What's new
By:
Advanced search…
The Front Row Forums

Register a free account today to become a member of the world's largest Rugby League discussion forum! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Rumours and Stuff

D

DaveMc

Juniors
Messages
1,842
Timana said:
I recon dogs are out too

For mine Canberra, broncs, penrith, easts
Click to expand...
Yeah, Dogs are borderline, although I wouldn’t totally write them off given they get the second bite. Don’t disagree with your contenders though, I’d have the same as the most likely, with probably Penrith alongside Canberra at the top.
 
D

DaveMc

Juniors
Messages
1,842
Now that it’s all said and done, I’d say that was actually a pretty pleasing season as a whole, while recognising that there’s quite a bit of recency bias in that.

After the first month, with Moses out and nothing working and the rookies looking a bit at sea, I honestly couldn’t see where we were going to jag a win. I cheered hard for that golden point win over Saints, while still thinking that it was an aberration, but thank f**k we’d at least won a game.

But then the second half of the year has been really quite impressive for a fairly raw squad, excepting that Souths loss (which was horrible).

I’m a Parramatta supporter - so I’m an eternal pessimist. But I feel more optimistic about our team than I have for a very long time. We’re a bit short on cattle in some areas, but the green shoots are really green.

I’ve been knocked here for being an Iongi critic, and he’s still got a way to go with some aspects of his game (particularly some of his defensive positioning), but I’m confident Ryles made the right move to give him a guernsey over Gutho. His development has been really sound throughout the year, and his ceiling is so f**king high. He will be much, much better next year for the run this year.

We’ve got a very good and complementary wing combo in JAC and Lomax, and while our centres aren’t superstars, they are both serviceable (albeit I wouldn’t complain about an upgrade). Moses is at worst a top three halfback in the comp, and Smith has stepped up enormously at 9. We’ve then got an extremely good utility in Walker, Williams has been a revelation on the edge, and the Paulo and Hopgood prop combo ain’t half bad.

We’re far from a finished product, but things are looking up. And some real credit to Ryles - I wasn’t super excited with his selection as coach, and would’ve put either Hannay or Cheika (and certainly Bennett) above him as preferred coaches. But I think we’re seeing him stamp a style on the club, and it looks like he really gives a shit about the place, its people and its history. That counts for a lot.

Onwards and upwards to 2026, which I look forward to sharing with you wonderful merkins.
 
Avenger

Avenger

Immortal
Messages
37,619
Eelogical said:
This Pou hate is getting old. For starters I wouldn't like Legal Eel representing me even for a speeding fine. Even ol' mate Avenger( who consistently makes some very eloquent posts) keeps taking the bait that goes nowhere.
Click to expand...
I don’t take any bait. I just tell him that he’s a f**kwit, and it’s only every now and then when I’m in a bad mood.
 
Poupou Escobar

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
101,408
Timana said:
recon dogs
Click to expand...
2432CEAB00000578-0-image-m-22_1419174127437.jpg
 
S

Suitman

Post Whore
Messages
57,740
Legal Eel said:
You are a disgraceful troll who exists only to mock and taunt parra fans.

Cue the fellating defence from soren, quint, MJC et al.
Click to expand...

Champ, you've made your point many times over.
We get it.
Maybe it is time that you just let it go and refrain from replying.
Or better still, put Pou and all your alleged Pouciples on ignore.
I'm sure it would be better for your mental health if you did so.
 
D

DaveMc

Juniors
Messages
1,842
Avenger said:
Be interesting to see who Ryles signs. I still think we need a decent prop and an outside back. I’d also be tempted to buy a 6 but none at this stage are available of any note.
Click to expand...
I reckon another edge (and/or centre) and a five eighth are the missing pieces, but pretty slim pickings on the market for those spots. If Paulo can keep trim and go around for another year at his recent form, then I think we’re relatively ok in the middle, and we still have the option of moving Williams back in there (though I really like him on the edge, I have to say).

Six is the worry for me. There’s surprisingly quite a few options, but none that fill me with huge confidence at this stage.
 
Avenger

Avenger

Immortal
Messages
37,619
DaveMc said:
I reckon another edge (and/or centre) and a five eighth are the missing pieces, but pretty slim pickings on the market for those spots. If Paulo can keep trim and go around for another year at his recent form, then I think we’re relatively ok in the middle, and we still have the option of moving Williams back in there (though I really like him on the edge, I have to say).

Six is the worry for me. There’s surprisingly quite a few options, but none that fill me with huge confidence at this stage.
Click to expand...
Now that’s a good post.
 
S

Soto

First Grade
Messages
5,969
Avenger said:
I was pleasantly surprised that I wore my Rolex today and walked out of the ground without anyone trying to rob me.
Click to expand...
Mate you weren't at a Dogs game.
Parra supporters are welcoming, respectful, happy and responsible ppl...
BTW what a game.
Was also a relief the sun dropping behind the western stand.
I still think we get a prop, backrower, wing and centre of quality then we are set.
Let's not forget fwds already in our squad to come back and maybe straight back ins are:
Tuivaiti
Moretti
Kautoga
JDB is confirmed (not sure why and if his signature was a bit premature)
In any case this off season already screams excitement and can't wait for season 2026.
In Ryles we trust
 
RealdEel

RealdEel

Juniors
Messages
716
What a great finish to a pretty standard season..

Finishing with 3 wins in a row, putting on a show in the last game of the year..

I think every player got better as the season went on.
Using Samrani as an example his defense was not great at the start of the season and the last few weeks he has been working really hard in his defence. He is hitting hard and not falling off tackles.

I am not sure if the club needs to buy anyone for next year in first grade maybe a winger and centre for NSW cup as a backup.
 
King-Gutho94

King-Gutho94

Referee
Messages
20,265
Soren Lorenson said:
Well done Quint you #pousucker (quote from 26th Feb)
Click to expand...
I actually tipped the knights as my bolter for the spoon back on January 15 before Quint.

Was more convinced in February when we put 40 on them in that trial game up in Newy they were in massive strife.

4 rounds in i was a little worried but the knights and O'brien looked like a marriage ending a long way out.

It only needed a Ponga injury for the cards to fall i wasn't expecting Jake Arthur to come in for the last 6 weeks of the year and for them to capitulate even more with his arrival. There defence was still top 6 until late July.

Anyway I have bumped it for all you to see in the pre season predictions thread.

Enjoy your mad Monday and Go Parra.

2026 cant come quick enough
 
Poupou Escobar

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
101,408
King-Gutho94 said:
It only needed a Ponga injury for the cards to fall i wasn't expecting Jake Arthur to come in for the last 6 weeks of the year and for them to capitulate even more with his arrival. There defence was still top 6 until late July.
Click to expand...
Teams play worse with their backups because their expensive starters are missing. It's not the backup's fault those merkins aren't in the team.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Top