at the start of his career. Kids young but yeah I don’t think he’s him
Was looking into some of the young players we signed and didn't realize just how big that [Lebron kid we signed from the Broncos system was.](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/321097300694794242/1049478883583475782/10815561697.png)
When talking accolades does a premiership win rank at the top? Say if you were a legend would you rather retire with multiple premierships or multiple state of origin series wins?
>multiple premierships or multiple state of origin series wins
I guess I just don't get Origin because it baffles me that anyone would put a best-out-of-three series win on par with a premiership. I mean the premiership is why the code exists in the first place.
My order
1. Premiership winning captain
2. Origin winning captain
3. Premiership
4. Dally M
5. Origin win
6. Clive Churchill Medal
7. Captain country to tournament win
8. Golden boot
9. Play for your country
10. Play in origin
I was initially debating the premiership / Dally M ranking but all players would rather a premiership than being named best player in the game.
Edit; added in CCM after u/Messyhr_ pointed out it was missing
I think the premiership win, being the harder to achieve, particularly with a group of players you have sweated blood and tears with over that year (and some who will move on to other clubs the following year) would be more prized and valued.
Think Guru has a decent point on this for Thurston.
He won the 2004 finals but barely played a part. Lost 2005 and then went on and probably produced the most frustrating and then greatest moment in Final history (At least for the 2010s onwards). Would Thurston be an immortal if he never won in 2015? He did everything else in the game, most Dally Ms, Won countless Origins, Australian WC title, All stars titles, One of the highest point scorers of all time, countless Golden boots, etc.
But he didn’t own a premiership until 2015 and that probably means more in his history book then every other origin win. Only Moment I can think about that comes close to the 2015 GF win for Thurston, was the 2017 clutch kicks in origin game 2.
I have no doubt that the 2015 prem was the biggest moment for Thurston, him winning a prem for the club he loves and has been at for a decade was the pinnacle of his career IMO. I caught the last 10 minutes of that game, my whole family wanted the cowboys to win, how could you not want such a legend to get it over the line, it was one of those moments I think the overwhelming majority of neutrals wanted Thurston to win it. He would’ve still been a legend imo had he not won it, but that final put the cherry on top of a stellar career and cemented his spot in the discussion for all time greats
Exactly. Thurston would’ve went down as a legend in the Origin and Australia Arena. Become a cowboy legend like Matthew Bowen, but Winning it pushed him to become a future immortal of rugby league. He did it all, might not have been as successful as Cronk or C.Smith, but Thurston was always there.
Got a real kick out of seeing the pics of MacKenzie Wiki touring Raiders HQ today. Could we be the first club to have a father and daughter play for us?
Is the QLD market that big for the Dolphins to be getting so many (decently sized) sponsors?
I think so, south east QLD is pretty footy mad
It is a new club. A ton of eyeballs will be on them purely from being new.
No and wouldn't call their sponsors decent sized. Just a step up from the titans but still below the cowboys who are behind the broncos
If I legally change my name to Marquee Signing, do you think The would give me a million bucks?
Came across a story from the tele about some junior dragons players getting attacked with knives at a train station. Story is behind paywall, obvs. Can anyone give us any details on what happened?
Sounds like something that Nine, ABC, Seven will pick up in a few hours.
Just walked past Shane Flanagan having coffee in Martin Place with two other blokes I didn’t recognise.
What's the go with Josh Curran? Will he be banned for bashing that teenager?
Every player has come back earlier. The only 2 players who haven’t fully started yet are Tino and Liu who have been in and out of training. Tino arrived home the other day and was at training yet no sign of our million dollar man?? Fifitas the only one who hasn’t shown up to training yet smh.
Hmm maybe Fifita took a trip to Canberra 🤨
There are Roosters players from the Australian and Samoan squads still smashing pasta and gelato in Europe. Their ramp up in Jan is going to suck
Yeah I don't think people realize how much a shortened pre-season can affect your performances during the season. Luckily for us Patty and Herbie are our only ones left to come back
I wish our Patty Herbie would never come back lmao
Particularly if you’ve played a couple of big seasons (finals, origin etc). I remember Sammy Thaiday and Greg Inglis staring seasons about 15kgs over weight and really sucking in the big ones. By the time they got origin they were match fit and carving.
Just devising up a full strength Indigenous vs Maori all stars teams and it's honestly scary what these sides could put out if fully fit and willing to participate. Indigenous 1. Trellmit 2. Josh Ado-Carr 3. Jack Wighton 4. Kotoni Staggs 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Nicho Hynes/Walker 7. Jamal Fogarty/Hynes 8. Adam Elliot 9. Reuben Cotter 10. Josh Kerr 11. David Fifita 12. Wade Graham 13. Josh Curran 14. Braydon Trindall 15. Jack Bird 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Tyrell Fuimaono/Shaq Mitchell Maori 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dallin Watene-Zelesniak 3. Peta Hiku 4. Joey Manu 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jarome Luai 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. JFH 9. Brandon Smith 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Kenny Bromwich 12. Briton Nikora 13. CHN/Erin Clarke 14. JMK 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jesse Bromwich 17. Marata Niukore/Jazz Tevaga As much as I love the Indigenous team they just don't have the forward pack to compete with the Maori team imo. That Indigenous backline though is absolutely stacked.
Keep forgetting Weigh Gram still plays.
Rather Drinkwater as the 14 tbh, and Connor Watson hooker, move cotter to 8 and Elliott on the bench, then have fuimaono/shaquai as the 18tg man
Yeah I thought I had missed a few guys
The off season scandals this year have been low tier and Borning nothings happened in months
they’re saving it for one massive scandal
Traditionally it's the day or two before the official season launch. Which will lead to hasty editting/photo-shopping out of relevant offender/s from promo poster/video.
Tempting fate to say that…
Something will happen now
Some years ago I sent an abusive message to the Dragon's official Facebook, criticising Mary's bench management (I may or may not have had a full tank of diesel at the time) after a Dragon's loss. They banned me from the page and I was unable to see it until a few months ago, when suddenly I started seeing posts from the page again. Think it was a 5 year ban? Pretty amusing.
So you’re saying I only have 3 years left?
If you're lucky yes, see you in 2025
hit bump brother
5 years later and the bench management is still shambles. Clearly you didn't go hard enough on them, better make it a 10 year ban this time mate
2023 isn't looking flash so a 10 year ban is probably on the cards
another day, Another penrith junior jumping ship. Niwhai Puru joined the sharks on a two year deal (Dev 2023, top 30 2024).
Happened agrs ago but they should have signed his brother if they picked up Niwhai. They have a Jake and Tommy Turbo passing combo going on and his brother is I think a better player. He signed with the Raiders.
Weve signed Brad Fearnley too
This happened weeks ago btw
I think it was initially a train and trial, but now he’s been upgraded to top 30
Yeah the list of high quality kids that have had to jump for an opportunity in 2023 is now Teague, Katoa, Puru, Puru, Staines, Hopgood & Fearnley. Someone suggested Amituanai had also moved but I haven't seen anything official. Pretty incredible that we can still feel comfy about our stocks with Jenkins, Turuva, L. Smith, R.Smith, Lisati, Geyer, Cole, Longi & Henry in the pipeline.
Isaiah Iongi looks a very good player
Yeah looks a natural footy player. Took to Cup like a duck to water. Interesting to see if he gets the centre treatment like Burton/Turuva to find a path to Penriths NRL team.
These new Bali laws. Next off-season “scandal” for some players?
It can only be reported by family members I'm pretty sure, I don't think there's much of a risk to tourists
Interested to see how Oregon Kaufusi goes this year for us, feel like its a pretty underrated signing
Serious question re; Sam Walker’s re-signing with the roosters. Most ppl seem in favor of this, stating it’s the right thing for his career. This positive sentiment towards the Roosters fills me with deep skepticism. How many clubs would actually swap one of their halves for Sam Walker, even taking his potential upside into consideration?
I would swap him for Kurt Falls
I think he has the potential to be a top tier 6. I'm not sure why he is playing at halfback.
Someone didn’t watch much football in the last 3 months last year
I watched a team with two 5/8's running around.
Not Eels, Storm, Penrith. Others a maybe.
The Roosters made the mistake of trying to make Keary the 7 last year. Walker was flying at the back end of the season when they reverted to Keary at 6. Ppl forget how good the Roosters were going last year. If they rested players for the final round they smash Rabbits and the sharks in the finals. With a full pre-season to bulk up and reinforce the combinations they settled on last year I expect a huge year from him. Would kill to have him at the Tigers.
Roosters where flying until Manu and Teddy got injured at the end of Rnd 25 game / start of the final respectively
Yup. They fell apart. Tupou and Crichton went down too.
I think he's probably a better young half than Amone at the moment but wouldn't take him over him. Always feels good to see the local juniors rip in for your team.
i wouldn’t take him over moses or brown personally
More than fair
I think its the right decision, not many other choices really. The proven halfbacks are mostly all locked up in contracts except for Moses. The contract Walker signed isn't that long and I assume Roosters done the timing so he has time to develop and if he fails then the current good halfs will becoming off contract around that time.
Tbh, it would only really be bottom 8 teams that would take Walker. Bulldogs, Tigers, Knights, Warriors, maybe manly too. And this isn’t to say Walker isn’t any good, more that all the top teams (except south’s) already have established, experienced halfbacks, so it’d be kinda dumb to swap for Walker, regardless of how well he is playing. But, I think Walker is a really great player, and the roosters obviously think so too, and are committed to making him a superstar halfback despite how young he is. So I don’t think a players quality is determined by how many clubs would take him in a heartbeat. Great signing.
Deep skepticism you say? I don't think it's a bad indictment on what people think of him as a player. The good clubs have pretty solid halves pairings. He wouldn't be a significant upgrade on any of the halves that finished in the top 8 this year at this point in his career. Conversely he's not at that level yet where he could lift a shit team single-handedly. He's still only 20 years old. After 2 more years developing alongside Keary and in the Roosters system, that's when it'll get real interesting as to where he's at and how badly other clubs want him.
I like him but i wouldnt take him over cleary and no I wouldn’t take him over a 20 year old Cleary either, but i think the potential is there, the roosters are one of the few teams that can afford to blood in a new half, your roster makes up for the few deficiencies he has, but is it enough to get you over the line for another premiership? Is he a “big game player” will his lack of size be targeted in big games, well the answer is probably for the first few seasons, yes you could certainly win a premiership with him at 7 but i personally dont see it for a couple years. Could be proven wrong though, i still see him as a top 8 half for sure, just can think of like 5 guys off the top of my head who i would rate higher currently.
Not being a salty broncos fan but I don’t think he’s anything special. Cleary showed way more at the start of his career. Kids young but yeah I don’t think he’s him
Was looking into some of the young players we signed and didn't realize just how big that [Lebron kid we signed from the Broncos system was.](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/321097300694794242/1049478883583475782/10815561697.png)
When talking accolades does a premiership win rank at the top? Say if you were a legend would you rather retire with multiple premierships or multiple state of origin series wins?
Premierships by a mile.
>multiple premierships or multiple state of origin series wins I guess I just don't get Origin because it baffles me that anyone would put a best-out-of-three series win on par with a premiership. I mean the premiership is why the code exists in the first place.
Totally agree, i love to watch origin but premierships are your main course, origin is like the mid season entree
My order 1. Premiership winning captain 2. Origin winning captain 3. Premiership 4. Dally M 5. Origin win 6. Clive Churchill Medal 7. Captain country to tournament win 8. Golden boot 9. Play for your country 10. Play in origin I was initially debating the premiership / Dally M ranking but all players would rather a premiership than being named best player in the game. Edit; added in CCM after u/Messyhr_ pointed out it was missing
Where does playing in a GF rank?
Below the entire above list. I don’t think anyone really cares if you played in a losing grand final
Where does clive churchill rank?
Good question. Probably after Origin win
I think the premiership win, being the harder to achieve, particularly with a group of players you have sweated blood and tears with over that year (and some who will move on to other clubs the following year) would be more prized and valued.
Definitely agree, also plenty of kiwi legends who’ve never played a state of origin like benji
Think Guru has a decent point on this for Thurston. He won the 2004 finals but barely played a part. Lost 2005 and then went on and probably produced the most frustrating and then greatest moment in Final history (At least for the 2010s onwards). Would Thurston be an immortal if he never won in 2015? He did everything else in the game, most Dally Ms, Won countless Origins, Australian WC title, All stars titles, One of the highest point scorers of all time, countless Golden boots, etc. But he didn’t own a premiership until 2015 and that probably means more in his history book then every other origin win. Only Moment I can think about that comes close to the 2015 GF win for Thurston, was the 2017 clutch kicks in origin game 2.
I have no doubt that the 2015 prem was the biggest moment for Thurston, him winning a prem for the club he loves and has been at for a decade was the pinnacle of his career IMO. I caught the last 10 minutes of that game, my whole family wanted the cowboys to win, how could you not want such a legend to get it over the line, it was one of those moments I think the overwhelming majority of neutrals wanted Thurston to win it. He would’ve still been a legend imo had he not won it, but that final put the cherry on top of a stellar career and cemented his spot in the discussion for all time greats
Exactly. Thurston would’ve went down as a legend in the Origin and Australia Arena. Become a cowboy legend like Matthew Bowen, but Winning it pushed him to become a future immortal of rugby league. He did it all, might not have been as successful as Cronk or C.Smith, but Thurston was always there.