NRL 2026 Round 1 Discussion

The Cowboys trial form was impressive and they looked dialled in. They have every reason to feel optimistic coming up against the reigning wooden spooners.

The Knights were poor in the trials but they welcome back their best player in Ponga. Their hopes lie with him having a blinder and the Cowboys struggling to execute their opportunities in response. If Ponga can start on the front foot, it can bring Sharpe into the game which will unlock that left hand side.

They rarely clicked last year and they blew so many chances as a result.

Leaning towards Cowboys with a Tommy Dearden MotM performance.

I still rate the Bulldogs higher than most. I don't think they have a high ceiling, but they're a consistent team who win games off their line-speed and ability to create space on the edges. Last year they were having teething issues with the Lachlan Galvin circus. Now that things have settled, I don't expect to see them in free-fall, albeit I don't think they'll start as strongly as they did last year.

St. George were my smokies to qualify for the finals last year. However they didn't have the match winners to close out the tight games and only showed flashes of brilliance. This was a team that managed to beat both grand finalists and the minor premiers yet they still finished 15th.

If they're going to do anything this year it'll be off the back of Atkinson and the development of the Couchman twins, Stewart and their young players. Stewart and Egan in particular were impressive last year, I'll be keeping an eye on them moving forward.

I was beginning to wonder if Flanagan was under any pressure. He was re-signed till the end of 2028 last year, so it appears the Dragons management is willing to trust the process and give him at least until 2027.

I expect the Bulldogs will always have their noses infront here.
 
Souths are reportedly trying to get an NRL exemption to play Ashton Ward in round one. Ward is still on a NSW cup contract so outside the clubs top 30.

SMH are reporting that with Jamie Humphreys suspended, Dragons recruit Jonah Glover (broken jaw) sidelined and Bud Sullivan (infection) there is a shortage of halves at the Rabbitohs.

IMO this exemption should be denied because they still have Cody Walker and Jack Wighton fit. both have rep experience in the halves and Wighton is also a Dally M winner in the halves (2020)
 
Foordy said:
Souths are reportedly trying to get an NRL exemption to play Ashton Ward in round one. Ward is still on a NSW cup contract so outside the clubs top 30.

SMH are reporting that with Jamie Humphreys suspended, Dragons recruit Jonah Glover (broken jaw) sidelined and Bud Sullivan (infection) there is a shortage of halves at the Rabbitohs.

IMO this exemption should be denied because they still have Cody Walker and Jack Wighton fit. both have rep experience in the halves and Wighton is also a Dally M winner in the halves (2020)
Click to expand...

Yeah but Sydney.
 
Squad Updates

Knights
OUT: 20. Tyson Gamble 22. James Schiller

Cowboys
OUT: 16. Harrison Edwards 19. John Bateman
IN: 21. Matthew Lodge 22. Robert Derby

Was Todd just trying to play ducks and drakes to take pressure off of himself and Lodge? It always seemed odd that they'd jump through all those hoops only to name Lodge as a squad member.
 
NRL is back!!!

It feels so long, I'm even pumped to watch these crap teams play tomorrow.
 
Big Pete said:
Squad Updates

Knights
OUT: 20. Tyson Gamble 22. James Schiller

Cowboys
OUT: 16. Harrison Edwards 19. John Bateman
IN: 21. Matthew Lodge 22. Robert Derby

Was Todd just trying to play ducks and drakes to take pressure off of himself and Lodge? It always seemed odd that they'd jump through all those hoops only to name Lodge as a squad member.
Click to expand...

I heard somewhere the official story is the #21 was the only jersey big enough to fit Lodge...
 
Big Pete said:
Squad Updates

Knights
OUT: 20. Tyson Gamble 22. James Schiller

Cowboys
OUT: 16. Harrison Edwards 19. John Bateman
IN: 21. Matthew Lodge 22. Robert Derby

Was Todd just trying to play ducks and drakes to take pressure off of himself and Lodge? It always seemed odd that they'd jump through all those hoops only to name Lodge as a squad member.
Click to expand...
So are gameday squads effectively finalised 24hr earlier now?

Players might switch between starting and bench, etc. but we'll at least know who's suiting up earlier
 
Fox League with an ad in the middle of a set during the Hull KR vs Leeds game.

Amateur hour.
 
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