2025 pre season thread

Warbs said:
I try to have confidence in this coach, but I just can't. After his ugly team comment and his inability to build a consistant team, I can't wit to see the back of him.
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While I don't like his conservative style, and have doubts about his ability to create a culture, AOB had had the cattle he's been given performing. Making the 8 with arguably one of if not the worst spine in the NRL is quite a feat. Yes there's a rampant Ponga in the team, but making the 8 with our halves is like getting pole position with my Grandma driving.

Compared to the cattle at the disposal of the Roosters coach and how they've performed lately, I really think (management aside) the recruitment has been disgraceful, hopefully that's fixed now.
 
Merely making the 8 was a fail the other day, now it's apparently a feat...interesting. Someone must have remembered the Bulldogs only finished 7th.

Anyway if it's Cogger and Gamble so be it. Hopefully they'll prove themselves with an extended run. I assume that puts Crossland back in the 9 and Brails in the 14?

Brodie Croft is being mentioned in the media again as having the interest of NRL clubs. When he eventually returns to the NRL it will be interesting to see if that's a masterstroke or a disaster.

Another name I find interesting is AJ Brimson who is on $800k until 2029 but was coming off the bench behind Campbell at 6 and Kini at 1 late last season. He's not a 7 so I can't see him taking over from Foran and he didn't exactly kill it in the centres when he played there. Seems like a waste.
 
Mark St Johns at Fox Sports just posted this as our predicted round 1 team.
KNIGHTS

Predicted Round 1 team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Fletcher Sharpe 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jack Cogger 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Tyson Frizell 13. Adam Elliott 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Mathew Croker 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Kai Pearce-Paul

www.foxsports.com.au

Veteran’s shock supersub role as Broncos mull big move for Test star: Predicted Rd 1 NRL teams

Veteran’s shock supersub role as Broncos mull big move for Test star: Rd 1 NRL teams
www.foxsports.com.au www.foxsports.com.au
 
HarVeeGee13 said:
Re: Crossland

Like him more at hooker, simply because, while he’s not a good hooker like an Api Koroisau, he’s also not a “good” hooker who’s actually not good (i.e. one who can do stuff in attack, but actually makes the attack worse as a whole simply because he doesn’t get the ball where it needs to go consistently enough & spends too much time faffing about around the ruck). I also think his halves skills are mid by the standards of an actual half, but for a hooker they’re a legit extra which have at times worked very well as a surprise tactic (simply because defences don’t look out for his kicks like they would if he had 6 or 7 on his back).
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I can’t recall what it was (maybe a podcast with panthers CEO or Ivan Clearys book) but it was about Penrith and their decision to move on Api.

Basically said his experience was helpful with the young pairing of Cleary and Luai. But once they got going, the hooker position was merely passing them the ball, which more or less…anybody could do.

Unless your hooker is prime Cook, Smith, Grant type player that’s winning you some games, you may as well have somebody like Crossland who is going to be capable of doing a job, but perhaps have other attributes. Eg Crossland can kick reasonably, good in defence.

The context was salary cap. But could also be translated to gameday squad.


I think he is a great 14. He’s an alternative option/style at 6/7/9 or even 13.
 
Billy said:
Well i'd leave out Arthur because I don't know how we use him and he looks tiny, but if we are squeezing someone out for him - Crossland brings more than Gamble because of his higher workrate in attack and defence.
Dropping Brailey is the other option.
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I beg to differ on that front.

100% agree about the work rate with Crossland there Is undoubtly not a soul on that team that gives more effort than he does.

However, there has been many an occasion where Gamble has made try saving tackles or cut down line breaks that there would not be any chance of Crossland doing.

I can guarantee you If had to defend a set of six on the try line and failed In my assignment to defend the guy I want covering for me definitely Isn't Phoenix Crossland In that respect.
 
Rupert Murdoch said:
I beg to differ on that front.

100% agree about the work rate with Crossland there Is undoubtly not a soul on that team that gives more effort than he does.

However, there has been many an occasion where Gamble has made try saving tackles or cut down line breaks that there would not be any chance of Crossland doing.

I can guarantee you If had to defend a set of six on the try line and failed In my assignment to defend the guy I want covering for me definitely Isn't Phoenix Crossland In that respect.
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Guess we beg to differ , but that's what it all about😀
 
If Gamble was a local I don’t think anybody would pretend Crossland or Cogger or any other option tries harder than him. Not even downplaying their “effort” (kind of a broad and ambiguous term) but when has Gamble ever let the team down in that area?

If you think he should make way for Crossland or Cogger just say it’s because you want to cheer for local kids instead because he tries as hard as anyone, he just happens to also be a better playmaker and all-around half at the same time.
 
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