NRL 2025 Pre-Season Thread

[Big Pete]

Alright back at it after a break, let's look at the Warriors Round 1 opponents the Canberra Raiders:

Canberra Raiders 2025
1. Kaeo Weekes
2. Albert Hopoate/Savelio Tamale
3. Matt Timoko
4. Seb Kris
5. Xavier Savage
6. Ethan Strange
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Josh Papalii
9. Danny Levi/Tom Starling
10. Joseph Tapine
11. Hudson Young
12. Zac Hosking
13. Morgan Smithies

14. Tom Starling/Danny Levi
15. Ata Mariota
16. Corey Hursburgh
17. Matty Nicholson

They're rarely on anybody's radar and yet the Raiders always find a way to put themselves in the finals mix. Last year they were dealt a hand that should have seen them anchored on the bottom of the ladder alongside the Tigers and the Eels. Yet, they persevered and finished a respectable 9th.

What made them so competitive was their pack. They have a real workman like pack that aren't afraid to get down in the trenches and can get over the top of their opposition. At the forefront is Joseph Tapine, one of the best forwards in the competition and is the total package with ball in hand. He has the skills, the mobility and the stamina to match it with anybody.

Alongside him is the ever pugnacious Hudson Young. Another Newcastle junior who just represents everything his coach is looking for in a footballer. He's the type of player who never dies wondering and isn't afraid to colour outside the lines to get the desired result.

Again I invite my ESL experts Wolfie, Sproj and Fitzy to talk about Matty Nicholson. I just presume he's Elliott Whitehead/John Bateman 3.0 and he'll be another strong addition to the pack?

It's a really solid pack of forwards and there's plenty of depth there as well with Emre Guler, Trey Mooney, Pasami Saulo in the mix alongside a couple of young guns in Myles Martin & Vena Patuki-Case.

With that pack, the Raiders will find themselves in plenty of contests, it's just a matter of whether they can convert their opportunities when they present themselves. There were some real positive signs on that front this year with the emergence of Ethan Strange, Xavier Savage and Kaeo Weekes.

Strange in particular proved a real handful down that left-side for the Raiders and I'd expect the Raiders to build their sets around that formation. If that doesn't deliver, then they'll turn to Weekes to target that right middle third and if all else fails turn to Savage to see what he can come up with.

I'd also expect to see Ethan Sanders and Chevy Stewart at some point through out the season. They're two of the more exciting prospects coming through and they'll get their opportunity to make their mark. Of the two, Stewart has the best chance to make the position his own since Fogarty for all intents and purposes should have the halfback spot nailed down, but if Sanders delivers it would be a massive boon for the Raiders.

Still, that's a lot of water under the bridge and both Strange and Weekes will need to prove themselves if they're a chance of winning the premiership. My other concerns is their outside backs and dummy half. It's not the strongest backline and while they have an exciting prospect in Savelio Tamale coming in it remains to be seen what he can do.

As far as the dummy half, it's no secret they've struggled since losing Josh Hodgson and the Raiders of 2016 and 2019 enjoyed a lot of success out of what their dummy half was able to create. Both Levi and Starling can trouble the opposition with their running games but they just seem to lack that class a quality dummy half brings.

I can't see them seriously challenging this year. I'd expect them to finish anywhere between 7th and 13th but likely more outside the 8 than in. I expect to see a few players develop and put themselves in the Origin conversation for 2026 and then they'll make a serious charge, especially once they get their spine sorted.

 

[Wolfie]

Alright back at it after a break, let's look at the Warriors Round 1 opponents the Canberra Raiders:

Canberra Raiders 2025
1. Kaeo Weekes
2. Albert Hopoate/Savelio Tamale
3. Matt Timoko
4. Seb Kris
5. Xavier Savage
6. Ethan Strange
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Josh Papalii
9. Danny Levi/Tom Starling
10. Joseph Tapine
11. Hudson Young
12. Zac Hosking
13. Morgan Smithies

14. Tom Starling/Danny Levi
15. Ata Mariota
16. Corey Hursburgh
17. Matty Nicholson

They're rarely on anybody's radar and yet the Raiders always find a way to put themselves in the finals mix. Last year they were dealt a hand that should have seen them anchored on the bottom of the ladder alongside the Tigers and the Eels. Yet, they persevered and finished a respectable 9th.

What made them so competitive was their pack. They have a real workman like pack that aren't afraid to get down in the trenches and can get over the top of their opposition. At the forefront is Joseph Tapine, one of the best forwards in the competition and is the total package with ball in hand. He has the skills, the mobility and the stamina to match it with anybody.

Alongside him is the ever pugnacious Hudson Young. Another Newcastle junior who just represents everything his coach is looking for in a footballer. He's the type of player who never dies wondering and isn't afraid to colour outside the lines to get the desired result.

Again I invite my ESL experts Wolfie, Sproj and Fitzy to talk about Matty Nicholson. I just presume he's Elliott Whitehead/John Bateman 3.0 and he'll be another strong addition to the pack?

It's a really solid pack of forwards and there's plenty of depth there as well with Emre Guler, Trey Mooney, Pasami Saulo in the mix alongside a couple of young guns in Myles Martin & Vena Patuki-Case.

With that pack, the Raiders will find themselves in plenty of contests, it's just a matter of whether they can convert their opportunities when they present themselves. There were some real positive signs on that front this year with the emergence of Ethan Strange, Xavier Savage and Kaeo Weekes.

Strange in particular proved a real handful down that left-side for the Raiders and I'd expect the Raiders to build their sets around that formation. If that doesn't deliver, then they'll turn to Weekes to target that right middle third and if all else fails turn to Savage to see what he can come up with.

I'd also expect to see Ethan Sanders and Chevy Stewart at some point through out the season. They're two of the more exciting prospects coming through and they'll get their opportunity to make their mark. Of the two, Stewart has the best chance to make the position his own since Fogarty for all intents and purposes should have the halfback spot nailed down, but if Sanders delivers it would be a massive boon for the Raiders.

Still, that's a lot of water under the bridge and both Strange and Weekes will need to prove themselves if they're a chance of winning the premiership. My other concerns is their outside backs and dummy half. It's not the strongest backline and while they have an exciting prospect in Savelio Tamale coming in it remains to be seen what he can do.

As far as the dummy half, it's no secret they've struggled since losing Josh Hodgson and the Raiders of 2016 and 2019 enjoyed a lot of success out of what their dummy half was able to create. Both Levi and Starling can trouble the opposition with their running games but they just seem to lack that class a quality dummy half brings.

I can't see them seriously challenging this year. I'd expect them to finish anywhere between 7th and 13th but likely more outside the 8 than in. I expect to see a few players develop and put themselves in the Origin conversation for 2026 and then they'll make a serious charge, especially once they get their spine sorted.

I was actually recommending we grab him, didn't realise he had signed there until a couple of months ago.

Really skilful back rower, excellent passer and his defence is brilliant. Hes pretty fast as well. Probably needs fill out a bit for the NRL.

 

[Sproj]

I was actually recommending we grab him, didn't realise he had signed there until a couple of months ago.

Really skilful back rower, excellent passer and his defence is brilliant. Hes pretty fast as well. Probably needs fill out a bit for the NRL.

Yeah I don’t think he’s ready but Stuart has a pretty good track record with English backrowers. I don’t think he’ll hit the ground running though either.

 

[Sproj]

Alright back at it after a break, let's look at the Warriors Round 1 opponents the Canberra Raiders:

Canberra Raiders 2025
1. Kaeo Weekes
2. Albert Hopoate/Savelio Tamale
3. Matt Timoko
4. Seb Kris
5. Xavier Savage
6. Ethan Strange
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Josh Papalii
9. Danny Levi/Tom Starling
10. Joseph Tapine
11. Hudson Young
12. Zac Hosking
13. Morgan Smithies

14. Tom Starling/Danny Levi
15. Ata Mariota
16. Corey Hursburgh
17. Matty Nicholson

They're rarely on anybody's radar and yet the Raiders always find a way to put themselves in the finals mix. Last year they were dealt a hand that should have seen them anchored on the bottom of the ladder alongside the Tigers and the Eels. Yet, they persevered and finished a respectable 9th.

What made them so competitive was their pack. They have a real workman like pack that aren't afraid to get down in the trenches and can get over the top of their opposition. At the forefront is Joseph Tapine, one of the best forwards in the competition and is the total package with ball in hand. He has the skills, the mobility and the stamina to match it with anybody.

Alongside him is the ever pugnacious Hudson Young. Another Newcastle junior who just represents everything his coach is looking for in a footballer. He's the type of player who never dies wondering and isn't afraid to colour outside the lines to get the desired result.

Again I invite my ESL experts Wolfie, Sproj and Fitzy to talk about Matty Nicholson. I just presume he's Elliott Whitehead/John Bateman 3.0 and he'll be another strong addition to the pack?

It's a really solid pack of forwards and there's plenty of depth there as well with Emre Guler, Trey Mooney, Pasami Saulo in the mix alongside a couple of young guns in Myles Martin & Vena Patuki-Case.

With that pack, the Raiders will find themselves in plenty of contests, it's just a matter of whether they can convert their opportunities when they present themselves. There were some real positive signs on that front this year with the emergence of Ethan Strange, Xavier Savage and Kaeo Weekes.

Strange in particular proved a real handful down that left-side for the Raiders and I'd expect the Raiders to build their sets around that formation. If that doesn't deliver, then they'll turn to Weekes to target that right middle third and if all else fails turn to Savage to see what he can come up with.

I'd also expect to see Ethan Sanders and Chevy Stewart at some point through out the season. They're two of the more exciting prospects coming through and they'll get their opportunity to make their mark. Of the two, Stewart has the best chance to make the position his own since Fogarty for all intents and purposes should have the halfback spot nailed down, but if Sanders delivers it would be a massive boon for the Raiders.

Still, that's a lot of water under the bridge and both Strange and Weekes will need to prove themselves if they're a chance of winning the premiership. My other concerns is their outside backs and dummy half. It's not the strongest backline and while they have an exciting prospect in Savelio Tamale coming in it remains to be seen what he can do.

As far as the dummy half, it's no secret they've struggled since losing Josh Hodgson and the Raiders of 2016 and 2019 enjoyed a lot of success out of what their dummy half was able to create. Both Levi and Starling can trouble the opposition with their running games but they just seem to lack that class a quality dummy half brings.

I can't see them seriously challenging this year. I'd expect them to finish anywhere between 7th and 13th but likely more outside the 8 than in. I expect to see a few players develop and put themselves in the Origin conversation for 2026 and then they'll make a serious charge, especially once they get their spine sorted.

It feels a bit like what Richmond have done in the AFL with loading up on draft picks. Canberra seem to have loaded up on the kids but while doing that, have retained a strong side to show them the way.

I doubt they challenge this year but the future looks pretty promising for them if the kids can deliver on the potential and that is always an if. I think there might be quite a bit of second year syndrome in their youngsters this year though, just a feeling.

 

[1910]

Alright back at it after a break, let's look at the Warriors Round 1 opponents the Canberra Raiders:

Canberra Raiders 2025
1. Kaeo Weekes
2. Albert Hopoate/Savelio Tamale
3. Matt Timoko
4. Seb Kris
5. Xavier Savage
6. Ethan Strange
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Josh Papalii
9. Danny Levi/Tom Starling
10. Joseph Tapine
11. Hudson Young
12. Zac Hosking
13. Morgan Smithies

14. Tom Starling/Danny Levi
15. Ata Mariota
16. Corey Hursburgh
17. Matty Nicholson

They're rarely on anybody's radar and yet the Raiders always find a way to put themselves in the finals mix. Last year they were dealt a hand that should have seen them anchored on the bottom of the ladder alongside the Tigers and the Eels. Yet, they persevered and finished a respectable 9th.

What made them so competitive was their pack. They have a real workman like pack that aren't afraid to get down in the trenches and can get over the top of their opposition. At the forefront is Joseph Tapine, one of the best forwards in the competition and is the total package with ball in hand. He has the skills, the mobility and the stamina to match it with anybody.

Alongside him is the ever pugnacious Hudson Young. Another Newcastle junior who just represents everything his coach is looking for in a footballer. He's the type of player who never dies wondering and isn't afraid to colour outside the lines to get the desired result.

Again I invite my ESL experts Wolfie, Sproj and Fitzy to talk about Matty Nicholson. I just presume he's Elliott Whitehead/John Bateman 3.0 and he'll be another strong addition to the pack?

It's a really solid pack of forwards and there's plenty of depth there as well with Emre Guler, Trey Mooney, Pasami Saulo in the mix alongside a couple of young guns in Myles Martin & Vena Patuki-Case.

With that pack, the Raiders will find themselves in plenty of contests, it's just a matter of whether they can convert their opportunities when they present themselves. There were some real positive signs on that front this year with the emergence of Ethan Strange, Xavier Savage and Kaeo Weekes.

Strange in particular proved a real handful down that left-side for the Raiders and I'd expect the Raiders to build their sets around that formation. If that doesn't deliver, then they'll turn to Weekes to target that right middle third and if all else fails turn to Savage to see what he can come up with.

I'd also expect to see Ethan Sanders and Chevy Stewart at some point through out the season. They're two of the more exciting prospects coming through and they'll get their opportunity to make their mark. Of the two, Stewart has the best chance to make the position his own since Fogarty for all intents and purposes should have the halfback spot nailed down, but if Sanders delivers it would be a massive boon for the Raiders.

Still, that's a lot of water under the bridge and both Strange and Weekes will need to prove themselves if they're a chance of winning the premiership. My other concerns is their outside backs and dummy half. It's not the strongest backline and while they have an exciting prospect in Savelio Tamale coming in it remains to be seen what he can do.

As far as the dummy half, it's no secret they've struggled since losing Josh Hodgson and the Raiders of 2016 and 2019 enjoyed a lot of success out of what their dummy half was able to create. Both Levi and Starling can trouble the opposition with their running games but they just seem to lack that class a quality dummy half brings.

I can't see them seriously challenging this year. I'd expect them to finish anywhere between 7th and 13th but likely more outside the 8 than in. I expect to see a few players develop and put themselves in the Origin conversation for 2026 and then they'll make a serious charge, especially once they get their spine sorted.

Do you see anywhere for Pattie at hooker? I think he's a chance.

 

[Big Pete]

Do you see anywhere for Pattie at hooker? I think he's a chance.

There's definitely an opportunity there if Pattie is good enough. Admittedly I haven't watched Pattie play, I'm just aware that he was too good for Jersey Flegg and spent the second half of the season playing up a level.

What type of player is he?

 

[1910]

There's definitely an opportunity there if Pattie is good enough. Admittedly I haven't watched Pattie play, I'm just aware that he was too good for Jersey Flegg and spent the second half of the season playing up a level.

What type of player is he?

Reminds me of Parcell. I think Stuart will like that he kicks and creates chances from dummy half. Fits the mould of the young Raiders.

 

[Foordy]

Hasler is reportedly considering moving Jayden Campbell to halfback. with AJ Brimson at five-eight.

He'd use Foran as the bench utility

 

[Sproj]

Alright Big Pete, let's do one of the really hard ones to predict given the amount of churn they've had.

St George:
1. Gutherson
2. Sloan
3. Holmes
4. Suli
5. Tuipolotu/Feagai
6. Ilias
7. Flanagan
8. F.Molo
9. Cook
10. Lawrie
11. Leilua
12. Su'A
13. de Belin

14. Liddle
15. Couchman
16. Pasifiki Tonga / Couchman / Stewart
17. Sele

 

[Big Del]

Alright Big Pete, let's do one of the really hard ones to predict given the amount of churn they've had.

St George:
1. Gutherson
2. Sloan
3. Holmes
4. Suli
5. Tuipolotu/Feagai
6. Ilias
7. Flanagan
8. F.Molo
9. Cook
10. Lawrie
11. Leilua
12. Su'A
13. de Belin

14. Liddle
15. Couchman
16. Pasifiki Tonga / Couchman / Stewart
17. Sele

That looks like a decent team .
But as with many of the clubs outside the 8 depends whether the halves click .
I was reading a Fox article about 2025 and a lot of clubs success relies on new halves combos .

 

[mitch222]

I think the biggest fear for the dragons will be that these older head players signed on for a retirement package and will just coast.

 

[BroncsFan]

That looks like a decent team .
But as with many of the clubs outside the 8 depends whether the halves click .
I was reading a Fox article about 2025 and a lot of clubs success relies on new halves combos .

Yeah that halves pairing is very uninspiring.

I think Gutho will be an important part of their attack next year... he's always pretty useful at finishing off the backline sweeps

 

[Big Pete]

Glad to see you get the ball rolling, Sproj, I largely agree with your team, there's just a few changes I can see:

St George Illawarra Dragons 2025
1. Clint Gutherson (c)
2. Tyrell Sloan/Mat Feagai
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Moses Suli
5. Mikaele Ravalawa/Tyrell Sloan
6. Kyle Flanagan
7. Lachlan Ilias
8. Francis Molo/Blake Lawrie/etc.
9. Damien Cook (c)
10. Jack de Belin
11. Luciano Leilua
12. Jaydn Su'A
13. Tom Eisenhuth

14. Jacob Liddle
15. Raymond Faitala-Mariner/etc.
16. Blake Lawrie/Michael Molo/ etc.
17. Loko Pasifiki Tonga

It's a changing of the guard down in Kogarah. With Ben Hunt, Zac Lomax and Jack Bird moving on, Flanagan has turned to Clint Gutherson, Valentine Holmes and Damien Cook to help steer the team into a finals birth. It's been six long years since the Dragons have tasted finals and while they've come close on several occasions they've always finished short.

On paper I don't think the Dragons look as impressive as other teams but I see a lot of similarities with the Sharks under Flanagan. Cronulla had a few signings like Michael Ennis and Ben Barba that weren't exactly exciting but when they were able to work together with other senior players like Maloney, Lewis and Gallen they brought a sense of renewed vigor and gave the Sharks a maturity few teams could match.

I expect to see a similar change at St George with Gutherson in particular leading the charge. Sloan was capable of the odd exciting ab-lid play but just struggled with consistent efforts and could fade out of games. Not only do I expect Gutherson to be at the forefront, I expect he'll allow them to play a more expansive game and won't be afraid to challenge teams down the short-side.

I'm curious to see how their right-side will line up. I've got Ilias slotting straight in for Hunt, which is why I got him wearing the 7 but it could just as easily be Flanagan. Su'A will be the right second-row no risk, but does Holmes switch over ala Origin and who fills in for Lomax?

If it was up to me, their right wing would be between Sloan and Ravalawa with their left wing going to Feagai but it's fair to say those positions are in the air so Tuipulotu, Finau, Latu or Lawson you all be bolters there.

There's a lot of exciting forwards coming through at St George and I expect to see them trickled through out the season. However the one player who I expect to see is Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga. I expect he'll jump the cue and be a fixture off that bench and be a real handful coming off the bench.

We've gone through other teams with higher ceilings, but I think the Dragons will pinch a Top 8 spot this year. Flanagan has them going in the right direction, this team is more capable of following his directions and they've got a good balance between youth and experience.

 

[Sproj]

Glad to see you get the ball rolling, Sproj, I largely agree with your team, there's just a few changes I can see:

St George Illawarra Dragons 2025
1. Clint Gutherson (c)
2. Tyrell Sloan/Mat Feagai
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Moses Suli
5. Mikaele Ravalawa/Tyrell Sloan
6. Kyle Flanagan
7. Lachlan Ilias
8. Francis Molo/Blake Lawrie/etc.
9. Damien Cook (c)
10. Jack de Belin
11. Luciano Leilua
12. Jaydn Su'A
13. Tom Eisenhuth

14. Jacob Liddle
15. Raymond Faitala-Mariner/etc.
16. Blake Lawrie/Michael Molo/ etc.
17. Loko Pasifiki Tonga

It's a changing of the guard down in Kogarah. With Ben Hunt, Zac Lomax and Jack Bird moving on, Flanagan has turned to Clint Gutherson, Valentine Holmes and Damien Cook to help steer the team into a finals birth. It's been six long years since the Dragons have tasted finals and while they've come close on several occasions they've always finished short.

On paper I don't think the Dragons look as impressive as other teams but I see a lot of similarities with the Sharks under Flanagan. Cronulla had a few signings like Michael Ennis and Ben Barba that weren't exactly exciting but when they were able to work together with other senior players like Maloney, Lewis and Gallen they brought a sense of renewed vigor and gave the Sharks a maturity few teams could match.

I expect to see a similar change at St George with Gutherson in particular leading the charge. Sloan was capable of the odd exciting ab-lid play but just struggled with consistent efforts and could fade out of games. Not only do I expect Gutherson to be at the forefront, I expect he'll allow them to play a more expansive game and won't be afraid to challenge teams down the short-side.

I'm curious to see how their right-side will line up. I've got Ilias slotting straight in for Hunt, which is why I got him wearing the 7 but it could just as easily be Flanagan. Su'A will be the right second-row no risk, but does Holmes switch over ala Origin and who fills in for Lomax?

If it was up to me, their right wing would be between Sloan and Ravalawa with their left wing going to Feagai but it's fair to say those positions are in the air so Tuipulotu, Finau, Latu or Lawson you all be bolters there.

There's a lot of exciting forwards coming through at St George and I expect to see them trickled through out the season. However the one player who I expect to see is Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga. I expect he'll jump the cue and be a fixture off that bench and be a real handful coming off the bench.

We've gone through other teams with higher ceilings, but I think the Dragons will pinch a Top 8 spot this year. Flanagan has them going in the right direction, this team is more capable of following his directions and they've got a good balance between youth and experience.

Yeah hard to argue with any of those choices. I think Pasifiki Tonga is arguably the most exciting young forward coming through, I think he will be a mainstay most of the year but whether he can last an entire season at his age and as a forward is a big question mark. Flanagan will need to manage him but he is a future leader of their pack.

 

[BroncsFan]

Glad to see you get the ball rolling, Sproj, I largely agree with your team, there's just a few changes I can see:

St George Illawarra Dragons 2025
1. Clint Gutherson (c)
2. Tyrell Sloan/Mat Feagai
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Moses Suli
5. Mikaele Ravalawa/Tyrell Sloan
6. Kyle Flanagan
7. Lachlan Ilias
8. Francis Molo/Blake Lawrie/etc.
9. Damien Cook (c)
10. Jack de Belin
11. Luciano Leilua
12. Jaydn Su'A
13. Tom Eisenhuth

14. Jacob Liddle
15. Raymond Faitala-Mariner/etc.
16. Blake Lawrie/Michael Molo/ etc.
17. Loko Pasifiki Tonga

It's a changing of the guard down in Kogarah. With Ben Hunt, Zac Lomax and Jack Bird moving on, Flanagan has turned to Clint Gutherson, Valentine Holmes and Damien Cook to help steer the team into a finals birth. It's been six long years since the Dragons have tasted finals and while they've come close on several occasions they've always finished short.

On paper I don't think the Dragons look as impressive as other teams but I see a lot of similarities with the Sharks under Flanagan. Cronulla had a few signings like Michael Ennis and Ben Barba that weren't exactly exciting but when they were able to work together with other senior players like Maloney, Lewis and Gallen they brought a sense of renewed vigor and gave the Sharks a maturity few teams could match.

I expect to see a similar change at St George with Gutherson in particular leading the charge. Sloan was capable of the odd exciting ab-lid play but just struggled with consistent efforts and could fade out of games. Not only do I expect Gutherson to be at the forefront, I expect he'll allow them to play a more expansive game and won't be afraid to challenge teams down the short-side.

I'm curious to see how their right-side will line up. I've got Ilias slotting straight in for Hunt, which is why I got him wearing the 7 but it could just as easily be Flanagan. Su'A will be the right second-row no risk, but does Holmes switch over ala Origin and who fills in for Lomax?

If it was up to me, their right wing would be between Sloan and Ravalawa with their left wing going to Feagai but it's fair to say those positions are in the air so Tuipulotu, Finau, Latu or Lawson you all be bolters there.

There's a lot of exciting forwards coming through at St George and I expect to see them trickled through out the season. However the one player who I expect to see is Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga. I expect he'll jump the cue and be a fixture off that bench and be a real handful coming off the bench.

We've gone through other teams with higher ceilings, but I think the Dragons will pinch a Top 8 spot this year. Flanagan has them going in the right direction, this team is more capable of following his directions and they've got a good balance between youth and experience.

Sloan on the wing makes sense, but Flanagan is a by the numbers kind of coach, so I would say he'll want yardage and tough carries out of his wingers.

Is that really going to fit Sloan??

He can't play centres because they've got Suli and Val there, but he's so much x factor that they should be looking to find him a place in the team.

 

[mitch222]

I think Sloan will be in the super league by the end of the year if they deem Gutho to be their fullback moving forward.

 

[Sproj]

Sloan on the wing makes sense, but Flanagan is a by the numbers kind of coach, so I would say he'll want yardage and tough carries out of his wingers.

Is that really going to fit Sloan??

He can't play centres because they've got Suli and Val there, but he's so much x factor that they should be looking to find him a place in the team.

This is a good question but physically, he could be a Lomax style winger if he wants to be. He has all the ingredients to be good there.

 

[BroncsFan]

This is a good question but physically, he could be a Lomax style winger if he wants to be. He has all the ingredients to be good there.

I think he's missing the physicality that Lomax brings though, and that's one of the main things in his game that makes him so good... yardage, quick ptbs, broken tackles, etc.

Sloan could definitely get up in the air and compete on bombs... but Lomax was someone who was physical in the air and physical in his running.

That just doesn't look like something that is in Sloan's game at all.