The pre-season 2026 thread

Defender1 said:
Sharpe is twice the player Smith is. Smith comes here as a back up / bench player that has had 1 or 2 good games at NRL level. Why would anyone buy into the idea he's a walk up start over one of our best atracking players. A spine of...

1. Ponga
6. Brown
7. Sharpe
9. Crossland

... is going to cause some damage.
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I dont disagree but position and profile both matter. Playing halfback requires a lot between the ears that even Dylan Brown doesnt possess.

Sharpe looks good at 6.
 
This jersery looks much better than the version from 2018-2019. An actual collar would’ve been the cherry on top.
 
That little halfback for Saints goes alright.
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Just had a listen to Bloke pre-season team preview for the Knights. They harped on a bit thinking Sharpe will play halves, Smith 9. But all believed he’s best suited to wing and Smith to 7 considering the players and there strengths.

They were all very concerned about our pack and the pressure on Mooney and SAF needs to step. That we are very thin on the forwards if we had injuries. Talked about the future and Cody Hopwood. Said we are in a building year and will be much better in 27. Had us bottom 2 this year.
 
frankLauda said:
Just had a listen to Bloke pre-season team preview for the Knights. They harped on a bit thinking Sharpe will play halves, Smith 9. But all believed he’s best suited to wing and Smith to 7 considering the players and there strengths.

They were all very concerned about our pack and the pressure on Mooney and SAF needs to step. That we are very thin on the forwards if we had injuries. Talked about the future and Cody Hopwood. Said we are in a building year and will be much better in 27. Had us bottom 2 this year.
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Hard to argue with much of that.
 
frankLauda said:
Just had a listen to Bloke pre-season team preview for the Knights. They harped on a bit thinking Sharpe will play halves, Smith 9. But all believed he’s best suited to wing and Smith to 7 considering the players and there strengths. Barely a whimper about the actual quality we have in our backline btw.

They were all very concerned about our pack and the pressure on Mooney and SAF needs to step. That we are very thin on the forwards if we had injuries. Talked about the future and Cody Hopwood. Said we are in a building year and will be much better in 27. Had us bottom 2 this year.
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I listened to their Knights preview which was 98% negative. About 10 minutes on how we don’t know who are halves are and how disjointed our spine is. Then they start making up **** like whispers about Brown or Ponga at 7 being considered, by who I don’t know.

They spent the next part of the preview talking about how weak our pack is, which to be fair is a concern particularly our depth.

They then all predict us to be near the bottom which is just their opinions, which is fine. Then the bloke with the wok eye scoffs at the idea of someone even considering us making the 8. Pretty rich coming from a Tigers fan.

In isolation it’s ok but then I listen to their Titans preview who have apparently had an amazing preseason because Tino resigned and Matty Johns and Tallis (lol) are now part owners. They talk up their spine, 3 of the 4 who will play out of position and their gun backline, the majority of whom wouldn’t even make out starting side.

In summary we’re the drizzling ****s and will get the spoon and consistent contenders like the Titans are miles ahead of us.

I couldn’t stomach listening to any more of their previews. I don’t normally care about us being talked down in the media but these blokes really bother me for some reason. It’s probably their self importance.
 
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mozza said:
I listened to their Knights preview which was 98% negative. About 10 minutes on how we don’t know who are halves are and how disjointed our spine is. Then they start making up **** like whispers about Brown or Ponga at 7 being considered, by who I don’t know.

They spent the next part of the preview talking about how weak our pack is, which to be fair is a concern particularly our depth.

They then all predict us to be near the bottom which is just their opinions, which is fine. Then the bloke with the wok eye scoffs at the idea of someone even considering us making the 8. Pretty rich coming from a Tigers fan.

In isolation it’s ok but then I listen to their Titans preview who have apparently had an amazing preseason because Tino resigned and Matty Johns and Tallis (lol) are now part owners. They talk up their spine, 3 of the 4 who will play out of position and their gun backline, the majority of whom wouldn’t even make out starting side.

In summary we’re the drizzling ****s and will get the spoon and consistent contenders like the Titans are miles ahead of us.

I couldn’t stomach listening to any more of their previews. I don’t normally care about us being talked down in the media but these blokes really bother me for some reason. It’s probably their self importance.
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Empty vessels make the most noise….,,
 
Did anyone catch willie masons pod where they did the knights preview a few weeks ago. He said he had good mail brown was going to be 5/8 (nothing groundbreaking) but then proceeded to suggest ponga should be the 7 with sharpe at the back, the other bloke suggested he looked confident and that he might know something etc. certainly fits holbrooks statement of sharpe being to good for the wing and needing to be in the side and the fact he hasnt been named at 7 in either trial and named at fullback vs the bulldogs. probably reading to much into it but i dont understand why you name sharpe at the back if he wont be there round 1 🤔.
 
EASBay17 said:
Did anyone catch willie masons pod where they did the knights preview a few weeks ago. He said he had good mail brown was going to be 5/8 (nothing groundbreaking) but then proceeded to suggest ponga should be the 7 with sharpe at the back, the other bloke suggested he looked confident and that he might know something etc. certainly fits holbrooks statement of sharpe being to good for the wing and needing to be in the side and the fact he hasnt been named at 7 in either trial and named at fullback vs the bulldogs. probably reading to much into it but i dont understand why you name sharpe at the back if he wont be there round 1 🤔.
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At the very least I'd like to see how it goes for a few games.

Whenever Ponga tossed himself into 1st receiver on the 5th inside the opp 20 he often made something of it. Wasnt always an all or nothing play, which is kinda laudable given that he bullied his way into that position with the express purpose of 'creating something'.

He's kinda shown that he has measured judgement as a primary playmaker. He's also demonstrated a strong sense of responsibility and desire to control outcomes, rather than allowing them to unfold. And there's no doubting his prowess in general. To my mind the guy has all the tools to be a 7.

I'd like to see it in this set-up. At least once.
 
Preseason games are so bleh, even Gus was saying don’t pay attention to trial form, it’s for fitness.
Pretty sure the year we won the comp in 2001 Penrith put 50 on us.

I wouldn’t mind seeing the 9s back one day. Good cash prize money for those who made the QF onwards. Then whoever wants to play proper preseason games can.
It doesn’t have to be in NZ every year either, you can take it to major cities as well. It’s not too contact focussed or can be used for guys getting back into the swing of things
 
Just watched a pre-game interview between Brandy and DB before the dogs trial. Brandy asks the question
"Will you play on the left? A couple of great attacking options in Best and Lucus"
Browned replied, "No, I'm on the right side tonight, a bit more kicking and a bit more involvement, and yeah, we'll see how we go."
 
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