NRL 2025 Pre-Season Thread

[mitch222]

And what do you do with Gray? I really feel in addition to everything you said Big Pete, with all those options they have, if it takes Bennett too long to figure out how best to fit everyone, they might be coming from too far back.

Dodd is a really good halfback but can he take the reins of an experienced and arguably set in their ways NRL side with a few potentially prickly characters? I'm not sure.

I'd be really tempted to go with Gray at 1 and Latrell in the centres but if you do that, what do you do with Walker and Wighton given Graham at his best in my opinion is the best centre in the comp. That said, given how long he's been out, what version of Graham will come back?

So many question marks around that side and so much Jekyll and Hyde in there. Regardless of the calibre of player, I'm not sure the collective mindset is professional enough to actually contend when the whips are cracking. I could see them somehow scraping into top four equally as much as finishing bottom four. Weird side.

Maybe second best but there is a long margin between Chricton and anyone else at the moment. The bloke is just a stud.

 

[1910]

Let's take a look...

South Sydney Rabbitohs 2025
1. Latrell Mitchell
2. Alex Johnston
3. Jack Wighton
4. Campbell Graham
5. Tyrone Munro
6. Cody Walker
7. Lewis Dodd/Jayden Sullivan
8. Tevita Tatola
9. Peter Mamouzelos/Jamie Humphreys
10. Jai Arrow
11. Keaon Koloamatangi
12. Euan Aitken
13. Cameron Murray

14. Siliva Havili
15. Tallis Duncan/Sean Keppie/Shaq Mitchell
16. Davy Moale
17. Josh Schuster

So in the modern NRL you have the Penrith Panthers who are an absolute phenomenon no questions asked. Then you have a team like Melbourne who even when they're struggling still manage to make the Top 4 and just keep on rolling. Then there's the Roosters who have a fantastic team on paper but can't quite match it with those teams and always seem to leave their run too late.

Below them is South Sydney who have this brilliant core that can beat anyone on their day but have completely lost the plot the past couple of years. It was amazing just how quickly it all fell apart. Half-way through 2023 they were the form team of the competition and had an embarrassment of riches with Jack Wighton joining the next year. A year later they're sending out an SOS to Bennett as all the star players start going AWOL.

They've completely underachieved and while they've veered off course they have a coach who can make the big calls and win the big matches. He doesn't always get it right and sometimes it's a case of so close yet so far but with him on board I certainly feel more confident than I did with Demetriou and Hornby respectively.

I think the reason why they're being favoured so much is because they have arguably the best back and the best forward in the competition in Latrell and Murray. We've seen what both can do on their day and if Bennett can unlock them it'll just allow so much to fall into place. Ever since leaving the Roosters Latrell has been complacent but I think his time is drawing to a close and if he doesn't sort himself out quickly he knows he could be entering the next phase of his life prematurely. One last serious run with Bennett could be just the inspiration he needs.

The forwards need to really lift. If Tatola and Arrow can get back to their best that will be a huge boost because Souths were awful in the ruck last year. I like the Aitken and Schuster purchases - it's two sides of the coin where you have a reliable player in Aitken who can slot in. Then you have the high ceiling player in Schuster who could be a match-winner. Bennett will have to manage him well and there's a risk factor there but that could be a huge boon.

Also have my doubts around halves and hooker. Will they be able to direct traffic and control possession? WIll they take the pressure off the other players and allow them to shine? I'm not even sold on the halves I've named - even Bennett didn't seem to recognise Dodd from what I saw. Sullivan just seems like another back-up half to play alongside Gerome Burns. It could very well be a Wighton/Walker combo for all I know.

You lost me at no Jye Gray.

 

[Sproj]

You lost me at no Jye Gray.

Put Mitchell at centre? What you do with Wighton / Walker / Dodds?

 

[1910]

Put Mitchell at centre? What you do with Wighton / Walker / Dodds?

No clue but I would always have Gray.

 

[Big Pete]

I'm a fan of Gray and I'm sure he'll play a role through out the campaign but I think Latrell at fullback will be the preferred option.

Otherwise if Gray forces Wayne's hand I'd expect two options.

1. Gray
3. Graham
4. Mitchell
6. Wighton
7. Walker

1. Mitchell
3. Graham
4. Wighton
6. Gray
7. Walker

I could see Bennett going the Trai Fuller route and naming Gray on the bench as well.

I was really harsh on Parramatta during my write-up. While I stand by my low expectations, I'm more interested in looking at a team's style of play and what they'll be looking to do in the season ahead. I decided to do some more digging and I just wanted to share a wonderful website The Cumberland Throw which has some of the best coverage in the game.

One of the writers is there everyday at training and constantly reports what's happening and who is impressing him. They also seem to have some intel, so for instance, Jordan Samrani is currently listed as a NRL contracted player but according to the club he's a train and trial with a development deal for 2026. Somehow wires have been getting crossed.

Anyways the general impression I get is that we're going to see a few Round 1 bolters and while you can just about lock down 1-7, the forward pack and bench is completely up in the air with players constantly rotating from the NRL to the NSW squad, from one side of the field to another. So it wouldn't be shocking at all to see a Charlie Guymer or Dan Keir off the bench and one of the big name players miss out.

One name they're constantly touting is hooker Ryley Smith. If you follow the Eels, they're absolutely desperate for a dummy half and their fans all had Blake Mozer on their Christmas list. Smith is currently on a train and trial but he's been smashing all the drills and even broke one of Gutho's records - Gutho is so fit that players have gone to hospital trying to compete with him in drills. He shapes as that Reed Mahoney out of nowhere style selection that really turned the Eels around in 2019.

Interesting to note that Simonsson and Greig who I both had as NRL starters have been scrimmaging with the NSW Cup players. It seems like they've fallen down the pecking order at the club.