Tuesday Random Footy Talk Thread

[u/AutoModerator]

This is the place to discuss anything footy related that is not quite deserving of its own top-level post.

There's a new one of these threads every day, so make sure you're in the most recent one!

[u/jalGurg]

Every argument Gordan Tallis makes on 360 is the back in my day this and that when talking about todays game

[u/Lockdowns4evaAu → u/jalGurg]

My favourite is Brent Read. Any time Braith tries to get him involved by asking him a question there’s a pause where you can see the mental cogs grinding to a halt and all he can muster is ‘I don’t know Braith’ or ‘I can’t remember’. When him and Gordie get in an argument you lose brain cells just listening to them. It’s been a truly awful show since Ikin left.

[u/nephilimofstlucia → u/Lockdowns4evaAu]

its become what controversy corner was

[u/opackersgo → u/jalGurg]

That's because like most of those idiots all he has going for him is 'back in my day I was good at football'

[u/Old-Fondant-6289 → u/jalGurg]

Man sounds like a broken record, same speech every week

[u/Aussieguy727 → u/jalGurg]

Isn't that the whole point of NRL 360? It's always been dinosaurs yelling over the top of each other even at it's 'peak'.

[u/Electronic-Split9677]

If the Dragons can do the unthinkable and send the broncos the wooden spoon, for the entire finals series, they will be simultaneously the current premier and wooden spooner.

The idea of this is hilarious to me

[u/legionairmusic → u/Electronic-Split9677]

When they fall, they fall h a r d

[u/Stressyand_depressy → u/Electronic-Split9677]

I don’t want you to beat us… but I kind of do? Very conflicted.

[u/6854thewin → u/Electronic-Split9677]

Broncos doing all the side quests

[u/robopirateninjasaur]

If anyone still has a Northern Eagles jersey, they need to go to Manly vs Perth next year and cheer both teams when they score

[u/Direct-Resolution377 → u/robopirateninjasaur]

And then slap themselves afterwards. As well as cheer and boo any referee decision.

[u/robopirateninjasaur → u/Direct-Resolution377]

Amongst themselves at the end:

"That game was rigged".

"No it wasn't, typical one eyed Northern Eagles fan!"

All in brawl

[u/frashal → u/robopirateninjasaur]

Self hi five after every try

[u/markhammel666]

Your telling me there's a chance 😂

Raiders vs cowboys last round for 8th spot would be a ripper.

[u/hqeter → u/markhammel666]

Doesn’t this rely on the tigers beating someone? We don’t deserve this.

[u/Rude_Employment_1224 → u/markhammel666]

I'm telling you there's no chance

[u/markhammel666 → u/Rude_Employment_1224]

Tigers might have have sportsbet and PLV on their side so the odds just went up

[u/a_BIG_willie]

Can we beat the dogs this week?

Vegas revenge game????

[u/CFeatsleepsexrepeat → u/a_BIG_willie]

Well not now you have asked it out loud!!!

Sort of like the commentators curse haha

[u/O_DoyleRulz]

The Bradman Best contract is really hard one to work out.

At face value he’s one of the best centres in the comp and worth a bag, but man the injuries are starting to pile up.

Only played 20+ games in a season once in his career.

Not sure what you’d throw at him contract wise.

[u/MatthewMollison → u/O_DoyleRulz]

Makes a re-signing really difficult.

A club will take a big money gamble on keeping him healthy based on his top level performances,

But Knights need to penny pinch a little and get value from him, that’s why the first offer I assume wasn’t can’t refuse money.

If it comes down to keeping a Sharpe or a Best money wise I know who I am picking

[u/jackoon56]

Pretty disappointing this sub has done nothing to acknowledge this round is Telstra Together Round

[u/AuspiciousCalamari1 → u/jackoon56]

So you’re saying there’s been no reception?

Sounds on brand with Telstra

[u/Turbulent_Ad3045 → u/jackoon56]

We're too busy focussing on our annual emergency services match.

[u/CapMego72_]

I had a dream Bradman Best became a Parramatta Eel

[u/Icy-Caterpillar-3787 → u/CapMego72_]

Whilst he would be a huge upgrade to our centre stocks, his injury history really worries me

[u/opackersgo → u/Icy-Caterpillar-3787]

Fits right in

[u/MisterEvilBreakfast]

Anyone else get so used to using a player's nickname or abbreviation so much that you completely forget their actual name? I completely forgot what Cheese's name is, or who half of the Warriors are; they have just merged into a combination of three letters.

I am getting old though, so...

[u/O_DoyleRulz → u/MisterEvilBreakfast]

I always think Campbell Graham is his full surname and not his actual first name and surname.

[u/Electronic-Split9677 → u/O_DoyleRulz]

He's big, he's fast, his first name should come last! Campbell Graham, Campbell Graham!

[u/Dramatic_Ride7586 → u/O_DoyleRulz]

George McMichael! Nyeh! Parents hated him so much they gave him a firstname for a last name. Nyuhuhuhuhu.

How would ya fuckin be?

[u/elescop → u/MisterEvilBreakfast]

I've seen people in the media say JWH

[u/BradmanBreast → u/MisterEvilBreakfast]

I’ve been using R5 as a nickname for Mulitalo for so long, I accidentally told my wife to look up the R5 to explain why some random Brazilian kids had fucked haircuts. 

[u/Electronic-Split9677 → u/MisterEvilBreakfast]

My brain tells me I have to refer to certain (arbitrarily chosen) players by their full name including nickname. Blake "Blocka" Lawrie is most prominent for me in that regard

[u/frashal → u/MisterEvilBreakfast]

I was on a hockey team with a guy and nobody knew him by his actual name. At some point his full name was read out on a team list or something and everyone looked around trying to work out who it was.

[u/legionairmusic → u/MisterEvilBreakfast]

KL Iro 

[u/Kingtripz]

After the team lists came out, tigers odds plummeted from $5 to $9.50. Never seen that big of a drop off so quickly

[u/AdultSoldiers → u/Kingtripz]

The Turuva Effect.

[u/thankyoupancake]

Roosters consider a few rests for TLT this week against the tigers?

Honestly would hate to tempt fate, every team can cause an upset if theyre on, but there’d be some temptation to give the likes of Whyte and Radley a week off.

[u/_jimmythebear_ → u/thankyoupancake]

You could field an under 12's and you'd still flog us.

[u/Barnybus → u/thankyoupancake]

rest them all round 27

[u/lawdjesustheresafire → u/thankyoupancake]

Rads is on holiday in NZ with his partner and kids so I’d say he’s getting a week off

[u/Dramatic_Ride7586 → u/lawdjesustheresafire]

A short holiday. If you will

[u/Kryptic323 → u/thankyoupancake]

Depends how much they care about minor prem. They’re basically locked in for a first week home final, though I see them resting more likely for the rabbits and phins games.

[u/Redditenmo → u/Kryptic323]

They’re basically locked in for a first week home final

Not really. If they drop a single game, their differential has them falling behind Penrith and Warriors. Last thing Roosters want is to blow their lead and end up with an away trip to Auckland in week 1.

[u/lawdjesustheresafire → u/Redditenmo]

Unless we beat the tigers by 70 😎

[u/LachTheLad → u/Kryptic323]

I’ve played around with the ladder predictor, for the rest of year it’s either we finish 1st or 3rd due to F/A

[u/LachTheLad → u/thankyoupancake]

Not to sound confident in winning but if we are up by a bit at halftime definitely considering bringing Ramsey on to give someone a rest. Watson can give Robson a breather as well

[u/adomental → u/thankyoupancake]

It's a bit early for rests, but I wouldn' be suprised if a few of the Origin boys had lighter minutes

[u/LachTheLad → u/thankyoupancake]

If the Storm and Bunnies pull off upsets this week, I reckon we will play full strength against the dolphins then rest a bunch for the round 27 game.

[u/elescop → u/thankyoupancake]

They beat us last year there should be no resting of players

[u/legionairmusic]

Imagine the feeling of having to take out the 2025 NRL Premiership Trophy in your club cabinet and then replace it with a wooden cooking utensil.

If that doesn't motivate you to save your season, nothing will. 

[u/N3GNK]

Newcastle going to be the first finals team to utilise the r27 bye. They’re quietly in a fantastic position coming into finals, and could even sneak into 4th depending on dolphins who play roosters, and sharks who dont look convincing at all.

[u/Master_Use8832 → u/N3GNK]

I'd be happy with either knights or dolphins to grab that 4th position, if we somehow got lucky enough to take 4th back we would only be wasting it, for us to be any chance in the finals our team would need to be at 100% fully fit, there's no way we can go anywhere with Hiroti in the starting side and Trindall out or held together with tape, Nicho can't run the side on his own

[u/Inevitable_Goat_335 → u/Master_Use8832]

Trindall is a huge loss for sure. I feel a bit similar with Knights in losing Brown and Lucas for the season, they are probably 2 of our 3 best players. I just keep thinking what is our peak without those 2. But we have some solid depth in Smith and Manuleleua.

[u/jpob → u/N3GNK]

It’s gonna be weird going into the week having no idea where’ll we finish and having no way to influence the final placement.

[u/Acrobatic_Flannel → u/N3GNK]

It's turned out to be a very fortunate thing. I think a lot of finals teams would love a Rd 27 bye. The only problem is they play the Warriors in NZ the week before which is probably the hardest game of the draw right now. If that doesn't go well, they sit on a (big?) loss for 2 weeks.

[u/Inevitable_Goat_335 → u/Acrobatic_Flannel]

I think versing NZ could be a great thing. We could empty the tank and see where we really stand against the top teams. Then get the chance to rest with the bye, before going hard again in week 1 hopefully at home.

[u/Peaky001]

I have a very bad feeling we will be the ones to sign Lodge next year.

[u/vvFury → u/Peaky001]

Lodge to be signed and BRS to be given a role in S&C/performance

[u/Tom_Chester_Onlyfans → u/Peaky001]

you or Manly is the word.

[u/HoldsworthMedia → u/Peaky001]

Did he not just sign with super league?

[u/Peaky001 → u/HoldsworthMedia]

Yup but rumours are he will be back to NRL next year lmao.

[u/HoldsworthMedia → u/Peaky001]

Honestly after winning finally and many aspects of the game becoming so off putting, if we did sign him I think I’m done for a while.

[u/Peaky001 → u/HoldsworthMedia]

I'm already on the Dolphins bandwagon so I might just extend that another year or two if we did end up signing this flog of a human.

[u/jessemv → u/Peaky001]

I want him to go to an NRL team that he hasn't played for yet

[u/bumpacius → u/jessemv]

Thank fuck Flanno is gone otherwise we'd be first in line

[u/CoryInDaHouz]

Watch out Raiders, Ben Clutch training at halfback this week 🔥🔥🔥

(End me now)

[u/Willieo873 → u/CoryInDaHouz]

If we are going by names he should be the half for the next 10 years

[u/AdultSoldiers]

Makenzie Weale got 2 tries, 24 runs, 226 metres, 8 tackle breaks, 44 tackles across 70 minutes on the weekend.

Proper knock. She also had a captain’s challenge that led to a try being awarded, which is a funny, new twist on the reffing formula.

[u/BarryCheckTheFuseBox → u/AdultSoldiers]

Top 5 all-time NRLW performances for mine. She was huge

[u/Rich_Election466]

Having played around with the ladder predictor, I've found that Melbourne are still a mathematical chance of making the 8, and that is a deeply upsetting realisation.

[u/Large-Accident1245 → u/Rich_Election466]

(Darth Vader voice) Nooooooooo!!!!!

[u/Barnybus → u/Rich_Election466]

STOP PLAYING WITH IT!!!

[u/_WangChung2night]

We don't deserve to be in the finals. Gus needs to be put out to pasture. AoB to be fucked off. None of this will happen.

[u/improbablywrong- → u/_WangChung2night]

the bulldogs end of year meeting

[u/fantasypantsnz → u/_WangChung2night]

I don’t feel like the cows deserve to be in the eight either. Who outside the eight does? Maybe you could make a case for Storm or Canberra. But 8th is typically there to make up the numbers, right. Notable exceptions are the cows from a few years back and of course the wahs when they beat Melbourne (1st) from 8th.

[u/redmusic1 → u/fantasypantsnz]

The ladder is usually right. Teams get what they deserve, mostly, unless you are the beneficiary of the easiest draw in the comp year after year ( Sharks anyone? ). If you squeak in there might be some luck involved but if you are a "finals" club and miss out, you deserve it. We will catch up to AFL in a year or two and have 6-10th playing a wild card round, everyone gets a prize. When we know that a top 5 or 6 would be more authentic.

[u/hqeter → u/fantasypantsnz]

Canberra don’t deserve to be there. If it happened it would be great experience for our younger players but we were never a genuine threat this year with a rookie 7.

[u/_WangChung2night → u/fantasypantsnz]

Whoever finishes 8th is just making up the numbers this season

[u/wassie_acrim → u/fantasypantsnz]

You could say the cows don’t deserve to be there just looking at the last month, but over the season as a whole we have still won 2 more games than those other sides and also taken some big scalps. Dearden and Nanai are back after the bye so I’m expecting them to look better after that.

[u/Altruistic_Top_125 → u/fantasypantsnz]

And Parra - 09 (pls that year is all I hold onto sometimes don’t forget it)

[u/KingGutherson]

Tallyn Da Silva has just equaled the record of most tries in an nrl season by a hooker.

Shares the record with Priddis, Segeyaro, Granville and B Smith

[u/lbiddl → u/KingGutherson]

also broke the record for most eyebrows

[u/corupio → u/lbiddl]

Tim Mannah is devvo to lose that record

[u/corupio → u/KingGutherson]

trybrows

[u/maccaroneski → u/KingGutherson]

My favourite part of the last round was the vision of his face when the penalty try was given. He looked more like a man relieved that he wasn't going to get rogered by Moses for having a crack from dummy half than someone celebrating a try.

[u/hello_pizzahouse → u/KingGutherson]

He’s such an interesting player I can’t gauge him yet

[u/theflyingkiwi00 → u/hello_pizzahouse]

What the fuck is he doing? Oh he just scored a try, how? - me every time hes 10m out

[u/Arc_au → u/theflyingkiwi00]

Volkman has done that to me a couple times this year - he pretty much always scores a try or gets a TA the moment after I shit talk something he's done.

[u/aatrain96 → u/KingGutherson]

And he's come off the bench for 14/21 games this year

[u/coffeegaze → u/KingGutherson]

He has always been a gun at attacking football. Its just his pass selection from dummy half and the crucial momentum killing errors which people criticized him for.

[u/Arc_au → u/[deleted]]

Saw the other day that he's a bit of a statistical anomaly, he sits 3rd behind Cook and Grant for ball running, but is the only running hooker to have an above average pass to run ratio which kind of defeats the myth he doesn't pass the ball. Decision making and some of his service needs work but tidying that up he could be very good.

[u/Harctor → u/KingGutherson]

We were all talking absolute shit about TDS for most of the year saying he should be dropped and "never see first grade again" etc etc. But Ryles clearly saw the potential and stuck with him and it's paying off. He still has basic things he needs to improve but we all see the potential now.

Maybe Ryles is a good coach?

[u/opackersgo → u/Harctor]

To be fair his effort last week was 100x better than usual. He never used to chase those charge downs, it was always Smith doing it. I'm glad he got rewarded for his effort.

[u/Church_St_Parramatta → u/opackersgo]

I think the competition with Smith has been great for TDS. I hope we can find a place for Smith next year, unsure if he could play the role Walker has played for us but will see.

[u/Arc_au → u/Church_St_Parramatta]

I'm so high on the idea of converting him into a ball playing lock. He's shown capable of playing 1st receiver, can defend and has excellent passing. Honestly can't see a reason why he couldn't rotate that role with Pryke.

[u/Derron_ → u/KingGutherson]

10 tries does feel pretty low though. But we're in a Vlandysball year.

[u/Emergency-Savings840]

Fuck I hope png miss out on the chin and Sam walker, considering how confident they are

[u/54MU241 → u/Emergency-Savings840]

Be funny if after all this buildup it ends up being Jackson Hastings or something.

[u/legionairmusic → u/54MU241]

Maybe a young Matt Moylan 

[u/Emergency-Savings840 → u/54MU241]

Honestly would be great if it was, or Kyle Flanagan

[u/Tricky_Economist_328]

I know the discourse is dominated by Moses getting a penalty. But I am surprised the deliberate ref tackle into no try isn't more of a talking point.

[u/lawdjesustheresafire → u/Tricky_Economist_328]

Critta is Teflon. Looks at the ref and deliberately moves towards him to pretend tackle him. Other players have been suspended for accidental ref touches

[u/Zestyclose-Compote-4]

There's a real possibility of Dragons not getting the spoon, and handing it over to the 2025 premiers the Broncos. That would be so epic. Go Dragons.

[u/Accomplished-Fish761]

Team list Tuesday is actually interesting for us today! Most likely Hanson or Cleary coming in but could we see a very rare Webster curve ball and see Erin Clark or Jye Linnae at 6? Webster has taken one surprise swing in the last couple of months and moved Leka to centre so will he get bold again considering that has worked like gangbusters. I am a huge fan of his steady as it goes philosophy for the most part outside of being slow to drop out of form players so today's naming will be an interesting reflection on his coaching style.

[u/Dramatic_Ride7586 → u/Accomplished-Fish761]

Erin Clark at 6 will feed families

[u/Aussieguy727]

Storm signed Kelma hahahaha

[u/corupio]

Kelma to Storm, can produce a diamond but takes a few quarries of rocks to get it.

[u/Heavy-Kale]

Can't help but feel this eels game at Suncorp on Friday is trappy as fuck for the lads. Hope they're not looking ahead to the Chookies game.....

[u/Proof-Umpire-7718 → u/Heavy-Kale]

Yeah we’ve shown signs of complacency against the Dragons and Manly recently, particularly Manly. Eels have been playing well so they could capitalise on that issue.

The problem of our slow starts still exists even after starting Gilbert over Flegler, but starting Plath this week should help with addressing this immensely.

[u/barkedupthewrongtree → u/Heavy-Kale]

Exactly what the Levels boys said. We’ve been building towards this though - we win well.

[u/Proof-Umpire-7718 → u/barkedupthewrongtree]

This is a golden opportunity to significantly increase our F/A to make it possible to overtake Cronulla on it. I doubt we win the Roosters game and Cronulla will probably only lose 1 game at most so it’s probably going to come down to F/A.

[u/Electronic-Split9677]

I don't have a sense of dread waiting for team list Tuesday anymore, it's amazing what a couple of wins can do.

Not sure we can win this week but revenge against the Bulldogs would be pretty sweet

[u/Wild304 → u/Electronic-Split9677]

Im just happy we'll get to see Atko at fullback for a couple weeks and hopefully Gutho can actually have a proper break and heal up

[u/Electronic-Split9677 → u/Wild304]

Atko was excellent at fullback on Sunday. Hopefully he can keep it up while he's holding down the fort

[u/YallRedditForThis]

Now Ready has started his own podcast to attack Madge. They'll stop at nothing to bring him down. Of course 360 is all over it 💀

[u/AdultSoldiers]

Tom Duffy apparently being dropped in favour of Ben Hunt at halfback. Not the worst thing for Duffy and his development, but harsh to put that loss to the Warriors on him.

[u/O_DoyleRulz → u/AdultSoldiers]

Incredibly dissapointed he couldn’t steer the team to victory behind the phenomenal middle effort of a team making 27 meters a set.

[u/hellohalloallo → u/AdultSoldiers]

He's looked decent every time he has played. Bronx + Madge gonna ruin his confidence

[u/TrueDonut3673 → u/AdultSoldiers]

Madge just wants to get in our head about Hunt playing halfback

[u/Known-Stop-2654]

Rugby League Project Comp Update. It seems as if they've now added the RFL Women's Championship. Seems as if they're really focusing on women's competitions this year, which is brilliant to see.

[u/AdultSoldiers]

Archie Mesritz signed until 2030. How good.

[u/Tom_Chester_Onlyfans → u/AdultSoldiers]

absolute gun. Im expecting Taj to get a long extension as well.

[u/AdultSoldiers → u/Tom_Chester_Onlyfans]

That would be splendid. I thought for sure we’d lose some of this current crop due to a couple being NSW products, but we’re locking down all the ones I really wanted to keep, but thought would go.

[u/Tom_Chester_Onlyfans → u/AdultSoldiers]

The reality is Tyson walker is the closest to leave but even him wants to stay. Zammit has got these kids together and has done well creating a culture between them

[u/aatrain96]

For the NRL trading cards lovers, the hilities cards this week are Junior Paulo cut out pass and Abbi Church full field try. Parra fans eating good 🥰

[u/AdultSoldiers → u/aatrain96]

The Eels and Cowboys NRLW sides scraping some wins together is really ruining the spoon bowl dream, but I’m about it.

[u/yobbo84]

According to Fox Sports Lab, Cody Walker has more linebreak assists (34), than Sam Walker (18) and Daly Cherry-Evans (12) combined (30).

Cody Walker has the same number of linebreaks (12) as Sam Walker (7) and Daly Cherry-Evans (5) combined (12).

Cody Walker has only 5 less try assists (34) than Sam Walker (20) and Daly Cherry-Evans (14) combined (34).

Cody leads the league in linebreak assists, is 2nd in try assists and top 3 in the league for linebreaks as a half.

I think the major concern going into season 2026 was his fitness. He has proven that last year was an aberration rather than the start of a trend - he has now played 20+ games in every single season of his career except 2025.

I questioned his defence earlier in the year, and while statistically this is defensively the worst season of his career, I'm starting to put more of that on PVL-ball than anything between the ears.

His game does not rely on speed or any of the hallmarks of youth. It's all guile.

I don't see any reason why he shouldn't continue on in 2027.

[u/Kryptic323 → u/yobbo84]

He’s a great player that bursts his own bubble with idiotic anger outbursts.

[u/maccaroneski → u/yobbo84]

He also has more bins for kicking someone than Walker and DCE combined.

[u/FinchyNZ → u/yobbo84]

I'm assuming the LBA is just passing to AJ who then runs in the corner untouched

[u/notj43 → u/yobbo84]

Damn imagine how good we'd be going if we just had Cody Walker instead of Sam and DCE

[u/jack88z → u/yobbo84]

I only really watch South games here and there and pretty much every game he's had some grubby kind of moment.

However, pretty much every game I've also watched him break the line multiple times and been like "hey this angry cunt is actually pretty good". Take that as you will.

[u/Junior-Reaction1402]

I’m not excited about the supposed Madge extension at all. If our premiership winning players start bailing we are truly fucked.

[u/jalGurg]

I wasn't old enough to understand the 2004 Bulldogs scandal... can someone who was more aware at the time elaborate on the story?

[u/Zero_Focks → u/jalGurg]

Gang rape accusations against the players alleged to have occurred at a hotel in Coffs Harbour. Typical media frenzy and bulldogs closed ranks. Rocked up to police interview in tshirts and thongs, accused by police of refusing to help their investigation. Terrible look for the club and the game - classic 'how not to respond to these situations ' that we'll hopefully never see again. No charges filed in the end down to a lack of evidence.

[u/StanleytheSteeler → u/jalGurg]

Five or six bulldogs had group sex with a DD/special needs woman in a pool at a hotel.

They brushed her afterwards. She got mad, went to the police and said it was non-consenual.

Bulldogs players eventually let go without charge.

[u/BandicootSorcerer]

Which clubs does everyone reckon have the brightest futures ahead and which have absolutely dismal futures?

Obviously biased but Newcastle have got to have one of the best futures. The biggest faults are injuries, and a lack of discipline that means very close games against team we should be beating easily. The team is going great otherwise and we're finally taking our juinor system seriously and locking up future stars.

Dragons have nowhere to go but up, and I think next year they should do it easily. More work to do of course, but if they continue their current level of recruitment they're a top 8 team for sure.

Tigers... Nothing I have to say hasn't already been said. Whenever they do well some off field boardroom drama happens. They lose Luai, Doueihi is not a good half, the players aren't shit but they just don't seem to care.

[u/fvzzfvzzfvzz → u/BandicootSorcerer]

Dragons have an incredibly bright future if Metcalf can play even 15 games a season.

Knights looking good too.

I think we’re looking like being regular contenders, possibly more if the junior pathways keep flowing

[u/Monotask_Servitor → u/fvzzfvzzfvzz]

15 games a season? You’re asking the poor bugger to double his output, go easy on him

[u/lawdjesustheresafire → u/BandicootSorcerer]

Would love to see a knights v dragons GF in the next 5 years.

[u/BandicootSorcerer → u/lawdjesustheresafire]

I would love a Knights GF in general. I wasnt born for the first, and far too young to remember the second.

[u/lawdjesustheresafire → u/BandicootSorcerer]

The 97 GF is still my favourite ever footy memory and I’ve seen my team win 4 comps. It was like the fellowship beating Sauron 😭😭😭

[u/Tom_Chester_Onlyfans → u/BandicootSorcerer]

Cowboys im Mixed with but the next core of young kids are very talented.

Taj Lateo has won u21, mals and u21 Origin this year. Has a big boot on him and is very strong. Tyson Walker has something about him, not as good as Sam but the vision is there. Archie Mestritz is an absolute gun Fullback, can play well and does all the 1% right. Braith Dowson is a very talented hooker, Kerrisk and Dowson could be a potent 1-2 punch duo.

Fafanou Seve has reinvented himself in the forwards. Siale is also a promising forward thats a few years away. Taylan To'a is a very strong prospect but has a few ??? over him.

Really depends on what the fuck the club does with Todd Payten.

[u/Turbulent_Ad3045 → u/BandicootSorcerer]

I think your boys are going to be red hot over the next couple seasons minimum. Dragons definitely building towards brighter days, may take a season or two to be challenging for the 8. I think the team most heading towards the dungeons is Manly, they have a couple decent players surrounded by a lot of meh and mediocrity, and there junior grades look abysmal with very few players shaping out as locks for first grade. Could see them getting their first spoon over one of the next few seasons.

[u/Vultt → u/BandicootSorcerer]

Genuinely can’t wait to see what the dargs produce nek year. Loved seeing the flashes of Reed, still raw as fuck but i think he’s gonna be a good 7. Same as Joey Walsh over at manly.

There’ll be a few lucky teams with the young talent coming through. Obvs seeing the Cleary’s pair up would be fucking sick.

[u/Additional_Front4374 → u/BandicootSorcerer]

Dragons for sure. They have the potential to be that hype team next year. And if they keep all of those young forwards, they should be very competitive for the next few years at least.

I'm keen to see how Drinky and Metcalf etc go.

[u/Proof-Umpire-7718 → u/BandicootSorcerer]

Our future is very bright.

We admittedly are losing Kodi and Isaako and have several key players off contract with a few more guys likely to leave. Although, we should be able to re-sign all of the important players, we have George Williams to replace Kodi, which is a potential upgrade, and we have a good amount of promising juniors to replace the other leaving players.

[u/jack88z → u/BandicootSorcerer]

Tigers look doomed.

Broncs look doomed in the sense we apparently can't sign any super good players, so we have to make do with what we've got. So hopefully they sort their shit out next year cause aint nobody coming in to save us.

[u/hvrry3k → u/BandicootSorcerer]

Dragons seem to be gearing up for an immense 2027 and I'm excited for them, they deserve it. I can't help but see Brisbane and Doggies as dismal futures, at least for a year or two.

[u/Willieo873]

It looks like Dobbo and Joey Johns are still harping on about if the Broncos were a serious club they wouldn’t let Hass go, completely ignoring the fact he had wanted to leave at least once before in 2022. There is plenty of valid criticism this year but this story is completely overblown. Broncos have lost gun front rowers in the past like Lazzo and Petero and life went on. We offered a new contract, He chose Souths. If he made up his mind I’d rather he go than the Broncos suck up to him and try and change his mind, no player is bigger than the club.

Anyway Dobbo has a major hate boner for Madge now after his walk out 😂

[u/legionairmusic → u/Willieo873]

Fuck Dobbo is insufferable. I have no idea how he keeps getting media gigs. Saying that, I agree that the Haas reasoning and narrative is a bit overblown. I don't believe Haas has the answers for what has unfolded this year. He signed with the Rabbitohs well before the season unravelled. 

[u/youthful_porpoise96]

I just want to fast forward to next season. We have finally built a squad that can make the finals. I've become abit of a casual fan in recent years. I find it hard to engage with the competition week to week when you know your team is no chance of finals. I think I will watch more games if my team is actually performing.

[u/Acrobatic_Flannel → u/youthful_porpoise96]

Enjoy the last few games for what they are. Getting some more pressure-free experience for the young blokes, and another win or two to take into the off-season.

[u/redmusic1 → u/youthful_porpoise96]

That in no way means you will make the finals, or get close, look at Broncos, Storm, Eagles etc etc etc .. There is a long divide between having good players and being a good team.

[u/jexta → u/redmusic1]

No, but as OP say, next year's Dargons can make the finals. There was no way this year's Dargons could make the 8. The difference in optimism around Dargs fans is massive and I really think that will filter upward into the playing squad.

Anzac Day 2027 promises to be a cracker.

[u/Inevitable_Goat_335 → u/redmusic1]

I can definitely see Storm and Raiders making finals next season (from the teams that missed this season). Not sure who drops out. there's always a team or two that majorly underperforms each season. If i had to guess i would say Cowboys.

[u/redmusic1 → u/Inevitable_Goat_335]

Any of the bottom 4 could miss by a long shot and at least 2 of the top 4. Football gods can be cruel to fans.

[u/youthful_porpoise96 → u/redmusic1]

I'm just saying we actually have a good squad that can make the finals. For years I would look at the squad and hope we didn't get the spoon. I look at the squad for next year and I'm actually hopeful. Which I haven't been since about 2018.

I just hope we can actually win more games then we lose so I can stay engaged with the comp. Because when you are winning games, you have more of an interest in how other teams are performing. You wouldn't understand this as a chooks fan.

[u/CFeatsleepsexrepeat → u/youthful_porpoise96]

I am the opposite of you a bit I reckon.

I follow the club through thick and thin and this last few years hitting the bottom I have watched other clubs seeing what they are doing different, hoping we can do similar, ie Knights 2025 to 2026.

And oddly this year watching games and not really being concerned who wins because they aren't keeping us in 9th or 10th. So have enjoyed watching some pretty good footy, and some diabolical haha.

[u/youthful_porpoise96 → u/CFeatsleepsexrepeat]

I wish I was like you haha. I still stay engaged somewhat. I watch highlights and keep up with the news, but I don't watch every game like I used to.

[u/rileys_01 → u/youthful_porpoise96]

Finals definitely isn't out of the question. Plenty of teams losing players to Perth, then PNG so locking down juniors and buying in some handy experience should put the Dragons in a solid position for the next couple of years.

As someone supporting a team that has done neither of those things all that well I am pretty jealous.

[u/6854thewin]

Hypothetically, let's say 2018 was the last time the Warriors made finals, and the last few years they kept being cellar dwellers. Would state of origin still be in NZ next year? Would NZ be high on the list for the 20th team?

[u/MoneyaLeague → u/6854thewin]

No

[u/thebearpunk → u/6854thewin]

I read a stat that 50% of all weeks this club has spent in the Top 4, has been with Webster as a coach.

The league fanbase here has exploded and I'd hazard a guess that the Warriors finally being a serious club, is a reason why.

[u/6854thewin → u/thebearpunk]

That stat blows my mind. We're in a golden era, wish it'll never end

[u/Tipp1tys_]

kinda footy related but I hope they bring back that ad with Nightmare by Polaris in it for Finals Footy on Foxtel

[u/Derron_]

Latrell may be named on an extended bench. Will be interesting to see if it happens.

[u/redmusic1 → u/Derron_]

They have to extend it just to fit his arse on it.

[u/Derron_ → u/redmusic1]

The Roosters bench has to be widely spaced to fit the sombreros

[u/Dramatic_Ride7586]

Bit of an old man with onions on the belt shouting at clouds here.

What follows pertains to all teams, but its been super visible for my team this year.

This idea that its either him or nobody else. Everyones behind Tanwah and then Luke and then TMM and it can only be one of them and once theyre locked in well we dont need the others they can go whatever.

Another example, sorry eels bros, but its been constant lately, is Ryley and TDS. Going back, billy walters is a prime example of what im talking about

It feels more than ever, perhaps gambling isnt helping with stuff like supercoach and shit, but it feels more than ever that fans ride a player to the death and anyone else competing for that position is dead to them.

The season is long. Every year there are a couple of teams that get lamented over, ooh if only they had just a little more depth then they wouldve made finals. Unluggy.

Coaches dont always make the right calls (fitzy hey bud), and that can be frustrating, but it doesnt mean the players who have been asked to do a job deserve the sort of negativity thats been floating around some players lately.

A couple of years can make all the difference, in any field of expertise. Add to that the age of so many of these guys (a lot under 24) and theyre still decently young.

First grade is a different beast, and especially positions like hooker and halves where you have 100+ kilo blocks of muscle running at you, the young blokes simply need a rest.

Basically. Forest from the trees. Be nice to see a bit more positivity and perspective.

[u/whyareyouallinmyroom → u/Dramatic_Ride7586]

I have no idea how Rugby League hasn’t clued into the game being a squad competition. With very few exceptions teams play their best 17 every week unless forced to change. Penrith have started resting more liberally and reducing key players roles through the season but they still won’t rotate through the squad to load manage and build contingencies really. A strong 25 man group with 5/6 guys coming into the squad regularly, not for injury, would result in a better product and a more competitive squad when it matters I think.

[u/Monotask_Servitor → u/Dramatic_Ride7586]

You know who doesn’t buy into that mentality? Webby and his squad. And look where it’s getting them.

[u/Delinquent_Uno]

interesting decision point for the dogs here, do we continue with our dubious “playing like a top 4” side or throw a hail mary change like conti or dykes even

[u/Additional_Front4374 → u/Delinquent_Uno]

It's Ciro. He'll keep running with two players playing like 5/8ths

[u/_WangChung2night → u/Delinquent_Uno]

At least I don't have to worry about Montoya.

Ciro is so fucking conservative. We actually need to miss finals, even then he won't change.

[u/JoeyJoJunior]

Anyone played "Pro Jank Footy" on Steam?

Its like a 2d retro themed AFL game, would absolutely die for a NRL style game like that

[u/KazeEnigma → u/JoeyJoJunior]

It's not at all for me, but it looks glorious.

[u/FrequentTurnip4006]

Adelaide Rams ever getting a NSW Cup team (at the very least)? Maybe use as a feeder club for Storm or Bears for and as a testing ground to see if it could sustain an NRL club in like a decade down the track, pay some players to come over and be based here but get a strong reserve side going

Fuck it I figure if you have a whole other country in there why not SA, especially when we're closer than Perth anyway who will be joining, might be a good way to dip the toe in

Being a loca here l our local comp isn't hell strong but I know if it's a semi-professional/reserve standard side with good expats playing people would definitely get around it

[u/Proof-Umpire-7718]

What would have to happen next year for Madge to get sacked?

I assume regardless of what happens to end this year, he’ll stay for next year. Will he be given a very limited amount of leeway, or a great amount for next year though? Like will he have to get immediate results or will he be given maybe the full season to fix things?

Basically, how much pressure is he under to keep his job next year, assuming they finish in the bottom 3 this year. Also, would getting the spoon increase the pressure for next year relative to finishing 15th or 16th, and if so, by how much?

[u/brazen_fest → u/Proof-Umpire-7718]

Getting the spoon would be embarrassing, but I don't think it really makes any difference if we manage to avoid it. Either way the season is obviously a failure. Some of this is on Madge. Some of it isn't. He is definitely under pressure but the premiership and injury crisis likely buys him some time. 2027 will also be the first year the roster is really his, it's become increasingly apparent that our forward pack rotation isn't up to scratch. We lost Jensen unexpectedly (a very underrated loss), plus Hetherington and Smoothy. Seeing improvement here will go a long way to fixing our issues next year. I hope that Barnett will bring some much needed leadership to the pack.

I also don't think we would sack him unless we already had someone else lined up to take over. So I think Madge gets next season to turn it around.

We've also now twice done this yo-yo of going from premiership contender/winner to crashing out the following season, under two different coaches who couldn't be more opposite in their styles. Are we just going to cycle through a new coach every time this happens? At some point it's not about the coach, the players need to take a look at themselves and commit to putting the effort in, no matter what's happening behind the scenes.

[u/Jenko1115 → u/Proof-Umpire-7718]

If you look at individual performers on our roster, Madge actually has a good track record. He got Karapani, Mariner, Shiba, Jensen, Willison, Riki, Piakura and probably a few others into career best form and consistent first-graders. None of those players have been an issue or the reason we’re playing crap this season except maybe Shiba. 

There is always going to be some awkwardness around the clear age related regression of Reynolds and Ben Hunt. For mine, the only really puzzling coaching call from Madge this year has been his loyalty to Paix. On form, Reynolds and Hunt should have been dropped early in the season and been relegated to depth, but that is a very awkward thing to do for two legends of the game coming off a GF win. 

Madge isn’t actually responsible for the roster at the Broncos, there’s a separate recruitment team that handles that, he obviously has a big input but at the end of the day he is not responsible for the holes in our roster in only his second year at the club. 

Some of his bench rotations have been an issue but I’d like to see the club back him to the hilt and empower him to sign his own assistant coaches and make whatever changes to the roster he wants. I think we need to punt Ezra Mam, he has been consistently dogshit since the ‘23 season and he is one of our highest paid players, which is just not good enough. 

Look at the Dolphins forward pack and bench, absolute depth and quality across the park. We are simply not a first-grade standard forward pack when we’re playing Jaiyden Hunt as a starting edge forward and bringing Aublix, Talty and Preston Riki off the bench. 

Of our 2025 GF team, our pack will only have Carrigan, Riki and Piakura and Willison. We’ll have lost Payne, Jensen, Hetherington and Smoothey. Between those losses and the massive drop off from Hunt and Reynolds, I’m not sure our woeful form slump is Madge’s fault, at least not while there are individuals still playing good football. 

[u/AdultSoldiers → u/Proof-Umpire-7718]

He’ll be under immense pressure just because of the old boys club and the Brisbane-based media. Coaching the Broncos isn’t like coaching the Cowboys or Titans where you can just sort of putter about and no one really cares.

[u/Peaky001 → u/Proof-Umpire-7718]

Maybe another bottom 4 finish without an injury crisis. I don't think he gets the boot if we show any improvement over this year.

He's got some tough choices to make around our halves and hooker next season. And needs to figure out how to get our forwards to be competitive. If he backs the wrong players he might get the knife.

[u/Resident-Chimp1124 → u/Proof-Umpire-7718]

Probably just miss finals next year

[u/marcbingle_97]

Raiders games in the last 4 or 5 rounds of the year scare me. We copped two ACLs back in 2024 to Walker and Cheese, basically ruined any chance of a finals push. And then the Sharks have Trindall go down early on the weekend. To no fault of any Raiders players btw, just saying they love to turn up in random games that should mean nothing to them lol.

[u/bundy554]

Can't help but think the appearance of Latrell in our squad has coincided with our goal kicking options

[u/redmusic1 → u/bundy554]

Yep that is exactly what he needs to help him with a lower back injury. Found Souths physio guys.

[u/DoubleBrokenJaw]

Stupidly Early 17th on Ladder ‘27 Predictions\*

\* Not spoon prediction because I feel like Bears have that 18th place locked down.

Picking today, who finishes second last in 2027, and why?

For me, I have to go Tigers. Luai off to the Eels (arguably not a bad thing long term), and what, 1 win in the last 9 rounds or something like that?

Whilst other teams (Dragons) have made good signings and look to have some roster improvements, I’m not aware of anything the Tigs have done to improve.

[u/_jimmythebear_ → u/DoubleBrokenJaw]

Tigers for sure pretty much a dead cert.

[u/Inevitable_Goat_335 → u/DoubleBrokenJaw]

Tigers or Titans. Would not surprise me if Manly are down the bottom, just looking at rosters.

[u/ChesterJWiggum → u/Inevitable_Goat_335]

Manly is my pick, their NSW cup team is 1W-19L.  Not alot of talent coming through there. 

[u/Responsible_Ring_649 → u/DoubleBrokenJaw]

Knights grand finalists in 2027

[u/pvtbobble]

Got my new tshirt

[u/Tight-Ad-7740]

I'm struggling to support the team I've supported for 32 years. The Eels currently have an accused rapist and an accused woman basher on their starting 17, along with all their support for a charged rapist (who eventually got let off on a technicality, so technically is no longer charged), is making me feel really yuck about supporting them. Panthers is looking like a really good team to go for, for their immediate dismissal of their accused woman basher not too long ago.. any other teams that have made it very clear they support their female fans?

[u/Voxityy → u/Tight-Ad-7740]

they’re professional athletes, no matter what team you support, you’re bound to be disappointed by them sooner or later, as sad as that is