CROSS FORUM NRL 2023 Round 26 Discussion

[Big Pete]

Penrith Panthers vs. Parramatta Eels
BlueBet Stadium, Thursday 24 August 2023
Kick Off: 7:50pm

PENRITH PANTHERS

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Jack Cogger 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Zac Hosking 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Luke Garner

18. Jaeman Salmon 19. Luke Sommerton 20. Jesse McLean 21. Thomas Jenkins 22. Matt Eisenhuth

PARRAMATTA EELS

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Dylan Brown 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Ryan Matterson 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J'maine Hopgood

14. Luca Moretti 15. Shaun Lane 16. Wiremu Greig 17. Joe Ofahengaue

18. Makahesi Makatoa 19. Brendan Hands 20. Waqa Blake 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Ofahiki Ogden

Warriors vs. St George Illawarra Dragons
Go Media Stadium, Friday 25 August 2023
Kick Off: 6:00pm

NZ WARRIORS

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Josh Curran 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris

14. Dylan Walker 15. Jackson Ford 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Freddy Lussick

18. Tom Ale 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Edward Kosi 22. Te Maire Martin 23. Kalani Going

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Billy Burns 12. Dan Russell 13. Michael Molo

14. Connor Muhleisen 15. Ryan Couchman 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila 17. Zane Musgrove

18. Toby Couchman 19. Jayden Sullivan 20. Max Feagai 21. Sione Finau 22. Jaiyden Hunt

Dolphins vs. North Queensland Cowboys
Suncorp Stadium, Friday 25 August 2023
Kick Off: 8:00pm

THE DOLPHINS

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Tesi Niu 4. Robert Jennings 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Sean O'Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harrison Graham 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Kenny Bromwich

14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Josh Kerr 16. Euan Aitken 17. Herman Ese'ese

18. JJ Collins 19. Isaiya Katoa 20. Valynce Te Whare 21. Anthony Milford 22. Kurt Donoghoe

NORTH QLD COWBOYS

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Heilum Luki 13. Reuben Cotter

14. Jake Granville 15. Coen Hess 16. Griffin Neame 17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

18. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 19. Brendan Elliot 20. James Tamou 21. Robert Derby 22. Jack Gosiewski

Melbourne Storm vs. Gold Coast Titans
AAMI Park, Saturday 26 August 2023
Kick Off: 3:00pm

MELBOURNE STORM

1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Marion Seve 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

14. Bronson Garlick 15. Tom Eisenhuth 16. Tepai Moeroa 17. Alec MacDonald

18. Reimis Smith 19. Ryan Papenhuyzen 20. Chris Lewis 21. Tariq Sims 22. Tyran Wishart

GOLD COAST TITANS

1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Kieran Foran 7. Thomas Weaver 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Klese Haas 13. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

14. Kruise Leeming 15. Isaac Liu 16. Joe Stimson 17. Jacob Alick

18. Keano Kini 19. Jo Vuna 20. Tony Francis 21. Iszac Fa'asumaleaui 22. Josiah Pahulu

Sydney Roosters vs. Wests Tigers
Allianz Stadium, Saturday 26 August 2023
Kick Off: 5:30pm

SYDNEY ROOSTERS

1. Joseph Manu 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Corey Allan 5. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Siua Wong 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley

14. Sandon Smith 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Terrell May 17. Angus Crichton

18. Drew Hutchison 19. Egan Butcher 20. Zach Dockar-Clay 21. Fetalaiga Pauga 22. Naufahu Whyte

WESTS TIGERS

1. Jahream Bula 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Triston Reilly 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Junior Tupou 6. Daine Laurie 7. Will Smith 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali'i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole

14. Justin Matamua 15. Shawn Blore 16. Alex Twal 17. Alex Seyfarth

18. Aitasi James 19. Brandon Wakeham 20. Josh Feledy 21. Kit Laulilii 22. Tommy Talau

Canberra Raiders vs. Brisbane Broncos
GIO Stadium, Saturday 26 August 2023
Kick Off: 7:35pm

CANBERRA RAIDERS

1. Jordan Rapana 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Nick Cotric 6. Matt Frawley 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh

14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. James Schiller 17. Ata Mariota

18. Pasami Saulo 19. Brad Morkos 20. Jack Wighton 21. Sebastian Kris 22. Adrian Trevilyan

BRISBANE BRONCOS

1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Brendan Piakura 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Corey Jensen

18. Jesse Arthars 19. Keenan Palasia 20. Martin Taupau 21. Tristan Sailor 22. Deine Mariner

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs. Manly Sea Eagles
Accor Stadium, Sunday 27 August 2023
Kick Off: 2:00pm

CANTEBURY BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS

1. Jake Averillo 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Braidon Burns 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Liam Knight 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Corey Waddell 13. Harrison Edwards

14. Kyle Flanagan 15. Luke Thompson 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Tevita Pangai Junior

19. Jayden Okunbor 20. Samuel Hughes 21. Jeral Skelton 22. Hayze Perham 23. Joseph O'Neill

MANLY SEA EAGLES

1. Tolutau Koula 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Ray Tuaimalo-Vaega 6. Jakob Arthur 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Sean Keppie 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic

14. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 15. Kelma Tuilagi 16. Aaron Woods 17. Ethan Bullemor

18. Josh Schuster 19. Dean Matterson 20. Ben Condon 21. Samuela Fainu 22. Reuben Garrick

Newcastle Knights vs. Cronulla Sharks
McDonald Jones Stadium, Sunday 27 August 2023
Kick Off: 4:05pm

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Adam Elliott

14. Kurt Mann 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker

18. Dylan Lucas 19. Enari Tuala 20. Adam Clune 21. Brodie Jones 22. Fa'amanu Brown

CRONULLA SHARKS

1. Connor Tracey 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Cameron McInnes

14. Jack Williams 15. Royce Hunt 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Matt Moylan

18. Jesse Colquhoun 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Oregon Kaufusi 21. Kayal Iro 22. Jayden Berrell

 

[JayPee]

Nanai done his other shoulder apparently. He has actually been our best forward the time he has played. Granville being picked still.is infuriating. Laybutt gets his chance. Do or really die now.

 

[Sproj]

Nanai done his other shoulder apparently. He has actually been our best forward the time he has played. Granville being picked still.is infuriating. Laybutt gets his chance. Do or really die now.

Hopefully die and comfortably so.

 

[Sproj]

Interesting notes out of those teams:
- Why name star players in the reserves who are likely to play? Regardless, name them in their usual spot and it they are out, they are out - this annoys me for some reason
- Walker back for Easts
- Papenheuzen is back, just in time to hit the ground running for us next week
- Hastings back and this is good news
- Schuster dropped at present but I bet he'll play
- Taulagi back to the wing for the Cows and rightly so, he has been poor at centre
- Wighton and Kris named in the reserves (see first point)
- TMM back for the Warriors
- Katoa dropped for The, this has been coming for a while
- Is Milford's career done?

 

[JayPee]

Hopefully die and comfortably so.

 

[Foordy]

Atkins and 2 touchies have been dropped from this weekends games for not being able to count to 7.

Atkins has been "demoted" to bunker official for 3 games.

Dean Ritchie says "Their axing is a clear warning that the NRL will not tolerate such serious adjudication blunders with the all-important finals just a fortnight away."

edit: The NRL's head spin doctor said:

“All three officials are very experienced and they have plenty of credit built up over a long period of strong performances,” Annesley said.

“However, serious errors do have consequences, which they all accept goes with the job.

“Grant Atkins is one of our most senior referees, and I have no doubt he will quickly recover from this set-back.”

 

[ningnangnong]

What does everyone make of the Knights then?

I haven't had a chance to watch their games, but they're on a hot streak right in time for finals. Greg Marzhew has been an excellent signing and of course they've got a game breaker in KP.

Do they have enough quality overall though? This weekend should be a good indicator.

 

[BroncsFan]

What does everyone make of the Knights then?

I haven't had a chance to watch their games, but they're on a hot streak right in time for finals. Greg Marzhew has been an excellent signing and of course they've got a game breaker in KP.

Do they have enough quality overall though? This weekend should be a good indicator.

Ponga is on another level at the moment.

I think the Saifiti brothers are still not playing as dominant as what they can, and so their middle is a little soft to me. I'm not really liking Elliott at 13 either... he should absolutely work there, but I feel he calls his own number a little too often to be handling the ball as much as he does.

In saying that about their middles their outside backs are setting a very good platform... Marzhew, Young and Gagai have been making huge meters for them.

I've also liked Gamble in the halves.. I thought Gamble was really good for us and AOB has finally given him a shot... he looks a good foil for Ponga.

 

[Sproj]

What does everyone make of the Knights then?

I haven't had a chance to watch their games, but they're on a hot streak right in time for finals. Greg Marzhew has been an excellent signing and of course they've got a game breaker in KP.

Do they have enough quality overall though? This weekend should be a good indicator.

Apparently Gould has rated them, so I'd be very, very worried if I were them.

 

[Organix]

Honestly, regarding the Knights, I think their form could kick on and make them dangerous, but one stumble and they are probably done. They are playing on a lot of belief and if they press their luck, have a few dropped balls and the opposition takes advantage, I don't know if they're there to recover.

With regards to the Broncos, I rewatched our game against the Panthers and it concerned me. We were not cohesive in defense, and while we have come a long way, I seriously hope we don't get found out, especially with Cobbo on that edge. Cobbo is so similar to Mitchell in some of his efforts. Goes for the intercept and gets a lot of air, Staggs covers a lot for him, but if Staggs rushes in, or gets caught up in the ruck, that side is seriously vulnerable with Madden there. The Riki/Piakura changeup there can also be a bit of a stumbling block in D for us.
I worry because on our run in retrospect we came up against some pretty average teams, who seem to have hit slumps now. Did we do that? We lost against the Titans ffs. Lost against Canberra too. Ok, we had some big wins there and theoretically Eels, Cows, Souffs are potentially good teams, but they also seem disjointed at the moment. Wahs were going ok, but they (like us) have improved a lot since we beat them.

Much love,
My internal eternal pessimism.

 

[mrslong]

Honestly, regarding the Knights, I think their form could kick on and make them dangerous, but one stumble and they are probably done. They are playing on a lot of belief and if they press their luck, have a few dropped balls and the opposition takes advantage, I don't know if they're there to recover.

With regards to the Broncos, I rewatched our game against the Panthers and it concerned me. We were not cohesive in defense, and while we have come a long way, I seriously hope we don't get found out, especially with Cobbo on that edge. Cobbo is so similar to Mitchell in some of his efforts. Goes for the intercept and gets a lot of air, Staggs covers a lot for him, but if Staggs rushes in, or gets caught up in the ruck, that side is seriously vulnerable with Madden there. The Riki/Piakura changeup there can also be a bit of a stumbling block in D for us.
I worry because on our run in retrospect we came up against some pretty average teams, who seem to have hit slumps now. Did we do that? We lost against the Titans ffs. Lost against Canberra too. Ok, we had some big wins there and theoretically Eels, Cows, Souffs are potentially good teams, but they also seem disjointed at the moment. Wahs were going ok, but they (like us) have improved a lot since we beat them.

Much love,
My internal eternal pessimism.

My thoughts too.

I am always happy to play my role as pesimist that is pleasantly surprised when we win. It's a superstition of sorts.

 

[Brett Da Man LeMan]

What does everyone make of the Knights then?

I haven't had a chance to watch their games, but they're on a hot streak right in time for finals. Greg Marzhew has been an excellent signing and of course they've got a game breaker in KP.

Do they have enough quality overall though? This weekend should be a good indicator.

Personally, I think AOB was having a cheeky look at the Broncs attack, and is using the same type of shape for the knights attack. The game against souths last week had a lot of tries for the knights from about 40M out, and the shapes they had in attack reminded me alot of the Broncs attacking shape from that far out.

I think AOB saw how good Walsh was working for us, and copied the formula and applied it to Ponga.

 

[Fozz]

Let's gone Parra

 

[Broncapz]

Here am I am cheering for the Eels. I could take a nap on the floor next to a wall urinal at a nightclub and not feel this dirty.

 

[Fozz]

Hail the false king

 

[Broncapz]

Dylan Brown had his hands all over that.

 

[Fozz]

Nice kick False king Gutho. Lots of drunken hicks there already

 

[ZTop]

I shouldve tipped eels I'm thinking