NRL Rd 2 2026 - General Non-Warriors Thread

[Izz]

TBH even last year I wasn't that impressed with Brisbane - Penrith were totally exhausted (mainly their own doing of course) and were still very unlucky to lose to them... they have a wide range in where they could finish this year imo

I reckon they won last year basically on the back of Reece Walsh hitting a purple patch of form ala the type of form Jarryd Hayne in 09 had to get Parra to the final.

That plus the Maguire spew buckets

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

The Broncos were probably the best team in the comp in 2023 and really haven't been close to that since aside from a 3 or 4 game run late last year. Their squad is worse (2023 they had Cobbo, Farnworth, Flegler, Capewell, a younger Reynolds, an in-form Mam) and they really get by on Walsh, Carrigan, Haas, Staggs, an occasionally fit Reynolds and not much else. Genuinely reckon they have one of the shallower squads in the comp with some pretty ordinary players in their top 17. The expectations on them (which are totally understandable for any premiership winner) way outstrip the quality of the team/squad.

 

[Scott]

The Broncos were probably the best team in the comp in 2023 and really haven't been close to that since aside from a 3 or 4 game run late last year. Their squad is worse (2023 they had Cobbo, Farnworth, Flegler, Capewell, a younger Reynolds, an in-form Mam) and they really get by on Walsh, Carrigan, Haas, Staggs, an occasionally fit Reynolds and not much else. Genuinely reckon they have one of the shallower squads in the comp with some pretty ordinary players in their top 17. The expectations on them (which are totally understandable for any premiership winner) way outstrip the quality of the team/squad.

Correct - in terms of quality of the players, the gap is too big. They are either elite or minimum wage. Not a lot in between. Their back rowers are very very ordinary.

 

[JJ]

The Broncos were probably the best team in the comp in 2023 and really haven't been close to that since aside from a 3 or 4 game run late last year. Their squad is worse (2023 they had Cobbo, Farnworth, Flegler, Capewell, a younger Reynolds, an in-form Mam) and they really get by on Walsh, Carrigan, Haas, Staggs, an occasionally fit Reynolds and not much else. Genuinely reckon they have one of the shallower squads in the comp with some pretty ordinary players in their top 17. The expectations on them (which are totally understandable for any premiership winner) way outstrip the quality of the team/squad.

Overall I agree, but Penrith imo were the best side 2023… Crichton and Leniu were there, Sorensen wasn’t perpetually broken etc….

 

[JJ]

Correct - in terms of quality of the players, the gap is too big. They are either elite or minimum wage. Not a lot in between. Their back rowers are very very ordinary.

Yeah, I guess Penrith again is a comparison… they could probably have kept Luai, Burton, Api and Crichton, but would have to shed twice as many quality first graders… roster management is huge (if you play by the rules). Superstars need to be balanced with quality.

 

[Blair]

As I said in the intro, this Chooks v Rabbs at a packed new SFS should be the season opener. No need to be in the USA.

Johnston is going for the Ken Irvine all-time career try-scoring record tonight. Irvine set the record in 1968!

If Johnston scores tonight let's have a celebratory mass field invasion! I reckon it happens.

...what an anti-climax, DCE opens the scoring! 6-0, Chooks.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Overall I agree, but Penrith imo were the best side 2023… Crichton and Leniu were there, Sorensen wasn’t perpetually broken etc….

On paper arguably yeah…but the two teams were even throughout the season and the Broncos were 16 points up after 60 minutes of the GF. To that point they were the best team in the comp.

 

[Blair]

Now Tupou in. 12-0, Chooks look the goods. I got carried away with last week's results and picked Souths.

Just as I say that Mitchell gets into the game and throws a pass for Johnston to equalise the record.

...and he scores the record-breaker! Set up by Mitchell again. Fans invade, amazing scenes here!

 

[Philip_Smith007]

Now Tupou in. 12-0, Chooks look the goods. I got carried away with last week's results and picked Souths.

Just as I say that Mitchell gets into the game and throws a pass for Johnston to equalise the record.

...and he scores the record-breaker! Set up by Mitchell again. Fans invade, amazing scenes here!

Roosters fan first there, taken out by security, then the big fella just stuck with them, next minute same security guy is with Albow as head of secret service! Haha

Amazing to see, the gate not locked to get on the field. As soon as Johnston in shead crowd left pretty quick but left a bit of a mess!

Where was the crowd for Cameron Smiths record breaking number of games?

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Roosters fan first there, taken out by security, then the big fella just stuck with them, next minute same security guy is with Albow as head of secret service! Haha

Amazing to see, the gate not locked to get on the field. As soon as Johnston in shead crowd left pretty quick but left a bit of a mess!

Where was the crowd for Cameron Smiths record breaking number of games?

It was in Melbourne (qualifying final 2017) so probably googling who Cameron Smith is

 

[Blair]

It was in Melbourne (qualifying final 2017) so probably googling who Cameron Smith is.

When it comes down to it there's a serious lack of passion for Melbourne. You'd never see scenes like last night. However, I reckon Johnston was a bit flat afterwards, it happens when an individual reaches a milestone but the team lose.

 

[Blair]

It's a Tiger party at Leichhardt. 34-6, 50 minutes gone. They can't lose.

Hold your beer on the hill, 34-16, 23 mins left.

Drink up, Tigers fans. 44-16. Final.

 

[Izz]

Payten first coach sacked in 2026?

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Payten first coach sacked in 2026?

Yep.

Cowboys suck.

 

[Izz]

A lot of blowouts these first 2 rounds...

 

[JJ]

Penrith look ok

 

[Blair]

Penrith look ok.

Plus Melbourne. Bugger. There's our grand final.

Storm 46 Dragons 20.
Penrith 26 Cronulla 6.

 

[Big Marn]

Yep.

Cowboys suck.

hes gawwwwnnn

 

[JJ]

Only half time, but you really hate seeing Manly get flogged

Newcastle starting the season well

 

[Blair]

Only half time, but you really hate seeing Manly get flogged

Newcastle starting the season well.

30-10, Newcastle. Second-half underway. We know who has to score first if this is going to end up a close game.
...and they do. Good try, Brooks, Turbo and finished by big Olakau'atu, who was unstoppable.
30-16, five mins in.
...woeful after points, Brooks drops the kick-off!...and punished. Knights in again, some soddy defence on the left. Young in, 34-16.

Brown and Ponga off injured.

36-16, Knights. Final.