2025 pre season thread

Telegraph story on every club's train and trial squad doesn't tell us anything new, but still confirmation.

"The Knights have gone with youth as they give opportunities to some of the club’s brightest stars. None shine brighter than prop Cody Hopwood, who was a star at this year’s Australian schoolboys titles and finished the tournament as the No.1 ranked schoolboy in the nation. Connor Votano is another flying fullback emerging through the Knights system who has a nose for the tryline.

TRAIN AND TRIAL SQUAD: Connor Votano, Kyle McCarthy, Cody Hopwood, Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana, Jack Hillier, Haami Herbert-Lozza, Bailey Carmichael, Liam Sutton, Brock Greacen"
 
Great to hear a gun young prop in Cody coming through. In regards to Conner Votano, if he were to break into the FG squad next year or this year!? Where would we put him? Center?
 
Grandpa Joe - Prev Lord said:
You guys are deadset bipolar over O'Brien, for the last 6 months you were calling for his head now his awesome. Make up your minds.
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Even though I know you’re not referring to me, I’ll own up to being a worthy target of your critique.
I think Adam is great as a player developer, not great at structure in attack (I know we have attacking coaches but the point stands etc.) I know this is irrelevant but I also don’t find him as likeable a character as Brownie.
I’ll die on that hill - Brownie was elite with his general communication with the media and more importantly the fans. He was so transparent about the whole situation with the club. He deserves more credit because he inherited an absolute mess from Wayne, and gave Adam a much improved squad to work with.
 
frankLauda said:
Marzhew is good form is devastating. It’s his consistency you needs to get right. But I think he is moving in the right direction.

Goes to show why Brian To’o is the best winger in the game. He has consistently (for years) been one of the highest meter gainers and as safe as houses in defence, high ball etc.
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This. To’o somehow defies physics as a 3ft 2 winger. I think I’ve seen 1-2 plays in his whole career where a team capitalised on his short stature.
 
frankLauda said:
In regards to Conner Votano, if he were to break into the FG squad next year or this year!? Where would we put him? Center?
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The good thing about Votano is he is the full package - tall, fast, great hand eye co-ordination, great pass, great kick, fit. He can literally play anywhere from 1 to 6 with ease.
I haven't seen his younger brother play yet, but if his mother can turn out 5 or 6 more like Connor, we could find spots for all of them.
 
Billy said:
The good thing about Votano is he is the full package - tall, fast, great hand eye co-ordination, great pass, great kick, fit. He can literally play anywhere from 1 to 6 with ease.
I haven't seen his younger brother play yet, but if his mother can turn out 5 or 6 more like Connor, we could find spots for all of them.
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Out of everyone coming through, I think he has the highest ceiling. However, I’d trust your judgement over mine. Would you agree with my take on votano?
 
Hutcho said:
This. To’o somehow defies physics as a 3ft 2 winger. I think I’ve seen 1-2 plays in his whole career where a team capitalised on his short stature.
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To'o is brilliant, but he does also get good help from his inside men that helps diffuse or give him cleaner leaps at the ball.
 
Billy said:
The good thing about Votano is he is the full package - tall, fast, great hand eye co-ordination, great pass, great kick, fit. He can literally play anywhere from 1 to 6 with ease.
I haven't seen his younger brother play yet, but if his mother can turn out 5 or 6 more like Connor, we could find spots for all of them.
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Well for the structure of the team for the sounds of 6 could be his position.
 
I wonder if he could be developed into a 7... I think it's going to be much easier for us to purchase or manufacture a great 5/8 as opposed to a 7.
I'm quite confident (based on no evidence at all but intuition) that Pryce will make the 6 jersey his own. If he gets a combination working with Ponga, our attack could improve 10-fold
 
I haven't seen any chat around the 2025 NRL draw.

Fox have analysed the draw and the Knights have the 3rd easiest draw in the comp.

15 games against bottom 9, 7 against bottom 4.

First 5 games are Tigers, Dolphins, Titans, Bulldogs and Tigers and if we can't get off to a good start with that draw, we will struggle.
 
Latest photos on social media show just about everyone is back at training except Crossland, Leo, Bradman and KPP.
The only guys who should be in the photos I haven't seen are Elliott and Lucas, but there aren't a lot of photos this year and none on the Knights official site.
 
Billy said:
Latest photos on social media show just about everyone is back at training except Crossland, Leo, Bradman and KPP.
The only guys who should be in the photos I haven't seen are Elliott and Lucas, but there aren't a lot of photos this year and none on the Knights official site.
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Would Lucas get another week or two after making the PM's XIII?
 
Hutcho said:
Out of everyone coming through, I think he has the highest ceiling. However, I’d trust your judgement over mine. Would you agree with my take on votano?
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Usually outside backs destined for stardom are those who present as physically robust by age 18 and they're already levels above opponents their age. Best was way too good for kids 2 years his senior as a junior, for example.

Votano looks the goods but he's never played against seniors. I'd like to see that before I get truly excited about him.

I'd probably bet on McEwen or Hopgood over Votano
 
Les Misérables said:
Usually outside backs destined for stardom are those who present as physically robust by age 18 and they're already levels above opponents their age. Best was way too good for kids 2 years his senior as a junior, for example.

Votano looks the goods but he's never played against seniors. I'd like to see that before I get truly excited about him.

I'd probably bet on McEwen or Hopgood over Votano
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Votano played 4 games of reserve grade after he played for NSW under 19s.
3 at fullback and 1 at centre.
He didn't set the world on fire, but he wasn't terrible either.
He can still play SG Ball this year.
 
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