Match Discussion: Round 5 vs Canberra @ McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

[Woosh]

Think we're getting a bit ahead of ourselves with Smith. Been very handy again today but made a few mistakes as well. A long way from unseating any of Ponga/Brown/Sharpe.

Anyway, how good. Looked a bit flat for most of the first half but the defence held firm and they came good eventually.

Also couldn't help but notice that Friz and Gags were 2 of our best..

Dally M votes: Phoenix Crossland 3, Jacob Saifiti 3, Sandon Smith 2, Fletcher Sharpe 2, Fletcher Hunt 1, Greg Marzhew 1.

Yet no Dally M points for neither.
Must be a rule if you’re old you can’t be playing good footy

 

[SamSepi0l]

What part of beating the Cowboys, Manly, Bulldogs and Raiders have some people missed? The first three being away games. We were dog shit against the Warriors. Every single one of those sides were top 8 last year. It is incredible why negatives are still being found. The draw has been very tough and we have stood tall.

It's ok to be happy with our wins, we should be.

It's also ok to point out those 4 clubs are playing like dog shit this year. Where they finished last year is the weakest of arguments. How did Fogs play for the Raiders on Sunday?

 

[The Axe of Druss]

What part of beating the Cowboys, Manly, Bulldogs and Raiders have some people missed? The first three being away games. We were dog shit against the Warriors. Every single one of those sides were top 8 last year. It is incredible why negatives are still being found. The draw has been very tough and we have stood tall.

In what universe were Cowboys and Seaeagles top 8 in 2025?

 

[Rod]

Dally M votes: Phoenix Crossland 3, Jacob Saifiti 3, Sandon Smith 2, Fletcher Sharpe 2, Fletcher Hunt 1, Greg Marzhew 1.

Yet no Dally M points for neither.
Must be a rule if you’re old you can’t be playing good footy

These votes are always incredible. Crossland gave his usual 110% but getting the joint most points is a real head scratcher for me.

 

[Rod]

Everyone here still of the opinion Croker isn't NRL standard? He looks plenty good to me. Playing the linking role to great affect. Frizzell is crazy. The impact he brings off the bench is outstanding.

I was one of those who thought Croker was a fringe first grader at best in a good side, but he's really come on and hopefully will continue to flourish under Holbrook. Still gets dominated physically at times but definitely trending in the right direction.

 

[SamSepi0l]

In what universe were Cowboys and Seaeagles top 8 in 2025?

The same imaginary one where they're apparently juggernauts in 2026.