Predicted Rnd 1 team 2025

[Noise]

Russell on the bench? Can’t see that happening

 

[Gazzamatta]

Carty was probably one of the most improved players under BA. I think he still has time in the NRL.

He played some great footy when some around him were looking for shortcuts. I recall his loss of form coincided with him performing a massive hit on the opposition and subsequently doing his ribs. He would definitely be on the bench for mine. I'd also prefer Jnr off the bench if he is to improve his form this year. I'd like to see Matto and Offa as starting props. If Matto is persisted with as a starting 8 or 10 we might very well see the best of him. Hoppy to 13 of cause. Guymer and Tuilagi on the edges. It's fascinating isn't it. Loving the build up. Let's go Jason!

 

[Incorrect]

Russell on the bench? Can’t see that happening

Agreed. Ideally you want someone who can, even at a stretch, cover 1-7 or at least come on to play in the 1-5 and then move an outside back to the halves if one of them were to go down. And none of our 1-5 can cover halves. Maybe Papalii is that guy?? Or if Riley Smith is bench hooker (if he's elevated to top 30) then you move Hands to the halves in a re-shuffle. I just know I don't want to see Lussick's name in the 17.....

 

[King-Gutho94]

Agreed. Ideally you want someone who can, even at a stretch, cover 1-7 or at least come on to play in the 1-5 and then move an outside back to the halves if one of them were to go down. And none of our 1-5 can cover halves. Maybe Papalii is that guy?? Or if Riley Smith is bench hooker (if he's elevated to top 30) then you move Hands to the halves in a re-shuffle. I just know I don't want to see Lussick's name in the 17.....

If any of the outside backs go down Ryles can always move Drown to the centres & then move Brendan Hands into the halves.

 

[Twizzle]

i wish lomax would just play wing

I got Dragons mates laughing when I tell them he wants to play right centre,

Just you wait they keep saying becuase he was shit at centre, they played him on the wing and he made the Kangaroos team

 

[Cloeel]

I got Dragons mates laughing when I tell them he wants to play right centre,

Just you wait they keep saying becuase he was shit at centre, they played him on the wing and he made the Kangaroos team

How much of Lomax form at centre for the Dragons was down to lack of ability and how much was down to poor attitude?

I guess we will find out soon.

 

[Pazza]

Agreed. Ideally you want someone who can, even at a stretch, cover 1-7 or at least come on to play in the 1-5 and then move an outside back to the halves if one of them were to go down. And none of our 1-5 can cover halves. Maybe Papalii is that guy?? Or if Riley Smith is bench hooker (if he's elevated to top 30) then you move Hands to the halves in a re-shuffle. I just know I don't want to see Lussick's name in the 17.....

I don't know if any of those options are defensively up to it like Russell.

You put papalli at centre I reckon he'd struggle. You put brown at fullback, we've seen how bad that was.

With Russell, you can put from 1 - 7 and 11/12 and he could give you nrl level defense at a minimum.

 

[Grigor]

Both of them won’t be here in 2026. Neither will Paulo.

Is this an educated guess ?

 

[The Predictor]

He would be next cab off the rank for me mate which means in all likelihood he could still play the full season out in first grade.

In 2023 for example, our first five middles (Ofahengaue and Greig counted as one player) averaged 20 out of a possible 24 regular season games. This in theory leaves 20 possible starts for Moretti at first drop.

I like the idea of carrying a back off the bench for one through seven coverage and I think that Bryce could be used when chasing points.

Carrying three middles on the bench is unnecessary. If split evenly, it would mean players like Hopgood, Matterson and Paulo would be asked to only play 40 minutes.

The only alternative would be to run with Moretti over one of the middles already in my 17. Joffa out?

I do like Joffa, though

 

[hineyrulz]

If any of the outside backs go down Ryles can always move Drown to the centres & then move Brendan Hands into the halves.

It’s what the smart coaches do mate.

 

[Avenger]

Is this an educated guess ?

Of course. Everyone has a guess here.

 

[eels_fan]

If we are carrying a utility/back on the bench it wont be Russell, it will be Joash Papalii

 

[the phantom menace]

Joash Papalii who is yet to play an NRL game? I think he'd best be getting regular minutes in reserve grade and waiting for an injury/rep season opportunity in the second half of the year, rather than the constant disruption of an NRL bench spot and limited playing minutes.

 

[eels_fan]

I’d say he’s more suited than a capable backup winger on the bench

 

[JokerEel]

Joash Papalii who is yet to play an NRL game? I think he'd best be getting regular minutes in reserve grade and waiting for an injury/rep season opportunity in the second half of the year, rather than the constant disruption of an NRL bench spot and limited playing minutes.

That's not what the old guard would have done!