Rd19: 405pm Parra v Penrith GAME DAY THREAD @ Commbank 13/7/25

[Avenger]

The only way it won't be Joash wearing the number 6 come Round 1 2026 is if we sign someone from outside the club or he is injured.

f**k me.

 

[Noise]

The only way it won't be Joash wearing the number 6 come Round 1 2026 is if we sign someone from outside the club or he is injured.

Then I hope to f**king God we sign someone externally.

 

[Avenger]

Then I hope to f**king God we sign someone externally.

If DCE really is going to the Roosters I’d take Savala on loan for a year until Lorenzo is ready.

 

[Jake the snake]

Hunter the no.6 in reserve grade looks ok on the ball.

 

[the phantom menace]

Wow, we've really played Brown... If we'd done this two weeks ago, he would've signed with Newcastle before 30 June. He has no purpose to be here any longer if this is the plan for the rest of the season though. To be fair, given where our season is at, I wouldn't be surprised if Brown is on the couch with Lane and Matterson soon.

Good point - the timing for this Brown shift is interesting.

Williams and Paulo are playing too many minutes and liabilities defensively. This won't be resolved with the squad of players as it is for 2026.

Agree. Paulo was poor today and next year is probably only good for 40mins total, in 20min shifts broken by a break (even if it is halftime). Williams should not be expected to put in 80mins next season.

Iongi went well, Simonsson showed some promise, Lomax was rubbish.

I think Lomax needs to stop unnecessarily rushing in field to defend... I know he wants to be a centre, but seriously!

What's our strategy once Smith and Penisini can play???

Smith doing what Brown was asked to today, Brown in Cup? I'm not sure what the pecking order for centres is, and whether Penisini is ahead of a fit Simonsson or not. Russell's earned the right to be first centre picked, maybe Penisini comes back through Cup until there's an injury?

 

[Gherkin]

Good point - the timing for this Brown shift is interesting.

Agree. Paulo was poor today and next year is probably only good for 40mins total, in 20min shifts broken by a break (even if it is halftime). Williams should not be expected to put in 80mins next season.

I think Lomax needs to stop unnecessarily rushing in field to defend... I know he wants to be a centre, but seriously!

Smith doing what Brown was asked to today, Brown in Cup? I'm not sure what the pecking order for centres is, and whether Penisini is ahead of a fit Simonsson or not. Russell's earned the right to be first centre picked, maybe Penisini comes back through Cup until there's an injury?

Tuivati will gradually pick up more minutes off Paulo.
It’s not just rushing in for Lomax, it’s the lack of technique and effort with the tackle. He just stood there a couple of times without getting his body in front of them. Hopefully just the after effects of a humiliating origin loss.
Simonsson is our best centre. Still makes poor decisions but will improve with more game time back from consecutive injuries

 

[JokerEel]

Wonder what Ryles will be more pissed about the drop ball or the non existent effort

 

[King-Gutho94]

I'm not sure what the pecking order for centres is, and whether Penisini is ahead of a fit Simonsson or not. Russell's earned the right to be first centre picked, maybe Penisini comes back through Cup until there's an injury?

I would say Russell and Simmonson are our best 2 performing centres atm.

Russell and JAC have continuity going.

And Penisini has shown he can't play on the left. Where Russell is atm.

So you have to move Simmonson back to left to accommodate Penisini but your messing with combos again making that change in 2 weeks.

Penisini got himself suspended with a bone head play so may have to wait for an injury or form to get back.

Penisini does have a higher ceiling then Russell but Russell is more mistake free.

 

[Cumberland Eel]

So with Kitouga likely to miss a fair few weeks and considering Brown won’t see the 6 anytime soon what do we think Ryles goes with next game? I’d like to see something like this.

1. Iongi
2. Addo-Carr
3. Russel
4. Simonsson
5. Lomax
6. Papalii
7. Hawkins/Moses (if fit)
8. Hopgood
9. Smith
10. Paulo
11. Williams
12. Guymer (I’d prefer Samrani)
13. Brown

14. TDS
15. Walker
16. Doorey
17. Tuivaiti

 

[Timana]

I would say Russell and Simmonson are our best 2 performing centres atm.

Russell and JAC have continuity going.

And Penisini has shown he can't play on the left. Where Russell is atm.

So you have to move Simmonson back to left to accommodate Penisini but your messing with combos again making that change in 2 weeks.

Penisini got himself suspended with a bone head play so may have to wait for an injury or form to get back.

Penisini does have a higher ceiling then Russell but Russell is more mistake free.

Though I think bailey will use jac better than will or sean can

 

[Delboy]

I would say Russell and Simmonson are our best 2 performing centres atm.

Russell and JAC have continuity going.

And Penisini has shown he can't play on the left. Where Russell is atm.

So you have to move Simmonson back to left to accommodate Penisini but your messing with combos again making that change in 2 weeks.

Penisini got himself suspended with a bone head play so may have to wait for an injury or form to get back.

Penisini does have a higher ceiling then Russell but Russell is more mistake free.

Russell is hard working and an honest toiler, but shouldn’t be regarded as a permanent NRL centre, makes minimum breaks and hasn’t set up his winger just about the whole season. Where are our so called scouts, even sides like the Tits have players like Jo Jo Fifita , Fermour and others that are very quick and hit the line hard and make breaks.

Expecting any good , elite type signings is unlikely, and it’s a reason why Ryles has to make something from a threadbare squad of NRL level players. Until we see some moves on players that we see from our peers, then we will march to a beat we have seen for a few seasons.Elite players need to be targeted and signed, nothing less is acceptable really. The pass mark that somehow is attributed to recruitment is stark when we see clubs like the Roosters chase and sign the well thought recruitment guy who has been instrumental at the Raiders to boost that area, we are stuck with somewhat underwhelming contributors.

We have a relatively young squad that with the infusion of players like Chrichton, Kikau and similar will be set up for years. Want to be surprised but expect more of the same unfortunately.

 

[senior]

f**k sake Kautoga was starting to find consistency as well

Wonder what Ryles will be more pissed about the drop ball or the non existent effort

Lomax drops the ball and then doesn’t make sure to dive on it to end the play… Ffs

 

[Wally21]

I say it again, the merkin with the whistle missed a blatant hip drop

 

[King-Gutho94]

Russell is hard working and an honest toiler, but shouldn’t be regarded as a permanent NRL centre, makes minimum breaks and hasn’t set up his winger just about the whole season. Where are our so called scouts, even sides like the Tits have players like Jo Jo Fifita , Fermour and others that are very quick and hit the line hard and make breaks.

Expecting any good , elite type signings is unlikely, and it’s a reason why Ryles has to make something from a threadbare squad of NRL level players. Until we see some moves on players that we see from our peers, then we will march to a beat we have seen for a few seasons.Elite players need to be targeted and signed, nothing less is acceptable really. The pass mark that somehow is attributed to recruitment is stark when we see clubs like the Roosters chase and sign the well thought recruitment guy who has been instrumental at the Raiders to boost that area, we are stuck with somewhat underwhelming contributors.

We have a relatively young squad that with the infusion of players like Chrichton, Kikau and similar will be set up for years. Want to be surprised but expect more of the same unfortunately.

I always have thought Russell is nothing more then a serviceable option that should be your depth/backup for injuries

Me thinking Russell has leapfrogged Penisini on the better performing centres atm is more of an inditement on Penisini and his decline of form over the past 18-24 months.

 

[JokerEel]

I say it again, the merkin with the whistle missed a blatant hip drop

3 merkins plus the idiot in the bunker.... Had time to call Williams high tackle though...

 

[Wally21]

I always have thought Russell is nothing more then a serviceable option that should be your depth/backup for injuries

Me thinking Russell has leapfrogged Penisini on the better performing centres atm is more of an inditement on Penisini and his decline of form over the past 18-24 months.

King, Russell is mistake free, very capable. He is never going to be a star, but f**k me there are worse Centres in the NRL

 

[JokerEel]

King, Russell is mistake free, very capable. He is never going to be a star, but f**k me there are worse Centres in the NRL

That's true though it would be good if we had better options and Russell in CUP putting pressure on these said merkins each week..

 

[Parrapat]

We were 8 points away from correct refereeing away from a turn around.

It does my head in each week people pile on the team on the back of raw stats who never watched the game or had a feel for the game.

At some stage we have to ingratiate ourselves with the refs like the Panthers have.

Wayne Bennett told us about that.

We need to do what needs to be done without selling our soul and becoming another Melbourne Scum clone.

 

[Delboy]

King, Russell is mistake free, very capable. He is never going to be a star, but f**k me there are worse Centres in the NRL

He’s depth, but he’s probably below players like Joel Reddy and Ben Smith for what they provided on a regular basis. He’s been a permanent centre this season which is not what we need.

 

[Parrapat]

Wonder what Ryles will be more pissed about the drop ball or the non existent effort

Raiders vs Scum GF.

Panthers can grandstand all they want with a ref on their side giving them everything they want.