The Way too Early Team 2026 Thread

[The Axe of Druss]

Sharpe will be right centre over Gagai?

 

[Knight Tales]

For the sake of continuity, I hope Smith and Brown continue as is. Sharpe and Ponga change the entire equation as far as attack goes. If we are still struggling for points in a month, then Sharpe can shift to the halves. But having a settled spine has been a non event for us for nearly a decade.

 

[macavity]

I think Smith might have played himself out of the 7 vs the Dogs. He was that bad.

 

[Knight Tales]

I think Smith might have played himself out of the 7 vs the Dogs. He was that bad.

He needs more time Mac. I don't think Justin is quite as trigger happy as AOB on that front. At least that is my hope.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

Yeah I don’t like the idea of dropping Smith after one game (where our whole spine is trying to forge new combinations) it sets the wrong precedent. Sharpe hasn’t even had a game at halfback yet so hard to think he would be a better option imo.

I will be extremely frustrated if Holbrook doesn’t pick and stick a bit more with the key positions this year. The amount of chopping and changing that AOB was doing over the last couple of years was ridiculous. Like literally changing his mind week-to-week on who the best halves at the club were.

 

[SamSepi0l]

Sharpe. 6, Brown. 7, Smith 14.

 

[Dr Dr Gimedanews]

Sharpe. 6, Brown. 7, Smith 14.

This would be the best outcome for the club long term, it would also be the longest and hardest road to success which makes it a difficult decision for a coach - let's see how big Holbrook's balls are.

It would be so Knights just to go for the quick fix and remain in perpetual mediocrity.

 

[Burwood]

Only one of Sharpe and Smith is a must pick in the 13 each week, so that’s who should get the remaining spot in the halves if push comes to shove.

 

[SamSepi0l]

The Sandon stuff here is weird. We're so blown away because we've been stuck with Cogger that many are missing that he seems like a mid level at best half. AT BEST. There are plenty of run outs where Cogger was a 2/10 and Sandon is just a 4/10.

 

[perverse]

We've recruited ourselves into this mess, it's that simple. Holbrook now has to deal with it.

 

[Dr Dr Gimedanews]

The Sandon stuff here is weird. We're so blown away because we've been stuck with Cogger that many are missing that he seems like a mid level at best half. AT BEST. There are plenty of run outs where Cogger was a 2/10 and Sandon is just a 4/10.

It's been a generation now since the club has had success, so long that young people today only know of a Knights with 4 spoons, Success is nothing more than yearly rehashed interviews of a Grandad talking about the glory days at the turn of the century.

So low is the bar of expectation that this forum is chock full of rigorous defense of plod, bordering on aggressive support of it. A 4/10 Smith is just that feel good familiarity everyone accepts as business as usual.

 

[SamSepi0l]

I think Sharpe/Brown can be really successful as a halves pairing and their ceiling is much higher than anything Sandon provides. If he can become a good 9 that should be the goal.

In an ideal scenario you play Sandon and someone like Arthur as 9/14.
It then becomes awkward with Crossland. Our pack is too inefficient to be running him as a pure ball playing lock if 9 is covered.
As perverse said, we've recruited ourselves into this.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

lol Smith is 23yo

We are far too eager to throw away young halves in the modern game

 

[Yosh]

Sandon's ceiling looks much higher than Cogger. Sharpe looks like a ten year international rep based on potential.

I'd still start with Sandon at 7 and Sharpe on the wing. If Ponga goes down, Sharpe is our fullback and it'll mean a lot less shuffling if he was just on the wing.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Sharpe isnt a halfback, im doubtful he ever will be. Hes 1000% a fullback

The Storm can get away with ex fullbacks Munster and Hughes in the halves because their attack is run trough Grant.

We dont have a Grant

 

[SamSepi0l]

We also don't have any props and can't afford to drop Dom/Marzhew to fit Sharpe on a wing.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

It's been a generation now since the club has had success, so long that young people today only know of a Knights with 4 spoons, Success is nothing more than yearly rehashed interviews of a Grandad talking about the glory days at the turn of the century.

So low is the bar of expectation that this forum is chock full of rigorous defense of plod, bordering on aggressive support of it. A 4/10 Smith is just that feel good familiarity everyone accepts as business as usual.

I don’t think people on here are “rigorously defending plod” but as fans we need to be realistic about what the team looks like at the moment and who we have available in our system as well as who we are realistically going to be able to bring in. As fans we also need to have some level of hope so that we actually can take some enjoyment out of following our team. If the outlook from a fans perspective is always bleak then there would literally be no point in actually following this team at all.

FWIW I do think you’re being a bit harsh on Sandon Smith, he’s got way more potential than being a 4/10 NRL player. We actually have some really talented guys in our squad imo. Definitely lacking a couple of good middle forwards and some depth in some areas but there’s enough football in this team that if Holbrook can get it to click and the injuries don’t mess with us too badly then we could play some good football this year.

I suppose most fans just don’t buy the narrative that everything is terrible all the time. Yeah it’s been bad at times (last year being a peak example) but I don’t think that seeing some potential in a player is equal to defending plod.

 

[Knight Tales]

According to the Mole, Brown and Smith are a lock in the halves.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Holbrook is still wrestling with the bulk of AOB’s mess.

It’s going to be fascinating to see if he can optimise them.

You are not a verifiable spoon side. Sharpe is a brilliant player in his own right. He’d stroll into any side in the comp.

 

[Dr Dr Gimedanews]

I don’t think people on here are “rigorously defending plod” but as fans we need to be realistic about what the team looks like at the moment and who we have available in our system as well as who we are realistically going to be able to bring in. As fans we also need to have some level of hope so that we actually can take some enjoyment out of following our team. If the outlook from a fans perspective is always bleak then there would literally be no point in actually following this team at all.

FWIW I do think you’re being a bit harsh on Sandon Smith, he’s got way more potential than being a 4/10 NRL player. We actually have some really talented guys in our squad imo. Definitely lacking a couple of good middle forwards and some depth in some areas but there’s enough football in this team that if Holbrook can get it to click and the injuries don’t mess with us too badly then we could play some good football this year.

I suppose most fans just don’t buy the narrative that everything is terrible all the time. Yeah it’s been bad at times (last year being a peak example) but I don’t think that seeing some potential in a player is equal to defending plod.

Smith is only a young fella, I'm sure he will get better as time goes on, however if he was seen as a future Premiership winning halfback (or 5/8) he'd still be at the Rorters.

I hope he comes out and makes all the naysayers look stupid and nails it, goes on to be a great player and win a Premiership or 2- if Holbrook selects him as our 7 I'll be rooting for him.

The over priced plod I was referring to have all been moved on thankfully. It will take at least a season or 2 to get our cap back in order. We need to be patient.