Rumours and Stuff

[Black Panther]

Loaded question because of course there’s going to be juniors who we don’t know enough about but my take:

Brisbane - worse - Herbie, Flogler & Gapewell aren’t easily replaceable. But not so much they’ll tumble that far.

Canbra - worse - Wighton will be a loss but also it’s wacky Canbra so who knows.

Dogs - better obviously but with caveats around improving for sake of improving.

Sharks - slightly worse, or if AFB goes early, slightly better. They’ll have to play out of their skins I think.

Dolphins - better. Could be the biggest improvers.

Tits - better I guess because Palasia is better than any one they’ve lost and their squad isn’t particularly aged. Honestly they should be doing better than they have.

Manly - ….better? It’s hard to say particularly because Manly has history of signing external players who go either red hot or completely shit. Probably the most intriguing team changes to watch.

Scum - not really one way or other. Blore in for Sims isn’t a game changer, Fa’alogo could be which is slightly offset by them losing quite a few other players. They’ll still be the Scum and make finals probably.

Knights - I’ll say better but really it hangs on if the Poms work out. If you remove Young & Poms from movement, they’ve definitely improved.

Cows - kinda similar to Scum. No real external moves but they have some decent youngsters they’ll be banking on.

Us - again similar to Cows. The players we’ve brought in, don’t move the needle, but then neither did the players we’ve lost.

Smugs - worse. They definitely banking on juniors to come through but if you’re doing that every year it will just get harder and longer to build that junior up.

Drags - better in some areas, worse in others. Obviously the coach is the biggest movement and influence here. Could improve or could very well fall in a heap.

Souffs - better but will always rely on whether Loltrell could be bothered.

Rorters - better but they’ve certainly got aging problems.

Warriors - the other potential biggest improvers. If they can maintain a high standard through the season, I reckon they are a massive title chance.

Tigers - worse but made the right moves. They won’t improve enough this year (unless the Fainus are the new Trbjnchehfnevics) but 2025 they might.

Well Penrith can’t go any better than winning the Comp again.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

If TheRam had more time he would write shorter posts.

 

[84 Baby]

Well Penrith can’t go any better than winning the Comp again.

Did you fail to follow the post thread?

 

[TheCrowe]

Loaded question because of course there’s going to be juniors who we don’t know enough about but my take:

Brisbane - worse - Herbie, Flogler & Gapewell aren’t easily replaceable. But not so much they’ll tumble that far.

Canbra - worse - Wighton will be a loss but also it’s wacky Canbra so who knows.

Dogs - better obviously but with caveats around improving for sake of improving.

Sharks - slightly worse, or if AFB goes early, slightly better. They’ll have to play out of their skins I think.

Dolphins - better. Could be the biggest improvers.

Tits - better I guess because Palasia is better than any one they’ve lost and their squad isn’t particularly aged. Honestly they should be doing better than they have.

Manly - ….better? It’s hard to say particularly because Manly has history of signing external players who go either red hot or completely shit. Probably the most intriguing team changes to watch.

Scum - not really one way or other. Blore in for Sims isn’t a game changer, Fa’alogo could be which is slightly offset by them losing quite a few other players. They’ll still be the Scum and make finals probably.

Knights - I’ll say better but really it hangs on if the Poms work out. If you remove Young & Poms from movement, they’ve definitely improved.

Cows - kinda similar to Scum. No real external moves but they have some decent youngsters they’ll be banking on.

Us - again similar to Cows. The players we’ve brought in, don’t move the needle, but then neither did the players we’ve lost.

Smugs - worse. They definitely banking on juniors to come through but if you’re doing that every year it will just get harder and longer to build that junior up.

Drags - better in some areas, worse in others. Obviously the coach is the biggest movement and influence here. Could improve or could very well fall in a heap.

Souffs - better but will always rely on whether Loltrell could be bothered.

Rorters - better but they’ve certainly got aging problems.

Warriors - the other potential biggest improvers. If they can maintain a high standard through the season, I reckon they are a massive title chance.

Tigers - worse but made the right moves. They won’t improve enough this year (unless the Fainus are the new Trbjnchehfnevics) but 2025 they might.

I think on paper the warriors look improved.
Rorters made a couple of good signings but they have key players in decline.
Knights maybe better if new signings fire.
Have to add Lussick and Joe O to our recruiting which may make us marginally stronger.
Dogs have the best utilities but yet to see if they work out.
Dolphins definitely.

 

[King-Gutho94]

Warriors are still reliant on Shaun Johnson for mine.

If he gets injured or doesnt have such a good year again i think they will tail off.

Beware the 2nd year syndrome of new coaches. Webster had a dream run last year.

There 5 wins against top 8 sides last year were 2 x Cronulla & Canberra each and 1 v the Knights.

They didn't beat a top 4 side all year.

Cronulla & Canberra were the biggest flat track bullies as well last year so beating those 2 isnt anything to write home about.

RTS i think will provide impact but won't be the superstar he was at his peak.

 

[TheCrowe]

And Shaun Johnson hasn't been consistent throughout his career. Many variables for every team but on paper they look stronger and you cant say that for many teams.

 

[hindy111]

Would have to have a weekly Tigers segment with @Tiger5150

Sure. He is ok

 

[hindy111]

Penrith played most the final series without a key player in Jerome Luai. They also had May out for the whole season.

Will they miss Crighton and Spencer. Of course they will but May will help ease some of that loss.
And it isn't like it was a close finals series bar the grand final. They won their semi finals by 30+

Tago,Turuava and May are all very young kids. All will get better. Whi knows how much they will improve. The rest are probably in peak. Not to many oldies.

I'd bank on a couple of juniors coming in and surprising everyone. Also interesting to see how Alamoti goes at a strong club.

 

[The Colonel]

Dogs have the best utilities but yet to see if they work out.

Still no front row and they won't get any backup from Kikau with the hard stuff which means King, Preston and Curran are doing the bulk of the work. The fix is apparent to sign Suluka-Fifita from Souths who probably won't be available until May. They have Sutton, Patolo, Sam Hughes, Liam Knight and Kautoga listed as there front rowers. Meanwhile they have 9 halves listed in their 30 man squad....

 

[84 Baby]

Cronulla & Canberra were the biggest flat track bullies as well last year so beating those 2 isnt anything to write home about.

Sharks have a habit of drawing the shit out of us.
Canbra but aren’t flat track bullies. On their day, they can beat anyone or lose to anyone. Actually “on their day” isn’t correct, because it can change mid game for them multiple times.

 

[hineyrulz]

Well Penrith can’t go any better than winning the Comp again.

Thanks scoop!! You are a Mensa candidate with insights like that.

 

[Gronk]

Why do you think I have stopped my essay long posts Hindy...

These merkins owe us!

Thank me later merkin. Update that curriculum vitae, the longer the better I hear.

 

[Pazza]

Still no front row and they won't get any backup from Kikau with the hard stuff which means King, Preston and Curran are doing the bulk of the work. The fix is apparent to sign Suluka-Fifita from Souths who probably won't be available until May. They have Sutton, Patolo, Sam Hughes, Liam Knight and Kautoga listed as there front rowers. Meanwhile they have 9 halves listed in their 30 man squad....

we should see if theyd swap a Makatoa or a rodwell for a outside back.

 

[84 Baby]

we should see if theyd swap a Makatoa or a rodwell for a outside back.

Not a bad idea but also f**k Dogs

 

[TheCrowe]

we should see if theyd swap a Makatoa or a rodwell for a outside back.

Skelton for Rodwell. Fair deal.

 

[Stagger eel]

we should see if theyd swap a Makatoa or a rodwell for a outside back.

I don't think the Dogs would be that stupid, although they did sign Crighton on spine coin so you never know.

 

[Lemon Squash]

I actually heard the dogs enquired about Makatoa recently.

 

[T.S Quint]

Penrith played most the final series without a key player in Jerome Luai. They also had May out for the whole season.

Will they miss Crighton and Spencer. Of course they will but May will help ease some of that loss.
And it isn't like it was a close finals series bar the grand final. They won their semi finals by 30+

Tago,Turuava and May are all very young kids. All will get better. Whi knows how much they will improve. The rest are probably in peak. Not to many oldies.

I'd bank on a couple of juniors coming in and surprising everyone. Also interesting to see how Alamoti goes at a strong club.

Spoon.

 

[TheCrowe]

Still no front row and they won't get any backup from Kikau with the hard stuff which means King, Preston and Curran are doing the bulk of the work. The fix is apparent to sign Suluka-Fifita from Souths who probably won't be available until May. They have Sutton, Patolo, Sam Hughes, Liam Knight and Kautoga listed as there front rowers. Meanwhile they have 9 halves listed in their 30 man squad....

*utilities

 

[TheCrowe]

I actually heard the dogs enquired about Makatoa recently.

If he could get a couple of year contract it would be an easier move then Super League.
Joe O, Emu and Moretti have moved ahead of him for bench/cover.