NRL 2026 Round 9 Discussion

[Brocko]

Just seeing the clips post game from Dogs...

People blow smoke up Gus ass plenty, some of it is warranted for sure.

But imagine watching the Knights under AOB last few seasons and then thinking yep, thats the guy we need for our attack..

 

[Super Freak]

Blow for Maroons and yet Nanai had already ruled himself out of contention so he could focus on the Cowboys...

The Australian media ladies and gents...

 

[Skathen]

The stocks are pretty low...

Cotter
Nanai (injury I believe tonight)
FineFeuiaki (certain pick)
Capewell
Piakura (Injured)
Fafita (Injured)
Su'a (Suspended and form down)
Luki maybe a bolter
Fermor - unsure if he is going great
Arama Hau been going good but he is a rookie. Big ask

Who else is there thats actually playing regular good footy in the backrow?

Piaks may be back for Origin 1 potentially but won't see a game to get up to speed so would be a gamble.

Trent Loiero - well, we saw how the storm are going lol.

Real challenge is who are going to be the bookends after the change to allow NZ players to play for NSW. They're pack is going to be insane.

 

[Brocko]

Ponissi doing the presser for storm

 

[mstreet]

Bellamy doesn"t front, is this a new?

 

[Elbows]

I still think Bennett's Souths threw that game against the Bulldogs back in 2020.

Context?

 

[Skathen]

Context?

When we spooned. Bennett made sure of it by fixing his rabbits to throw the game.

 

[Brocko]

Context?

The dogs win put us in last spot to win the spoon

 

[Big Pete]

Tough loss for Melbourne.

10-0 and the Dolphins were playing into their hands. They were growing in confidence, then Hammer was able to get outside his man and the Dolphins just rode their luck to score right on half-time.

Still, the game was there to be won and when Fa'alogo broke into the clear it appeared it would be the Storm's night. I don't think there's a fullback in the competition who could have chased Fa'alogo down from that position. It was amazing how blasse Tabuai-Fidow was about it but it still cost his team.

Melbourne should have gone on with it from there but they looked directionless with the football. It seemed like they played for Fa'alogo but in the greasy conditions they should have played more direct. The closest they got from memory was that short-side kick from Fa'alogo that was covered by Herbie.

You could sense Melbourne didn't have a lot to offer and that challenge from the Dolphins actually proved valuable. It gave the Dolphins time to regroup, they belted the Storm and Melbourne barely troubled them from that point on.

Dolphins weren't great but the returns of Donoghoe and Bostock made a big difference. We've seen how pivotal the cross-field kick is in the modern game and Bostock would have to be one of the best exponents. It could go a long way for the Dolphins to turn their season around.

 

[Swordfish]

I still think Bennett's Souths threw that game against the Bulldogs back in 2020.

From memory, also the Cowgirls last round result ensured our only spoon. They put out a sm post to enjoy our only spoon. Dumbfcuks.

 

[Elbows]

When we spooned. Bennett made sure of it by fixing his rabbits to throw the game.

Ah must have killed those memories with alcohol

 

[Skathen]

Bostock would have to be one of the best exponents.

Or you know, a gentle saunter across the whole line of melbourne defense while they all just tried to tackle him with their eyes.

 

[Sproj]

You have to wonder if a Bellamy resignation presser is coming.

 

[IceWorks]

Seibold is looking for a new coaching project, it’s perfect.

 

[Nerd]

My big worry for Origin is Munster. He is way down on form in both attack and defence and what ever the Storm are paying him at the moment is way too much.

 

[Super Freak]

Ponissi doing the presser for storm

Makes sense.

The entire press conference would have been about his diagnosis and whether it's affecting his ability to do the job. The media can't help themselves.

 

[Sproj]

Makes sense.

The entire press conference would have been about his diagnosis and whether it's affecting his ability to do the job. The media can't help themselves.

That is their job though in this instance. The team is on a 7 game losing streak and Bellamy is understandable focused on something else. It’s a legit question.

I don’t currently see how Bellamy can continue in the role. Is Melbourne making finals? Probably not now so they need to look at doing a major rebuild.

Is Bellamy going to be the one behind the rebuild? Well no, given his medical diagnosis, he can’t. So who oversees it?

The Storm, as things stand, look in for years of hurt from now. Their major players are suddenly looking very old and very past it or injured or out the door. And there doesn’t appear to be much coming through.

With two new clubs coming in as well, one with a significant advantage over everyone else, this is not the time you want to be entering a full rebuild and yet here the Storm is.

So the media have to ask about whether Bellamy can continue in the job / is the right person to continue.

 

[Super Freak]

That is their job though in this instance. The team is on a 7 game losing streak and Bellamy is understandable focused on something else. It’s a legit question.

It is.

In saying that though, the media wouldn't have left it alone. The entire press conference would have been about it.

You can ask the question about how he's handling it and whether it's affecting his ability to do the job, but accept the answer and move on. They wouldn't have.