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The lack of middles is a problem against the Tits and Canberra.

DSF, Morrin and Hopoi have been going great in reserve grade, time to find out what they can do in the NRL.

Hughes isn't back before round 12, Underhill can't play NRL before round 10 and doesn't seem to be ready.

We have a few new names in the reserve grade squad, one of them is a prop who is starting this week with Underhill. I have a feeling that there may be another prop.

Guys like that can play NRL after round 10.

I think that the club is still searching for quality middles who can play Cirro's system.

The young middle we signed from the Dragons is an absolute gun who is tearing up reserve grade at around 19 years old.

Still plenty of room for change and improvement in this seasons side. More size and power in the middle while retaining defensive standards is the aim.
 
Tia and Jones resigned.

I don’t know much about Jones.

Tia has the potential to be a very good 14, halfback, 5/8, hooker, lock, centre. Playing centres in reserve grade, I hope that is adding to his versility.

Interesting to see how our spine shapes up.

I waiting to see if Sexton and/or O'Neill is extended.

We don't need Sexton, Hayward, Tia and O'Neill to babysit the halfback position for Woods.

Tallyn Da Silva might be squeezed out of the Tigers will be interesting to see if we make a play for him, but I suspect other clubs will be in the queue.

I have total faith in Gus and Cirro and I expect a few surprises.

When Gus says we are not signing play player X, because we have other plans, everyone assumes that is just spin.

But my impression is that we have a plan to build the squad and a sticking to it.

My hunch:-
Priority 1 - young locally developed players.
Priority 2 - existing squad members.
Priority 3 - young relatively unknown players.
Priority 4 - quality experienced and consistent NRL players.

I am now expecting quite a few pups and young unknowns in the 2026, 2027 squad.

Any purchases will be quality like Thompson or reasonably priced depth and experience. Probably only another 2-3, or perhaps not even that many.
 
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Hounddog said:
Tia and Jones resigned.

I don’t know much about Jones.

Tia has the potential to be a very good 14, halfback, 5/8, hooker, lock, centre. Playing centres in reserve grade, I hope that is adding to his versility.

Interesting to see how our spine shapes up.

I waiting to see if Sexton and/or O'Neill is extended.

We don't need Sexton, Hayward, Tia and O'Neill to babysit the halfback position for Woods.

Tallyn Da Silva might be squeezed out of the Tigers will be interesting to see if we make a play for him, but I suspect other clubs will be in the queue.

I have total faith in Gus and Cirro and I expect a few surprises.

When Gus says we are not signing play player X, because we have other plans, everyone assumes that is just spin.

But my impression is that we have a plan to build the squad and a sticking to it.

My hunch:-
Priority 1 - young locally developed players.
Priority 2 - existing squad members.
Priority 3 - young relatively unknown players.
Priority 4 - quality experienced and consistent NRL players.

I am now expecting quite a few pups and young unknowns in the 2026, 2027 squad.

Any purchases will be quality like Thompson or reasonably priced depth and experience. Probably only another 2-3, or perhaps not even that many.
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I get the feeling Tia will be the bench lock next year. He has all the attributes to do that very well.
 
Micko said:
I get the feeling Tia will be the bench lock next year. He has all the attributes to do that very well.
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Yeah, I will not be surprised if next years team is fairly different. Including spine changes.

I also will not be surprised if we tweak the pack this year. The 6 middle forwards are far from set. King and Mann are the only certainties if fit.

Hayward is certain to be in the side, but might be the starting hooker. With Marhoney coming off the bench.
 
Girls SOO was good, I don't think QLD can come back and win it this season.

Fins / Roosters hard to predict, just sit back and enjoy the show.

I think Hammer might score / set up at least one more try...

Fins have an unusual ability to start slow and still win.
 
Looking at reserve grade, Hutch and Hopoi might be in the 19 man NRL squad.

I'm not ruling out Hutch or Hopoi being in the final 17.

Gus said that we had 6 middles unavailable my list is Hughes, Todd, Curran and Toups... might be a couple of reserve graders.

But Salmon not being 100% fit wouldn't surprise me, he was well off the pace last game.

Hayes is the other guy that might not be 100%,

Something like flu could be any player at anytime.

Best to not rack up suspensions due to a lack of discipline prior to round 11.

Seems like Hutch has been playing well in reserve grade. If he has put in the work and improved his game, he deserves a shot at NRL.
 
Hounddog said:
Looking at reserve grade, Hutch and Hopoi might be in the 19 man NRL squad.

I'm not ruling out Hutch or Hopoi being in the final 17.

Gus said that we had 6 middles unavailable my list is Hughes, Todd, Curran and Toups... might be a couple of reserve graders.

But Salmon not being 100% fit wouldn't surprise me, he was well off the pace last game.

Hayes is the other guy that might not be 100%,

Something like flu could be any player at anytime.

Best to not rack up suspensions due to a lack of discipline prior to round 11.

Seems like Hutch has been playing well in reserve grade. If he has put in the work and improved his game, he deserves a shot at NRL.
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He does, but he's our best halves player to put players through holes and deserves to be in the halves.

Probably says more about our current halves than it says about him.
 
Pretty ordinary first half.

Too many errors and a lack of intensity in the last 20 minutes.
 
Good to get a win with a weakened side while not playing our best.

The patches of dominant football were good and probably totalled around 50 mins.
 
Raiders are going to be tough to beat, it is a genuine 1 v 2 showdown.

They are in good form, and it is very unlikely they they will produce a below par performance.

We need to correct our errors against the Broncos. Cut out the dropped ball, penalties and ill discipline. Complete sets, kick chase, stay in the grind, line speed and work together in defence.

If we force them to produce big plays to beat us and they can do that, it is still "mission accomplished" from my point of view.

What I want to see is composure, consistency, effort and execution.

I am happy to grind away set for set and just try to take opportunities when we have field position. If we are behind in the last 20 mins, that is the time to start throwing the ball around and take a few risks.

Like the Broncos, the game will be a big test, I want to get closer to a pass mark this time around.
 
I can’t believe Preston was charged for that tackle. Nothing in it. Hopefully we win the challenge.
 
We left a lot of points on the park. So many poor passes. Have to ice those moments against the Raiders. Massive test considering we gave a few out.
 
So far, our most consistent performance was against the Sharks.

Not unexpected that we are inconsistent at this stage of the season, with frequent line up changes.

We need to win the Preston challenge because we don't have good replacements.

The only options I can think of are Salmon and Smith.

Kiraz, Critter and Morrin played their best games of the season against the Tits. Preston and Tracey also very good. Taaffe also looked pretty good when he came on.

Tits are a side worthy of being 16th on the table. I will not be surprised if Des gets punted at some stage this season. However, multiple coaches have tried to coach that joint so far no one has succeeded.
 
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Preston suspended for 4 weeks.

Canberra are at full strength and are favourites.

My gut feeling is that we will win, probably because we will want it more than them.

Reserve grade is interesting no one in the NRL reserves is listed, we are giving some young guys a run.

I expect the full 22 man squad including Preston to travel to Canberra.

Smith, Hayes or Salmon to play 12.
 
Hounddog said:
Preston suspended for 4 weeks.

Canberra are at full strength and are favourites.

My gut feeling is that we will win, probably because we will want it more than them.

Reserve grade is interesting no one in the NRL reserves is listed, we are giving some young guys a run.

I expect the full 22 man squad including Preston to travel to Canberra.

Smith, Hayes or Salmon to play 12.
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Salmon in the edge. Should do well over 80. Bailey to start at 13. Small pack. We could run them off the park in the first half. They will struggle against our fitness.

I still think we will struggle at the back end. All depends on Burtons kicking game.
 
I still think Smith could do a good job in the second row or at right centre, but not for 80 minutes on debut.

We might start Salmon or Hayes and play Smith off the bench.

If Critter and Kiraz are both selected for SOO. Smith is one option for right centre.

I've been expecting Smith to play NRL most of this season. The only reason not to pick him is if we want to extend his contract first, but I doubt that is an issue,

Montoya being replaced by Wilson wouldn't surprise me.

With multiple short turnarounds, I have a hunch that we are taking a squad approach any player with a niggle might be rested.

We can't afford to play guys that aren't 100% against Canberra or the Roosters.

Fins are also a challenge 3 hard games, short turnarounds and players out.

I'll be over the moon with 3/3 and very happy with 2/3. If we lose to Canberra the Roosters game will be even tougher.

Funny how most games seem important and there are very few we can afford to lose. The next 2 in particular are a big challenge equal to the Broncos game except perhaps for the weather.
 
Excellent all of the so called experts have tipped against us.

Day game, not much chance of rain conditions suit how we will want to play.

Move the ball spread out their line, speed and footwork in the middle against their big guys.

Defensively it is a big challenge for us, they are a dangerous side.

High completions and a good kicking game is essential.

I'm favouring Wilson and Smith over Montoya and Hopoi due to our need for speed and mobility.

Last 2 weeks Montoya's hands and positioning has let him down. Playing wing outside of Kiks and Xerri is as good as it gets, playing outside of Critter is almost as good.

Mann to start at lock with Hayward on the bench. That is the passing sorted. Tracey, Morrin and Hayes to provide a lot of the leg speed up the middle.

Smith to replace Salmon at right second row after say 30 mins, more leg speed and should know the lines to run.
 
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