Rumours and Stuff

[hindy111]

Locked in. Especially Latu, if he makes it that’ll be big feather in your cap

Time will tell. I've only seen him once. He looked raw but good size,speed,agility. He could be the line breaking edge we need.

 

[King-Gutho94]

Me looking at draw: So Rorters play Boncos and Smugs twice each in the first 7 weeks? Ok uneven draws is one thing, but this shit is f**ken stupid.
Our one and only game against them is round 25

Those brave chooks never get the rub of the green

 

[Stevie]

Thinking out loud about our backline this year, the only question really, is about Ionghi and hoping he is as good as he appears to be albeit with only 1 first grade game.

A likely backline of:
1 Ionghi
2 Simonsen
3 Penisini
4 Lomax
5 Foxx
6 Brown
7 Moses

… is pretty f**king electric if you ask me. I’m a Simonsen fan as I think he is a great winger and works hard. The others are very known excitement machines so if, Ionghi is really as good as we all want him to be then wow what a backline with Brown and Moses! Honestly I think the rest are more than good enough to win a comp with a strong forward pack.

 

[Zoso]

Moses right, Brown left.
Lomax right centre, Penisini left centre.

Does anyone know of this is the way they are training?
Personally, I thought Simmo was better at centre than wing.
Never lacked enthusiasm or effort, just seemed he was too easy to drag back on kick returns.

 

[Zoso]

BA at Manly?

Sea Bald....

I’ll pay that!

 

[Zoso]

Thinking out loud about our backline this year, the only question really, is about Ionghi and hoping he is as good as he appears to be albeit with only 1 first grade game.

A likely backline of:
1 Ionghi
2 Simonsen
3 Penisini
4 Lomax
5 Foxx
6 Brown
7 Moses

… is pretty f**king electric if you ask me. I’m a Simonsen fan as I think he is a great winger and works hard. The others are very known excitement machines so if, Ionghi is really as good as we all want him to be then wow what a backline with Brown and Moses! Honestly I think the rest are more than good enough to win a comp with a strong forward pack.

Apart from Simmo on wing (I think he’s a better centre and Lomax is killer on the wing), this is a potent back line.
Can’t wait to see it in action.

 

[Noise]

Does anyone know of this is the way they are training?
Personally, I thought Simmo was better at centre than wing.
Never lacked enthusiasm or effort, just seemed he was too easy to drag back on kick returns.

Yes that is how they are training.

 

[Gronk]

RA boss denies Dylan Brown rumours as Eel explores options

Dylan Brown is exploring interest for 2026 but won't be switching codes.

www.sen.com.au

 

[Noise]

Moses right, Brown left.
Lomax right centre, Penisini left centre.

I’ve been saying this since November but merkins still think it’s not happening.

I think Lomax right centre , Simmonsen right wing, Penisini left centre, JAC left wing.

Lomax will start the season right centre. Nothing surer.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

@Poupou Escobar are you hoping Brown leaves?

I'm not, but I also don't care if he does. It's certainly possible that he's on more than he's worth.

 

[Incorrect]

I’ve been saying this since November but merkins still think it’s not happening.

 

[Twizzle]

Moses right, Brown left.
Lomax right centre, Penisini left centre.

there is an article here in this thread somewhere in which Lomax said he was playing right centre

 

[Poupou Escobar]

You mean Moses on the left? I’m hearing he is there with Lomax but hence the question.

From what I've read, I assumed Lomax was on the right.

 

[Incorrect]

there is an article here in this thread somewhere in which Lomax said he was playing right centre

There also posts somewhere in this thread saying Davey and Morgan Harper were signed as backups yet they played first grade as soon as BA could get 'em in there... Strangely there's no article sourced saying that Rheed Mahoney signed for $700K+ as was asserted by some....

So you know, articles and posts around here are a bit like contracts... Not worth the pixels they're presented on.....

 

[JokerEel]

We only need to wait 25 days to find out

 

[Obscene Assassin]

We only need to wait 25 days to find out

32*

Lomax is ineligible for the first trial. The only definite starter that'll be eligible is Addo-Carr as he has a 2 week suspension.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Love the way NSW cup side looks. Mostly juniors with potential or young cheap recruits on the up. Barely any guys over 25.
This is how you want your depth to look like. Lets hope we find a few diamonds in the rough.

Much better then filling it with old has been with no upside. I don't care about experience. Your top 17 in NRL have the experience. Guys who may push for a spot or fill in don't need it. You want young guys on the up.
Exciting times

You are describing a fantasy world, as if you can fill your reserve grade side with future NRL players. There is too much demand for them. Here's some regulars from Penrith's reserve grade side last year:

Austin Dias
Jordan Grant
Soni Luke
Tyrone Peachey
Preston Riki

Backups need to be able to cover injuries to the NRL side, their potential is a secondary consideration.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

It can be helpful to have a couple of older players in that group to help teach youngsters the ropes of life as a professional footballer and with the younger also-rans in becoming lifelong also-rans.
Whilst it’s a different environment (although similar probably exists in NFL), there’s a NBA player named James Johnson, he’s nearing 40, on $2m this season and plays shit all game time. The sole reason he’s in the squad is because he’s also an occasional MMA fighter and a scary mofo. He’s there to maintain discipline at training and helping team focus.
You can having best coaching staff in world, but having guys who are equally doing the tough stuff can help convince younger players.
I’ve been convinced for awhile that we’ve been lacking that even in NRL side. I think it played a big part in why we signed Ofahengaue. It potentially helped us in overlooking JAC’s red flags too.

You can blame coaching all you want but he isn't on the field with them. Leadership has to come from within the playing group, and it's a learned skill. Leaders learned from other leaders.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

@hindy111 @Poupou Escobar face off time.
Which of these merkins do each of you think will make it?
“Making it” means they play more NRL than reserves over next 2 seasons (injuries will require subjective assessment) or longer if you want to predict that.
You can say none they’re all shit if you want

I can give my predictions of potential first graders (100+ NRL games) from that lot, but outcomes in then next two seasons is much harder:

Potential 100 game NRL players:

Mo Alameddine
Brendan Hands
Charlie Guymer
Kelma Tuilagi
Luca Moretti
Ryley Smith
Sam Tuivaiti
Toni Mataele
Dom Farrugia
Jezaiah Funa-Iuta

Merkins likely to play more NRL than reserves between now and the end of 2026:

Brendan Hands
Charlie Guymer
Kelma Tuilagi
Luca Moretti

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Locked in. Especially Latu, if he makes it that’ll be big feather in your cap

I've got Latu as less chance than Martin.