NRL Rd 6 2025 - General Non-Warriors Thread

[Blair]

It feels like the 'moment of truth' for Warriors fans. That's what the famous boxing match-up between Evander 'The Real Deal' Holyfield and James 'Buster' Douglas was called, and most of us know how that ended (Douglas, fat and slow, flat on his back). As if he belonged in the same arena as his opponent?

Tonight though, Redcliffe are right in it with Penrith. So, Penrith have some players back (Sorenson is one) but they still seem young and mistake-heavy. Don't be surprised if the Dolphins drill them.

Friday, Dragons fans are despairing. They beat Melbourne, they lost to Parramatta. The Titans are unpredictable. Gutho might be the difference. Brisbane v Easts, have the Broncos changed for the better since their 'rockstar' days of 2023? They still refer to each other as such. Easts are a good side and will want that 'glamour tag' back at Bondi!

Saturday, Perth/WA hosts a double-header. Sharks v Manly, Bunnies v Cows. I reckon the novelty factor of playing over there sort of makes it anyone's a winner really. There'd be some league-starved ex-pats over there for sure, so let's hope they enjoy some entertaining footy. The Eels' blue and gold army are back already, it didn't take them long, did it? Canberra are also in a good mood, after their great escape last week. It'll be fun if Sticky keeps smiling.

Sunday, oh no, here we go, Warriors fans. Do we belong there? Or is our recent form a fluke? We know Melbourne are indeed, the real deal. We close with Newcastle v Wests. It's the opening round all over again, so soon, but have the Tigers made any tangible improvements? That means winning this one, which they lost in round one.

Enjoy!

 

[JJ]

Penrith will be interesting, Edwards back should make a huge difference - they're missing a few others, but the big three - Cleary, Edwards and Yeo need to dominate, as does the pack - the pack was in cruise control much of last year, then stepped it up when needed... they are not so far ahead of the pack now, so need to be 'on' more, and obviously they've been uncharacteristically sloppy...

As for can we compete with Melbourne... well, imo the best we can hope for is an honest effort and they don't put 40 on us... with Penrith's early season faltering they look ominous atm

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Probably hope for some damp weather in Melbourne on Sunday, they can pile on the points rapidly when they can move the ball around and have momentum

Last weekend of speedway for the season down here so I’ll be watching more of the games from next weekend onwards. How am I already hearing its 5 weeks til origin

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Penrith will be interesting, Edwards back should make a huge difference - they're missing a few others, but the big three - Cleary, Edwards and Yeo need to dominate, as does the pack - the pack was in cruise control much of last year, then stepped it up when needed... they are not so far ahead of the pack now, so need to be 'on' more, and obviously they've been uncharacteristically sloppy...

Edwards is a massive return for him. His defensive organisation has been badly missed.

Attack wise they’re actually averaging the same points per game as last year, but average against has blown out from 16 to 28. And I can remember at least 4 tries in the last few weeks from fullback errors alone.

They should be much better tonight. Should…

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Panthers are the only side in the comp that haven’t won a game in Australia this season

 

[Blair]

Six-all, 15 minutes gone...

...12-6, Dolphins. Nearly half an hour gone. Interesting...30-12, Dolphins. Final. A real crisis now at Penrith.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Cleary in the sheds telling them that when he said he wanted to be called Fivan this year, he didn’t mean 5 losses on the trot

 

[nswarrior]

What has happened to the Panthers? I know they lost a couple of players but their defence is really struggling

 

[Blair]

Cleary in the sheds telling them that when he said he wanted to be called Fivan this year, he didn’t mean 5 losses on the trot.

And I've tipped them all year. The bastards.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

What has happened to the Panthers? I know they lost a couple of players but their defence is really struggling

Obviously there's no way I can know, but there has to be the possibility it's desire. People citing the Luai factor but (for now, and yes I know they've played one more game) they have the worst defense in the comp.

Hard to imagine why the Penrith systems that have been so devastating the last few years are now being busted open at will.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Couple of big ifs, but if Roosters got the Broncos and Eels tipped up the Raiders, Penrith are stone cold last at the end of Round 6

Can’t remember which podcast I was listening too earlier in the week, they mentioned Fisher-Harris as being the best defensive prop in the game, and his departure is hurting them in the middle. If we have a realistic look at their side, outside the 3-4 big names, they are operating with toilers now. Jenkins/Talagi/McLean always looked ripe for the picking last night

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Obviously there's no way I can know, but there has to be the possibility it's desire. People citing the Luai factor but (for now, and yes I know they've played one more game) they have the worst defense in the comp.

Hard to imagine why the Penrith systems that have been so devastating the last few years are now being busted open at will.

For the period between McLean's try and Hammer's second, they defended like the Penrith of old. Massive line speed, dominant tackles... they were squeezing hard and starting return sets on their 40. But one bad read from Talagi, Hammer scores again, and all the intensity disappeared and never came back.

So yea, I agree looks like a mental thing. Whether desire, or somehow a loss of confidence and belief, hard to know.

But I wonder if it does come back to Luai and Fish. Completely different people obviously, but between Luai's borderline arrogance and Fish's presence... those personalities breed belief, especially amongst youngsters. Maybe its less about who they've lost on the pitch, and more about who they've lost from the dressing room. If so, that's a hard one to solve.

 

[JJ]

There are a lot of things going on, motivation , injuries (spine and edges in constant flux), surely pride will kick in at some point

Didn’t expect the greatest team in NRL history to collapse this quickly, the salary cap bites, but I guess after 4 in a row what else do you do?

 

[Scott]

In previous seasons, they have lost some very very good players, but never a couple of sidekicks at the same time. Losing Luai & JFH has had a big impact on everything, On field communication (Luai), off field mana (JFH), defence in the middle, flair in attack. Cleary & Leota don't appear the same players without their sidekicks. No doubt motivation, much shorter pre-seasons etc all add up as well.

I still think they can make the finals. I don't think they will though. Origin period will get them this year. There won't be a luxury of resting anyone.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

In previous seasons, they have lost some very very good players, but never a couple of sidekicks at the same time. Losing Luai & JFH has had a big impact on everything, On field communication (Luai), off field mana (JFH), defence in the middle, flair in attack. Cleary & Leota don't appear the same players without their sidekicks. No doubt motivation, much shorter pre-seasons etc all add up as well.

I still think they can make the finals. I don't think they will though. Origin period will get them this year. There won't be a luxury of resting anyone.

Just had a closer look at their draw during the Origin period... and they've actually lucked out a bit.

They have two byes scheduled before Origins 2 and 3 so no mandatory games missed there. Only game their players will sit out is v Newcastle before game 1, but they in turn will be missing Ponga and maybe Best.

Post Origin… they have Parra on a 4-day turnaround after game 1, us on a 3-day turnaround after game 2, and then Parra again (wtf is up with that) 4 days after game 3.

Both Parra games will obviously be at CommBank, while ours game is at home.

Assuming no injuries they should comfortably back up for both Parra games. They may struggle to back up for our game though, given the shorter turnaround and Origin 2 being all the way in Perth, but we’d similarly lose Barnett and maybe Capewell.

All up its about as good as they could’ve hoped, if they can sort themselves in time to take advantage.

 

[Big Marn]

I still think they can make the finals. I don't think they will though.

Which is it?

 

[Scott]

Which is it?

Mathematically they can make it. I don't think they will make it though. The red felt pen is out.

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

I'll give the Panthers their first win on Australian soil when I tip against them next week.

 

[Blair]

That question from our 'Predictions for 2025' thread:

'Who will be the first coach sacked?' Ivan Cleary. Believe it or not, the work lunchroom, full of Penrith fans, only half laughs when I bring this up.

 

[Blair]

St George are comfortably ahead. They've got this, 38-16, final.

I'm not sure what to make of the Titans this year. They sure miss big Tino, who should be back next week, unfortunately for Warriors fans.

Now on to Lang Park...8-0, Roosters. Early.