Rumours and Stuff

[Pazza]

Part of me think we'll push for top 4. Then part of me thinks there are plenty of better sides.
A lot depends on how our spine goes. It is a huge unknown.
Will Moses hold form?
Will D.Brown step up?
How good is Iongi?
Hooker looks weak...

Has the defence improved? Edges look more at sync but then you got guys falling off simple tackles....

 

[84 Baby]

The Guardian has us finishing second last in 2025:

NRL 2025 predicted ladder part one: turmoil-hit Souths face familiar challenges | Nick Tedeschi

It is probably too early for Wayne Bennett to bring glory back to the Rabbitohs while the Dragons are destined for wooden spoon

www.theguardian.com

If it weren’t for their geographical advantages, I’d have Canbra & Cows in the Spoonbowl, but given they’ll just win a few home games from just being better acclimatised, right now last is open to about 10 teams, including us.
Smugs and Scum need a lot of other teams to dramatically improve to be in trouble.
Sharks and Dogs may fall in heap but they have probably been on enough of a high that they’ll still win enough to be clear of last.
So I guess it’s 11 teams that at least one scenario is reasonable where they end up last.

 

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

I'm sure QBs without a run game will still win superbowls in the future. Same goes for halfbacks. But if I was running a club I'd only go for a dual threat.

Halfbacks without a running game would struggle to get a new deal, let alone win a superbowl. Maybe McCaffery would survive.

 

[84 Baby]

Halfbacks without a running game would struggle to get a new deal, let alone win a superbowl. Maybe McCaffery would survive.

NFL halfbacks are all running game. Not even subtle, all power running

 

[The Predictor]

Yes, finishing anywhere between 5th and 15th would not be a huge surprise (particularly given the margin b/w 8th and 15th might be 4 points or less.

 

[Johnny88]

Eels Interest For Vegas

The bright lights and glamour of Las Vegas clearly do not dazzle Wests Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson.
On a day when Parramatta officially joined Canterbury and St George Illawarra as Las Vegas candidates for 2026, Richardson offered a terse rejection when asked whether his club wanted inclusion in next year’s American adventure.
This masthead could only manage three one word answers via text message when questioning the Wests Tigers boss about Vegas next season.
Do Wests Tigers have a desire to head over in 2026?
No.
No desire at all?
No.
Succinct answer. Can you elaborate?
No.
The Eels have now expressed their hunger for the USA after reports emerged that Saints and Canterbury were also keen.
“We are interested in Las Vegas in 2026 and are keen to understand what this looks like for our members, sponsors and fans,” said Eels chief executive Jim Sarantinos.
“We know that they would travel in big numbers to Vegas so we look forward to engaging with the NRL in the coming weeks.”
Should all be successful, the fourth spot would likely be a Queensland team, probably North Queensland. The Eels, Bulldogs and Dragons have large supporter bases who would all but guarantee a huge crowd for the NRL’s third year of a five-season Vegas extravaganza.
Canterbury general manager Phil Gould has flown to Vegas for this year’s event. The Dragons and Bulldogs, old rivals, have spoken about playing each other in round one next year. Like Parramatta, Canterbury and St George Illawarra will hold talks with the NRL in coming weeks.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/bulldogs-bite-laurie-daley-to-shed-affable-image-to-become-hardnose-nsw-blues-leader/news-story/5bfee6f1ba138fbafd5f35a28b2c5bf9?amp&nk=1bdbc43b93b4d57b80ee91ff57281b3b-1740547617

 

[King-Gutho94]

Eels Interest For Vegas

The bright lights and glamour of Las Vegas clearly do not dazzle Wests Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson.
On a day when Parramatta officially joined Canterbury and St George Illawarra as Las Vegas candidates for 2026, Richardson offered a terse rejection when asked whether his club wanted inclusion in next year’s American adventure.
This masthead could only manage three one word answers via text message when questioning the Wests Tigers boss about Vegas next season.
Do Wests Tigers have a desire to head over in 2026?
No.
No desire at all?
No.
Succinct answer. Can you elaborate?
No.
The Eels have now expressed their hunger for the USA after reports emerged that Saints and Canterbury were also keen.
“We are interested in Las Vegas in 2026 and are keen to understand what this looks like for our members, sponsors and fans,” said Eels chief executive Jim Sarantinos.
“We know that they would travel in big numbers to Vegas so we look forward to engaging with the NRL in the coming weeks.”
Should all be successful, the fourth spot would likely be a Queensland team, probably North Queensland. The Eels, Bulldogs and Dragons have large supporter bases who would all but guarantee a huge crowd for the NRL’s third year of a five-season Vegas extravaganza.
Canterbury general manager Phil Gould has flown to Vegas for this year’s event. The Dragons and Bulldogs, old rivals, have spoken about playing each other in round one next year. Like Parramatta, Canterbury and St George Illawarra will hold talks with the NRL in coming weeks.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/bulldogs-bite-laurie-daley-to-shed-affable-image-to-become-hardnose-nsw-blues-leader/news-story/5bfee6f1ba138fbafd5f35a28b2c5bf9?amp&nk=1bdbc43b93b4d57b80ee91ff57281b3b-1740547617

Considering a fair chunk of the Bulldogs fans probably have criminal records and won't get let into America on the ESTA.

There should be plenty of tickets available for Parramatta fans to snap up.

 

[eels_fan]

Honesty. Consistency. Work ethic.

These are the three decisive qualities new Parramatta coach Jason Ryles pinched from his mentor, Melbourne’s Craig Bellamy, the pair going head-to-head in an epic Round 1 Ryles has described as “surreal and fitting.”

The match, at AAMI Park on March 9, will be Bellamy’s 587th NRL games with Ryles on his head coaching debut.

After 12 years as an assistant under Bellamy at Melbourne, Trent Robinson (Sydney Roosters) and Eddie Jones (English rugby), Ryles says he is “finally at the starting line.”

And it certainly won’t be easy given Melbourne has won 22 of its past 24 Round 1 matches.

Ryles spoke passionately about his new coaching career while still pondering over team selection for the Storm game.


“We haven’t settled on a team yet. We are just getting through this week and we’ll know more early next week. We’re the Sunday game so we have a little bit of time to go,” he said.

A wing position remains unresolved, as does starting front-row and back-row spots along with a bench place with star players Josh Addo-Carr, Shaun Lane and Bailey Simonsson unavailable.

Sean Russell and Jake Tago are favourites to play wing with Jack Williams and Joe Ofahengaue battling for a starting front-row spot alongside Junior Paulo.


Kelma Tuilagi, Ryan Matterson and J’maine Hopgood are backrow contenders along with Bryce Cartwright, who could come off the bench with Charlie Guymer and Wiremu Greig also interchange options.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/supercoach-news/nrl-early-mail-round-1-2025-sua-faalogo-cleared-ryan-papenhuyzen-a-chance/news-story/59ddb3c0aa2b49cfdadebe89926cc427

 

[Gazzamatta]

Considering a fair chunk of the Bulldogs fans probably have criminal records and won't get let into America on the ESTA.

There should be plenty of tickets available for Parramatta fans to snap up.

 

[Gazzamatta]

Ill use Drowns ticket if thats ok?

 

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

NFL halfbacks are all running game. Not even subtle, all power running

Yes, that's my point. I think Hindy is talking about the NRL (even though we don't have superbowls)/

 

[Obscene Assassin]

Yes, that's my point. I think Hindy is talking about the NRL (even though we don't have superbowls)/

No, but we do have some superb owls.

 

[Soren Lorenson]

I love Dlybo, but I hope we don't beg. Imagine the pressure he will be under if he takes a massive contract elsewhere to be the big cock in the team. I'm almost positive it would break him. Sometimes you've got to understand you're at your best as the right hand man.

 

[King-Gutho94]

Ill use Drowns ticket if thats ok?

What a Train ticket to Newcastle

 

[Gazzamatta]

What a Train ticket to Newcastle

If they won't let Burgess in, Dylbags issue is a tad more serious I'd suggest. He might go to Newy to avoid any embarrassment.

 

[T.S Quint]

Part of me think we'll push for top 4. Then part of me thinks there are plenty of better sides.
A lot depends on how our spine goes. It is a huge unknown.
Will Moses hold form?
Will D.Brown step up?
How good is Iongi?
Hooker looks weak...

There are a lot of questions about our team this year.

It all adds to the excitement.

 

[Zoso]

There are a lot of questions about our team this year.

It all adds to the excitement.

I think there’s plenty of points in us.
Defensively, who knows!?

 

[Eelogical]

The Guardian has us finishing second last in 2025:

NRL 2025 predicted ladder part one: turmoil-hit Souths face familiar challenges | Nick Tedeschi

It is probably too early for Wayne Bennett to bring glory back to the Rabbitohs while the Dragons are destined for wooden spoon

www.theguardian.com

I see the Eels as improving on last year, somewhere between 11-7. They're going to get their arses handed to them on several occasions this year, that's for sure. Realistically I can't see us as a top 8 side at this particular point in time. However, I have booked a seat in the Eels v Storm game day thread to see where everyone else's opinion lies.

 

[Eelogical]

Dragons last hey. Well, I suppose someone has to get it. Personally, I think Dolphins or Raiders more likely, but this appears to be the closest comp in years. Barring Panthers, Storms and maybe Sharks, anyone could finish anywhere.

If only the Sea Eagles finished last.

 

[Twizzle]

If they won't let Burgess in, Dylbags issue is a tad more serious I'd suggest. He might go to Newy to avoid any embarrassment.

if he went to Newy, surely it would be for the money