2025 Pre-Season Challenge - Trials

[Jeremy Dragon]

What is the contract status of Conor M? I thought he was solid in the 2nd half. Also think he is a better option than Glover....
If we get an injury in the halves we are in trouble I reckon. Not much depth there....

Had to sign an NRL train contract on Friday so he could play

 

[RufusRex]

wow - is that so ... crazy

to be fair to him though, he did what was asked ... made his tackles, got the ball to the runners/halves. Solid performance that did him no harm.

 

[since77]

Previously, suggestions of Rava in forwards, has been all but howled down.

Now with Molo out, desperate times call for desperate measures

Definitely worth a trial or two

Although forwards generally have a reputation for being meatheads, the good forwards usually have a decent footy IQ. Rava doesn't have that I'm afraid - last night he looked like he'd picked straight up from the terrible performance he had against Parra last year. Same mistakes, just as damaging. Unless we have a severe injury crisis or he has a miracle form reversal in NSW Cup, Rava won't get anywhere near 1st grade this season - at least in the Red V.

I feel a bit sorry for poor Rava - his game has certainly fallen off the side of a cliff over the last 12 months. He seems a likeable guy - I really think a new club and change of scenery would help to give him a new lease of football life. At his best he's too good to be playing reserve grade. Unfortunately we've seen far too much of his worst over the last 12 months. I suspect Flanno has too and has marked his cards accordingly.

 

[Victoire]

For those of us that emphasise the Roosters were under strength, we did lead 18-0 after 30 minutes

then the seconds basically played the balance of the match

True, but we did undoubtedly name a much stronger side than they did, and should reasonably have expected the win. We did just that in convincing fashion, which was nice. It made sense for us to name a formidable side considering the all-new spine needing time together. Makes a welcome change from last year's Kogarah trial, if you recall. Despite being a more settled and stable line-up we also named a pretty strong side and the Bunnies had a stack of players out... but they towelled us up. Much more positive start this season. We've still got players of our own to come back too. Liking it

 

[Dragonslayer]

The most pleasing aspect for me was the defense "turtling" the ball runner on most occasions.

Also, the word "understrength" is too commonly used when a "good" team is beaten. All teams, are understrengthed, in pre-season games, at at times during the season proper. Remember, we had mostly our reserve grade, and reserve if reserve grade playing in the 2nd half (not unlike the Roosters) and we still won that half 8 - 4.

As the old cliche goes:
You can only beat what's put in front of you

 

[The Word]

Frankly I don't know why you wouldn't pick a strong side, I mean the whole idea of trials is to get your first team match-ready for the start of the season. Those teams that take it seriously will hit the ground running in round 1. Yes there's risk of injury but that's also the case with training. At the very least your big players should be getting 40 minutes.

 

[Gareth67]

Unabashed Kyle fan who reckons he will have a stella year out from under the shadows of Voldemort "He who shall not be named"

I couldn't really see the extra 10 kilos?

Come on Fangs , the bloke is built like Hercules , well a smaller version there off , nevertheless he certainly flourished without H - oops I mean Voldermont not hogging the ball .

 

[Gareth67]

Frankly I don't know why you wouldn't pick a strong side, I mean the whole idea of trials is to get your first team match-ready for the start of the season. Those teams that take it seriously will hit the ground running in round 1. Yes there's risk of injury but that's also the case with training. At the very least your big players should be getting 40 minutes.

Agree , I recall Bennett selecting a strong side in our pre season match against the Eels back in 2010 - as did Parramatta . It was a very good game , both played as if it was a semi final match .

The Dragons won and that set the tone for what was a very successful season for the players , coach , club and fans .

 

[getsmarty]

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/02/16/trial-takeaways-magic-madge-inspires-broncos-to-huge-win-over-terrible-titans-young-talent-time-for-bulldogs-and-tigers/

 

[getsmarty]

Match Gallery: Pre-Season Challenge v Roosters

Hot shots from our 2025 Pre-Season Challenge clash against the Sydney Roosters at Netstrata Jubilee on Sunday evening.

www.dragons.com.au

 

[Mojo]

Match Gallery: Pre-Season Challenge v Roosters

Hot shots from our 2025 Pre-Season Challenge clash against the Sydney Roosters at Netstrata Jubilee on Sunday evening.

www.dragons.com.au

I can’t help but note that all the females on the hill are deeply focused on the game.

 

[Slippery Morris]

The Dragons looked good in the trial especially in defence. Attack was rusty but that will take time after the pass the ball to Hunt and hope attack that they had in the past. How good is having Val to replace Lomax. Gutho at fullback will be more solid. Sloan will eventually learn and come in and be a star learning off Gutho. They seem close. I saw Sloan next to Gutho in the half time sheds video.

I really liked Finau and Lawson out wide and Buchanan was also impressive. Saints certainly have depth out wide. I would put Finau on the wing for now with Feagai the other. CT and Sloan may have to wait. The Couchman's also looked great and so did Tonga and Latu.

Saints really need Flanno and Illias to stay fit with only LKT as a backup they are pretty thin. Glover not that crach and Reed looks good but a year or 2 away. Loved his try though, how fast is Reed? Wow.

Looking forward to this weekend to see how they go against the Rabbitohs.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

Hmmm 10 out for Roosters
8 out for Dragons

but the addition of Gutho, Cook, Guler, Ilias and Holmes …….. bloody great additions. All 5 made such a clinical difference on the wknd.

Equally …….u could definitely argue that a few of the Roosters our Al have way more impact on a game !!

missing that make a difference for their roles atleast 8 players :
Liddle
Hame salad
Lawrie
BMM
Sloan
FMolo
CT
TomE
Allen

and the Roosters probably 10 minimum missing and a few weapons :
teddy
Walker
Smith
Chrichton
Tupes
Watson
Butcher x 2
Radley
Collins

I felt both teams had some serious juniors on display. Real future guns in both teams…….man mountains actually !!!

Let’s go with wow Juniors as our most relevant that were quite impressive for their age and non experience of NRL.

Latu - 18yrs old and jacked. This guy !!!!

LPT - will probably play 10-15 games of NRL in 2025 / looked at ease.

Couchmen x 2 - looked really good and are ready for best 17 and still so young.

Stewart - bit of a goer actually and better than I expected. More a 2026 player is my guess.

Lawson - not bad. Good upside and low cost

 

[hewi]

From the Australian

The Dragons nave been installed as early favourites torun last in 2025 but Sunday's trial against the Roosters showed Shane Flanagan's new spine does not look like wooden spooners.
Hooker Damien Cook was effective from dummy half, fullback Clint Gutherson looked refreshed and threatened with ball in hand, while halfback Lachlan Ilias kicked well and didn't shirk his responsibilities in defence. Even five-eighth Kyle Flanagan was in fine touch, setting up tries and scoring of his own.

 

[getsmarty]

From the Australian

The Dragons nave been installed as early favourites torun last in 2025 but Sunday's trial against the Roosters showed Shane Flanagan's new spine does not look like wooden spooners.
Hooker Damien Cook was effective from dummy half, fullback Clint Gutherson looked refreshed and threatened with ball in hand, while halfback Lachlan Ilias kicked well and didn't shirk his responsibilities in defence. Even five-eighth Kyle Flanagan was in fine touch, setting up tries and scoring of his own.

https://valasys.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Clickbait-Headlines-%E2%80%93-What-is-it-And-How-Does-It-Work.jpg

 

[getsmarty]

...

 

[Crush]

From the Australian

The Dragons nave been installed as early favourites torun last in 2025 but Sunday's trial against the Roosters showed Shane Flanagan's new spine does not look like wooden spooners.
Hooker Damien Cook was effective from dummy half, fullback Clint Gutherson looked refreshed and threatened with ball in hand, while halfback Lachlan Ilias kicked well and didn't shirk his responsibilities in defence. Even five-eighth Kyle Flanagan was in fine touch, setting up tries and scoring of his own.

Harsh on Kyle, “even Kyle Flanagan was in fine touch”
Ouch.

 

[Overseadragon]

Nathan Lawson looked like he had played NRL before like a duck to water later on I'm sure he will fill in at centre once he has more exposure isn't it great to have a coach who knows what he is doing.....let's see if it's a flash in the pan on Saturday bring on the bunnies

 

[st george tragic]

Lovely start to the year, the team looked HOT TO GO. The defence to open the game was most impressive, Roosters had all the ball and field position early and we didn't crack. The trysaver by Ilias in particular was sweet. Couldn't have asked for much more from the main squad, they were impressive. Jaydn Sua, my number one man crush, looked immense out there again and will have another big season.

As for Ravalawa.. he's clearly way way down the pecking order now and for good reason. I get the club probably want someone (probably a Superleague team) to take him off our hands... but is that enough reason to keep him on the wing? With F Molo gone what's the harm in at least trying to convert him into a bench front rower. His carries are still as strong as ever and he won't be as exposed defensively, especially if they're short stints. If we can't bring a suitable prop in, why not make one ourselves

Rava was a fill in for a game that doesn’t matter. Flanno won't have him anywhere near first grade when it matters too many good wingers to pick from

 

[Overseadragon]

Rava was a fill in for a game that doesn’t matter. Flanno won't have him anywhere near first grade when it matters too many good wingers to pick from

Yes obviously coach trying to get ravalawa some exposure so he can get a offer from elsewhere that's my read on it unfortunately same old same old ravalawa.... Maybe Dapto 3rd grade is his future....