NRL Rd 18 2025 - General Non-Warriors Thread

[Beavers Headgear]

Stoked for the Tigers. Fainu looking a better bet than Galvin at the moment too.

Gees how dangerous will Tonga be later this year with Fainu and Katoa in the halves.

Coming through Fainu was unbelievable, every club in the comp wanted him. There was an Under 17s GF where Parra spent a lot of time trying to get him suspended from the GF, because they knew they couldn’t beat him on the park

If Manase could have managed to not stab someone they’d probably all be at Manly and you’d have 4 Fainu and 3 Trbojevic brothers in first grade in the same side

 

[Beavers Headgear]

I like the strength from Benji in his press conference. Really want him to succeed in what he is doing

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[Blair]

...Like a young Gasnier, without the spurting sausage phone calls (we hope).

'I'm in a carload of toey blokes looking to squirt some sauce'.

A very long way from rugby league's finest piece of communication.

 

[Blair]

A weekend of good, close games, keeping everyone keen.

Rd 18 Ladder:

Plus a Tigers upset! Beautiful, this week not next week.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Coming through Fainu was unbelievable, every club in the comp wanted him. There was an Under 17s GF where Parra spent a lot of time trying to get him suspended from the GF, because they knew they couldn’t beat him on the park

If Manase could have managed to not stab someone they’d probably all be at Manly and you’d have 4 Fainu and 3 Trbojevic brothers in first grade in the same side

What was his strength coming through Beav? Running, kicking, game management, all the above?

Reason I ask is because young polynesian halves often shine in the lower grades off the back of their athleticism and running game. That alone is enough for them to dominate against less athletic youngsters, so they come through with big raps. But because there's less focus on developing game management and kicking etc. that then becomes a weakness as they enter senior grades and older opposition are more adept at shutting down their running game.

That even holds true for Luai to some extent who was seen as a bigger prospect than Cleary in the age grades off the back of his running.

The exception to that (and I'm genuinely struggling to think of another) is Katoa who's upbringing as a rugby union 10 meant he's come through as a genuine game manager. But I'm curious if Fainu is another.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

What was his strength coming through Beav? Running, kicking, game management, all the above?

Reason I ask is because young polynesian halves often shine in the lower grades off the back of their athleticism and running game. That alone is enough for them to dominate against less athletic youngsters, so they come through with big raps. But because there's less focus on developing game management and kicking etc. that then becomes a weakness as they enter senior grades and older opposition are more adept at shutting down their running game.

That even holds true for Luai to some extent who was seen as a bigger prospect than Cleary in the age grades off the back of his running.

The exception to that (and I'm genuinely struggling to think of another) is Katoa who's upbringing as a rugby union 10 meant he's come through as a genuine game manager. But I'm curious if Fainu is another.

I never saw much of him, but sounded like he had everything coming through, running game especially

 

[Penrose Warrior]

This would be better in a Round 19 thread but never mind...crazy stat, the starting halfbacks for all four teams this weekend are Titans rejects. Fogarty, Sexton, Hughes and Boyd.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

This would be better in a Round 19 thread but never mind...crazy stat, the starting halfbacks for all four teams this weekend are Titans rejects. Fogarty, Sexton, Hughes and Boyd.

You’ve been listening to Levels lol

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Des Hasler is retiring from Rugby League, timing of this to be confirmed, potentially May walk before the end of the year

 

[Blair]

Des Hasler is retiring from Rugby League, timing of this to be confirmed, potentially May walk before the end of the year.

Emotional and will be missed. He's been there so long, as a player and cranky coach. Did we have a year without him?

 

[Penrose Warrior]

You’ve been listening to Levels lol

Hahaha I actually haven't, I saw it on randomstatsguy I think his name is, on insta. He comes up with some real pearlers. Since I've lived in Melb I've not listened to a single podcast, it used to be my commute and now.I don't have one. Kinda sucks in a way.

That insta account comes up with some absolute gems. Like this one, the Drags haven't won in round 18 for 16 years. The Tigers haven't won without Api in the side since he joined the club. Hamiso is the first player in Origin history to start in 3 different positions in the same series. Geez I love that shit.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Des Hasler is retiring from Rugby League, timing of this to be confirmed, potentially May walk before the end of the year

Retiring, but we're all aware he's not going ahead because the Titans don't want him anymore and have a release clause. I'm absolutely OK with the line being retired, incidentally.

Careers go to die at Robina...

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Hahaha I actually haven't, I saw it on randomstatsguy I think his name is, on insta. He comes up with some real pearlers. Since I've lived in Melb I've not listened to a single podcast, it used to be my commute and now.I don't have one. Kinda sucks in a way.

That insta account comes up with some absolute gems. Like this one, the Drags haven't won in round 18 for 16 years. The Tigers haven't won without Api in the side since he joined the club. Hamiso is the first player in Origin history to start in 3 different positions in the same series. Geez I love that shit.

Follow that page on Facebook, a listener sent info into levels last week pointing it out lol

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Retiring, but we're all aware he's not going ahead because the Titans don't want him anymore and have a release clause. I'm absolutely OK with the line being retired, incidentally.

Careers go to die at Robina...

Sounds like he may have actually made a call himself a couple of months ago, he hasn’t looked the same in the box or in his press conferences for a while either

 

[JJ]

Des has achieved so much… whole hearted player that really did maximise the ability he had, and as a coach did it all too, his way

 

[Big Marn]

Great coach, great player. But doors around the world will be sighing in relief...

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