NRL Rd 18 2025 - General Non-Warriors Thread

[Blair]

A bit of an Origin bludge, again, but at least it's something. No club footy at this time of year? Forget it!

Friday, if it wasn't for Origin this would've been a belter. It still might be and it'll be interesting to see if the Bulldogs can reclaim top-spot or the Broncos can keep their winning-streak going. It's cold in NSW, Victoria and NZ, I'm surprised more players don't miss games because of cold and flu?

Saturday, it's new ladder-leaders Canberra and St George. Papali'i's back for the Maroon's, inspiration or desperation? Regardless, he'll be missed in the lime green. Gee, the Cowboys can't drop this one in Melbourne.

Sunday, the Chooks have been cheated by the Canucks. The algorists, that is. The fact they didn't get a break during Origin is pretty bad. OK, so it's the Roosters, things usually go their way, but still. Benji's Tigers need to capitalise, because they play the Warriors next week, and Wests are due a win, so, you know, let's have it this week.

We close with an Origin-free Manly hosting Souths. The last-placed Titans have the bye, which means if Manly pile on the points then Souths can drop to last. Bennett, the master coach, last. That's a throwback to troubled times.

Enjoy.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

We close with an Origin-free Manly hosting Souths. The last-placed Titans have the bye, which means if Manly pile on the points then Souths can drop to last. Bennett, the master coach, last. That's a throwback to troubled times.

Just a few weeks ago when Latrell nearly reeled us in by himself, and they had Wighton and Walker poised to return from injury, I boldly picked Souths to make the 8.

They haven’t won a game since.

Tough draw, but still… FMD. Even the Titans have won since then. The Titans.

Thank god I dont put money on my shit predictions.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Steve Renouf done driving 4 times over the limit. Must be part of broncos culture

 

[Blair]

Steve Renouf done driving 4 times over the limit. Must be part of broncos culture.

They'll probably bring him in as a mentor.

 

[JJ]

They'll probably bring him in as a mentor.

Well, umm, Warriors have the meth dealer/importer

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Toby Sexton has signed with Catalans for next season

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Toby Sexton has signed with Catalans for next season

Feel for the guy. Steered the club to its best season (so far) in a decade but been sidelined by a kid with a big reputation and not much else.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Just a few weeks ago when Latrell nearly reeled us in by himself, and they had Wighton and Walker poised to return from injury, I boldly picked Souths to make the 8.

They haven’t won a game since.

I was really nervous after I tipped the Dolphins last week. Dolphins pack is decimated by injuries while Souths had everyone back - pretty star-studded backline with Latrell, Johnston, Wighton, Graham, Walker...yet they had 50 put on them.

They were quite gutsy at times when understrength so it's hard to make sense of it.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Sunday, the Chooks have been cheated by the Canucks. The algorists, that is. The fact they didn't get a break during Origin is pretty bad. OK, so it's the Roosters, things usually go their way, but still. Benji's Tigers need to capitalise, because they play the Warriors next week, and Wests are due a win, so, you know, let's have it this week.

Tigers have massive problems. Started the season with a promising spine and currently they are all out/gone - no Bula, no Luai, no Koroisau, and of course no Galvin.

Somehow the Roosters are missing half their team and still look twice as strong as the Tigers on paper.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

I was really nervous after I tipped the Dolphins last week. Dolphins pack is decimated by injuries while Souths had everyone back - pretty star-studded backline with Latrell, Johnston, Wighton, Graham, Walker...yet they had 50 put on them.

They were quite gutsy at times when understrength so it's hard to make sense of it.

I was the same, thought I’d blown that tip 5mins in lol

Katoa is certainly the flavour of the month among all the experts

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Could just about argue that Katoa passing to Katoa on the Tongan right edge would be close to the best back in the comp passing to the best forward. The ensuing pass to the 3rd Katoa on the right wing lowers the quality slightly although he goes alright too.

 

[Blair]

Just a few weeks ago when Latrell nearly reeled us in by himself, and they had Wighton and Walker poised to return from injury, I boldly picked Souths to make the 8.

They haven’t won a game since...

We really banked some points when it mattered. Remember the Cowboys game? They so should've rolled over the top of us but, somehow, we held on.

Those four competition points - Souths and Cowboys - are like gold now. There's others too.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

I was really nervous after I tipped the Dolphins last week. Dolphins pack is decimated by injuries while Souths had everyone back - pretty star-studded backline with Latrell, Johnston, Wighton, Graham, Walker...yet they had 50 put on them.

They were quite gutsy at times when understrength so it's hard to make sense of it.

Maybe Souths just ran out of gas in that game. They’d just played all top 4 teams back-to-back beforehand, and the Phins are arguably the hottest team in the comp at the moment. Tough 5 week stretch.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Feel dirty supporting the Dogs tonight, had been picking Broncos all week but changed my mind when entering the tips so hate getting those ones wrong

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Jesus that is horrendous from Cobbo

this will be his final NRL game for the Broncos

 

[Penrose Warrior]

I was the same, thought I’d blown that tip 5mins in lol

Katoa is certainly the flavour of the month among all the experts

I saw a stat that he was 70 ahead in the line engage stats of any other halfback, so I can see the hype. He's fearless in his direct line and holding up the defensive line, doesn't creep across field at all.

Speaking of going across field, I'm still to see the hype around Galvin. He touches the ball, and passes it. And Joey Johns almost blows his load.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Jesus that is horrendous from Cobbo

this will be his final NRL game for the Broncos

Yeah you can see tonight why he's being moved on. He ain't worth whatever his management wants

 

[Beavers Headgear]

I saw a stat that he was 70 ahead in the line engage stats of any other halfback, so I can see the hype. He's fearless in his direct line and holding up the defensive line, doesn't creep across field at all.

Speaking of going across field, I'm still to see the hype around Galvin. He touches the ball, and passes it. And Joey Johns almost blows his load.

Think I heard Freddy saying something about Galvin only being able to pass properly one way. A lot of his touches are just off the mark, that kick was absolutely awful but Brisbane turned it into a try

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Yeah you can see tonight why he's being moved on. He ain't worth whatever his management wants

There are a lot of Owen Craigie, Andrew Walker, Jamal Idris sort of vibes around him currently

 

[Blair]

There are a lot of Owen Craigie, Andrew Walker, Jamal Idris sort of vibes around him currently.

Andrew Walker turned into a pretty good Wallaby from memory. I've sort of forgotten his league career. Was he a Rooster?

Anyway, it's 18-0 to the Dogs...with a half hour left. You'd think Brisbane would need to be the next to score...

... suddenly it's 18-16, with right mins to play.

...22 unanswered points by Brisbane. They're home 22-18.