Match Discussion: Round 1 vs North Qld @ Allegiant Stadium, Paradise / Las Vegas NV

[SamSepi0l]

Well we picked the best 1-7 we possibly can so that's a great start. Cant on the bench too. Plenty to like with the first team list.

 

[Knight Tales]

It’s great having 2 genuine running threat in the halves. The NQ edge forwards are going to have to be on point. Has been ages since we have had this. Brown has the power to break them open at the line. The support running needs a big lift though.

 

[Dr Dr Gimedanews]

All this relies on him sticking to his guns though. I am ok with this selection provided it’s still the same combo that he’s picking in 2-3 months even if the results haven’t been what we want. A lot of it will depend on injuries too. I really want to see this combo given a proper chance to grow into what it could be.

indeed, it will take time and a large set of balls from Holbrook.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

Whilst the trials haven’t given me reason to be optimistic. At least we’re up against a team that doesn’t really have a great forward pack. Taumalolo isn’t what he once was and there’s no-one else there who I feel is going to dominate the middle. So I think our middle forwards should be able to either keep it on par or even get a slight edge over the Cowboys’ middles. This game has the potential to be a total backline shootout as a result.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Luki is a real danger on the right edge for them. He has the potential to cause real havoc if they can get him 1v1 with a smaller player. Im glad Nanai is out though as it reduces their edge threats

 

[Knight Tales]

Luki versus Lucas is going to go a long way to deciding this game. If things had gone our way a few years back these two would be our edge forwards.

 

[Yosh]

Luki versus Lucas is going to go a long way to deciding this game. If things had gone our way a few years back these two would be our edge forwards.

McEwen ain't half bad!

 

[Knight Tales]

McEwen ain't half bad!

Never said he isn’t.

 

[Yosh]

How's everyone feeling. Trials were shambles but optimistic about Holbrook. I say we make the 8 this year.

 

[Zoidberg]

If we look good tomorrow, with our full strength side, I’ll be optimistic to make the 8. If we look lost in attack, it will depend how long (and if) it takes the team to click. Could be a long shot for finals before we start looking any good.

 

[Dr Dr Gimedanews]

How's everyone feeling. Trials were shambles but optimistic about Holbrook. I say we make the 8 this year.

Don't care about the trials so much, the 8 would be nice but I think that's a step too far for our pack, that I expect will be man handled and biatch slapped a few times this year. Wish Barny was here already.

I'm more hopeful for a spine that develops into a potent threat for future seasons ahead.

 

[perverse]

lol if we make the 8 then Holbrook is a dead set genius. This is worst squad on paper we've had in some time. Too many young kids that are still years off and a lot of plod - especially in the engine room. I'd say the backline is less proven than everyone feels too. There's potential, but they need to put it on the park as a unit - which I think will be very hard with our pack.

Barney would definitely give us a much better look in the top 17, with Mooney coming off the bench and pushing some plod out of the 17 altogether.

All in all, what we need more than anything this year is some contributors to emerge that we just aren't expecting right now. We need some genuine surprise packets to get there. It could come from Hopwood, ESL and even McEwen has a lot more in him, but I feel like they need more time in the oven. If we can get substantially more out of them than I expect then you could start talking about the 8 if the halves figure themselves out.

 

[Dr Dr Gimedanews]

lol if we make the 8 then Holbrook is a dead set genius. This is worst squad on paper we've had in some time. Too many young kids that are still years off and a lot of plod - especially in the engine room. I'd say the backline is less proven than everyone feels too. There's potential, but they need to put it on the park as a unit - which I think will be very hard with our pack.

Barney would definitely give us a much better look in the top 17, with Mooney coming off the bench and pushing some plod out of the 17 altogether.

All in all, what we need more than anything this year is some contributors to emerge that we just aren't expecting right now. We need some genuine surprise packets to get there. It could come from Hopwood, ESL and even McEwen has a lot more in him, but I feel like they need more time in the oven. If we can get substantially more out of them than I expect then you could start talking about the 8 if the halves figure themselves out.

Yep that's the great hope, some of the kids announce themselves, but they look a ways off yet.

Lucas is our best in the pack with Jsaf a distant second and the rest of the boyz strike fear into no one.

The spine will find it hard to play off the little platform they lay.

 

[Rod]

This is worst squad on paper we've had in some time.

I was about to say surely this year's squad is better than last year but thinking about it now I'm not so sure lol. It's essentially Brailey, Elliott, Cogger, Hastings, Hetherington and Leo Vs Brown, Smith and Mooney.

So a key cog in Brown but even lees depth in a squad that didn't have a lot to start with.

On the match, I'll take not being embarrassed on an (inter)national stage. And not to bring up other wounds but lest we forget we're still on a losing streak, which currently sits at 9. So would be nice to end that reasonably quickly.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Sounds like everyone in here is full of confidence!

 

[Mr_Knightside]

I don’t even know what to think anymore lol. There’s a world where we play really well today and we have something to be excited about, even in the short term. It would be really nice for the club to get the monkey off its back and win a game of f**king football right?

But there’s absolutely a world where we’re down 20-0 at half time and I basically want to throw the TV through the window, and we end up losing 36-6 or something like that. I am thinking this is the more likely outcome.

I can’t take another year like last year, that was the pits. It would be nice to have a team that we’re proud of and looking forward to watching each week again.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

lol if we make the 8 then Holbrook is a dead set genius. This is worst squad on paper we've had in some time. Too many young kids that are still years off and a lot of plod - especially in the engine room. I'd say the backline is less proven than everyone feels too. There's potential, but they need to put it on the park as a unit - which I think will be very hard with our pack.

Barney would definitely give us a much better look in the top 17, with Mooney coming off the bench and pushing some plod out of the 17 altogether.

All in all, what we need more than anything this year is some contributors to emerge that we just aren't expecting right now. We need some genuine surprise packets to get there. It could come from Hopwood, ESL and even McEwen has a lot more in him, but I feel like they need more time in the oven. If we can get substantially more out of them than I expect then you could start talking about the 8 if the halves figure themselves out.

How is the backline "less proven than everyone feels"? We have 3x Origin reps and an English rep in the back 5

I know we have some holes in the roster especially around our pack but jeezus mate there's no need to fabricate reasons to be emo about 2026

 

[Woody90]

How's everyone feeling. Trials were shambles but optimistic about Holbrook. I say we make the 8 this year.

I don’t think I’ve ever felt less optimistic to start a season… and that’s saying something lol

 

[Woody90]

Coach has no clue.
Brown is a 6 not a 7.
Cowboys by 46 and the Knights to be HUMILIATED for the world to see.

I think I’d really hate to be you lol

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Late change to the 19.

Croker starting at lock, Friz to the bench